of the Pashas of Waradin and Pest and designed to Besiege the Castle of Presburg Debates about the Relief of Presbourg which being a Place of considerable Consequence was a Matter of long Debate whether in that Conjuncture it was to be relieved in despight of all the Difficulties and Obstacles which appeared to the contrary For in the first place it was alledged that the Ways thither were rocky woody and inclosed that the Forces of the Enemy were much superior to theirs in number and that the Army ought not to be put into any hazard of being Defeated at a time when the Relief of Vienna was the main and ultimate Design To these Arguments it was urged that in case the Castle of Presburg was surrendred to the Enemy it would facilitate a Communication between their two Armies and hinder the conjunction of the Polish Army with the Imperial unless they took a large compass about which would both harrass the Men by a long March and defer the Relief of Vienna the Extremities of which required nothing more than Hast and a speedy Succour These last Reasons prevailed above the former it being esteemed of absolute necessity to conserve the Castle of Presbourg the which was wavering and ready with the other Towns to accept and embrace the Protection of Tekeli In pursuance of this Resolution The Duke of Loraine secures Presbourg the Duke of Loraine passed the Danube with his Horse and Dragoons namely the Regiments of Palsi Caprara Rabata Gondola Taff Merci Hallewiel Montecuculi Veterani and Gots which were all Horse to the number of eight Thousand and of Dragoons those of Stirum Schultz and Herberviller making in all an Hundred thirty six Troops and Companies besides the Poles under Lubomiski which made about two Thousand Men more In the Night Prince Lewis of Baden and the Baron of Merci were Commanded in the Van to secure the narrow Ways and Passages and being come upon certain Hills where they see round about they discovered the Enemies Fires and Lights below in the Plains and two Camps at some little distance one from the other of which Advice being given to the General Prince Lewis of Baden was ordered to Attack the Suburbs of Presbourg where some of the Malecontents were quartered upon this Surprise the Malecontents flying into the Town made way for the Imperialists to enter without much Resistance The City being in a suddain consternation upon sight of the Imperial Army at their Gates surrendred upon Summons as did also the Castle the Garrison whereof whilst the Town was in Treaty escaped out to seek for Refuge in the Camp but many of them were intercepted in their Passage and cut to pieces This happy success in sight of the Enemy was an evidence of their Weakness and want of Courage and animated the Christians to give them Battle The Prince Lewis of Baden with his Dragoons was hereupon as ordered drew up in the Vineyards and Gardens adjoyning to the Suburbs and extended his whole Body to the right and left along the Danube to the foot of the Hill the better to secure C. Caprara whilst he with his Horse descended down by the Vineyards and had drawn up in Batalia The Enemy made a show as if they intended to fight and detached some Parties to begin a Skirmish but the Duke of Loraine would not Engage until all his Forces were drawn up upon appearance whereof the Malecontents changed their Minds The Malecontents are put to 〈◊〉 and instead of advancing the Imperialists perceived by a great Dust rising on one side and the other that the Enemy retired The advanced Parties of the Enemy which were to begin the Battle finding themselves abandoned by the main Body turned their backs and fled and were hardly pursu'd by the Imperialists and Poles with much loss and slaughter until they came to a great Wood with a stream of Water running by it where they made a Stand but a detached party of Poles with some Squadrons of Germans and some of the Regiment of Palsi charged them with such Vigour and Bravery as put them to a Rout so that they killed about five or six Hundred of them and took about twelve Hundred Waggons of Baggage and pursued them so hotly towards Tirnau that many of them saved themselves in the Woods and others threw themselves into the Danube the Affrightment and Disorder was so great through the whole Army that they recovered not themselves until they had passed the Waagh Discontent between the Turks and Tekeli Tekeli having Intelligence of the March of the Imperialists by the Party which had been beaten the Evening before he retired in the Night-time with a great Body of his own Horse and Foot leaving very few of his Men with the Turks and resolved to attend the Duke of Loraine's coming and to fall upon him which occasioned that Quarrel and Misunderstanding between the Malecontents and the Turks that they separated each from other and acted apart until they were reconciled and again united by Mediation of the Vizier as appeared by certain Letters which were intercepted But to return again to the Siege In the mean time whilst these things were acting abroad there was continual firing and shooting on both sides and on the 26th the Turks designing to make a furious Assault caused all their warlike Musick such as Flutes Cymbals and brass Trumpets which give a shrill Sound to play with their highest Notes to encourage their Soldiers to make the On-set but just as they were beginning the Besieged gave Fire to a Mine A Mine sprang by the Besieged which made many of the Turks to take capers and frisks in the Air according to the Measures of their Musick But the Turks not dismayed hereat prest hard to gain that Ground which the Mine had laid open but were valiantly repulsed by those who had the Guard of that Place Howsoever the Matter was long in dispute until Count Serini and St. Croix Lieutenant Colonel of Dupigni's Regiment of Horse came in with some Granadiers to their Relief and forced the Assailants back again into their Trenches leaving many of their Companions dead upon the place whose Heads the Christians afterwards fixed upon Poles and exposed 'em to the View of the Turkish Camp Howsoever this Action was not performed without some loss and hurt to the Besieged for Count Guy of Staremberg and Count Souches were wounded George Misnier General of the Artillery Several of the Christians killed had his Arm broken by a Shot of which he died in a few days afterwards to the great Sorrow of the whole City which could not but miss a Person so excellent in his Art having been Ingenier at the Siege of Philipsbourg in the Troops of the Marquess of Baden In this Action also were killed Baron Walter Lieutenant Colonel of the Regiment of Wirtemberg and William Schemnitz a Captain in the Regiment of Staremberg as also Baron Dubski who was shot through both
leaving behind them all the Artillery and Ammunition belonging to the Place The Casâ—lâ— is also surrendred The Soldiers were no more than Six hundred in all who were transported in Boats into the Island of St. Andrew's to pass from thence to Walt In the Castle were only six Pieces of Cannon on four of which were the Arms of the Emperor Rodolfus the Provisions and Ammunition also was very small and inconsiderable which might be the true Cause of this sudden Surrender for otherwise the Castle was very capable of making a longer Defence As things were passing in this manner before Vice grade News was brought to the Duke of Loraine The Turks fall on the Baggage before Gran. that the Turks had made an attempt on the Baggage which lay under Command of the Guns at Gran and that the Regiment of Rabata had been worsted upon which News the Duke of Neuburg with his Horse took the Allarum and hastned to their Assistance and was followed also by the Duke of Loraine but in their way thither they received Letters that the Dispute was already decided in favour of the Christians for thô they lost Eighty Men which were killed together with Major General Hailewell who was run through the Body in two places with a Lance and Baron de Kery with a Lieutenant of the Regiment of Taff yet the Turks having at length been beaten out of the Field in disorder and with a loss of One hundred and twelve Men which lay dead in the Field Are put to flight the Victory clearly appeared in favour of the Christians Count Rabata Nephew to the General of that Name was taken Prisoner but was afterwards rescued by two Horsemen whom he well Rewarded for that great Service The Death of Major General Hailewell a Soldier of long Experience and undaunted Courage being lamented with such Grief and Sorrow as Soldiers usually express in the time of War for each other The Duke of Loraine supplied Vice-grade with a Garrison of Five hundred Men out of the Regiment of the Duke of Neuburg the Command whereof was given to the Baron d Ambouche Sergeant Major of that Regiment The Duke of Loraine having refreshed his Army for some short time near unto Gran until the Troops were come from Vice-grade he raised his Camp on the 20th of June and traversed the Danube over the Bridge at Strigonium and by next Day in the Evening the whole Army Cannon Baggage and every thing being passed over they continued their March towards Pest where the Recruits of the Silesian Forces were expected The March thither was difficult through Woods and narrow Places so that on the 27th they encamped near Witzen in sight of Fifteen thousand Turks under the Command of ten Pashaes and Eight thousand Tartars with their Officers A Fight near Witzen who were drawn up in Battalia on the side of a Hill the Access unto which was very difficult over Rocks and Bushes and broaken Ways On their right Wing they had the Danube and on the left a Bog or Morasse the Imperialists immediately upon this appearance put themselves into a Posture of Battle with as much speed as the difficulty of the Place would permit having their right Wing towards the Danube and their left towards the Mountain extending very largely their Front they marched close and slow to pass the rough and broaken Ways which thô the Turks defended with four Pieces of Cannon yet Prince Lewis of Baden forced through as did also Count Staremberg and gained the Pass bringing some Pieces of Cannon to make good their Post The Turks began now to move and to charge the Regiment of Taff which was in the middle of the Line with their usual Cries of Ala Ala The Duke of Loraine who was in that part of the Army which was the middle so as to be more ready to relieve those Troops which he perceived most in distress had his Horse killed under him by a Pistol-shot as had also two other Cavaliers who road near his Person but they being again remounted the Christian Troops moved with a regular Order keeping themselves close and firm like a mighty Wall The Turks charged them three times endeavouring to break into their Body but being every time repulsed with some loss they began to give way and to retreat but Rallying again they made another Charge but failing in the Attempt and not able to break into the Enemies Ranks the Christians pressed them so hard and put them into such Disorder The Turke are defeated that they fled and trampled one upon the other leaving their Cannon and the Janisaries which guarded them to shift for themselves who being surrounded with several Regiments were all cut to pieces In this Battle about Six or Seven hundred Janisaries were killed great numbers endeavouring to swim over to the other side were drowned in the Danube and about Three hundred Prisoners were taken The Turkish Cavalry for the most part saved themselves in Pest by the swiftness of their Horses which thô not so strong in Battle as the German yet more nimble and useful in Flight There were no more than six Pieces of Cannon taken without other Spoyl either of Tents or Baggage for this Force being only a Detachment sent from Buda to give some Interruption and stop to the Progress of the Enemy they carried no Incumbrances with them which commonly cause Camps to move slowly The Garrison of the Fortress of Witzem beholding from the top of the Castle the Success of this Fight were put into such Consternation that upon Summons from Count Schaffemberg they surrendred without Terms or Conditions but at Discretion all the Persons therein to the number of Fifteen Hundred were made Captives and put into the Emperor's Gallies which row on the Danube for the Service of the Army The Duke of Loraine having in this manner secured the Passes which obstructed the Navigation of the Danube he caused the whole Army to march towards Pest and upon the 30th of June he encamped about three English Miles distant from that City over which in the Evening about Sun-set appeared a great Fire and Smoak which was judged to arise from the Town Pest set on Fire by the Turks and that the Turks themselves intended to Burn it to the ground By break of Day in the Morning the Duke mounting on Horse-back at the head of his Cavalry ordering the Foot to follow him at leisure he approached near the Walls and gave orders to a Detachment of Dragoons to make discovery of the State and Condition of the place which was soon found to have been set on Fire and abandoned by the Turks only a few remained who had not time with the rest to pack up their Baggage and be gon these endeavouring to make some little Opposition were killed and three Colours taken those who escaped fled over the Bridge and broak off Fifty of the Boats to prevent the Pursuit of the Enemy which
were still in their Trenches perceived that no Quarter was given they apply'd themselves again to their Arms and as desperate Men resolved to sell their Lives at the dearest rate and having set Fire to diverse Places of the City render'd it a most direful spectacle of Horrour and Confusion Quarter not given In fine all endeavours being made by the Generals to stop the farther effusion of Bloud the Soldiers not being as yet satiated with Revenge for the Death of their Companions and the Prince Eugene of Savoy who with his Regiment of Horse was posted in a burying place to oppose the Turks in case they should attempt any thing from the Vizier's Camp was deaf to the Cries of the Conquer'd by the Prof Savoy for hearing that the Town was enter'd and unwilling to lose any part of the Glory or that his Sword should appear dry and not colour'd with the Bloud of his Enemies at the end of the Action forsook his Post and let loose his Soldiers crying out to give no Quarter to the Janisaries which to the number of about Sixteen hundred defended themselves within the Trenches and Works of the Castle but is granted by the Generals but the Generals consulting together consider'd that the Night was coming on that the Enemies Camp was in sight that Fires were kindled and furiously burning in diverse parts of the City and that the Confusion was every-where great they at length agreed thô with some Opinions to the contrary to grant Quarter to the Janisaries for their Lives only the which they having accepted and surrender'd themseves were by a strong Guard conducted to one of the Moschs of the City others to the chief Store-house and others to a part of the Castle where they were kept in Custody until the Day following In the great Action of this Day being the 2d of September 1686 which gave the capital City of the Kingdom of Hungary into the Hands of the Emperor after it had remained in Possession of the Turks ever since the Year 1529 when it was taken by Solyman There were kill'd only Four hundred Soldiers and about Two hundred wounded for where is a great Consternation The numbers slain at the taking of the City there is seldom much Bloud spilt on the victorious side Of the Turks about Three thousand might be slain and Two thousand made Captives of which last the Kahya to the Pasha of Buda or his Deputy was made Slave to the Elector of Bavaria the Aga or Commander of the Janisaries to the Duke of Loraine as also the Mufti the Treasurer the Hasnadar or Privy-Purse to the Pasha the Secretary to the Pasha with several other Officers of Note Many others were taken and kill'd who endeavour'd to make their escape over the River some of them being overtaken by the Talpatz in their swift-rowing Boats and others taken or kill'd by the Garrison of Pesth at their landing on the other side but still was the City all this Night in continual Flames and Confusion for the Turks had conserved diverse Stores of Powder and Fire-works in places near the Attacks which were not regarded by the Christians when they first enter'd the Town where the Fire encreasing and running from House to House The Store-House of Powder takes fire at length touching the Magazines they blew all up with so terrible a noise that the General began to suspect some Treason and fear'd that all the Town was min'd in subterranean Vaults but considering afterwards the place from whence the Blow came it soon appear'd that it was all nothing but an Accident howsoever with that and other terrible Blows very few Houses in the City remained standing and the Roofs uncover'd only the principal Church of the City was not much damnified and the chief Magazine or Store-house was conserved by the great Care and Diligence of Count Rabata Commissary General with another containing vast quantities of Powder and other warlike Provisions A stop being put as we have said by the Authority of the Generals unto the Slaughter and the Fury of the Soldiers growing cool they began to hearken to the voice of their Commanders Endeavours made to quench the Fire who with good Words and promises of Reward prevail'd with them to apply themselves to the extinguishing of the Fire which by the assistance of God was in a few Hours overcome But a more wonderful deliverance by the Hand of God's Divine Providence was the discovery of two Mines under the Castle Two Mines discover'd charged with Ten thousand Pounds of Powder which the Turks reserved for their last and parting Blow which had they taken Fire would not only have destroyed the remainder of the City with the Walls and Bulwarks but therewith buried the greatest part of the Assailants in the Ruins and given a sad occasion or cause of Rejoycing and Triumph to the surviving Conquerors but the Turks amidst this great Consternation had forgot these Mines or else abstained from that desperate Attempt in hopes of Life This was the Fate of this great and strong City of Buda the Capital of all Hungary and Residence of the Beglerbei of that Kingdom under whom are Twenty Sangiacks He is stil'd the Vizier of Buda and esteem'd after the Grand Vizier Azem and the Pashas of Grand Cairo and Babylon The Greatness and Power of the Vizier of Buda who are always entitul'd Viziers the next in order of Superiority and because his Station is on the Frontiers and Neighbour to such a Formidable and Martial People as are the Germans they commonly chuse Men of Valour and Conduct for that Employment of which we have had a good Proof and Evidence in the Person of the late Pasha who decently Died on the Breach amidst the croud of Common Soldiers This City was at first taken by Solyman the Magnificent in the Year 1526 and afterwards in the Year 1527 was subdu'd by Ferdinand the I. King of Bohemia Brother to Charles the V. In the Year 1529 The many Sieges which Buda sustain'd Solyman regain'd it by Treachery of the Garrison and after it laid Siege to Vienna it self which after many bloudy Assaults he was forc'd to raise in hast and confused Precipitation After which Buda sustain'd eight several Sieges without any Effect The first was by Ferdinand King of Bohemia in the Year 1530 which he was forced to raise with shame and loss The second was by the same King under the Conduct of his General Leonard Festius in the Year 1540 but the King dying the Siege was raised The next Year being 1541 the General Rogensdorf laid Siege a third time to that City which again was reliev'd by a powerful Army under the Command of Solyman The Marquess of Brandenberg in the Year 1542 made an appearance as if he had a design upon Buda and came so near as to Attack Pesth but being repuls'd thence with some loss he return'd back into Germany In the Year 1598 the
that were in Scutari Solyman Pasha troubles the Christians Antivari Dolcigno Alessio Drino Croia Durazzo Ofrida and Terra Nova with which and with the Auxiliaries of 4000 Turks joyned thereunto by Verlaz Pasha Sangiack of Valona he had formed an Army of 10000 Fighting Men with which he resolved according to Commands received from the Port to destroy the Cutzi Montegrini and Nixichi Inhabitants of the Mountains who having cast off the Mahometan Yoak had devoted themselves to the Venetian Republick At the first beginning Solyman Pasha sent kind Messages to them Exhorting and Inviting them to return to their former Obedience but they trusting to their strong Holds in the Mountains and to the Assurances given by the Proveditor-General Cornaro to relieve and succour them on all Occasions they rejected all the fair Words and Propositions made to them by the Turks Whereupon Solyman Pasha Detached about 3000 Men under the Command of Ahmethis Kaja or Deputy to fall upon their Rear in the Mountains His Kaja beaten by the Cutzi but the Cutzi so bravely received their Attack and with such Constancy that after a Bloody Fight which continued for several Hours the Kaja was totally Routed and Defeated and forced to betake himself to a shameful Flight Whilst on the other side Solyman Pasha Burned some Villages and cut up the Vines and ruined the Vineyards of the Cutzi who thereupon were so highly Enraged that pursuing their late Victory with Courage and Indignation they fell upon the Pasha and forced him to take Refuge in his Castle of Podgorizza The News hereof being brought to the Proveditor-General he dis-speeded Orders to the Cavalier John Antonio Polizza that with the Borderers on the Channel of Cattaro and to the Super-Intendent Perini that with a Battalion of Italians and 600 of those called Oltramarini who are Albaneses and other People living on the Coasts of Friuli and Dalmatia Succours sent to the Cutzi they should march to the Succour and Assistance of the Cutzi And in the mean time to give the Turks an Alarm in divers Places some Gallies and Galeasses were commanded to pass along the Coast of Albania under the Conduct of that Noble Venetian called Francisco Grimani Nephew to Cornaro This Appearance on the Coast sometimes at St. John de Medua then again near Dolcigno and soon afterwards on the Shoar of Boiaria and Antivari the Turks were so confounded thereby that they knew not where to apply themselves until at length some Venetians Landing near Antivari were Attacked by one Ahmet Aga the Son of the Governour of that place whom they repulsed with much Vigour and killed Ahmet upon the Place and stranded a Brigantine belonging to Castel Nuovo on the Shoar But the grand Design and Enterprize of this Year being the Siege of Negropont the whole Venetian Fleet with the Gallies of the Pope and Malta having made their general Rendezvous in Porto Poro on the 19th of June Old Stile weighed Anchor directing their Course towards the Archipelago The Fleet was divided into three Squadrons one Commanded by his Excellency Veniero Part of the Venetian Fleet sâ—nt to the Dardanelli Captain Extraordinary of the Ships another Squadron consisted of Gallies under Command of the Governour of the Condannata or of such who are Condemned to the Oar whose Post was to keep to Windward of the Fleet. The third Squadron was Commanded by the Doge himself who with the remaining part of the Galleasses Gallies Galleots and Ships were to take their Station to Lee-ward besides which a Squadron of Ships with 13 Christian Corsairs making in all 26 Sail were dispatched before with Orders to advance as far as the Dardanelli and give a stop to the Captain Pasha who upon the News of this powerful Fleet durst not adventure Abroad but kept within the Reach and Covert of the Castles For indeed the Turkish Fleet which for many Years past had not been of equal force to engage the Venetians They stop the Captain Pasha from coming out was this Year also much weakened by the want of Eight Gallies which the Captain Pasha had dispatched to the Black Sea for relief of their Saicks against the Cossacks who much infested that Coast and for want of forty Galleots which were remaining on the Stocks in the Arsenal at Constantinople having neither Slaves for the Oar nor Soldiers for Fight and Defence nor Seamen to Sail and direct them Nor was the Captain Pasha of sufficient force to give Convoy to the Fleet expected from Egypt consisting of nine great Soltanaes and diverse Saicks laden with Ammunition and Provisions of which tho' the Grand Seignior had great want and had dispatched divers Commands unto Alexandria to hasten their Voyage yet the fear they had of being intercepted by the Venetians was a sufficient Defence for them against the reiterated Commands of the Port. This Squadron of Ships coming to Anchor before the Mouth of the Dardanelli kept the Turkish Fleet within the Castles whilst the Doge advanced with the main Fleet towards the Island of Negropont in the Form and Manner before described The Island of Negropont is the most considerable of all the Isles in the Archipelago the ancient Name of it amongst the Greeks and Latines was Eubaea The Description of the City of Negropont it had also other Names as Macris from the narrowness of the Channel which passes between the Island and the Main Land Abantias and the People Abantiades the chief Town was Chalcis now named after the Denomination of the Country Pliny calls the Island Asopis and Strabo Ocha it had also the Name of Ellopia from Ellope the Son of Jupiter This Island as believed was once joined to the Main Land but separated from thence by some Earthquake and now adjoyned by a Bridge it is 365 Italian Miles in compass 90 Miles in length and 40 in breadth The City of Negropont anciently Chalcis is situated on the Euripus which is a narrow Channel that in a wonderful manner Ebbs and Flows seven times in 24 Hours The Walls of the City are about two Miles in compass but the Suburbs are much larger and more Populous by reason of the many Greeks and Jews which Inhabit therein The Captain Pasha is the Chief Commander thereof but commonly governs by his Deputy There is a Bey also belonging to it a Man of great Power by reason that he draws from thence a Yearly Revenue for Maintenance of a Gally Negropont when taken by the Turks This Island of Negropont formerly belonged to the Venetians and to this Day the Arms of St. Mark remain over one of the Gates of the City when Pietro Zani was Doge it was given by the Emperour of Constantinople to the Venetians in recompence and reward of some good Services performed by that Republick towards him or rather because he could not defend it he gave it over into the Hands of a good Ally But in the Year 1469 Sultan Mahomet being
of St. Nicholas which was the Old Malvasia towards the New Forts which being entirely compleated four pieces of great Cannon of 50 Pound Bullet were Landed and planted on the principal Fortress whence they greatly annoyed the Turks howsoever the Enemy was not negligent on the other side to ply their Cannon on that part which is nearest to the Bridge In the mean time also the General of Malta The Malta Gallies permitted to cruise abroad for whom at present there was no great Action by permission of the Doge received license to be absent for 15 Days and to cruise about the Cape of Sapienza and Watch for the Corsairs of Barbary which did commonly infest the Seas About this time Prince Maximilian of Brunswick arrived at the Armata where the Day following he was received with the usual Ceremony by the Doge he brought with him no more force than what served for his own Equipage and for the better Defence of the Ship on which he was Embarked but so soon as this Prince had performed his Complements A Storm endangers the Gallies a sudden Storm arose with Hail and Wind so violent as put all the Gallies into imminent danger some lost their Boltsprits others their Main-Yards others had their Oars broken some had their Poops blown away and Boats were overturned with such prodigious Hail as the like had scarce ever been seen before In short the whole Armata was in danger of being lost but God be praised tho' the Escape was wonderful yet it cost some Trouble Time and Charges to repair the Damages in which also the Forces on Land had their share having had their Tents and Huts overthrown by this Hurricane of Wind only the Turks received some benefit thereby having had their Cisterns filled with the Showers of Rain and Hail which fell like a Deluge into all the Receptacles and Vessels made to receive fresh Water for the Use and Service of this City of which before this Accident they began to be sensible of some want And now Letters were brought from the Forces lately sent to guard the Streight of Corinth that the Defence and Conservation of that place would require a 1000 Men more which His Serene Highness being desired to dispatch away they were without any delay embarked on the Squadron of Captain Pisani and by that time the Batteries for the Mortar-pieces being also completed Reinforcement sent to the Narrow of Corinth they began to throw their Bombs and Carcasses thick into the Town which so incommoded the Defendants that the Venetians began to conceive some hopes of a speedy Surrender and the Forts played so constantly on the Town to open and widen the Breaches as if they had intended to have stormed the Walls for which they had neither Men nor other Preparations Howsoever it was hoped that by the Cannon and Bombs only the City might be reduced For that a Magazine of Powder in a place called the Wind-Mill was blown up and by a Report received from some Deserters The Bombs annoy the Town the Defendants were extreamly annoyed by the Bombs of which their greatest damage was to their Cisterns and Conservatories of Water by this intelligence the Doge was encouraged to ply them incessantly with Bombs not only from the Land-side but from three Palanders or Bomb-Ships two of which were placed directly opposite to the City and a third was drawn just under the Fortress to increase the Annoyance which was made by the Cannon The Gallies of Malta return In the mean time at the expiration of the 14 Days allotted the Malta Gallies returned from cruising on the Coast of the Cape Sapienza having neither met the Ships of Barbary nor other Booty And whereas it was represented that these Gallies could be little serviceable at present towards the Subjection and Surrender of the City it was judged that they might be best employed in cruising on the Pirates of Barbary and securing the Christian Vessels which Trade in those Seas and accordingly those Gallies were without the least delay dispatched again for the Cape Lands which are most infested by the Pirates being favoured by the Northern Winds which continued for several Days They go again to Sea even to the end of this Month. But this Wind which was beneficial to the Gallies of Malta was so prejudicial and dangerous to the Palanders as put them besides all their Works and Operations so that instead of annoying the Town they had Business enough to save themselves from sinking in the Seas which the Northerly Winds drove violently upon them So that now the Besiegers had nothing to annoy the Enemy but what was thrown from the Forts erected on the Land Things in this manner not succeeding well on the Venetian side August some little encouragement was administred by the Arrival of the Proveditor General of the Seas Cornaro joyns the Fleet. Girolamo Cornaro who on the 5th of the Month of August whilst the Doge was in person on the side of the Gardens to invigorate and by his presence to animate the Approaches against the Town was discovered to double the Cape of St. Angelo with two Gallies and a Galleot and to bend his Course directly towards the Fleet. The Arrival of Cornaro a person of so much Honour and Esteem generally applauded in all parts gave wonderful satisfaction to the Fleet and Army for tho' the Gallies and Galleot he brought with him could not contribute much to the Reinforcement of the Armata yet the Reputation of such a person renowned as well for his Bravery and Conduct as for the fame of his Family and Ancestors gave a general Satisfaction and Confidence to all the Forces It being observed by the Doge that notwithstanding all their Endeavours no great Advancement was made on the Town and that the Defendants continued still resolute and unterrified and therefore that something more effectual should be attempted upon them to force them to a Surrender It was ordered that four of the greatest Ships should be appointed to batter the Town with their Cannon whilst an Attempt should be made to burn their Galleots Brigantines and Londra's Attempt to burn the Vessels of the Town which were drawn up close under the Walls To execute this Enterprize four Boats or Pinnaces armed with Stout Resolute Seamen Commanded by Peter Ferrari were appointed to burn the Vessels lying under the Walls and being furnished with Fireworks were to make an Attack on them under the Smoak of the Cannon which were to play on the Town from the four Ships Things being all prepared for such an Enterprize the Doge left his own and mounted the Galley of Pisani who was Captain of the Slaves condemned to the Oar and thereon returned to the Garden fâ—re to be a Spectator of the Action knowing that his presence would much animate and inspire Courage into the Assailants The next Day being the time appointed a Body of about 100 Oltramarines were
longer Subsistence and able to hold out for some Months resolved on some more expedite means than by the dilatory ways of a Siege and the lazy Formalities of a Blockade for tho' it was most desirable for sparing the effusion of Christian Blood to take it by safe and certain Proceedings yet when it was made known that the Victuals and all sorts of Provisions did not fail it came to a final Determination to take them by a lively and vigorous force To which end the Engenier Bassignani with the Count St. Felice Sergeant-General was ordered to take a Survey of the Town on the Lands side and to design and draw out the Trenches and Platforms for Battery The Town battered the which in a few Days by the encouragement which the Presence of the Captain-General gave was performed and perfected so that they began on all sides with the advantage of two Palanders to batter the Town and with their great Guns from the Ships and Gallies to thunder in such a terrible manner that the Inhabitants dismayed and dis-spirited by their long Sufferings and the unexpected Attacks of their Enemies caused their Drums to beat a Parly and sent forth a Cadi with two Aga's to make Offers of Surrender on these Conditions viz. That they might carry off all their Cannon They Capitulate and have 20 Days given them to make a Surrender But these Propositions appearing unreasonable they were without farther Discourse or Expostulation dismissed and sent back to the City The Inhabitants tired with the long Blockade of 16 Months and fearing now a forcible Assault after some Consultation held amongst themselves they resolved to deliver up the City and returned the same Messengers with these more reasonable Conditions The Articles agreed I THAT the City should be Delivered II. The Soldiers and Inhabitants should go forth with their Goods and Baggage in the space of 10 Days and safe Convoy given them to be Transported to Candia III. Liberty given to the Inhabitants either to remain in the City or depart In vertue of these Articles 1200 Souls marched out of the City a great part of which were Men. Malvasia delivered up In the Town they left 78 Pieces of Cannon part of Brass and part of Iron with great Quantities of Bisket and with other Provisions and Ammunition sufficient for several Months The People having quitted the City and Transported as was agreed to Candia the Captain-General entered into it with much Pomp and Triumph on the 12th of August where the principal Mosch being dedicated to God under the Invocation of the Blessed Virgin of Carmen was delivered up to the care of the Franciscan Fathers and a sufficient Garrison being put therein the Command thereof was committed to the Government of that Noble Venetian Vicenzo Gritti of St. Alvise in quality of Proveditor Many Gentlemen signalized their Valour and Conduct in subduing this Fortress namely the Duke of Guadagni Chabrillan General of Malta with several other Noble Persons and Subaltern Officers worthy of immortal fame In this last Action 400 Men were killed and wounded By the Fall of this City of Malvasia taken the 12th of August the Turks were entirely beaten out of the Morea and the Venetians became absolute Masters thereof But to lose no farther time the Captain-General Cornaro having given some time for the Refreshment of his Troops fet sail from Malvasia with the whole Armata The Venetians design upon Valona towards the Gulf and being on the 11th of September come within sight of Valona the Turks had time to form a Body of 7000 Foot Septemb. and 1500 Horse and having taken possession of the most advantageous Posts and Passes they endeavoured vigorously to dispute the Landing of the Venetians But things were so well ordered that nothing could give a stop to the Resolution of Men accustomed to Success and Victory They Land The first that set Footing on Shoar were the Malteses which were followed by the Pope's Militia but the Venetians were the first to attack the Enemy under Command of Major-General Spaar which they perform'd with so much Bravery and Resolution that having repulsed the Enemy from the Shoar they pursued them to the Fortress of Cannina which is situate on the top of a high and craggy Rock about four Italian Miles distant from Valona these were seconded by the Duke of Guadagni and several other Auxiliary Troops together with some Venetian Troops commanded by Sergeant-General Borri in this Action the Turks lost some Men and the Venetians about 8 or 10 amongst which the Count of St. Felice was shot in the Head by a Musket-Bullet The Army being also joyned with a Body of Cimarriotes and Albaneses and considerably increased thereby advanced so far as to lodge that Night in the Neighbourhood designing next Morning to attack the Suburbs of the Town whilst Lavettin General of the Descent was taking a Survey of its Situation he was grievously wounded with a Musket-shot and in the mean time the Turks making a Sally with 2000 Men were repulsed and forced to retire into their Houses fortified with Stone barricading up their Streets and in many Places opening Trenches to give a stop to the advanced Troops of the Enemy by which the Captain General foreseeing that length of time might be advantageous to the Enemies which in a short time expected new Forces the Cannon Bombs and other Warlike Instruments were sent for from the Fleet which was performed with so much diligence Cannina battered that in the space of 24 Hours the great Cannon was brought and some Batteries raised to the great Admiration and Terrour of the Enemy against the Fortress of Cannina in the expedition of which Work all the Ciurma that is the Slaves of the Gallies and Galleasses were greatly serviceable by mending and breaking the Ways to make them passable for the Artillery but whilst the Batteries were playing very hotly on Cannina a strong Party of 3000 Foot and 400 Horse were detached under Command of General Spaar to attack the Enemy who had made a Retreat after the late Repulse upon the Sea-coasts into some fortified Houses and Places of Retirement Spaar having marched for the space of 10 Miles through Woods and Mountains and difficult Places The Turks overthrown in the Field came at length in sight of the Enemy who were possessed with such Fear and Consternation that tho' at first they made an appearance of Fighting yet upon a more near Approach they turned their Backs and fled with Shame and Confusion In the mean time whilst General Spaar was in pursuit of the Enemy General Borri with several others of the chief Officers made an Attack upon the Fort without any fear or regard to the continual Fire which was made from thence and being seconded at the same time by the Duke of Guadagni together with the Malteses and the Troops of the Religion and of the Papalins or the Pope's Forces they all in their several Stations
Arrear The Janisaries mutiny for Pay with their Vests of thick Cloth as also the Donative due to them at the Inauguration of every New Sultan To content these People the Grand Vizier issued out to them with all speed their six Months Pay and with fair Words and Promises he so pacified them Are pacified that they quietly marched forward to Belgrade protesting howsoever not to pass the Save without their Cloth and Donative With this Pacification the Grand Vizier taking a little Breath began to consider of the manner how to establish himself and because an Able and Faithful Chimacam who remains near the Person of the Grand Seignior is always a great support to a Vizier he sent for the Pasha of Aleppo named Mustapha to come to him who in the Time of Solyman the Grand Vizier had been Seraskier or General against the Poles This Person being come to him he made him Chimacam A New Chimacam made and displaced the other who as we have said refused lately the Vizier's Office and sent him to remain Pasha at Erzirum which is in Armenia Major One would have imagined that this Vizier might have thought himself secure with that Chimacam who had refused as we have said the Vizier's Office so fairly and so lately offered to him by the Sultan so that a little kind Aspect and few obliging Words might have made him entirely his own but there is a Fate amongst the Turks that neither the Grand Seignior is constant to his Viziers and Chief Officers nor they to the Inferiour Ministers who act under them never believing themselves secure but with those who are their own Creatures by which continual Revolutions all things remain in distraction and a Vizier hath scarce learned or become Master of his Trade before he is disgraced and thrown down from his Sublime Office with all his Kindred and Dependances to the Abyss of Misery and Ruine of which we have discoursed at large in another Treatise Upon which Maxime this Vizier called for his own Creature to make him Chimacam and recalled the late Mufti whom the preceding Vizier had Exiled The Mufti recalled which was the more easily done the Place being vacant by the Death of the Mufti who was last made All these Embroils and Changes could not do less than hinder the Proceedings of the main Business for the Budziack Tartar refusing to follow the Command of the Tartar Han the Grand Seignior sent one Messenger after the other to hasten the March of the Tartars commanding them with 3 or 4000 Horse to carry on each a Sack of Wheat or Meal for the Relief of Great Waradin Waradin in great distress from whence frequent Letters came that they being reduced to the Extremity of Famine could not longer subsist but should be forced to deliver themselves up into the Hands of the Enemy unless speedily succoured In this manner unthought of Accidents fell out full of Disappointments by which neither the Forces at Land nor at Sea amounted to half the Power they were of the last Year Thus far in this Year of 1692 have we shown the State of Affairs in Turky whilst at Vienna things were in preparation for the following Campaign and many Counsels of War were held by the General Officers in Presence and with the Assistance of Prince Lewis of Baden We being now in the Month of May May. all the Endeavours were bent for taking Great Waradin before the Turkish Army should take the Field and come to relieve it of which there was now no great probability in regard that from all sides Advices came that the Town laboured under the last Extremity of Famine the which was not only confirmed by Letters from thence to Adrianople but by a Messenger dispatched with Letters to Giula and Temeswaer from the Besieged to give an account of the miserable Condition of the Place the Circumstances of which were reported to be so wretched that in all probability the Place could not hold out much longer But because many times Reports are false and that Men do often especially in War magnifie or diminish things according to their Humour or Interest it was judged fit not to expect until Famine had forced the Besieged to surrender for that might prove still the Work of some Months and in the mean time give the Enemy means to relieve the Place wherefore it was resolved to force the Surrender and the care thereof being committed to General Heusler he with all Expedition and Diligence having drawn his Troops together from their Winter-Quarters and adjacent Places posted himself near the Old Fort in which the Heydukes had kept a Garrison during the Winter Season from whence he sent a Summons to the Turks to Surrender Heusler Summon's the Town They refuse to yield and deliver up the City which they resolutely refusing to do he began the Day following to open the Trenches and raised two Bulwarks exactly opposite to the Bulwarks of the Enemies called Zingar and Capudon and caused a Bridge to be laid from the Palancha Oloschi reaching to the Old City To disturb these Works the Turks plyed their Great Guns continually and made a furious Sally but were repulsed with some loss In like manner also the Besiegets drew another Line on the other side of the River The Turks make Sallies and are repulsed so that the Town was now environed on every side and the Christians lodged at the Ditch of the City On the 7th the Turks made another Sally but were repulsed And on the 8th made another with much more Bravery than they had done the Day before but were repulsed with like Loss Upon which the Janisaries went to the Pasha to consult with him what was to be done in this present Exigency and all agreed To hold out some Days longer in expectation of the promised Relief during which time both sides employed themselves to ply their Cannon and throw their Bombs incessantly On the 11th some Hundreds of the Besieged shew'd themselves without the Fortress but withdrew without farther Attempt on which Day 11 Heydukes were killed and 15 wounded On the 13th the Turks made another Sally on the Heydukes but were briskly received and soon repulsed The 16th 17th and 19th little or nothing of moment was done by reason of the continual Rains but by this time the more heavy Cannon being come the Breach was made wider and larger so that General Heusler supposing that the Enemy might be terrified thereby Continue resolute to maintain the Town he sent a Trumpeter to make them the last Summons threatning them in Default thereof to give no Quarter either to Man Woman or Child but as yet the Turks showed no fear of the Menaces pronounced against them and an Old Grave Turk showing himself on the Walls called to the Besiegers and admonished them to withdraw their Troops from under the Walls of the City which they should never take the Besieged being resolved to Live and
Waradin and proceed to Belgrade And accordingly towards the end of this Month marching with great diligence the Hussars having the Vanguard surprized the Turks near Belgrade of whom they took many Prisoners with some Cattle which they brought back into the Army by which the Turks were so alarm'd and by the march of the Imperial Army towards them that they endeavoured to carry away and save the best of their Goods but the Imperial Horse prevented their design The Christians approaching near the Turks on the first of August August began to fire on all sides from the Town whilst the Germans on the contrary were busily working on their Lines of Circumvallation had not finished any Battery until the fifth when they likewise began to fire on the City It was farther at that time designed that two of the Christian Gallies well armed should drive away from before the Town some light Turkish Gallies by which means that side lying open they could easily encompass the City on all sides On the ninth the Brandenburgher Troops joyned the Army and on the same day some Turks belonging to the Garrison of a Palanca called Boskoua The Palanca of Boskoua capitulates situated about three hours distance from the Army came to the Camp and offered to capitulate the which being granted with such Conditions as were proposed the Fortress surrendred and the Soldiers and Inhabitants were convoyed safe to Semendria In the Palanca they found nine Guns with some Ammunition with good store of Hay and Corn. On the 12th of this Month the Turks to celebrate their Annual Feast of the Bairam fired all the Guns round the City and Castle and the Day following made a brisk Sally with such Bravery that at the first they brought the Germans into some Confusion but rallying themselves again into good Order they beat the Turks back into the City The Turks make a Sally Are driven in with loss On the 14th they made another Sally more furious than the former but with less Success being repulsed with the loss of 500 Men killed and taken Prisoners This Blow gave the Christians an advantageous Opportunity in the space of two Days to advance their Approaches to 150 Paces from the Counterscarp Another Sally On the 17th another Sally was made by the Turks but were repulsed with the loss of about 100 Men by which the Germans advanced their Works within 80 Paces of the Counterscarp And Bombs thrown into the Town On the 19th threw several Bombs into the City which did great execution and posted six Regiments on the other side of the Danube by which all Succours coming to the Town from Temeswaer or other Parts on that side were hindred from giving any Relief and the Turks Ships were bridled and obliged to keep at a distance On the 26th the great Battery of 36 Guns was finished from which the Besiegers continually fired on the City and the Turks again on the Battery where the Duke of Croy standing open was shot through the Hat with a Musket-Bullet and his Adjutant-General killed by his side with the like The next Day being the 30th of August Kathana Mustapha Pasha with a Body of 300 Horse Attacked the Emperor's advanced Troops near Semblin but were so received by them that 40 of them remained upon the Spot several Wounded and many made Prisoners The Grand Vizier marches to relief of the Town The same Day Intelligence was brought to the Duke of Croy That the Grand Vizier had drawn together from all Parts as many Forces as he had been able to do with Resolution to relieve the Town On the last Day of August the Chief Ingineer Keyserfelt entering the Trenches was killed by a Musket-shot Septemb. In the first six Days of September nothing was performed which was considerable but that the Approaches were still advancing The Christians loss so that on the 7th the Besiegers Stormed the Counterscarp which continued until the going down of the Moon when the Darkness of the Night put an end to the Assault in which the Christians lost 1000 Men killed and wounded on the Place and amongst them the Bavarian General Sybeldorf with two Lieutenant-Colonels and other Officers The Ill Success that the Christians had sustained by the Storm made on the Counterscarp being the cause of Raising the Siege it may be very proper to insert here a Relation which a principal Officer gave thereof who was present at the Attack made thereon the 7th of September 1693. in this manner Whilst these things were acting News came That the Tartars had appeared in the Neighbourhood with a Body of 2000 Men and had droven away with them some Cattle And On the 10th Instant News was brought by several Expresses That the Grand Vizier with an Army of 80000 Men was arrived together with a great Fleet of Ships and Gallies before Wâ—din Upon which News and the sharp Blow received some few Days before upon the Counterscarp of the Town it much discouraged the Proceedings of the Germans Upon which a Council of War being called it was judged dangerous to expect the Arrival of so great an Army or to attend and stand their Shock and therefore it was concluded best to Decamp and quit the Siege The Siege of Belgrade raised which accordingly was executed with good Order and the whole Army drew off with Bag and Baggage Guns and all other Materials and so passing the River Save over the Bridge which they had made they Burnt and Destroy'd it And thus ended this Expedition with no small Charge and Expence of Blood and Men to the Emperor In the Management of which many Errors and Blunders were committed The Trenches were not opened until 13 Days after the Place was Invested and that the Batteries were not ready until 13 Days after that It was another Oversight That the Fleet which should have hindered all Provisions from the Town coming from Temeswaer was not ready before the Town was Invested which was as ridiculous as when the King of Denmark forgot his Mortars going before Hamburg and so were the Germans Cannon which were not brought before the Town till five Weeks after it was Invested Còpie de la Relation envoyée à sur l'assaut de la Contrescarpe de Belgrade du 7 Septembre 1693. QUOYQUE jeâ— n'aye pas manqué de rappresenter icy qu'il étoit dangereux de donner un assaut de Contrescarpe quand elle se trouve encore eloignée plus de cent pas des approches comme effectivement êtoit celle de Belgrade le 7 Septembre parceque ceux qui portent la fascine devant venir de si loin à decouvert sont la plus part tués ou blesséz avant qu'ils arrivent a la Pallisade par consequent n'en peuvenr fournir assez ny assez vite pour faire le Logement requis sa Communication aux approches avant l'arrivée du jour outre que par cette grande distance
manag'd the Treaty applying himself with much Zeal and Diligence that this Negotiation might be happily concluded ANNO 1679. This Treaty with a Cessation of Arms continu'd till the end of the year with hopes that the beginning of the next would make that poor Kingdom happy with a Peace But the Emperor having as it were secur'd a Peace with France which was one of the greatest fears he had upon him The Emperor falls off from his former Offers in case of a War with the Turks refus'd to yield unto the same terms which he had frequently offer'd in former times to the Malecontents It was now resolv'd that the Office of Palatine should for ever hereafter be extinguish'd and made void and that Kingdom govern'd by a Vice-Roy who was solely to be constituted by Commission from the Emperor 2dly The Protestants were not to have Churches in Towns or Cities but to content themselves with such as should be allotted them in Villages 3dly As a Preliminary to all the rest the Malecontents were to dismiss the Foreign Troops entertain'd in their Service before the Treaty upon any other Conditions and Articles should commence The very noise of this alteration in the Emperor's Councils An end put to the Truce put a stop to all proceedings of a Treaty and an end to the Truce and Cessation of Arms. And indeed the Malecontents were by this time so engag'd with the Turks that on their part also they had put themselves out of all possibility of Accommodation without their concurrence and concernment in the Treaty The Assembly at Oedembourg being dissolv'd A Diet at Coloswar the Malecontents held a Diet of their own at Coloswar alias Claudiopolis whereunto Prince Apafi and the Neighbouring Pashas resorted to treat and agree upon the measures which were to be taken for the ensuing year in order to carrying on the War Whilst they were upon this Treaty a Messenger arriv'd from the Grand Seignior who brought a Scymitar to Prince Apafi which was a certain Signal of the Sultan's favour and acceptance of his Services which was much to the joy of all Persons there present for that it was doubtful before how far the Grand Seignior would abott the Cause of Pedipol to whom as we have mention'd he had given his Commission to be Prince of Transilvania with exclusion of Apafi Nor was the News of less concernment to them brought at the same time that the Grand Seignior was upon conclusion of peace with the Moscovites The Turks jâ—yn with the Malecontents by which the whole Ottoman Empire would be at leisure to employ all their Troops against the Germans And with the same occasion the Pashas of Hungary were Commanded to joyn with Apafi and to assist the Malecontents with such Forces as they should desire of all which the Emperor having certain Intelligence from his Resident at Constantinople Order'd three Regiments to be sent into Hungary for recruit of the Forces under Count Lesley of which the Malecontents having Advice took the Field and passing the Theysse pitch'd their Camp near Debrezin to cover and relieve as occasion serv'd the Castle of Kovar Debrezin This City of Debrezin or Debrechim is situated between Tokai and great Waradin and is very Rich and Populous It was a Free Town and conserv'd it self in a Neutrality during the late Revolutions but after Zolnock and Cassovia were reduc'd the Magistrates thereof desir'd his Imperial Majesty to take them under his protection with which and by payment of a Tribute to the Port the Inhabitants liv'd quiet and free until the year 1676. when it was taken by Count Strazoldo upon pretence that it was become the place of Sanctuary and common Refuge of the Malecontents tho' afterwards upon complaints from the Turks the Emperor withdrew his Forces from thence leaving them free and in their former Condition of Neutrality In the mean time Tekeli falling in love with a Daughter of the Princess Ragotski Dowager who was extreamly zealous as we have mention'd before for the Emperor's Cause refus'd to bestow her Daughter upon him unless he would first Relinquish the Interest to which he had adher'd Tekeli revolts to the Emperor The passion which Tekeli had for the young Lady was more powerful than his Inclinations to the discontented Party so that first seeming cold in his Old pursuits and declaring his Mind freely in open Discourse his Troops began to suspect his Fidelity and left him and put themselves under the Command of Wessellini Tekeli endeavour'd to perswade Palfi Imbre to joyn with him in his Revolt but not prevailing he singly with some few Servants went over to Vienna Coming thus alone to the Emperor without his Troops he was the less welcome and indeed he was so little regarded and his Merit so ill accounted on that when he made applications to the Emperor for Restitution of his Estate which was Confiscated to the value of two Millions those who enjoy'd the benefit of so great Riches obstructed his Request Is slighted Representing unto the Emperor that the return to his Duty after a long continuance in Rebellion only in his own Person and without his Troops deserv'd nothing nor was it to be judg'd a satisfaction or an atonement for the many mischiefs and disservices that he had already done and that to recover the Emperor's favour there was something else to be done besides a bare surrender of his Person Howsoever fair words were given him for some time of which and of tedious Addresses and frequent Applications He returns again to the Rebels Tekeli growing weary he return'd to his Old Friends again with whom he was receiv'd and admitted to the Command of his deserted Troops About the same time the young Count Serini Son of Nicholas Serini who was kill'd in Croatia and not of Peter Serini who was Beheaded for High-Treason being now of years able to bear Arms in Service of the Emperor made his humble Petition that he might be restor'd to the Estate of his Father Young Count Serini restor'd to his Estate which was seiz'd and sequester'd by the Collectors of the Emperor's Revenue for the Lands and Demesnes of Peter Serini the Unkle whose Goods were confiscated for High-Treason The which Request being consider'd in the Privy-Council it was judg'd highly reasonable and just that this young Count should be restor'd to his Estate and so it was accordingly Ordered Tekeli being now return'd to his former Command that he might both assure his Associates of his Fidelity towards them and reproach the Imperialists for so lightly esteeming a Person that was able to serve them Tekeli takes Kremnitz he surpriz'd Kremnitz with three hundred Men under his Command and ruin'd and burnt all the Works and Store-Houses belonging to the Silver-Mines which with much Charge had been erected by the Emperor and afterwards retir'd into the Turkish Dominions Count Strazoldo having receiv'd Intelligence that Colonel Josua was advanc'd with
the imperial and free Cities of Upper Hungary Cassovia and Epperies shall be appointed and establish'd places for the publick and free exercise of the Protestant Religion and that hereafter no Subject shall be disturb'd in the free exercise of his Religion under the pain expressed in the 8th Article of the 6th Decree of Uladislaus Nevertheless the Magistrate of Epperies on the very Festival Day of St. Bartholomew the Apostle in the Year 1688 last past dar'd deprive the Protestant Church of Epperies establish'd by the Articles of their Ministers and with great dishonour expel all the Protestant Ministers of the three Nations out of the said City and its Territory without letting them know any cause of so injust an usage or shewing them any Warrant of His most Sacred Majesty for it protending only an unheard of Title of Lord of the Manor which cannot be admitted among Civilians since they enjoy equaly with the Magistrate the common civil Liberty nor amongst Clergy Men who enjoy a special Liberty nor can it in any wise be taken by Magistrate whose Office is but for a year to the great diminishing of His most Sacred Majesty's Authority and the Contempt of the before mentioned Articles Wherefore they humbly beg that the innocent and unjustly Banish'd Protestant Ministers of Epperies be restor'd and may perform as before their Ecclesiastical Duties and that both the Protestant Ministers of Cassovia and those of Epperies employ'd either in Preaching or in Teaching Schools present or to come being always presented by the right Patrons may live quietly and safely in their own or hir'd dwelling places which they have or shall have within the Walls of the said Cities Seventhly No body that knows the Law will deny but in the beginning of the aforesaid 41st Article of the Diet of Sopron where the Common Liberties and Privileges of the imperial and free Cities are confirm'd and besides the there mention'd Laws and Articles of the Kingdom made in several places are renewed it is expresly ordain'd That the same Laws and Articles be strictly observed both by the Chambers and the Officers of the Army and by any other person whatsoever so that they viz. the same imperial and free Cities be no way disturbed by any one in their free right to chuse a Civil Magistrate nor in any other Privilege Nevertheless the modern Magistrate of the said Cities against the Prohibition contain'd in the 83th Article of the Illustrious Chamber of Scepusium in the year 1647 out of meer private hatred against our Religion was pleased to take upon him such a Power as to degrade and turn out of their publick Dignities and Civil Employments all the Senators of Cassovia and Epperies and several other Protestant Officers well deserving and qualified for publick Offices and Civil Dignities against the evident Constitution of the aforesaid Article and of those that are cited in it but especially of the 13th before the Coronation in the year 1608 of the 44th in the year 1609 and of the 12th in the year 1649 to the most evident prejudice of the Common Liberties and Civil Privileges and to the considerable oppression of the Protestant Citizens and in the room of the said Senators and Protestant Officers the said Magistrate has put Catholick Citizens either less fit or wholly unacquainted with the Affairs of the said Cities and more minding their private concerns to the damnifying and even undoing of the said Cities Wherefore we require with the deepest Humility First That the free right of chusing the Civil Magistrate and other Officers which hitherto has been so disturbed and wholly taken away from the Protestants against the positive Laws of the Kingdom made in the Illustrious Chamber of Scepusium belonging properly and only to the Sworn Citizens of the same Cities and as well to the Protestants as to the Catholicks be restor'd and maintain'd in its former State and in no wise any more disturbed by any one under the pain mention'd in the renewed and aforesaid Articles Secondly That in order to maintain a civil mutual Union and put out any Fewel of Division and Hatred a free Election be made of the same Magistrate and other Officers out of the well deserving and well qualified Sworn Citizens without any difference of the Catholick and Protestant Religion and that the Employments and any Civil Dignities whatsoever be indifferently and equally conferr'd and bestowed so that the Catholicks and Protestants promote mutually one another to publick civil Honours according to the intention of the aforesaid 13th Article of the year 1608 before the Coronation and of the 44th of the year 1609. Thirdly That in order to observe a just equality of Turns and procure the publick good of the Cities it be graciously granted that the Offices of Judge and Tribune be by Turns and promiscuously exercised for a year according to the intention of the aforesaid Articles and of the 12th in the year 1649. All the Protestant Citizens and Inhabitants of the three Nations of the Free and Imperial Cities Cassovia and Epperies The Grievance of the Protestants of the Free and Imperial City of Carpona IT is not without a great deal of Grief that all the Noblemen and Gentlemen all the Auxiliary Forces and hired Soldiers of both sorts and all the Protestant Inhabitants and Citizens of Carpona think it their Duty to Represent to Your most Sacred Majesty that altho' according to Your most Sacred Majesty's Resolution inserted in the 26th Article of the Diet of Sopron Anno 1681. Among the places of the Kingdom which were to be appointed for the Building of new Churches and Schools and Erecting Parishes for the conveniency of those of the Helvetian Confession and of that of Ausbourg the same City of Carpona is particularly named and established to be one of the places where the free exercise of Religion should entirely and quietly be enjoyed as it may be seen in these words In the Division before the Mountains at Leva Carpona and Tulekin Nevertheless Your Majesty's High Commissioners appointed in the year 1688 last past in the Mountain Cities being come to that of Carpona whereas according to the intention of the aforesaid Article and of Your Majesty's Gracious Resolution and Declaration contain'd in it instead of the convenient Churches and Schools and Parishes which were from the Protestants of the Confession of Ausbourg they should have appointed other convenient and fit places and left the Protestants in the quiet Possession of them according to the intention of the 19th Article in the year 1647 did on the contrary turn the Protestant Ministers and School-masters out of their Offices and with severe Threats forbid both all the Protestant Noblemen and Gentlemen all the Soldiers of the Garison as well as all the Inhabitants and Citizens to continue the Exercise of Religion which had been enjoy'd in the same place from time out of Memory and was confirm'd by the Articles as we have already said till Your Majesty's further
the Lords of the Privy Council so to Establish us in the Liberty of Religion to the Immortal Fame of Your Royal Government after the Example of Your Glorious Predecessors that being reliev'd We may speedily Return to our Principals and God will recompence this Imperial Royal Favour with all sort of Happines from above Deliver'd to His Sacred Majesty at Aix la Chapelle upon his going to Vienna the 24th day of April in the year 1689. Your most Sacred Majesty's most Humble and Faithful Subjects the Deputies of the Evangelicks in the Counties Cities Towns and Frontiers of Upper and Lower Hungary about the Business of their distressed Religion The First Article of the Peace of Vienna in the Year 1606. AS to the Business of Religion notwithstanding the former publick Constitutions and the last Article of the Year 1604 which was made without the Diet and the consent of the Subjects and therefore is annulled it is granted That according to his Imperial Majesty's former Resolution to which the Subjects refer themselves in their replying all and each State of the Kingdom of Hungary as well the Peers and Noblemen as the free Cities and the Privileged Towns belonging immediately to the Crown and all the Hungarian Soldiers in the Frontiers shall any where and at any time profess and exercise their Religion without any Disturbance either from His most Sacr'd Majesty or from any Person whatsoever a free exercise of Religion being hereby granted to all the said States of the Kingdom Provided always That the Roman Catholick Religion be not thereby prejudiced That the Roman Catholick Clergy Churches and Chappels remain free and unmolested and that what has been taken from them in these Troubles be restor'd The First Article made before the Coronation in the Year 1608. concerning Religion COncerning the first Article of the Treaty of Vienna it is resolv'd by the States and Orders of Hungary that the Exercises of Religion shall be left free not only to the Noblemen and to the Inhabitants of the free Cities but also to the Hungarian Soldiers in the Frontiers of the Kingdom of Hungary and to all the Farmers and Peasant that will freely accept the same nor shall any of 'em be disturbed in the free Exercise of Religion but to prevent any effect of hatr'd and dissension between Roman Catholicks and Protestants It is Order'd That each Party shall have a Superior or Surperintendant of his own Profession Although this last first Article of the Year 1608 was renew'd in 77th Article of the Year 1618 inserted in the General Constitutions of the Kingdom by Order of the Emperor Ferdinand the Second in the Year 1622 restor'd to his Force by the 22d Article of the Year 1625 by the 33d Article of the Year 1630 and by the 29th Article of the Year 1635 confirm'd in the 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 and 14th Articles of the new Treaty of Peace made with George Ragoczy Prince of Transilvania in the Year 1648 Ratifyed both in the aforenamed Articles of 1649 and in the 10th Article of the Year 1649 and in the 18th Article of the Year 1655 made at Rakoczia and lastly confirm'd again and inserted in the Constitutions of the Kingdom by Order of Leopold the present Emperor in the Year 1659 yet notwithstanding all these the said Article remains without Force and the Exercise of the Protestant Religion is wholly exterminated against the Articles and the publick Constitutions of the Kingdom as well as against the Sacred Imperial Letters Patent And yet all this contributed little towards a Peace for the Results of this Diet concerned none but the good and quiet Men and such as were zealous for the Settlement and Peace of their Country Whilest Tekeli and others of that Spirit whose Minds were possess'd with virulent Malice and Ambition were plotting and contriving the means to set up their own Authority and give themselves into the Hands of the Turks rather than to the Power of their Sovereign Prince of whose natural Clemency thô they were well assur'd yet they suspected and fear'd his Councils which being chiefly influenced and directed by Jesuits and the Spirit of the Clergy could never be reconciled in any tollerable manner to the Protestant profession Tekeli besieges Kalo Thus whilest things were Negotiating in the Diet Tekeli besieg'd Kalo which surrendr'd at discretion with little or no resistance and Prince Apafi joyning with some Parties of the Malecontents laid Seige to Zatmar with an Army composed of Transilvanians Moldavians Turks and Malecontents of Hungary all which acted in four separate Bodies being well provided with Cannon and all sorts of Ammunition and Provisions so soon as Apafi had form'd his Siege he put forth a Manifest or Declaration which he caused to be privately stolen into the Town and there dispers'd signifying that out of Christian piety and compassion to the miserable state of that Kingdom Apafi's Declaration he had left his Country and Dwelling with no other intent than only to cause their Churches to be restor'd to them with a free Liberty of Conscience and Exercise of Religion and that their Estates which had been confiscated for the sake of their Religion and defence of their Rights and Privileges might be again restor'd to them To which he added many Solemn Protestations that he had no other end nor intention than the welfare and happiness of the Kingdom Farther also he said that he had a power sufficient for this Enterprise being well seconded by the Grand Seignior and acted by his Commission and that the Succession to the Principality was promised unto his Son to whom besides the Forces with him he had left a Guard of 20.000 Men. Having made thus much known to the Inhabitants of Zatmar he vigorously proceeded in the Siege Apafi invests Zatmar having received a Recruit of 8000 Men from the Pasha of Buda being a Detachment from 40.000 which were Encamp'd before the place whereof he was Governour And thô with these Forces the Town of Zatmar was taken yet Serini who Commanded the place retiring into the Castle or Citadel he so well defended the same that Apafi was forc'd to raise the Siege and march away burning several Towns The Siege raised and taking a Thousand Prisoners in his Retreat The raising of this Siege was variously interpreted and so ill taken by the Turks that Complaints were made thereof against Apafi at the Port. But it was no time now to make alterations or disturbances in Transilvania Towards the end of this year the Emperor being desirous to Crown the Empress at Oedembourg sent a Convoy of 500 Hussars 100 Heyduks The Empress Crowned Queen of Hungary and 500 Cuirassiers to fetch the Crown of St. Stephen from the Castle of Presburg where it is always lodg'd which being brought thither the Empress was Crown'd Queen of Hungary with great Solemnity And that this Ceremony might be performed with the more order and security a Cessation
Mountains and marched with Three thousand Horse and Four thousand Foot for its Relief as also to the same end Count Caprara passed the River Waagh with Six thousand Men whilest Count Staremberg defended the Passage with Four or Five thousand Men and the Palatine Esterhasi was coming on the other side with Six thousand Men more yet notwithstanding the Art and Bravery of so many Generals the Town was taken in their own Sight as if they had only come with design to be Spectators of the Success and Victory of their Enemies The Hungarian Souldiers who were in the Garrison took part with the Turks but the Germans were made Prisoners of War and all the Women and Children were carried away Captives and the place it self was razed and demolished Leventz and Neutra followed the like Example and Surrender'd to the Turks of all which Acts of Hostility when Complaints were made by the Emperor to the Pasha of Buda no other Answer was return'd Than that those Actions were not to be esteemed as Breaches of the Truce in regard they were only made in pursuit of Thieves and Robbers who had Infested the Countries and took Refuge and Sanctuary in those Cities After these Successes Tekeli made Incursions into the County of Seposo where he Plunder'd and Burnt Sobora and Saftzin Towns belonging to Prince Lubomiski Great Marshal of Poland which was the Cause as we shall afterwards understand why Six thousand Polish Horse joyn'd themselves to General Schultz under the Command and Conduct of that Prince ANNO 1683. ALL hopes and expectations of Peace being now laid aside the Vizier being advanced with his Troops as far as Belgrade the Emperor notwithstanding to leave nothing undone which might tend to a Peace Saponara sent to Belgrade dispatched Saponara to Belgrade to Sollicite once more for more easy Conditions than what had been offer'd to Count Albert Caprara at Constantinople But because Matters were gone too far to expect any fruit or benefit from such Negotiations and because it was not probable but rather impossible that the Vizier who would not accept of the Conditions offer'd him by the Emperor before he removed from the Port would now after a long March to Belgrade and after he had raised all the Militia and Power of Asia and been at a vast expence in the Preparations of War should now condescend or remit these Demands which had formerly been requir'd Wherefore as I say The Emperor expecting no farther benefit from a Treaty than only to satisfy himself and the World that he had done every thing in his Power which might produce a Peace he provided for War and in the first place employ'd Count Martinitzion on an Embassie to the Pope and other Princes of Italy to obtain from them Aid and Succours both of Men and Money The Emperor's Forces towards the end of the last year Forces raised and at the beginning of this consisted of 20.000 Men to increase which Orders were given to all Colonels and Officers fully to Compleat their Regiments and Troops against the end of May. Commissions were also given out to raise Six Regiments of Horse and one of Foot besides Four Regiments of Croats And the Regiment of Prince Charles of Loraine being fully recruited was divided into two Bodies Money raised And to raise Money for maintenance of these new Levies and for the War the Hundreth Peny was laid on all Rents of Lands and Revenue or Income from Offices by which it was supposed that a vast Sum might be raised And moreover Four Millions were borrowed for security of which a Mortgage was given to Count Swartzemberg and other Ministers upon the Demesnes of the Dutchy of Trinchin and Silesia The Fortifications of Vienna were continued with greater diligence Vienna fortified and numbers of Men than formerly and the Suburbs were order'd to be demolished and the Cellars to be filled up with Earth thô the Inhabitants being desirous to continue in their Dwellings so long as was possible deferr'd to abandon their Houses until such time as they were assur'd of the certainty of a Siege intended The Emperor being by this time farther assur'd that the Turks design'd nothing less than a Peace having made all the Steps and Preparations necessary towards a War dispatched his Orders to Count Albert Caprara to take his last Audience of leave Count Albet Caprara recalled and so depart from the Ottoman Court But that License would not be granted to him it being the Custom of the Turks in all their Wars to carry the Person of the Ambassador of that Prince with them in their Camp against whom they wage War with intention to make use of his Service in case the Success of Affairs should at any time incline them to a Treaty The Baron of Kaunitz was sent to the Elector of Bavaria and Count Windisgratz to the Princes of the Circles of Lower Saxony and Westphalia moving them to enter into such Measures and Councils with the Emperor as might tend to the Conservation of Hungary Germany allaâ—m'd by the Turks All Christendom now Allarum'd by the vast preparations of the Turks whose Force appear'd sufficient not only to overspread Hungary but to over-run all Germany in one Summer so that the Common safety seem'd now to be in danger The Diet at Ratisbon was then Sitting and Consulting for the Common Welfare and Security for which the Emperor was so much concern'd that he resolved once to have been present there in Person but that his Deputies who resided for him gave his Imperial Majesty such assurances of the zeal and care the Diet had for conservation of the Empire that were his Majesty there in Person nothing could be more done than what was resolved and then acting by that Diet. Saponara privately Treats with Tekeli Saponara not being able to Prevail any thing upon the Vizier at Belgrade was Order'd to try what he could work upon Tekeli to draw him off from the Turks In pursuance of which he went to Mongatz where Tekeli lay Sick of a Fever and being his antient Friend and Acquaintance was some time during the intermission of his Fits admitted into his Chamber where in the Emperor's Name he offer'd to him a Sovereignity over all those Places of which he was Master in the Upper Hungary with several other Demesnes appertaining thereunto and to hold the same on the very Conditions which were given to Boscai who raised Arms against the Emperor in the year 1605. Besides which such Conferences passed as are usual with Sick Men who are commonly relenting and desirous of Gods Glory and the publick Peace But when Tekeli grew better and return'd to his perfect state of Health he then confessed plainly that his Circumstances were such and his Union with the Turks so Knit and Engaged that it was impossible for him to separate or destricate himself from their Interest and Party With which Answer Saponara being convinced that nothing was to be done on
the other Fortresses behind them as being places which would fall of themselves and follow the Fate of the Imperial Court The News of all which being carried from the Duke of Loraine by Count Caprara to the Emperor and also that the Baggage of the Duke of Saxelawenburg of Prince Lewis de Baden and of the Counts Caprara and Montecuculi were all taken by the Turks and their Convoy defeated and that the Horse in great disorder had abandoned the Infantry and left them to shift for themselves in the Isle of Schultz and were Marching with great Disorder to Vienna No sooner was this Intelligence arrived than the Tartars appear'd at the same time within two Leagues of the City The great consternation at Vienna and set Fire to all the Villages round about the Smoak of which ascending upwards gave visible demonstrations of the truth of these Reports and put all the Court and City into a distracted Consternation The Emperor after the coming of this News made no delay to depart away with the Empress the Arch-Duchess and all the Court for Lintz There was now no time to spare and Fear added Wings as well to the Poor as to the Rich the great Personages whose Offices obliged them to an attendance on the Court were to be excused from remaining behind in Defence of the City the Duty they owed their Master disengaging them from showing their Bravery in the Face of the Enemy And indeed such were the Preparations of all sorts of People to hasten out of the Town as if none had intended to stay in Defence of it The Emperor and Court remove to Lintz The Court which at other times would have requir'd at least fifteen Days preparations for such a removal was now consined to five or six Hours so that without a larger Description of this Affrightment we may imagin and figure to our selves the Confusion there was in Vienna upon this Departure Every Man before he could leave his Home had something or other to order and dispatch for which Reason the Emperor at Night had very few or none to serve and attend him and what will be thought most strange in times hereafter he had no Guard or Convoy to Defend his Person through the many Perils and Hazards he was to pass it being necessary to leave all the Soldiery behind for Defence of the City We may then conceive with what Terrour this sad and trembling Court did travel being continually allarum'd by reports of Tartars who had Plunder'd and Pillaged and Burnt all the Parts round the terrible Marks of which appear'd in the Night and served by the Flames to direct them in their way And had not the Providence of God carried that rude and barbarous Nation into Parts more Remote the Emperor and all his Court with the Ladies and Chief Nobility had fallen as a Prey into their rapacious Hands But God having diverted so great a mischief and shame to all Christendom the Imperial Court arrived at Lintz more terrify'd with the continual Allarums then tyred with the Journey the Attendants followed the Court so fast as they were able as did the Women Citizens and those who were not Men of the Sword the ways were filled with Coaches Carts Waggons and Horses the present trembling condition administred unto the flying Multitude matter of discourse so that as they journied along their Talk was concerning the ill management of the publick Affairs which were reduced to that unhappy State by the evil Councils of the Jesuits who had too great an Interest and prevailing Power in the Cabinet of the Emperor Had it not been for them said they and for the Clergy the Protestants had not been divested of their Churches nor deprived of their Liberties and Properties whereby they were provoked to take up Arms against the Emperor Nay how often was the Imperial Clemency well inclined to grant Pardon and Terms of Peace to Tekeli and his Malecontented Subjects which would have diverted this Storm from the Turks which now pursues us but that the governing power of the Clergy still cherished and fomented the Differences until they had brought them to this ultimate precipice of our Destruction Some there were who being well disposed towards the French Faction blamed the Councils of the Emperor for not accepting the Propositions of France made for relief of the Empire For thô such a remedy might be dangerous yet it could not be worse than the Disease nor nothing so had as the present impending Evil it were better to put our selves into the Hands of the French than into the power of Turks and Infidels The Court continued not long at Lintz for so soon as Intelligence came that Vienna was Besieged the Emperor removed to Passau which is a City about 30 or 40 Miles farther into Germany and was a Bishoprick which with Strasbourg was once in the Hands of the Arch Duke Leopold William Two days after the departure of the Emperor from Vienna the Confusion still continued day and night caused by Carts and Horses employ'd to carry away the Goods and Housholdstuff of those who as useless Persons were permitted to remove out of the City At length upon arrival of the Duke of Loraine the Confusion ceased and the Inhabitants and Soldiers affrightned before by the timorous multitude which were fled began to return again into their Wits Good Orders and Rules established and become capable to receive Orders and solid Councils for the better defence of their City Estates and Lives The Courage and good Conduct which appear'd in the Generals operated the like effect in the Minds of the Soldiery who now with undaunted Resolution attended the approach of the Enemy who had in their March received a Repulse before the Fortress of Raab which gave no little encouragement to the Garrison The same day that the Duke of Loraine and Count Staremberg enter'd into Vienna being the 13th of July the Infantry which were before passed over into the Island of Schultz were come up to the rest of the Army The first thing ordered by these Commanders was to repair the Palisadoes and finish some Works as well as could be possible in so short a warning and the Inhabitants of the Suburbs being retired within the Town were willingly employ'd with their own Hands to set Fire to their own Dwellings to devest the Enemy of all Succour or Shelter therein The Forces put into Vienna The same Night the Duke of Loraine caused all the Foot excepting only eight Batalions which he reserved to defend his Camp to enter into the Counterscarp of the Town and in two Nights after being the 14th and 15th the Powder and Bullet which was expected from Lintz were brought in and lodged in the Arsenal of the City After which the other eight Batalions were also brought into the Town which with those in the Counterscarp made Twelve thousand Men. But for better understanding the State and Condition of the Garrison The
gain the Pass The Christians forced from the Bridges but the numbers of the Enemy encreasing the Christians found themselves not able to sustain the shock and therefore having burnt and destroyed all the Houses thereabouts they orderly retired to the Army having broken the Bridges to prevent the more hasty pursuit after them The Turks having by this time encompassed the whole City with their numerous Camp The Turks batter the City and Tents of diverse colours advanced their Trenches within thirty Paces of the Counterscarp on the side of the Bastions of the Court and the Lobel and continually so plyed that Quarter with their Cannons and Morters that they entirely ruined the Emperor's Palace with the Houses and Churches thereunto adjoyning Whilst Count Staremberg was busied in all places to give necessary Orders and provide against every Misfortune which might happen Staremberg wounded he was unluckily wounded by the Blow of a Brick upon his Head which had been carried by the stroak of a Cannon-shot which confined him to his Chamber for three Days and the Count Daun one of the Deputy Governours was sick at the same time of a Fever However the care of the Counts Serini Souches and Scaffenberg was such that the Enemy gained no advantage by the absence of those Governours Whilst Matters were thus acting in the City C. Leslie sent to Krembs Count Leslie was sent to Krembs to convoy the Train of Artillery thither and attend the coming of the Auxiliary Troops of Bavaria Saxony and Franconia and the Regiments which were marching from several other Places of the Empire and also to restrain the Incursions of the Tartars into Austria who with much Violence and Cruelty laid all Places wheresoever they came in Bloud and Ashes thô many of them were cut to pieces in divers Conflicts there being a Hundred and fifty of them killed by the Peasants who were felling the Trees about Vienna to hinder and disturb the March of the Enemy But why the Tartars should destroy all the Villages and Provisions near to Vienna whereby they deprived the Turkish Army of all Provisions and Subsistence from parts near unto their Camp and caused their Horse to fetch Forage at twenty Miles distance no sound Reason can be given unless it be that those People having always been used to Spoyl and Destruction have it not in their Power and nature to leave any thing unblasted and not consumed in the Country of an Enemy wheresoever they pass Some Troops belonging to General Schultz had the fortune at the same time to take a considerable Convoy of the Turks consisting of above three Hundred Waggons killing on the place about six Hundred and fifty and taking two Hundred Prisoners The Turks had drawn two parallel Lines one on the side of the Court-Bastion The Disposition of the Turkish Force and another on the Lobel-Bastion with a Line of Communication between both and here they raised their Batteris of thirty Pieces of Cannon And thô Vienna was fortified with eleven Bastions yet three of them only were attacked so that the whole Force of the Town was drawn that way for its Defence The Grand Vizier took his Station on the side of the Ravelin and with him the Janisar Aga or General of the Janisaries named Kara Mustapha and his Kahia or Lieutenant and also the Pasha of Romelia who was killed with a Cannon-shot The Attack of the Court-Bastion on the Right-hand of the Vizier was committed to Chusaein Pasha of Damascus who thô he was a stout Man and a good Soldier yet he had been unfortunate having formerly been beaten by Prince Ragotski in Transilvania by Count Souches at Leventz as we have at large described in the former part of our History and by the King of Poland at Coczim The Bastion of the Lobel on the Left-hand of the Vizier was committed to Achmet Pasha of Temeswaer who died on the 3d. of September of a Dissentery he had formerly executed the Office of High Treasurer and after his decease Husaein Pasha who also had been Treasurer was promoted to his Place In describing this Siege it will not be necessary to recount all the particulars of the Traverses Mines Countermines and other minute Actions provided as we intend we do not omit any considerable Passage or Feats of Arms which were most memorable thrô the whole course of this Siege Count Starembergh observing that the Turks worked continually in their Lines resolved to obstruct them by a vigorous Sally The Besieged make a Sally for which the Besieged having now lost all their Fears were very forward to do The Sally was managed by one Sampson Steimbach a Captain in the Regiment of Mansfeldt and Count Guy of Staremberg who signalized themselves with such Valour and Success that they killed many of the Miners and brought in a Prisoner alive who discovered many Particulars then acting by the Enemy On the 23d of July the Turks taking the advantage of a strong Gale of Wind which blew towards the City to throw diverse Bombs thereinto one of which beat down the Spanish Embassador's House with little other damage to the Town The same day in the Afternoon the Turks sprang a Mine near the Lobel Bastion but it taking vent reversed on themselves damaging only a corner of the Bastion and over-turning some Palisadoes which were repaired again in the Night howsoever the Turks took this opportunity to make a furious Assault upon that Bastion but were valiantly repulsed with the loss of two Hundred Men killed and three taken Prisoners About the same time a Messenger from the Duke of Loraine having swam four times over the Water A Messenger from the Duke of Loraine with his Letters in a Bladder hanging about his Neck with much difficulty got into the Town which brought them the happy and encouraging News of being speedily relieved for that all the Troops of the Circles and of the Emperor 's hereditary Countries came daily to the general Rendezvous at Krembs and that the King of Poland with his Army was come as far as Olmutz Nor were the Troops of the Duke of Loraine idle all this time during the Siege but making Incursions and enterprizing some Design or other every Day brought many Prisoners into the Camp with their Horses and other Booty But the joy of these Successes were not a little damped by the News that the City of Presburg with Timavia Emdemburg Prekalla Leita and Haisentat being dismayed by the formidable Force of the Vizier had submitted themselves to Tekeli and to his Protection Howsoever considering Men reflected that such Accidents as these were to be expected where a mighty Army predominated and were as easily reversed by the turn of a contrary Fortune and that they would follow the Fate and Success of Vienna The 25th of this Month the Duke of Loraine receiving Intelligence that Tekeli had formed an Army of 20 .000 Malecontents and eight Thousand Turks under the Command
it and say nothing but give Thanks and Pray to Almighty God and Fight Thou shalt Build but not to Day nor to Morrow but hereafter thou shalt Erect Churches when thy Country is freed from it's Enemies but not now while the Ottoman Horse encompass you and that the Towers are Armed and a Formidable force Besiege you This was the Interpretation which some passed on this Writing 24th The 24th the Turks Sprang another Mine but with little effect more than the casting up of great quantities of Earth But that which administred the highest Comfort and Joy imaginable to the Defendants The Besieged comforted with hopes of Relief was the entrance of a Messenger into the Town with the News of the great preparations making and assurance that the Town would be relieved in eight hours time The same day the Great Vizier detach'd a Party of Five hundred Horse to pass the Danube to Spoil and Burn some Villages on the other side but being encountred by Colonel Heisler they were defeated and many of them in their Flight drowned in the River 25th The 25th the Christians made a Sally with such Resolution and Fury that they drove the Turks out of the Ditch overthrew their Galleries and Gabions spiked six Pieces of their Cannon and discharged one of their Mines of the Powder which was ready to be fired which a German Miner had luckily discovered in the Ditch 26th The 26th the Turks fired two Mines under the Ruins of the Ravelin with Resolution to make an Assault but were still bravely repulsed by the Defendants one Cannon shot having carried away sive Turks Heads at once 27th The Turks fired their Cannon and Mortar-pieces with continued Peals for some hours during which time in the Morning Three hundred Musquetiers and Fifty Horsemen of the Regiment of Dupigni descended by certain Subterranean Vaults into the Ditch of the Court Bastion where they ruined the Traverses of the Enemy in such manner that they required three days time to be repaired which was of highest concernment to the Defendants to whom nothing was so necessary and important as to put the Enemy backwards in the Approaches and Pressures they made upon them In this Action one of the principal Officers of the Turks was slain as appeared by the Conflicts that were made to regain his Body for which there was a Dispute that lasted a whole hour the same day the Turks fired two Mines one on the left side of the Ravelin and an other under the Counterscarp which joyns to the Court Bastion and immediately mounted on the Ruins intending to possess themselves intirely of the Ravelin but they were repulsed by Count Scaffemberg with great Slaughter At the close of the Evening Forty Rockâ— were fired â—â—om the top of St. Stephen s Steeple to gâ—â—e notice uâ—â—o â—he Duke of Loraine of the great distress of the City and of the daily advances the Enemy made upon them and the hourly diminution of the Garrison The nex day to confirm these Signals 28th the Duke of Loraine received Letters from Staremberg and Capliers representing the sad and extreme misery of the City which could not hold out much longer but must if not speedily relieved be yielded to the Besiegers Howsoever they concluded with a Resolution to defend themselves to the last drop of their Blood The 29th the Turks fired the greatest Mine of any they had yet done 29th but to so little purpose that they durst not adventure to second it by an Assault as they had formerly done This day about three a Clock in the Afternoon 30th a Mine of the Turks over-threw a great part of the right Flanker of the first Retrenchment of the Ravelin which was still defended by the Imperialists thô the outward Retrenchment was possessed by the Turks The Christians lost only two Men by this Mine who were buried in the Earth but the Turks pressing forward were repulsed with loss of twenty of their Men who were killed The Turks to conclude this Month fired their Cannon and Mortars so incessantly 31th that it was believed a General Storm would follow And having fired a Mine in the Morning they hoped to have become Masters of the Ravelin now as it were at its last gasp and Assaulted it with such Fury that it seem'd ready to yield But the Christians fought with so great Resolution that they kill'd Sixty Janisaries upon the Ruins and recover'd all the third and part of the first Retrenchment And thô the Defendants were well assur'd that they should be Relieved in very few days yet not knowing what Accidents might occur which none could foresee they with all diligence made another Retrenchment at the Foot of the Court Bastion and at other places Towards the Evening it was discovered that the Turkish Miners were at work under the Ravelin in which to disturb them it was agreed the next day to make a brisk Sally and to burn the Galleries by which they passed to the Mine The next Day being the first of the Month Spet 1st the Sally was accordingly performed by three Hundred Men who descending into the Ditch of the Court-Bastion advanced as far as to the Galleries intending to burn and destroy them with Granadoes and diverse sorts of Fire-balls but the Works being deep and the Janisaries pressing on them in great numbers the Defendants were forced to retire with the loss of about twenty Men thô with many more on the Enemy's side Towards the Evening the Fight was again renewed by a fresh Assault of the Janisaries purposing with full resolution to become entire Masters of the Ravelin but the Christians being spirited with the hopes of speedy Succour so valiantly opposed them that at length they were forced to retire with great Slaughter Immediately after which the Besieged made another Sally with about four hundred and fifty Men burnt their Galleries and ruined those Works which they could not repair again in less than three Days In this Action the Citizens behaved themselves with much Bravey and Dexetity in the execution of their Fire-works and thô this Sally cost them Ninety Men yet it was attended with the death of above three Hundred Janisaries The Day before was remarkable for the Encounter of the Duke of Loraine and the King of Poland the first going to Olbrun to meet his Majesty The Duke of Loraine meets with the King of Poland So soon as they came in sight of each other about the distance of twenty five Spaces the Duke descended from his Horse as did also the King and coming near they embraced The King in very affectionate Terms demanded after his Health and commended his Valour and Conduct by which he had sustained so long the force of such powerful Enemies Then he presented to him his Son Prince Alexander whom he said he had trained up betimes in War to serve the Emperor and did not doubt but he would improve much more by the Guidance and
that the Emperor was of too generous a Nature to accept thereof and would not have been so prodigal of his Offers had he imâ—gined he should have been taken at his word But it is not here to be forgotten that after the Bishop of Newdorf had sung Te Deum before the Emperor and performed the other Ceremonies which lasted for the space of four Hours at the Conclusion of all when the Emperor was come out of the Church the Arch-Bishop of Vienna turned him about and pointed to the Spire of the Cathedral Steeple Behold Sir said he that Spar which issues from the Spire at the end of which is a Star within the Crescent or Half-moon and consider that that Monument was there fixed in the Year 1529 when Soliman Besieged the City and was so to remain by Compact with the Citizens conditionally The Cross erected in place of the Half-moon That the Turks should not batter the Steeple with their Cannon And now whereas that Article was broken by the continual Shootings which the Enemy had made against it at the last Siege it is but reason that the Crescent should be taken down and in Memory of the present Deliverance that a Cross should be erected in the place thereof for which the Emperor having given present Orders they were accordingly executed On the 10th the Duke of Saxony returned home with his Troops The Duke of Saxony returns home which speedy departure so soon after the raising of the Siege which seemed too short a time for Refreshment of his Soldiery was interpreted for a Sign of Discontent perhaps to see the Poles Rewarded with the greatest Spoils and the Auxiliaries neglected as if they had no Share or Merit in the Victory The Emperor finding his Palace much ruined and unfurnished at Vienna staid but few days there before he returned to Lintz where he intended to remain until the Repairs of Court and City were made and the Walls and Trenches cleared of the dead Bodies which rendred the Air Unhealthful and Infectious During the time of his stay at Vienna he took delight to visit the Retrenchments and Fortifications which the Defendants had made behind the Walls and Bastions to dispute every Foot and Inch of Ground as occasion had required He also surveyed the Batteries Trenches and Approaches of the Enemy and saw the Stores of Ammunition and Provisions which they had left behind them which served again to recruit and replenish the Arsenal at Vienna The List and Account whereof was as followeth Six Thousand five Hundred Tents four Thousand five Hundred Barrels of Powder six Thousand weight of Lead 20.000 Granado Shells eight Thousand Hand-granadoes 11.000 Shovels and Pickaxes one Thousand six Hundred weight of Match two Thousand five Hundred Fire-balls 52 Hundred weight of Pitch eleven Hundred weight of Oyl of Petolium and of Tar and five Hundred Thousand of Lincet-oyl Ninety five Hundred of Salt-peter five Thousand one Hundred â—ieces of coarse Linnen two Hundred Thousand Hair Sacks for carrying Earth and Sand eighty one Hundred weight of Barrs of Iron and Horse-shooes an Hundred Ladles for melting Pitch two Hundred weight of Pack-thread and Thongs made of Camels Hides and Buffoloes Leather for binding four Thousand Sheep-skins two Thousand Halberts four Hundred Scythes and Scycles five Hundred and sixty Barrels of Guns for use of the Janisaries Fifty two Sacks of Cotton and Cotton-yarn one Thousand five Hundred Wool-sacks empty two Thousand Plates of Iron for covering Targets an Hundred and twenty three Hundred weight of Greese and Tallow two Hundred thirty Powder-horns two Thousand six Hundred Baggs for Powder four pair of Smith's Bellows for a Forge twenty one Instruments or Engines for raising Carts when overturned eight Thousand Carts for carrying Ammunition and Provisions all empty one Thousand great Bombs eighteen Thousand Cannon-bullets great and small an Hundred and ten Pieces of Cannon of all sorts as Culverin Demyculverin demy and whole Cannon Sakers c. thirteen Mortar-pieces mounted for shooting Bombs six great Anvils diverse Sacks for use of the Ordnance and many Ladders made of Cords All which as we have said were carried into Vienna and laid up amongst the Stores of that Arsenal After this Work was done the next was to employ all the Labourers belonging to the City with the captivated Turks whom they made to assist in filling up the Trenches Holes and Vaults which the Turks had made some of which were so deep that they seemed rather to be Caves and Dens than Trenches for covert and shelter for Besiegers So that had not the Turks busied themselves in such fruitless Labours they might have compassed that in half the time which was not effected in the space of sixty two Days Amongst these other Works several Vaults were found filled with dead Bodies putrified and stinking and all the Country round for many Leagues were strowed with dead Carcasses for Burying of which or Burning or casting into the Danube strict Orders were given and which with much diligence were executed to prevent a Pestilence the Putrefaction of which began already to infect the Air. Amongst the dead the Bodies of many Women and Children were found who had been made Slaves and Captives by the Turks and Massacred by them either out of Revenge or because they were an Incumbrance to them in their Flight but to these Bodies some Respect was shown being carried to Cimeteries and there interred after the Rites of the Christian Burial with Crosses erected over their Graves Howsoever some Turks who were Men of more tender Bowels than the others for we must not figure them all to be of the like fierce and cruel Disposition did quit the Possession of their Slaves with more gentleness and set them at liberty with their Lives of which most were Women and Children the which the Germans and Poles took up and brought them back again to Vienna By this time that the Trenches were filled without the City and the Walls and some Houses repaired the News of the happy Deliverance of Vienna had spread it self over all the Countries from whence Provisions of all sorts came and Boats laden with Corn Wine Fruits and Herbs arrived daily in to supply the Wants of the City the Face of which was totally changed from Famine to Plenty from War to Peace and from Terror and dismal Apprehensions to Joy Triumph and Festivals The Spirits of the Imperialists and Poles being highly raised by these Successes some Parties pursued the Turks who were as much dejected as the others were elevated and thô they hastened in a precipitous Flight apprehending an Enemy just at their backs yet many of them in the Arrear appointed to conduct twelve Pieces of Cannon and some Baggage were over-taken in the Pursuit and brought back to Vienna where these Captives with their other Brethren were ordered to work in Chains for filling the Trenches which they had before opened and repair of the Walls and Bastions which they had battered down
floating down the Current were taken up by the Christians The Duke of Loraine being come to Pest caused the Fire to be extinguished which had as yet Burnt but one third part of the Town all the Stores of Ammunition and Provision being saved The Works and Fortifications were ordered to be repaired and Cannon to be mounted on the Walls but the Place proved too hot for them being so much incommoded by incessant shooting from Buda that there was no abiding for them there for Pest lies in a beautiful Plain and gives Denomination to the Country round about which is called Comitatus Pesthiensis From Buda it hath a sumptuous Prospect by the appearance of the Towers on the old Walls and Spires of the Moschs but is so over-topt by Buda that all the Cannon there can shoot into it so that the Imperial Army quitted the Place until it should fall into their Hands and follow the Fate of Buda as an Appendage or Dependance thereof The Troops being with-drawn from Pest they marched back to Witzen where two Bridges of Boats were making to pass the River at the Island of St. Andrew's where the River divides it self in two Branches The Christian Army repasses the Danube and makes the Ferry over much more short and easy The Passage over the first Branch or Arm was not very difficult but that on the farther side of the Island was much more hazardous by reason that the Stream was broader and more rapid and the Turks with 20.000 Men encamped within three Miles from the Banks of the River but nothing seemed now too hard or dangerous to a victorious Army and an invincible Captain for whilst the Bridge was finishing with incredible Expedition some Soldiers for Spyes swam over to the other side where having observed July that the Turks lay with much Security within their Camp and without any motion which was a strange thing considering that they might easily have defended the River and made the Passage over impossible Five thousand Foot with some Pieces of Cannon were ferried over in Boats where being landed without any disturbance they intrenched themselves and raised a Battery from whence they could shoot into the Enemies Camp and secure the Passage of the Water for the rest of the Army On the 10th of this Month the Bridge being finished the whole Army passed over the same Day and joyned themselves with the other Body already on that side The Seraskier being informed that only a part of the Army was got over he advanced against them with all his Horse and eight Hundred Janisaries The Seraskier Assaults the Christians and two small Field-pieces with him were the Pasha of Buda and thirteen other Pashas leaving the rest of the Janisaries and all other his Foot with the Cannon about the distance of an Hour's March The Attack which the Turks made was so suddain that the Christians had scarce time to put their Forces into order of Battail but howsoever such was the readiness of this Army and the good Discipline of it that every Regiment and Troop at the first sound of an Allarum took their Places without the least Confusion The Duke of Loraine at the head of his Cavalry undertook to lead the Van and therewith sustained the first shock of the Enemy with Carbine-shot only standing so firm and resolute that no breach could be made into their Ranks in which time the rest of the Army had opportunity to put themselves into posture of Battle which upon their Motion appeared so formidable that the Turks began to make a disorderly Retreat He is repulsed and fâ—ies and to fly as fast as their Horses could carry them until they came to the Place where the Janisaries and Cannon remained Howsoever being closely pursued by the Polish Horse many of them came short home and several Colours were taken nor was this Action without some loss to the Christians and particularly of some Persons of Note and Quality as namely The Count de Velheim Bernardino Scotti a Gentleman of Milan with some other Voluntiers of Heroick Courage who pressing too forward to signalize their Valour ended their days with much Honour and Glory The next day being the 11th July the whole Christian Army advanced towards Buda between which and a Party of the Turks there happened a Skirmish to the disadvantage of the latter with which and with a constant Train of other ill Successes the Turkish Army being cowarded and dismayed with-drew themselves out of the open Plains to seek shelter under Hills and Mountains and lodged themselves near St. Gerard's Mount whilst Major General Staremberg advancing near the City began to prepare Matters necessary towards a Siege The 13th the Turks set fire to the lower Town of Buda and retired into the upper which was situate on a Hill and defended by a strong Castle The Fortifications hereof were not very regular but made of old Towers without Bastions but the Garrison consisting of Eight thousand Men was the best of its Strength Commanded by five Pashaes and well supplied with all sorts of Ammunition and Provision the Governour was the Vizier of Buda and under him as his Deputy-Governour was Shitan Ibrahim of whom we shall hereafter have occasion to give a more particular Character The 14th a small Attack was given and designed purposely as a good Omen to the Soldiery who still retained in their Memories that the same Day of the Year past the Turks had formed their Siege before Vienna The Siege of Buda formed and this very Day the Duke of Loraine had brought his heavy Cannon to the places of Battery and had now perfected a formal Siege against the capital City of Hungary The next day the Cannon beginning to play they made themselves Masters of the Ditch and of St. Gerard's Mount which Commands the Town and thereon a Battery was raised The Seraskier finding that his Army was dismayed and neither for their Courage nor Numbers a competent Match for their victorious Enemy retired three Leagues distant from Buda intending often to trouble and infest the Besiegers with continual Alarums Whilst these things were thus acting the Duke of Loraine received Advice that the Pasha of Maroz who was appointed to guard the Bridge of Esseck was advanced with Two thousand Five hundred Men to Vitrovitz The Pasha of Maroz overthrown a Place about a League distant from the Camp expecting Four hundred Men more under Command of the Bei of Gradisca with design to force their way into Buda To prevent which the Duke detached Four thousand Croats under the Command of Count Transmandorf to march against them and ordered the German Forces to stand all Night to their Arms to avoid a Surprise Transmandorf marched until seven a Clock in the Morning always a-trot and having about that time met the Pasha of Marotz he immediately engaged with him and charged him so furiously that after some small Resistence the Turks fled of whom
Town seeming as if they resolved to fall on the Rear with design only to draw them into an Ambuscade of Janisaries who lay hid in certain Hedges and Bushes not far distant from the open Road. The Stratagem succeeded in part for these young Gallants thirsting after Glory and desirous of an Engagement with the Enemy could not refrain from pursuing the Turks to the place of Danger where in all probability they had most certainly been destroyed had not the Duke of Loraine sent some Troops seasonably to their Relief The next Day this Party being returned from Novigrode to the Camp General Caprara who lay confined in his Bed by a Fever delivered into the Hands of the Duke of Loraine a Letter from diverse poor Christian Slaves Greeks Hungarians and others in Newhausel miserably complaining of their Servitude and of the Famine of that Place which was so great that they were ready to Perish for want of Food False Letters delivered to the Duke of Loraine so that in case he would only appear with his Army before that Place the Distress of it by reason of Famine was such as would cause them to Surrender without farther Violence or loss of Time The Particulars of the State of this Place was again confirmed by a Turk who carrying Letters from Newhausel to Buda was intercepted in the way and brought to the Camp where being examined before a Council of Officers he there confirmed the Truth of what was related in the Letter and that the Garrison did not exceed Twelve hundred Men so that the Pasha an ancient Soldier did much lament the Miseries of the Place which he could not maintain and must either be forced to make a Surrender of it or else Sacrifice his own and the Lives of all the Inhabitants to the Fury of the Enemy This Report seconding the Letter wrote from the Christian Captives the Truth thereof was no longer doubted so that without farther dispute or demurr it was resolved at a Council of War to open this Campaign with the Siege of Newhausel thô in reality both the Letter was feigned and the Report given by the Turk false as will appear hereafter before we make an end of the Siege of this Place Howsoever it served for the present to alter the design from Novigrode The Siege of Newhausel resolved and turn it on Newhausel against which all Preparations were making and Orders sent to the Prince of Hanover to advance towards the Town and cause his Men to provide themselves with Faggots and Timber to make Gabions with other Materials necessary for this Enterprise and all the Boats and Floats for Bridges which lay below Comorra were ordered to be drawn up against the Stream And lest in the mean time during this Siege Preparations thereunto the Seraskier thinking to make a Diversion should lay Siege either to Strigonium or Vicegrade the latter Garrison was reinforced with Three hundred Men and the former with Fifteen hundred under the Command of Count Mansfeld besides several Troops of Hussars who were appointed to scower the Country round and observe the Motion of the Enemy July All things being prepared in order to a Siege on the third of July the Duke of Loraine Commanded the whole Army to raise the Camp and March towards Newhausel and on the 6th they pitched at a Bog or Fenny place in sight of the Town being hindred from proceeding farther by the Storms and continual Rains which gave great retardment and stop to their March But to lose no time General Heusler was appointed with a Party of Horse to survey the Fenns and give an account of the Ways and Passages over it Heusler beats a Party of the Enemies Horse and meeting with a Party of Horse belonging to the Garrison which was commanded to prevent and stop his Passage he charged them with such vigour as caused them to fly back to the Town pursuing them to the very Gates thereof After which having well observed that the Fenns were not to be passed by the Infantry it was ordered That every Horse-man should mount a Footman behind him so that the Day following all the Army passed and encamped by the Banks of the River Nitria or Neutra about Cannon-shot distant from the Town At the appearance of the Christian Army the Turkish Garrison being greatly dismayed they quitted the Palanca which was raised at the Gate of Strigonium and broke the Island-Bridge causing all their Forces to be dispersed without the Town in little Forts and Redoubts to retire within that being gathered into a Body they might be the better enabled to make a valiant and an obstinate Resistance The same Day the Pasha opened the Store-houses of the Place where Provisions were laid up in such abundance that being distributed with Frugality and managed with good Husbandry were sufficient to conserve and maintain the City for many Months without Famine The Town Surveyed But before the Siege was formed the Duke of Loraine with other Officers and Persons of Note and Quality took a View or Survey of the Town to discover the parts and places where the Attacks might be carried forward with the best Advantage and tryed where the River Neutra was fordable as it was at that Season of the Year in diverse places In the mean time the Troops of Hanover and Zell Commanded by the Prince of Hanover and his Lieutenant General Chauvet arrived in the Camp against whom the Turks spent many of their Cannon-shot without any Effect which Troops being drawn up in open Field made so good an Appearance in all Respects as gave great Satisfaction to the Duke of Loraine and the other General Officers On the 9th about Noon the Bavarian Infantry advanced forward commanded in chief by Count Serini On the 10th the Imperial Generals with the Elector of Bavaria and the Prince of Hanover designed the place where the Town should be first attacked and Horses were sent and Waggons to draw up the heavy Cannon which were arrived in Boats near to the Camp and the places chalked out and designed where the Batteries were to be raised On the 11th a Council of War was held The Form of the Siege resolved and there resolved by all the General Officers to open the Trenches and to make the main Attack at the same place and side on which the Turks had done when they took the Town in the Year 1663. Great Labours were used on the 12th to enlarge the Trenches joyning unto which there was a Vally which served for a Parade wide enough to draw up Two thousand Men and therein to remain under Covert and out of danger of the Enemies Shot Two Lines also were drawn and described one towards the Point of the Bastion adjoyning to the Port of Strigonium and another leading to the Bastion which was contiguous to it and on this part of the Town the chief Effort was to be made The Bavarians maintained the Attack on the Gate-side
Batteries and threw such quantities of Bombs and Carcasses into the Town that it took Fire in divers places Esperies is a City of Hungary in the County of Sarax very well fortified Situate on the River of Tarbez towards the Mountains and on the Frontiers of Poland and hath always been consider'd by the Malecontents as a strong place and of great importance to them The Garrison consisted of a Thousand Soldiers all stout and brave Men and more resolute than the Turks for the Malecontents having been provoked by the ill usage which the Emperor guided by his evil Council had put upon them were always more obstinate and fierce in Fight either because they were made Angry by Oppression or became desperate and out of all hopes to obtain Pardon from the Emperor Some Attempts were made by Tekeli to Reinforce the Garrison with Six hundred Men but they were prevented and beaten back and the Besieged made their Sallies but with ill Success which moved them on the 16th to display a white Flag in token of a Parly but so soon as some Soldiers and Officers came near to receive their Offers they with-drew their Flag and Fired upon them killing a Lieutenant and four Soldiers Schultz being justly incensed with this Treacherous Action omitted nothing which might destroy the Enemy He continually threw Bombs into the Town and Batter'd the Walls and having opened a Breach an Assault was made but his Soldiers were repulsed with considerable loss After which a Mine being formed and ready to Spring the Malecontes on the 10th of September desired a Parly but their late act of Treachery made the Imperialists more cautious in their Dealing with them and to give them no answer until they had sent two Officers for Hostages those in the Town refusing so to do the General more furiously plied his Cannon and Bombs than before But at length the Governour being made sensible of the impossibility of defending the Place much longer Capitulations made desired to Capitulate and sent Hostages for assurance of the Treaty which was concluded on the 18th of September on these following Articles First That the Commander and several of the Officers and Soldiers being Germans should be received into the Service of the Emperor and be advanced a Month's Pay Secondly That such as were not willing to enter into the Emperor's Service might have liberty to return to Tekeli and to have safe Conduct into his Quarters Thirdly That the Inhabitants should have a free Exercise of their Religion and that the Churches and Schools should remain in the same Condition as before and enjoy the like Freedom and Liberty as those did which had on the same Agreement and Articles submitted to the Emperor Fourthly That the Nobility might be restor'd to their Estates and having taken a new Oath of Fidelity to the Emperor might quietly enjoy the Privileges belonging to Noble Persons Fifthly That the Magistrates of the Town and Judges shall continue in their respective Offices and Places of Trust Sixthly That the City shall be conserved and exempted from the Plunder of the Soldiery And finally That these particulars shall be approved and ratified by the Emperor These Articles being agreed a Surrender was made but with much difficulty could General Schultz and the Duke of Wirtemberg restrain the German Soldiers The German Soldiers belonging to the Garrison endeavour to Plunder who belonged to the Garrison and had taken part with Tekeli from Plundering the Town For they being inform'd of the many Successes of the Imperial Arms were desirous to shew their Zeal to the Cause of the Emperor and so signalize the Return to their Duty and Allegiance by opening the great Gate of the City to the Soldiers of the Duke of Wirtemberg with liberty to Plunder and Spoil together with themselves but General Schultz and the Duke of Wirtemberg being resolved to maintain the Articles Order'd two Officers with a Thousand Men to Enter by the Breach and at the Postern Gate whilst the Duke of Wirtemberg with Two hundred Men joyned with the Germans of the Garrison and together marched into the Town These Germans were so Zealous to testify their Loyalty and Kindness to their Country Men That they invite them to fall upon the Spoil and to Plunder with them but by the care and good conduct of the Generals a stop was put thereunto and the Town preserved from Pillage according to the Tenure of the Capitulations The Day following General Schultz enter'd the Town and caused the Ditch to be cleared of the dead Bodies and the same to be decently Interr'd and the Breach with all possible speed to be repair'd On the Walls were found Thirty Pieces of Cannon mounted with a Mortar-piece carrying Sixty pounds Weight and several Thousands of Cannon Bullets the greatest part of which were Cast by the Imperialists in the time of the late Siege Provisions and Ammunition in the Town when the Town was taken by Tekeli in the Year 1678. There was no want of Provisions in the Town nor of Powder of which there was One hundred and twenty one pounds weight The Germans who were Two hundred and seventy in number of which Thirty were Dragoons were Listed into the Emperor's Service as also the greatest part of the Talpazzi a sort of Hungarian Soldiers under their Hadnag or Captain The others which were but Eleven Swore never to Fight more against his Imperial Majesty but to return home and live quietly and in peace amongst their Neighbours Such vertue and power hath good fortune and success in War that it not only subdues by Force of Arms but converts the Minds of Mankind making them wise and gentle free from Passion and Masters of Reason The taking of Esperies was followed by that of Cassovia which contrary to the Expectation of the Court at Vienna held out a formal Siege and made a Vigorous Resistance Cassovia called by the Hungarians Caschaw is the Capital City of the County of Abanwivar Cassovia it is very well fortified being Situate on the River of Kunnert which empties it self into the Tibiscus Thô it be a Town which enjoys great Privileges yet it hath long acknowledged and submitted to the Emperor as King of Hungary but in August 1682 it was unhappily taken and possessed by Tekeli and his Party and continued firm to them until this Year 1685. When on the 6th of the Month of October Count Caprara appear'd with his Army before Cassovia Caprara Besieges Cassovia and immediately raised two Batteries from which he warmly plied his Cannon and Mortars upon the Town the like was return'd from thence upon the Besiegers with much more Damage The Garrison within the Town consisted only at first of Four hundred Soldiers besides the Citizens who were resolved to hold 〈◊〉 unto the last Extremity The Count â—eterhasi who was a valiant Man and the best Soldier of all those belonging to Tekeli had made some overtures of returning to his Obedience and to
open'd the Gates to give entrance to the other Troops After which the Fire was put out and considerable Booty and rich Plunder taken and about a Thousand Christian Captives set at liberty This Success was soon afterwards followed by the Siege of Segedin by some Troops detach'd by Order of the Duke of Loraine under Command of Count Caraffa one of the Generals Segedin besieged who coming before the Place in a short time rais'd four Batteries and mounted his Cannon thereupon which were brought from Zolnock but Forage and Provisions growing very scarce in the Leaguer Caraffa went himself to hasten the Provisions leaving Count Walis Major-General Chief Commander of the Forces before the Town In the mean time Count Walis receiv'd Intelligence that Two thousand Turks joyn'd with a considerable Body of Tartars were marching to raise the Siege or to force Succours into the Town he detach'd six ' Regiments of Horse and Foot with some Croats and a Regiment of Dragoons under the Command of Count Veterani who having marched all the Night by break of Day drew up his Forces into Battalia and with his right Wing charged the Tartars with such resolution Veterani routs the Tartars that he put them to flight and kill'd great numbers of them in their Tents and took Four or Five thousand of their Horses with all their Baggage Nor was the Colonel of the Regiment de Gotz whose Incumbence it was to Charge the Turks less successful in his Enterprise for thô they had the advantage of a Palanca for their Defence yet the Insperialists to whom nothing could now be difficult did Storm it with so much Courage and Vigour that they soon became Masters of it killing Two hundred of the Three hundred Janisaries A Body of Turks routed which defended the Place at the same time the Horse charging the others forced them to fly in disorder of which many falling into the Hands of Veterani were kill'd without Quarter given to any This Action was scarce over before the Imperialists espied a great number of Turks passing a Bridge which they had laid over the Danube as if they had design'd to reinforce those Troops newly defeated and to come in to their Assistance for the Relief of Segedin Veterani resolving to charge them also made a Detachment of some Regiments to hinder the run-away Tartars from attacking the Imperialists in the Flank whilst he assail'd the Turks who were reputed to be Twelve thousand Men Commanded by the Vizier himself The Action was so bravely perform'd that the Van-guard of the Turks was beaten and foreced to retreat to a Place where their Infantry lay under covert supported by Six hundred Janisaries with Thirty Field-pieces which were discharged with terrible Fire and Smoke upon their Enemies but the Christians having receiv'd their Fire with undaunted Constancy and Courage they assail'd the Turks and Tartars with such bravery that they put them to flight Another Body of the Turks defeated In this last Encounter above Three hundred Janisaries were kill'd upon the Place all their Artillery and Baggage taken with their Timbals which they sound before the Pashas and many Colours together with Five hundred Horse and Two thousand Beasts of Burden laden with Baggage and Provisions and all this on the Christian side with the loss only of a Hundred Foot Soldiers and about Fifty Horsemen After which Veterani returning to the Camp before Segedin where Te Deum was sung some Prisoners were releas'd to carry the Intelligence of these Successes into the Town And thereupon a Treaty being desired Segedin taken and Hostages given it was agreed That the Soldiers of the Garrison only should have liberty to march out with as much Baggage as every Man was able to carry upon his Shoulders and to be conducted in safety as far as Temeswar Thus Segedin being taken great quantities of Provisions were found therein which served to augment the Loss and increase the terrible Consternation in the Turkish Army and in the Court and in all parts of the Ottoman Dominions Nor did the Turks Misfortunes of this Year's Campaign end here nothing being able to withstand a victorious Army Prince Lewis of Baden divided his Army into two Bodies the first he Commanded himself and march'd towards Darda which is a Fortress built by the Turks and serv'd to cover the Bridge of Esseck the other Detachment was committed to the Conduct of Count Scaffemberg with Orders to Attack Zyclos the which he so well executed that in five or six Days he took the Place the Soldiers and Inhabitants Surrendring at discretion Zyclos taken In the Town were found Twelve Pieces of Cannon with stores of all sorts of Provision and Ammunition The Men were made Prisoners of War but the Women and Children were dispersed into several Cities and Towns under obedience of the Emperor After the taking of Zyclos the Count of Scaffemberg joyn'd again with Prince Lewis who was now come before Darda on the first of November where he understood the two Pashas who had layn encamp'd on that side with about Two thousand Five hundred Men were already pass'd the Bridge of Esseck and that the Garrison of Darda had abandon'd the Place and march'd the same way carrying their Cannon and Provisions with them and to hinder the pursuit of their Enemies after them had beaten down and burnt a great part of the Bridge behind them The Fort and the Bridge being both possess'd without any opposition Prince Lewis burnt about Six thousand Paces more of the Bridge notwithstanding the Cannon-shot which they fired continually from the Town of Esseck without any great loss or damage to the Imperialists The Bridge of Esseck ruin'd or the People of the Country which came in to their Assistance so that by what one side and the other had done the Bridge was totally ruin'd Prince Lewis having put a good Garrison into Darda march'd to Zyclos and thence to Kapeswar which he took upon Conditions that the Garrison should march out and be conducted in safety as far as Sigeth There were in that Town Twenty four Pieces of Cannon planted and the Magazines well stor'd with all sorts of Provisions and Arms. In this glorious manner did this Campaign end in favour of the Christian Arms And now it being time for both Armies to retire into their Winter-quarters the losing Party had leisure to lament and quarrel and lay the fault on each other and the victorious Party to rejoyce and triumph And so it was for by this time the news of the loss of Buda and the several Victories gain'd by the Christians being come to Constantinople it struck all sorts and conditions of Men with a wonderful Consternation and Astonishment and yet under this Affliction and pressure of heavy Taxes they behav'd themselves with much Humility and Resignation of Mind to the Will and Pleasure of God acknowledging all these Miseries which had fallen upon them the flights and
turning of their Backs to their Enemies the loss of their fortify'd Towns and the Slaughter of their brave Soldiers and valiant Men of War The Turks humble themselves to be all the essects of the Divine Anger and Vengeance upon them for their Sins The Imaums or Parish-Priests the Shecks or Preachers in their Moschs the Religious Men such as the Dervices Kalenderi Nimetulahi and others made diverse Processions exhorting the People as they pass'd to Repentance and Amendment of Life and particularly to lament their Sins of drinking Wine and unnatural Lusts the common Wickedness and Vices of the People And for better observation of their Law which had been much neglected it was commanded on pain of Death strictly to observe the Ramazan which is the Month of Fasting during which Month no Man is by their Law in the Day time till Night comes to tast Bread or drink Water Every Friday in that Month the Mufti and Kadees clothed in penitential Habits were oblig'd to visit all the principal Moschs of the City and to make Prayers for turning away the Anger and Displeasure of God But the People and Soldiery were of another Temper being inclin'd to enquire after the Cause and Grounds of all these Evils Slaughters and Confusion The News of taking Buda Keep peditious Meeting and putting all the Garrison to the Sword which as reported consisted of Eight thousand Men besides Women and Children had fill'd all Constantinople with a most wonderful Consternation the common sort of Shopkeepers and Handycrafts-men ran to Coffee-houses and Places of publick Meetings to hear the News and Particulars of what had pass'd The Kadees who were Lawyers and Judges and the Otorack Janisaries who are like the Milites immeriti or Soldiers with dead Pay caball'd every Day together without the knowledge of the Grand Seignior which so soon as he came to hear he was affrighted not knowing what might be the issue of such seditious Meetings and thereupon doubling his Guards in the Seraglio with Bostangees who are Gardiners The Grand Seigmor affrighted at the Meetings and sends to them and stout able Men he sent to know the meaning of such numerous Assemblies to which answer was made That seeing to their Grief the extream Ruin and Danger then threatning both the Person of his Majesty and the whole Empire they thought it their Duty as Loyal Subjects and Slaves and true Musselmen and Believers to consult together what Advices and Expedients they might with all Humility offer to his Majesty Their Answer for his own personal Conservation and for the Defence of their holy and true Religion with the great Body of the Empire The Grand Seignior who dreaded the ill Consequences of such seditious Meetings return'd to them a gentle Message of Thanks for their Care and Love desiring them to offer him such Remedies which they in their Wisdom did judge convenient for cure of the present and prevention of future Evils it being natural for the common sort of People in such cases to cast the Blame on the chief Ministers of State they immediately reply'd That the Musti was a bad Man and had abused his Office and that it was generally murmur'd in all places of the Empire They offer Remedies That his Majesty was in such times as these too expensive in his Seraglio and too loose in his Government giving himself up to Hunting and Recreations and forsaking as it were the Helm of Government whilst the Vessel of the Empire was tossed amidst an Ocean of Miseries and ready every Day to suffer Shipwrack And that his Majesty did too much neglect his Imperial City of Constantinople gracing every little Place with his Presence which made that Royal Seat become desolate and so impoverish'd that it was not possible to answer and pay the vast Taxes and Impositions which were charged upon it The Grand Seignior approves thereof The Grand Seignior seem'd to take all this that was said very kindly and immediately depos'd the Mufti and banished him to Prusa and calling for one of the Kadileschers who are Chief Justices he cloth'd him with a rich Sables and invested him with his Office And looking more nearly about him to the main Chance he recall'd the Orders he had lately given for a general Hunt on a certain Day and a vast number of Grey-hounds which with great Charge had been got together from all parts of the Empire were let loose and suffer'd to run without a Master through all the Streets of Constantinople The Expences of the Seraglio were also much retrench'd and the dayly Allowances reduc'd to one Moiety And after this Example the Kustir-Aga the Kimacham and all the great Ministers of State made a Regulation in their Families And to make this Reformation the more publick and notorious to the People the Grand Seignior put on a more grave and penitential Face than ordinary and frequented the Royal Mosques going to one or other of them every Day with much Solemnity This Reformation quieted the Minds of the Commonalty pretty well but this and the News of the Vizier's coming to Constantinople very speedily to assist at the Councils for conserting Measures for the next Year's Campaign terrified the Ringleaders of the late Cabals with an Apprehension of being called to an Account on score of their late seditious Meetings for the Turks who can easily dissemble with the Vulgar and temporize during the Outrages and Fluctuations of the People yet so soon as the Storm is appeas'd they never fail to question the Cause and punish Captain Tom and his mutinous Rabble with Punishment agreeable to their Demerit As the Grand Seignior was affraid of his People A Panick-fear possesses them at Constantinople and they of the Grand Seignior and Vizier so likewise were they generally possess'd with a Panick-fear of the coming of the Enemy which will plainly appear by this Instance The Turks having surrender'd up Napoli di Romania upon Conditions to the Venetians one of them was That they should Transport the Inhabitants and Garrison of that City to some Place within the Dardanelli near to the Castles The Venetians in pursuance of this Article embark'd all the Soldiers with the Men Women and Children and transported them to the place appointed to which when they began to draw near so that many Colours of St. Mark were seen from the Castles entring into the Hellespont the News thereof was posted from all hands to Constantinople which put the whole City into a Consternation and gave cause of Rumour every-where that the Venetians had already passed the Castles and Reports flew up and down that they were in a few Leagues or as some fancied in sight of the Town This put all Hands to work and in a confused manner many Pieces of Cannon were mounted at the Seraglio Point on the Maiden Tower which is a little Fort built on a Rock in the Water in the midway between Constantinople and Scutari where also Guns were
Fifty five Pieces of Cannon two Mortar Pieces two Petards with a great quantity of Ammunition and Provision of all sorts Walpo Surrenders the Garrison of Walpo being also assured hereof lost their Courage and surrender'd forthwith at Discretion submitting themselves their Wives and Children to Slavery After which Octob. 1687. things being well secured and order'd at Walpo Dunewalt marched towards Esseck and encamped his Army on the 2d of October in the same place where the Grand Vizier had lately intrenched Where having sung Te Deum and returned Thanks to Almighty God for so many and great Successes a Council of War was called to consider what was the next great Enterprize which was to be undertaken The Season of the Year being advanced towards Winter it might well be judged a convenient time to draw the Soldiers into Quarters and give the Troops rest and repose after the many Fatigues and Hardships sustained but God still favouring the Designs of the Christians against the Turks who were in all places possessed with fear and consternation it was thought fit by the Commanders to follow the Foot-steps of Fortune and not to give over the Game with a lucky Hand wherefore Count Appremont being left in the Government of Esseck with a Garrison of Eighteen Companies of Foot and Sixteen Troops of Horse the General resolved to attack Possega the Metropolis of all Sclavonia and in his March thither he summoned the Castle of Orovitza Situate on a high Hill an the Foot of which is a Palancha or small Redoubt the Ground is covered with Chesnut-Trees and planted with Fruit Trees the Garrison at first returned an angry and resolute Answer The Turks quit Orovitza but afterwards thinking better with themselves they packed up the best of their Goods and Baggage and in the night by secret and By-ways through the Woods and Mountains privately stole away every one shifting for himself in the best manner he was able So that in the morning the Christians enter'd the Town and Castle without any opposition being a place very Commodious to which several Villages paid Contribution and which was necessary first to be taken in order to the more easy and safe attack of Possega The very same day that Dunewalt enter'd into Orovitza intelligence was brought him that the Turks were possessed with such great Fear and Consternation at Possega that there was no doubt to be made but that the place would Surrender at his first appearance before it which accordingly happened for no sooner were the Christian Forces descended into the Plains but they espied a considerable body of Turks that ranged themselves under the Cannon of Possega The Forces of Dunewalt being come up several Skirmishes passed between the Parties but the Turks finding themselves unable to engage with such an unequal Force Possega quitted by the Turks they betook themselves to flight into the Mountains abandoning the City and Castle to the possession of the Christians Five Companies pursued them into the Mountains but without any effect for having neither knowledge of the Ways nor Sustenance in that desolate Country being also wearied and tired with long Marches were forced to return and repose themselves in Possega Fortune thus favouring the Progress of the Christian Arms Dunewalt resolved to make use of this prosperous Gale and having in order thereunto held a Council of War it was resolved to follow the Enemy to the River Save where at a place called Kobas they were Transporting themselves and Baggage to the other side In order unto which It is garrisoned by the Germans and for better security of Possega a Garrison of Sixteen hundred Germans were left in the place and orders given to Count Lodron that being come thither with the Infantry and Baggage he should repose and refresh his Men there until the return of Dunewalt who losing no time came so opportunly to the Save Dunewalt Marches to Kobas as to surprize some Carts laden with Corn and Provisions which the Enemy had left there not having time to Transport them to the other side and in the mean time Count Leoneda Lieutenant Colonel of the Regiments of Lodron a brisk and daring Gentleman pursued a party of the Enemy's Horse and skirmished with them for the space of three hours and put them to flight returning back to the Camp over against Kobas with a Booty of Two hundred Head of Cattle At this place Dunewalt continued for the space of three days endeavouring to pass the River with design to burn and demolish that Castle and thô on the other side there appeared a Body of Eight hundred Turks Horse and Foot yet some Germans endeavoured to pass in small Boats and to take a Post or place of Defence but before they could be seconded by other Forces they were attacked by Two hundred Turks A party of Germans cut off and after a valorous defence were most of them cut in pieces or droven into the River Dunewalt finding it very difficult to pass the River without the help of great Boats returned to Possega where finding the Cannon and Infantry arrived he proceeded to Zerneck about two Hungarian Leagues distant from Possega which the Turks having quitted the Germans without opposition made their entrance into it The Turks quit Zerneck The day following Count Hofkirchen was detached from this place with a party of Five hundred Croats to take a view of the Enemies State and Condition about Gradisca on his March whereunto he was encountred by a strong party of Turks with whom entring into an Engagement Hofkirchen was wounded by a Musquet Bullet in his Arm and Count Harimberg in the right Hand with a Lance two Common Soldiers were killed A Skirmish and some few others wounded Howsoever Hofkirchen missed not of the intelligence he designed bringing an account at his return that the City of Gradisca was strong garrisoned by Ten thousand Soldiers cover'd by Five thousand Horse which were quartered in parts adjacent and that in the Way to the City the Passages were very Streight besides many Woods and three Bridges which lay in the Road thither Upon this Advice the design against Gradisca was deferr'd and a great part of the Militia was employed to fortifie Zerneck and the Towns lately conquer'd and to provide them with good Garrisons as also Valkowa After which the Season being far spent Dunewalts Army lodged in Winter-quarters and Provisions and Forage beginning to want in the Camp the remainder of the Army were lodged and laid up in their Winter-quarters in Croatia Notwithstanding all which Successes there were not such wanting who blamed these proceedings and confidently affirmed that in case Dunewalt had been inforced with some Regiments and had laid all other Designs aside he might in that great consternation of the Turks have passed the Save and made himself Master of Belgrade without much difficulty and therewith have reduced all Bosnia to the devotion of the Emperor But
now stript of all his faithful and old Friends which he had imprudently destroyed or faintly delivered up into the Hands of his Enemies began to grow desperate and as such resolved to play the last Game of Cowardize and Cruelty which was by the assistance of his Pages and Servants near his Person to cut off his Sons and two Brothers that so none remaining alive of the Ottoman Line the Soldiers would be obliged to suffer him to Reign and Propagate more of the Royal Race To execute this design with greater ease and security The Grand Seignior endeavours to cut off his Brothers and Sons He sent to the Eunuchs who kept his Brothers telling them that he knowing his Condition to be such that he could Reign no longer he desired he might come and see them and recommend himself and Children to them for that as he had been merciful to them and not touched their Lives so that they would prove kind and compassionate to him and his This design could not be executed without entrusting it first to the Pages who were to be Actors in the Tragedy and they not being all faithful alike some or one of them made it known to the Chimacam who immediately charged the New Kuzlir Aga and Bostangibashee to set Guards at the Doors of the Brother's Apartments between whom and the Pages there hapned some Scuffle The new Janisar Aga had also received Orders to attend with his Janisaries before the Gate of the Seraglio Is prevented and matters being in this manner secured the Chimacam went himself to the Grand Seignior and admonished him not to precipitate and engage himself in such a rash and odious Attempt which the Janisaries who were attending at the Gate would most certainly Revenge without any Regard or Reverence to his Person The Grand Seignior had been a little Rough before with the Chimacam but the armed Force being near so affrightned him that he began to Treat the Chimacam with milder Terms Howsoever his Children were removed from the Seraglio and the Guards doubled which were set upon his Brothers From that time the Grand Seignior lost all his Authority for the Chimacam came no more near him The Grand Seignior loses his Authority and order'd the Bostangibashee not to suffer him to stir out of the Seraglio so that all the Liberty and Divertisement he had was to pass his time in a Kiosk or House or Pleasure near the Sea Howsoever the Grand Seignior to make Trial of his Authority sent a Hattesheriff or Royal Command to displace the Segmen-bashee but it proved of little effect for the Chimacam received it and said t is very well but laid it by him and that was all Solyman the fourteénth Emperour of the Turks made sultan october the 30. 1687. p 257 M. Vander Gucht Scul THE REIGN OF SOLYMAN The Fourteenth Emperor of the Turks BY this time the Army was come near to the City the Vizier in Person as far as Ponte Grande which is about Twenty English Miles distant from Constantinople Oct. 28. 1687. And about ten a Clock that Night the Janisar-Aga entred the City with ten Chambers of Janisaries And now did the hour fatal to Sultan Mahomet approach for about two a Clock in the Morning of the 29th of October the Bostangeebashi Sultan Mahomet deposed and the Kuzlir Aga by Order of the Army came to Sequester and confine him to his Chamber He asked why and what Hurt he had done They told him That he had Reigned Forty years which was the Life of a Man and might content himself with that for that few of his Ancestors had ruled so long Then did the Chimacam the Mufti Nakib Effendi who is principal of the Green-heads or Mahomet's Kindred with the Kadeleskers or Chief Justices with the Chief Men of the Law meet together and held a Council before Day at St. Sophia This Nakib Effendi had been a Kadelesker but a few Days before for the former Nakib died of a Fright taken at the appearance of some Janisaries before his Door which he apprehended came to seize him After they had ended their morning Prayer about break of Day they went together from the Mosch to the Seraglio and entring in they asked for Sultan Solyman who was brought out to them and then the Nakib Effendi whose Office it was as being the Head of the Race of the Prophet placed him in the Throne and prayed that he might be prosperous Sultan Solyman made Emperor and increase the Honour of the Empire and kissed his Hand as did also the Mufti the Chimacam and the others The Sultan laying his Hand on his Breast bowed and thanked them after which Ceremony they all retired and afterwards about nine a Clock Proclamation was made in the Streets That Sultan Mahomet being deposed for his ill Government Sultan Solyman is made Emperor in his place The next Day being the last Day of October the Chimacam the Chiausbashee and other great Men went to meet the Grand Vizier at Daout Passa a place distant about two English Miles from Constantinople but the Chiausbashee was arrested not that the Soldiers had any thing against him but only that they might make room for him who officiated in that charge in the Army The first of November the Grand Vizier made his Entrance into the City with a Solemn Cavalcade accompanied by all the great Men of the Empire both Civil and Military The Mufti riding on his Left-hand Siaus Pasha Grand Vizier makes his Entry and â—lutes the Grand Seignior he went to the Seraglio where he alighted and taking the Standard of the Prophet he went with it to the Grand Seignior who arising from his Throne went three Steps to meet it and took it from the Vizier and gave it to the Selictar then the Vizier gave him up the Seal also which being with his Brother's Name he kept and returned him a new one with his own Name The Solemnity being over the Vizer went to a great Palace lately Ibrahim Pasha's near the Janisaries Chamber which was provided for him and the Chimacam Kupriogli remained in that where his Brother and other Viziers had formerly resided And now it might have been thought that all Seditions and Mutinies amongst the Soldiery would have ended at this Period But it seems the Storm was not half over for it remained that the Authours of these Troubles who had been guilty of so much Blood and death of their Officers should at length turn their Fury against each others and so it happened For the Spahees meeting at Atmeidan or the Hypodromo and the Janisaries at Etmeidan demanded their Pay and that Regeb Pasha should be delivered to their Hands The next Day being the 4th af November Nov. 1687. Regeb strangled Regeb Pasha was strangled and his Body exposed before the Seraglio in the Square of Santa Sophia and laid on an old Matt for three Days It is believed that thô the demand of his Life
their Governors howsoever they still held out resolving as yet to hearken unto no terms which should be offered them by the Enemy Notwithstanding which the Marquess of Baden who was President of the Council of War for his Imperial Majesty being commanded to pass from his Government of Javarin or Rab unto Ratisbon there to reside as Plenipotentiary for his Imperial Majesty at that Diet did think fit before his departure to regulate some Affairs within his Jurisdiction and particularly to appoint Count Ricceardi accompanied with an Interpreter and a party of Hungarian Horse to view and observe the State of Alba Regalis and to try if he could incline and persuade the Turks to surrender but they being quite of another humour not being reduced as yet to the utmost point and extremity of Famine cryed out with a loud Voice Denies to surrender that they would maintain their City to the last drop of Blood and even to more violent necessities than those of Agria Ricceardi returning with this report to Giavarin the Marquess of Baden issued out new Orders to straiten the Town with more rigour and closeness The Blocade closely watched than before and not only reinforced the Castles of Palotta Zioccha and Schambegh warning them to be more diligent and watchful for the future to prevent all Communication between Alba Regalis and the Neighbouring Villages and to make the Blocade more formal General Batthiani was not only commanded to march into those Quarters with his Hungarian Troops but likewise caused them to be reinforced by some of the Militia belonging to the Circles of Franconia and other Troops under the Command of Count Erdeodi Lieutenant-General at that time of Giavarin Moreover the Marquess of Baden before his departure disposed the March of the Militia and ordered their several Quarters in parts adjacent to Oseck there to oppose the passage of the Enemy over the Drave After which all matters being well ordered with excellent Methods and Rules of Government the Marquess took Post for Vienna where having received Instructions from the Emperor for better Government of his Presidency at Ratisbon he proceeded thither Marquess of Baden at Ratisbon and there he held several publick and private Conferences for the better Regulation of the Military Affairs for the Ensuing Campaigne In the mean time Recruits were made and Horses provided to Remount such as wanted them and whilst it was doubted Whether the Elector of Bavaria could be present in Person to conduct his Army this Year into Hungary upon a jealousy that the French would fall into the Palatinate yet the Treaty was concluded for the Bavarian Troops to continue in Hungary and serve with their best assistance to forward the Progress of the Imperial Arms. Mareschal Caprara commanding now in Chief in Hungary provided Oseck with all things necessary for their Subsistence and gave Orders to those Captains C. Caprara commands in Hungary who commanded upon the Save to provide great Numbers of Boats and Barges and Floats for making Bridges over that River and as occasion served therewith to Transport Provisions and Materials for War The Turks on the other side had also Erected another Bridge for the better security of Bosnia and assembled at Costanovitz on the River Unna with design to make Incursions into the Confines of Croatia but that Country was so well guarded and defended by the vigilance of Count Erdeody the Banno or Chief Governor thereof that all attempts of the Turks on that side were wholly disappointed and defeated And farther to render the Actions of the Turks fruitless and ineffectual in Sclavonia where they had made Provisions of Victuals and Ammunition and had laided therewith Lighters and Barges to supply their smaller Garrisons on the River Save The designs of the Turks defeated in Sclavonia Baron de Tunkel was dispeeded with a Detachment of Two hundred Horse and a Regiment of Dragoons with some Haiducks to oppose the intentions of the Enemy and being come as far as Valkovar the Scouts brought word that Rustan Pasha the late Governor of Agria with about One thousand Horse and Foot had conducted into Illoch a very great Convoy of about Two hundred Waggons laden with Provisions and that afterwards he himself was returned unto Belgrade Tunkel being disappointed of this Design was more successful in another Attempt which he made on a place called Ratza situate on this side of the Save defended by some Spahees and Janisaries to which privately marching in the Night he surprized the place about Two hours after Midnight with the Death of about Three hundred Turks and Seventy Slaves and set at liberty Fifty Christians and took Sixty Horses with great Numbers of Cattle and Three Ensigns Ratza taken from the Turks and burnt and having set Fire to the City he returned in Safety and Triumph to Oseck laden with Honour and Spoyls On the other side the Pasha of Gradisca having advice that Count Caprara was upon his march towards Oseck with a strong Party to Conduct and Convoy many Waggons laden with Ammunition and Provisions in order to some extraordinary Enterprize the Pasha apprehending that his Design might be upon Belgrade resolved to pass the Bridges which he had laid over the Save with design to surprize Possega and Zernech and thereby to divert the Attack intended upon Belgrade In pursuance of which the Pasha marched with a Body of Three thousand Five hundred men towards Zernech but not with that Privacy as Tunkel had lately done for in their way they set Fire to all the Villages round and killed the People which gave such an Alarum to that Garrison by the affrighted Peasants which had escaped that they immediately put themselves into a posture of defence And Colonel Baron Amanzaga having also News thereof hastned with a Body of Horse and some Foot and came so seasonably to the succour of the Town that they encountred the Turks in their march and charged them with so much bravery that they not only put the Cavalry to Flight but also forced them to abandon the Janisaries Baron Amanzaga defeats the Pasâ—a of Gradisca and to expose them to the Sword of their Enemies The greatest part of which to the Number of about Five hundred were Slain upon the place and Two hundred made Prisoners amongst which was the Commander in Chief of the Janisaries Four Aga's and the Son of the Pasha of Gradisca with several Colours and Drums The News of which Baron Amanzaga dispatched to General Caprara with all Expedition About the same time or the Day before another Party detached from the main Body made an Attack upon the Out-guards of Possega which being over-matched in numbers retreated under the Gates of the City The Lieutenant Governour to whom at that time with some veterane Soldiers and subaltern Officers the Command of the Town was committed took the Alarum but not being cautious enough to be informed of the Strength and Numbers of
the Enemy by the Report of the Out-guards he advanced too far from the Town which when the Turks observed they made a feigned Flight with design to bring their Enemy into an Ambuscade which they had prepared for them in which they had all miscarried had not Count Truxes The Garâ—rison of Possega seasonably relieved Lieutenant Colonel of the Regiment of Holstein and Count Bizzaro Lieutenant Colonel of the Regiment of Lodron who were accidentally marching to relieve the Out-guards come seasonably into their Succour and Rescue who so vigorously charged the Enemy that they put them to Flight and forced them to take Refuge in the Woods and Mountains whilst the Christians the Night approaching retired orderly into Possega There being in the mean time various Reports at the Imperial Court concerning the State and Condition of the City of Alba Regalis which holding out so long beyond all expectation it was conjectur'd that the Blocade was not strict or at least not sufficiently guarded and watchfully attended as it ought to have been which obliged the Counsel of War to dispatch Orders to Colonel Riccardi that he with his Regiment should March to Vesprimio Palotta and other Neighbouring places to make enquiry into the State and Condition of that City and Garrison Riccardi according to his Orders marched out of Giavarino or Rab Colonel Riâ—cardi made enquiry into the State of Alba Regalis and taking with him a Company of Croats and a Party from Schomberg he came to Quarter for one Night at a Village called Brin about a League distant from Alba Regalis and early in the Morning by break of day sounding to Horse in pursuance of his March he detached Ten Croats and as many Hungarians to advance before with directions to seize and surprize what Turks they should meet near the City that by them they might be informed of the State of the place But they meeting with none on the way came up to the very Gates of the Town which they found shut and unguarded But soon afterwards they were opened to give Passage to the Sally of a Party both of Horse and Foot the latter of which remained within their Palisadoes but the first Sallied out into the Field having the Renegado Wrebeck at the head of them who coming near frankly discoursed with the Christians in this manner Soldiers what is it you demand May a Man trust to your Word To which Answer was made That he might whereupon he came up boldly to them and touched the Hand of an Hungarian Ensign Colonel Riccardi desires a parly with the Pasha and a Rascian By which time Wrebeck perceiving the numbers of the Enemies to increase and to approach within Cannon-shot of the Town he Demanded what those Troops were To which Answer was made That they were the Troops of a certain Croatian Colonel who desired to have conference with the Pasha or with some other of the principal Officers Wrebeck promised to carry that Message and accordingly returned to the City where at the Gates thereof he met the Pasha of that Country with the Commander in Chief of the Janisaries and with two or three other of the principal Officers of that place to whom he made a Report that the Troops without were Commanded by a certain Croatian Colonel who desired to enter into a Conference with the Pasha To which the Pasha suddainly replied in these words It is well he is welcome I will go and speak with him These words being over-heard by the Chief Commander or Aga of the Janisaries he arose up in a Fury and throwing down his Turbant with a Rage upon the Ground cried out Treachery and that the Pasha had a Design to betray them into the Hands of the Christians And Roaring out Treachery Treachery he ran to advise the Vizier thereof whom he found on one of the Bastions taking a view of the Enemie's Troops in the Field Jealousies in the Town The Vizer having heard this saying Commanded that the Business should be examined and in case the Pasha should be found Guilty he should be stoned to Death and his Body thrown over the Walls The Pasha being highly incensed upon this so unjust an occasion took up his Topuss or Mace into his Hand and holding it over the Head of the Aga of the Janisaries said aloud What is the matter And what Noise is this thou makest Thou old Fool Thinkest thou that thou art more brave or more faithful than I am Hold thy peace or by the living God I will beat thy Brains out with this Topuss For what Reason is it that I am not permitted to speak with that Captain Will he alone take this City Let us hear and see what it is that he will say If his Offers are good we may receive them and if bad we may reject them It was never denied in any part of the World to hear Ambassadours In the mean time a great Noise and Tumult arose amongst the Soldiers at the Gate and above a dozen Cannon-shot were fired at the Imperial Horse A Skirmish near the Gates which stood drawn up within Musquet-shot of the Gates and some of the Turks mounted on Horse-back made a Sally and began a Skirmish which continued almost two Hours without any other hurt than of some few Turks who were wounded Colonel Riccardi all this time could not discover the true State and Condition of the Town and therefore he gave freedom to two Turks provided that they would procure entrance into the Town and return with certain advice of the true state thereof An Uproar in the Town But the Confusion was so great before the Gates that they were neither permitted to enter or speak Whereupon the Colonel seeing little good was to be done at that present made a Retreat and was on his return with his Soldiers to Palotta when they espied Wrebeck with some other Turks running full speed towards them as if they intended another Skirmish but they stopped their Horses and returned back to the Town and so did the Colonel towards Palotta And having passed a certain Bog or Morass and the River Sarowitz he gave Command to a Turk who was his Prisoner to go that Night to Alba Regalis and having there understood the true State of the place that he should the next day early return with some certain Report thereof But the Turk desired to be excused for that in case he were discovered he should most certainly be Empaled But the Colonel fiercely commanded him to go with promise to give him his Liberty at his return The poor Fellow obeyed out of fear and out of Religion to the Faith of his Promise and Oath he faithfully performed the Service enjoyned him For the next Day being the 30th of March this Turk with Sixteen others well clothed and armed with four Turkish Women Wives to some of them and Children escaped out of the Town and fled to the Christians The Colonel soon enter'd into
them and they fully satisfied in all their just Demands their Duty was now to be Obedient to the Sultan and to all such as he should appoint to be their Officers and not to mix in Affairs relating to the Government and that whosoever should be Refractory should be punished as a Rebel The Hattee-sheriff being read the Janisar-Aga asked them whether they would be obedient to the Royal Command To which the Officers for none but the inferiour Soldiers joyned with the Mutiniers answered Yes Tesfagee refuses to obey But Tesfagee cryed out That he was a Villain and a Rascal who obeyed that Order Whereupon the Janisar-Aga calling him Traytor and Infidel caused him to be carried into an Inner-room where he was killed And is killed and his Body thrown out before the Gate After this the Janisar-Aga went to the Vizier to give him an account of this Action and Success with which the Vizier could not but be well pleased thinking the Business to be ended And indeed it was a good step to it for this Tesfagee was the principal Instrument to keep the Spahees and Janisaries united and the boldest and most understanding Villain amongst them And now as if the Game had been sure the Vizier sent the Tefterdar to Seal up his House in order to a Confiscation of his Estate and also the Houses of several others of the Chief Mutiniers But herein the Vizier made a false step for he should have secured their Persons before he had sealed their Houses For hereupon Hadgi Ali who was an intimate Companion of him who was killed fearing the same Fate presently advised the rest of the Mutiniers hereof and stirred up the Janisaries by minding them of the many Oaths they had taken with the Spahees to stand by each other They assembled at Atmeidan or rather Okmeidan Hadgi Ali another Mutinous Fellow which is a Field without the City where they used to Shoot with Bows and Arrows The Janisar-Aga hearing of the Assembly and thinking by his Authority to disperse and appease it enter'd boldly into the Field whom when Hadgi Ali espied he made up to him and told him Kills the Aga of the Janisaries You have Murther'd our Companion and endeavoured to sow Dissentions amongst us and striking him on the Head with his Scymeter he was immediately cut to pieces This Man was an Armenian Renegado and as it is said he was after his Death found to be uncircumcised After this the Tumult increased and then they went to the Tefterdar's House and ransacked it taking away a considerable Sum of Money The Tumult increases which was prepared and laid up for the Soldiers Pay From thence they went and assaulted the Vizier in his own House where he defended himself valiantly for having got to himself the Tefterdar the Captain Pasha and a considerable number of Friends and Servants all well armed he repulsed them thence At last thinking to pacifie them by the Resignation of his Office which was a very great Error he sent for the Mufti who out of fear was joyned with the Mutiniers The Vizier gives up the Seals He gave up the Seals into his Hands desiring him to carry them to the Grand Seignior that he might constitute another Vizier more pleasing and more capable to Rule his People This false step disheartned all his Friends and Associats finding him devested of all his Authority and Power the Tefterdar and Captain Pasha gave way also to the Fury of the Soldiery and made their Escapes And the Mutiniers being hereby encouraged and not in the least softned by this Resignation fell on more fiercely and broke into the House of the Vizier who retiring by a Back-stairs was pursued by Hadgi Ali and shot with a Pistol and by others wounded in the Belly so that his Guts came out He is killed He had fought couragiously having slain several with his own Hand His Friends would have persuaded him to withdraw himself But they could not prevail upon him saying That he could not live long and that during his short life he would not abandon his Wife and Children to the Fury of these Miscreants Above Fifty Soldiers were killed before they enter'd the House which they spoiled even to the Windows and Doors His Wife the Daughter of Old Kuperlee gave them all her Jewels but they treated her inhumanly and wounded her upon which as then reported she Miscarried of a Child and died His Wife House c. ransacked The eldest Daughter not delivering her Pendants soon enough they cut off her Ears with them and a younger Daughter with a Slave they took away and sold for six Dollars This Tumult lasted three or four Days when the Rebels seemed to be absolute Masters for there was now no Vizier no Janisar-Aga Great confusion nor any surviving who had any Authority over them when a small Accident ruined these Men and over-turned their Anarchy which was impossible to last For after they had domineer'd for the space of five Months Pardoning or Killing Raising or Destroying whom they pleased it hapned that in some of the Shops of the City four of these Janisaries in the Morning had taken away some Embroider'd Handkerchiefs and other small Commodities which remained there to be Sold upon which a great Cry and Clamour being raised amongst the Shop-keepers by the Encouragement of an Emir they all arose The ruin of the Mutiniers from whence fell on them and killed two of them and then the Emir putting a Linnen-cloth on a Stick and lifting it up cried out Let all true Musselmen come to the Seraglio and pray the Grand Seignior to put out the Prophet's Standard and destroy these Rebels Upon this great numbers of the Citizens who had been highly incensed by their Robberies and Insolence got in a Body together and went to the Seraglio which so encouraged the Sultan and those within that the Standard was set forth about Noon and Proclamation made in the Streets for all People to come and Fight under it Mahomet's Standard spread The Reverence paid to this Standard brought an incredible concourse of People of all Conditions and Ages under the Walls of the Seraglio from whence a Shegh or Preacher called to them thrice and asked them Whether they were contented with their present Emperor To which Answer was made in the Affirmative with three great Shouts but that they would have the Giurbaes or Captains or Ringleaders of the Mutinous Militia destroyed Upon which Orders were given to seize them Accordingly Thirteen of them were taken and cut to pieces the rest fled or absconded The Mufti also who had sided with the Giurbaes was deprived of his Office and Tabac Effendi put into his place who had formerly been deposed by the unruly Soldiers All that night a strong Watch was set about the Seraglio and the next day all was quieted as if none of these Disturbances had hapned The Sedition suppressed Only
Proclamation was made to Search for the Rebels of which as many as were found were immediately executed Upon this Revolution and Turn of Affairs all the great Officers were changed The Nisangi-Pasha who was an old Man and for many years had done nothing else but make the Grand Seignior's Firm on Commands was created Grand Vizier And a very young Man the fifth Page of the R. Chamber whose Office it is to cover the Grand Seignior's Table was made Aga of the Janisaries Several Armenians who dressed in the Habit of Soldiers had mixed with the Tumults and plunder'd the Houses of the late Grand Vizier and Aga of the Janisaries Divers punished were taken and hanged and several others were Imprisoned upon Suspition of confederacy with the Rebels In fine upon Proclamation made that whosoever had plunder'd any thing from any of the aforesaid Houses and should restore the same again in the space of three days should obtain his Pardon which had so good effect that several Sums of Money were either brought to the new Vizier or in the night time laid in the Streets and next morning restored And now from this day only may we begin to account the Reign of this new Sultan Who in the first place to exercise his Authority by a strict reformation of things he suppressed Taverns and prohibited the taking of Tobacco And to observe what effect his Authority had taken he walked one day Incognito in the Streets with about eight Servants at a short distance from him The Sultan takes upon him to govern and finding two poor Fellows selling Tobacco he caused them immediately to be executed The suppression of this dreadful Mutiny and Rebellion produced a general Joy and Jubily over the whole City and served to bring the Soldiery again into their Wits who had for some Months like so many Wild and Ravenous Beasts getting the Bridle out of their Mouths acted without Reason or Common-Sense For one would have thought that Men so lately mortified by the Victories and Successes which their Enemies had gained over them should not thereby grow or become more insolent or that they who fled before their Enemies should blush to abandon their Frontiers and leave them naked and exposed whilst they marched Five or Six hundred Miles homewards to reak their Anger on their Commanders and exercise the little Courage which was left them against their Citizens and Country-men But many times we read that such Turbulences as these which are like Fevers in the Body Politick have served to render the whole Composition afterwards more healthful being thereby purged of many corrupt and malignant Humours And so it hapned in this case for after the Death of Sciaus Pasha and the destruction of the Giurbas it hapened fortunately for the present Vizier Ismael that there was no Pasha then in view on whom to confer this Sublime Office After which no eminent Men appearing and of years fitter to support the weight of so great a Charge then Ismael Ismael madâ— Vizierr by Chance who was almost arrived to the Age of Fourscore it was proposed that he should descend to the Trust of Chimacam But Ismael rejected that employment saying That in such turbulent Times he could not act with Vigour and Authority requisite for composing the present distractions and securing the Peace and Quiet of the Empire unless he were invested with the Supreme Power and the Seal of Vizier which in that present Exigency was granted to him But he having never made any Figure in the World before and this advancement to so high a Dignity being very accidental it was really believed that it could not be of any long continuance and that he was rather designed to supply the Vacancy than possess the Office But in a few days Ismael discovered to the World March 1688. that his intentions were not to keep the place warm for another but to settle himself and for his own greater security and quiet of the City he immediately fell to purge with great severity the dregs of those ill Humours which had disturbed the Government And so he caused all the chief Servants of the Giurbas and several of the Spahees and Janisaries who had sided with them every Night to be cut off and thrown into the Sea to the Number of about a Thousand by which the rest being terrified the Soldiers were reduced to as exact an Obedience as formerly To proceed farther in this Work the Tefterdar or Lord-Treasurer who was first put in by the Giurbas thô afterwards they would have killed him was imprisoned in the Middle-gate of the Seraglio and all his Estate seized Then was the Kia bei or Lieutenant-General of the Janisaries sâ—nt for and vested by the Vizier as a Pasha The Vizier endâ—avours to settle himsâ—lf but so soon as he was gone out he was seized imprisoned and privately conveyed away in a Boat and banished to Mytilene The reason why the Grand Vizier made him a Pasha was because that according to the Constitution of the Janisaries and that Ancient Cannon no Kia-bei whilst so can be put to Death or Banished until he is first divested of that Office And now Kuperlee who as formerly mentioned was sent away to the Castles at the Dardanelli began to come into remembrance Kuperles sent to Canea and to be looked on by the Vizier as his Rival and a dangerous Competitor and as such to be too near the Port Wherefore to remove him farther off a Gally was ordered to Transport him to Canea and the same Gally in her return to take Mustapha Pasha the late Janisar-Aga who was not long since banished to Canea and bring him back to the Dardanelli And farther to purge the Army of all Mutiniers and punish them for their late Sedition several of the chief Giurbas were taken strangled and their Bodies thrown out before the Gate of the Seraglio Shaban Aga the Kaiah or Deputy of Siaus Pasha late Vizier and his Hafnadar or Treasurer were imprisoned to make a discovery of the Estate belonging to Siaus Pasha their Master in Composition for which upon payment of One hundred and twenty Purses Several Imprisoned and Fined they were set at liberty Shaban Aga the Customer was also seized and Three hundred Purses demanded of him but he having been so often fleeced and squeezed in all Turns declared himself unable and so was continued in his Imprisonment In the mean Yeghen the famous Robber in Asia who having the last Year brought with him Fifteen hundred men into Hungaria was for that reason made a Pasha by Solomon then Vizier and for want of better Officers Yeghen Bei commits some outrages the Command of the Turkish Forces on the Frontiers of Hungaria were now committed to his Conduct But being a Man always used to Rapine and Violence he could not cast off the Trade to which he was accustomed but fell in upon the Country of one Zeni the Pasha of Albania
August Emperor and engage not only our selves but our Posterity of this Kingdom of Transilvania And for an Evidence of this our Submission and Agreement by vertue of the power we have received from his Highness the Prince and the States of the Country We do admit and receive the Imperial Forces into the Fortress of Kôvar Huss Georgim and Braslavia besides other places already garrisoned by German Soldiers Moreover we declare That we shall be ready at all times to take up Arms against the Common Enemy of Christendom and against all others as we shall be commanded by our most gracious Lord whom with all Humility We Pray and Beseech that he would be graciously pleased to confirm our Priviledges and the free Exercise of our Religion as we have hither to enjoyed And also that he would Protect and Defend our Posterity and Successors in the said Liberty and Priviledges And in the mean time that the Teaty and Convention made with the Duke of Loraine may remain in full Force and Vertue We have in Testimony thereof and for greater Evidence and Manifestation to all the World ratified and confirmed this our Abjuration and Renuntiation of the Ottoman Protection under the Seal of the three Nations of the Kingdom of Transilvania Given at Hermanstadt the 9th of May 1688. These happy Successes made way for the Surrender of Alba Regalis which all this time held out supplying themselves sometimes with Provisions by Sallies and Excursions which they often made even to the Walls of Buda Wherefore it being wisely considered that this Garrison might still defend it self for a long time Alba Regalis straightned unless the Blocade were more streightly watched and such Forces disposed on all sides as might suffer none either to go in or come out of the City Prince Herman of Baden President of the Counsel of War projected a formal Blocade and with some Parties of Germans and Hungarians within the Jurisdiction of his own Government together with some Militia of General Count Bathyani Commanded by himself and the former Conducted by Colonel Baron Areyzaga May. Governour of Leopolstadt and these were enjoyned to make an actual Attack upon the place in case they understood that a Blocade was not likely to succeed About the beginning of May these Forces appeared in view of Alba Regalis and a strict Blocade was formed on all sides of the Town Howsoever the Defendants seemed not to lose Courage but on the contrary made a stout Sally both with Horse and Foot the Issue of which was of no greater Importance than only the taking off the Heads of some unfortunate Soldiers on one side and the other And now at length to make their last effort the Turks made another Sally on the Germans but soon retired again without any Action The Turks make a Sally which gave opportunity to the Van-guard to advance within Cannon-shot of the Town with which the Defendants became so terrified that the three Chief Commanders sent forth a Turk well clothed and mounted to make some motion for a Treaty The Turk approaching near the Vanguard desired to speak with some of the Chief Captains letting them know that he had Offers to make of a Surrender which whilst he was uttering several other Turks Sallied out with a kind of cheerful Air and Briskness They Capitulate one of which advancing before demanded of the Christian Soldiers what it was they required To which Answer being made The Town Reply was made But we must know first on what Conditions may we not said they expect to receive the same Articles that were given to Agria And may not we obtain the Favour to have our Treaty Signed at Vienna by the great Emperor of the Romans To which Answer was made That thô they had no Power nor Authority to give them any assurance of the latter yet they would endeavour to give them satisfaction in that point as well as in others Hereupon Articles were drawn into several Heads and sent into the City the which next day being consider'd in the Divan and by common consent agreed unto were Signed by the three Pashas and Chief Commanders of the Garrison the Sum of all which being this That the same Conditions should be given in all Points The Articles are agreed and Messengers sent to Vienna as to Agria And as to the Confirmation of these Articles by the Emperor that the Turks might be satisfied therein an Express was dispatched to Prince Herman of Baden that he might send Advice to the Emperor of this Success and withall to intimate the Desires of the Turks to have their Articles confirmed by the Imperial Signature The which being granted Ali Aga and Ali Beg were commissioned by the Garrison to carry the Articles to Vienna and being come near to the City an Officer was sent to meet them with a Coach by whom with a Guard they were conducted to the chief Inn of the City where they were Lodged and provided with all things necessary for their Entertainment The Emperor not being in the City but at his Country-House at Luxemburg the Turks lost the curiosity of their Desires and Honour of Kissing the Hem of the Emperor's Garment Howsoever after having been courteously treated they were with much expedition dispatched away that the Surrender of the Town might not be delaied for in War are many Hazards And perhaps the Commanders of the Town might have projected this pretence for a delay not knowing what might happen in the interim by Succours from Belgrade which were promised and daily expected to relieve them In consideration of which the Marquis Herman of Baden President of the Council of War procured the Imperial Signature to their Capitulations with all hast imaginable and having made a Present to each of them of a Watch they were Conducted back to Alba Regalis by Count Zicchy who had all that Winter been very Active to Watch that Garrison and force them to a Surrender Thus these two Commissioners being returned to Alba Regalis with the Articles of Surrender signed and confirmed they enter'd into the Divan with the Pashas and other Commanders and after some Debate and Consultation they resolved on an immediate Surrender and without other pause or delay they began to laid their Goods and Moveables on Carts and Waggons And on the next day being the 19th of May May. they quitted the City and went out by the Gates to the number in all of about Eight thousand Souls amongst which there were not above Three hundred Soldiers The Articles on which the Town was Surrender'd were these First That the Castle and City with all the Ammunition Cannon and Arms with the Bells Clocks and all things of publick use shall without Fraud or Design be delivered up and what Mines that are either in the Castle or Town shall be discovered and made known Secondly That permission shall be given without let or hindrance or molestation whatsoever to the Garrison
and Inhabitants freely to leave the City with their Arms Horses Beasts Goods and Moveables Thirdly That the Sons of Christian Women who are Slaves and do not pass the Age of Eighteen shall remain in the Power and under the Government of their Fathers who were Turks But those who are of riper Years and past that Age shall be left to their own free Will to chuse which side or party they will take And as to those who were Born Christians and are under Age as well Males as Females shall be delivered faithfully into the Hands of the Christians and in case amongst the Turks any Person shall be desirous to turn Christian no Person shall dare to hinder or pervert him Fourthly That Three hundred Waggons shall be provided for carrying their Goods and Moveables as far as Gian Curtaran upon the Danube where Seventy Boats or more in case Seventy be not sufficient shall be furnished for Transport of the People and their Goods to such Places as they shall desire and in the mean while whilst the Waggons are providing and the Garrison is issuing forth the principal Turks of the City shall remain for Hostages Fifthly That some German and Hungarian Officers shall go with the Convoy which Conducts the People to the Danube where being Embarked they shall Accompany and Protect them to the next Garrisoned Town of the Turks and for security of the safe return of such Officers some principul Turks shall be given for Hostages to remain at Oseck until all Conditions are executed and then afterwards they shall have free liberty to depart Sixthly All Christian Captives as well young as old shall be set at liberty Thus Alba Regalis being Surrender'd on the 19th of May as we have said Te Deum was Sung in the principal Moschs and on the 20th the Turks began to take their way towards Gian Curtaran 1688. The Garrison of Aloa Regalis Marches out and a sufficient Garrison of Imperialists entered the City to the number of Five hundred Germans and about One thousand Hussars Horse and Foot under the Command of Colonel Areizaga there to remain until farther Orders from the Emperor Some few days afterwards Count Stephen Zicchy Lieutenant General of Giavarin who by Order of the Counsel of War had with a Guard of Five hundred Hussars Three hundred Musquetiers of the Regiment of Wech and Three hundred Horse of the Circle of Suabia convoyed the Turks to the place appointed returned back to Alba Regalis where he reported the great Sense the Turks had of the faithful observance which was given to the Articles concerning which they had made many Expressions of Satisfaction saying that it was no wonder That the Christians gather so many Laurels of Victory since they knew so well with Sincerity and Religion to observe and comply with the Faith they had given The which may more evidently appear by the Letter here following Written to the Marquis of Baden MOst Happy most Honourable and Gentle Prince Vizier of the Emperor of the Romans Friend and dear Brother after these our sincere Salutations shall be come to your Hands Be it made known unto you That in that happy Hour when the Imperial Decree of your most Gracious and Glorious Emperor and our Lord and also your obliging Letter filled with courteous Expressions and Demonstrations of Civility used towards our Messenger Ali Aga and Ali Bei came to Hand we were greatly comforted to have found favour by means of your intercession in the Eyes of your Gracious Emperor whom the High God reward and recompense with his Divine Grace For that in pursuance of the Sacred Command Signed by your Emperor the Honourable General Bathyani and his other Officers have carefully protected us not only when we quitted the Town but during all our March towards the Danube so that by the regular Discipline and watchful Eye of the Germans and Hungarians towards us we are safely arrived at Gian Curtaran And so much we have thought fit to acknowledge and expose at the Feet of your Highness that it may be made manifest to the World with how much Sincerity and Faith this Treaty hath been Executed As to other Matters we find the Boats and Vessels all in a readiness so that we Design to Embark and depart early to Morrow Morning for all which good and punctual performance we beseech God to succeed and prosper you Dated the 23d of the Moon of Regeb 1099. That is the 22d of May 1688. Subscribed by the Servants of God Achmet Vizier Commander in Chief Aga of the Janisaries Zagargee Pasha Besides this Letter the same Persons wrote another to Count Bathyani of the like Tenure acknowledging the due Observance and Execution of the Treaty When the People and Garrison of this City to the number of about Eight thousand Souls passed down the River by Towns belonging to the Turks great was the Confusion and Consternation amongst them but more was the shame to the principal Officers who had either by their Negligence or Cowardise or ill Coduct not relieved so important a City but suffered it to be reduced to the utmost Extremities of Famine without hopes of Succour And at the same time that the Fortresses of Sigeth and Canisia were in no better Condition being reduced almost to the like Extremity with Alba Regalis which being well known to the Imperial Counsel of War Orders were given to streighten those places by a more close and strict Blocade About this time to hasten the Preparations and to draw out the Measures and Scheme of War for the ensuing Campaign the Duke of Loraine arrived at Vienna Counsels of War at Vienna where several Conferences and Counsels were held by the great Captains and Generals than which never did any Age produce more Brave Valiant and Wise of Conduct than appeared in this present year There are many things concur to form and complete a General of Renown towards which nothing doth more contribute than Fortune and Success in War of which the Imperialists had for some years had a happy Run and plaid long with a lucky Hand The Turks on the contrary had lost the most part of their bravest Officers and Soldiers and those which had escaped out of the Battles became a Sacrifice to the Rage and Fury of Mutinous and Dissolute Soldiers who having thrown off the Bridle of all Discipline turned their Swords from their Enemies upon their own Commanders and Generals and this was not the least Misfortune of the Turks that the most captived People and such as formerly served with the most blind Obedience had forgot to obey or revere their Sultans But now if we should compare these obscure Commanders of the Turks Men started from nothing unexperienced in War Thieves and Robbers The Commanders on either side compared such as Yeghen and his Master Yedic who for some Years had lived on Spoils in the lesser Asia with the Redoubted and Valiant Generals of the Imperial Armies we
their Petitions and Prayers spared the Lives of the Turks being contented to see the Turks bound in the same Chains which they had newly taken from the Christians And yet the horrible Massacre of the Sword did not cease in other parts of the City all being filled with Confusion and Cruelty when on a sudden a terrible Fire broke out in the lower Town which burned with so much Violence that the Conquerors as well as the Conquered were willing to escape out at the Gates The Cruelty of the Soldiers It was grievous to see poor Old men made Prisoners dragged by their Beards and Women and Maidens covered with Blood and Dirt drawn by the Hairs of the Head and made the Sport and Pastime of Military Insolence In Fine the Fire being extinguished Slaughter ceased and about Noon the City and Castle were intirely subdued On the 6th of September when His Electoral Highness and the other Generals rode Triumphantly into the City beholding the dead Bodies which filled the Streets the Ruins of the Houses and the Destruction which the Bombs had made And considering these Successes to have proceeded intirely from the Blessing and Divine assistance of the God of Hosts His Electoral Highness on the 7th of September Sept. 7. Te Deum sung 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 The Turkish Ambassador comes to the Camp 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 Is Feasted with the Generals where a sumptuous Table was spread The Elector took the Upper-end at his Right-hand was placed the Duke of Mantoua 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 Topal signifie Lume 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 1688. Septem 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 P. Lewis passes the Save 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
Speech exalting the generous Piety and Clemency of the Emperour who having all the Inhabitants and Soldiers of Sighet in his Hands and at his Disposal so as either to put them to Death or make them Captives was yet pleased out of a Natural Principle of Mercy to consider their Distresses to spare their Lives and give them Liberty In sense of which Hassan Bei acknowledged the truth of what had been uttered and in token of Thanks to the Vice-President in the Name of the Pasha and People of Sighet with Eyes full of Tears he received the Capitulations and kissed them with profound Reverence and Submission So soon as Hassan Bei had received these Capitulations he departed with all speed by the Post towards Sighet being fully satisfied with the obliging Entertainment he had received during his stay at Vienna where he was sumptuously lodged in the House of Marquis Ferdinando Obizzi Hassan Bei being returned with the Articles subscribed to Sighet no time was lost to put them into execution for all things being prepared and the River open about the beginning of February February the Turks quitted Sighet leaving one of the chief Fortresses in the World esteemed both by Nature and Art to be impregnable in the Hands of the Emperour Sighet For Sighet hath both a Castle and a City fortified after the ancient manner with Earth lined with Brick hath four very fair Towers encompassed with a very deep Ditch full of Water and environed round with Fens and Marshy Grounds which make the Town inaccessible So that it seems no wonder that Solyman the Magnificent Emperor of the Turks should have spent three Years in taking thereof and not being able to take it in his Life time his Grand Vizier afterwards subdued it by Storm with the loss of 36000 Men. The Turks took it on the 7th of September 1566 after a most valiant Resistance made by Nicholas Esdrin Count of Serini Great Grandfather of the Famous Nicholas Serini who vanquished the Turks in many Battels and died in the Year 1664. The Town hath three Gates one called Quinque Ecclesiae another Siclos and a third Canisia because they lead to those places The Castle is fortified with three Walls and a treble Ditch and is the Capital City of that Province so named There are three Moschs all stately Buildings and covered with Lead The Country round is Pleasant and Fruitful especially one Hill about two Miles from the City which the Turks call Turbe Doggi which was rarely planted with Vines and all sorts of Fruit-Trees and is famous for Cherries of an extraordinary bigness of which there are none so good either in Hungary or in any part of the Ottoman Dominions the Ponds and Lakes are filled with Fish and the Woods yield store of Deer Hares Partridges and all sorts of Game so that no place in the World can afford greater plenty of all things to support Humane Life or to furnish the Tables of the greatest Monarchs Howsoever Canisia refused to follow the Example of Sighet Canisia refuses to surrender being not as yet it seems reduced to such a Condition of Famine as to oblige them to a Surrender for living in hopes that the Turkish Ambassadors would be able by their Negotiations to obtain a Peace they suffered the utmost Extremities of Want with much patience that in reward thereof they might preserve their Dwellings and Lands and obtain the Honour due to the Constancy of good Soldiers and the Praise and Commendation of their Prince In the mean time the Turkish Ambassadors pressed with much Importunity to be admitted unto Audience The Turkish Ambassadors desire Audience that they might deliver their Credentials and execute the Commands of their Master But the Imperial Ministers were not it seems so much in haste intending first to deliberate in what manner they were to be received and what Answers were to be given to their submissive Requests for Peace a Matter unknown before to the Turks who since the beginning of their Empire had never before been acquainted with the manner of supplicating for Peace But the Fortune of the World being now changed and the Game running high on the Emperor's Hand Expedients were contrived rather to return a plausible cause of denial and a justifiable ground for continuing a War than how to form and project advantageous Articles for a Peace Howsoever the Resolutions being taken what to do it was judged necessary to admit the Ambassadors to Audience for by the Law of Nations that could not be refused and so accordingly it was agreed That on the 8th of February an Audience should be given them In order unto which two Days before the Ambassadors were conducted from the Castle of Pottendorff into the Suburbs of the City and lodged in that Street called Landt Strass being attended by two Regiments of Foot The Solemnity observed at the Audience The Day appointed for the Audience being come they were brought with a Party of Horse to the Gate of Carinthia about Two a Clock in the Afternoon and there consigned up to the Guard of the City from whence they proceeded to the Emperor's Palace in the manner following In the first place two Turkish Chiauses on Horseback led the way with Staves in their Hands denoting Peace or Amity after whom came two led Horses followed by the Secretary of the Ambassadors carrying the Credentials made up in Purses of Cloth of Gold holding them up in his Hand that they might be seen by the People who flocked in great Numbers to see this Entry After these followed several Attendants with led Horses all richly Harnassed and covered with Embroidered Cloths Then came Zulfigar Effendi the Ambassador in the Emperor's Coach accompanied with Alexander Maurocordato a Greek Associate to Zulfigar and Interpreter to the Grand Seignior together with Lacovitz the Imperial Interpreter On the right side of the Coach walked the Ambassador's Footmen cloathed in Green and on the left those of Maurocordato being Rascians with Liveries of Yellow all which were followed by a numerous Train of Attendants belonging to the Ambassador amongst which there was one Coach with the Ambassador's Kinsman and Senior Tarsia chief Interpreter to the State of Venice at the Ottoman Port who were likewise attended with led Horses and Footman In this manner being come to the Gate of the Palace it was permitted only to the Ambassadors to enter into the first Court-Yard the others alighted at the Draw-bridge and walked on Foot to the Stairs whence the Ambassadors with the Secretary carrying the Credentials before them were conducted between the Guards of Archers and Halberdiers to the first Antichamber being followed by great Crowds of People In the mean time whilst they were ascending the Stairs The Emperor seated on his Throne His Imperial Majesty came out of his private Apartment and entered into the Chamber of Audience and seated himself under a rich Canopy of State opposite to the Entrance into the
Turks were killed on the place with many Prisoners In short the plunder of the City was given for a Prey to the wearied Soldiers who had well deserved it for a Reward of their Valour and indefatigable Labours and for an Encouragement to future Services The Germans gained greater Honour by this Action than by any other of this Summer's Expedition for their Forces were few and the Enemies fought with more Resolution and Bravery than they had done in any former Engagement for in none were more killed and wounded than in this Count Veterani received a Wound with a Musket-shot and Count Trautmansdorf with a Scimetar and both in the Head and Baron Orlich a Lieutenant Colonel was killed on the place But as yet the Castle of Widin held out for which reason the Soldiers kept a watch about it all Night that the Defendants might not have an opportunity to make their Escape The next Morning the Castle was summoned but no Answer being given the Prince sent a Turk to the Commander to let him know The Turks refuse to deliver the Castle of VVidin That unless he did Surrender up the Castle and Garrison that very Day he was not to expect any Quarter or Conditions of Mercy It was not long before the Turk returned from the Castle with a fierce Answer from the Governour That he and his Companions were resolved to defend the Castle to the last drop of their Blood Prince Lewis was not a little displeased at this Answer because for want of Provisions he was in some haste to remove his Camp but not to leave such a necessary Work as this imperfect he immediately dispatched away to Semendria for Cannon Mortars and Ammunition And having raised on the 16th of October a Battery he plied the Castle so hard that the Turks spread a white Flag and came to Capitulations which were soon agreed upon Terms The Castle of VVidin surrenders That the Garrison and People therein might march forth with all their Goods for Carriage of which 30 Boats were to be assigned them The Soldiers and People march out but in regard Boats were not to be procured 200 Carts were provided in the place thereof So that on the 19th of October 2559 Soldiers all Armed with about as many Inhabitants marched out of the place which were Convoyed by 200 Dragoons towards Nicopolis and the Hostages being committed to safe Custody five Companies of the Regiment of Dunghen were placed therein for a Garrison Upon the Report only of the march of the Imperialists towards Widin Tekeli abandoned the City tho' he had a stately House therein and very well furnished yet so debased was he in his Courage that he fled before the Battle towards Nicopolis from whence he came with a sad Countenance and Tears in his Eyes to meet the Garrison and People expelled from the Town and Castle Howsoever he showed a courteous Aspect to the German Soldiers who were appointed for Convoy to the People of Widin and in a Friendly manner treated them with Wine and a plentiful Entertainment Widin a place of much advantage to the Christians As Widin was a great loss to the Turks so it was of high advantage to the successful Arms of the Emperor for by taking this place all the Conquests made by the two last Victories namely the Territory of Nissa and other Places possessed on the Way to Sophia were all covered and the Way secured for importing Forage and Provisions and all Necessaries for support of the advanced Troops under Piccolomini posted for guard and defence of the Conquered Countries and free Communication and Correspondence with the Neighbouring Principalities And on the contrary the Turks of Temeswaer and other Garrisons maintained in the Upper Hungary were all greatly streightned and annoyed thereby without any hopes of being succoured or relieved and thereby Tekeli also was dislodged from those Parts in which he had perswaded the People by his fair Words and Promises to remain constant and faithful and stand by the Grand Seignior with their Lives and Fortunes Winter Quarters provided for the Soldiers It being now towards the end of October it was judged high time to give refreshment and ease to the wearied Soldiery by putting them into warm and commodious Quarters during the Winter Season The Province of Walachia was a Country near to them abounding with all sorts of Provisions and there it was intended to Quarter a great part of the Army Upon which Resolution Prince Lewis dispatched to the Prince of Walachia these following Propositions requiring an immediate Compliance therewith otherwise that he would do himself Reason with his Sword giving him only six Days time to return an Answer The Propositions made to the Prince of Walachia and the States of that Province dated the 28th of October were as followeth Propositions made by the Prince of Walachia WHEREAS it hath pleased Almighty God to give many signal Victories unto His Imperial Majesty whereby several Cities Countries and Provinces have been recovered out of the Barbarous Possession of the Turks and thereby also Walachia secured from Servitude and Slavery in consideration whereof it was demanded from the Prince and States that Winter Quarters be given for the space of seven Months for 15000 Men Horse and Foot according to the Rules and Proportions which have been setled by the Imperial Decrees in former times both in Hungary and Transilvania That is to say from the first of November 1689 to the last of May 1690 in the manner following I. That two Pounds of Bread shall be provided for every Man per Day For Winter Quarters with a Pound of Flesh and a Measure of Wine besides his Bed Salt Candle Wood and all other Necessaries for support of Humane Life That four Bushels of Oats a Month eight Pounds of Hay a Day with two Bundles of Straw a Week shall be allowed for every Horse II. That the Prince and States shall pay unto the Soldiers 800000 Florins within a certain time III. That the Prince and States shall find 1500 good Horse to mount those Cavaliers who have lost their Horses and also shall find them Armour within a certain time according as hath been practised in Hereditary Kingdoms and Provinces the Arms for Cuirasiers shall not be valued at more than 30 Dollars for every Horseman and 25 for every Dragoon the which shall be defalked out of the Sum of the ready Money which is to be paid IV. That the Deputies sent by the Prince and States shall return to them again and in the space of six Days shall come back to the Imperial Camp with the positive Resolution of what shall be performed in this Matter and shall bring with them Commissaries who shall allot to the Soldiers their respective Quarters V. That the Prince and States shall appoint and ordain Hostages namely two Barons of the chief Nobility in the Province who shall remain with the Imperial General as Guarantees for performance of
the Treaty and that the Prince may have liberty to change and relieve them every Month if he pleases with two others VI. That in case the Prince and States shall punctually comply with these Propositions they are hereby assured in the Name of His Imperial Majesty That neither the Emperor's General nor any other Officer or Soldier shall bind or oblige them to any other Conditions nor shall they in the least manner be farther oppressed or damnified but to the contrary they shall be succoured defended and protected in the free Exercise of their Laws and maintained in their Rights Privileges and Possessions Given in the Imperial Camp under Fetislau the 28th of October 1689. Signed Lewis of Baden About this time the Express which Prince Lewis had dispatched lately to Piccolomini returned back with this following Letter Count Piccolomini to Prince Lewis IF Your Most Serene Highness shall be pleased to return me back all Your Army I can here give them Quarters and good Subsistence The Albanians of Clementa have sent their Deputies to me with Proposals to submit unto the Emperor with whom I am now in Treaty The Albanians under the Turks have done the like and have offered to surrender unto me all their Castles I have summoned all the Greek Communities to come unto me and I have sent the Draughts of the Imperial Escutcheon or Arms which I brought painted from Vienna to be affixed and set up in every Town and City And I hope speedily to bring all the Countries from Scutari to Novibassar under subjection Upon these Successes I hear that Mamut Pasha is fled and I have sent to seek for his Horse-Tail which the Vizier gave him The City of Prisseren being abandoned by its Inhabitants I intend to make use thereof Ten Thousand Rascians with Arms in their Hands are come in to me without any Head or Commander with intention to rob and live on Violence and Rapin. I know not what to do with these Wild Beasts for upon pretence of coming in to us I know not how to restrain them tho' they ruine and spoil all the Country and put me into some Fears and Apprehensions for them whilst their Outrages affright others from coming in To dismiss them out of our Army I fear something worse and to keep them is to suffer them to destroy all I am going to the Pass of Cavinigh intending to secure my self on every side How I may succeed at Uscopia I do not as yet know Our People lately discovered great Numbers of Turks assembled together in the Castle of Novibord which is upon the Mountains who upon our Summons surrendered at discretion I have many Irons in the fire but too weak a force for execution of any great design howsoever I will do what I can as becomes Your Highness c. Count Piccolomini Upon these encouraging Advices Prince Lewis resolved to detach Prince Charles of Hanover with three Regiments viz. of Sarau Hanover and the Infantry of Croy to reinforce Piccolomini at Procopia Picolomini reinforced where was a Magazine replenished with Hay Oats Flour and every thing for the Subsistence of an Army With these Recruits Piccolomini on the 14th of this Month marched from Procopia towards Uscopia and the Day following came to a narrow Passage which the Turks call a Dervent where meeting with a Deserter from Sophia they were advised by him that the Turks had a design upon Nissa for which reason retarding their March until the 17th they learned within that time that those Informations were only the Lyes of Greeks who are naturally false and haters of the Western Christians whereupon they took their March for two Days through the Mountains on which are the two Counties of Clementa and Rossaiava which had never paid Taxes or Contributions to the Turks Count Picolomini marches towards Pristina and Clina but rather the Turks unto them In these Countries they made no stay but hasted with all expedition possible towards Pristina and Clina where they had understood from the advanced Guards that 6000 Arnouts with 1300 Carts and many Thousand Head of Cattle remained in expectation to joyn with the Germans and to oppose the Turks with all the People of the Country and to yield themselves Subjects and Vassals to His Imperial Majesty They conclude a Treaty with the People And Kazianech Being arrived at Pristina they concluded a Treaty with those People and on the 23th they proceeded to a certain little City with a Castle called Kazianech Upon the News of this Approach the Turks fled the Night before but a Party of Horse pursuing after them they happily encountered within the Mountains near a Bridge with 300 Turks Defeat a Party of 300 Turks which were coming from Scopia to reinforce the Castle of Kazianech which was already taken and tho' it was Night yet they attacked them and killed 19 taking some Horses 4 Colours and 11 Slaves And here it was necessary to make a Halt for a short time to secure a Pass which was in the middle way which was so rugged and narrow that the Cannon not being able to pass they were remanded back to Kazianech with all the Carts of heavy Baggage In two Days time more they marched through this narrow Pass and entered into a large Plain distant about three Hours from Scopia where they received different intelligences of the State of Affairs in that City some reported that the Turks were resolved to defend the Place unto the utmost Extremity others that those People who the Night before had escaped from the Attack had given a terrible Alarm to the Town Mamut Pasha encamped in a Valley with 10000 Mâ—n flies upon a Report that the Christians were marching against them insomuch that the Turks and Greeks had abandoned the place and had joyned themselves to Maâ—ut Pasha who with 10000 Men was encamped in a Valley Nothing could come more joyful to the Christian Army than to hear that the Turks had quitted their Walls and places of Defence to draw into an open Plain with which they were so animated that they gave a Salvo with the 10 pieces of Cannon which they had with them and with such Shouts of the Soldiers as if the Victory had been already in their Hands At the sound whereof the Turks were put into such a Consternation that they quitted their Camp and fled for refuge and shelter into the Neighbouring Woods but being pursued and hunted by the Hussars Are pursued by the Hussars and some few Germans many Turks were killed and 2000 Carts belonging to the Country People were set at liberty which the Turks had pressed for their Service to carry away whole Families of Men and Women and Children into Slavery Moreover some Christian Slaves were recovered together with a considerable Booty besides above 100 Turks and as many Jews were made Prisoners In this manner the Way being made open Piccolomini marched into the adjacent Countries of Scopia in which
two Aga's returned back to the City on which some Consultation being there had on the 19th three Turks were sent out again to the Christian Army declaring to the Generals in the Name of the Pasha and the Garrison That tho' they were still furnished with four Months Provision in the Town yet they would no longer refuse the Clemency of His Imperial Majesty but deliver up the City unto him And for the further management of this Treatise they proposed That three German and Hungarian Officers might be sent into the Town for Hostages Hostages given in lieu of five Turks who should be employed to Capitulate in the Army The Christians having assented hereunto the three Messengers were next Day returned with this Answer That the Clemency of His Imperial Majesty was such that he never desired to shed the Blood of his Enemies when they implored his Mercy and that the General Bathiani had full Power to pardon them which he was ready to do on Condition that they Surrendred the Place in the space of 24 Hours With this Answer the Turks returning to the Town they desired a third Conference on the 21st the which after a long Dispute was granted and agreed That five Turks of which the Janizar-Aga should be one should come into the Camp and that in the Place of them a German and two Hungarian Officers should be sent for Pledges into the City This being performed on the 22d Day these following Capitulations were agreed and signed Capitulations Agreed I. THAT whatsoever is belonging to the Arsenal and Publick Stores either of Provision Ammunition Cannon or other Arms should be delivered to the Imperial Commissaries to whom also all Mines made about the City should be discovered II. That the Prisoners on both sides should be released without Ransom III. That all the Inhabitants of the City and Strangers shall have liberty to march out with their Arms Moveables Cloaths Servants Children Horses and all other Cattle who shall have safe Passage and Conduct into the Ottoman Dominions but without Flying Colours or Sound of Drum Notwithstanding which in case any of the Rascians who are in pay of the Turks should freely desire to come over to the Christians they shall not be hindered either on the Score of Debt or any other Pretence whatsoever IV. All Christian Renegadoes who shall be desirous to return unto their Ancient Faith shall have liberty to do it and no Christian Children be privately conveyed away V. A sufficient Number of Waggons shall be allowed to the Turks to carry them to the Water-side and from thence Boats to Transport them into the Turkish Dominions VI. That so soon as these Capitulations shall be Signed the Imperialists shall immediately be put into Possession of the Palanca our Out-work called Baschlar Kapoesi in which the Turks shall have liberty to sell what they please of their Goods or to carry them away VII That so soon as the Imperial Ratification shall be returned the Turks shall immediately quit the City and begin their Journey VIII The Turks shall deliver to the Imperial Commissaries all the Tax-Registers in Canisia with such Books as concern the Military Sallaries paid from Bosnia and other Districts depending on Canisia with the Tefter or an account of such Revenues which the Janizaries usually Pay and Receive out of the Homage and Tributary Countries IX That the People of Canisia shall be Convoyed with a sufficient Number of Officers and Soldiers unto the first Turkish Fortress leaving howsoever behind them the Hostages at the last Christian Fortress until the return of the Convoy X. That during the March Provisions shall be furnished to the Turks at moderate Prices With these Capitulations the Imperial Councellor of War called Pozo the Aga and two more Turkish Officers were on the 24th dispatched to Vienna to have the Capitulations Ratified and Signed with the Imperial Firme The Emperor ratifies the Treaty they arrived on the 30th and the next Day had an Audience of Count Staremberg President of the Council of War to whom they delivered the Capitulation April and on the first of April it was returned back again to them Signed by the Emperor who was graciously pleased to make a Present therewith unto the Aga of a Watch set with Diamonds With this Ratification the Aga being returned which was on the 3d of April it was resolved by the Pasha and other Officers in the Divan immediately to put the Christians into Possession of one of the Gates of the City The Town surrendred the which by the 12th they fully quitted and the next Day the Pasha being on Horseback attended with some Turks on Foot delivered unto General Bathyani the Keys of the Town in a gilded Bason hanging on a Gold Chain The Pasha indeed expected that the General should have alighted from his Horse to receive them but the General refusing to receive them in such a manner as a Condescention too inferiour to the Dignity of His Imperial and Victorious Master the Pasha insisted no farther thereupon but presenting the Key said I deliver unto you the Key of a Fortress the like whereof there is none in all the Turkish Empire This being done the General went into the City to visit the Fortifications and afterwards entertained the Pasha the Aga of the Janizaries and Zorbagee Aga at Dinner with some others Then the Garrison marched out consisting of 600 Turks which with the Inhabitants made in all 4000 Souls the which were conducted into the Dominions of the Turks according to the Capitulation It seems that this strong City was surrendred rather by Divisions amongst themselves than for want of Provisions The Cannon and Ammunition and Provisions taken therein On the Walls were mounted 56 Brass and 10 Iron Cannon the most part of them made in the time of the Emperors Maximilian I. and II and of Charles V and Ferdinand I. In the Magazine or Store-house under the Governor's Palace were found 1540 Musquets and in the Arsenal 2200 more with much Lead Cannon and Musquet-Bullets Swords Granadoes with all sorts of Arms and Warlike Instruments in great abundance Canisia or Canisa is situate on a River towards the Frontiers of Styria near the Drave and not far from the Fort Serin it is so environed on all sides with a Morass or Marsh that no Army can lie near it The Situation of Canisia which renders the Town almost impregnable and inaccessible notwithstanding it was taken by the Turks in the Year 1600. The next Year following Mathias Arch-Duke of Austria Besieged it in the Month of September but was forced to retire after a Siege of two Months In the Year 1664 at the beginning of it in the Month of January Count Serini by favour of the Frosts which gave him some Footing on the Morass after he had taken Quinque Ecclesiae and some other Places and had burnt Sighet he besieged Canisia which he had infallibly taken if they had sent him the
Commander of the Tartarian Fleet was with four Gallies and many Frigats armed with some Guns and laden with Ammunition and Provisions coming up the Danube And moreover that the Grand Vizier was with a very strong Army come as far as Sophia and pitched in those Plains and caused vast Stores of Corn and all other Provisions to be laid up in the Magazines of that City Some few Days after which the Tartars appeared before Widin with their four Gallies and about 60 Vessels on which 5000 Men were Embarked and immediately began to fire on the Town the which News being brought to General Trautmansdorf The Tartars retire from Widin he marched immediately with the Troops under his Command to the Relief of the Place and was followed by several Vessels laden with Provisions Convoyed by Boats armed with Musqueteers which coming in sight of the Turks they fired incessantly upon them until such time as the Cannon planted by Trautmansdorf on the side of the Danube forced them to quit their Station and retire farther down the Stream to the other side of the River after which the General having provided the Town with a sufficient Garrison and all sorts of Provisions necessary conducted the Vessels safely back and marched farther towards the general Rendezvous at Jagodina And because the whole force of the Ottoman Empire under the Command of the Grand Vizier was marching from Sophia against the Germans who were very weak in Servia and not able to keep the Field against the Turks in those Parts Corbelli reinforces the Troops in Servia Count Corbelli who Commanded the Blockade before Great Waradin received Orders to march with such Troops as could be spared from the Blockade to reinforce the Army in Servia the which was performed accordingly leaving the Care and Charge of the Blockade to Count Schlick The Arnouts who had before taken part with the Germans observing the Weakness of the Christian Troops and the Strength of the Turks August joyned against their Inclinations to save themselves with the latter with which the Grand Vizier being reinforced a Detachment was made under Command of the Seraskier to joyn with Tekeli in Walachia whilst another Pasha was employed to Besiege Widin both by Land and Water and the Vizier marched in Person with the gross of his Army towards Nissa with 100 Pieces of Cannon and 12 Mortars Upon this News General Veterani ordered all the Commanders of the several Posts and Passages leading towards Nissa to leave their Guards and retire with their Men Ammunition Provision and Cannon to the City which having furnished with a sufficient Garrison of 3000 Foot and 500 Horse he marched back with the remainder of the Army towards Alexin Thâ— Christian Camp at Alexin and there formed his Camp In the mean time the Grand Vizier on his March to Nissâ— at which he aimed took Pyroth in the space of three or four Days Pyroth taken upon Capitulation with the Garrison which consisted of no more than 150 Men to be conducted safely to Nissa but the Vizier pursued them so close at the Heels that on the 14th of August he Invested the City with his whole Army and on the 17th began an Attack at Bergele compassing one half of the City on that side and on the same Day he sent a Chiaus with Letters to summon the Place the which Colonel Jorger returned back again unopened Nissa investâ—d with this Answer That there was none there who could read Turkish Upon return of this Answer the Grand Vizier caused some Cannon to be shot into the City and on the next Day the Trenches to be opened after which the Turks fired without ceasing both with their Cannon and Mortars and because it was believed that the Town would not hold out for any long time the Turks plied their Business very close and made their Attacks with wonderful Courage and Bravery A Sally made from the Town On the 19th General Staremberg who now Commanded in Nissa in the Place of Colonel Jorger who was fallen sick ordered a Sally to be made by 100 Granadiers and 200 Fuzeleers sustained by a Battalion of German Foot and at the same time all the Horse of the Garrison made a Sally on the other side of the Town which succeeded so well that above 1000 Turks were killed on the Place most of which were slain in their Trenches besides those who upon the Retreat of the Christians pursuing them to the Palisadoes of the Town were killed by the Cannon and Musquets from the Redoubts and Out-works In this Sally the Besieged had 20 Men killed and 60 wounded Whilst the Siege of Nissa proceeded in this manner the Seraskier having joyned his Troops with those of the Tartars of the Prince of Walachia and the Forces also of Tekeli under whom were nine Pasha's their whole Army consisted of 16000 Horse 2000 Janisaries and 500 Talpats with which Tekeli marched towards a certain Pass called Terezwar being distant about three Leagues from Cronstadt where General Heusler lay encamped with four Regiments of Horse consisting in all of about 1700 Men together with 5000 Transylvanians called Zecklers from the Province so named under the Command of General Tolecki Tekeli not knowing well how he might with Advantage attack Heusler passed his Forces over Mountains and untrodden Ways being conducted by the People of the Country until they came within sight of the Germans who nothing dismayed at the appearance of so formidable and unequal a force marched with the right Wing directly against that of the Enemies left and charged them so furiously that they put them to a shameful Flight and had that Day gained a most entire Victory had the Zecklers seconded this good beginning but instead thereof they most basely fled without string one Musquet so that then the whole force of the Enemy falling upon General Heusler General Heusleâ— defâ—ated and his Men having quitted their former advantageous Post they were so over-powered by them that after a long and bloody Fight they were put to the Rout In this Action General Nordquermes Tolecki Von Wald Springfelt and Winckler with some Captains and 500 common Horsemen were killed General Magni escaped and saved himself in the Church of a Village called Hansberg where a Peasant killed him with a Pitchfork and buried him under a Dunghill General Heusler having his Horse killed under him was taken Prisoner by Tekeli's Men and Marquis Doria and Major Fisker by the Tartars Lieut. Col. Rainin with several Captains Lieutenants and Ensigns and 32 common Soldiers were made Prisoners by the Turks The Enemies also gained four Pieces of Cannon 29 Standards and three Waggons with Ammunition but lost 3000 of their Men in this Action the remainder of the German Horse being about 1200 Men with 13 Standards retreated under Hermanstadt After the Fight was ended Count Tekeli being desirous to rescue as many Prisoners as he could out of the Hands of the Tartars he bought Marquis
their Forts but being closely pursued Are put to flight the Rascians and Dragoons entered the Palanca together with the Turks cutting down and killing all that were before them In this Confusion The Town and Castle of Lugos taken many of the Turks betook themselves to the Castle but with so much haste that they had not time to draw the Bridge up after them so that the Rascians passing thereon cut down one of the Castle Gates with their Battle-Axes and being come to the last Gate the Turks hung out a white Flag desiring to Capitulate the which admitted of no long dispute it being in a moment Agreed That those who were in the Castle should have their Lives given them and securely Convoyed to Temeswaer there were remaining in all no more than 152 fighting Men with their Tefterdar or Treasurer Bey or Governour of the Castle Out of the whole number of 1000 effective Men as they were before this fight began the same according to Capitulation were safely conducted to Temeswaer the remainder being 850 were killed in this Action on the other side 10 Germans were killed and about 100 Rascians besides the wounded of which there were some Rascians and 22 Germans amongst which Pohland was shot through the Arm. In this place of Lugos four Brass Guns and one Mortar piece were taken with 15 Standards After which 700 Rascians and 100 Dragoons were left for a Garrison in the place The News of this Success encourageing all the Imperialists round about the Hungarians in the Garrison at Beche The Garrison of Bech makes a Salley about eight Leagues distant from Segedin sallied out with a Party of Horse and Foot and met a Party of Tartars not far from Zatmar pillaging and robbing the Country the which he having attacked with great vigour they returned with 200 Heads together with two of their Captains Prisoners and 300 Horses Another Party of Hungarians of the Garison of Zento met with a Party of 60 Turks of which they killed 20 and made 40 Prisoners and in their return they took the Palancha of Cariawiez and killed all the People and found a rich Booty in it The Garrison of Segedin surprize Chonad The Garrison of Segedin being informed of all these Successes of their Neighbours were resolved not to sit idle but to try their fortune in the same manner and accordingly by break of Day attacked the City of Chonad and entered it by surprize before the Turks knew that their Enemy was near them All in the Town were killed and those in the Castle being terrified by the Flames round about them abandoned the place the night following These frequent Misfortunes of the Turks made them more cautious and circumspect in all their Motions for the future retiring and keeping themselves close in their strong Holds and Fortresses On the other side the Imperial Court took all possible care to reinforce their Army and make it more strong and numerous than it had been the last year To which end Orders were given to repair and strengthen the Fortifications of Buda and Esseck and especially the latter where the Counterscarps were enlarged and two whole and two half Batteries were raised and the Ice of the Danube for it was now the month of March being thawed March the River was open to bring all necessary Materials for the Fortifications whereby that work went on with all Diligence This Employment did not hinder the Governor of Esseck from making some Attempts on the Turks the which he prosecuted with some vigour for having given Orders to a Captain of Walkowar Percilia by Name with 400 Hussars and Heydukes to fall into the Dominion of the Turks He accordingly surprized Irrick Irrick surprized with much Booty taken burnt and plundered and put all to Fire and Sword He destroyed also the Neighbouring Villages and cut down all the Turks and Tartars who had their Quarters in those Parts In this Action Percilia got so considerable a Booty that he laded 70 Waggons with the Spoil besides a considerable number of stately Horses only 40 Turks of Note and Quality were made Prisoners and several Standards as a signal of Victory were sent to Vienna With this Booty a great quantity of Copper-Money was taken for payment of the Turks and Tartars together with 12000 Ducats in Gold and 3000 in Silver with Clothing for the Souldiers and rich Habits belonging to the General Officers The Report of this Action being noised abroad a Pasha of that Country A Pasha pursues them but recires called Kathana Mustapha with 200 Horse pursued and overtook them but finding them too strong for him and preparing to attack him he retired and saved himself in a Castle not far distant from thence Nor was this all for Percilia meeting with another Party of Tartars caused his Trumpets to sound a Turkish March In answer to which the Tartars called and spoke to them in the Turkish Language which Percilia returned with good Blows falling on them so suddenly Percilia routs a Body of Tartars that they entirely routed them took all their Colours and a good Booty and released many Christians which had been enslaved by the Tartars in which Action and in the former they killed 1200 Turks and Tartars and so returned safe with all their Prisoners and Booty to Walkowar and Esseck A like Exploit was done by Antonio Captain of the Rascians who having joyned with 600 Heydukes and 400 Hussars attacked a Castle called Karakowar a place situate on a high Rock and by a Stratagem took it Karakowar taken and found therein great quantities of Corn the which he distributed amongst his Men only he put a Garrison into the place and lest with them 2000 Sacks of Corn for their Subsistence Tho' the Turks had the last year been more successful than they had been any time during the War yet by their long and tedious Marches and by the Losses they had sustained in small Parties before-mentioned they could not put themselves into a posture of taking the Field until the middle of the month of July Howsoever in the mean time they made great preparations both by Land and Water ordering their Troops from the remotest parts of Asia to march for Hungary several of their Ships laden with Ammunition and Provisions arrived at Widin with design to transport the same to Belgrade where the Magazine of Stores was to be made Antonio who was now made a Colonel had notice hereof and suffered two of their small Ships to pass by without interruption herewith the Turks being encouraged sent 10 more but these Antonio attacked and took two of them and two more of them were taken by the Rascians near Modava the rest returned back to Widin May. These great Preparations made by the Turk obliged the Emperor to do the like and accordingly a great Train of Artillery with vast quantities of Ammunition Bullets Bombs and Carcasses were sent down the River to Buda and
Die together in the same This declared Resolution of the Turks quickned the Operations of the General so that throwing Fire into the Town and plying the great Guns continually Day and Night the Breach was made much wider than it had been some few Days before and ready for Storm which was designed for the 28th of the Month The Turks seeing the Troops in a readiness for an Attack their Hearts began to fall and thereupon a White Flag was displayed Howsoever they Capitulate and five Deputies were sent to the Army to treat and Hostages being given on both sides these Articles were agreed on and an Instrument drawn up in this Form following The Pasha of Waradin His Address to the Emperor MOST Happy Caesar Emperor of the Romans in whom resides the Heighth of Majesty Honour and Glory and of highest Esteem amongst the Christian Princes We the Soldiers and Musselmen of Waradin having been streightned and oppressed by a long and tedious Siege and being at last reduced to the last Extremities by your Imperial Army Encamped against us and being not able longer to hold out do cast our selves at the Happy Feet of the Imperial Majesty And being at length constrained to yield unto Fate and Destiny we fly unto your Clemency and most Pious Benignity which is a Ray or Emanation from the Most Sublime Creator declaring that voluntarily and of our own proper Motions since God will have it so to save our Lives we have Pawned and Surrendered this our Fortress with all the Ammunition therein that is Cannon Muskets and other Arms and Military Instruments to your Commissary the Most Honourable and Most Excellent Heusler And confiding in the Grace and Favour of an Emperor who governs so many Nations that he will not permit or suffer these our Musselmen to be damnified or robbed or despoiled of their Goods or Baggage which they carry with them but be Protected Conducted and Convoyed safe from the Fortress of Waradin to the Neighbouring and Adjacent Places on the Danube that is to the Palanca called Panzova and to command That in our Way thither no Christian of what Nation soever shall take our Goods from us either by Day or by Night nor damnifie us either Privately or Secretly All which we offer to the Benignity and Clemency of the Imperial Majesty in these Sixteen Articles following The Articles of Surrender I. THAT the Turks and their Goods be taken from the Palanca's of Paimeso and Solmeso and that they may in Safety be Conducted and Convoyed to the same Place with those of Waradin II. That we may be safely Conducted through all the Passages and difficult Passes of Erdurich and Zanat until we arrive at the Palanca called Panzova III. That to this intent 1200 Carts and 200 Horses shall be given us and that five Days time shall be given us to sell our Goods and that they may have time to buy what Goods they please according to their Convenience IV. That all Men and Women Slaves who are desirous to remain in the Christian or Turkish Faith shall not be hindred V. That such Rebels or Malecontents as are taken in the Fortress shall not be detained but permitted to remain with us VI. That the Besieged may carry their Ensigns and Arms with them VII That they may carry all their Writings and Registers with them VIII That in case on the Way any Waggon should chance to break another shall be given in the place thereof and the Goods shall not be stollen or broken open IX That no Money or Charges shall be demanded on the Way for Lodgings X. That no Child or Youth Male or Female shall be taken from us nor shall Money or Expence be demanded of us on the Way but our Charges shall be Defrayed with all necessary Provisions until we come to Panzova XI That when we are proceeded out of the Fortress until we come to Belgrade neither Subjects or others shall stop or detain any of us on Pretension of Debt XII But that all of us shall be permitted to proceed freely with all safety XIII That for the more convenient Passage of the Carts into the Fortress a Bridge shall be made XIV That care be taken to punish all the Insolencies of those who shall forcibly rob our Goods XV. That the Turks who have by Order of the Grand Seignior served for Officers in the Garrison shall receive no Molestation XVI That all Strangers of different Nations who are with us shall not be Pillaged or Plundered and herein a particular care is to be had to Waggoners and other Pilfering Fellows Given the 20th of the Moon called Ramazan in the Hegeira 1103 which is the 3d of June 1692. Seifullah Cadi di Varadin Abdulatif Pasha and Chief Governour of Waradin Ibrahim Pasha the late preceeding Governor of Waradin Osman Agha An Inventory of what was found in the Fortress FIve Thousand Measures of Barley 1000 Measures of Wheat 300 Sacks of Rice 50 Fat 's of Flour 50 Brass Guns most of which were German 22 Mortars 70000 Pounds of good Powder And 723000 of old decayed Powder 3500 Cannon Bullets 30000 Pounds of Iron And 4300 Pounds of Wrought Iron The Articles being thus signed on the 3d of June June the Day following the Bridge was repaired and the Turks marched out of the Fortress to the Number of about 1200 Fighting Men and in all 12000 Souls The Turks march out of Waradin which were ranged in good Order on a convenient Ground without the Town where they remained until the German and Rascian Militia which was in Garrison in Pescabara was released and which the Turks had detained there contrary to the Capitulations And thus ended the Siege of this Important Place the Conquest of which served much towards the Security of Transilvania to the Emperor The Turks being desirous of a Revenge detached a strong Party from Belgrade towards Esseck June intending by that way to make an Incursion into Sclavonia but the Rascians having notice of this March Attacked them at Unawares The Turks repulsed by the Rascians from Titul and Titz and cut down 200 of them and took 40 Prisoners Another Party of Turks also embarking at the same time on three large Boats fortified with divers Guns with which approaching near Titul wherein was a strong Garrison of Rascians they defended the same wi h so much Courage that many Turks being Killed and Wounded they were forced to quit the Design and return back with Disgrace and some Loss and in the Town the Captain of the Rascians was killed with about 20 Men. Nor better Success had the Turks on Titz which was defended by a Garrison of 1200 The Turks Embarking themselves on 50 Ships made a furious Assault thereon which lasted for several Hours but they were so well received that they were repulsed and forced to retire with the loss of some Hundreds Killed and 30 Prisoners taken The Croats had still better Success upon the Turks on the
devoit commencer une demi-heure avant la nuit afin que pendant la nuit on pust se fortifier avoir toutes les Communications necessaires A midi on amena tout le monde dont on avoit besoin a 2 heures apres Midi S. A. le Duc de Croy le General Heusler vinrent eux mémes donner les ordres sur la place ainsi on fit en toute diligence apporter des Fascines des Gabions autres choses necessaires mais avant qu'on fust prest non seulement le tems destiné pour l'atraque se passa mais on traisna jusqu'a 10 heures du soir lorsque la lune se couchoit de sorte qu'on croioit de renvoyer au lendemain mais l'ardeur des Soldats des Officiers etoit si grande la contenance de l'Ennemi qui se tenoit pres de ses feux donna si bonne esperance qu'on voulut faire une tentative Les Grenadiers qui coururent d'abord firent fort bien sauterent en plusieurs endroits dans la Contrescarpe les autres commencerent a prendre poste Nos Canons nos Bombes les seconderent a merveille c'etoit un beau feu a voir mais les Ennemis qui etoient assembléz dans la Contrescarpe dans les ouvrages de dehors en ayant eu le vent sans qu'on s'en doutast illuminerent tout par le moyen de leurs feux d'Artifice Ils firent une opiniatre resistance attirerent a eux avec des Crochets nos Fascines Gabions en jettant continuellement des Sacs de Poudre des pierres des Grenades ils empecherent que nous ne gardassions poste si prés de la Contrescarpe Outre que pendant l'obscurité ceux qui étoient a l'Attaque gauche s'avancerent si fort de là droite y pousserent tellement ceux du milieu que chacun n'etant pas dans sa veritable place ce poste etant si eloigné de nos Lignes qu'on ne pouvoit s'y maintenir de nuit encore moins de jour on trouva bon de faire reculer nôtre Monde de le faire avancer peu a peu jusqu'a l'endroit on nous sommes presentement Ce qui se fit aprés un rude choc qui dura pendant 2 heures nous nous sommes logés a 24 pas par le Moyen d'une nouvelle Ligne Nous avons eu 6 ou 700 Hommes de tuéz blessez Le General des Bavarois Monsieur Seybersdorf a été tué dans cette occasion comme aussi le Lieutenant Colonel Horn le jeune Comte Beck Parmi les blessez se trouverent le Colonel Marsigli le Colonel Blankensee le Comte de Thaun Lieutenant Golonel de Guido Stahremberg les Barons d'Alman d'Andremont Capitaines Les Ennemis doivent avoir aussi beaucoup perdu de Monde Le 8 on a beaucoup avancée la nouvelle Ligne on a achevé un grand travail sans faire aucune perte en sorte que dans 3 jours on espere d'étre pres de la Contrescarpe On a detaché des Partys pour aller reconnoitre l'Ennemi qu'on croit d'etre bientot icy aux environs Le 9 un Party de Tartares vint jusques vers nôtre Camp Il a emmené quantité de bestail qu'on faisoit paitre malgré la deffense au de la des Sentinelles On les a poursuivi on a fait 2 Prisonniers qui disent que le Grand Visir est vers la Morava avec son Armée qu'il doit incessamment s'avancer vers Semendria The Grand Vizier having entered the Town on the 15th Septemb. the Christians retired from before it the Vizier caused all the Works which the Germans had made to be filled and levelled and what damage the Cannon and Bombs had made to be repaired and sent fresh Provisions for Temeswaer under a strong Convoy and having caused the Tartars to make some Excursion near Peter Waradin and taken a view of the Imperial Camp the Vizier attempted nothing more of moment Nor did the Imperial Army undertake any thing farther than to Retrench it self near to Peter Waradin and act on the Defensive which was all that had been done of moment during the remainder of this whole Campaign unless in these two Particulars following On the 17th of September Count Batheim Ban of Croatia Dalmatia and Sclavonia marched from the River Unna and Costannizza with the Land Militia and arrived on the 19th at three a Clock in the Afternoon before the Turkish City call'd Brunzein Maidan where having taken a Survey of the Ground the following Night the Trenches were opened And On the 20th they began to fire their great Guns Brunzien taken by Storm and to throw Bombs into the City The Garrison and the Inhabitants defended themselves bravely for tho' they were twice Summoned they refused to Surrender saying That the Place was a Magazine belonging to the Sultan which therefore they were obliged to maintain to the last Drop of their Blood The Place was also of greater importance by reason of the Iron and Copper Mines which arose in the Neighbourhood our of which they forged Mortar-pieces and great Quantities of Iron Bullets The Besieged defended themselves very valiantly for the space of two Hours but at last the Pallisadoes being pulled up or cut down the Walls of the City were forced and taken and above 500 Men and Women were put to the Sword amongst which there were two Chief Commanders and a third Chachilovich by Name was taken Prisoner together with many principal Persons more of both Sexes Within the Town the Besiegers found great quantities of Bombs of which some were of 200 weight with store of Brass of rare and cunning Workmanship together with other very rich Booty of all which having Plundered the Inhabitants and carried away all that was worth the taking they burned the City and Suburbs to Ashes Plunder'd and Burnt with the Houses that were in the Neighbourhood with the loss only of about 40 Men. The other Successful Enterprize was executed on the 19th of October by General Hoffkirken against Giula of which the General himself gave this Narrative in a Letter to the Duke of Croy sent him by an Express in this manner General Hoffkirken's Letter to the Duke of Croy. THIS Morning I-fell upon the Turks and Tartars very early when they least expected me and having at the first onset forced them to retreat beyond the first Palanca I caused the Dragoons with 500 Horsemen to alight from their Horses and with their Swords in their Hands to pass the Ditch The Enterprize was bold but vigorously executed The Turks were very strong their Force consisting of 40 Troops of Horse 1200 Janisaries with 2800 Tartars newly arrived to Convoy Provision into that Fortress but being on the other side of it they were so hotly attacked that they
were all very ill managed for that Year For had the Christians instead of Ingulsing themselves amongst Marasses and Moorish Grounds unpassable for an Army in which they lost six or seven Days and gave the Turks the advantage of marching so many Days before them to Temeswaer and thence to Lippa they had saved the loss of Veterani and his Forces at Lugos as also Titul and Karansebes all which fell that Year for want of good Conduct for the Turks were esteemed not stronger at that time than 40000 Men and one half of them Raw and Undisciplined Soldiers The ill Conduct of the Imperial Army in Anno 1695. but the Slowness and Negligence of the Christians in that Years Expedition broke all Measures as if there had been a Fatality attending this Years Actions For no sooner did the Turks understand that the Imperial Army was marching after them but being struck with a suddain Consternation they Decamped with their whole Army from Lippa more like Cowards flying before the Enemy than in Order and Posture of War marching Day and Night to get into Temeswaer before the Enemy could overtake them But so soon as it was known to the Turks that the Imperial Army was marched to Segedin they took Courage and gave a stop to their precipitate Flight And here it was that Fortune changed and gave unexpected Success to the Turks in this Years Expedition which turned greatly to the Fame and Renown of this New Sultan Mustapha For considering that he was but a raw Soldier and kept himself in every Action at a distance and out of Musket-shot yet the whole matter being carried on against the Opinion of all his Ministers and the Inclinations of almost all his Soldiers especially the Janisaries and all the prime Officers of the Army and the State things looked at first with a very bad Face and promised nothing but Destruction Yet afterwards succeeding quite otherwise than were expected all was attributed to the Courage Wisdom and Conduct of the Sultan so that it became a Wonder to the World how it was possible for a Sultan without Experience who had but newly come out from an Imprisonment of eight Years and known nothing yet of War to be attended with such Success that all his Army did avow That his Victories were due to his Valour and Conduct which gained him a wonderful Esteem amongst all the great Men of his Empire both Martial and Civil the Effect of which was found in the following Year Great Honour gained by the Sultan when all the Soldiery being flushed with Blood and Spoil came willingly to the War and struck an Awe and Fear into the Hearts of all the Ottoman Subjects believing this Prince to be sent them from God to rescue them and the Empire from Ruine and utter Desolation The Sultan being sensible of the great Honour and Fame which he had gained by the unexpected Successes of this Campaign being unwilling to lose the same so soon as he heard that the Imperial Army was marched towards Transylvania he resolved to return homewards and not to tempt Fortune again for this Year and accordingly marched again with his whole Army to Temeswaer whence he sent Commands and Decrees one after the other with Letters to Ziafer the Pasha of Belgrade to provide Temeswaer with all sorts of Victuals necessary for maintenance of the Place and that he should take care to send them thither with a Convoy sufficient to defend them from the Enemy And farther he ordered that Pasha to take notice That he was returning to his Palace at Adrianople by the way of Walachia of which Advice was given to the Prince and Commands sent him to repair the Bridges and mend the Ways of that Country and to enlarge them for the more easie Passage of the Army The Sultan Orders for his Return to Adrianople The like Decrees and Commands were sent to the Prince of Moldavia and divers Letters were Wrote by the Grand Seignior himself to his Mother the Valide Soltana as also to all the Chief Governors of the Provinces in Anatolia and to the Chimacams of Constantinople and Adrianople in which after he had recounted unto them all his great Actions and Successes he Commanded that Days and Nights of Rejoycings should be celebrated for the same through all the Dominions of his Empire in regard that he had Taken and laid Desolate a greater City and Territory than that of Belgrade and that he had slain more than 10000 Germans and made above 3000 Prisoners with the Officers belonging to them for which Glorious Victories and Fortunes Commands were given to offer Thanksgivings in all Places of the Empire and to praise God for that he had been pleased to appease his Wrath against the Musselmen who had long provoked the Divine Anger The Sultan being in this manner resolved to make his Return to Adrianople by way of Walachia notice was given thereof as we have said to the Prince of the Country who was thereby put into a most grievous Terrour and Consternation of Mind not knowing what to do or how to help and protect his Poor Miserable Province already wasted and consumed by the War and what was now to be more done on the Passage of divers Asiaticks Albanians Turks c. was not to be resolved until the Prince considering and revolving all things in his Mind concluded That the best and safest way was immediately to depart and meet the Sultan on his way according to his urgent and reiterated Commands shewing no Fears or Jealousies but a Confidence of the Grand Seignior's Favour to him In pursuance of which he proceeded and met the Sultan over against Widin where being seen by him and looked upon with a tender Eye The Grand Seignior marches back and a kind Aspect the poor Prince began to take Courage and ease the Throbs of his Trembling Heart Howsoever being acquainted with the Humour of the Sultans who often speak fair to their Pasha's and yet nourish a secret Design to take away their Lives he could not settle his Thoughts or believe that the bitterness of Death was yet over but there was nothing to be done now nor any starting back but on he must go as he did to the Place called Turno on this side of the Danube over against Nicopolis where the Army Encamped on the 13th of October and the Sultan took some Repose for certain Days called by the Turks Days of Otoracke the Officers of the Prince proceeding in the mean time to prepare the Ways and to make them wider The Grand Seignior coming very weary to Turno reposed there about an Hours time and then Embarking in his own Boat passed to the other side of the Danube after which the Grand Vizier followed with the whole Army there being Boats and Floats sufficient to Ferry them over And here it is to be for ever recorded to the honour of this Sultan Mustapha That in passing this Province of Walachia
to the Turks than become the Slaves of the Germans The consequences of which War have been so dismal and even the Imperial Victories gain'd at the expence of so much Blood and Treasure as all Germany as well as Hungary has felt the fatal effects of it So that Men are apt to look back with Indignation on the Authors of these Troubles and to think them worthy of the extreamest Punishments that have brought their Country to such Ruin and Desolation The greatest part of which Censures will without doubt fall upon the Protestants whose Arms have wanted even Success that popular justification and whose Cause labours under two such fearful appearances as a defection from their Prince and the joyning with the Common Enemy of Christendom tho' perhaps a considering Man will be apt to reflect on that Cruel severity which forc'd them to take shelter in the Arms of an Infidel at least he will see a fatal instance of the unhappy Consequences of driving Men to Despair by subverting their Laws Liberties and Religion I shall therefore give an impartial Account of the Causes that exasperated the Protestants of Hungary to this degree and leave them to the Readers judgment either to be condemn'd or acquitted And therefore let us hear what Account the Protestant Writers give of this matter when the Protestant Religion began first to insinuate it self into Hungary under the Reign of King Lewis Anno. 1523. it met there with the same fate it did in other Countrys viz. Opposition and Persecution But this King unhappily engaging himself in a War against the Turks fell in Battle and leaving no Heir Male the Hungarian Nobility were divided in the choice of a Successor one part Electing John Zapolya Vaivode of Transilvania and the other Ferdinand the first But John dying soon after his Election Ferdinand remain'd in sole possession of that Kingdom who the better to gain the affection of his Subjects granted free exercise of Religion to Cassovia Bartphia Eperias Leuchenia and Libinia the five free Towns of upper Hungary and afterwards to several of the Towns of lower Hungary besides the same Privileges which he gave to divers of the Nobility Notwithstanding which there being several Commotions and Disturbances on account of Religion still remaining in the year 1606. at the Pacification of Vienna made between Rodolph Emperor and King of Hungary and Stephen Botscai-Kis-Maria in the first Article it was said That as to the business of Religion that notwithstanding the first Constitutions and the last Article of the year 1604. according the Resolution taken by his Imperial Majesty All the Inhabitants and Persons of what Order or Condition soever within that Kingdom as well the great Lords as the Cities and Privileg'd Towns immediately belonging to the Crown or upon the borders of that Kingdom as likewise all the Soldiers of Hungary shall have free and entire Liberty of Conscience without being troubled or molested Nevertheless without prejudice to the Roman Catholick Religion so that that Clergy the Churches and the Temples of the Catholicks may remain in the State wherein they are without Violation or Molestation And that those which had been taken by one side or other should be restor'd to their lawful owners Afterwards the Emperor Matthias himself explain'd that Clause nevertheless without prejudice to the Rom. Cath. Religion by assuring them That it was put in upon a good design and that it only meant that neither Party should be disturbed in the exercise of their Religion This liberty was afterwards often confirm'd as you may see in the Grievances presented to the Emperor which are affix'd to the end of this History The now Reigning Emperor Leopold solemnly confirm'd this Article at his Coronation Vide the sixth Condition in the Imperial Patent running thus Ordered That the exercise of Religion granted to the States of Hungary according to the Constitution of Vienna and those Articles establisht before our Coronation shall remain entirely free as well for the Barons Lords Gentlemen as free Cities and all Orders and States of the Kingdom of Hungary as likewise for the Towns Villages and Hamlets that will accept of it so that no Person of what Condition soever shall be hinder'd in the exercise of his Religion in what manner or under what pretence soever Given in the Royal Citadel of Posonium June the 25th 1655. In despight of all these Edicts made in favour of the Protestants the Clergy especially the Jesuits had so much interest in the Court of Vienna as to get a Manifest publish'd there and Entitled Truth declared to all the World or a Treatise wherein is proved by three Argument that his Caesarean Majesty is not obliged to tolerate the Lutheran or Calvinist Religion in the Kingdom of Hungary Writ by George Barzon titular Bishop of Waradin Priest of the Society and Councellor to his Sacred Majesty The first Argument was drawn from three Conditions under which the liberty of Religion was granted at the Pacification of Vienna The first That it should be with out prejudice to the Protestant Religion which Condition being impossible ought to pass for nothing The second That the Clergy and the Catholick Churches should remain in their former Condition without being toucht which was violated by Bethlem and Ragotski The third That what was taken either by one side or the other should be restor'd which the Protestants had not perform'd To this was answered That it did by no means follow that if one Condition or Clause was lookt upon as impossible and so null that the whole Treaty should be so also and besides that the Emperor Matthias himself had explain'd the Condition by declaring that it was not to be made use of for the ruining of that liberty which was granted That whatsoever Bethlem or Ragotski had done this Liberty was notwithstanding confirm'd by the Edicts and Ordinances of the Emperor That if it had been so that Protestants who being daily provok'd by the Papists had gone a little too far yet the innocent ought not to suffer That the Destruction of Temples which were made use of during the Troubles only regarded those that Botskai had taken in the War and not such as had been for a long time in their Hands The second Argument is That this liberty was not establisht by the unanimous consent of the States of the Kingdom to whom it belongs to make Laws with the Consent and Approbation of his Majesty and consequently that those Articles ought to be abolisht But it was urg'd that this was extreamly injurious to those Kings who had confirm'd and ratify'd them and who no question were not so ignorant of the rights of the Kingdom of Hungary That when this Affair was manag'd at Lintz 1645. Tho' the Arch-Bishop of Strigonium George Lippai and some seculars opposed it yet Count Palfy President of the Chamber and divers Catholick Lords consented notwithstanding that opposition so that the Affair being extreamly hindred by that Arch-Bishop
the Vizier at Candia hoping by the lenity and moderation of his Nature to obtain more easie terms than those demanded by the Chimacam and in the mean time to notifie their intention of Revolt unto all the World they caus'd a Standard to be erected with two Sâ—ymeters died with Blood and a Crescent or Half Moon over them The Grand Vizier at Candia dismisses the Agents from the Rebels The Grand Vizier being then labouring at the Siege of Candia and in a doubtful Condition of Success was not willing to entertain thoughts of a new War until he had put an end to that which he had then in hand and in which he was daily engag'd Howsoever not to seem diffident of his own Successes or negligent and cold in the entertainment of Propositions so apparently advantageous to his Master's Interest thought not fit to dismiss them with a slight Answer but causing their Propositions to be taken in Writing and examin'd he dis-speeded the Messengers with fair Words and Promises referring their Matters to be farther debated by the Officers actually present with the Grand Seignior who had more time to consider their Affairs than he had who was daily engag'd in Batteries and continual Assaults upon the City The Transilvanian Messengers being come to the Port Conditions demanded of them by the Turks the Conditions requir'd of them by the Turks were very severe For in the first place they demanded of Ragotski who was Chief of the League that the five Towns in Hungary which belong'd to him should be deliver'd up into their hands That Count Serini should cause Copranitz an impregnable Fort in Croatia to be surrender'd to them and that an Annual Tribute should be pay'd for the Kingdom of Hungary The Commissioners for the Malecontents who thought these Proposals very hard did yet endeavour to come as near an accord as was possible for tho they were unwilling to surrender up their own Towns and Demesnes to the Turks yet they promis'd to fight for them and deliver such Towns and Fortresses as they should take from the Emperor into their hands The Grand Vizier Kuperlee was by this time return'd Triumphant from Candia having with the entire subjection of that City and the whole Kingdom put an end to the War with the Venetians Howsoever tho' the Propositions offer'd by the Malecontents were of such advantageous Consequence as the like could not be expected yet they were rejected by the Vizier for whether it were out of a sense of Faith to the Emperor Kuperlee unwilling to break with the Emperor with whom he had concluded a Peace but five years before and which he had no cause given him to break or by reason of a War design'd against Poland and some umbrages and Clouds of discontent began with the Moscovites he was not of a mind to enter into a War so soon with the Emperor howsoever he under-hand encourag'd it and gave private Instructions to the Pasha's on the Frontiers to aid the Malecontents in such sort as that their union and actings with them might not amount unto a Rupture or breach of the Peace During all this time the Imperial Court had only suspicions and jealousies of what was Plotting rather than any certain advice or knowledge thereof And the Emperour 's Resident at Constanstinople had as yet received but some obscure Notions of what was treating by the Transilvanian Agents which afterwards came to a clearer Light by the means of an English Gentleman as we have before declar'd in our preceding History And which being once made known other things appear'd to put the matter out of all doubt or question And as a particular Evidence to discover this Truth the principal Servant of Count Tassembach and one in whom he had reposed the greatest confidence having been put in Prison by him for Robbing him this Traitor that he might be revenged on the Count and obtain his Liberty discovered much of the Plot by producing one of the original Papers all written with the proper Hand of Tassembach which contain'd a Scheme of the whole method of their intended proceedings as agreed and concerted between him and Count Serini dated the 11th of September 1667. This Paper being Read in the Council at Vienna served to open the Eyes of the Emperor and of the Government and caused them to watch all the motions of Tassembach and of Serini and the other Accomplices To evidence and farther confirm that there was a Plot advices came from Schaketorno in Croatia that Count Serini was in Arms and had levied several Troops A Plot discovered The original Letter also appeared which Serini wrote to Frangipani giving him an account of the Resolutions and Proceedings of Tassembach the which Letter by what means is not known was found with a Soldier belonging to Frangipani who carelesly made use of it for a stopper to his Powder-horn Another Letter was intercepted from Frangipani directed to one of his Captains in whom he reposed his greatest confidence Signifying the offers which he had made to the Turks of subjection to them that the Germans intended nothing more than to ruin their Country and therefore that he should keep his Forces in a readiness to oppose them in case of necessity These and several other Evidences were a clear conviction of a Plot design'd and a ground sufficient for the President of the Council of Grats to seize the Person of Count Tassembach and commit him to safe Custody After which his House was searched where was found a considerable quantity of Powder and Ammunition And his Papers being also seized and examined it thereby appeared that the Arms and Ammunition were designed to furnish therewith 6000 Men which he intended to raise and upon farther enquiry into this matter several questions being put to him Tassembach own'd the whole Design and Conspiracy and the Engagements which were between him and the Count Serini Whereof Copies with the Process being sent to the Emperor the whole Plot was discover'd and no further doubt or question made of a Rebellion and General revolt of the whole Kingdom This discovery was seconded by advices of the constant intercourse and correspondences held between Serini and the Pasha's of Buda Bosna and Kanisia And more particularly by a Letter which Marquis Frangipani Brother-in-Law to Count Serini wrote to Captain Tscolnits containing the whole secret of the business and served to demonstrate the inveterane Malice which the Marquis had conceived against the Emperor and the whole German Nation Tscolnits had at first entertained a correspondence with the Malecontents but making reflections afterwards on the persons with whom he was to engage that they were rash and heady and Men of no solid Foundation or good Temper he retracted from his former Engagements and show'd the Letter to the Emperor But matters were proceeded too far to be wholly suppressed or defeated For those in the upper Hungary appeared openly in the Field under Ragotski who threatned to take
thereof LEOPOLD by the Grace of God Emperor of the Romans c. This is to make known unto all Men that having happily extinguish'd the Fire of Rebellion in this Our Kingdom of Hungary and punish'd those ungrateful Persons who were the Chief Incendiaries and who growing wanton with those Benefits which We had heaped upon them violated their Bonds of Allegiance to Us and seducing to their Party many of the Nobility with divers Towns and all the Estates of this Kingdom call'd Strangers to their aid and assistance and rais'd an Army to oppose Our Power and Dominion In pursuance whereof they Besieg'd Tokai where We had plac'd a Garrison kill'd great numbers of Our Soldiers taken the Convoys which we had sent for supply of Zatmar fought against that Army which We had sent to suppress the Troubles of Hungary and to abate and diminish Our Authority several unlawful Assemblies were held for contriving and carrying on a War against Us by which Councels Our good Subjects being disturb'd the Turks Invited into Our Dominions Our Royal Treasury pillag'd Incursions made into Austria Stiria Moravia and other Our Hereditary Dominions and at length a Conspiracy was made against Our Life which was prevented by the Divine Providence of God Almighty And now whereas it is a Duty incumbent on Us to provide for the safety of those People which God hath committed to Our Charge and that Christendom and Hungary may not for the future be expos'd to the like Disorders We have by Our Absolute Power and Imperial Authority made an exact Regulation of the Military Quarters allotting the number of Soldiers which every County is to maintain and the Orders and Decorum which Soldiers are to keep that they may not molest or trouble the Inhabitants where they are Quarter'd And We require all Persons concern'd without Excuse Delay or Conditions whatsoever to submit unto that power which God hath given Us over them which We have been compell'd to maintain by force of Arms and which We shall continue so to do And therefore We give notice to all Our Subjects that they peaceably submit unto Our power lest Our Clemency be turn'd into Severity and that contrary to Our Nature being provok'd by so many Injuries Treasons and Rebellions We be enforc'd to execute Our Wrath on those who have abus'd Our Indulgence and cause them to taste the direful effects of Our Rigour Given at Vienna the 21st of March 1671. The Declaration enforced The Emperor to establish and confirm this his Remonstrance by force of Arms caused his Regiments which were in Bohemia Silesia Moravia and Austria to march with speed into Hungary with Cannon and all the Train of Artillery Which when the Malecontents perceived and consider'd their ill Fortune and Successes having in every place been worsted in all the Fights and Reencounters against the Emperor's Forces and that the Grand Vizier had forbidden Apafi Prince of Transilvania and all the Pashas of Hungary to yield Assistance or Protection to them They began then to think they had taken false Courses against their Sovereign Prince and resolved for the future to submit with blind obedience to the Commands and Decrees of the Emperor The Hungarians repent but too late serving themselves only of Prayers and Petitions to obtain his Pardon and a remission of his Rigours and Oppressions But it was now too late for his Imperial Majesty being highly provok'd by their frequent Rebellions was so far from granting their Requests That besides their usual Taxes and Impositions he laid a farther charge on them of maintaining an Army of 30.000 Men which were quarter'd in their Cities and Towns and upon their Lands and Estates of Inheritance With these Successes and the Destruction and Death of the Chief Leaders of the Malecontented Party Hungary was consider'd by the Imperialists as a Conquered Kingdom and therefore to be subjected unto such Laws as the Emperor should please to impose upon them The Emperor alters the Government of Hungary The great Office and Dignity of Palatine who was always a Person of the noblest Descent and highest Degree was by the ancient Privileges of that Kingdom elected at a Diet consisting of the several Orders of the Nation But now the Emperor assumed this Power unto himself pretending that the same was forfeited to him by the Revolt of the People and so in the lieu of Palatine he thought fit to Govern by such a Person as he himself should chuse and impose without the Concurrence of the States by the Name and Title of Vice King And in lieu and by way of resemblance of a Diet he erected a Sovereign Chamber or Council consisting of a President Chanceller and two Secretaries one a German and the other a Hungarian with about six or seven Councellors or so many as his Imperial Majesty should think fit to add to whom the Administration of all the Affairs of that Kingdom was committed The Person destinated and appointed for this considerable charge was John Gasper Ampringhen Prince of the Empire and Grand Master of the Teutonick Order which was an Office so considerable that the late Arch-Duke Leopold Uncle to the present Emperor did not disdain to own this Prince being an Hungarian by Birth and qualified with many Vertues and having perform'd many brave Actions and Atchievements was esteemed worthy of this August honour His zeal for Religion and advancement of the Christian Cause was well known to all the World The character of the Grand Master of the Teutonick Order having in the year 1664 brought two Regiments one of Horse and the other of Foot to the Imperial Army commanded by the Cavaliers of his own Order and maintained at his own expence during all the time that that War lasted After which and that the Turks renew'd their War again in Candia he sent a considerable body of Foot Commanded by several Cavaliers of his own Order into the Service of the Venetian Republick and afterwards went himself in Chief to Command them within the besieged City where he perform'd such noble Actions of Chivalry as obtain'd the acknowledgement of the Senate and procured likewise a Brief from the Pope with such obliging Expressions as denoted the singular esteem he had of his Person and Merits In fine such were the deserts and qualifications of this Grand Master that the Emperor remain'd entirely satisfied with his Abilities as being agreeable and every ways suiting with this Honourable Promotion to which being called he appeared at Vienna attended with a great and an expensive Equipage and with many Knights of his own Order ANNO 1673. This new Vice-King having taken his Instructions and Leave from the Emperor departed from Vienna and made his Entry into Cassovia on the 22d day of March with Acclamations and universal Contentment of the People Great was the expectation which the World conceived of the wisdom and good conduct of this new Vice-King as the only person who was able to appease the
Demonstrations of his Resolution to maintain the War and that his former proposals and steps towards Peace were all false and feigned with design to Amuse the Minds of the Emperor and the Diet. The Turks had not as yet declar'd a War for their Forces and Troops from the remote parts of Asia were not in a readiness nor on their March till which time the Emperor was to be amused with Treaties and the appearance of that great Body of Turks near Belgrade was with pretension only to restore Tekeli to the Possession of his Lands Houses and Estate of which he had been unjustly deprived by the Emperor and his Favourites The Emperor finding it now absolutely necessary to conclude an Accommodation with the Malecontents amongst whom new difficulties daily arose returned in Person from Newstadt to the Diet at Oedemburg where the Malecontents thought it reasonable that the Tribute which they had engaged to pay unto the Turks should be charged and levied on the Estates of those who had been the causes of the Troubles and Confusions in that Kingdom This motion had so little ground and was so unlikely to succeed that it put all things backwards and induced the Emperor to limit the Session of the Diet to the 16th of August hoping within that time to agree on all Points with such who continued constant in their Loyalty and Allegiance to him and for particular Aggrievances they were to be composed by a Select Committee appointed for that purpose But all this while most of the Protestants refused to come to the Diet by reason that the Points about Religion were post-poned by the endeavours of the Archbishop of Strigonium which they in the first place and before all other Matters desir'd to have decided This Point being laid aside the Diet fell to debate on the Proposition sent by Tekeli relating to a Tribute demanded by the Turks and as an expedient and by way of Equivalent for that it was proposed to resign into the Hands of the Turks three Counties viz. Kalo Zatmar and Liptpow to which the Turks seemed with some reason to claim a Title in regard that no longer than since the year 1660 they had been disjoyn'd from the Principality of Transilvania But an end was soon put to this Controversie for both the Hungarians themselves were unwilling to have a Peace purchased from the Turk at the price of their Country by dismembring three Counties from that Kingdom at the mentioning only of which the People were so enraged that fearing lest the Emperor should privately conclude some Article with the Turk in reference thereunto they would not be satisfied until he had permitted them to joyn one of their Confidents with Caprara the Emperor 's Resident at Constantinople who might be privy to all the Treaties and Negotiations with the Turk nor would the Turks accept thereof in satisfaction for renewing the Truce but raised new and greater Demands as they found the Emperor inclinable to yield and condescend The Turks raise their Demands For now the Grand Vizier required to have Leopolstadt demolish'd on pretence that it had been Built and Fortified contrary to the Articles of the late Treaty And declar'd likewise the Grand Seignior's resolution to give aid and assistance to the Malecontents until such time as he had put them into a capacity of paying the Annual Tribute for which they were engaged New difficulties were every day started at the Diet so that the Emperor was desirous to dissolve it so soon as was possible but yet he thought not fit to do it abruptly or to break it up in discontent but that something might be done in matters of Religion The Emperor Grants several matters on which the Protestants most insisted In order unto which it was agreed to grant them a hundred Churches with Money to build others in places most convenient That all Cities and Towns should enjoy a free exercise of their Religion And that all Hungarian Soldiers in the Frontier Garrisons should do the like That all Churches which since the year 1670 had been in the Possession of either Party should so remain That Lutherans and Calvinists might build Churches in any Town or City where they were wanting and Lords and Gentlemen might build Chappels or Oratories in any of their Houses or Castles That in case any Points of Difference should arise relating to Religion or the Matters preceeding they were not to be decided by the Sword but by the Sentence of the King of Hungary And that all People of what Perswasion soever might live amicably no Person was to Revile the other on account of his or their Religion or to utter injurious or unhansome Terms thereof These particulars with some additional Regulations being at last agreed in the Diet and sign'd by the Emperor The next great work was in what manner the Malecontents might be restor'd to their Estates and to their Goods which had been confiscated And how the German Troops Aggrievances considered and stranger Soldiers might with safety and ease be removed out of their Garrisons and all parts of Hungary which next to the business of Religion was the greatest concernment of the Diet. The next Aggrievance was the Chamber of the Kingdom which Office contrary to the will and approbation of the Deputies of the States was executed by the Bishop of Newstadt whom they consider'd as the Chief Author and Fomenter of all the Troubles of that Kingdom But herein the Emperor was not willing as yet to gratify the Diet. Nor could the Deputies agree amongst themselves of the manner how to make those things practicable which they in the most erarnest manner desir'd And such were the Divisions amongst them that what the Seculars agreed upon in the Morning was disturbed and undone by the Clergy in the Afternoon which the Emperor well considering and how Men of such different interests perplex all Councils was pleased to dismiss the Archbishop of Strigonium and the Bishop of Newstadt as also the Count Capliers a great stickler for the Rights of the Church from their attendance on the Diet so that the Imperial Commissioners were reduced to three Persons namely the Prince of Swartzemburg the Count of Nostiz and Oker the Chancellour And farther The Emperor satisfies the Malecontents to satisfy the Malecontents in their pretensions the Bishop of Newstadt was put by his Office of Vice-President of the Chamber of Hungary and the same was conferr'd on Count Erdedi a Person much more acceptable to the People This gracious Clemency and Compliance of the Emperor was so satisfactory to the Protestants that they wholly submitted that point about the confiscated Goods to the favour and benign inclinations of his Imperial Majesty who not to abuse that confidence which his Subjects reposed in him did freely and of his own accord give order that the Goods and Estates of the Counts Serini Nadasti and Frangipani with those of several other Lords that had been confiscated for High Treason
and every where in the Kingdom not excepting the free Cities Towns and Villages which make the fourth State since they are expresly comprehended in the aforesaid Article made before the Coronation in the Year 1608. II. A free Return in the Kingdom and a free exercise of Religion is granted also to all the Ministers and School-masters that are either Banish'd or Kept out of their Employments by reason of certain Deeds of Reversion the same Deeds being hereby made void and of no effect From thence it follows evidently that the Ministers and Schoolmasters are to be restor'd from their Exile to their respective Professions and may live freely in any City Town or Village of the Kingdom performing the Duties of their Religion and Profession and that no more Deeds of Reversion can be requir'd from them since such Deeds are condemned in the Article III. And no Hungarian Subject shall be disturbed any way hereafter in the free Exercise of his Religion These words no Hungarian Subject exclude undoubtedly any Exception the meaning plainly is that no Ecclesiastical or Civil Person no Nobleman no Citizen nor Peasant ought to be disturbed in the free exercise of Religion and no Body will deny but that an exercise of Religion can in no sense be term'd free unless there be Ministers that officiate in it IV. None of the Helvetian Confession and of that of Ausburg shall be compelled to any ceremony contrary to his Religion The generality of these words confirms the foregoing i. e. that no Nobleman nor Gentleman no Citizen nor Peasant ought to be compelled Proceedings of the King's Commissioners contrary in every particular to the Articles of Sopron AGainst the opposite first Article The King 's high Commissioners or other private Persons employ'd by them have forbidden such a free exercise of Religion as could consist in the Service of God through Preaching Singing Praying Administring the Sacraments blessing Marriages making Burials and using other wonted Ceremonies which were perform'd by Ecclesiastical Ministers in many free Royal Cities and Mountain Towns namely in St. George Bazinium Tyrnaw Zakoliza Schemnizium Veterozolium Carpen Libeten Breznow Bakaw Bela Vibania Kusseghin and Rust whereby it appears That in those places the said Commissioners have supprest the whole exercise of Religion against the opposite Article for where there is no Liberty for the above mention'd Acts of Religion there can be no exercise of Religion at all They have likewise depriv'd the Inhabitants of all the Towns and Villages in the Counties of the free exercise of their Religion by Virtue of that Clause inserted for the destroying of our Religion and of the Gospel too provided that the Privileges of the Lords of Manors be not hereby prejudiced against the Confirmation of the Article made in the Year 1608. Against the II. The said Commissioners have Licensed but two Ministers in each County and but one or two in some Free Cities all over the Kingdom Banishing all the rest out of the Counties some within a Fortnight and others within Three days as in the Counties of Lypeze of Orowa of Owar of Sachsag of Zolnock and in others or requiring strict Deeds of Reversion from the same if they would continue in the said Counties They have also appointed that there should be no petty Schools but such where Children could learn only to Read and to Write But what kind of Liberty it is that hath been granted to our Ministers to profess their Religion appears 1st By the Recorded Banishment of a great many of them out of the Counties 2ly By the Case of the Ministers in Eperies that have been turn'd out by a Roman Catholick Magistrate under pretence that it was Your Majesty's Pleasure and Command altho' that Town be particularly named in the Articles 3ly By the violence that the Official has done to the Ministers and School-masters that liv'd but miserably in the Dominion of Tokai in Upper Hungary intimating to them under pain of Death and the Forfeiture of all their Goods to go out of the said County or by most strict Deeds of Reversion to renounce for ever under the same penalty to perform any Ecclesiastical Duty in the said County 4ly By the Confinement of several Ministers who are kept Prisoners in the Fort of Ledniche by Order of his Eminence the Cardinal of Kolocza and can obtain their Liberty on no other Condition but that of subscribing pernicious Deeds of Reversion Against the III. Here our Sighs interrupt our Complaints nor can we find words to express how variously and miserably our Ministers and we have been and are still disturbed every where either by the said Commissioners or by other private Persons As for instance in short not to repeat the abovemention'd Counties and many Towns of the County of Semlyn in the aforesaid Dominion of Tokai and their Ministers the above-mention'd City of Epperies in Upper Hungary and in the Lower all the Cities besides Presburg Sopron Modra Cremnicz and Neozolium with their Evangelical Ministers As also the Minister of Hodossia in the Isle of Shut who had all the means of Life Clothes Books and Furniture taken from him by the Secretary of the Archbishop of Gran and by the Soldiers which he brought along with him which is the Fate of a great many others that lead a most miserable Life in perpetual Changes owing their Liberty to a Special Providence of God or having obtain'd it after they had paid great Fines or made pernicious Deeds of Reversion Against the IV. The said Commissioners have Order'd that the Evangelicks should be made to bring their Processional Trophies and to Walk in Processions that the Evangelick Peasant should every where be forc'd to frequent Catholick Churches and that in all the Free Cities where there is no publick exercise of our Religion the Evangelick should be obliged to Ministerial Offices contrary to their way Against the V. The said Commissioners having no regard to the Assignation appointed in the opposite Article have seiz'd upon all the Churches and Chappels in the Counties of Lypcze of Arva of Turocz of Zolnock and of Sachsag although the Churches of Pribocz Bella and Zathuriza in the County of Turocz have been Built by the Evangelick who were never reconciled to the Catholick Church there are likewise Chappels in Kiratilehota Potornia Vicbicz c. in the County of Lypcze that were Built by the Evangelicks and the Lords of those Manors nevertheless they are severely forbidden to make any use of them either Ecclesiastical or Civil being sent to two very remote inconvenient and dangerous places where they have only liberty to Build such Churches as cannot contain the Congregation by several Thousands The XXVI ARTICLE V. MOreover the Churches that have been Built by those of the Helvetian Confession and of that of Ausbourg and whose Members are not yet reconciled to the Catholick Church shall be assign'd to them by certain Commissioners Hereupon we require that those Chappels and Churches be deliver'd and
assign'd to us whose Members are not yet reconciled to the Catholick Church of which sort many would be found in the Counties of Lypcze of Owar c. VI. It is order'd also according to his Majesty's Gracious Resolution that in other places the same Commissioners assign places to build Churches and Schools and erect Parishes for the conveniency of those of the Helvetian Confession and of that of Ausbourg Hereupon we require that instead of the inconvenient and undecâ—nt places which are assigned out of Cassovia and Esperies in Upper Hungary others be appointed within the Walls as also in all the Free and Royal Cities where there is convenient and large espaces since thus much is signifi'd by the words which will be set down lower Fig. 9. VII But in other Counties as in those of Salawar of Vesprim of Saraz of Moramoruss of Abavivar of Sellia of Semlyn of Ugoza of Bodrogh of Tornaw of Komorra of Barzod of Sachsag of Novigrad of Zolnock of Hewecz of Pesth Pelicz and Soldth united of Unghwar of Chege and of Zatmar since the Evangelicks are actually in possession of almost all the Churches there the same Churches are left for the use of the actual possessors of them Hereupon we require that the Evangelicks may recover and undisturbedly possess all the Churches which were possessed by them in the aforesaid Counties when the Article was made and which for the most part are now taken from them against the said Article VIII The same is granted in the Frontier Towns of the Kingdom viz. to those of Zentgrod in the division near Canisa of Tyhany Vasony Papa Vesprim Raab and Comorra in the division of Raab of Leva Carpen and Tuletin in the division before the Mountains and of Putnock Onod Zendro Tokai Calo and Zatmar in the division of Upper Hungary By vertue of this Grant the Evangelicks that live in Maromaruss Carpen Tokai and in any other abovemention'd Frontier Town ought to enjoy the same free exercise of Religion and use the same Churches as they did in those Towns when the Article was made IX Furthermore in all the free and Mountain Towns as in Trenschinmodra Cremnicz Novizolium and in all the Cities of Upper Hungary places shall be assign'd likewise for Churches Schools and Parishes What more direct and clear can be concluded from these words but that in the free Cities such as are Cassovia Epperies Leuschovia Bartpha Cibinium Kesmurkim Nagybania Presburg Tyrnaw Zakoliza Bazinium Modra St. George Kussegh Rust and in the Mountain Towns such as are Novizolium Veterozolium Carpen Schemninizium Cremniczium Libeten Breznow Baka Bela Vibania c. for the modifying of which two of each sort viz. of the free Cities and of the Mountain Towns are brought as instances with a certain distinction or specification used before convenient places for Churches Parishes and Schools must be assigned not out of the Walls which were to restrain the Article but in the very middle of the Cities and Towns according to the genuine and literal meaning of the words of the aforesaid Article X. Finally the Churches which are actually possessed by those of the Helvetian Confession and of that of Ausburg shall be still for their use as before together with the Parishes and Schools and their Revenues that they may live in peace and quiet but the same free use of Bells and Burials is left to the Catholicks in those parts as to them This confirms evidently the above written seventh Point and signifieth that the Churches which the Evangelicks were actually possessed of should remain for their use together with the Revenues Parishes and Schools the Bells and Burials remaining common for the use of both Parties XI Nevertheless the Catholicks shall not be obliged to pay any thing to the Ministers of the Evangelicks nor the Evangelicks to the Curates of the Catholicks according to the meaning of the 11th Article Ann. 1647. This cannot be clearer nor better Commented upon than by the confirmed 11th Article which runs thus The Evangelicks shall not be obliged to pay any thing to the Catholick Curates nor the Catholicks to the Evangelick Ministers And by the following 12th Article yet more plainly in these words But where the Evangelicks have no Parishes let them pay the Ministers that they employ as the Catholicks are to pay their Catholick Curates and where hitherto the Evangelicks did pay nothing to the Catholick Curates they shall not be obliged hereafter to pay under any pretence whatsoever Nor the Catholicks to the Evangelick Ministers Add to this the words of the aforesaid 12th Article in the year 1647 concerning the Revenues and Pensions of the Schools But in any place whatsoever the Catholick Curates and the Evangelick Ministers shall receive the Revenues of Schools and Pensions from their respective followers by which most evident constitution of the Articles the Evangelicks are freed and discharged from paying any thing to the Catholick Curates and to this positive Law we desire to adhere XII All the Peers and Noblemen that live in the Kingdom have Liberty to Build and Endow Oratories and Chappels according to their respective profession of Religion in their usual places of Residence Hereupon we require that Noblemen may have Oratories and Chappels according to their respective professions of Religion in their usual dwelling places as the same was practised in many Counties after the taking of our Churches XIII Hereafter no Churches Schools and Parishes shall be seized nor Exercise hinder'd on either side under the pain expressed in the 8th Article of the 6th Decree of Uladislaus Against the VI. No Convenient places for Churches Parishes and Chappels have been assign'd in any free Royal Town of Upper Hungary but here the Commissioners there the Officials of the Chamber and elsewhere private Persons as in Cassovia and Epperies have appointed places for Churches Parishes and Schools which are at a great distance in the Fields out of Desert and Desolate Suburbs and which are for any Common use of the Three Nations which rendreth them so inconvenient and nasty that to dedicate Churches to the most Holy God in such places were a most detestable Crime for any sort of Christians Against the VII In many Counties as also in that of Sachsag which is one of the aforenam'd the Kings Commissioners have caused all the Churches to be taken from the Evangelicks and their Ministers to be turn'd out by the Vicount of that County the Officials have done the like in the Counties of Abavivivar of Semlyn of Ugoza and in all the Towns of the Dominion of Tokai as we have already mention'd and some private Persons have presum'd to seize upon the Church belonging to those of the Helvetian Confession and of that of Ausbourg in the Town of Gyongyos which Gyongyos maketh the most considerable part of the County of Hewecz to put out their Ministers and even forbid the Evangelicks to exercise any way their Religion in that place The like has been done in the Town
of Jaszbreny and the Frontiers of Legrad although the abovemention'd Counties be named in the Article whereby the Evangelicks are left in the Possession of all those Churches which they had in the said Counties when the Article was made Against the VIII In the Town of Maromaruss and in the places round about it private Men have forbidden the whole exercise of Religion charging with Beat of Drums all the Evangelicks to go and exercise their Religion out of that Frontier under pain of Imprisonment and other severe Punishments After the same manner the King's Commissioners in Carpen and the Deputies in Tokai have forbidden the exercise of Religion and seiz'd upon the Churches although both these places be particularly named in the Articles Against the IX The said Commissioners or their Deputies have appointed places for Churches Schools and Parishes out of Trenschin Modra Cremnicz and Novizolium and none at all in the rest of the Towns of Lower Hungary now why should the Case of some be worse than that of others since all have the same Priviledge of Liberty in Upper Hungary They have likewise appointed some places for Churches Schools and Parishes not in but out of the Cities against the true meaning of the opposite part of the Article which most evidently declareth that those places must be appointed within and not without the Walls of the Cities or else they could not be such as are appointed Fig. 6. i. e. convenient and fit to be consecrated for the publiek service of God Against the X. In many Counties and particularly in that of Sachsag and the Town of Gyongyos the King's Commissioners have taken such Churches together with their Appendages as were possessed by the Evangelicks when the Article was made which we have hinted in the foregoing fifth Grievance Moreover in the aforesaid Town of Gyongyos mny private Persons have taken all the Ecclesiastical Revenues and Pious Legacies from the Evangelicks forbidding them withal to Bury their Dead in the usual places which has made many keep Corps in Cellars a long time rather than Bury them in Carfax and Cross-ways as they were appointed The Commissioners have also deprived the Evangelicks of the use of the Bells almost every where the Officials have done the like in the County of Semlin and particularly in these Towns of the aforesaid Dominion of Tokai Thalia Mod Zantho Kerethur Tarezal Liszka Benny Tolezva Patak Veyelly Borzi and Tokai seizing upon all the Churches Schools and Parishes which at the time of and after the Treaty were possessed by the Evangelicks and left to the same by the said Article together with the Revenues that have been given to them by the Evangelicks forbidding with most severe threatnings the free exercise of our Religion even in private Houses and hindering the Evangelicks from the common use of Burials and Bells though made at their own care and charge Likewise the Magistrates and Clergy Men of the Town of Cassovia and Epperies have taken by force all the pious Legacies left to our Churches and forbidden absolutely the common use of Bells and Burials Threatning with the most severe Punishments those that would make publick Burials within the Walls with the usual Singing and decent Ceremonies Against the XI Every where in the Counties the Commissioners have adjudged all the Payments to the Catholick Curates and Ordered in the Cities that they should be paid out of the common Purse wherein the Chatholicks could contribute but little they being but few in number in comparison of the Evangelicks thus they have forced us maugre our selves to be at extraordinary Charges out of our own States for the maintaining of our Ministers and School-masters not only against the right intention of the aforesaid Articles but also against the plain Sense of the Holy Scripture which allows a Salary for such as Labour and even nothing to Eat for such as Labour not After the like manner the Official of the abovementioned Dominion of Tokai in Upper Hungary do all their endeavours to make both Noble and Ignoble Evangelicks pay without distinction the Chatholick Curates Against the XII In many Counties viz. in that of Lypcz of Turocz of Zolnock of Arva c. the said Commissioners have suppressed and forbidden under pain of Military Execution the exercise of Religion which is granted to Noblemen in their places of Residence and which they had enjoy'd long since the Churches were seized accordingly in the County of Lypcze the Clergy Men have caused some such Noblemen's Houses to be assaulted and plunder'd by the Garrison of Likavia and in the County of Trenschin the Noble Family of Nosdrovisky which did keep a Minister for the Exercise of Religion in its place of Residence has been much damnified also by the Soldiers of Mersia's Regiment and the Ministers put into the Prison of the Fort of Ledniche where he is kept to this day likewise the Noblemen of Hodossia of the places round about in the Isle of Shut have been deprived of the free exercise of Religion in their places of Residence and the Ministers that lived there then have been Plunder'd of all their Goods which Injustice the Evangelick Noblemen of Lower Hungary do also complain of Would to God that this Conclusion were observed and the Punishment hinted in the Article inflicted upon the Opposers thereof then we might promise our selves to enjoy quietly and undisturbedly the free exercise of our Religion and then the fewel of Divisions would be extinguished and taken away for fear of being Punish'd which that it may be done is our Hearty Prayer and Desire Now having lay'd before Your Sacred Majesty the Articles of Sopron and the Abuses committed in the executing of them it is as clear as the Sun that we require nothing but what is granted in them We humbly beseech Your most Sacr'd Majesty through Christ's Precious Death and Glorious Resurrection that having known and laid up in Your Royal Heart our lawful Requests Your Sacred Majesty suffer no longer the same to be hinder'd by any Person whatsoever but rather since after so long time they have been Reported before Your most Sacred Majesty and before Your Privy Council together with some Treatises of the appointed Commission Nay being inform'd that a certain Point of the said Treatises that doth not concern us has been examin'd by the Lords of the Privy Council it makes us fear lest something else be taken into consideration whereby an Answer to our Requests may be occasion'd and we yet longer detain'd here under the inconveniency of Doubt of Delay and of continuance of the vast Charges we have already been at according to Your most Sacred Majesty's Gracious Consent given to the most High Prince President of the Court and intimated to us by his Highness to dispatch first the Business of Religion that Your Sacred Majesty be graciously pleased to appoint and commit our Requests which so narrowly concern the Salvation of our Souls to be consider'd again and determin'd by
of Arms was agreed with Tekeli for six Moths And to make appear how propitious this day of Coronation was like to be Count Caprara fell on the Rear of Apafi's Forces as they were retiring into their own Country took all their Baggage and entring into Transilvania burn'd five Castles and divers Villages and thus ended the Campagne of this year ANNO 1682. WIth this year the Scene of War began to open and the Turks to declare their Resolutions bent all their Forces against Hungary Nor would the Malecontents maintain the Truce made by Tekeli or be restrain'd from committing many Acts of Hostility For thô the Cessation of Arms was again confirm'd and renewed yet in despight of this Treaty and contrary to the Faith given The Malecontents and Turks intercept the Corn and Soldiers Cloths belonging to the Emperor's Army the Malecontents seiz'd on all the Grane which the Emperor had bought on the Frontiers of Poland as it was carrying to the several Stores and Granaries where it was to be lodged And about the same time the Turks took many Carts laden with Soldiers Coats as they were carrying to the Imperial Army Howsoever Tekeli pretended to keep and conserve the Faith and Promises which he had given and during that Vacation made a Journey to Buda with a Guard of 3000 Men where he was received by the Pasha of that Place Tekeli received at Buda at the Head of his Janisaries and conducted with great Magnificence and State to the Palace where the Pasha took off Tekeli's Cap and placed on his Head another after the Turkish fashion richly Embroider'd and beset with Precious Stones and Herons Feathers which some call a Diadem and say that with that Ceremony he was by the Turks created King of Hungary Howsoever it was so carried that the Emperor understood it not in that manner or at least would not so interpret it for at the same time he received a Messenger from Tekeli who came to desire his Majesty's consent that he might take the Widow of Prince Ragotski to Wife The Emperor assents to the Marriage of Tekeli with the Princess Ragotski to which the Emperor readily assented knowing that the Marriage would succeed in case he refused and so making a Virtue of necessity he hoped by such a Gracious condescention to regain the Heart of Tekeli unless it were become obdurate beyond all possibility of being won either by Generosity or Compulsion Having thus gain'd the Emperor's Assent he speedily made a Journey to Mongatz where he consummated the Marriage with the Princess with great Joy and Solemnity and took Possession of all the Towns and Castles belonging to that Lady Their Marriage She was bred up by her Mother in the Roman Catholick Religion but her Husband converted her and made her a Protestant During the Life of her Mother she was restrain'd from this Marriage but after her Death she became an admirer of Tekeli's Bravery and yielded to the Ambition and Flatteries of being a Queen which was whisper'd to her by her Husband who told her that the Cap which the Pasha of Buda had put upon his Head was no other than a Diadem after the Custom and Fashion of the Turks The Emperor who was a Stranger to these Matters believing that some use might be made of this Alliance whereby to gain the Mind of Tekeli employ'd Count Serini to his Sister the Princess to compass this Design but so far was Serini from answering the expectations of his Imperial Majesty that he enter'd into the Combination and Conspiracy with Tekeli himself About the beginning of the Month of July Count Albert Caprara Brother of General Caprara who resided for the Emperor at Constantinople The Turks offer Conditions shameful for the Emperor advised That at length he had been admitted unto Audience with the Grand Vizier who declar'd That he would neither continue the Truce longer nor yet renew it but on these following Conditions That Hungary should be restor'd unto the Condition in which it was in the year 1655. That the Kingdom should pay the Annual Tribute of Fifty thousand Florins every Year unto the Grand Seignior That the Fortifications of Leopolstadt and Gratz should be demolished That Neutra Schultz and Eckof with the Island of Schultz neer Presburg and the Fortress of Muran be deliver'd and surrendred up into the Hands of Count Tekeli That a General Pardon be given to the Malecontents and that they be restor'd to their Goods and Estates and to all their Privileges and Immunities in such manner as if none of these Wars or Disturbances had happen'd But these Conditions were so hard and shameful to be imposed on any but a conquer'd People that it was adjudged by the Emperor's Council that an honourable War was much rather to be preferr'd before such an Ignominious and Scandalous Peace The time for the Cessation of Arms being expir'd to which the Malecontents had yielded only to gain time whilest the Turks were preparing their formidable Army Successes of Tekeli at Zatmar Tekeli surpriz'd the Castle of Zatmar and put all the Garrison consisting of Eighty Men to the Sword and turning afterwards his Cannon on the City it was Surrender'd to him at Discretion Thence he Marched to Cassovia and laid Siege to it Cassovia and Filek besieged and taken and at the same time the Transilvanians and Moldavians joyning with the Pasha of Buda laid Siege to Filek Whilest Tekeli lay before Cassovia he received a Recruit of Fourteen thousand Men which were supply'd to him by his Wife the Princess out of those Troops which were levied in her own Country and the Pasha of Agria came with Four thousand Horse more to his assistance The Town was notwithstanding bravely defended for several days by Lieutenant Colonel Lamb but being out of hopes of all Succours it Surrender'd at Discretion Many of the Garrison revolted to the Malecontents but Four hundred of them endeavouring to Retire and having given no intimation of a Mine which afterwards was Sprang with great loss and hurt of the Besiegers they were all put to the Sword The Governour was made a Prisoner of War and the Inhabitants to save themselves from Pillage and Plunder paid the Sum of 50.000 Crowns The Inhabitants of Esperies being affrighted at the misfortune of Cassovia Esperies yields Surrender'd it self on Conditions without striking one Stroak the German Garrison being Two hundred in all were permitted to March out with their Baggage and had a safe Conduct as far as to the Frontiers of Poland and from thence License to March into Silesia nor were the Priests and Roman Catholicks permitted to remain in the City After which Tekeli by advice of the Pasha of Buda demolished the whole Town And is demolished not being obliged to maintain a Garrison for it's defence In the mean time the Pasha of Waradin laid Siege to Filek and took it in despight of Strazoldo who left the Villages of the
Christendom that necessary and happy Alliance was concluded The Grand Vizier as we have said being arrived at Belgrade where he attended the Asiatick Troops and with him Count Albert Caprara the Emperor 's Resident whom he reserved according to antient Custom in the Camp Count Capara licensed to return to Vienna for an instrument to move and forward Treaties in case any sinister success should befal the Ottoman Forces But this Vizier fearing nothing less than ill fortune and reposing a confidence in his Arm of Flesh which he thought impossible to be subdued did easily and with some scorn comply with the instance which Count Albert Caprara made to him for Licence to return to his Master at Vienna And in order thereunto he was committed to the care and conduct of the Bei of Alba Regalis who was then Marching with his Men towards those parts Howsoever a stop was put to his departure for some few days to the end that he might be Spectator of the magnificent reception of Count Tekeli by the Vizier which when he understood he pressed his departure with more earnestness that his Eyes might not be offended with the scandalous sight of a Rebel promoted to Honour and Grandure for Treason and Perfidiousness to his Sovereign He refuses to behold the Reception of Tekeli and others And when he heard that he came accompanied with many of the Hungarian Nobility who were Roman Catholicks and particularly with the Count of Homonai to the great scandal of the Gospel and the Christian Profession he was so transported with Disdain and Indignation that he openly declared in case the Vizier delayed to grant him License to depart only because he would give him the Mortification to behold an Object so ungrateful to his Eyes that he would close them rather or shut himself up in some Retirement where he might neither see or hear any of these Matters Of which the Vizier having notice he gave him free liberty to depart and accordingly he set forward on his Journey on the 12 2 of June in company with the Bei of Alba Regalis who having attended Caprara as far at Moatz he was thence recalled by the Vizier and the Bei of Albania appointed in his place with a Guard of about a Hundred Men who continuing their Journeys from day to day happily arrived at Buda on the 20th of June not without great danger of falling into the hands of Tartars who not considering the Persons or Offices of Ambassadours nor yet the Subjects of the Grand Seignior whether Christians or Turks put all to Fire and Sword which they could not carry with them not regarding either Age or Sex but miserably destroyed all wheresoever they could become Masters Tho' C. Albert Caprara was well treated at Buda as to his own Person yet he was uneasie and impatient of his stay in that City fearing lest the Barbarity of the Turks upon any ill Success should vent their Rage and Revenge upon him and his Attendants but more sensibly was he affected with the daily sight of poor Christians enslaved and led before him in Chains and with the news of the Surrender of diverse Cities and Towns by Tekeli into the Possession of the Turks according to the Articles made between him and the Grand Seignior and which were so to remain until a total Conquest was made of all Hungary and were afterwards to be restored again to Tekeli with the absolute Sovereignty and Dominion of that Kingdom But how uneasie soever C. Caprara was in his aboad at Buda he was constrained to continue there in regard to his own Safety all the Ways and Passages being obstructed by Tartars and Free-booters who had no respect to any thing but themselves and their own Prey and Benefit so he remain'd there until the coming of the Vizier and with him followed the Camp to the Siege of Vienna from whence he was permitted to depart and attend his Imperial Majesty then at Lintz as we shall declare hereafter But before we proceed farther let us look back to the Preparations and Fore-runners made in the Winter to the bloudy War which was shortly to ensue Preparations for War The Turks in the Month of February entred into the Isle of Serino in Croatia and committed great Disorders in Buda vast stores were making of all sorts of Ammunition and Provisions for War with such Timber and Materials as were fit and proper for making Bridges And in the mean time Tekeli's Forces besieged or blocked up all the Emperor's Towns in the Upper Hungary And yet for all this Tekeli sent to acquaint the Deputies of those Counties which remained firm and loyal to the Emperor with the earnest Passion he conceived to conserve the Peace of his Country which he should certainly have done Tekeli's Protestations had his Imperial Majesty granted him any tollerable Conditions and should have given undoubted Testimonies to the World of his Loyalty and Obedience to his Sovereign against whom he took not up Arms out of any Animosity but only to free his Country from Tyranny and Oppression and in this good Humour he gave liberty unto 200 German Prisoners and to Count Herberstein upon his Parole and protested unto the Emperor that he had dispatched two of his principal Ministers namely Fagon and Sirmai unto the Grand Seignior to continue and prolong the Truce and gave the same Assurances to the Diet which he had convened at Cossovia In the mean time the Imperial Troops being ill paid daily deserted the Service and revolted to the Malecontents with whom they hoped to improve and better their Condition Toward the end of this Month the Turks by a Detachment out of the Garrison of Newhausel made an attempt to pass over the Ice to the Isle of Schults under command of an Hungarian Renegade but the Ice breaking many of them were drowned In the Month of March the Turks placed a Guard of 15000 Men to defend the Bridge of Esseck The Emperor's Camp from being burnt by the Christians And the Emperor on his side caused his Troops which were quartered near the Rhine to march towards Hungary as also the Regiment of Count Taaf then in Bohemia and all the other Troops were ordered to draw towards Presburg and were near thereunto encamped in the Plain of Kitzee by Count Rabata that the Emperor might there make a Review of all his Forces designed that Year against the Turk On the 7th of May the Emperor entered into the Field attended on the Right-hand by the Duke of Bavaria He takes a review of all his Army and on the Left by P. Charles of Loraine and followed by a numerous train of Nobles and principal Ministers The Army was all ranged in Batalia at the front of which was Count Staremberg General of the Artillery with 72 great Pieces of Canon and 15 Mortar pieces for throwing Bombs all guarded by the Gunners and Attendants on the Train of Artillery The main Body of
The remaining Asiatick Troops were from Georgia and the conquered Countries thereabouts all which were the Forces out of Asia and Horse 28000 After these marched the Janisaries of Europe 12000 Next followed the Tartars ill Armed and worse Clothed 14000 Last of all marched the most flourishing part of the Turkish Army consisting of the Sons and Servants of Pashas also of the richest Spahees and other young Men all richly cloathed and armed 35000 Pioniers and others with Shovels Spades c. 12000 Gunners and other Attendants on the Train of Artillery 13000 Attendants on the Waggons of Ammunition and Provision 14000 Other Attendants on the Tents and Baggage 13000 All which formidable Forces amounted unto 264000 According to a Calculation made by several Italian Writers but as to my own Opinion I cannot believe that Asia could furnish half those numbers and therefore do rather follow the Computation of the Asiaticks according to this Account Mustapha Pasha Grand Vizier 15000 Emir Pasha of Adana 500 Husaein Basha of Bolu 330 Kara Mahomet Pasha of Diarbeker 1500 Mustapha Pasha of Silistria 1080 Halil Pasha of Sivas 530 Ahmet Pasha of Maras 710 Husaein Pasha of Aleppo 950 Osman Pasha a Sangiac under him 510 Husaein Pasha of Damascus 2300 Hassan Pasha of Armit 500 Bei of Gran Cairo 3000 Basha of Tokai on the Borders of Persia 340 Bekir Pasha 500 Â 27750 This Computation may very well agree with the Forces of the first Year's Expedition out of Asia to which being adjoyned the several Chambers of Janisaries with all the European Forces both Horse and Foot as also the Tartars Transilvanians Moldavians and Valachians with the Hungarian Rebels we may without Romance account the Ottoman Force to consist of a Hundred eighty Thousand effective fighting Men besides Miners Pioniers Sutlers Gunners Attendants on the Train of Artillery Attendants and Servants belonging to the Tents with a vast number of Rascals and Rabble following the Camp which may very well be Calculated to amount unto at least 40.000 more For the Turks above any Nation in the World have their Camp pestered with the Incumbrances of Baggage so that if we consider this vast number of 220.000 Men it will not seem incredible what we find reported that they spread the Country eight Leagues in length The Report of this formidable and as to human Appearance invincible Army caused the Duke of Loraine to hasten with all speed possible the Fortifications of Raab which he designed to enlarge on some rising Grounds near to the Town and to defend them with the whole Body of the Army or at least by the Infantry which having a Communication with the Garrison might be able to oppose that great force of the Enemy and weary them out by a lingring Siege in a Country which was already become desolate and without Forage for above twenty Miles round But the Duke of Loraine having received Intelligence The Grand Vizier at Alba Regalis that the Grand Vizier on the 1st of July was entred into Alba Regalis and certainly resolved to Besiege Vienna and to stop at no other place on their March thither He then changed his Measures and having reinforced Raab with the three Regiments of Baden Grana and Souches and given the command of the Place to Colonel Wallis and having also reinforced Comorra and other Places with strong Garrisons his whole Field-Army became reduced unto 24.000 Men only And fearing lest with so small a number he should be surrounded by the multitudes of the Enemy he once resolved to encamp himself under the Cannon of Vienna In the mean time Tekeli having made a Visit to the Grand Vizier in his Camp at Alba Regalis perswaded him to publish a Manifest He publishes a Manifest signifying unto the People That the Grand Seignior did take under his Protection all the Hungarians who should joyn themselves to the Male-contented Party and that he would maintain them in their Priviledges Liberties Estates Laws and Religion And that such who refused to accept this gracious Offer were to expect no Quarter but to be punished with Fire and Sword This Manifest being divulged by Tekeli at his return from the Vizier to Cassovia so operated on many of the Hungarians that the Towns of Papa Tot and Vesprin accepted of the same and opened their Gate to Tekeli and his Party And such was the Consternation of all Hungary that many other Counties and Towns declared to the Emperor's Commissioners that they would open their Gates to Tekeli at the first Summons rather than expose themselves to Fire and Sword where was no hopes or expectations of Relief This Declaration of the People giving the Emperor just cause to fear lest Neutra and the Mountain Towns should follow the same Example Orders were given to Count Schultz Governour of Neutra to demolish that Fortress Neutra demolished and bring the gross Cannon with all the Ammunition from thence and the like Command was given to the Officers of the Mountain Towns where the Mines of Silver were it being impossible to relieve them because Tekeli was Master of all the Passes which led thither which Orders were readily obeyed by the Officers Priests and Religious Men who fled to the Camp of General Schultz on the Banks of the River Waagh Where Schultz having joyned with the six Thousand Polish Horse under the Command of Prince Lubomiski he had the fortune to meet a Party of the Malecontents joyned with some Tartars and to give them a total Defeat killing and taking two Thousand of them with several Colours and all their Baggage In the mean time whilest the Duke of Loraine was in this dubious Condition not knowing what course was best to be taken he resolved once to retire under the Cannon of Vienna and there to govern himself according to the Motion of the Enemy but the Turks came on so fast their Van appearing on the Banks of the River Raab followed by the whole Body of their Army Marching in Batalia that there was no time for any thing but a Precipitous Flight nothing was now to be put to a hazard for the least Defeat might cause the absolute loss of Vienna and open the Enemies way into the Hereditary Counties In this exigency all the Foot was Transported over into the Island of Schultz under the Command of the Count de Zely and all the Horse being about Nine thousand five hundred in number Marched away about Midnight and pitched their Camp near to Altembourg The Infantry being in the Isle of Schultz The Christian Infantry in the Isle of Schultz Marched without danger of the Enemy and were in the way either to Communicate with Raab or to give Succour to Vienna according as they saw the Enemy bend their Course for they were in a Condition to move faster than the multitudes and gross Bodies of the Turks In a few Days it appear'd that the Turks aimed at the Capital City of Vienna and to leave all
number of the Forces brought into Vienna we have here set down the particulars of all the Forces therein that those worthy Persons who have so signalized themselves by their Bravery in this Famous Siege may not be forgotten in future Ages Count Staremberg Governour Regiments of Staremberg Commanded by Geo. Maurice of Ketlin 2000 Men. Half of Keiserstin's Regiment under Wolfargschenek 1000 Mansfeld Commanded by C. Alex. Lesly 2000 Souches by Charles Lewis Colonel of Souches Son of the Famous General Radwight 2000 Schaffemberg and Bercks two Regiments 4000 Seven Companies of Newbourg 1200 Half of Heister's Regiment under Baron Heister 1000 The other half of this Regiment was sent to Lintz for Guard of the Emperor's Person Five Companies of Dimik an antient Commander 0600 Dupignis Regiment of Horse 0600 Three Companies of the Garrison belonging to the City 1200 These Regiments when full amounted in all unto 15600 Men but so many of them had been Killed and wasted with Sickness that scarce Ten thousand of them enter'd into Vienna to which being added the Trained-Bands of the City consisting of 2717 the whole Garrison might be well computed with Volontiers and Officers at near 13000 Men. The Chief Officers were Count Staremberg Governor Count Daun Lieutenant Governor Marquis Ferdinand Obizzi Major John Count Serini Assistant to the Count Daun The Counts Souches and Schaffemberg Assistants to the Lieutenant Governour and Major Volontiers were Count Trotmandorf who had been a Colonel many years in Flanders Count Five-Kerk Captain of the Provincial Circle of Austria the Count of Salzbourg who was Colonel of a Regiment of Croats but being come to Vienna to be Cur'd of a Dissentery which he had got in the Army and the Siege happening before his perfect Recovery he offer'd to serve in nature of a Volontier The Baron of Kilmensec Great Forester to the Emperor defended the Court-bastian for three days with eighty of his Foresters who being excellent Marks-Men and used to their Guns which they charged with an exact proportion of Powder and Bullet did great Execution upon the Turks seldom missing their Shot and the Baron himself killed a Turk at 300 paces distant who was afterwards known to have been one of the Turks principal Canoniers The Count Vignacourt a French Gentleman formerly employed by his most Christian Majesty in quality of an Ambassador to Ferdinand the Third Father of the present Emperor and to other Princes of Germany was an other of the Volontiers As were also the Count de St. Micaele a Venetian Ernest Sigismund de Zeternz of an antient Family in Silesia Cornelius Rummingken a Person of Sixty two years of Age and tho' much afflicted with the Gout yet being an experienced Soldier his Councils were more available to the Governour than his Bodily Services And lastly There was Sigismond de Reitoffar a Gentleman of Moravia who had formerly been a Major General who shewed himself at all times daring and active in the Execution of such Orders as he received from Count Staremberg the Governour This was all the Force which was lodged in Vienna to defend it against that Formidable Army then ready to encompass it on all sides But whom God will save are always well protected and then there never want Provisions nor Councils nor Courage in the Soldiery The Count of Kollonitz who was Treasuerer of Hungary did most seasonably furnish the Bishop of Newstadt The Bishop of Newstadt's Treasure with Five hundred thousand Florins for supply of the Garrison during the Siege with Three thousand Measures of Wine which this Bishop who was a Knight of the Great Cross of Malta and had been in the Siege of Candia did with good mannagement lay up in several Cellars in the Town and distributed to the Soldiers in time of the Siege as also the Money which was paid out with such order and on such occasions as were requisite and necessary to appease all complaints which might arise for want thereof But above all care was taken to establish a Council in the Town during the Siege The Persons thereunto nominated and appointed were The Council appointed for Government of Vienna Count de Capliers Counsellor of State and General of the Ordnance Count de Molard Grand Marshal of Austria Baron de Belchamp Councellor of the Emperor's Houshold and the Chancellor Hoffman The Governours under Count Staremberg were the Counts of Thun and Serini and after them Souches and Schaffemberg Baron de Beck the Prince of Wirtemberg and Baron Heister who were all Colonels of Regiments which served in Vienna By this time being the 14 4 of July the Duke of Loraine having given all the necessary Orders for conservation of the City the Turks began to descend by the Hill of St. Mark with their Horses The first appearance of the Turks Waggons and Camels laden with Baggage ranging themselves in form of a Crescent or Half-moon round the Town Upon appearance whereof and the News of the near approach of the Great Vizier the Duke of Loraine on the 15th at night drew off all his Horse and Dragoons to the other side of the Bridges and there Encamped He had once entertained some Thoughts of conserving a part of the Foot in his Camp but considering the great Force of the Enemy ready to surround the City The Duke of Loraine puts all his Foot into Vienna the largeness of the Works which were to be maintained the distance of the Forces which were designed for its Relief and the daily decay and diminution of Soldiers in a long Siege were sufficient inducements to this Wise Commander to supply the City with all the Infantry without any reserve unto himself Howsoever he had once some Thoughts of posting some of his Cavalry in the Tabor to keep a Communication with the Town but upon a true survey thereof the Water was found to be Shallow in many places and Fordable that Man and Horse could March into it in Rank and File so that the Water being of no security to a Camp the place was deserted The Tabor The Tabor is an Island in the Danube of about a Mile and half in length planted with Trees and Orchards and full of Gardens Fountains and Houses of Pleasure The Tabor being judged no place for the Cavalry to Lodge in the Duke of Loraine passed the Danube leaving the Bridges to be defended by the Dragoons of General Schultz By this time the Van-guard of the Turks were advanced and great numbers of Tents pitched round the City And the Vizier with the Gross of the Army was Marching to the Siege having left the Pasha of Buda with Twelve thousand Men to block up Raab where he remained until such time as he was Relieved by Apafi Prince of Transilvania with some of Tekeli's Forces and then he proceeded to the Siege of Vienna The Vizier in the Camp before Vienna On the 16th the Vizier enter'd the Camp highly raised and puffed up with assurances of finding the
Gates of Vienna opened unto him or at least to run over the Walls without much Opposition His numerous Force gave him a confidence of Success and his natural Pride suggested to him an Impossibility of being Overcome The Country People nourished this Opinion in him by Reports that all the Christian Infantry were shut up in the Isle of Schultz that there was no force in the City and the disorder and Confusion so great therein that upon the first Summons they would open their Gates Nor was the Report ill grounded for at that time the whole Garrison of Vienna did not consist of above Six hundred Men of which the Vizier was well advised and knew that if he made but some more than ordinary hast with his Army or detached a formidable Body to appear in sight of the Town before the Duke of Loraine had Re-inforced the Garrison and put all things into a Posture of Defence the Gates might easily have been opened and the City become the Prey and Reward of the Ottoman Soldiers But this was not the Vizier's business his desire was to gain and appropriate all the Riches unto himself which was to be done only by Articles and Conditions of Surrender drawn and agreed in the time of a formal Siege and therefore he would neither hasten his Troops to take Possession of the City before it was Reinforced nor yet incourage his Men to Enter the Town by mere Force and Dint of Sword which in the Opinion of the Soldiery he might have done if when he Stormed the Works he had pushed forward his Men to the utmost of their Mettle so that here we may observe that his accursed Avarice which had been the Ruine of so many Persons was now the Cause of his own Destruction The Vizier began to open his Trenches about fifty Paces distant from the Counterscarp in the Suburbs of St. Ulric or the Garden of Madam Spina where the rising of the Walks by the obscurity of the Night gave them an advantagious ground for raising some Batteries and in the Morning two Spahees were commanded to throw a Writing in a Linnen Bag into the Counterscarp His Summons to the City which they performed running full speed with their Horses The substance of which was this These Presents are to make known unto you the Generals Governour Soldiers and Noble Citizens of the City of Vienna That according to the Orders we have received from the most Happy most Powerful most Invincible and most Mighty Emperor of the Universe our Master who is the true Image of God living on the Earth and who by the Grace and Favour of the Almighty following the Example of our Prophet Mahomet Mustapha to whom be Glory and Honour and Blessing is by a Multitude of Miracles become the Greatest Sovereign both of one and the other World and the Supreme Emperor of all Kings and Princes hath sent hither his Armies which are without number to the intent that they shall take Vienna and there Establish the Worship of our True Religion And whereas it is a Principle of our Religion above all things to Propagate the Musselmin Faith as is expesly Commanded by the Law of our Holy Prophet We do instantly exhort you before we Unsheath our Terrible Cymiters to Embrace our Holy Religion and to suffer your selves to be instructed in the Mysteries thereof by which you will find Salvation to your Souls And in case you will Surrender up the City whether you be Young or Old Rich or Poor We assure you that you shall with all security Live therein And in case any of you shall desire to go forth and Live in any other place he shall have Permission and Licence so to do and shall be convoy d forth with his Goods and Substance with his Wife and Children And as to those who shall desire to remain behind they may Live in the Town in such manner as they did before But in case you are obstinate and constrain us to take your City by Force then will we spare no Person whatsoever And we Swear by the Creatour of Heaven and Earth who never had nor never shall have an Equal that we will put all to the Sword as is Commanded by our Holy Law and will take your Goods and Estates and carry away your Wives and Children into Captivity Pardon is only for them who obey the Divine Ordinances Given at the Emperor's Camp before Vienna the 8th of the Moon Regeb and in the Year of the Prophet's Transmigration 1094. To these Summons no other Answer was Return'd than by Cannon and a Vigorous Defence and by a Bloody Conflict in the Suburbs in which the Turks were greatly worsted The Courage of the Besieged which was evidenced during all the time of the Siege was most eminently Signaliz'd at the beginning thereof when the Scotch Convent of Benedictin Fryers which was a very stately Edifice took Fire A Fire in Vienna and endangered the Arsenal which was near adjoyning thereunto and where Two thousand Barrels of Powder were lodged but by the diligence of Young Staremberg and the Officers of the Artillery the Powder was all carried to some Remoter place And it pleasing God by his Gracious Providence to cause the Wind to blow the Flames to other Quarters the Arsenal was preserved and all the Ammunition therein tho' several great Edifices and Palaces thereunto adjoyning were consumed before the Fire was extinguished The Original of this Fire was attributed to the Treachery of a Youth of 16 Years of Age habited in Girls Cloathing whom the People in their Fury tearing to pieces prevented the Discovery of this Treacherous and Horrid Plot. The Turks all this while with much Joy beheld the Flames ascending from the City and ply'd their Cannon and Bombs towards that part which at first broke in the Air without other Execution and the better to prevent the accident by Fire Count Staremberg order'd the Roofs off all those Houses to be taken off which were cover'd with Shingles and apt to take Fire with the least Spark This was a terrible beginning of a Siege and such as was sufficient totally to dismay the Spirits of the Defendants but that they were supported with more than ordinary Courage inspired into them by the Providence of Heaven All this while the Cavalry maintained their Stations at the Foot of the Bridges to keep a Communication so long as was possible with the Town and hinder the Passage of the Turks into the Isles of Leopolstadt the which Action the Duke of Loraine committed to the Care and Conduct of General Schultz and Prince Lubomiski whilest he with the greater part of the Army retir'd to Langenzendorf But the Turks and Tartars with a very great number coming to force the Pass carrying the Foot on their Horses behind them and Wading over the Water which was Foardable on all sides were received with such a Welcome as cost the Lives of most of those who were the most forward to
quantity of Powder being very great the Mine reversed upon themselves with such Execution as abated the Courage of the most bold Assailants 14th On the 14th having sunk their Trenches nine Foot deep they endeavoured to penetrate a Way into the Ditch and about six a Clock in the Evening they Sprang another Mine on the right Hand of the Ravelin with as little success as the Day before The Christian Camp increases In the mean time the Christian Camp daily increased to such numbers as were judged sufficient to give Battail to the Ottoman Army but to make the Game more secure it was judged necessary to attend the coming of the King and Army of Poland To hasten which diverse Messengers were sent to desire his Majesty to expediate and quicken his March lest he should come too late for the Relief of Vienna whose Forces every Day diminishing by continual losses could not possibly hold out long thô they were well assured that the utmost Extremity would be sustained before the Defendants would yield to a Surrender The Polish King being sensible hereof promised to hasten his March so as to be at Krembs on the 28th of the Month. The 15th and 16th the Turks continued to Batter and to throw Bombs into the Town and Sprang several Mines 15th and 16th thô not with much Execution and were in divers Assaults vigorously repulsed Howsoever all this was done at the expence of much Blood and with the diminution both of the numbers and strength of the Garrison which by hourly losses on the Breaches on the Works and by Sicknesses caused by the want of good Diet was much decayed and the Defendants were reduced to that low Condition that they could not long sustain the violence of so forcible an Enemy And thô the Turkish Camp was not free from Diseases and Mortality yet they were less sensible of their losses by their numbers and the daily Recruits which they received To make known the true state of the City to the Duke of Loraine some crafty and bold Men undertook to be the Messengers A Messenger sent to the Duke of Loraine some of which were intercepted and others escaped amongst the rest one Francis Koltchizki alias Kotlenski who was Interpreter to the Levant or Eastern Company being perfectly practised in the Turkish Language undertook to carry unto the Duke of Loraine not only Letters but also by word of Mouth to inform him of the true State and Condition of the Town Accordingly Kotlenski having disguised himself in the Turkish Habit silently passed through the Palisadoes and enter'd into the Camp where with much Confidence he set up his Throat and began to Sing with the highest Notes of the Turkish Air no Man suspected him in the least kind and an Aga observing a Fellow pass so merrily by his Tent called him in and for his good Humour entertain'd him with Coffee After which without any Examination he proceeded on his way and passed the Mountain of Kulemberg and being descended down to the side of the Danube some of the Christian Soldiers Fired at him from an Island but having made it known to them by certain Signs that he was a Messenger sent from Vienna he was kindly received and conducted with expedition and safety to the Duke of Loraine to whom with great sincerity he gave a true and exact Relation of the State of Vienna and delivered his Letters one of which of the 4th of the Month was from the Deputies of the Council of State The Duke of Loraine receives Letters from Vienna two of the 8th from the Counts de Staremberg and Capliers and one of the 12th from Capliers all which gave an Account of the Siege and of the advances of the Enemy upon them and the necessity of the place with a List of those who were killed and wounded concluding with earnest desires for speedy Relief that Count Staremberg was very Sick and weakned by a Dissentery and that they began to be in want of Granadoes The Duke of Loraine was very careful to inform the Emperor the King of Poland the Electour of Saxony and all Persons concerned of the Condition of Vienna And dispatched Count Caraffa to the King of Poland praying him to order the March of General Sinariski who with some advanced Troops had been six days in Silesia And that Vienna might not in the mean time languish for want of hopes and information of the care which was taking to Succour and Relieve them the Duke of Loraine having commended the resolution of the Messenger Answers returned and promised him a Reward agreeable to the hazard of such an undertaking so soon as the City should be delivered from the Siege he dispatched him away with a full Answer to all Demands Kotlenski return'd with the same Confidence as before to the Turkish Camp and privately stoal into the City through the Palisadoes where he was received with all the Joy which distressed Men could express to one who brought them the comfortable hopes of a speedy Deliverance Many Questions we may believe were put to him by all sorts of People and in all places and Companies where he was and in all of them he infused Heart and Spirit by the Relations he gave of the increase of the German Army of the Preparations which were making and of the near approach of the King of Poland Kotlenski was not absent above four Days before he return'd and what Intelligence he gave was confirm'd by the Letters he brought from the Duke of Loraine to Count Staremberg signifying that he had defeated Tekeli near Presbourg and taken a Convoy with all sorts of Ammunition and Provision designed for the Ottoman Camp and that the King of Poland was upon his March for Relief of the City This News was entertain'd with a General Joy certify'd by Ringing of Bells and Firing all the Cannon of the Town and Vollies of small shot upon the Enemy and for a Signal to the Duke of Loraine that his Letters were come to Hand Three Rockets were fired from the top of St. Stephen's Steeple The Turkish Camp in want of Forage The Tartars had destroy'd all the Countries round that the Turkish Horse were almost Famished for want of Forage Nor was there any to be procured within two or three days Journey of the Camp but the necessity was such that the Vizier detached a Party of â—our or five thousand Horse to fetch in Provender from Paris far Remote And it is 〈◊〉 That so great was their want that they were forced to strip the Trees of their Leaves for the present nourishment and sustenance of their Horses for which they were beholding to their Friends the Tartars On the 17th the Turks raised a new Battery of three Pieces of Cannon 17th against the Bastion Lobel but they were soon dislodged Howsoever between seven and eight a Clock in the Evening the Turks fired a Mine under the Breach of the Ravelin intending
Example of so great a General To which the Duke rerurned answer That his Majesty had not only amazed him with the heroick and generous Act of so long and tedious a March but had astonished him with the excess of his Favour and obliging Expressions towards him That next to the Service of the Emperor he desired to live that he might perform something acceptable to his Majesty and to all his Relations That as to the Forms and Rules of War no Person alive was so well versed in them as his Majesty from whom all the Generals and Captains of the World might without discredit not be ashamed to learn the Lessons of Military Discipline After which the Generals of the Army the Nobility and Vice-Chancellor of that Kingdom came and paid their Respects to the Duke of Loraine And then being mounted on Horse-back the King having the Duke on the Right-hand and the Prince on the Left The order of their Supper they enter'd into Discourse concerning the State of the War and continued the same until they came to the Camp where in the King's Tent a sumptuous Supper was prepared at a long Table the King sate in the middle on his Right-hand the Duke was placed and on his Left the Prince of Poland after which the King ordered all the Nobility who came with the Duke of Loraine to sit also The Supper being ended at which various Discourses passed but most relating to the present Enterprise the Duke of Loraine returned to his own Camp much satisfied with the Courtesie and Resolution of the King who dispatched Messengers with all diligence to the General who brought up the Rear to hasten the March of the Army with all convenient speed And the next day the King dining with the Duke of Loraine at his Tent resolved to meet the Emperor at Krembs on the second of September where the Interview was appointed and there it was where all things were to be concerted about the Passage over the Danube and Conjunction of the Armies Whilest these things were projecting Count Sciamburg came from Nayburgh bringing Advice That the Elector of Saxony with his Forces could not be at Krembs until the third or fourth of this Month upon which it was computed that the Relief of Vienna could not possibly be until the 12th Intelligence of all these Matters being carried to the Emperor the Presence of his Imperial Majesty was judged necessary at Krembs where the place of general Rendezvous was appointed both to animate and inspirit the Army and to accommodate compose and silence such Quarrels and Punctilio's as might arise amongst so many Princes of different Countries concerning Place and Precedency but the Emperor in his way thither being taken ill of some Indisposition in his Health proceeded no farther than Lintz where he remained until he received the happy News of the Relief of Vienna and the Confusion of his Enemies In the mean time a general Council of War being held at Edendorf at which the Elector of Saxony was present the Duke of Loraine by his Prudence so ordered and disposed Matters that no Questions about Place or Precedence came into competion A meeting at Edendorf For so it was order'd That at a long Table the King of Poland should sit in the middle on his Right-hand the Elector of Saxony and next to him all the Generals of the Empire and on the Left the general Officers of Poland Over-against the King the Duke of Loraine took his Place who was to be chief Speaker at that Assembly A Council of War held there in regard he was best able to render a true Account of the State of the War The Council being sate in this form it was laid down as a general Rule That all Colonels with the Concurrence of their General Officers should give in writing to the King of Poland a true State of their respective Regiments and of the Places where they were Quartered and that from his Majesty they should receive Rules and Instructions for their March to the Relief of Vienna It was farther agreed after some debate That the Conjunction of the Army with the Auxiliary Troops should be on the 5th of September in the Plains of Tuln That the Army of Poland should pass the Danube at the same place with the Emperor's Army That the Forces of Saxony should pass the River by way of the Bridge at Krembs And that all the Bavarian Forces which lay encamped with some German Troops under the Command of Count Lesly should March directly towards Tuln to joyn with the Imperial and Polish Forces The execution of these Designs was deferred until the 7th when the King towards the Evening began to pass the River and was forthwith followed by the Duke of Loraine at the Head of the Imperial Army having first made a Detachment of three Regiments which were to joyn with three Thousand Poles to cut off all Communication of the Turks and Malecontents with the Vizier's Camp Colonel Heisler with his Regiment of six Hundred Horse was ordered to take his March by the way of Clossen-neuburg and to make Fires upon the Hills of Kalemberg to give notice unto the Besieged of their approaching Relief which was the Signal agreed between them But before we come to this glorious Atchievement let us see what was acting for Defence of the Town and Difficulties to which the Besieged were reduced Sept. 2. In the Morning of this second day the Point of the Court-Bastion was overthrown which gave the Turks occasion to carry their Galleries farther to the utter ruin of that Fort. Count Staremberg believing that the remaining part of the Bastion could not be longer defended gave Order to Huiternian a Captain of his Regiment whose turn it was to mount the Guard that Night to abandon the Ravelin in case he found himself over-pressed by the Turks and under covert of the dark Night to make his Retreat But this stout Captain having taken this Post with fifty Men so bravely defended the remains of the tottering Fortress that thô the Turks burnt the Palisadoes which were his chief Fortification yet he repulsed them by the Fire of his Musquets with loss of twenty of his Men and remained on the place until the Morning having killed two Janisaries with his own Hands 3d. Next day the Governour finding it impossible to maintain that Post any longer gave order to the Guards to retire and abandon it to the possession of the Turks who had little more to boast of than the acquist of that Ravelin after an Attempt of six Weeks continuance made thereupon The fourth was a bloudy day 4th both to the Christians and to the Turks for the latter had sprung a Mine under the Court-Bulwark which not only opened a Breach of seven Geometrical Paces but shook the whole City with the violent concussion of the Air. Five thousand Turks A bloudy Fight immediately with Cemyters in their Hands mounted the Breach
carry it now or never Upon which accordingly they fired their Cannon and Mortars double to what they had done on other days But this was but like a lightning as they say before Death for presently in the Afternoon the Turkish Camp began to move and their Cavalry to Ride from one side to another in a confused manner Their Servants and Attendants were taking down their Tents and loading their Camels with their Baggage all which was in order to the removal of their Camp and pitching it in another place more commodious for Engagement and Fighting with the Enemy Howsoever those who were left behind to secure the Trenches and make good the Siege still proceeded in their Subterranean Works and this day fired nine several Mines under the Curtain which was between the Court and Lobel Bastion without much execution 10th On the 10th a Discovery was made of three other Mines which the Enemy had opened under the Curtain between the said Bastions to defend which all the Cannon on that side were brought to that place and behind them so many Trenchments Retrenchments and Palisadoes were made and erected that it was almost impossible for the Enemy to advance ten Paces without meeting some difficult Pass or Fortification to overcome And indeed the Turks had already found by good experience that one span of Earth had cost them the lives of a Thousand Men to purchase it Notwithstanding which the place was reduced to its last extremity and to a sensible want of all Provisions and Ammunition and nothing could keep up their Courage and Resolution but the hourly expectation of Relief which they signified to the Duke of Loraine by the continual firing of Rockets and other Fire-works giving him thereby to understand that the Town was in it's last Agony and the saving thereof and of all their Lives depended only on some few Moments of time 11th On the 11th the Turks plied their Cannon and Mortar-pieces as violent as at any time before tho' the Fury of them continued not above three Hours for the noise of the approach of the Christian Army began to silence the Roaring of Cannon and turned their Thoughts from the offensive part to a care of providing for their own security In the Afternoon appeared three several Smoaks on the Mount of Kalemberg which was the certain Signal of the approaching Succour at the sight of which the Defendants full of Hopes and Courage prepared to make a Sally on the Enemy The People full of Joy run to the Ramparts which were least exposed to danger the Women and others who were Feeble and Sickly left their Beds and betook themselves to the Tops of Houses to behold the pleasant Spectacle of their long desired deliverance some of which were still desponding with fear and conceiving that the numerous Troops of the Turks so Valiant and so well Intrenched were almost invincible Others presaged some wonderful Slaughter to insue others of more sanguine and chearful Temperament beheld the Turks as lost and figured unto themselves their shameful and ignominious Flight In short all People were full of Prayers and Vows to his Divine Majesty that he would be pleased at length to Rescue and deliver them from the many Dangers with which they were encompassed Their Prayers were heard and towards five a Clock in the Evening some advanced Troops appeared on the Mountain near the Monastery and Castle of St. Leopold between whom and the Turks some Shot were exchanged but Night coming on the darkness put an end unto a farther Engagement which was reserved for the day following This being the day appointed by Heaven for Relief of this expiring City 12th which could not have held out twenty four Hours longer the Imperial and Polish Army with the Auxiliaries joyned at the Foot of the Mountain of Kalemberg which before the Armies began to ascend it was judged fit in the first place to take a Survey of the Ground and the several Posts therein The Marquis Parella a Gentleman of illustrious Birth and clear Courage represented the Ground in an exact Map to the Generals and offer'd with his own Person and Followers to possess himself of the Castle Leopold and the Monastery which were very advantagious Posts on this occasion The Enterprise seemed so hazardous to the Duke of Loraine that he commended the generous offer which the Marquis had made but judging it a more fit undertaking for Soldiers of less note he drew out a Party of Sixty Granadiers under the command of a Lieutenant to whom he committed this dangerous Service The Duke having also in Person by night taken a more exact Survey of the place and judging it to be of great importance reinforced it with Three hundred Soldiers more after which he returned back to the King of Poland to inform him of the disposition of the Army After which all the Forces were ranged in form of Battail and began to March over the Mountain of Kalemberg The utmost part of the right Wing was committed to the Conduct of the King of Poland The Numbers of the Christian Forces were as follow Imperial Horse in Twelve Regiments consisted of 8200 Men Imperial Infantry in Forty two Companies 6400 Dragoons of the same in Forty Companies 2400 Cravats Nine hundred Poles under Lubomiski Fifteen hundred 2400 In all 19000 Poles Twelve thousand Horse and Two thousand Foot Commanded by himself in person and under him by his Great General Jablonski 14000 The Bavarians Commanded by Baron de Gonfeld were Three thousand Horse and Seven thousand five hundred Foot in all 10500 Duke of Saxonies Forces Commanded by himself were Two thousand Horse and Dragoons and Seven thousand Foot 9000 Franconia Commanded by Prince Valdeck Horse Two thousand five hundred and Foot Six thousand five hundred 9000 Â 61500 To which being added the several Princes Volontiers with their several Attendants which followed them this whole Army was computed to amount unto Sixty five thousand Men which were now Marching to Engage the Turkish Army which after after all their losses had still remaining as we said before 119456 fighting Men in this March over the Mountain of Kalemberg Order of the Christian Army the Prince of Saxelawemburg General of the Cavalry with eight Regiments of Horse two of Dragoons and one of Cravats belonging to the Emperor with all the Cavalry and Dragoons of Bavaria and Franconia were placed on the Right Wing next to which Marched the King of Poland with his Army The Infantry of Bavaria and Franconia were drawn up in the third place or middle Commanded by Prince Waldeck near unto whom all that day was the Elector of Bavaria who pretended to serve as a Volontier it being his first expedition in the War All the Emperor's Foot and that of Saxony commanded by Prince Herman of Baden were drawn up on the left Hand and Marched directly along the Danube and towards the Monastery of St. Leopold Next to these on the left Wing marched
have recourse showed plainly their intentions to quit the Field The Devotions which the King of Poland used this Morning retarded his March for the space of a full hour during which the whole Christian Army made a Halt near to Neudorf until the Poles were come up into the Line equal to the rest of the Forces The left Wing of the Imperialists without much resistance possessed themselves of the Post which the Turks possessed at Holstadt and the Prince Waldeck caused the Enemy on the other side to give way The appearance of the Poles on the Top and on the side of the Hill looked very formidable to the Turks The King who marched at the Head of his Army detached several Troops of his Hussars to Skirmish with the Front of the Enemy but being over-powred were forced to Retire to a place where Prince Waldeck had very seasonably caused some Batalions of Bavaria and of the Regiment of Merci to advance which gave a stop to the pursuit which the Turks made after them The Poles charge the Turks The King upon this disorder of the Hussars caused the first Line of his Army to advance which charged the Turks with so much Fury as caused the Gross of their Body to Retire unto the Top of a Hill where some of their Foot were drawn up and several Batteries of Cannon planted And now all the Polish Army moved the Enemy opposing them in divers scatter'd places from whence they fired Vollies of Musquets with much damage to the Poles but as yet they were not broken but still advancing gained Ground on the Enemy In the mean time the Duke of Loraine being far advanced with the left Wing towards the Enemy the Turks to avoid the Effort which was making on their Right drew themselves into Batalia before their Line of Circumvallation and fortified themselves with some Pieces of Cannon as if they intended to have made a strong resistence but their Resolution continued not long before they gave way and abandoning that Post opened a way to the Christians into their Camp without any opposition Then it was that the Duke of Loraine commanded all the left Wing to Wheel about unto the Right taking in the whole compass of the Turkish Camp without breaking their Ranks or falling upon the Plunder of the Enemies Baggage or Tents which they had left Standing The King of Poland The King of Poland enters the Turkish Camp and Prince Waldeck with their several Troops enter'd the Turkish Camp about seven a Clock in the Evening And the Duke of Loraine about half an hour after made himself Master of the Counterscarp and Suburbs of the City the Janisaries who were lodged in those Quarters escaping by favour of the Night with much less Slaughter than if it had been Day and indeed they behaved themselves with much more Valour than others of the Turkish Militia The Darkness put an end to the Battail in which the Christians had gained a compleat and an undoubted Victory And now the Duke of Loraine had leisure to send to complement the King upon this fortunate Success a great part of which Glory he attributed to the Valour and good Conduct of his Majesty and his generous Cavaliers The King returned an Answer on the other side with like obliging expressions confessing that thô every Nation and Battalion in the Army did their parts yet much of the Honour of the Success of this Day was due to the Bravery of the Germans who were the first to enter into the Camp and Trenches of the Enemy Thus were the Christians become Masters of the Turkish Camp where they lodged that Night in the same Form and Order as the Turks had done the Night before with Fires and Lights in all the Tents only it was a more grateful Spectacle to the Besieged which they could behold with more Comfort and Security than ever they had done the Nights before for this was of Joy and the others of Terrour In the Night the Turks passed the River at Sweker The hasty Flight of the Turks with so much Fear and Precipitation that they not only left their whole Camp standing but even the Standard of the Empire which is the Sacred Banner of their Religion with the three Horse Tails which are the Ensigns of the Vizier's Authority Moreover they abandoned to their Enemies all their Tents Baggage Ammunition and Provisions with all their Cannon and Artillery being One hundred and eighty Pieces and so speedy were they in their Flight that before the next Day in the Evening the Van of their Army had passed Raab Next day early in the Morning Count Staremberg attended with his Son and several of the principal Commanders of the City went out to return Thanks to his Benefactors for so great deliverance and to Congratulate with them their Fortunate Successes and Triumph which would appear Glorious over all the World But the first thing which the Duke of Loraine did that Morning by break of Day was to Order all his Army to put themselves into a readiness to March whilst he consulted with the King of Poland how and in what manner they might pursue the Enemy and improve the Victory But the King seemed so well satisfied with the advantage already gained and with the Prey and Booty of which he was possessed The Vizier's Tents fall to the lâ—t of the King of Poland sitting Master in the Vizier's Tent with all the Appurtenances and Accommodations thereunto belonging that he excused all farther Proceedings at present saying That his Army was much Harassed and required Repose and not in a Condition to pursue an Enemy whom they beheld at a far distance advanced in their way before them by the Fires and Smoak whith ascended upwards for as the Turks fled they burnt all the Villages through which they passed And now in the Christian Camp and in the City was time for Joy and Triumph Count Staremberg having paid his Respects and made his Complements to the King of Poland and the Duke of Loraine he conducted them into the City with a numerous attendance of Nobility and Gentry who had served in the late Siege all the Forces were drawn up on both sides of the Streets between which they passed with loud Acclamations of Joy unto the Church of the Augustin Fryers where in the first place as was most just Te Deum was Sung and Thanks returned to God with Sincere Devotion Thence they went to the House of the Governour Count Staremberg where he received the Applause and Praises of the King of Poland and the Duke of Loraine which were due to his Conduct and Valour and the like Commendations were bestowed by them upon all the Officers and Souldiers of the Garrison who had every one signalized themselves during this Siege by some Action or piece of Service or other which was Remarkable and worthy of Observation Afterwards these welcome and long-desired Guests were entertained with a sumptuous Feast at
that the whole Force this year of the Ottaman Army in Hungary only amounted unto 80.000 Men besides 15.000 which were appointed for the Guard of the Bridge of Eseck Nor were the Preparations less considerable at Vienna thô a diversion was much fear'd of the Imperial Forces by the Jealousies which the Arms of France gave in Flanders and upon the Rhine and the Pretentions which the French Ministers were daily making at Ratisbon Fears from France and in other Courts of the Empire by which there was some appearance as if a Check would be given to the smooth and prosperous proceedings of the Imperial Forces in Hungary This surmise was cherished by those who were desirous to clap up a Peace with the Turk alledging that it was impossible to carry on a War in Hungary and at the same time resist the formidable Force of France in Alsatia and on the Confines and perhaps in the very Heart of the Empire But God who by his Divine Providence Governs all things was pleased out of his Compassion to Christendom to incline the Heart of that King to be Christian and to accord a Truce with the Empire for some years that so he might take off the Scandal of being a Friend to the Turks That King makes a Truce with the Emperor and of interrupting the Progress of the Christian Arms against the Common Enemy to the Faith of Christ In fine The dread of a French War being vanished the whole Gross of the Imperial Army came to refund it self upon the Turks and was in number and quality as follows The Infantry were in all Twenty seven Regiments 55080 The Cavalry all armed with Back and Breast 12800 Dragoons 5600 Polanders hired and paid by the Emperor 4000 Croats who were Horse 3200 One Regiment in Vienna 1200 Twenty Independent Companies in Rab Gran and Comorra 3000 In all 84880 Besides the Confederate Army under the Duke of Bavaria which made about 20.000 Men so that the whole Christian Army this year composed a Body In all 104880 Men But how numerous soever this Army seemed to be yet after the Garrisons were out of it supply'd and Forces sent into Alsatia and to the Rhine and considerable Detachments into Croatia and Stiria and Parts of the Upper Hungary the main Body remaining with the Duke of Loraine did not amount to above Forty thousand Men with which he designed the Siege of Buda The Siege of Buda intended This was an Enterprise becoming the Valour of so great a Captain for the Town was Defended by a Garrison of Forty six Chambers of Janisaries each consisting of One hundred and fifty Men besides Spahees and the Militia of Rascia which in all composed a Body of Twelve thousand effective Men. The City of Buda it self is raised on a Hill and is naturally very strong under it there is another Town Built by the Turks which is called the Lower Buda But before Approaches could be made hereunto it was judged necessary to secure the Navigation down the Danube for carrying the heavy Cannon and Provisions necessary for maintenance of the Siege which could not be done but by taking the strong City of Vicegrade with the Castle which so far commanded the River that no Boats or Vessels could pass down the Current without being infested by the Cannon of the Place For Vicegrade is Situated on a Rock on the side of the Danube between Gran and Buda Vicegrade but much nearer to the latter and is fortified by a Castle erected upon a small Hill This place hath been so considerable in former times that it was the Residence of the Hungarian Kings of which there remain great Ruins to this day of sumptuous and magnificent Palaces The Crown of the Kings of Hungary was anciently conserved in this place but as the Turks advanced in their Conquests for better security it was removed to Presburg This Crown is of a different Figure from that which other Princes use for it is very low with a Cross on the Top encompassed with four Leaves of which one is larger than the other three The Crown of Hungary This Crown is held in great estimation by the Hungarians being as they say brought down from Heaven by an Angel and planted on the Head of their King St. Stephen It being necessary as we have said to take this place to make the way clear and open unto Buda the Duke of Loraine caused a Body of Horse to pass the Bridge of Gran and because the Country was full of Woods and Inclosures all the Baggage and Incumbrances of the Camp were left under the Cannon of Gran with a Guard of four Regiments of Foot and a Detachment of Six hundred Horse besides four Battalions of Count Kaiserstein Commanded by General Hailewell Hailewell with the rest of the Army the Duke of Loraine marched away and having pitched his Camp about an hour's distance or three English Miles from Vicegrade he with some other Officers took a view of the place And on the 16th day of June by break of day in the Morning Vicegrade battered he raised his Camp and by nine a Clock the same Morning the Foot and Dragoons had taken their Post upon a Hill where they brought up some Mortar-pieces and Cannon and began to Batter the Town But it being consider'd that this would be a long work an Assault was resolved as the shortest and most expedite course to put an end to this Action Count Ernest of Staremberg disposed and directed in what manner the Attack should be made and the Duke of Newburg commanded during the time of it's Execution The Cavalier Rosne in despight of the Enemies Fire broak in at the first Gate and being come to the second the Baron of Asti with his Granadiers threw himself over the Walls into the City And is stormed and taketh by which time Rosne having broak in at the second Gate the Defendants began to give ground and retreat into the Castle but so precipitous was their Flight that before they could croud into the Gate many of them were cut off and killed by the Enemy after which the City was Sacked and delivered up for a Prey into the Hands of the Soldiery The next day by three a Clock in the Morning the Duke of Loraine took a view of the Castle and designed to raise divers Batteries against it for that the Bombs by Reason of the Figure of the Castle which was long and narrow could not easily take place But whilst these Batteries were raising the Duke sent a Herald with a menacing Summons that in case they should refuse to Surrender he would deliver them up into the merciless Fury of the Soldiers The Turks being astonished at the Resolution and Bravery of the Christians were affrighted into a Treaty and Hostages being given on both sides it was agreed That the Besieged should have Liberty to March out with their Arms Bag and Baggage Wives and Children
parly and surrender and no more than they could carry on their Backs The Garrison being Seven hundred Men towards the Evening marched forth with Sword and Musquet and were ship'd and carried on the farther Shoar of an Arm of the Sea all the Christian Slaves were set at Liberty on Condition to serve on Ships and Gallies of the Republick in the Quality of Seamen and Soldiers The Venetians entred the Town at the Breach the Plunder whereof which was considerable was given to the Soldiers In the Place great store of Provisions were found with Eighty Pieces of Cannon The Venetians lost about Two hundred Men in the Siege Morosini immediately caused the principal Mosch to be Blessed in which Te Deum was sung and dedicated to St. Saviour because it was the 6th of August on which day is the Feast of the Trasfiguration when the Turks hung out the white Flag of Surrender The Command of the Place was given to Lorenzo Venier a noble Venetian one of whose Ancestors was Commander in chief of the Venetian Army when Selimus was entirely defeated at the Battle of Lepanto The Fortifications of Santa Maura being repaired and a Garison left in it General Morosini set Sail to the Port of Petula and thence to the Port of Dragonetta where he cast Anchor and landed his Army which consisted of Two thousand Venetians about One thousand of the Pope's Auxiliaries and about Fifteen or Sixteen hundred Greeks This Army advanced on the Plains upon approach of which several Turkish Troops which were employed to defend Passages retired without any Resistance which gave opportunity to the Christians to Burn four or five Villages which having done they returned to the Fleet and re-embarked themselves At the same time General Morosini with his Gally got sight of Patras and Lepanto and thence Sailing to the Port of Damata a Council of War was called and there it was resolved to Attack Preveza without which Santa Maura could not be secured Preveza is a Fortress which now stands in the place of the ancient Nicopolis of Epirus the Situation of which is very Commodious for it Commands the entrance into the Gulf and was anciently the Royal City of Pyrrhus This Enterprize being resolved General Morosini dispeeded five Gallies and six Galleasses to approach the Castles of the Gomenizze which being discerned by the Turks from Preveza they sent back those Soldiers which they had lately drawn from thence on supposition that the Venetians would make all their Attempt upon Preveza which happened according to the Desire and Intention of Morosini whose Aim it was to divide their Forces The Army in the mean time having left Damata came to an Anchor on the 20th of September at the entrance into the Gulf and the next day Captain Manetta with Twenty four Barks and some Brigantines Preveza attacked entring the Gulf landed part of his Forces which the Turks in vain endeavoured to hinder by great and small Shot and next Morning by break of Day the Gallies which had anchored under the Hill of Mahomet Effendi appeared within Musquet-shot of the Place which gave a Diversion to the Turks who having drawn all their Forces to that side gave opportunity to the Christian Forces to land on the other without much Annoyance under the Conduct of General Strazoldo which Errour so soon as the Turks discovered Shaban Pasha the Governour immediately ordered Five hundred Spahees to ride full speed to Attack the Forces before they were landed but before they could come they found the Christians already drawn up in Battalia upon whom having made some slight Charge they retreated again in disorder with the loss of several of their Men. Thus did the Christians advance without much difficulty and make themselves Masters of the Out-town and of the Hill of Mahomet Effendi which Commands the City and at the same time the Gallies and Galliots approached yet nearer to Preveza when Morosini thought it seasonable to Summon the Town letting them know that in case they deferred the Surrender until the last extremity he would grant no Quarter nor any Conditions whatsoever But the Officer who commanded in chief under Shaban Aga who was gone to head Four thousand Men without the Town and observe the Motions of the Enemy refused to read or receive the Letter but barbarously shot the Messenger who brought it having a Confidence the Governour whose Deputy he was would speedily return and raise the Siege Whereupon Morosini having viewed the Posts and Situation of the Place caused his Cannon and Bombs to be landed and raised his Batteries which played with so good Success that several parts of the Town were fired and most of the Enemies Guns dismounted and those which remained on their Carriages were so ill managed that they did little or no Execution for there was as yet of the Christians but one Soldier killed and five wounded The Breach by this time was found very considerable and on the 28th a Lodgment was made in the Ditch and a Mine being ready to be Sprung Orders were given to prepare for an Assault which the Turks fearing to expect hung out a white Flag and offered to capitulate and to accept the same Conditions which were given to Santa Maura But at length it was concluded that Thirty only of the most considerable persons amongst them might march out with their Arms and Baggage and the rest without Arms and with no more than they could carry about them and that all the Christian Slaves should be set at Liberty Accordingly the Day following the Turks to the number of Two hundred Men marched out at the Gate towards the Sea Preveza Surrendered and were Embarked on some Grecian Boats with a Convoy and were Landed within four Miles of Larta about Two hundred of the Inhabitants remaining in the place The Town being taken the Standard of St. Mark was set up on the Walls and all the Turkish Colours and Banners taken down and sent to the Admiral Gally In the Town were found Forty six Pieces of Cannon Eighteen of which were Brass and carried Fifty five pounds of Ball. The place was well Stored with all sorts of Provision and with Musquets and Bullets and Six hundred Quintals of Powder This Town was very beneficial to the Venetians for it put them into an entire Possession and Dominion of the Gulf and the places of that Coast the Fishing Trade whereof is so considerable that it yielded to the Turks a Thousand Crowns every year arising on the Customs thereof The Auxiliary and Venetian Forces return to their Winter quarters 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 Corfu but General Morosini wintered at Preveza with design to render that place impregnable and to engage the Greeks who are a People of an unconstant Humour to remain steady in that Duty and Faith which they caused them to Swear to the Venetian Republick whilst these things were carrying on some matters of less moment were acted in lighter Skirmishes near Clissa from whence the Turks carried away seven Prisoners but being pursued by the Morlaques they were again rescued by them and forced to quit their whole Booty with the loss of Fifty of their Men killed on the place Seignior Antonio Zeno Proveditor extraordinary of Cataro came to Perasto and pillaged and burnt all the Towns and Villages near Castel Nuovo and hinder'd the Turks from carrying in their Harvest and seized great Stores of Wheat and other Corn which he carried to Clissa To compleat the Successes of this year a Galliot of Dulcigno was taken Commanded by Solyman Reis a famous Corsaire In the Fight Solyman himself with Twenty of Men was killed and Twenty two Christians were Released and set at Liberty whom this Pyrate was carrying into Slavery And now having given a Relation of the Venetian Successes of this year it will be time to return to the German Camp which we left at the Siege before Buda The Siege as we have said being compleatly formed on the 12th of July a Mine was sprung near the great Tower which thô it had done great effect yet it plainly appeared That the Turks were too strong as yet in the Town to be assaulted at the entrance of any Breach until such time as their numbers were more diminished by a longer Siege The Vizier of Buda slain He is succeeded by Shitan Ibrahim On the 14th the Vizier of Buda called Kara Mahomet died of a Wound which he had received on his Face he was one of the best Officers amongst the Turks Shitan Ibrahim succeeded him in the Government He was a Person very well known to the English Nation which had lived in Turky to which he bore a signal kindness and respect and particularly to that worthy Person Sir Jonathan Dawes with whom he cultivated a Friendship which was extraordinary and unsual for a Turk towards a Christian When I came first into Turky he was then Tefterdar or Lord Tresurer whom I have seen when he was giving out the Pay to the Army to bestow Mony on the Earl of Winchelsea's Pages and Servants who being then Lord Ambassadour Extraordinary to the Grand Seignior was returning from an Audience which he had had with the Grand Vizier He was afterwards Married to the Grand Seignior's Sister and was sent Pasha to Gran Caro which is an Office of the highest Degree amongst the Turks having remained three years in that Employment which is the usual time allowed to that Government he was then recalled and taxed at Six hundred Purses of Money he was forced to lay down one half in ready Money and to pay the other Moiety in a few Days afterwards upon Penalty of being committed to a Prison from whence he had never been delivered but by Death The Character of Shitan Ibrahim He was afterwards made Pasha of Damascus then of Aleppo and with his Forces was engaged to pass by Sea to the Siege at Candia I remember him at Smyrna when he embarked there and then he told me how grievous it was for him and his Men to leave their Horses than which nothing was more pleasing and dear and to Embark on a Gally and pass the Seas to which he and his Soldiers had never been accustomed Afterwards he was employed in many great Offices to which he had been bred from his Youth and in which he had deported himself with singular Reputation and Esteem being naturally of a frank and a generous Temper He was then about Eighty years of Age and nothing declined but still as Robust and Vigorous as if he were but Forty when he defended Buda and succeeded the Pasha who was killed on the Walls and in this Condition we shall leave him for a year or two until being involved in the Common Fate and Misfortunes of the Turks he yielded to the Destiny which was provided for him Sallies from the Town On the 16th of August the Besieged made a Sally and were beaten back with some loss but the next day they had better Fortune and killed many of the Christians as they did also in several other Sallies But to encourage the Christians in this Siege several Deserters escaped out of the Town and to flatter the Party into whose Hands they were fallen they told a thousand Falsities concerning the distresses and wants of the Town But notwithstanding all their Reports it was concluded necessary to open the Breach in the Wall of Buda much wider than it was before to which end the Cannon plaid continually upon that part of the Town where the Assault was to be made But in the mean time to disturb these proceedings the Seraskier Pasha with all the Force of the Ottoman Army appeared often times in sight of the Camp which gave such frequent Allarums that the Duke of Loraine thought fit to draw out a great part of his Army to engage them leaving all the left Wing in the Approaches under Command of Count Staremberg General of the Artillery and with the remainder of the Infantry and all the Cavalry he marched between the upper City and Mount St. Gerard to meet the Seraskier and so soon as the Way opened into the Vally between Buda and Strigonium he discover'd a great Body of Turkish Horse upon a Hill opposite to the Army upon view of which the Christian Army drew into Battalia A Fight before Buda and thô the way to an Engagement with the Enemy was rough craggy and very steep yet such was the Spirit which by frequent Victories had possessed the Christian Soldiery that with incomparable Valour their right Wing moved over all the difficulties of the Ground against the left Wing of the Turks but they fearing to stand the Shock made their Retreat to another Hill within Cannon-shot of Buda where their right Wing was drawn up The Imperial Troops still continuing to advance against the Enemy detached Two thousand of their choice Horse who making as if they intended to form another Line before the Front posted themselves under the Walls of the City during which time the main Body of the Turks stood firm and kept their Ground until the Christians were come within Musquet-shot and then their formost Troops fell violently into the Trenches on the right Hand A Sally from the Town whilst a Sally was made out of the City by the Janisaries on the left And so Furious was the Charge they made that they gained the first Post which was maintain'd by Count Furstemburg Captain the Regiment of Grana and passed to the second Guard defended by a Captain of the Regiment of Baden and proceeded even
last Year About the beginning of May General Palfi was order'd to march into Hungary and joyn with Colonel Heusler at the Blocade of Newhausel which they so streightned that the Pasha Governour of that place turn'd out all useless Persons out of the Town who were not capable to bear Arms and so many of the Christian Slaves May. as served only to consume and lessen the Provisions and not defend the Town By these Persons the Commanders received information that the Garrison consisted only of Two or Three thousand Janisaries of which a great number was Sick and Infirm The better to reinforce the Blocade and streighten the place in such manner that it might receive no Relief either of Men or Victuals Newhausel streightned three thousand Horse and as many Foot were sent to joyn with Heusler and Palfi and with them many Carts and Waggons laden with all sorts of Ammunition and Provisions by which there was no want of any thing necessary for the comfort and encouragement of the Soldiery that so with the more Strength and Vigour they might be ready to oppose a strong Party which was preparing at Pest to Convoy Eight hundred Carts with Victuals and to make way for them into the Town by Force of Arms. At this time that Palfi and Heusler were emploied in Blocking up Newhausel General Lesly departed from Vienna to Gratz from whence he drew his Forces into the Field in order to march into Croatia where he was to Command this Year with a Reinforcement of Seven thousand Men more than he had the last General Schultz who had newly distributed a Hundred thousand Florins amongst his Soldiers finding them Couragious and in good Heart was resolved to begin the Campaign with the notable Exploit of laying Siege to Ungwar a small but the Capital City of the County of Ung in which Tekeli had placed a strong Garrison So soon as he invested it he took a Redoubt and began to make his Approaches and raise his Batteries and throw Bombs into the Town and having by his Cannon opened a sufficient Breach in the Walls he Stormed it and with great slaughter and loss of Men Ungwar taken he entred and took the Town and without giving the Enemy farther respite he Invested the Castle and lodged his Soldiers in the Ditch where in the space of three Days he lost Three hundred Men besides Twenty Officers killed and wounded Upon this News the Male-contents with a great Body came to relieve the Place but General Schultz bravely encountred them gave them a Repulse and took three of their Standards and returning with this Success back to the Siege he was ready to give Fire unto a Mine when News came that Tekeli having joyned himself to a strong Body of Tartars was marching against him Schultz forced to leave the Town he raised the Siege with so much Hast and Precipitation that he was constrained to leave the greatest part of his Artillery behind him after he had lost Nine hundred Men which were killed and Two hundred wounded amongst which was Count Strafoldo who was shot through the Arm with a Musquet-bullet and Baron Arti his Lieutenant Colonel was wounded likewise It was now the beginning of June when the Duke of Loraine appointed General of the Imperial and Confederate Forces with absolute Power and Authority from the Emperor came to the Army which was encamped near unto Gran A Council of War called where a Council of War was held and therein diversely debated whether they should begin this Campaign with the Siege of Novigrade which would interrupt all Communication between Buda and Newhausel or return again to Buda where the Fortifications were not as yet fully repaired nor the Inhabitants totally freed from the dread and fear of their late Danger but upon farther examination of this Matter it was made to appear that Buda was in a much better Condition than it was before the Siege June for that the Fortifications were all finished and made better and stronger than they were formerly that the new Governour had demolished all the Houses which had been ruined and defaced by the Bombs and totally destroyed the Suburbs that the Garrison consisted of Ten thousand Men all stout and brave Soldiers that the Seraskier The state of Buda with the like number of Men had encamped between Buda and Alba Regalis and 12.000 more had passed the Bridge to joyn with a Body of Ten thousand Tartars so that impossible in a manner it was to lay a Siege which was daily in hazard of being disturbed by such potent Armies The Enterprise upon Novigrode seemed much more feasible but before any Resolution would be taken therein the Duke of Loraine with General Souches Scaffemburg Colonel Beck and several Officers belonging to the Artillery and Ingineers thought fit to take a view of the Works and Situation of the Place The Duke at the head of Three thousand select Horse commanded by Count Caprara on the 25th passed the River Grana on a Bridge of Boats and foorded over the River Hippol which at that Season of the Summer was not deeper than the Bellies of the Horses The next Day before Noon they came in sight of Novigrode and by their Appearance gave an Alarum to the Town and Castle from whence they fired many of their Cannon for a Signal to those who were abroad labouring in their Vineyards or keeping watch over their Cattle in the Field to hasten back and retire under security of the Fortress The Report of the Guns warned every one of the Danger so that the Guardians of the Cattle as well as others drove in their Herds from their Pastures as fast as possible but could not make such speed as to get them all into Security before the Hussars a People used to that kind of Prey came up with them and seized a great share of the Cattle driving them away for Service of their own Camp And thô a Party of Horse sallied out of the Garrison upon them endeavouring to regain the Spoil yet being supported by a stronger Body they retired within the Palisadoes where they were received by several Chambers of Janisaries Novigrode Novigrode is raised upon a high craggy Rock fortified by Nature and the Way so narrow as is not capable to receive above one Man a-breast and encompassed with a Ditch of about Thirty four Foot deep this Place was taken from the Christians in the Year 1663. The Duke of Loraine and the other Generals and Engeniers having well observed the Situation of the Place and all the difficult Accesses thereunto sounded a Retreat and began their March back again to the Camp the Rear-guard being committed to the Care and Conduct of the Count de Ofkirk with whom were several Princes in Quality of Voluntiers as the Prince de Conti de la Roche Sur-yon de Commerci de Turenne Upon this Retreat a Party of the Turkish Cavalry sallied out of the
The Duke of Loraine being on his march passed his Army consisting of 40.000 fighting Men over the Waagh on a Bridge of Boats bending towards Comorra On their way thither intelligence was given them that the Night before the Turkish Army had been Alarum'd by a Party of Hussars which had fallen in upon their Baggage Howsoever they continued still to force the Place having given a fierce Assault upon the lower Tower Town but were bravely repulsed This News quickning the march of the Army the next Day they passed the Danube upon two Bridges near to Comorra and afterwards Ranged the whole Army into order of Battle The Imperial Troops were divided in the first and second Lines of the two Wings with them joyned some Dragoons and some Battalions of the Allies The Order of the Christian Army the Elector of Bavaria Commanded the left Wing the main Body of Bavarians and Swedes were comprehended in this Wing and that of Franconia and Lunenburg in the Right the Prince of Hanover and General Chauvet Commanded at the Head of their own Troops as the Marquis of Tutriac and other Generals of the Allies at the Front of theirs Count Rabata General of the Horse the Commissary General Count Palfi and Baron Mercy and other Chief Officers were of the left Wing Prince Lewis of Baden Count Dunewaldt Count Taaf and Stirhaim Major General were added to the right Wing Prince Waldeck and Count de Fontana one of the Major Generals marched at the Head of their Troops and Prince Lubomiski commanded the Cannon In this order the Army marched and on the 10th of August they Encamped within three hours march of Strigonium And the next Day approaching yet nearer the Report of the Cannon and all Noise towards the Town seemed to cease so that it was concluded that either the Town was taken or the Siege raised Whilst they were in this suspense the Garrision of Vicegrade came in sight of the Camp They are met by the Garrison of Vicegrade to the great surprise of the Generals who until that time had never been informed that the place had been Invested by any part of the Ottoman Army It seem'd a little strange to meet that Garrison in the open Field marching with their Arms and Baggage with their Matches Lighted their Drums Beating and their Colours Flying but this Wonder ceased when the Officer in Chief acquainted the Generals how that the Fortress of Vicegrade had sustained a Siege for the space of sixteen 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 The Turks Civility to that Garrison 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 11th 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 A Relation of the Siege of Strigonium That one the 30th and 31st 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 13th 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 two Armies in sight of each other 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 or 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
in regard the Country was so wasted and destroyed by the War that it yielded neither Food for Men nor Forage almost for Horses The same Day a Detachment was made of Five hundred Croats under the Command of an Officer to Invest Michalowitz which upon the first Summons Surrender'd before the Body of the Army appeared without making any Terms or Conditions for their Liberty The Guard of this Fort was committed to the defence of Two hundred Foot and One hundred Heyduks and the Prisoners taken both Men Women and Children were secured in a Tower belonging to the Fortress After which the Army marched with all diligence towards Esseck Upon sight hereof the little Forts and Palancas on the way fired their Guns to Alarum the Country round about and passing by Carafina which is a Town fortified with strong Walls and a double Ditch the Turks Sallied forth with Horse and Foot and Skirmished with some of the Troops without any great hurt or damage on either side After three or four Days of hard march Lesly drew up his Forces on the 13th of the Month into order of Battle in the Plains of Esseck expecting to meet the Enemy in those Parts But finding no opposition they pitched their Tents and Hutts so much to advantage and which took up so much Ground as if they had contained an Army of at least 30.000 Men Soon afterwards a Thousand Turkish Horse came and took a view of the Camp with some Infantry marching in their Rear Whereupon the Army Commanded by Siaus Pasha drew out into order of Battle and marched softly against the Enemy who stood firm neither advancing nor retiring The Turks near Esseck defeated until the Christians were come within Musquet-shot and then they began to give Ground which the Croats perceiving fell upon both their Wings and gave them a total Rout and Defeat The Horse fled by the way of Belgrade but being hotly pursued by the Croats several of them were killed but the Foot found a nearer Refuge in the Town and Castle of Esseck The German Horse and Foot advanced still in good Order to the Suburbs of the Town which at the first Assault they took and Plunder'd and thence found an easy entrance into the City it self from whence the Turks had the Day before sent their Wives and Children by Water towards the Danube into which the Drave falls not far from the City Those who remain'd were with their Goods and Moveables retired into the Castle The City of Esseck is not very large but well peopled and well fortified and as I remember after the modern fashion it hath about Five hundred Shops belonging to Tradesmen Esseck and adorned with many Mosques and Caravasaries or Inns built for the Reception of Travellers which are commonly stately Structures It is very strange that this place which was esteemed so strong and well fortified by the Turks that they made it their Granary and Store-House for all sorts of Provisions for supply of those Parts of the Country should so easily be abandoned and opened to the Enemy which was capable of sustaining a Siege of many Months against an Army of far greater Force than that of Count Lesly's Taken by Count Lesly which did not exceed Six thousand Men especially being well provided with quantities of Rice Bread Bisket Salt and powder'd Flesh and with Barly and Oats all which served greatly to refresh and feed the Men and Horse of Count Lesly's Army which were languishing before for want of Victuals the ten Days Provisions which they had taken with them being almost consumed So soon as Lesly became Master of the Town Guards were set to oppose any Sally from the Castle whilst the Soldiers were Ransacking the Houses unto whom all the Plunder and Pillage was given In the mean time Count Lesly went to take a view of the Bridge like which there is none in the World and of which we have already given a Description in the former part of our History The River Drave is not very broad in this place there being only Sixteen Boats to sustain the Bridge which the Turks had broken down the Day before loosing them that they might drive down the Stream the Christians endeavoured to recover them the next day following but could not get aboard for want of smaller Boats nor could they for want of this Bridge pass over the Drave to burn the Bridge of Esseck which on that side is Eight thousand Paces long and all built of Oak 'T is true Money and good Rewards were offer'd to some French Soldiers of the Regiment of Erbeville who with certain Germans and Croats under-took to pass the River and burn a great part of the Bridge but the Boats on which they endeavoured to pass were so small and leaky that they sunk under them and saved themselves only by Swimming Howsoever That part of the Bridge which was on the Town side being Eleven hundred Paces in length was in a very short time reduced to Ashes Whilst these things were acting a Rumour was spread amongst the Soldiers that all the Riches of the Pasha and Moveables of value belonging to the Citizens were conserved within the Castle which so animated the Soldiers to make an Assault up it that Count Lesly could not restrain them from running the utmost hazard of Storming the place with open Force But whilst they were preparing Faggots and other combustible Matter to fix at the Gate which looks towards the City a furious Fite took in divers Houses caused by the Rabble of the Soldiers which burnt so violently by reason that all the Houses are built with Wood and the very Streets Planked with Boards and Timber Esseck burnt the Ground being a Clay and sort of Owsey Earth not capable of a Stony Pavement that there was no possibility to quench it or to Approach near to the Gate of the Castle on that side so that in a few hours the whole Town was utterly consumed Wherefore they fixed some artificial Fire to the other Gate on the Bridge side with which both the Gate and the Bridge burnt together without much offence to the Defendants within the Castle but rather the Fire and the Retrenchment made within served to secure them from an Assault Wherefore General Lesly thought fit not to Attempt any thing further upon the Castle but having left all the Town in Ruins he returned back the next Day to Turanowitz where he had left Two thousand Men to Guard and Secure the Baggage With the good News of this Success Prince Deichtrestein was dispatched to the Emperor and for Confirmation thereof he carried with him five Colours of the Fourteen which were taken from the Turks Whilst these matters were acting to the advancement and Glory of the Christian Arms General Schultz on the 19th of July Schultz before Esperies began to lay Siege to the Town of Esperies and by the 8th of August had formed all his Works Trenches and raised his
a mutual Correspondence with the other Generals By which means the Turks were so locked up on all sides that they could not come to the Relief of any one Place without fighting unless it were Pesth and Buda The Prince of Transilvania was environed on one side by Caraffa who laid grievous Impositions on his People and on the other Prince Apafi in distress by many Troops that Quarter'd on the Confines which so humbled him that he became much more pliable and submissive in his Language towards the Emperor than he had formerly practised in all the Treaties hold with the Imperial Ministers In this straitned Condition the Prince Apafi acquainted the Ottoman Port and the Seraskier that it was impossible for him to answer the Expectation of the Turks either with Men or Mony unless he were relieved from the Oppression of the Christians who levied those Monies on his Subjects which were designed for his own and the Turkish Forces To remedy which the Seraskier drawing forth a Detachment from the Garrisons of Buda and Agria marched in two Bodies one by way of Giulia and Lippa and the other pass'd the Danube at Pesth by which Mareschal Marcy and Heusler being greatly Alarum'd drew out their Forces into the open Field with resolution to give Battle to the Seraskier who considering that the Success of War was hazardous and that the ill event thereof might prejudice the Turks in all the Enterprises of the ensuing Campaign he thought fit to draw off and return back to his former Quarters Howsoever lest he should seem to act nothing he detach'd a Body of Fifteen hundred Men to advance forward and make a discovery of the Forces and Disposition of the Enemies Camp but being met by a Party belonging to Marcy were treated so ill by them that about an Hundred and fifty were killed on the Place and Fifty taken Prisoners the remainder in a disorderly manner betaking themselves to flight This Victory opened a free Passage for the Cavalry as far as Wesserhasel a Country abounding with Provisions for Man and Forage for the Horse which the Inhabitants freely bestowed upon them The Cruelty of Schonot The Garrison of Schonot much offended at this Kindness of Wesserhasel to their Enemies sent Commissaries to examine the Matter and without much Dispute empaled diverse People plunder'd and burn'd their Houses and Mills threatning greater Destruction in case they continued to afford Relief to the Christians Marcy on the other side being greatly enraged at this manner of Proceedings resolved to revenge the same on Schonot and to that end joyning with Heusler they attempted the Town and were proceeded therein so far as to enter the Ditch the News whereof so allarum'd the Turkish Camp that they resolved with all their force to endeavour the Relief of Schonot Schonot relieved by the Turks which Mercy not being of sufficient strength to oppose drew off from the Town and possessed himself of a Pass at the Bridge of Arath where he hindred the Turkish Forces from joyning and with a party of Hussars and Dragoons so charged the advanced Troops of the Turks that they defeated a great number of them and took the Bey of Lippa and the Aga of Jiena Prisoners But all these were petty Actions and inconsiderable Preludes to what was to follow in the succeeding Campaign which was now in its beginning The general Rendezvous of the whole Army was appointed to be on the 15th of May between Gran and Barkan The main Body of the Army which was to act under the Command of the Duke of Loraine Preparations for the Campaign was to be composed of 14.000 German Foot and 12.000 German Horse drawn out from the Troops of Saxony Brandenburg and Suabia to which Three thousand Hungarians were to be joyned with other Troops so far as would make up an Army of Fifty five thousand Men Count Caprara and Count Staremberg were to be Major Generals the Duke de Croy was created General of the Foot Prince Lewis of Neubourg and Count de Susa Lieutenant Generals the Barons of Tinghen Thun and the Marquis of Nigrelli were made Sergeant Majors of Battle There was likewise another Army preparing under the Command of the Duke of Bavaria Officers appointed consisting of Thirty five thousand Men of which Eleven thousand were to be Foot Eight thousand German Horse to which the Bavarian Troops were to be added with those of Franconia and Two thousand Five hundred Hungarians Of these Count Leslie was nominated for Major General Count Serini for General of the Infantry the Marquess of Vergne and Count Schaffemberg for Lieutenant Generals the Barons of Walis and Berk and the Count de Apremont for Major Generals Prince Lewis of Baden was made General of the Horse the Counts Caraffa and Gonda Lieutenant Generals and the Counts Piccolomini and Veterani and Baron Heusler Major Generals In this manner all things being prepared and disposed in Martial Order for carrying on the War for the present Campaign a Council of War was called to consider and determine the Proceedings and Methods thereof and to resolve of the Enterprise which was first to be undertaken upon Debate whereof two different Opinions arose one proposed the Siege of Agria or Alba Regalis and the other that of Buda The first urged the difficulty and hazard in the Attempt of Buda which was much better fortyfied than in the former Siege A Council of War called for that several new Works were raised on the Banks of the Danube and that on the other side the Ditch had been made much more deep and large than it was before That the Turks had prepared diverse Countermines in those places where the Christians had lately made their Mines That they had made diverse new Sally-ports That they had unpaved all their Streets uncovered the tops of their Houses to prevent the Mischief which was feared from Bombs and Carcasses against which they had fortified the large Cistern of Water Arguments against the Siege of Buda which was built in the middle of the City That they had furnished the Town with such quantities of Provisions and Ammunition and Stores of all things necessary for War and support of Human Life as were sufficient without other Supplies or Recruits to maintain a Siege for six Months That the Garrison consisted of Twenty five thousand select Men at least chosen out of the Janisaries and Spahees and were all resolute Men and good Soldiers That the Governour in chief was a stout and valiant Man a Renegado and one who was learned and experienced in all the Military Arts of the Christians That under him six Agas were subordinated all Men of Conduct and Bravery to succeed in the Government as one or the other of them should fail And lastly That the Town was discharged of all useless and unnecessary Inhabitants such as Women and Children and Jews and Armenian Merchants who were permitted to withdraw themselves with all
the Common Soldiery but Duke Henric of Saxon Mersburg was in that Action wounded in two places and General Rummel of the Bavarians was slain by a Musquet-shot in the Approaches which ought to have been made deeper by three or four Foot so as to cover the whole Body of a Man he was an excellent Soldier and a brave Man and therefore much lamented by his Electoral Highness and the whole Army Nothing could more annoy and vex the Defendants than the taking and possessing this Tower which render'd the Case and State of the City almost desperate so that no hopes remained unless they were succour'd and reliev'd by the Army of the Grand Vizier whom to advise of their Extremity Two Messengers sent from the City to the Grand Vizier two Messengers were dispatch'd out of the Town one by the way of the Water and the other by the Land side both disguised in the Hungarian Habit. The first was discover'd swimming over to the Island of St. Margaret's and being pursued was taken but his Letters he had first thrown into the River Howsoever being brought before the Generals he confessed and declared the low and desperate Condition to which the City was reduc'd and that it could not hold out much longer unless speedily Reliev'd and that another Messenger was sent to acquaint the Vizier thereof by Word of Mouth letting him know that it was not sufficient to appear before the Town One of them is taken and flatter them with the hopes of Succour unless also he could force the Enemy to raise the Siege and that the late Recruit of Two hundred Men who bravely made their way into the City was but a small Help and Comfort to a Garrison already wasted and almost totally consumed by a long Siege That the Castle was in a manner lost since that the principal Towers and Bulwarks of it were possessed by the Enemy And in short that those who remain'd alive were wearied out with continual Watchings and every Day diminish'd by Cannon and Musquet-shot by Bombs Fires and Carcasses continually thrown into the Town All these Matters being reported before the Generals they conceived certain hopes of putting a speedy end to their Labours and Dangers Howsoever therewithal they so far consulted their own Condition that they concluded it very necessary before any thing was farther attempted to expect the coming of that Body of the Army under Count Scaffemberg and the Twelve hundred Swedes which were now on their March and near at hand At length Scaffemberg being come with a Reinforcement of Eight thousand Men besides the Swedes raised the Spirits of the whole Army and put the Generals into a capacity of executing the Designs they had already plotted and contrived Eight thousand Men come to the 〈◊〉 Camp On the Loraine Quarter a Bridge was made near the great Tower leading towards the inward Palisadoes of the Enemy and to conserve it from fire they covered it over with Earth The like was also performed on the Bavarian side but whilst these things were preparing a stop was put thereunto by an unexpected and vigorous Sally which the Besieged made for dislodging the Soldiers which had possessed the Tower Three Attempts were made thereupon with the greatest fury and desperation imaginable throwing Granadoes Sacks of Powder and artificial Fires composed of Sulphur Pitch and all sorts of burning and fetulent Matter notwithstanding which they were most vigorously repulsed with much loss The Elector considering the dangerous Post which his Men had undertaken to defend thought sit to withdraw his Soldiers from the Bulwark that he might with more advantage batter the great Tower with his heaviest Cannon which were so hotly plyed that the whole Tower was beaten down and the Enemy thereby made uncapable to offend from those Works The Bridge of which we spake being finished on the side of the Imperialists with the Battery on the Rondel the inward Palisadoes were broken down and the Breach widen'd above Forty Paces so that now all had been surrender'd had not the Vizier comforted the Pasha with Assurances that he and the Seraskier had resolved to attempt the Camp in three places at the same time and that the most forcible one should be given at the Water-side where 't was believ'd the least Opposition could be made Upon this Advice the Water-side and Banks of the River were well fortified and secured and a strong Chain stretched over the Water below the Bridge of Boats from the Shoar to the Point of St. Margaret's Isle to obstruct the Passage of Spies and Messengers who used to swim over the Water with Intelligence and which also might serve to give a stop to the Cavalry in case they should attempt any thing on that side The City being now in a languishing Condition the Grand Vizier resolved to make his last Effort and having chosen out of his Army Three thousand of his bravest Soldiers which he encouraged with Thirty Dollars a-piece paid them in hand and with promise of Increase of their daily Pay during Life to such as should make and force their Way into the Town and at the same time another Body was ordered to enter the Line at the place which they had lately attempted The Three thousand descended by way of the Vally called Shamboiuck and with great Fury fell in upon the Guards of the Imperialists but were so well received by the Baron of Asti with his Talpatz and Hussars and by General Heusler with his Regiment that they were vigorously repulsed After which they made an Attempt on Count Caprara and again on the Quarters of the Duke of Loraine but in all places were ill treated and came off with a great loss of Men. In the mean time the second Body of Turks assaulted other parts of the Army which increased the heat of the Fight to succour which the Duke of Loraine detach'd all the Forces which were about him remaining alone only with two Assistants but the Battle growing hot and the Turks endeavouring in diverse places to break into the Line the Duke of Loraine put himself at the Head of two Battalions of Brandenburgers whose Example gave Life and Courage to the whole Army But whilst this Fight was mannaged in diverse Squadrons which confusedly ran from one side to another some of them had the fortune to force the Line towards the Wall of the lower City but passing to the Line of Contravallation they met there such Vollies of Shot and continual Firings that knowing not which way to retreat they fell into the Squadrons of Baron Marcy and Serau by whom the greatest part of them were kill'd upon the place and those which escaped were so confused that being dispers'd about the Fields they knew not which way to take Some of them happen'd to fall in with the Brandenburgers others into the general Quarters where being encompass'd on all sides they were miserably cut to pieces and slain not so much as their Servants or Grooms
Count of Swartzemburg having by a Stratagem taken Rab from the Turks marched thence towards Buda and in the Month of October laid Siege thereunto with the Forces of Mathias the Arch-Duke which after thirty Days time he was forced to raise by reason of the continual Rains And what is observable the Turks did the like at Waradin on the Frontiers being under the same Inconveniences The Christians made an Attempt the 6th time upon this City in the Year 1602 under the Conduct of General Rosworm And thô they had ruin'd the Bridge over the Danube and taken by force the City of Pesth yet being overtaken by the rigour of the Winter-season they were forced to desist from that Design The 7th Siege was laid in the Year 1684 by Charles Duke of Loraine Generalissimo of the Imperial Forces and of the other Princes of Germany which after many bloudy Assaults was again raised as we have at large declared in the Historical Treatise of that Year But now at length after many Battles unfortunate to the Turks this Fortress was forced to surrender to the said Duke of Loraine The 8th time Besieged and taken being over-whelm'd by the Power and Valour of the Christians and taken in the sight of the Ottoman Army Commanded by the Grand Vizier himself in which was the Flower of the Turkish Troops but having lost the best and bravest of their Soldiers in former Battles and discourag'd by a Series of evil Successes their Courage fail'd them and no wonder when they were generally possess'd with an Opinion that God fought against them in sense of which so soon as the City was taken the Vizier with such Precipitation raised his Camp and marched away that he was forc'd to burn a great part of his Baggage to prevent the falling of it into the Hands of the Enemy And indeed it was no wonder that the Vizier with fear and dread should hasten away for the Duke of Loraine had dispatch'd Count Budiani with Six thousand Hungarians to march in pursuit of him whilst he with the other Generals render'd Thanks to God and sang Te Deum for their Successes in the great Church Dedicated to St. Stephen King of Hungary In the mean time the Command of this important City was committed to the Charge of General Beck with the Assistance of the Lieutenant Colonel of the Regiment of Salm The Command of Buda given and of Biscofshausen Serjeant-Major to Diepenthal with a Garrison of Three thousand Five hundred Germans and a Thousand Hungarians The first Work to be done was to clear the Streets of the dead Bodies which was perform'd by the Turks and Jews who were made Prisoners those Bodies which were Turks and Jews like themselves by Command of their Task-masters they threw into the River but the Bodies of the Christians were decently Interr'd The next Business was to demolish the Works repair the Breaches to fill up the Trenches and level the Lines But the chief Prisoners and Persons of Quality were conducted by Count Rabata to the Emperor at Vienna where the Joy and Triumph of that Court was much increas'd at the sight of such considerable Captives The Spoyl and Plunder of the City could not amount unto much by reason that the greatest part of the Housholdstuff and Moveables was consum'd in the Flames Howsoever there were some who had the fortune to seize considerable Sums both of Gold and Silver After which the Place being visited and survey'd in all parts by the two Generals Stores found in the Town they found therein above Four hundred Pieces of Cannon of great weight of which there were four of vast bigness carrying an Hundred and fifty Pound Bullet to which the Christians afterwards gave the Name of the four Evangelists besides there were twenty Mortar-pieces and Provisions and Ammunition for about a Month longer The Generals having refresh'd their Armies in Buda for the space of three or four Days on the 6th of September they march'd towards the Vizier with Twenty thousand Foot and Twelve thousand Horse of whom Count Budiani as we have said being dispatch'd before gave an account The Army marches against the Vizier that the Vizier having visited and reinforc'd the Garrison of Alba Regalis or Stultwissemberg had taken his March with all expedition towards the Bridge of Esseck and that his Army was reduc'd to a very small number being deserted by the Country-people and Handycraftsmen whom they had forc'd to the War so that the Vizier not knowing otherwise in what manner to save himself encamp'd with all the advantage he could about three Miles distant from the Bridge of Esseck upon the little River of Sarwitz having his Rear guarded by a Bog or marshy Ground intending there to remain until he saw and discover'd the Designs of the Enemy who could not in that advantagious Post force him to an Engagement The Duke of Loraine being with the Imperial Army encamp'd at Tolna about three Leagues distant from the Vizier whom he could not force nor perswade to Fight he detach'd Eighteen Regiments under Command of Prince Lewis of Baden with Orders to Besiege the Town of Quinque Ecclesiae whilst he with the remainder of the Army passed the River with a Bridge of Boats at Tolna taking his March towards Pesth and in his way seized on the Town of Hatwan which the Turks had abandon'd Hatwan surrender'd and set on Fire but the Christians entring therein before all was reduc'd to Ashes they extinguish'd the Fire and sav'd the rest and found therein seventeen Pieces of Cannon Thus did the Imperial Arms proceed with a prosperous gale of Fortune nothing standing before them but all yielded to the conquering Eagles for Prince Lewis of Baden in his March made himself Master of Simon-Torn Simon Torn taken a Fortress encompass'd with a Ditch of thirty Paces broad and that also defended by a Marsh quite round the Passage over which is made by a Bridge of Three hundred Paces long and the Castle is built of Free-stone with Fortifications after the ancient Fashion In this Place were sixteen Pieces of Brass Guns and one of Iron Twenty six Granado-shells and Twenty five Tuns of Gun-powder Then without farther loss of time he proceeded to Kaposwar and Kaposâ—â— which he Pillag'd and Burnt the Castle only excepted And being reinforc'd by Count Scaffemberg and some Troops of the Croats which joyn'd with him they march'd together towards Quinque Ecclesiae and being come near the Place a Detachment of Three thousand Germans and Croats was made to take a View of the Situation and Strength of the Town which they finding to remain in a secure Condition enter d it by Surprize and put an Hundred Turks to the Sword the rest flying to the Castle for Refuge after they had set fire to the City in four places Quinque Ecclesiae taken but the Dragoons scaled the Walls and with their Swords in their Hands cast themselves into the Place and
Proveditor in ordinay he immediately block'd up the Port and guarded the narrowest streight of it to secure the Passage for the more safe and easie Transport of Cannons Mortar-pieces and Provisions unto that Place where the Camp was pitch'd with design to Attack New Navarin which was a Royal Fortress and a place of greater Importance than that of Old Navarin On the 4th of June at Night the Gallies of Donado and Pizzamano both Noble Venetians were the first to enter into the narrow Passage on the first of which the General Count Conismarc was embark'd who enter'd safely within the Port thô several Pieces of Cannon were fired at them from a Ravelin which trolled the Shot exactly on the Surface of the Water These were follow'd by the Captain of the Gulf The Venetians enter the Port of Old Navarin with three other Gallies who passed without any damage or loss and on the 6th at Night Cornaro General of the Islands enter'd with his four Gallies also without other hurt than the breaking some few Oars by a Shot from the Ravelin The Cannon and Mortar-pieces and other Necessaries for an Attack were first to be landed which by the diligence use and labour of the Slaves was presently effected notwithstanding the many Difficulties which interven'd and a formal Siege in a short time laid by the Industry and Valour of Captain General Morosini and the happy Conduct of Count Conismarc who had raised a Work on which eighteen Mortar-pieces were planted carrying Bombs of Five hundred pounds weight and on another advantagious Ground had raised a Battery of Twenty Pieces of Cannon carrying Fifty pound Bullet Whilst these Matters were acting a certain Greek was taken with Letters from the Town directed to the Seraskier whereby they gave him to understand That thô Sefer Pasha a valiant and resolute Soldier was come to them with a good Recruit both of Men and Ammunition whereby their Garrison amounted to a Thousand Soldiers and that nothing wanted either of Arms or Ammunition yet that it was impossible for them to hold out long unless the Siege was raised by a vigorous Force Upon this Advice General Conismarc resolved with the greatest part of his Troops to advance into the Country and engage the Seraskier Upon which Advice Conismarc advances against the Seraskier the Turks were so far from designing to disturb the Siege that they raised their Camp and retreated Upon which also Conismarc thought fit to draw his Troops off and return to the Siege the Turks defending themselves and refusing to Surrender upon any Summons or Force which had hitherto been applied upon hopes as they conceived of receiving speedy Succour and Relief from the Seraskier concerning whom the Report was that he was approaching towards the Christian Camp In the mean time the Captain General form'd all the Trenches and Traverses for an Attack and bomb'd the Town with Twenty Mortar-pieces and batter'd the Walls with six Pieces of Cannon carrying Fifty pounds weight of Bullet The Report of the Seraskier's near approach confirm'd by the Scouts and other Messengers and that the Turks with a Body of 10.000 Men were come within six Italian Miles of the Leaguer Count Conismarc with a very strong Party advanced once again to meet and give them Battle leaving the Cavalier Alcenago one of the Major Generals with a sufficient Force to maintain the Siege The next Day after June Count Conismarc had risen from before the Town being the 14th of June they found the Seraskier encamp'd with 10.000 Men of which Two thousand were Horse in a very advantagious Post which seemed very difficult to be forced Howsoever the Venetians resolving to surmount all the Disadvantages with their Valour enter'd into the Vally by a very streight Passage He engages the Turks where the Turks lay encamped and forced them to engage in Battle which lasted for the space of two Hours in a dubious Condition it not appearing as yet to which side the Victory would incline The Regiments of Corbon and Visconti which were Dragoons behaved themselves very bravely and sustaining the heat of the Battle the greatest part of the Loss fell on them but the Saxons and overthrows them and the Troops of Brunswick coming to their assistance with four small Field-pieces forced the Enemy to quit the Field and betake themselves to flight leaving about Five hundred dead upon the Place with all their Tents and Baggage besides many of them are wounded amongst which the Seraskier himself was one all which was perform'd by the wonderful Mercy of God without any considerable loss on the Christian side The Joy of this Victory was solemnized with Te Deum and giving Thanks to God and with many vollies of Shot and Cannon which wholly disanimated the Besieged and put them into such a distracted Consternation that with more lenity than before they began to hearken to a second Summons The Town Capitulates and Surrenders which the Captain General to spare farther effusion of Bloud had been pleased to send to them After divers Debates and Articles propos'd the Besieg'd declar'd themselves willing to lay down their Arms and yield on Conditions that three Days should be given to the Garrison to march out with their small Arms and Baggage and that shipping should be given to the Garrison and Inhabitants to Transport them to the nearest Coast of Barbary Whilst these things were in agitation it unfortunately happen'd that by some Accident a Fire took in certain Houses near a Magazine of Powder which on a suddain blew up and killed an Hundred and Fifty Turks with Sefer Pasha the Commander in chief of Navarin and also six Christians and about fifteen wounded without the Walls of the City The Turks fearing lest this Accident should be esteem'd as done with Design came trembling before the Captain General solemnly protesting their Innocence in the Disaster offering two other Hostages for performance of the Articles agreed and laying their Standards and Keys of their City at the feet of the Captain General they were graciously received And accordingly at the time appointed above Three thousand Persons were embarked of which One thousand were capable to bear Arms and were conveyed over to the Coast of Barbary The Venetians take Possession of the Town and the Venetians took Possession of the Town and planted the Colours of St. Mark on the Walls thereof It was not long after before the Fortress of Modon followed the same fortune for the Christan Forces losing no time to pursue their good Success on the 22d of June the Armada of Ships and Gallies shewed themselves before Modon at which the Garrison not seeming to be dismay'd the Pasha who Commanded in chief Modon attacked returned a resolute Answer full of Bravery and Defiance to the Summons sent to him by the Captain General Upon which the Approaches were begun and the Batteries raised and Cannons plaid and Bombs thrown by Direction of that famous Engenier
on that side But because it was necessary also to dislodge the Seraskier The Venetians march against the Seraskier who on the other side appeared with several parties of Horse and gave frequent disturbances to them in the Lines and Trenches which were then forming the Captain-General and General Chinixmarch after due deliberation concerning the manner resolved to give them Battel To which end 2000 men selected out of the Ships and Gallies most of them being Voluntiers and Soldiers of Fortune were landed in a Creek or covert place under the Conduct of Col. Magnanini who was ordered to take a compass in the Night and fall on the Turks in the Rear whilst the main Body of the Army charged them in the Van In the Morning Count Chinixmarch August 16. having left 1500 Italian Soldiers in the Trenches under the Command of Sargeant Major Count Repeta advanced two miles with his Army drawn up in good order to meet the Turks on the Plain the Seraskier seemed at first very ready and resolute to join Battel advancing with a strong Body of 3000 Horse and therewith to break into the Venetians The Turks Retreat but finding a stout Repulse they made a stand and fearing lest they should be attacked in the Rear by the Marine Regiments they made a Retreat and taking up their Tents and Baggage they marched away with all the Order that their hast would permit And quit Argos The People in Argos seeing the Seraskier and his Army betake themselves to Flight resolved to accompany them and marched towards Corinth where they arrived the next day having lodged the Night before at a Village called Centera In the Skirmish about 200 Turks were killed and wounded with very little loss on the Christian side After which having plundered the Castle Argos of all the Goods which the Turks had left therein in which they found about 60 small Boxes of Powder they returned back again to their Trenches and Siege as before In the mean time the City was burning in several places being Fired by the Bombs and Carcasses which were thrown into it from the Palamida and the Walls which were of Stone built after the ancient manner were battered on all sides by the Cannon which they were not able to resist but that which caused the greatest Consternation in the City and did the severest Execution A Bomb blows up the Powder in the Town was the fall of a Bomb into the Magazine of Powder which blowing up beat all the Houses down which were near it on every side killed many People and filled with Earth and Ruins the chief Cistern which supplied all the Town with Water so that the Defendants wanted now both Powder and Water Two very principal necessaries for Life and Defence The Captain-General conceiving that after such a loss the besieged would scarce have encouragement to defend themselves much longer resolved to try their inclinations by sending to them his Interpreter Fortis with a Letter full of persuasive Motives and good Articles and Conditions which should be performed upon surrender of the City and seeing that their Seraskier had been beaten and durst not approach to give them Relief The Venetians offer conditions to the Town they were exhorted before it was too late to accept of the Mercy and Clemency which was then offered to them To these Summons the Governor without much consideration returned a speedy Answer Their Answer That they were very sensible that it was for their Sin that God had chastised and punished them howsoever their Trust was That God would deliver them to whose Will and Divine Providence they remained with intire resignation The Bombs and Batteries continuing to do great Execution by the obscurity of the Night several Greeks and Reneâ—gâ—â—es made an escape our of the Town 〈◊〉 came to the Captain-General agreeing together in their Reports that there was scarce a House in the Town which had not been damaged by the Bombs or Canon and above 30 Houses burnt down to the Ground 22 Churches and Chappels ruined with their Granaries and Stores for Provisions Many were the slain and wounded and the people forced to drink brackish Water and amidst all this misery and confusion the poor Women in a distracted manner were running about the Streets with tears and sighs and screeks Howsoever the Governor Mustapha Pasha seemed to remain still firm and resolute to hold out unto the last and to lose his Life for the sake of his Country The Seraskier gives hopes of Relief In the mean time the Seraskier fortified his Camp about Corinth endeavouring there to encrease his Army and to encourage the Besieged he frequently caused certain Bodies to be seen from the Town and parties of Horse to advance near to the Trenches which thô they did nothing yet it supported the Spirits of the Defendants with some little glimmerings of hope Whilst matters were in this posture Admiral Duodo being returned from the Coast of Barbary and Tripoli where he had landed the People at Modon he joyned the rest of the Fleet as did also the same day Captain Pisani with 8 Ships from Argentiera The Turks continued still to defend themselves thô their offence was very weak now and then firing a Bomb whilst the Venetians plyed them continually with Carcasses and Bombs having by this time spent at least 3500 on the place the Batteries also plaid almost without any intermission and the Lines and Approaches daily drawn nearer to the place and they began now to throw Bombs into the Castle which lies upon the Sea-side This Castle is situate on a high Rock A Castle near the Sea with many Sands and shallow places round about it so that it is impossible for any Vessel to approach near to it The Walls are very high with some Bastions and the place fortified with Seventeen Pieces of Brass Cannon and Seven Iron Guns and a Mortar-piece to throw Bombs it was supplied also with a good Cistern of Water and Garrisoned with a hundred Foot Soldiers commanded by an Aga. The Christians continuing still with indefatigable Labour and fearless Hazards to press the Besieged entred the Ditch of the Town on the 23d which Adventure cost the Life of the Cavalier Alzenago one of the Major Generals About that time also several others dyed of the Camp Disease August namely Colonel Visconti Major Cleist as did also Signior Barbon Bragadino a Noble Venetian and Count Charles Nephew of General Chinixmarch a young Gentleman of great hope likewise Girolamo Ghirardi Captain of his Guard On the 29th by break of Day the Seraskier with part of his Army The Seraskier shews himself and attacks the Christians in their Prenches shewed himself on the Hill which descends towards the Right-hand of the Line having his Left-wing re-inforced with a thousand Leventz or Soldiers of the Marine Regiments sent by the Captain Pasha which having joyned the Army but a few hours before they all in
good order of Battel being Ten thousand strong with Horse and Foot descended into the Plain near unto the Line charging with their usual cryes of Allah Allah and much fury on the Soldiers who defended the Trenches But General Chinixmarch had with such admirable Order and Art so well disposed the Militia that they repulsed the Enemy and then Two thousand Sea-Soldiers by Order of the Captain-General coming to their succour they put the Enemy into great confusion and the Captain-General himself at the same time coming in person with some Troops of select men The Turks put to Flight wholly turned the fortune of that day's Fight which for Three hours had continued doubtful to the Christian side and caused the Turks to betake themselves to a shameful Flight leaving Fourteen hundred of their Companions behind them killed or wounded In which Engagement the Venetians lost not more than Three hundred and Fifty men killed and wounded General Chinixmarch had his Horse shot under him but he soon remounted another and with great Vivacity and Courage was present at all places where the danger was most pressing The Princes of Brunswick and Turene exposed themselves like brave Soldiers in all places which required their help and encouragement and having thus discomfited the Seraskier's Army and caused them to withdraw in disorder from the City the Captain General to lose no time left the pursuit of the Enemy and returned to the Siege causing the Batteries from all sides to play on the Town and to terrify the Defendants they shewed many Heads of the Turks ranked in File on the points of their Lances The Besieged having seen the Seraskier in whom was their greatest hope routed and defeated before their Eyes grew desperate of any relief or succour from thence which caused them to display divers white Flags on the Walls upon which all acts of Hostility ceased and Two Turks came forth from the Town and being conducted to the presence of the Captain-General The Besieged capitulate they presented a Paper to him subscribed by the Pasha who was Governor of the City declaring his readiness to make surrender thereof provided they might have free liberty to march out with their Arms and Baggage and to be Transported thence to Troy or to the Castles in the Dardanelli or Hellespont And that the Two Turkish Gallies then in Port might also be freed with their Chiurma or Slaves and Equipage which as we have said were retired into the Rocks and fast places near the Town But this latter would not be allowed or granted by the Captain-General nor any thing more than what had been accorded lately to Modon and Navarin The first step unto all which was the Delivery of the Castle situate on a Rock within the Sea into which a Venetian Garrison was put immediately and therein were found Seventeen Pieces of Brass Canon and Seven of Iron with a large Mortar-piece to throw Bombs after this Eight Hostages were required of the most principal Turks of the City And surrender and then the other Articles were performed which related to the Embarking the Soldiers and Inhabitants who were accordingly Shipped and Transported to the Dardanelli the apperance of which so affrighted all the Coast at first that the Alarum ran as far as Constantinople and put them there into that Consternation of which we have before made a Relation Thus was this and other famous Fortresses of Greece which had for many years remained in the Ottoman power and withstood great and considerable Forces in a few Months subjected to the Christian Arms by the Valour and Bravery of the Captain-General Morosini by the admirable Conduct of Count Chinixmarch and the courage of those noble Princes of Brunswick and Turene amongst which the German Soldiery and all others did greatly signalize themselves in all their Atchievements And thus we shall put an end to the Successes of the Year 1686 which have terminated so gloriously in honour of the Christian Arms by which the Turks were reduced to that low and miserable condition of which they were never before sensible nor never accustomed unto which made them the less able to bear the Evil nor endure the Remedy ANNO 1687. NEver had the Ottoman Empire since the time that they first passed out of Asia over into Europe been under that Eclipse and in that low of Ebb of Fortune as at present And yet this following Year was so much more unlucky and fatal to them than the former as if their Mischiefs would not have ended but with the total Ruin and Downfal of their Empire To prevent which the Grand Seignior meditated on Thoughts of Peace and sent a Chiaus a thing which the Turks never practised before to tender Articles to the Emperor which were not received nor other Answer given than that his Imperial Majesty could not so much as enter into a Treaty without the consent of Venice and Poland their Allies And thô the Turks endeavour'd to avail themselves by that Method yet they thought that the best way to facilitate that proceeding was with their Swords in their Hands and by an appearance in the Field with the most formidable Army they were able to make The Turks prepare for War to which end all Otoracks who are Milites immeriti or Men excused from the War on account of past Services with a dead pay as they call it of which there may be Forty thousand in the Empire were all summoned to appear in the next Campagne and forced to the War with the greatest rigour and on pain of Death besides which new Levies were order'd to be made in all Parts of Asia and particularly at Smyrna and in the Parts adjacent Six hundred Soldiers were raised at the charge of the Citizens and Inhabitants besides which eight or nine Millions being charged to be levied in the lesser Asia The Quota taxed on Smyrna came to a Hundred thousand Dollars which Sum not being to be found amongst them and perhaps scarce the Moiety thereof the Cappugi-bashee who was sent to Collect the Money carried away most of the principal Turks in that Town to Constantinople Taxes rigorously imposed where having represented their Poverty and inability to pay so great a Tax it was moderated and brought down to one half or to One hundred and five Purses These proceedings may evidently convince the World that the conceptions of the World generally formed of the vast Riches of the Grand Seignior's Treasury were imaginary seeing that it was so exhausted in a few Years as to force the Government to those rigorous Courses and unusual methods of Oppression which can scare be repeated without a total Desolation or extreme Misery of that Country These Taxes joyned to the Discontents of the People made all things uneasy at the Ottoman Court Cabals at the Port. where it was impossible to prevent the Cabals and liberty of Speech which the Soldiers and others freely used in publick Discourse to
The Grand Vizier Janisaries 7000 Pasha of Bosna Spahees 4000 Pasha of G. Waradin Spahees 1000 Beglerbey of Romelia Janisaries 2400 Pasha of Soria Spahees 4000 Beglerby of Sebassia Spahees 2500 Pasha of Aleppo Janisaries 3000 Pasha of Damascus Janisaries 4000 Pasha of Nicopolis Janisaries 11400 Pasha of Karahitar Volontiers 8000 Aga of the Artillery Granadiers 1100 Â 48400 To this 600 Miners are to be added 1400 Camels of Burden 364 Oxen to draw the Artillery 400 Waggons with Ammunition 45 heavy Pieces of Cannon 28 Lighter for the Field All which belonged to the Army of the Grand Vizier not accounting the Tartars nor the Hungarian Army under Tekeli nor Garrisons and Parties dispersed in divers parts On the other side on the 4th of June the Duke of Loraine arrived at Buda where he was received with Three Salvoes of all the Cannon from the Town and having taken an account of the Horses and surveyed the Fortifications and given Command for raising New Works to which Employment Four thousand Soldiers and Peasants were appointed he departed thence on the 7th taking his march towards the Drave with a part of his Army he designed to Encamp near the Bridge of Esseck where Count Cherffemberg was to joyn him with Nine Regiments And let us here take a Computation in like manner of the Imperial Army as we have done of the Turks Of Dragoons there were Nine Regiments Of Lodron Stirum Castelli Serau Herbeville Savoy Thun Magni Kussel The first of which Dragoons consisted of Eleven hundred men all the others of Eight hundred each making in all Seven thousand Five hundred men The Cavalry consisted of Nineteen Regiments Of Saxelauemburg Caprara Dunewald Palfi Caraffa Gondola Taff Newbourg Montecuculi Veterani Piccolomini Heusler Commercy Gotz Hannover Saint Croix Furstemberg Pax Truchs These Regiments amounting unto Eight hundred men each compleated the Number of Fifteen thousand Two hundred men To these we are to add Seven and twenty Regiments of Infantry of which Five and twenty consisted of One thousand Five hundred men each and Keiserstein's and Stadel's Regiments of Two thousand men each The number of the Christian Army so that the whole Number of the Infantry amounted in all unto Forty one thousand Five hundred men so the whole Army according to this Computation amounted to Sixty four thousand Two hundred men besides Pioniers Gunners and Attendants on the Camp The Names of the Regiments of the Infantry were as followeth Of Count Ernest of Staremberg Lesley Keyserstein Baden De Croy. Mansfield Salms Maximilian de Staremberg Serini Neubourg Souches Scherstemberg Stadel Diepenthal Count Guey de Staremberg Tinhen Meternich Beck Wallis Aspremont Nigrelli Heusler Aversperg The Young Prince of Loraine Hourchin Furstemberg Strasler This being the State of the Christian Army consisting of Sixty four thousand Men plentifully supplied with all sorts of Ammunition and much superior to that of the Turks in Numbers and much more for Discipline by Instruction of the Commanders and Bravery of the Soldiers The Duke of Loraine on the Twelfth of June proceeded on his march to the River of Sarawitz and in his way received Intelligence that Agria was in such extreme want of Provisions and that the Famine there was so great that unless the Grand Vizier did by force of Arms succour the City with Victuals June 1687. and Ammunition the Place would be constrained to surrender it self into the hands of the Enemy to prevent which and to relieve the Town the Vizier appointed a Body of Eight thousand Turks and Four thousand Tartars immediately to pass the Bridge at Peter-Waradin to Convoy the Waggons and Camels laden with Provisions and force their way into Agria Upon this Advice the Duke of Loraine dispatched an Express to Count Caraffa with Orders to draw out the Twelve Regiments Encamped between Onoc and Zolnock and therewith to interrupt and stop the passage of the Enemy but such was the diligence of the Turks that marching by secret Ways they missed of Caraffa and fell in with a weaker Body of Col. Heusler Succour brought to Agria who having killed about Sixty Turks forced one part of them to retire back to Peter-Waradin whilst others more bold and forward than the rest each man carrying a Sack of Meal behind him on his Horse got into Agria which was sufficient to afford them a subsistence for a short time In the mean time the Forces began to gather near Barchan which was the place appointed for the General Rendezvous Thither came also the Troops of Zolnoc which were to be commanded by the Elector of Bavaria who very seasonably arrived at the Camp to the great joy and encouragement of the whole Army With him also came Prince Lewis of Baden a Person of admirable Prudence and Courage and of such experience and fortunate success that the Elector reposed great confidence in his Conduct The Elector of Bavaria comes to the Camp The Army being put into a fit posture and condition to march intelligence was brought that the Duke of Loraine was far advanced on his way towards Oseck upon which no time was admitted to follow him but the way being long and the Ways deep and broken by the late Rains the Army moved slowly and could not unite so speedily with the Duke of Loraine as was expected But at length with Industry Time and Patience the Armies joyned when News came that the Enemy in great Numbers were assembled near Peter-Waradin and had formed a Bridge over the Tibiscus to equal the convenience of which with that of the Enemy and maintain a Correspondence with Forces on the other side the Duke of Loraine caused another to be built near Tolna and Foituar the better to facilitate a Conjunction with the Imperial Arms. It was now made known Esseck to be first attacked that the Campaign was to begin with the attack of the Town of Esseck that from thence a way might be opened to the Conquest of Belgrade in order unto which General Dunewalt with some German Regiments and Troops belonging to Croatia and the adjacent Countries was commanded to march towards Verovitza and there to expect farther Orders from the Duke of Loraine The Troops of Croatia Commanded by Count Philip de la Torre in the place of Dunebolt who was Sick at Vienna marched in a strong Body with very good order and a large Train of Artillery provided by the Chamber of Stiria and happily joyned with Dunewalt The Duke of Loraine having left a strong Party to defend the Bridge which he had made over the Danube moved his Camp from Mohatz and without any opposition in the least June 1687. pitched again near to Darda on the 24th of June which is a Fortress that covers one end of the Bridge at Oseck The next day the Imperialists discover'd from their Camp a certain number of Turks who had lodged themselves in the Marsh which began to be dry that they might take a survey of the Christian
Successes of the Imperial Arms by which they flattered themselves so far as to believe that they should now be freed from the Tyranny and oppression of the Ottoman Yoak and that as a Testimony thereof they had readily consented to afford all the succour and subsistence they were able to the maintenance of the Christian Troops during the whole Winter season But as to assign them places for Quarters within the Principality of Transilvania they instantly desired to be acquitted in regard that such a Concession would greatly offend the Port and lay them open to the Incursions and to the Fire and Sword both of the Turks and Tartars To this Message the Duke of Loraine made Answer in obliging but yet in general Terms and in the mean time the Army still advanced without farther Treaty it being well known that neither the Turkish Troops nor those of the Country were in a capacity to Dispute their Passage so that on the 11th of October the Army arrived at Salone the first Town of Transilvania where after having without many questions or complements put a Garrison of about a Hundred Men into the place Offers made they marched forward towards Clausembourg But on their way thither the Duke of Loraine was met by three Deputies from the Prince and States who repeated the same Offers which had been related by Baron Huntschin touching the Ammunition and Provisions with which they would furnish the Troops to which they added also an offer of some Money but as to assigning places for Winter-quarters it was a matter impossible and of the most dangerous consequence to them in the World since that their Country lying open and without defence would thereby be exposed to all the Hostilities which the most barbarous and cruel Enemy in the World could execute The Duke of Loraine finding that the Commission of these Deputies extended no farther than what they had declared returned them back again with Count Scherffemberg and Baron Falkenhem who were orordered to let Prince Apafi know A Message from Loraine that since he had refused to assign him Winter-quarters on fair Terms he himself should be constrained to point them out unto his Troops and continue his March into the Bowels of his Country The States of the Principality perceiving the Duke of Loraine to be in earnest and resolved to obtain his Demands were contented to grant him Quarters for a certain number but that not suffising he continued his March towards Clausembourg or Claudiopolis the chief City of that Country and the place where the States of Transilvania did usually Assemble It is situate in a very fruitful Plain upon the little River of Samos it is encompassed with very thick Walls and the Houses are very well Built Claudiopolis it is defended by an ancient Fortress the Suburbs are so large and well peopled that it seems to be another Town the Inhabitants are both Hungarians and Saxons who live in so good unity and correspondence together that both are equally capable of Offices and Places of Trust in the Government The Duke of Loraine so soon as he appeared before the Place sent to the Governour to provide Quarters in the Town for some of his Troops but he excusing it and saying that he could not do it without Orders from Prince Apafi immediately Count Caprara was sent to let him know that his Answer was not satisfactory and that Orders were given to the Infantry to prepare all things necessary for making an Attack on the Town Whereupon the Governour considering better of the matter The Conditions with Claudiopolis enter'd into a Treaty with the Duke of Loraine who condescended to grant unto the Inhabitants these following Conditions That the Inhabitants should enjoy a free Exercise of their Religion That the Magistrates and Citizens should be maintained in their Liberties and Priviledges and not be forced to pay any extraordinary Contributions That every Officer or Magistrate of the City should be exempt from giving Quarters to any Soldier in his own House That what Forage and Subsistence should be necessary for the Soldiery should be furnished in Specie and no Money exacted in lieu of the same And that the Soldiers be forbidden under severe Penalties to commit any Disorders or Abuse the People That those Citizens who were unwilling to continue their Aboad in the City but were desirous to depart might have Liberty so to do and carry with them all their Goods and Moveables According to these Conditions the Garrison of Apafi marched out at one Gate whilst Three thousand of the Imperialists enter'd in at the other with Drums beating and Colours flying and the Command of the Town was given to Count Guy de Staremberg whith a strict Charge to punish most severely all Insolences of the Soldiers the which was carefully observed not only in that City but also in all parts of Transilvania since their entrance into it The Duke of Loraine having for one day refreshed the rest of his Army in places without the Town The Duke of Loraine at Alba Julia. marched towards Turtembourg which is another important Pass in that Country in which having left a Garrison he proceeded to Weissembourg otherwise called Alba Julia so named from the Empress Julia Mother of Marcus Aurelius and entred into it without any resistance The place is situate on the side of a Hill from whence a vast Plain discovers it self it is reported to have been the ultimate Limit of the Roman Conquests on that side Prince Ragotzki erected an University there which was very flourishing and famous considering the Country Hermanstadt alias Zeben followed the Example of the aforesaid places It is the Metropolis of the whole Province of Savons Zeben situate in a Plain full of Boggs and Marshes and no Hills near to command it the Walls are very thick and flanked with very great Bastions Bestrissa and all the other considerable Towns opened in like manner their Gates so that now the whole Army being conveniently Quartered And Bestrissa surrender the Duke of Loraine entred into a Treaty with Prince Apafi and the States of Transilvania and concluded on these following Articles Articles agreed I. That the Prince of Transilvania his Children and all persons of his Houshold as also all the Nobles and in General all the People of Transilvania may have liberty according to their Will and Pleasure to go out of Hermanstadt or any other City or Town and return again as shall be most agreeable and expedient to or for their Affairs II. That the Prince and Michael Apafi his Eldest Son who is declared Successor to his Father shall both retain the same Power and Dignity with which the Sultan had invested them and that the Principality should be governed by them and the Estates according to the known Laws and Customs of that Country III. That the Four Religions allowed in Transilvania that is to say the Roman Catholicks the Lutherans the Calvinists
and the Unitarians or Socinians shall be permitted to exercise the Rites of their respective Religions and to have Liberty of Conscience equally indulged to them IV. That it shall not be permitted on any pretence whatsoever to molest the Priests or the Ministers of any of the aforesaid Religions in the due exercise of their respective Rites and Ceremonies nor disturb their Schools or Colleges the which with all freedom and liberty shall be allowed and permitted and defended by the Authority and Power of the Emperor V. That the Transilvanians shall be supported and maintained in their Civil Privileges and Franchises VI. In case any Foreign Power shall invade and attack the Country of Transilvania the Imperialists shall use all their power to drive them thence and defend the Country And the Transilvanians shall to that end enter into a defensive alliance with them the which shall by both Parties be confirmed upon Oath VII The Imperial Troops which have their Winter-Quarters in Cities Towns or Villages shall remain no longer therein than until the Spring when they shall be obliged to draw out of those Quarters into the Field that so they may be no longer a charge unto the several Cities and Countries VIII That in case the Weather and Season should be such or some other cause intervene that the Imperialists cannot conveniently draw out into the Field at the beginning of the Spring there shall be an Article expresly formed for this case that so an amicable understanding may be continued between the Emperor and Prince Apafi IX That a General Act of Amnesty or Oblivion shall pass of all Outrages and Hostilities which have been committed on one side or the other wherein all Strangers and Deserters shall be included X. That the Burghers and Citizens shall be continued in their Privileges of guarding the Gates and the Keys of the City shall be committed to the hands of the Saxon Consuls the which Gates notwithstanding are to be shut and opened at all times when the Imperial Governor shall command These Articles being agreed and concluded between the Duke of Loraine and the Prince and Estates of Transilvania and afterwards ratified by the Emperor the Troops marched into their Winter-Quarters and it was hoped that Moldavia and Walachia being Neighbouring Provinces would follow the Example of the more powerful Principality This Year's Campaigne being thus gloriously ended to the great and lasting Honour of the Emperor and to the Welfare and Safety of the Empire and of all Germany and as we may justly say of all Christendom The Imperial Court goes to Possonium The Emperor the Empress the Arch-Duke and the Arch-Duchess Elizabeth his Sister on the 26th of October left Vienna attended only with their ordinary Guards and Ministers and Officers of their Court and began their Journey towards Possonium at which place against this time circular Letters had been sent to convene a General Diet of the Nobles and States of Hungary This August Family were met on their way near that City by Two thousand of the Hungarian Nobility all well mounted with a splendid Equipage in the Plains of Chitzé not far from Possonium as also by two Imperial Regiments which attended their Majesties to the Gates of the City where the Recorder met them and having Complimented their Majesties with a most florid Oration offered the Keys of the City to the Emperor in the Name of the People who with loud Acclamations and firing all the Cannon on the Walls testified the Joy they conceived for the appearance of the most August and Illustrious Family The day following after the Mass was Celebrated Crown of Hungary setled the Assembly of the States of Hungary were convened where after divers Points were debated all Difficulties were overcome and agreed to the common satisfaction and with the general consent That the Hereditary Succession of that Kingdom should descend to the Eldest Son of his Cesarean Majesty and from him to all those who shall spring or be derived from him and for default of Issue in case that Line should come to fail which God forbid then the Crown should descend unto the Family of the King of Spain The day appointed for the Coronation being come the Emperor and Empress attended with a Noble and an Illustrious Train came to the Temple of St. Martin The Ceremonies of Crowning the King of Hungary where the Ceremony was to be performed and at the Gate thereof were met by the Archbishop of Strigonium Primate of that Kingdom assisted by all the Bishops who were Twelve in Number besides Fourteen Priors and Abbots clothed in their Pontifical and Canonical Habits who with the Sound of all sorts of Musical Instruments conducted their Imperial Majesties habited in their sacred Garments wearing their Crowns attended with a most pompous Train and with all the Signals of Empire unto the Altar and there seated them on their Thrones After which the Bishops and other Prelates returned to receive the new King before whom first marched the Heralds of the Kingdom of Hungary in their Coats After them followed the Guards next went the Lacquies and Pages all clothed in new Liveries these were followed by the Bishops and Chief Officers of that Kingdom with Ten Hungarian Knights each carrying a Standard in his hand representing the Ten Kingdoms anciently appertaining to the vast Dominion of Hungary After all which came the King clothed in the Hungarian Habit accompanied with Prince Esterhasy the Palatine and the Counts Stephen Ciaky Lord Chief Justice Nicholas Erdeody Ban or Prince of the Kingdom of Croatia John Drascoviz Steward of the Royal Houshold and Adam Zrini Marshal of the Kingdom the King himself being between Two Bishops was conducted to the Throne prepared for him not far from the High Altar at which Mass was Celebrated by the Archbishop of Strigonium Lord Primate of Hungary the which being ended all the Nobility did Homage to the King who having made profession of his Faith before the Altar he was Blessed and Consecrated by the Archbishop and Anointed in the Palm of his Right-hand on his Arm and Shoulders and then the Palatine holding up the Crown in his hand asked them with a loud Voice saying Coronabimus Josephum Archiducem Austriae in Regem Hungariae which is Shall we Crown Joseph Arch-Duke of Austria King of the Romans which being done Three times and answer made as often Coronetur or let him be Crowned the Crown was delivered by the Palatine to the Archbishop who set it on his Head and was clothed by him with the Royal Mantle of St. Stephen Then was the Sword delivered to one Hand and the Scepter to the other and thus being adorned with all the Ensigns of Majesty he was Proclaimed King with the sound of Drums Trumpets Acclamations of the People and all sorts of Musick the Cannon being at the same time Fired round the Walls and in the Fortresses Then was the King conducted again to his Throne and Te
Air of the World which served to quicken the Wits and clear the Understandings of Young Students who were sent to that University to have their Education This City being thus fallen into the hands of the Venetians the Government thereof was committed to the charge of Daniel Delfin a Nobleman of Venice The News of the taking of Athens flying into all the Towns and Countries round about so terrified the People of Megara Megara burnt that not attending the Assault or Approach of the Enemy they with fearful Consternation abandoned the place and carrying with them what in such a precipitate haste was portable they left the rest to the disposal of the Venetians who considering it as a place rather troublesome than useful delivered it up to the Mercy of the Flames As the Venetian Arms were prosperous in the Morea and other parts of Greece under the wise and happy Conduct of the Captain-General Francesco Morosini so were they not less successful in Dalmatia and Albania under the Valorous Guidance of that worthy General Gerolemo Cornaro Procurator of St. Mark On the First of September a Squadron of the Venetian Armado distinct from that which was commanded by General Morosini consisting of some Gallies Galiot Ships Castel Nuovo attacked and other Transport Vessels appearing before the Town of Castel Nuovo greatly alarum'd the Garrison and People therein of which they conceived the greater Dread and Apprehensions because they had observed that the Auxiliary Gallies which had long been hovering about the Coast of Dalmatia were come in and had joyned the Armado attended with great Numbers of Vessels laden with Ammunition and Provisions and re-inforced by certain Veterane Troops belonging to the G. Duke of Toscany On the Second of September Septem 1687. Girolamo Cornaro Proveditor-General of the Venetian Forces in Dalmatia and Albania endeavoured to Land the Militia with all necessary Appurtenances of War at a place called Comburt which was a Port environed round with Hills and Rocks and had been a place very proper for Landing had not the Turks pre-possessed the important Passes of it The Venetians Land and encompassed it about with a strong Trench howsoever the Venetians resolving to make a descent at that place drove the Turks out of their Trenches and landed all their Men and Train of Artillery with their Provisions and Instruments for War The first thing there to be done was to discover the face of the Enemy which Calbo the Proveditor Extraordinary undertook and with a Detatched Party brought News that the Garrison of Castel Nuovo had lately been reinforced by the Neighbouring places which the Turks were fortifying round about with Trenches and Redoubts In consideration of which it was resolved by common consent that another Descent should be made at a place called Zelenica and accordingly that was performed by the Auxiliaries assisted by Two Battalions under the Command of that undaunted General St. Paul who began a Fight with the Enemy A Fight begun in which after Five hours time the Venetians became Masters of the first Trenches and soon afterwards drove the Turks out of the second and proceeded to gain the Hill called Santa Veneranda which commands the place Where having raised a small Platform and fortified it with Two small Guns with which they shot red-hot Bullets into the Town they soon made it too hot for the Inhabitants to abide or the Soldiers in their Trenches to maintain And thô the Pasha of Bosna came with all his Forces to their assistance yet Two thousand Soldiers being seasonably landed by the Auxiliary Gallies on the East part of the Town towards the side of Ragusi gave such an effectual Repulse to the Troops of that Pasha The Pasha of Bosna endeavours to relieve the Turks that they betaking themselves to a most shameful Flight left the Besieged in great Terror and Consternation In the mean time the Morlachs who are Thieves and Robbers by Nature and Profession entred the Town and fell on the Plunder which occasioned some Disorder until the Proveditor General by his Troops and the Authority of his Person quieted the Tumult arisen about the Booty After which the Militia of Malta advanced according to agreement with so much courage to the very Muzzle of the Enemy's Musquets and the false Bray of the Upper-Castle that Four Cavaliers of Malta and many of their Soldiers lost their Lives in this Action Howsoever the Post was maintained with so much resolution against the Ottoman Fury that Marquess Borro Sergeant-Major And is repulsed flanked with some other Troops coming timely to their assistance the Enemy was forced to a Retreat and shelter themselves under the Cannon of the lower Fortress leaving slain on the place the Captain of the Castle Two Agas with several principal Officers and a great Number of the common Soldiers Thus the Turks being droven from all their Posts and Outworks which encompassed the Fortress and the same possessed by the Venetian Arms the Siege became totally formed on all parts every principal Commander having his respective Post allotted unto him to guard and defend The Turks observing themselves to be environed on all sides by a well-formed and close Siege made a vigorous Sally with a Detachment of their Bravest and best Selected Soldiers but were as couragiously received and forced to retreat Whilst things remained in this posture Intelligence being brought to the Leaguer Another Pasha endeavours to give succour that the Pasha of Herzegovina was on his march for to succour and relieve the Town a Detachment was immediately formed out of the Morlach and Perattine Troops to oppose him This Pasha having lately served in Hungary under one Atlee-gick which is as much as to say the little Horseman was upon his Death promoted to the Government of Bosna in the place of the other Pasha lately defeated and with that Preferment being a little elevated with Pride marched forward with confidence of Victory and Contempt of the Christian Camp and being on the top of that Hill which was called Topgee or the Gunner he furiously made a descent on the Quarter of Perini who upon the first Charge received a Wound in his own person A part of the Venetians put to the rout but the Body of his men stood firm and immoveable whilst the Battalion of Sergeant Major Galli was put to the Rout and Fled without looking behind them to the Sea-Coast To remedy this disorder Major-General Grimini and the Proveditor-General with the General of Malta and all the chief Officers of the Army came in to their assistance and caused the Run-aways to make a stand and rally again and make Head upon the Enemy And then the Colonel of the General 's Guards with several other Captains coming up with a Body of Granadiers they mingled themselves with the Turks The Turks defeated and fighting with their Swords amidst the thickest of them gave them such a repulse that at first they
time the Garrison of Alba Regalis being reduced to great Extremities by Famine Alba Regalis in distress and want of all necessaries dispatched away a certain Aga called Achmet with some few Attendants to Belgrade there to expose to the Governours of that place the Miseries of their languishing City Achmet privately conveying himself out of the Town with his Servants found by chance a small Boat tied on the Banks of the Danube into which being enter'd Messengers sent to Belgrade they quietly passed for some Days down the Stream until they came near to a place called Erdeody which had not long before been possessed by the Christians The Heydukes perceiving the Boat from the Walls immediately suspected that the People therein were Fugitives then making their Escape to prevent which they privately went on Board a Saick or Turkish Vessel and crossing upon them cut them off in their way and firing on them with their Muskets forced them to Steer and Row to the other side but they following them made them all Prisoners Achmet only excepted who being very nimble and active Are taken and a kind of a Bog-trotter escaped over a Marsh with all his Letters and fetching a compass out of the way he came over against Valkowar which he supposing to be still a Garrison of the Turks Valkowar made a Sign for a Boat to Ferry him over the River the Boat passing over rowed and manned by Heydukes seized Achmet who being surprized to see himself made a Prisoner and thinking that they were Turks and not Enemies cried out I am a Turk sent by the Pasha and Garrison of Alba Regalis with a Verbal Commission only to the Port denying to have any Letters about him but they rifling him found near Three hundred Letters which were afterwards sent to Vienna and translated by the Emperor's Interpreter And now Achmet finding it no time longer to conceal his Business openly declared with Tears in his Eyes That he was the more troubled for this misfortune because that thereby he could not answer the expectation of his Friends at Alba Regalis Confession of Achmet who had dispeeded him for Belgrade to give an Account to those Governours of their distressed Condition and according to such Answers as they should receive from thence to take a Resolution either to Defend or Surrender the Town He farther added That thô sometimes certain Hungarian Friends conveyed into the Town some Flour Pease Beans and Butter yet it was in such small Quantities that all was devoured and the People therein reduced to such Extremites that in case a small number of Germans should appear with Cannon before the City the Bodies of the Garrison and Inhabitants were become so enfeebled by Famine and their Spirits so low that without all doubt they would upon the first Summons Surrender at Discretion But to give the Reader a more evident Narration of the Misery of that place it will not be from our purpose to insert one of the Letters which were taken about Achmet subscribed by the three Pashas from Alba Regalis to the Grand Vizier in these Terms After the Complements and Ceremonious words premised which are commonly long and full of Bombastick Expressions according to the Turkish Stile they began in this manner Most happy Lord IF you enquire after the State of this City and of the Turkish Soldiers therein and in the Parts adjacent all that we can say is That we recommend theirs and our Condition to the most High God and to the Pious Compassion of your Excellency for that after all our Stores of Provision as well new as old were consumed there remained a small quantity of Millet which tho' it were so old and corrupted as if it had been laid in at the first Foundation of the City yet it was delivered out and distributed amongst the Soldiers the which being also consumed there remains not one Grane of any Corn amongst us so that we are reduced to a most extream and incredible Extremity And what is worse we cannot expect any Relief from the neighbouring parts for that the Villages round about are revolted to the Enemy who in the last Summer burnt all our Corn upon the Ground and in the Autumn made themselves Masters of the bordering Palancaes or Forts namely Palotta Chiocca and Bacchian so that at present being environed on all sides by Enemies we dare not stir abroad but are forced to contain our selves within the compass of four Walls And indeed to speak the Truth we are in that starving Condition that many have deserted and above Eight hundred of the Servants of God have rather chosen to yield themselves Slaves to the Christians than to die by Hunger and many of these have renounced our Holy Faith nor is it possible for us to hinder those who do daily desert us Surely most Pious Lord The Compassion of our Sovereign is such as will not permit his innocent People to perish or to be trampled under the Feet of our Enemies Most happy Lord The Giaurs or Infidels since the taking of Agria are come to take Winter-quarters in the Castles and Villages of our Neighbour-hood and appear every Day in sight of our Gates and being puffed up with Pride since the subjection of Agria and Ossech they daily send us Letters and Summons to Surrender and now lately the third time we received a most insolent Letter from a certain Captain who says he belongs to the Religious at Vienna inviting us to a Surrender promising to Conduct us in safety with our Goods and Families to such places as we shall desire Threatning upon our refusal to give us no Quarter but to put us all to the Sword And now at last another Messenger is come to us from the Commander of Palotta whom out of pure Zeal to our Religion we put to Death with Thousands of Torments The next Day after which we made a Sally in which the Giaurs that is the Christians gained the advantage killing and taking Prisoners One hundred and fifty of our Zaims and Timariots putting to Death afterwards all those which they had taken in Revenge of what we had committed on the Messenger which they had sent to us and with these many of our Servants became Martyrs for our Holy Faith which struck such a terrour into the Minds of our Citizens Spahees and Janisaries that above Two hundred of them conveyed themselves away in one Night Most valiant Lord Besides those Letters which we have sent by divers Conveyances to give a Relation of our most miserable Condition we have yet farther to add that our Souldiers finding themselves desperate and out of all hopes of Relief and Succour have sometimes arisen in a Mutiny upon us For after they had eaten up all the Cattle and Oxen and Flesh which was in the Magazine so that an Oke which is two pounds and a half of Salt is sold at four Dollars and a Bushel of Millet at Twenty four Dollars
discourse with them and by their Answers to several Interrogatories he put to them he understood that amongst those Sixteen there were two of them which in the late Tumult in the City had been principal Ringleaders of the Sedition the first called Hadgi Ali and the other Kara Hassan both of them Officers amongst the Spahees and of the number of those who had broken the Vizier's Windows and given some Stabs to the Governour of the Castle And to satisfie the Colonel's Questions more particularly Hadgi Ali gave this following Account of the late Uproar which had hapned in the Town A Relation of the Mutiny in the Town of Alba Regalis On the 27th said he of this Month of March some Janisaries and Spahees of the Garrison came to me and said Friends and Brethren what are we to do These our Commanders will neither Surrender up the City to the Christians nor yet give us Provisions wherewith to live Come let us go to these Tyrants and require an Account from them for what reason they treat us in this inhuman manner The Day following the Spahees and Janisaries to the number of Four or Five hundred went with me to the Vizier with whom we found the Pasha of the City then present and I as their chief Speaker began in sharp and resenting Terms to lay before them our miserable and starving Condition and Aggrievances The Vizier and Pasha with gentle and most obliging words endeavoured to pacifie us and to lay the blame of all upon the Aga of the Janisaries advising us to cite him before the Kadi or Judge then sitting in the chief Mosch of the City where being convicted by Justice they would leave him to our Mercy to inflict Punishment on him according to our own free Will and Pleasure And that their intentions might appear more real and manifest they gave into my Hands an Order directed to the Judge to give ear unto the Aggrievances of the People and to those Accusations which they had to charge on the Aga of the Janisaries The People herewith went to the House of the Judge whom finding not at home they proceeded directly to the Aga of the Janisaries who being well pre-advised of the Business called me to himself and began to speak to me in very kind words I know my dear Hadgi you desire that the place be yielded up and for my part I am contented and if you will let me go to the Vizier and the Pasha we will soon agree upon Articles for the Surrender The which we having permitted him to do he immediately mounted on his Horse but the enraged People fell upon him and had killed him had he not retired back into the Yard of his House and shut his Gates upon them and to save himself from farther Out-rage he barred up himself in a secret place of his House resolving not to come forth until he had received assurances for the security of his Life the which when I had given him with consent and approbation of the People on Condition that he should concur with the Vizier and Pasha in their Resolutions for Surrender of the place he then went to the Vizier and the Pasha and being all three together they joyntly agreed to call me to their Presence and caused me which was a thing unusual to sit down amongst them and demanded of me what it was I desired I immediately answered Sirs My Companions have entrusted me to tell you That if you do not Surrender up the City but suffer them miserably to Perish they resolve to Kill you and to do the Business themselves and to depart from hence with their Families to Belgrade These words being uttered with some fierceness and accompanied with some other Menaces they expressed great tenderness for the People repeating their promises to yield unto all their desires But I was scarce got out from their presence before the Gates were with despight shut upon us and the Commanders shewed themselves armed with all their Attendants at the Windows and the Aga of the Janisaries who was more resolute than any and averse to the Surrender holding his Bow and Arrows in his Hand told the People plainly that he would not consent to the Surrender of the City but would defend and maintain it to the last drop of his Blood The People enraged hereat drew up into a Body before the Vizier's House and some of them ran upon the Walls and drew from thence two Pieces of Cannon intending therewith to batter down the Vizier's Palace which was ready for Execution when the Renegado Wrebeck a Fellow very dear to the People came with Tears in his Eyes to dissuade them from so violent an Attempt and having used many very pungent Arguments to them he prevailed so far that the Tumult was appeased During this interval or suspension of Arms I who was as it were the Tribune of the People was called again and desired to appease the Multitude promising to answer their desires But they having been so often deluded refused to give any Credit to their Words unless they would solemnly swear on the Alchoran to yield the City nor yet would they draw off and return the Cannon unto the Walls until such time as they had begun to make some steps towards the execution of their desires Hereupon the three Commanders with some of the Citizens assembled in the great Mosch as if they intended to agree upon the Propositions which were to be offer'd to the Enemies but in reality they intended nothing less labouring all that Day to appease the Tumults with Mony and Provisions The Vizier made large distributions to the Spahees and the Aga to the Janisaries and the Pasha to the Citizens and Soldiers of the Country and by these means they took an Oath of the People patiently to endure until St. George's Day being the 23d of April which is a Day regardby the Turks But howsoever they would esteem themselves absolved from this Oath in case an Enemy should in the mean time appear before their Walls and streighten them yet farther by a Siege Colonel Riccardi having by this Relation been rightly informed of the true State of the Town he thought fit to make Tryal of another Appearance before the Walls and came with more than One hundred Horse within Cannon-shot of the place which had he done the preceeding Day before the People had taken an Oath to hold out until St. George's Day the City had most certainly been yielded But now instead thereof they made several Shots from the Bastions and sallied out both Horse and Foot without any other execution on either side than the taking of one Turk whose Head they cut off in sight of his Companions Thus the Colonel having sufficiently been informed of the State of the matter on which he was employed he departed from Palotta with his Troops on the 31st of March and Lodging that Night within a League of Alba Regalis Colonel Riccardi leaves Alba
Regalis a certain Janisary well armed and clothed came to them in the Morning and gave an Account that he was fled from the City with some other Companions amongst which was an Odabashee or Captain of the Janisaries who having been over active and forward in the late Mutiny feared in cooler Blood to be called to question by the angred Officers After which Colonel Riccardi finding little farther to be done marched back to Buda as Colonel Bisterzi did with his Forces to Palotta The obstinate Defence which Alba Regalis made gave some trouble to the Court at Vienna both because it was necessary to have it subjected before the beginning of the Campaign and because the Captive Turks and Deserters were so numerous in those parts and in the Towns and Redoubts over all those Qarters as might give just occasion of Jealousie and fear of Danger in case any design of Massacre or Assassination should be plotted by them But so vile and mean were the Turks esteemed and their price and value so low that a lusty Fellow was sold for a Dollar and a Woman for a quarter But we must here take our leave of Alba Regalis for a while and return to Constantinople where we shall find the Seditions and Military Mutinies broken out again with more Fury and Danger even to the very shaking of the Foundations of the Empire than at the latter end of the last year For the Cabals daily increased amongst the mutinous Soldiers They had lately received their pay and were satisfied in all they could demand their Officers had some of them been displaced and others strangled as they were pleased to bestow their Heads and Offices but not being herewith contented unless every one of them could be made a Vizier or Pasha Mutinies begin again at Constantinople they were emboldned to proceed to farther Outrages There had been a kind of a cessation of these intestine Troubles for about the space of two Months during which time the new Sultan was persuaded as a thing accustomary to send an Ambassador to France England and Holland to give notice of his happy exaltation to the Sublime Throne of his Ancestors but whilst this was meditating and preparations making for carrying on the Wars of the ensuing Summer which was designed most vigorously to be acted in the Morea and in a defensive manner only in Hungary the Thoughts of sending an Ambassador into Christendom as lately designed were laid aside which was not unpleasing either to Sir William Trumbal who was then Ambassador for his Majesty of Great Britain at Constantinople nor yet to the English Company of Merchants at London trading into the Levant Seas who could expect to reap nothing but trouble and expence from such an Embassy And indeed all things were at a stand by the Insolencies of the Soldiers the Officers both Civil and Military being discouraged and at a stop and full Period in the Grand Seignior's Service had work enough to contrive how to guard their own Persons against the violence of the Soldiers and provide for the safety of their own Lives The daily Cabals of Mutinous Soldiers having been held in several places of the City were adjourned at length to the Vizier's own House where with Menaces and greater Insolencies than formerly they demanded the removal of Kuperlee the Chimacam from his Office saying Kuperlee laid aside That he was as bad a Man as his Father who had spilt Rivers of Blood and ruined the Empire It was an unusual Piece of Favour and Mercy in this People to deal thus gently with him who were accustomed formerly to be Executioners of their own Sentence upon those whom they suspected to be no good Wishers to their Side and Faction To oppose them herein had been to no purpose and to expostulate with them had been equally dangerous wherefore the Vizier being sensible of their Outragious and Irrational Humour not patient of the least Contradiction seemed to concur with them in all they asked and ordered a Gally immediately to Transport Kuperlee to the Castles on the Hellespont or Dardanelli He is sent in a Gally to the Castles There was no need of Commands or Force to drive Kuperlee away for he was affrighted and readily leapt into the Gally thinking it a happy occasion to save his Life and escape out of their Hands The Vizier also at their instance discharged several Officers which they had nominated putting the Chief of these Rebels into their places and renewed a solemn Oath with them to stand by them and never to be their Enemy and the Spahees and Janisaries took the same Oath to stand by each other The Vizier as a means to amuse the Mutiniers and to divert their Thoughts to more orderly and lawful designs set forth the Tugh or Horse's Tail with a Signal of the Vizier's March into the Field within the space of Forty days but having been forced in this manner to put out Kuperlee his Brother-in-Law in whom he much confided from his Office of Chimacam he knew not any whom he could more safely trust with the Government of the City during his absence than Shaban Aga his own Kaiah or Deputy in his Business and to supply his place Zulsicar Effendi was nominated to be Kajah but very unseasonably for he was Obnoxious to the Mutiniers having been Chiausbashee and turned out by them which when one Tesfugee understood the ablest and activest Head amongst them he came to the Vizier and insolently told him that if he made that Man his Kaiah he would kill him before his Face The Vizier forced to dissemble The Vizier still dissembled this Affront as well as many others letting these Rebels run on in their mad and tyrannical Government until they had render'd themselves universally Odious to the People which they soon did by their Arbitrary and unequal proceedings for they framed a Project of raising Chimny-Money A Zechin is about 9 s. 6 d. of a Zechin yearly on every Chimney thô for Popularity it was contrived that the Rich should pay for the Poor they also gave out Rules for quartering Soldiers and for levying Money by extraordinary Ways besides innumerable other Violences and Outrages they committed all which served to the Vizier's purpose and hastened the execution of the Designs which had been contrived between him and Kuperlee to bring them to destruction but this could not be compleated without the consent of the new Aga of the Janisaries with whom the Vizier had prevailed to joyn and concur with him Accordingly on Sunday the 19th of February a Hatte-sheriff which is a Royal Command under the Sultan's own Hand writing was sent to the Janisar-Aga who assembling the Chief Officers read it to them the Contents whereof were thus That whereas the Soldiers having lien under many Grievances and long Arrears of pay The Grand Seignior's Command read to the Soldiers had chosen some of their Body to obtain a redress which having been granted unto
in past Ages wherefore being elected by the consent of all the General Officers for Commander in Chief of the whole Army the Count Kaunitz was dispatched with the Imperial Letters to the Elector at Monaco inviting him to accept of this important Charge But because the Season of the year was far advanced and that no time was to be lost Prince Lewis of Baden was dispatched to the Army to joyn with Marshal Caprara both for Conservation of the new Conquests and to dispose Matters in order to farther Victories Nor were the Turks only vexed with the ill Successes of War but were also afflicted with Earthquakes Mutinies Conspiracies amongst their Soldiers with Robberies and Disordes over all Asia On the 30th of June about half an hour before Twelve a Clock at Noon which is the common time of Dinner hapned a most dreadful Earthquake at Smyrna which in a few Moments over-threw almost all the Houses in the City with the Death as is computed of Five thousand of the Inhabitants many of which were drawn out half Dead from the Ruins This terrible Judgment by the good Providence of God hapning to be on a Saturday An Earthquake at Smyrna which commonly the Consul and Factors of the English Nation make a Day of divertisement without any business most of them were abroad either in the Country or on board some Ships in the Port from whence they easily heard the lamentable Noise and Cries of the falling City not now to be seen or discerned through the vast and thick Dust which cover'd all the Ruins those who were in the Ships were sensible of the Shake for the Seas lifted up the Ships the Guns leaped in the Carriages and the Seamen on the Deck were as unsteddy on their Feet as in a Storm at Sea Some who were on the Shoar felt the Earth trembling under them Stagger'd and were thrown to the Ground In the Houses of our Merchants three only of the English Nation perished namely Mr. Samuel Bernardiston Mr. Henry Stephens and Mr. Richard Pierce all killed by the falling of a main Beam as they were sitting at Dinner Several others which remained at Home are still alive to recount their wonderful Escape whilst the Tops Tiles and Rafters of the Houses fell round about them without any Wound or touch on their Bodies But had it so pleased God that this Earthquake should have hapned on any other Day in the Week besides Saturday it is more than probable that many more of the English Factory would have perished in the Ruins Of the Jews Four hundred were killed and amongst them one of their most famous Rabbis of the East called Aron Ibben Haim The Metropolite of Smyrna with many of his Papasses who went into their Church to Pray were killed by the fall of the Roof The like Fate befel the Patriarch of Alexandria who with his People was overwhelm'd with the Ruins Of the French Nation the Consul only was killed and of the Dutch only one Merchant About three or four Hours after this dismal Shake an Irruption of Fire appeared in the Frank Street which is a Row of Houses along the Sea side A Fire breaks out inhabited by the Frank Nations for so the Turks call all the Western People This Fire perhaps might at first have been extinguished but that smaller Shakes hapning now and then after the greater Earthquake so terrified the People by the falling of Walls and Tops of Houses that none daring to come near suffer'd the Fire to prevail which consumed much of the Merchants Cloth melted their Tin Lead and Money and burnt up their Papers and Books of Account So that it cannot be said whether the Earthquake or the the Fire did the greatest Damage and Devastation But this is certain that the English Merchants were very considerable sufferers some having computed the loss to a Hundred thousand pounds Sterling It is a great Question from whence this Fire should proceed some will have it from the Fires in the Kitchins which were kindled about that time of the Day for the use and purpose of dressing Meat and other Services but that seems unlikely for the Kitchin Fires at that time of the Year and of the Day being not great might have been more easily extinguished and smothered by the fall of so much Brick and Rubbish rather than kindled by the Beams and Rafters wherefore I believe that this Incendiation did proceed from an Irruption of Subterranean Fires which are the cause of Earthquakes Thus was it when the Mount Vesuvius was blown up and so it was and is when Mongibello Vomits out it's Flames making all the Countries tremble round the Island of Sicily and so it was in the Year 1666 when Ragusi was destroyed with an Earthquake the Subterranean Fires destroying whatsoever remained under the Ruins And so it was at Lima in the West-Indies where after the Earthquake a Fire broke forth which consumed that City in the same manner as afterwards it did at Smyrna In the Army were great Discontents as it always happens in times of Misfortune Yeghen as we have said had forced himself upon the Vizier to be made Seraskier or General Seditions in the Army whilst many better Men than he were laid aside The Force being so inconsiderable on the Frontiers it was judged beneath the Dignity of a Vizier to appear at the Head of so weak an Army wherefore remaining that year at Constantinople where several of the discontented Giurbas had concealed them a Conspiracy was by them formed against the Grand Vizier and the Government which had in a few hours taken effect A Conspiracy against the Vizier plotted and discovered had it not been discovered by some of their false Brethren to prepare which several Libels were thrown about in the Mosques condemning the removal of the Grand Seignior and his Court to Adrianople to the great Ruin and Detriment of the ancient Seat of the Sultans at Constantinople and prejudicial to the Empire by such an unnecessary expence These Libels were seconded by an Arz or Memorial from the Soldiers to the Vizier himself importing that they would not suffer the Sultan to remove from Constantinople but in case the Vizier would go in Person to the Wars and first pay them their Arrears they would accompany him when the Season was fit for so long a March but to go and Winter at Adrianople would discommode them and their Families and prove of no benefit to the grand Design of War against the Common Enemy the Christians This bold Memorial gave Encouragement to the Inferiour Janisaries to commit daily Insolences in the Streets which being connived at by their Officers concerned in the Conspiracy which was to have been executed on the 23d day of July gave Fears and Jealousies to the Government that the same Tragedy was acting over again as had been in the time of the late Giurbas For the Plot was laid that the Gebegees should in a Tumultuous manner
go to the Vizier's House to demand their Arrears of Pay then were the Janisaries upon the Noise hereof to joyn with them and Assault the Vizier and take the Government into their own Hands The Methods of the Plot. as had lately been practised by the Giurbas But on the Vigil before the Execution the whole Plot was discovered and those who were to be the principal Actors therein were made known to the Vizier Who immediately thereupon Summoned such Guards as he could confide in and with Five hundred Men went about the City all that Night and seized all the Conspirators in their Houses The next day the Janisar-Aga was displaced and made Pasha of Van a City on the Borders of Persia and one Mahomet Aga the Segme Bashee Colonel of a sort of Militia so called was advanced to his Office he was a Man of above Eighty years of Age very lame by reason of a Wound he had received at the Siege of Candia by a Cannon Bullet which shot off one of his Buttocks But yet he was Vigorous and of a severe Temper fit to keep such Mutiniers in Discipline and Subjection The Kiahbei or Lieutenant General of the Janisaries was also Cashiered and thô they both pleaded Innocence and Ignorance yet the want of knowledge to discover such a Contrivance hatching amongst their Soldiers was Crime sufficient to ease them of their Commands For two Nights following How prevented three Parties of armed Men took their Rounds about the City The first led by the Vizier The second by the new Janisar-Aga and the third by the new Kia-bei these meeting together in the Morning and conferring Notes found that they had cut off about Fifty Persons most of them Janisaries And several Nights afterwards some Executions were done and all acted with such Secrecy and Silence in the dead of the Night that no Noise or Disturbance followed thereupon for there was no Man of great Vogue or Repute put to Death the highest being only in degree a Chiurbagee or Captain all which were put into Sacks and thrown into the Sea according to the punishment by ancient Constitution to be inflicted on Janisaries Amongst those who were put to Death was one Hamedi Effendi who was at first appointed with others to carry the Grand Seignior's Letter for Peace to the Emperor Several others being too free in their Tongues against the Vizier openly saying that he was decayed in his Parts and not capable to mannage so great an Employment uttering other things savouring of a high Contempt of his Person were put to Death And amidst these Executions the Head of Dogangee Shuban Pasha of Nicopolis on the Danube was brought to Town he had been one of the Giurbas and Kiah to Siaus Pasha and once named by him to have been left Chimacam when the Vizier was at the War This Report with the Fame of being designed by the Conspirators to be set up for Vizier was fatal to him and procured the Hand-writing or Sentence for his Death Yeghen Bei was also suspected to have had a Hand in promoting and projecting the Conspiracy but he was too great as yet to be reached by the waining Power of the Vizier Yeghen suspected to have been in the Conspiracy This Suspicion had some Foundation from the Counsels which Yeghen had formerly given concerning the removal of the Grand Seignior to Adrianople which as he said could not be done without Hurt and Damage to the Empire declaring in like manner by a second Letter that in case they should contrary to his Mind and Opinion remove the Grand Seignior he would in the Autumn come personally to Adrianople to demand their Reasons for the same Howsoever this Vizier was willing to overlook all the extravagant and insolent Speeches of Yeghen Bei out of Gratitude as was said of sparing his Life when after the loss of the late Battle he then being Janisar-Aga the Soldiers would have cut him to pieces The Viziers respect to Yeghen had not the Authority and Interest of Yeghen with the Militia spared and secured his Life In Consideration and Remembrance of which he was no sooner created Vizier than he discharged the Nefran or Trained Bands of the Country which the late Ishmael Pasha had raised to suppress Yeghen then lying with his Forces near to Sophia Howsoever this Conspiracy against the Vizier would scarce have passed over so easily had not a lucky hit of Two thousand and six hundred Purses being the Estate of two rich Kuzlir-Agas cut off Money come from Grand Cairo and brought from Grand Cairo in Egypt been seasonably brought to the Exchequer which served a little to pacifie the Soldiery which was now nine Months in Arrear The Vizier also not thinking himself secure from the Plots and Conspiracies which might still be framed against him removed Ishmael the late Vizier from Cavalla a place near Salonica where he had been Imprisoned to the Castle at Rhodes the famous place for disgraced and banished Officers He removed also several from their places of Trust putting Creatures of his into their Offices and amongst the rest he made four new Viziers of the Bench one of which was Hali Aga Hasnadar or Treasurer to the Vizier Kupri-oglee called from Trapezond Four new Viziers of the Bench made where he was Pasha another was Omer Pasha Tefterdar or Treasurer who last year in the beginning of the Troubles was Segmen Bashee or General of that Militia and had been pulled off from his Horse by the Giurbas in the Streets and turned out of Office a third was the Nisangi Bashee a young Man taken out of the Seraglio where he was a Page And a fourth was one of the Vizier's ancient Servants But notwithstanding the dislike which the Soldiers shewed to the Grand Seignior's removal to Adrianople the Vizier and his Counsellours resolved to pursue their Design esteeming it a place more secure and safe for the Government according to the Maxim of old Kuperlee where the Milita could be more under their Eye and Plots not so easily contrived as at Constantinople where the numbers and Riches of the People were capable at all times to move Disturbances So in the Month of July the Sultan removed to Adrianople with his deposed Brother his Son and the other Brother Sultan Achmet with the Valide Sultana or Queen Mother The Court being come to Adrianople at the first Consult a Peace was proposed and Ambassadors named to go to Vienna viz. Zulficar Aga and Mavrocordato who was a Christian and Interpreter to the Vizier the Dispatch of these Ambassadors was the more earnestly hastned by reason of the News then come to the Court that the Germans were on their March to Invest Belgrade Yeghen Pasha was then at Nissa where the Differences between him and Hassan Pasha grew to that Heat that their Parties falling to Blows Two hundred were killed in the Fray which Hassan being the Wiser and more
temperate Commander interpreted for a bad Omen of Success in the following Campaign The Court took little Notice of all this Matter but still continued to encourage Yeghen with Promises of Additional Forces and new Supplies ordering him to oppose all the Designs and Attempts of the Christians to the utmost of his Power giving him also a Commission to enter into a Treaty of Peace with the Christian General in case any Overture should fairly offer its self But Yeghen not having with these Commands received the Prophet's Standard Yeghen in Mutiny nor the Imperial Seal which are the Badges and proper Signals of the Office of Grand Vizier became Angry and Sullen for tho' he was made General yet that seemed not sufficient without the Title of Supreme Governor And whereas before he was on his March towards Belgrade he returned back again to Sophia declaring that without those powerful Instruments it was impossible for him to Govern the Army and Rule them with such strict Obedience as was necessary against so powerful an Enemy and so formidable as the Christians And as to the Overtures of Peace he was resolved to make none nor suffer the Ambassadors to pass until such time as he had tried the Fortune of the Ottoman Sword once more in the Field To this pitch of Insolence was this Yeghen arisen that he was ready to Sacrifice the whole concernment of the Empire to his own Pride and Vanity But Express after Express coming from Belgrade with News that the Germans were Marching towards the Save with a Resolution to pass that River so soon as the Elector of Bavaria should Arrive in the Camp Yeghen began to grow a little ashamed and fearing that all the Misfortunes impending over Belgrade He returns to Belgrade would be attributed to his ill Government and Sedition he Marched away from Sophia and being come to Belgrade he made publick Declaration that the Sultan had created him General of all Hungary upon which the Forces Encamped in the Parts adjacent to the City submitted to his Command and being now invested with the sole Power he vented his Spleen against his old Competitor Hassan Pasha with whom formerly as we have said he had a Quarrel in Bosnia and having now an opportunity to shew his farther Resentments he seized on his Tents Seizes on Hassan Pasha Horses and Money and would have strangled him had he not been prevented by the Aga of the Janisaries and the Son of the Han of Tartary who was there present with a small Body of Tartars But the Turks had now something more to do than to quarrel amongst themselves for the Christians came pouring upon them on all sides and how to resist them was the present Incumbence and grand Concernment so that laying aside all Intestine differences Yeghen with Ten thousand Soldiers joyned to the Troops of Tekeli resolved to pass the Save and Encamp near Semblin on the other side of the River But that design was laid aside so soon as News was brought to Belgrade that P. Lewis of Baden was Decamped from Valkovar and that together with Caprara he had taken his march towards Illock with which Yeghen and the Turks fainting in their Courage The Turks seek for Peace were inclined rather to Proposals of Peace than to a continuance of the War and to try whether any reasonable offers of that nature would be accepted Two ordinary Peasants were dispatched to Oseck with Letters to Marquess Herman of Baden and Marshal Caprara desiring them to interceed with his Imperial Majesty to put an end to this bloody War which had already cost the lives of many innocent People and laid waste and desolate vast and large Countries and Provinces But such a Message as this being brought by Peasants Their Messengers are suspected who are improper Instruments to be employed in so eminent an Action gave just cause to the Generals to take and esteem them for no other than Spyes Upon which suspicion they were imprisoned and Advice sent thereof to the Imperial Court which not judging fit to take notice of any Offers of Peace proposed in such Form gave new Orders and Instructions to Caprara to pursue with all vigour imaginable the Rules chalked out and designed for carrying on the Work of this Campaigne In the mean time the Troops of Bavaria arrived in the Camp under the Command of General Serini an experienced Captain and therewith the main Army being reinforced Illock abandoned by the Turks Caprara took his march towards Illock of which so soon as the Turks had received intelligence they were put into such consternation that they abandoned the place and having packed up what Moveables the shortness of time would permit they set Fire to the City and retired in a precipitate and disorderly Flight The Smoke being descryed at a distance Caprara detached a Body of Germans and Hungarians to advance towards the Town to observe the face of the Enemy and the occasion of that Smoke and being come near to the Gates and perceiving that the Soldiers and Inhabitants had deserted the City the Germans were employed to extinguish the Fire and the Hungarians to pursue the flying Enemy which they performed so effectually that they seized a great part of the Goods which were then carrying away and brought them to the Camp The News hereof so affrighted the Garrison of Peter-Waradin that with like Terror and Precipitation they abandoned their City and fled to Belgrade These Successes gave great encouragement to the whole Army and to the Imperial Court at Vienna where the Duke of Mantoua about this time arrived with intention to pass forward to the Camp and signalize himself and his Followers in a War against the common Enemy his Equipage was very splendid and agreeable to the Spirit of so generous a Prince 1688. July In like manner the Elector of Bavaria Maximilian Emanuel the Third arrived at Vienna being called by the Emperor to command the Army in Hungary in the place of the Duke of Loraine who was become so weak by his Indisposition and want of Health that he judged himself unable to command the Army with such vigour as was required in so active a War The Elector was so intent upon this Expedition The E. of Bavaria at Vienna and hastens to the Camp that the very day he arrived at Vienna with his most Serene Consort he had departed and proceeded to the Camp had he not been forcibly detained by the obliging invitation of the Emperor and persuaded to stay until the Evening of the following day In the mean time a design was formed to block up Great Waradin but the Garrison being strong within the Turks made frequent Excursions with Two hundred Horse and a Thousand Janisaries at a time and frequently brought Provisions into the Town the which was so managed by the Pasha and other Commanders that the Castle held out until the Year 1692. Howsoever the Blocade of
Army the whole conduct and General direction being entirely in the power of the Elector of Bavaria The Breaches being now made some wider than others the 5th of September was appointed for a day of a General Assault which being come Septem 1688. the whole Army remained in a readiness to make the on-set and execute the last Orders of their Generals An Attack intended when unexpectedly a Bomb from the Enemies Works fell amongst certain Barrels of Powder which blowing up over-turned the Works which belonged to Mines then preparing and burned in a furious manner all things near it killing divers Soldiers and amongst the rest was Count Guido of Staremberg and Count Berzetti Chief Director of the Mines This Fire was followed by such a terrible Rain which continued all that day and part of the Night following that it was impossible to execute the intended Attack but afterwards the Weather clearing up the Mines were repaired again in such manner that at break of day in the Morning Fire was given to them with so good success that the Ditch was filled up and as it were levelled as much as was needful The Attack was ordered to be made in Four several Quarters that in the Front was commanded by the Elector himself That on the Right-hand by the Prince of Commercy on the Left by the Dragoons of General Heusler and that next the Water by Pini Sergeant Major of the Regiment of Loraine All things being in this manner disposed in order for a general Assault about Nine a Clock in the Morning the Signal was given to make the Attack by Firing a Piece of Cannon in the Front of the Line of Circumvallation which was answered by a Shot to the Right and soon afterwards by Two others to the Left which being the Signal to make the Attack the Assailants entred the Ditch where they were receiceived by infinite Vollies of Shot pouring upon them from all sides Belgrade Stormed which giving no stop to the Bravery and Courage of the Soldiers they mounted to the top of the Breach thô the Earth was become soft and slippery by the late Rains From the height of this Breach they took a Prospect of greater difficulties still to overcome for they were now to descend into another Ditch which the Turks had digged at the Foot of the inside of the Wall and there to wrench up or beat down the Palisadoes which were planted on the top of the Ditch and this was to be executed in Contempt and Despite of all the Shot which the Besieged shower'd from all sides upon them the which was sufficient to intimidate and cool the Courage of the most valiant Heroes Count Scherffemberg killed especially when at the beginning of this danger they saw their Leader Count Scherffemberg and soon afterwards their Colonel Count Emanuel de Furstemburg who entred into his place both killed before them as was also Count Henric of Staremberg And indeed the German Soldiers beginning a little to give Ground were in danger totally to lose all the advantage which they had gained had not the Elector himself exposed his own Person to all the Shot of the Enemy The Elector stands on the Breach and standing upon the Breach with his Sword drawn threatned the Life of any one who should dare to retire and accordingly some were killed for the Terror of others The Soldiers animated by the Example of their General and touched with a sense of Honour descended with new resolution into the Ditch and being well seconded by others they mounted to the Top where the Palisadoes were Planted The Turks terrified with so bold and surprizing an Attempt The Turks Capitulate fled trembling from the face of their Enemies and crowded into the Castle between which and the Town there was only a single Bridge where displaying a White Flag they demanded to Capitulate for their Lives But some of the more desperate Assailants having no regard to Flags or Colours or what was acting ascended to the Tops of the Houses and into Windows and entred in at the Port-holes made for the Guns where they made a most horrible Massacre of all that stood before them without regard to Age or Sex This Success was in a great measure obtained by the other Attack The P. of Commercy enters on the other side commanded by the Prince of Commercy who thô wounded in the Shoulder by a Musquet-Bullet did yet overcome all difficulties and enter victoriously within the Walls On that side howsoever where General Heusler commanded with his Dragoons the opposition was not so great so that laying aside the Ladders which they had prepared for Scaling the Walls they went directly to the Gate G. Heusler forces a Gate and in spite of all their Shot fixed a Petard thereunto which intirely forced it from its Bolts and Hinges and laid all open to the entrance of the Soldiers howsoever at some little distance from the first another Wall presented it self well guarded and defended with Soldiers who made continual Vollies upon the Assailants to which there was an Iron-gate to pass before entrance could be made and that so strong that it was judged almost impossible to be overthrown during the Heat of this Action Howsoever the Dragoons of Savoy being encouraged by their Prince who but some days before had been wounded in the Knee leaped on the Wall which was not very high and desperately threw themselves into the City by which means becoming Masters of the Gate they opened it and let in a whole Torrent of the German Forces who in a short time covered all the Streets with the Bodies of their Enemies Howsoever this Action cost the Lives of above One hundred Dragoons of Savoy Massacre and Slaughter of the Turks with some of their principal Officers amongst which was the Count of Massel and General Heusler had his Thumb struck off with a Musquet-Bullet which hindred nothing in prosecution of this Victory Many Turks endeavouring to escape the fury of the Soldiers by passing the River in Boats fell into the hands of the Germans who gave them no better Quarter than they had done to those who defended the Breach All being now subdued and subjected to Victorious Arms of the Christians no place stood out but only a small Trench behind the Castle to which the Pasha or Commander in Chief with the Aga of the Janisaries and some Officers had retired themselves and with them they took those Slaves which they had maintained for their Service in the Castle The Soldiers in their fury not being satiated with the Blood they had already spilt were disposed to bathe their Swords yet farther in the Bodies of this small remainder of their Enemies The Pasha and other Officers made Prisoners and were ready to have executed and wreak their final Rage on the Pasha and Officers when the Clemency of the most Serene Elector being moved by the Cries and Tears of the Christian Captives at
now like a Torrent carried all before them burning and laying all places desolate even to the very Borders of the Bavarian Dominions Thus were the Ottoman Dominions in Europe rescued from the fatal Blow of an entire Conquest For not only were the Bavarian Troops recalled but the French pressing hard upon the Upper Germany The German Troops recalled from Hungary the Emperor was forced to give Licence to the Militia of the Circles to return home and to remand back from Hungary some of his own Regiments for security of the Empire and of the Electors and other Princes who now judged it time to unite themselves against the common Enemy which tho' once esteemed to be the Turk only yet now the French being become more formidable more cruel and bloody than the Turks themselves when they came first from Scythia it became the common Interest of all Germany to unite in a Body in opposition to the dreadful power of their mighty Foe So the Elector of Saxony joyning with the Princes of Lunenburg Brunswick Hanover and Hesse-cassel they vigorously made Head resolving to oppose all the Attempts which the French made upon the Empire In this manner the Turks being relieved from imminent destruction by a stop given to the Current of the Christian Arms they had time to take some breath and respite and recover themselves a little as will appear in the course of the following Year The Pasha of Belgrade taken Prisoner as we have said was carried to Vienna where he was treated with Respect and permitted the liberty of the City The Pasha of Belgrade Prisoner under the care of Cavag re Marc Ant o the Empeperor's principal Interpreter because he was a man of Years a great Soldier and one chosen for his Valour and Bravery for the defence of Belgrade having approved himself on all occasions couragious in Battel and particularly in the defence of Belgrade which he had maintained to the last extremity The Government of the City of Belgrade being as we have said committed to the Care and Command of Mareschal Caprara Caprara commands at Belgrade His first Employment was to purge and cleanse the City of the noisome and fetulent smell of Dead Corps which lay scattered in the Streets under the Walls and upon the Breaches the same were laden upon Waggons to the Number of about Eight thousand and thrown into the Current of the Danube which being carried down the Stream found their Graves or Resting-places where the Winds and Torrent carried them The Garrison appointed for Defence of the Town consisted of Four thousand Foot and a Regiment of Horse under the Command of Count Guido de Staremberg the rest of the Militia being drawn out into Quarters near Peter-Waradin some care was taken to repair the Breaches by the Art and Industry of the Ingenier Andrea Cornaro howsoever there was so much neglect in the progress of this work as tended to the advantage of the Turks who Two Years afterwards retook the Town again to the disreputation as well as to the loss of the Christian Arms. But whilst the Ingenier was at work to repair the Breaches The Works about Belgrade negligently repaired on a sudden a Fire burst forth in the House or Palace called the Grand Seignior's Favourite which consumed it intirely to Ashes no man knowing how nor by what means those Flames were kindled After so many happy Successes Labours and Travels of the Soldiery it might now be judged time to put an end to this glorious Campaigne Caprara seizes on Semandria and refresh the Soldiery already wearied with Toils and Dangers But General Caprara willing to make use of the Air of Fortune resolved to visit the City of Semandria which as he was informed was abandoned by the Turks Being come thither he was carried with a desire to proceed yet farther into the Conquered Countries and advanced as far as Posskarovert an open Town consisting of about Three hundred Houses which the Turks also had abandoned leaving all their Chans or publick Inns filled with Victuals and Provisions of all sorts for a Booty to their Enemies These fortunate Successes induced the Rascians to submit unto the Emperor The Rascians submit to the Emperor so that the Inhabitants of Semandria having for their Leader Paul Diach were the first to pay Homage unto his Caesarean Majesty and in process of time performed great Services against the Turk These being animated by General Caprara increased speedily into a Body of Two thousand men who surprized a place called VVaolva on the River Drine and another Town on the same River called Zolkolova where engaging with a Body of the Turks they killed a Thousand of them on the place and put the rest to Flight of which very few of them had the fortune to escape with their Lives They take two places and defeat the Turks But because the Turks made great Spoils and Devastations on the Banks of the River Morava carrying away many Greeks as well as Rascians into Slavery General Caprara sent Orders to Heusler to hasten to their help with Five Regiments of Horse Foot and Dragoons Heusler being arrived on the River Morava where hearing of the Exploits which the Rascians had performed and how that they had taken Three other Castles upon that River about Twenty Leagues distant from Belgrade he passed the River and Lodged at Pazziarovitz an open place well situated and easily defended being guarded in the Front by the Three Castles and in the Rear by Semandria All things meeting the desired Success Count Caprara returned to Belgrade from whence he reinforced Heusler with Fifteen hundred Foot to give a stop to the Incursions of the Turks Caprara returns to Belgrade who with a Body of Twelve thousand Men ranged all along the River Morava but consisting for the most part of a sort of Rabble rather than formed Troops they were soon dispersed and came to nothing Disbanding or Deserting of themselves Or at least served only for Plunder and Spoil rather than to oppose or make a Stand against a formidable Enemy and in this manner they made Slaves of their own Christian Subjects and destroyed their Country until such time as that some Parties of them moved with indignation for the unjust outrages which the Turks used against them took up Arms and seized the City of Ussiza a place tho' open yet rich killing Five hundred Turks on the place and taking Two thousand Prisoners This Town was considered as a very important Pass and Inlet into Bosnia but because the Ways were so narrow and rocky that Cannon could not be drawn thither it was judged fit not to put a Garrison of Germans into it but rather to commit it to the Custody and Defence of the Rascians These ill Successes falling in this manner one on the Neck of another so dispirited the Turks that the only way left them to quiet the minds both of the Soldiers and People was to possess
them with the hopes of Peace by the Negotiation of those Ambassadors which were lately dispatched from the Sultan to the Emperor who were now arrived at the Castle of Puffendorf about Five Leagues distant from Vienna where they were ordered to remain until the Plenipotentiaries from Poland and Venice should meet at Vienna furnished with Commissions and Instructions from their respective Powers in order to a Treaty And that this pretence might appear more plausible the Grand Seignior passed to Adrianople from whence he dispatched very urgent and positive Orders to Yeghen Pasha that he should forward an Express to the Ambassadors to press with all earnestness the Conclusion of a Peace as the sole means remaining to save the Ottoman Empire which in case he could not effect he was then to take care that the Frontiers might be defended Yeghen taking this Message and Commission as an Evidence of the Grand Seignior's Favour and Re-establishment into his Grace he readily applied himself to an undertaking Yeghen Pasha commits great Spoils which in appearance might look like Obedience to Command and tho' he knew it was not possible to withstand the Power and Progress of the Imperial Arms animated with so many Victories yet considering himself strong enough to do mischief and spoil and pillage he marched from Nissa towards Dobravitz where he committed all the Outrages imaginable on the miserable Inhabitants of that place giving liberty to a licentious Soldiery to destroy an Ancient Monastery of Greeks to which many poor Christians being fled for Sanctuary they stained the Pavements with the Blood of a thousand persons carrying away the Old Monks Women and Children into distressed Captivity Tekeli also being re-inforced with a party of Turks and Tartars committed great Spoyls on the Confines of Valachia and Transilvania but soon was forced to retire upon the News that the Rascians with a Body of Four thousand men were marching against them And thus laying aside much of his confidence in Arms he resolved to try what effect his persuasions might have with his Transilvanian Friends and those of his Faction inviting them to cast off the Yoke of Germany from their Necks and reassume their Ancient Liberties and to that end he wrote this following Letter Ad Capitaneos Directores Magistratus Inclyti Regni Transilvaniae Omnia bona det Deus Regno Transilvaniae vigile Ingenium oculos Incolis ejus opto Nolim Ingratitudinem vestram quâ Caesaream amplexi fuistis protectionem respicere imò potius certiores vos facere commune facere velim vehementer volens Regnum Transilvaniae in tantis afflictionibus exactionibus versari Non dubito quin satis perspexeritis hucusque iniquas Germanorum Machinationes Volunt se in regnum intrudere ut vos ex regno expellant Vos peribitis illi manebunt Pellite itaque corrigite ceaecitatem vestram Ad Arma currite omnes Nobiles Libertini Subditi pro felici Patria certate certe vos libertatem consecuturos quam turpiter perdidistis ad Comam usque Nisi omnes audacter insurrexeritis peribitis vos filii vestri Nobilissimum Regnum in manibus barbarorum manebit Valete et vigiliate vobis Patriae vestrae Datas trans Danubium proximè ad Transalpinas And to leave no Stone unturned he sollicited the Ottoman Port for new Succours promising mighty Successes in case the Tartars would invade Transilvania the which accordingly was designed and had taken effect had not the Cosacks made an unexpected Irruption into Tartary and thereby obliged those Barbarians to quit their design that they might attend to the safeguard of their own Country All places in Bosnia being now subdued and brought under the power of the Emperor Bertzka only excepted situate on the Save Prince Lewis after he had fortified Proot and Gradisca marched against it being a place of such importance as secured all the River from thence to Belgrade The Turks having advice of the approach of Prince Lewis with Terror and terrible Consternation abandoned that vast City pleasant for its Situation in a delicious Country abounding with all sorts of Provisions and Fruits both for the sustenance and delight of the Inhabitants into this Commodious Dwelling made void by the flight of the Turks a Garrison of Two thousand Germans was lodged which served them for Winter-Quarters wherein to refresh themselves after all the fatigues dangers and tedious Marches of the passed Campaigne and to secure this City so plentiful of all sorts of Provisions a regular Fortification was Erected on the rising of a Hill which served to cover and very much to strengthen the City Now in regard Advices were brought to Bertzka that the Pasha of Bosnia was making Levies of men and recruiting his Forces in the Neighbouring parts Piccolomini dispatched to Vienna General Piccolomini was dispatched to Vienna to render an Account of the State of that Country and to press for Forces immediately to be dispeeded for security thereof it being a Province inhabited by many Christians who with encouragement and protection would be ready to submit and do Homage to the Emperor Piccolomini so well Negotiated his Affairs at Vienna that he soon procured Orders directed to the General at Belgrade to reinforce Prince Lewis with a considerable Body of men But because the French were now in motion P. Lewis recalled to Vienna and had already entred Germany with a formidable Army to oppose which there was need of the Counsel and Direction of the best and most Experienced Captains who had lately with such auspicious Fortune conducted the Imperial Forces against the Turks it was resolved to recall Prince Lewis of Baden to Vienna and to commit the Charge of Bosnia to the Courage and Conduct of Piccolomini So soon as Piccolomini was returned to Gradisca Prince Lewis took Post for Vienna having some few days before his departure taken possession of Oliva and Sbornich or Swornich a City and Castle of considerable importance of the latter of which the Charge was committed to Major Thomas Stracharta a Scotch Gentleman who bravely maintained it against Two Assaults of the Turks These places were situate on the River Drine After which this Valiant Prince departed leaving most manifest Evidences and Proofs behind him of his Courage assisted with Fortune for that in the space of about Nine Weeks he had subdued all the Province of Bosnia defeated the Pasha with double Numbers taken Proot Gradisca Bertzka and divers Castles with no more than Eight thousand Germans Hungarians and Croatians Tho' it was now time to end this Campaigne yet still the Blocades of Sigeth Canisa and Grand-Waradin were continued the Defendants tho' reduced very low remained howsoever very obstinate and resolute to maintain the Garrisons to the last extremity in hopes rather that their Ambassadors would succeed in the Conclusion of a Peace The Turks desire Peace than in any apparent probability there was of rescuing themselves by their
desirous to joyn that Pleasant Isle to his other Conquests endeavoured to make a Bridge for the more easie Transportation of his Troops into the Land but being repulsed by the Inhabitants and the Bridge overthrown the Turks were forced to betake themselves unto their Boats and Vessels Howsoever in less than a Month afterwards the Turks returned before the Place with 300 Sail and then having formed the Bridge as was intended Mahomet himself came with an Army of 120000 Men and Attacked the City which was Fortified after the manner of those Times and defended by a Garrison of 24000 Men under the Command of Giovanni Bondulmiero Ludovico Calvo and Paolo Erizzo The Turks raised several Batteries in different Places against it by which they made such large Breaches that they made four terrible Assaults thereon in which above 40000 Turks were Slain and the Enemies bravely repulsed but at length being overwhelmed with Numbers and tired with a long Siege the Guards which defended the Porta Bureliana conveyed themselves secretly away and abandoning their Post they entered the Gate without much opposition killing all the People who passed the Age of 20 Years Calvo was killed on the Place and Bondulmiero in his House Erizzo having Intrenched himself in some fast place defended himself Valiantly and at length surrendred on Conditions of Life but the Turks maintained them not but caused him to be Sawn in two His Fair Daughter chose rather to die by her own Dagger than to give up her Chastity to the Lust of the Turks The Turks having remained Masters of this City ever since the Year 1469 it came at length to be Attacked in hopes of Recovery in this Year 1688 Preparations in order to the Siege of Negropont in order unto which the Captain Extraordinary Veniero was appointed with nine Ships belonging to the Republick a Fire-ship and a Palandra to guard the Channel of Negropont and to hinder the Turks from bringing Succours to the City to which also seven Gallies were added under Proveditor Pisani At the same time also several light Gallies were ordered to scower the Channel of Volo and hinder all Succours from passing on that side All the Land Forces being Embarked upon the Ships Gallies Galleasses Galleots Palandras and other Vessels the Venetian Fleet weighed Anchor on the 7th of July from Porto Poro The Venetian Fleet Sails towards Negropont and Sailed with a fair Wind directing their Course towards the Island of Negropont but by what Misfortune not known a great Ship called the Smyrna Merchant ran upon a Rock which being high July and easily seen it was suspected to have been done on purpose by Treachery of the Captain the which unhappy Accident gave some stop to the proceeding of the Fleet in hopes to save most of the Rigging and Materials thereunto belonging But in fine a Gale of Wind springing up the Ship was broken in pieces and no more saved than only the Men and eight Pieces of Cannon of the 50 with which she was mounted besides some Bombs and other Materials for War This Accident hindered something of the Proceedings of the Fleet which received yet a greater Impediment from the Northern Winds which at this Season of the Year so constantly reign in those Seas as if they were Trade-Winds Howsoever when the Gale abated as it doth commonly towards Night the Gallies made use of their Oars to row to Windward as high as Cape Colonna where afterwards the Ships joyned them And taking the Calm of the Night the Gallies by force of their Oars towed up the Ships and on the 11th of July they entered the Channel of Negropont and on the 13th came to an Anchor in the Road called the Gardens about six Miles distant from the Capital City of Negropont Here it was that all the Soldiers Horse and Foot which were Embark'd on the Galleasses Gallies and Galleots making a Body of about 8000 Foot and 500 Horse Landed without the least opposition Some of the Forces landed on Negropont having only seen a Party of about 50 Turks on Horseback who presented themselves in view to take cognizance of the Motion of their Enemies amongst which Mustapha Pasha Commander of the Town was there in Person So soon as the Out-guards of the Turks posted on a Tower erected on a Neck of Land which stretched out to the Euripus espy'd the Troops which were disembarking they discharged some Guns to give an Alarm to the Town and immediately quitted the place as being not tenible into which some Soldiers were entered from the Ducal Gally being an advantageous Post wherein were found four Iron Guns and some small Provisions The Day that these Forces were Landed some Greeks of the Country together with the Captain of a French Tartana came and gave Intelligence Turkish Strength in Negropont that the whole force of the Island consisted of about 6000 Men with Janizaries and Spahees but that they did not trust much to the Faith of the Inhabitants whom they had lately disoblig'd by taking from them the best of their Goods and Furniture for their Houses That the Walls of the City were lined with Earth and fortified on all sides with Bastions well provided with Cannon That all the Gates and Entrances to the City were Mined and that the Suburbs were surrounded with a deep Ditch and Pallisadoes Besides which that there were some Out-works lately finished all provided well with Water and Provisions necessary for a long Defence That there were two Governours in chief one called Mustapha Pasha a Man of great Reputation who Commanded the Mount on which a Battery was erected towards the Sea The other was Ibrahim Pasha who defended the Outworks of the City both Men of Resolution besides these who defended the Town in which the Garrison was very strong the Seraskier lay Encamped with 4000 Men most Horse not far from Negropont On the 14th of this Month his Serenity the Doge The Doge and General Officers take a view of the Country accompanied with General Konismark and the Engenier Verneda attended with many Barges and Felucaes went to take a Survey of the Country of the Situation of the City and the Forts and Batteries which tho' more in number and furnished with Cannon beyond expectation did not yet abate the Courage of these Assailants All things being well observed by these Generals they discovered how the Turks had on the left Hand of the Bridge raised a Battery with Earth and planted many Pieces of Cannon thereon and pitched their Tents along the side of the Aqueducts And on the left Hand had formed a Line of Communication between the Suburbs and the Hill which commands the Sea from whence they could offend the Gallies with their Shot and the Venetian Tents besides which they discovered divers other Trenches in different Forms strengthned with Pallisadoes with a deep Ditch full of Sea-Water 30 Paces long reaching to the Gate of the City covered by a Hornwork And
below the Mills another Battery was raised of three Pieces of great Cannon which commanded the Shoar along the Sea-side all which Forts were defended by some Christians more or less in every Work most of them of the French Nation who were skilful in throwing Bombs and all sorts of Fireworks Thus the Doge and his Generals having taken a full Survey of the several Fortifications of the City and the Situation of the Country on the 15th of the Month was the Day appointed for the March of the Army towards a rising Hill opposite to another which covers the City The Christian Troops advance And at the same time the Gallies and Galleasses advanced by force of their Oars against the Northern Winds which continually blow at that Season and came to an Anchor under that rising Hill which is near to a Wood from whence they could see the new Fort of Karababa or Black Father An in regard the Ships could not enter into the Channel of Negropont by reason of contrary Winds the Doge dispatched away the Captain of the Gulf with 10 Gallies to take out the Soldiers and Transport them ashoar to joyn with the rest of the Army And for more expedition in this Work the Proveditor Pisani who Commanded the Gallies which are Manned with such as are Condemned to the Oar being returned with the nine Ships of which we have given an Account to have been ordered to the Dardanelli and by reason of contrary Winds were put into the Port of Andro was also commanded to give his Assistance for landing Soldiers Horse and all the Instruments and Necessaries for War Whilst these things were preparing for the Siege The General of Malta receives Audience of the Doge the Baly Spinelli a Neapolitan Cavalier General of the Gallies of Malta demanded Audience of the Doge to pass his Complement of Congratulation upon his Advancement to the Ducal Throne the which being granted the General appeared with a great Attendance followed by many Boats Barges and Felucaes so soon as he was ascended into the Ducal Gally which was adorned with Flags and Streamers from Stem to Stern he was saluted with four great Guns and at the Stairs was met and conducted by Lieutenant General Pisani to the Stern of the Gally where his Serenity was seated on his Throne having on his Head his Ducal Bonnet and wearing the Senatorian Gown after the ancient Roman Fashion before him stood the four Admirals of the Seas The General of Malta being entered into the Presence the Doge arose from his Throne and received him standing The General with eight other Knights Captains of the Gallies and his Comrades made a most profound Reverence at their Entrance and having delivered the Letter to the Doge from the Grand Master of Malta full of kind and amicable Expressions all there present stood Bare-headed whilst it was reading After which the General was caused to sit down on a Seat placed on the right Hand of the Doge and four of the Knights on a Bench on the left Hand the other four remaining without seated also on Banks the Antiport of the Cabin being drawn up the Slaves at the Oar were cloathed in White and the Soldiers clad with divers Colours armed with Half-Pikes Muskets and Swords each bearing a Burgurdian on his Head which being to the Number of 500 Men appeared very pleasant to the Eye This Complement was no sooner passed than News was brought That a Skirmish had happened between the Voluntier Adventurers and the Turks A Skirmish between the Turks and Venetians but the first being reinforced by the Marquis Corboni with some of his Dragoons and Soldiers of the Greek Nation the Fight became very warm but the Turks were at length forced to retire with considerable Loss tho' this Success cost the Life of Colonel Paul Macri being shot in the Head who for his Bravery and Deserts having obtained the Honour of Knighthood was much deplored and lamented by the whole Army By this time the Ships under Veniero and the main Body of the whole Armata were come about and had doubled the Point of Karababa from whence they received many Shot but without any damage so that the Ships and Gallies having taken the several Posts assigned to them and also four of the Duke of Tuscany's Ships laden with Warlike Provisions and 400 Land Soldiers being come and joyned to those other Forces belonging to the Great Duke's Gallies composed a Body of 800 Men all which being arrived and united to the Fleet and Army the Doge prepared every thing ready in order to a formal Siege The General of the Great Duke's Forces was Named Chigi who having made a Visit to his Serene Highness the Doge the same Ceremonies passed as were shown towards the General of Malta Eighteen Days after the Forces were Landed all the Approaches were finished in fight of the Town during which Time the Turks made not the least Sally to hinder or disturb the Works nor did the Venetians fire a Gun against the Turks who greatly wondered at so long silence as if on both sides a Cessation of Arms had been agreed and all remained quiet The Town Invested until the 30th of July when the Cannon began incessantly to play about Break of Day in the Morning from the Venetian Batteries with Showers of Bombs and Carcasses which being thrown into the Town and Outwarks of the Enemy filled the City with Terrour and Consternation especially the Women whose Cries and Schreeks were heard into the Venetian Camp The first of August a Resolution was taken to Attack a certain Fort called Loppo August situate on a little Hill but upon discovery that the place was Undermined the Design was altered and Orders given to Bomb the Place with a Palandra a Vessel made for that purpose which ruined some of the Turks Trenches howsoever this Attempt cost the Life of two Mariners and the Loss of the Captain 's Arm who commanded the Palandra After which the Venetians advanced under the Mills securing their Posts with Earth and Baskets and the Malteses and Florentines endamaged the Enemy very much by the Bombs and Carcasses which they threw into a small Fort on the East-side and thereby it was as it were totally destroyed and levelled And as the Venetians were diligent in their Approaches so the Turks were not less active to give them a Repulse and to make frequent Sallies as they did one upon the Malteses of whom they kill'd and wounded about 40 and afterwards retreated but not without some loss both of Men and Horse In the mean time the Cannons play'd continually from the Batteries and Bombs thrown into the Town one of which falling into the House of the Pasha so affrighted the Women and Children that with Schreeks and Cries casting themselves at the Feet of the Pasha begged and beseeched him to surrender up the Town into the Hands of the Enemy upon Terms of Capitulation but the Pasha
inflexible and refusing to hearken unto such Intreaties resolved to maintain it to the last Extremity To which End many Retrenchments were made within the Walls and Caverns digged under Ground to secure the People and Goods and Soldiers which were not on the Guard from the Desolation made by the Bombs During all this time the Seraskier with a Body of about 4000 Men remained at a Place called Petra in Livadia The Seraskier at Petra about six Miles distant from Negropont with design not to adventure his Men until some unavoidable Necessity happened or the City was reduced to its last Agony which as yet was not so far streightned but that there remained some hopes that it would be able to relieve it self it being esteemed better Service to keep the Passes free and an open Commerce with the Town than to hazard an Engagement with the Enemy with so unequal a Force which being overthrown would prove a certain forerunner of the Loss of the City The Venetians finding it more easie to proceed on the Attack of the Town than to lose time in taking the Fort of Carababa they raised a new Battery upon a small Rock at the Entrance of the Port under Command of the Captain of the Gulf which he effected with his own and the help of another Galley The Venetian Camp wasted with Sickness But what most incommoded the Venetian Camp was the excessive Heats for tho' the Winds were Northerly as they commonly are in those Seas yet passing over the Land they contracted such Heat and carried with them such a kind of Noxious and Sulphureous Vapour as produced Malignant Fevers amongst the Soldiers and Officers that many of them Died and the Camp became enfeebled and much weakened amongst which was General Konismark who being forced to leave the Camp to go Aboard his Ship in order to his Cure his Command was committed to the Charge of Major General Horn of Brunswick The Sickness still spreading with Fevers and Tertian Agues a Sergeant General of Battallia Pietro Gaspari and Colonel of the Switzers died thereof and the Count Palatine Landgrave of Hesse reduced to the last Extremity so that many Designs were neglected which might have gained the City and all the Enterprises of the Army became faint and languishing Besides Health there was nothing that wanted the Island it self being very fruitful Negropont a Fruitful Country abounded with Wines and all sorts of Victuals and Provisions for the Sustenance of Humane Life and were it not for the Depredations made thereon by Pirates it would be one of the most happy Countries of the World The Inhabitants thereof being of an Open Free and Chearful Nature The Temper of the Inhabitants of a Sanguine Complexion and Merry like the other Greeks without much Thought or Care which renders commonly the Lives of Men very uneasie to themselves and others and tho' the Country abounded with all things yet the Neighbouring Islands brought over their Cattle and Fruits thither which finding a ready Market caused as great Plenty and abundance of all things as could be desired On the 10th of August the Turks made a Sally into the Venetian Trenches whence happened a Skirmish but without much damage or hurt on either side nor had the Enemies Cannon done any great Execution as yet on the Christian Camp which on the 11th of August had perfected all their Batteries And to spare the Labour of the Soldiers who had already suffered much in opening Trenches and raising Batteries and Fighting Orders were given to Seignior Delfino Proveditor of the Camp to gather what Greeks he could to serve for Pioneers and that every Gally and Galleass should prepare 500 Faggots with some Pallisadoes which was readily effected And now about the 13th of this Month The Turks show themselves the Enemy began to show themselves Evening and Morning near the Venetian Trenches but attempted nothing with design as was imagined to draw their Enemies into a place which they had Undermined so that for three or four Days nothing happened of any thing considerable unless it were the bursting of a Cannon which battered the Pallisadoes of the Enemy by which the chief Gunner was killed and five others were wounded and another Cannon dismounted by a Shot from the Enemy upon the Wheel of the Carriage But on the 16th about Sun-set the Turks Attacked the Trenches of the Malteses where a very hot Skirmish began The Turks Attack the Malteses which continued for the space of an Hour until Night coming on the Turks retired with considerable Loss and of the Malteses about 15 were killed and about 20 wounded Upon which the Malteses advanced and enlarged their Works and whilst they were Fighting on that side a Detachment of 3000 Men Attacked a Fort near the Mills about a Pistol-shot from the Enemies Pallisadoes of which after some resistance they rendered themselves Masters with the Death of above 100 Turks A Fort near the Mills taken and some wounded The loss of this place being of great importance to the Turks by Break of Day in the Morning on the 17th they fell upon it with grâ—at Numbers to recover it and surprized the Florentines and the Regiment of Atti which were the Guard placed there to defend it which being Sleeping or found in a negligent Posture The Turks recover it the Turks returned with 150 Heads amongst which were several Cavaliers of Florence and three Captains of the Regiment and the rest quitted the Fort and fled amongst which were above 100 wounded which Action cost the Turks very little The Doge being highly enraged at this ill Success and desirous of Revenge resolved to Attack the Enemies Trenches which tho' esteemed by a Counsel of War The Doge resolves to Attack the Turks in their Trenches to be a hazardous Enterprize which tho' it should succeed would cost much Blood yet the Doge nothing moved continued his Resolution to put the Attempt in execution on the 20th of August being well assured that nothing could be effected on the Town unless first they could possess and make themselves Masters of the Enemies Trenches In order unto which on the 17th the Doge with the chief Sea-Officers came ashoar to take a View and Survey the Enemies Trenches the which extended almost three Miles from the Hill to the Sea the Soldiers therein lodged securely as if they had been Buried The Manner of their Trenches they were very spacious and deep so that 50 could march a Breast secured by vast Oaken Beams over which were Sacks of Cotton artificially laid and the void places filled up with Earth and what damage was done hereunto by the Venetian Cannon or Bombs in the Day were by the Industry and Labour of the Turks repaired in the Night These Trenches were likewise defended by five Batteries on which 26 Pieces of Cannon were mounted and six Mortar-pieces which threw Stones at such distance as served not only to defend
Enterprize On the eighth an Attack was made and with great courage they mounted the Breach and planted two Ensigns thereon but because the Breach was very narrow without any covert from the Shot of the Enemy and the descent into the Town very deep and hazardous they were forced to quit the Post The Venetians repulsed which they had gained with the loss of six or eight Men amongst which was one of the Ensigns whose Colours howsoever were recovered by another Officer Nor did the Turks escape without some loss on occasion of the Attack for 300 Men being lodged in the Ditch to support those who were to make the first Entrance did great execution on the Turks that appeared on the Breach without any covert or shelter A remarkable Passage There is one thing very remarkable of a Soldier who in this Assault received six Wounds on his Head and in his Body with Scimeters by which falling on the Ruines was esteemed for Dead and so remained until the Dusk of the Evening when rising up it was not so Dark but that he was perceived by the Enemy who made many Shot at him to avoid which he threw himself into the Sea bleeding with all his Wounds and notwithstanding the many Shot aimed at him of which he received one in his Shoulder he swam away and got ashore at the Camp where he was afterwards cured of his Wounds which made the Doge to give him the Name of the wonderful Man The Regiments of Count Waldeck and Colonel Bilz belonging to the Troops of Wirtemberg being advanced without any Order for so doing one to the Bank of the Ditch and the other to the Foot of the Tower received an unhappy welcome by several Vollies of small shot The Venetians again repulsed both from the Wall and from the false Bray by which two Colonels seven or eight Captains twelve or fourteen Subaltern Officers five Cavalier Adventurers and about 200 common Soldiers were all slain upon the place and as many wounded which was a discouraging loss to the Besiegers tho' the Defendants according to the Report of some Deserters lost double the number within the City Howsoever the Venetians being not dismayed hereat on the 10th of this month forced an Entrance into the Ditch where they began to form a Gallery for a more near approach unto the Wall under which they designed once to form a Mine but because it would be the work of fifteen Days at least before the Mine could be brought to Perfection for want of good Engeniers of which many were Dead and Sick They raised a new Battery on the other side of the Water from whence they made a Breach on the other Tower and with two pieces of Cannon planted on the Bank of the Ditch they bartered the foot of the Courtain between the two Towers The Day following some Deserters from the Town brought Advice That the whole Garrison within did not consist of more than 3000 Men and those much afrighted and discouraged by their many losses only that which supported their Spirits was the free and open passage by the Bridge between the Turkish Camp and the City by which every third day they received Recruits of Men and Supply of Provisions The Difficulties of taking the City so that now little hopes remained of taking the City for this year the Season also being far advanced All therefore that remained to be done was to continue the Batteries and to throw Bombs of which above 10000 having been already cast into the City few Houses remained standing but all reduced to a Mass of Rubbish and Ashes The Venetians being under these discouraging Circumstances the Attacks proceeded but slowly nothing being heard in the Camp but of the Death or Sickness of their great Men amongst which News was brought to the Doge that Signior Molino and Delfino were forced to yield unto their sick Beds That the Engenier Ramagnato was killed with a Musket-shot The Venetians discouraged whilst he was giving Direction about the Works in the Ditch That Signior Aurelio Marcelli was Dead of a Fever caused by his Wounds as was also Mattio Bon Patritii a Nobleman of Venice And that General Kenismark was Dead of a violent Fever General Kenismark's Death having Breathed his last on the 15th of September to the great Grief and Sorrow of the whole Army but especially of his Lady Carlotta who with great Affection and Tenderness having been his Companion in all this Expedition was over-whelmed with Sorrow and confused Grief at his Death His Bowels were Interr'd the same Night with many thousands of Torches and Lights but his Body being Embalmed was afterwards designed for Strade a place in the Dutchy of Bremen there to be Interred in the Burial-place of his Ancestors The same Night two Engeniers were wounded and one killed and many common Soldiers killed and wounded by the Enemies shot from the false Bray whilst they were perfecting their Works in the Ditch And now it being the 17th of September the Florentines were the first to Demand a Dismission from the Camp The Generals of the Great Duke and Malta desire leave to return home and License to return home alledging that the Season of the year was far spent and the long Voyage they had to make unto their own Country The time also appointed by the Great Master of Malta unto his General for the Fleet to remain abroad being also expired Licence was demanded for their return but the Doge flattering himself with hopes of a speedy Surrender of the place persuaded that General to stay some few days longer to which he consented in expectation of taking part of that Glory which would belong to him by the Conquest of that place But it was not the Will of God that this Place should yield to the Christian Arms for that from this present time until the End of the Siege nothing but Misfortunes attended the Actions of the Venetians However The Courage and Constancy of the Generals was such as that they would not leave one Stone unturned which might tend to the Conquest of the place resolving not to desist from that Enterprize whilst any hopes appeared of becoming Masters thereof In order unto which the Doge Morosini considering with the principal Captains what was farther to be done to facilitate this Enterprize it was observed that the greatest difficulty was how to convey their Forces under the Wall for the Ditch was 30 Paces broad and washed at each end by the Sea to do which the Ingeniers found no other means than by a Traverse which was to be covered on the top and defended by Gabions filled with Earth which being considered and resolved it was put into immediate Execution all things necessary for that work being brought to the place with the Instruments for fixing the Miner to the Walls but the Waters so encreased in the Night that the Labour became much more great and the Design more difficult
belonging to the States of the Province of Austria the which beginning about Ten in the Morning lasted until Three a Clock in the Afternoon After which several Conferences were held at which Maurocordato was the chief Speaker No step made to a Conclusion of Peace by reason of the Demands made by the Turks expressing himself in Latin and sometimes in Italian but in fine Debates ended without making the least step towards the Conclusion of a Peace for the Turks instead of yielding to any Proposal in favour of the Allies required some of the Conquered Places to be restored to them that Transilvania should pay a Tribute to the Ottoman Port as formerly and that the Bloccades should immediately be taken away from before Canisia and Great Waradin so that the Letters from the Grand Seignior and Grand Vizier containing nothing but General Terms which testified their Desires of Peace and their Negotiations and Proposals far from any particular Condescentions their Actions looked as if they designed nothing more than to gain time and to hear and observe what progress the French made by their Arms in the Palatinate and other parts of Germany Their hopes in the French promises Nor indeed were the Turks deceived in these Measures being supported by the French Promises and Arms and without which the Turks would have Condescended to any Conditions which the Emperor and his Allies might have offered Notwithstanding which the Faith of the French was so low in the Esteem of the Turks that had the Emperor in that Conjuncture proposed some little Advantages which might have kept up the Credit of the Ottoman Power amongst their own People a Peace would certainly have ensued which some Years afterwards by the Wiles and Artifices of the French could not be obtained nor the Turks inclined thereunto by foul or fair means by overthrows in Battle and loss of Towns and a long continued Train of Misfortunes The Germans blamed for not making a Peace nor by the Mediations of England and Holland offered by their respective Ministers to the Port as may hereafter be declared so that it is an unaccountable piece of Policy the blame of which the World is apt to Charge on the Clergy and the secret Partisans of France hidden in the Imperial Councels there being at that time no apparent Reason why the Applications and Overtures of the Turks were not Embraced and improved to a Peace For at that time the French had entered the Palatinate with Fire and Sword and their Armies committing all sorts of Hostility had entered the Archbishopricks of Mentz Cologne the Dukedomes of Juliers Bergue and other Places of Suabia so that now it was manifest the Emperor had the Wars of two mighty Powers to sustain which had soon overwhelmed all Germany had not a firm Alliance been made between England Spain Holland and most of the Princes of Germany which was brought about by a most miraculous Providence which not being the Subject of this History we shall turn our Discourse towards the Wars against the Turks the Treaty with whom breaking off the Hostilities on both sides were carried on with the same Fierceness and Cruelty as before The Turks contrary to their Natural Temper were become extreamly humble and Supplicant debasing themselves to so low and mean a Degree of Submission that the Imperial Ministers suspected that some Design lay covered under their fawning Expressions and over-acted Humility All which would have appeared real had not the French encouraged the Divan with Presents and Promises of recovering all Hungary back and something more The French encourage the Turks to continue the War if they would only reassume their Ancient Courage and patiently support the Inconvenience of a War for a few years longer to incline them whereunto the French sent the Turks a Minute Account of all the Victories they had obtained over the Germans what Cities and Towns they had destroyed what Devastations and what Incursions they had made into the very Heart of Germany with Fire and Sword by which they had already rendered all those Provinces on the Rhine so weak and miserable that it was impossible for them to resist the violent Course of the French Arms much less when united with the Puissance of the Ottoman Empire And to facilitate this Work And endeavour to draw the King of Poland from his Alliance several Engines were employed to Tamper with the Poles and Ambassadors sent to that King one of which was Monsieur de Bethune who was Brother to the Queen of Poland and to quicken and give life to this Negotiation vast Sums of Money were sent sufficient to blind and corrupt the Mind of an Avaritious Prince and tho' these means were not productive of a Peace yet they begot such cold Motions of War as looked something like a Truce or an indifferent Neutrality And indeed several Campagnes after this were carried on with so slow a pace that the Arms of Poland came not into the Field until it was almost seasonable to retire from thence The Poles cold in their Actings and such Negligence was practised in their Martial Discipline that they were commonly surprized by the Tartar and defeated And so little care taken to provide the Army with necessary food for Horse and Man that in the year 1691 as may hereafter be made appear all the Horses of the Army died even in the very Stables of the King who was forced afterwards to return home in a Waggon drawn by Buffalo's and Oxen. Howsoever nothing was omitted on the part of the Emperor to carry forward two such important Wars by several ways And in the first place The Emperor encourages the Bulgarians and Rascians to secure the New Conquests it was thought necessary to encourage the Bulgarians and Rascians who had made a Defection from the Turks and submitted themselves intirely to the Service of the Emperor and as a means to secure those People Count Marsigli the Chief Director and Surveyor of the Fortifications was dispatched to erect a Fortress in some Place or other the most convenient for Defence and Protection of those People for which no place could be situate so advantageously as that of the Iron-Gate which would very much have secured the Christian Conquests and been a good Frontier between which and Adrianople there was not the least Fortification in all that vast Country nor from thence to the very Walls of Constantinople Tho' the Emperor was greatly burdened by a War against France and at the same time against the Turk yet all Care was taken both in one and the other The Imperial Chamber issued out vast Sums to Recruit the Militia in Hungary And makes Preparations against the Turks to Remount their Artillery and provide all sorts of Ammunition and Provisions for the next Campagne with which the Magazines both in Servia and Sclavonia were supplied as also Carriages Bridges Boats and all sorts of Warlike Preparations which were carried
and laid waste by them and the People being fled there was nothing but Rapine and Violence in all Places To suppress these Disorders Commands were sent by the Vizier to the Pashas and Governors but these Officers were so far from being able to Execute them that they returned back stripped and plundered Whereupon new Measures were taken to pacifie these Mutineers or Robbers rather with Promises that Yeghen should be created General of the Army and that these Troops now in Asia should be passed over into Hungary there to Fight under the Command and Conduct of their Beloved Yeghen where they all hoped to be made Pasha's But whilst these Mutineers were preparing to march into Europe News came to the Grand Signior of the Death of Yeghen with many of his Followers the which was confirmed by the undoubted Evidence of their Heads which were laid at the Feet of the Sultan This particular Action changed the whole Scheme of the Turkish Councils and all the soft Promises made to Yedic Defiance given to Yedic were changed into Vengeance and Punishment Orders being given to the Chimacam not only to oppose and hinder the passage of the Asiaticks into Europe but to Fight and Defeat them them in their own Country By this time a great Party of these Rebels were come very near to Scutari and scattered in the adjacent Villages where remaining with all security not having as yet received the fatal News of the Death of Yeghen when by Order of the Chimacam A Party of his Soldiers defeated some of the Ottoman Troops quartered on the side of Scutari fell upon them and by surprize entirely defeated them some of which were drowned in the Sea and others killed by the Sword Those who were already passed over to Constantinople hearing of this Disaster and the Fate of Yeghen retired back into Asia and recounted those unhappy Stories to Yedic who was upon his March to follow his advanced Troops Upon this News Yedic and his Companions despairing of all hopes of Pardon declared themselves more openly Rebels than before so that assembling all the Scum and Rascality of the People to the number of about 6000 Men Yedic marches to Prusa they marched towards Prusa in Bithynia pillaging destroying and ruining all in the way before them So that there was no passage for any unless Emirs or Green-Heads mounted on Mules and Asses with Pack-Saddles The Ottoman Court which lately by the Death of Yeghen and the Defeat of so many Troops near Scutari thought all things now safe and secure from the Asiatick Rebellion were again strangely surprized with a Consternation to hear that the Rebellion increased and grew hotter than before to suppress which a Pasha was sent to Prusa to raise the Nefiran who had the Fortune at first to Defeat a considerable Body of the Enemy but being a Person of no Experience in the War and ignorant of Martial Discipline he unfortunately engaged with a more expert Body of the Rebels And defeats the Pasha by whom he was defeated and made a miserable Sacrifice to the Fury and Revenge of Yedic who killed and made Prisoners all the Forces of the Pasha Yedic being encouraged with this unexpected Success caused himself to be Proclaimed Declared King of Anatolia besieges Angora King and Soveraign of Anatolia and by his Arbitrary Power laying Impositions and exacting Contributions from all Cities and Towns of that Country he laid Siege to Angora a rich City famous for the Trade of Grogram Yarn who would not submit it self to the Tyranny and Plunder of Yedic Of which the English and other Merchants at Smyrna took such an Alarm not knowing but that the Rebels encouraged with the Riches and Openness of the Town without any Walls or Fortifications might march thither they Packed up all their Goods and put themselves in a readiness to fly on Shipboard when any Danger approached where they might remain out of all danger or Violence either to their Persons or Estates The People of Angora being in a Condition not long to withstand a Siege and Despairing of all Relief from the Ottoman Port made their Composition with Yedic Angora pays a Ransome and Ransomed their Town from Plunder by the Payment of 80 Purses of Money each Purse containing 500 Dollars This unhappy State of Affairs suggested unto the Turkish Governors their old Methods of fair Promises and smooth Words to work upon the Affections of Yedic and his Complices assuring them all of Pardon and Reward in case they would return to their Duty The Rebels refuse all Offers of Grace But these being a sort of rough Villains bred up in Rapine and Violence who were Conscious that they could never merit a Pardon and had transgressed beyond all Hopes of ever being trusted they no sooner heard the fawning Words of the Grand Seignior's Grace and Favour pronounced towards them but with one Consent they cryed out loudly against it saying That they had learned not to be Cheated and Betrayed like Yeghen and their Brethren near Scutari And that their Rebellion might carry a good Face and some Reason with it Yedic and his Complices declared That they took not up Arms for Spoil or Disaffection to the Grand Seignior but out of pure Zeal to Religion and true Profession of the Mahometan Law which the present Governors had miserably corrupted In Defence of which he Summoned all the People and Inhabitants of Anatolia to come in under his Standard and joyn with them to Reform the Abuses of the Government and State These Traiterous Practices of Yedic being made known at the Port it plainly appeared that there was no other means and expedient left to reclaim the Practices of such Robbers and suppress the dissolute Lives of Rebels but only force and dint of Sword The Nature of a Teftish Pasha to which end the Pasha of that Country honoured with the Title of Teftish which is as much as an Inquisitor who in the Times of Peace is every two or three Years ordained to enquire into the State of Anatolia and make enquiry into Robberies Breaches of the Peace and Abuses of the Government committed by the Kadees Aga's and other Officers For execution of which the Pasha is commonly attended with 500 Men and authorized with such an unlimited power that he may act and do what he pleases with as uncontroulable an Authority as the Sultan himself I have known this sort of Teftish in the Summer time having pitched his Camp near some great Town immediately to call for the Kadi or Judge and the Imaum or Priest of the place and to demand of them the Names of the Lewd and Disorderly Young Men of the Place and the Villages adjacent and in case the Pasha or the Imaum especially shall give an ill Report of any of them as of such who come not constantly to Prayers or frequent the Moschs his Business is done for him and for as many of them
help of his Soldiers he preserved the Castle and the Ammunition therein notwithstanding the Flames which by the forcible Winds were carried to the very Walls of it At the same time the like Misfortune befel the Fortress of Honot in the Upper Hungary and the Citadel of the Jews at Prague so that both one and the other were in a few Hours miserably reduced to Ashes all which was suspected to have been done by Treasonable Practices and not by Chance or Accident and that which gave undoubted Assurances thereof were certain Sacks of Powder found at the Gates of some Houses in Vienna and a Fire breaking out in a House adjoyning to the great Hospital of the City being kindled at a time when the Wind was very high put all the City into a great Combustion but by the Vigilance of the Magistrates and the activeness of the Soldiers it was soon extinguished The which horrid Practices were some Days afterwards discovered to have been acted by certain Frenchmen who being convicted by course of Justice were sentenced as Incendiaries to be cast into the Fire and committed to the Flames The which Tryals and Proofs being produced and laid before the Council of State extorted from the benign Nature of His Imperial Majesty a severe Edict for Banishing all the French out of his Dominions The French Banished out of the Empire unless such as had been Naturalized or for the space of 10 Years past could prove their Abode or Residence with their Wives established in some City were all without any exception to depart in the space of 14 Days The which Edict how severe soever it might seem at another time was in the present Conjuncture no less than necessary when the French Nation was crept into every City and Country and entertained for Valets de Chambre Pedants Dancing Masters Cooks and such like in most of the Houses and Families of Princes and Nobles of principal Quality where they served for Spies and Traytors to the Empire But the Wars in Germany not being the Subject of this History let us proceed to the Affairs of Turkey where it was reported That the Turks were assembling all the force they were able to recover the City of Belgrade and that the Seraskier was already in the Field and had prepared Bridges to pass the Morava above Jagodina and began to march so fast as if he intended to force Belgrade before the Grand Vizier was joyned with him the noise whereof caused some Consternation at Belgrade but at the appearance of Prince Lewis of Baden Pr. Lewis coming to the Army encourages the Soldiers sent thither with Commission of General of the Imperial Forces in Hungary all the Fears of the Soldiers vanished and every one reassumed his Courage and at the Command of the Prince fell to work about the Fortifications the which Work being by direction of His Highness put into a way of dispatch he proceeded forward to the Army And on the 14th of June June being arrived at Semendria he made it his business in the first place to enquire and inform himself of the true State of the Affairs of the Enemy who according to common report of the Spies were said to be very near being encamped in the Plains of Jagodina to the Number of 40000 Men under Command of the Seraskier the greatest part of which were Asiaticks raw and Undisciplin'd Soldiers to which very speedily the Grand Vizier was to joyn with 10000 Turks and a considerable Train of Artillery which was already on the way from Sophia Reports of the Turks Power alarm Pr. Lewis The Prince being alarm'd hereat by reason of the small force he had with him dispatched an Express away to the Counts of Veterani and Piccolomini with Orders to hasten their March what was possible and come to his necessary reinforcement against so formidable an Enemy and in the mean time the heavy Baggage was sent to Belgrade with about 30000 Inhabitants of that place who for their better security were ordered to pass the Save But for the more certain Intelligence of all the Prince dispatched an Express to Hassan Pasha Palanca Hassan Pasha Palanca where Count Hoffkirchen was Quartered to know of him what News he had received there from the Camp of the Enemy At this Palanca I lodged one Night as I remember which is no other than a small Fortress built of Stone in a Woody and a Desolate Country at the Charge of one Hassan Pasha with intent only to cover a Chan or Inn for Reception of Travellers and their Goods from Spoilers and Robbers which often infested that place where notwithstanding by means of this Fort Garrison'd by 60 Soldiers Strangers may sleep and remain secure from Robbers The Messenger being returned from Hoffkirchen brought Intelligence that the Turks were neither so numerous and strong nor so near as common Fame reported And they only appeared sometimes in Parties on the River Morava but with some Care and Caution in apprehension of the Germans whose Numbers tho' they knew not yet they were sensible enough of their Valour and Vigilance This News and the Conjunction with the Militia of Veterani and Piccolomini Veterani and Piccolomini joyn with Pr. Lewis greatly encouraged and animated the Prince and more especially because that Piccolomini had passed a Bridge over the Save between Belgrade and Sawaz for the more commodious Transportation of Ammunition and Victuals which came from the Parts of Hungary In the mean time Tekeli did not remain idle but made several Incursions with design to relieve Temeswaer Giula and Waradine which were streightly blocked up by the Imperialists In which tho' he did not succeed yet having joyned with the Pasha of Silistria he fell upon Fetislau a Garrison of the Rascians Fetislau â—â—en by Tekeli which after a stout defence for 12 Days and having no hopes of succour they were forced to yield at Discretion and being made Prisoners several of the principal Men with their Colours were sent in triumph to the Grand Seignior who in recompence thereof sent a Scimetar a Vest of Sables and some Money unto Tekeli with an Aferum or You have well done and do still better Tekeli having put a Garrison of 1000 Janisaries into Fetislau he marched to Orsoua a place which Heisler had lately deserted and demolished which he possessed and delivered it into the Hands of the Prince of Walachia to be Garrison'd And possess Orsoua and made a place of Arms and a Magazine for divers sorts of Provisions and Ammunition expected from Nicopolis and which if well fortified and provided might be considered as the Key of the Upper Hungary About the same time Count Corbelli made a Detachment of 1000 Heydukes from the Blockade of Waradine who approaching near the Walls with intention to carry off the Cattle which were feeding thereabouts they were so furiously attacked by the Enemy that before they could retreat 300 Heydukes killed by
sides of the Hills over the Enemies Camp Pr. Lewis engages the Turks near Nissa which when the Turks discovered they detached a Party to engage with them and with 2 or 3000 Turks and Tartars they attacked the Rear-Guard of the Right Wing by which Count Veterani was forced to keep a little behind with the two Regiments of Hanover and St. Croix which formed the second Line of that Wing and were appointed to guard and cover the Baggage which was always placed in the Rear of the Army This slow motion of the Cannon and Baggage which could not be avoided retarded the motion of the advanced Troops which ever and anon made a Halt so that it was five a Clock in the Evening before they could reach the Foot of the Hill where both Armies came in sight of each other And because it might rationally be conjectured that the Turks would before the Morning fortifie their Camp with some Trenches and Parapets of Earth the Prince resolved without giving them so much time to advance upon them with all the Courage and Fury imaginable extending his right Wing towards the Foot of the Hill and his left along the Plain to the Banks of the River Nissava which being orderly disposed resolutely Attacked the Enemy Pr. Lewis Attacks the Turks according to the Methods and Measures design'd The Turks with their accustomed Cry of Allah Allah caused the greatest part of their Cavalry which was drawn up on the declivity of the Hill to charge the Infantry of the left Wing Commanded by Count Guido of Staremberg and the Regiments of Kisel and Sarau which when the Prince observed he caused some Cannon to be brought on that side with which and a Detachment from these Regiments the whole left Wing advanced towards the Enemy the Turks seeing this retired with their Body of Horse and wheeled about towards the right Wing and Attacked them at the Foot of the Hill on the Flank which could not well be secured which produced some Fear and Confusion amongst the Hussars but being succoured by the Regiments of Holstein and Noircharmes which Piccolomini Commanded and by a Party of brave Hungarians The Turkish Horse in disorder they so disordered the Turkish Horse that they had been put to an open Flight had they not been stopt in their Career by some of their own Troops who met them and Fired upon them By this Accident the Enemy still maintaining their Ground on the side of the Hill towards the right Wing of the Germans gave opportunity and time to the Cavalry to rally again in the Plains But Prince Lewis incessantly riding and giving Orders in all places of the Army commanded the main Body which was directed by Baron Heisler to Attack the Turks on the Hill which they performed so effectually that after a long Conflict they gained the top of the Hill and then drawing all the Battalions into an equal Line both the right Wing and the Baggage were both secured from the Attempt of the Enemy On the other side the Duke of Croy Duke of Croy succours the right Wing who commanded towards the River being advised by the Prince that the right Wing was distressed and hardly beset by the Enemy he presently resolved to advance to the top of the Hill in a direct Line towards their Succour to give a greater Diversion to the Enemy and to gain the top of the Hill the which being effected the Situation thereof proved so advantageous a Post that in a short time they drove the Enemy from thence with a considerable Slaughter Notwithstanding which the Turkish Horse rallying again in the Plains made another Vigorous Assault on the left Wing but were received by them with so much Bravery and Resolution that they were once more on their Flight when the Janizaries who were making new Trenches Fired upon them and forced them to stand another Charge which they steadily performed and with great Vigour against the Hussars but they being succoured by the Regiment of Caprara forced the Enemy entirely to quit the Field and pursued them with great Fury to their very Camp Whilst the left Wing had thus gloriously acquitted themselves another Party of the Enemies Horse Attacked them in the middle of their Body but being succoured by Count Guido de Staremberg with some Battallions of his own Regiment and of the Heydukes of Palfi they discharged such terrible Vollies upon them that great Numbers of the Turks fell Dead on the Ground and the others so cowed and affrighted that losing all hopes of Conquest The Turks put to Flight when they saw their Trenches possessed by the Prince and shut up on all sides by the right Wing they betook themselves in good earnest to a confused and disorderly Flight and tho' the Night came on yet the Victorious Germans pursued the Turks so long as they could have the least glimpse or appearance of the Enemy so that many of them to avoid the Sword threw themselves headlong into the Nissava where by the depth of the Water and rapidness of the River they miserably perished And here as well as during the whole course of the Battle the two Brothers Charles and August Princes of Hanover with their Regiments behaved themselves with great Bravery and in the heat of the Action could scarce be withheld from following the Enemy into the Water but only by the Perswasions and Injunctions of General Veterani they gave a stop to the Pursuit Thus the Night put an end to the Victory and the Slaughter of the Turks who abandoned the City tho' fortified with a good Ditch and some Palisadoes after the Turkish manner The Christians gain an entire Victory tho' irregularly planted the same Night Prince Lewis put into the Town several Battalions to conserve it from being burnt as the Turks intended to have done In the Morning Provisions and Forage were found sufficient to subsist the Army for three Weeks In short all the Cannon being 30 pieces for Battery became a Prey to the Germans as also many Thousands of very fine Tents amongst which was that of the Seraskier which the Grand Seignior had lately sent him with divers Standards particularly that of Mamoot Ogli Pasha of Albania The Horse-Tayls were also taken Numbers sâ—â—in The Numbers slain on the Enemies side with those Drowned were computed to be 10000 amongst which were 3000 Spahee's whose Horses and Mules with rich Furniture and good Lading were brought to the Camp where for that Night it remained and next Morning was distributed amongst the Imperial Cavalry This Victory was so much the more Glorious and Wonderful for having been atchieved by 15000 Germans tired and harassed by Marches Countermarches Skirmishes and Battles as before related against 80000 Turks The Victory wonderful and what is still more miraculous there was not on the Christian side above 300 killed and wounded and none of any considerable Quality besides the Sergeant-Major of the Regiment of Stirum and
of Negropont Now whilst Mustapha Aga was ready to depart with these Articles the unhappy News was brought to the Grand Visier The News of a defeat given the Turks hinders the Peace That the Turks had received a total defeat before Nissa with the slaughter of many thousands of Turks and with the loss of all their Cannon and Ammunition together with the City of Nissa it self And that the Vizier Kaja or Deputy with the Treasurer of the Army had made his Escape out of the Battle to Sophia with great difficulty and that the remainder of the scattered Army went wandring through the Woods and Mountains it not being known as yet who was killed or taken or alive So soon as this Report was made known to the Grand Vizier he immediately posted the same by the Messenger who brought it to the Grand Seignior then at Adrianople and all the way he Rode he gave Orders in all Places to raise the Nefiran or the Trained-Bands of the Countries by which all things were in such Consternation as if the Germans had been at the very Gates of Sophia This Change of Affairs gave a stop to the Expedition of Mustapha Aga until new Resolutions should be taken by another Divan or some other Assembly of Council the which being again met they confirmed the former Resolution and dispatched away Mustapha Aga with the former Propositions of Peace The Ambassador proceeds to Vienna And an Express was dispatched before him from Sophia to obtain from Prince Lewis a Passport and Safe-Conduct unto Vienna The Prince readily granted and ordered him a Party of 25 Horse to Convoy him safely so far as Pyroth And here Prince Lewis gave a period to the Proceedings of this year 's Campagne The Campagne ended For considering that the Season was entirely spent the distance far from the Danube the Difficulties of so long a Communication and the uncertainty of subsisting the Army in the Enemies Country already wasted and ruinous he thereupon judged it most secure to return back to the Danube and accordingly marched away on the 4th of October having committed the Government of Nissa and of the Conquered Countries to the Care and Conduct of Count Piccolomini with some Regiments of Horse and Foot and some Rascians under Paul Dioâ—h placing a good guard on the Mountain Hemus But because the Prince was very desirous to defeat Count Tekeli Designs to surprize Tekeli the great Partisan of France who was encamped near to Widin he judged it of great importance to fall into his Quarters on his way to the Danube and accordingly on the 6th of October he encamped near the Castle Saverlick and the next day he Quartered at the foot of the Mountain of Temach which he passed on the 8th through so narrow a streight that a single Cart could scarce pass and moreover the ways were so very rocky and incommodious that the Baggage was greatly retarded wherefore the Prince commanded some German and Hungarian Troops to advance towards Widin and on the way by such Prisoners as they should take to inform themselves of the State of Widin and of the Enemies Camp These Troops had not been on their way above two hours before they returned with two Turkish Prisoners who informed them That Orsoua and Fetislau had been burnt on the first of this Month Orsoua and Fetislau burnt and abandoned by the Enemy And because they feared that some sudden Attack would be made upon them by the Germans they had carried away from Widin all the Provisions of that place and were gone farther by Water into the more distant Places of their Country And that about 2000 Turks and others of Tekeli's Troops were encamped near the River to cover the Boats on which their Baggage was to be laden and that their Camp consisted of about 200 Tents So Prince Lewis lodged that Night in the Country and Plains of Bergfelt Upon these Advices next Morning by break of Day being the 13th of October the Army then with the Prince consisting but of some few Regiments proceeded on their march towards Widin designing to arrive at the place early next day and because the Hungarians returned with the News that the Enemy quartered near the City with all security not suspecting the approach of the Germans having refreshed their Horse for some few Hours near Drenoua they marched all that Night and came about 11 a Clock in the Morning within sight of Widin Pr. Lewis marches to Widin where they first discovered the Camp of the Enemy and having taken a view of the situation of the place and the several Avenues thereunto they found that they must necessarily pass Three Bridges or take a round through some marshy Grounds which perhaps were unpassable at least very hazardous The Horse pass the Bridges and enter the Enemies Camp without a faithful Guide or Pilot Wherefore taking the opportunity when the Janizaries and People were in the Mosch at Prayers they caused the Horse to pass the Bridges which having done without any Opposition they trotted directly to the Enemies Tents and entered into them about Three a Clock in the Afternoon This unexpected Enterprize so alarm'd the Turks that part of them with affrighted Precipitation betook themselves to the Boats and others mounting on Horseback drew out with the Janizaries to the number of 12000 ranging themselves in posture of Battle Prince Lewis advancing with some of his light Cannon in the Front committed the Conduct of the Right Wing to Count Veterani and Trautmansdorf The Turks make a stand bâ—fore Widin and the Left he commanded in Person with which some Countermarches were made to spend time until the Infantry could come up gaining still some ground upon the Enemy Howsoever the Turks made a stand and fought with such Resolution that the Victory seemed dubious for a while but the Dragoons of Veterani dismounting which were used to do Miracles threw themselves with their Swords drawn into the Ditch of the Town killing and slaying all that came in their way which when the Turkish Infantry observed part of them came to their assistance but the Right Wing Commanded by the Prince soon relieved them and came thundring on them with such furious Resolution The Turkish Cavalry put to flight and the Army defeated and Widin taken that they put all to the Sword excepting those who were retired into the Castle or made their escape by Water The greatest part of the Turkish Cavalry unless those belonging to the Baggage fled by the way of the Moor or Marshy Ground with which they were acquainted towards Sophia and Nicopolis leaving the Mountains on the Right Hand and the three Bridges on the Left and all their Camp with their Tents and Baggage both within and without the City for a Prey and Booty to the Victorious Christians Many Colours four Horse-Tails some thousands of Horses and other Beasts were taken with great quantities of Forage Above a thousand
ordered in the Night to hide themselves under some little Hills and Rocks called Grebani and at the Foot of one of the Enemies Forts to cover the Attack in case the Turks should make a Sally from the Town But the Success did not answer the Expectation of the Martial Spirits of so many brave Officers and Soldiers But without effect who came down in great Numbers to behold the performance of this Action the which was absolutely defeated for want of the four Ships which were detained below by contrary Winds Howsoever the Expectation being great the Officers on the shoar approached the Town nearer than was necessary and safe of which the Turks not neglecting their Advantage made many Shots amongst them from the Walls one of which killed Lorenzo Venier Venier Caraccioli killed Captain Extraordinary of the Ships and Michael Angelo Caraccioli a Cavalier of Malta whilst they were both in serious Discourse together having received the Mortal Blow on their Heads The Death of Venier was greatly lamented not only by the Doge but by the whole Army and indeed the Loss was general being one of the most able Citizens of Venice and the best Sea Captain belonging to that Republick And indeed it seemed as if an unhappy Constellation had been reigning over him at that time when being desirous to be aboard for better direction of the four Ships Are greatly lamented the Doge permitted him not out of a regard to his Person which he did not think fit to adventure on so desperate a hazard so that what was intended for his Conservation was turned to his Loss and Destruction But this was not all the Misfortune for the Turks observing such a Concourse of People and from thence apprehending some intention of an Assault made a Sally not only from the Town The Turks make a Sally but from the Rocks under which the Oltramarines had concealed themselves where the Turks falling on them in the Rear killed many of them and put the rest to Flight and tho' the Sergeant-Major Tomaso Pompei with some of his Men Sem Oltramarines put to flâ—ght came in to their Succour he got nothing thereby more than a Musket-shot in his Thigh after which he was forced to retreat After which unhappy Misfortune the Doge returned to his Ducal Gally greatly afflicted for the Death of Venier by which the Ships wanting an Admiral Domenico Diedo was substituted in his place until the return of Pisani from the Gulf of Corinth All which time the Forces sent to guard that important Pass and Narrow leading into the Morea remained there without any Action the Seraskier not intending to make any effort thereon for that Year The Seraskier keeps a Guard on Negropont for that his Eyes being fixed on Negropont where he expected that the Venetians should renew their Attempt he judged that their appearance before Malvasia was nothing but a Blind to divert him from the guard of that important place Things not being very promising before Malvasia and little hopes to subdue it by force the Doge resolved to spend the remainder of the Summer in cruising in the Archipelago but not to lose all the Fruits of the preceding Labours the Redoubt raised at the Bridge was fortified and perfected and the other Forts strengthned with as many Men and Cannon as were esteemed sufficient both to keep the Enemy from Sallying out or Provisions from entring in but before the Doge departed four of the greatest Ships were ordered to batter the Town The Ships batter the Town and give a farewell to them with their biggest Cannon The which being performed within Musket-shot ruined almost all the Suburbs yet not without some Loss aboard the Ships by the Enemies Small-shot from the Walls The Preparations for securing the Blockade of the Town being perfected and the Work of Careening Washing and Tallowing of the Venetian and Maltese Gallies being ended Septemb. it was concluded necessary to execute the former resolution of sailing up the Archipelago to the Gulph of Negropont whereby the Seraskier might be alarm'd and amused so far as to keep his Forces on that side and without farther attempt to pass the Streight of Corinth into the Morea and that in the mean time all things might be secured before Malvasia four Gallies were appointed to remain there under the Command of Frederico Bembo and Colonel Fabio Lanoia to maintain the first Fortress and Colonel Carlo Montanari the second with their respective Regiments All things being thus ordained and agreed the Doge weighed Anchor in the Night and endeavoured to get out but the Winds being contrary he was forced to return back again to an Anchor as the like happened also the next Day not only by contrary Winds but by some Misunderstandings between the Vessels of the Van-Guard But what was worse than all the former Misfortunes The Doge sick of a Fever the Doge was seized with such a violent Fever as confined him to his Bed in which the Physicians discovered very dangerous Symptoms of a long Distemper Moreover some unhappy Reports were then flying abroad That the Captain Pasha was come out and roving upon the Seas in the Archipelago with 14 Gallies 31 Ships including those of Barbary and 18 Galleots with design to raise Carach or Contributions from the Islands But no great credit was given to that Report by reason that the Season of the Year was so far advanced that it seemed rather time to lay up Vessels in Harbout than to begin a new Expedition Howsoever the News hereof and the Distemper of the Doge increasing which the Physicians termed a Relapse and therefore more dangerous declaring also that the change of Air would be the most proper Remedy for the Disease The Doge returns home it was resolved That the Charge and Command of the Fleet should be committed to the Conduct of that Wise and Prudent Cavalier Cornaro the Proveditor-General of the Seas whose Vice-Admiral was Carlo Pisani and Rear-Admirals Bartolmeo Gredenigo and Giovanni Pizzamano to whom also the Galley of Ludovico Balbi designed for Dalmatia was joyned together with the Gallies of Malta which being according to the Season of the Year recalled home the Admiral with that Squadron sailed with the Venetians esteeming it a great Honour to accompany the Doge on that occasion so far as his Way and Course would admit In this manner the Doge whose Illness increased set sail the 15th of September and directing his Course towards Venice came the next Day in sight of Coron and passing at no great distance from Modon they Anchored that Night at Prodano and the next Day in the Road of Zant where having remained all that Day they Anchored the next Day in Port Viscardo upon the Island of Ceffalonia and the following Day at Corfu We omit all the Ceremonies which passed between the Armata and the Officers of the several Cities and Countries by which they sailed as
in all Parts and Places the Weather becoming moderate according to the Season and the Grass grown the Turks encamped near Gradisca where they staid a while in expectation of some Troops to joyn with them and therewith to pass the Save into Sclavonia with no other Design than to ruine and spoil the Country but Baron Koniseck having Advice thereof marched from Brod with all the Hussars and Heydukes which were Quartered in the adjacent Villages unto a Place where the River is fordable and therefore the most likely place where they might design to pass by which not only the Passage of the Turks was obstructed but News coming to them that the Croats were fallen into their Country on the other side they quitted their first Design and marched to oppose the Croats who were too quick for them having taken great Booty and committed a vast Spoil before the Turks could come in to the Succour of their Country About the same time one Herlniovich a Dalmatian Captain marched six Days Journey beyond Nissa into the Enemies Country which he Surprized and Plundered and returned back with the Heads of several Turks and some Prisoners The same Captain soon afterwards having recruited himself with some more Troops fell upon Berkowitz in which was a Garrison of about 127 Turks provided with all things necessary for defence of the Place being fortified on a very advantageous Situation Berkewitz taken by a Captain of Dalmatia but coming upon them by Surprize the Place was taken and all the Men put to the Sword except some few who made their Escape the Booty was considerable besides 90 Turkish Women four Standards and two pair of Kettle-Drums In like manner a Captain of the Garrison of Pyroth roving abroad and seeking his Fortune met near to Sophia with 20 Horses laden with Nails Iron and several Warlike Instruments he seized them all and killed 19 Turks and took one Prisoner alive who in the Night making his Escape gave Intelligence thereof to Sophia from whence a Party being commanded out they overtook the Germans and fought with them but the Germans behaved themselves so well that they forced the Turks to leave them and suffer them to escape with the Booty they had gained At this time also some Sea Robbers landed in the Bay of Vola Sea Robbers Land and made an Incursion into the Territories of Macedonia near Monassir burning and spoiling all the Country whilst another Party of them to the number of about 600 Men made a Sally towards Stippo where they surprized 500 Turks and put them all to the Sword without Quarter given to any one but the Inhabitants they carried away Prisoners and made use of them for Slaves in the Hills and Mountains Nor were things more quiet in Hungary where several Skirmishes happened to the Loss and Damage of the Turks and particularly the Soldiers of the Garrison and those of the Blockade had an Encounter and the latter returned Victorious with 16 Prisoners 22 Heads 49 Horses and some Cattle Moreover Count Corbelli sent out a Party of 500 Horse which met and surrounded a Party of Turks of which they killed three or four of the Chief Commanders with 70 private Soldiers took 10 Prisoners and many Horses in which Action 12 Men were slain and wounded and 22 Horses killed Moreover 3000 Rascians under the Command of Captain Antonio and 200 Germans under Rusbach a Captain of Hanover arrived one Morning about Break of Day near Bernia Bernia surpriv'd by the Christians from which a Detachment being made of five Troops of Rascians with some German Musqueteers having their Van-Guard led by Artusser Adjutant-General of Piccolomini and three Lieutenants pushed forward into the City without any Halt or Hesitation or regard to the Troops which followed with such Courage and Valour that the Turks being surprized not having time to gather themselves into an Orderly Body in the open Market-place and seeing the Enemy already in the City and more Troops following them the Pasha with about 200 of his best Horse fled out of the opposite Gate leaving the remainder of the Garrison with the Inhabitants which consisted of about 3000 Men to their own Fate which ended with the Death of about 1700 of them most whereof were killed Sleeping on their Beds tho Booty taken was very considerable besides much Cattle and 500 good Horses with the loss only on the Christian side of seven Germans and 17 Rascians who were killed It being now towards the end of May which is the usual Season for Armies to take the Field News was brought to Nissa that Kuperlee the Grand Vizier The Grand Vizier marches to the Camp at Nicopolis was decamped from before Adrianople with 20000 Men and on his March to joyn with 40000 more which were Encamped at Nicopolis with intention to attack at one and the same time both Nissa and Widin and whereas the Turkish Army was in great want of Artillery by reason of the many Cannon which they had lost during this War the French furnished them with 100 Pieces which were brought from France and Landed at Galata and thence conducted on Carriages to the Army But the Season not being as yet come for pitched Battles or Siege of Towns the Armies not being gathered into a Body General Corbelli June who Commanded the Blockade near Great Waradine detached 220 Germans and Hungarians with design to attack the Palanca of Bellanasch where coming to it before Break of Day and finding no Centinels to observe their Appearance all the People being asleep with the greatest Security imaginable the Soldiers climbed the Walls and unperceived entered the Place without any opposition whatsoever The Palanca of Bellanasch surprized and taken killing Men Women and Children without any distinction some Turks howsoever escaped and saved themselves in the Castle which General Corbelli being desirous to take by reason that the People of Great Waradine had been frequently relieved from thence he sent for 500 Men more to reinforce his Troops but before these could come up to joyn the others laden with Booty and Spoil were departed and gone to secure what they had gained These two late Successes by Surprize animated the Governour of Lescowitza and Count Montecelli Captain of Horse in the Regiment of General Hoffkirchen to attempt a third and joyning with them a Party of Germans and Rascians they marched to Noviporto with intention to surprize it in the same manner as the others had been but some of the Rascians having Friends and Relations in the Place A D â—gn on Noviporto discovered gave information to those within upon which they all retired into the Castle which was well defended with a strong Tower and a good Wall and with Provision sufficient for some Weeks and stood upon their Guard so that the Party finding their Design defeated fell upon the Cattle which were feeding near the Place and carried away some of them to the Number of 6000 Sheep and 2000
inauguretur Veruntamen munimenta pleraque in potestate adhuc sunt Caesarianorum Quantum inquirendo percipio ad ultimum hujus mensis Octobris hic subsistemus deinde in hyberna miles deducetur Atque haec hactenus caetera proximis literis perscribam Vale. The News of the Surrender of Widin caused the Vizier to hasten the taking of Nissa that he might have time afterwards before the Winter to take in Belgrade to which end he furiously assaulted the place on all sides and continually both by Day and Night fired with Cannon and Bombs into the City by which the Garrison being diminished from 3 unto 2000 Men and the Counterscarp taken and no hopes of Relief General Staremberg the Governor thereof was forced to a Capitulation Nissa surrendred and Surrendered on the 8th of September on very honourable Terms Namely That the Garrison should march out with Bag and Baggage Trumpets sounding and Drums beating Colours flying and with all their Arms and to be conveyed in safety to the Morava But the Turks did not faithfully observe this Agreement but robbed and disarmed many of them The Tartars also pursued after them as far as Semendria with intent to cut them all off of which Count Staremberg having Advice he speedily passed the Danube and so arrived in safety at Belgrade The Turks found 90 pieces of Cannon and Mortar-pieces in Nissa after the taking of which they marched directly towards Belgrade and took Semendria in their way of which Lieutenant Colonel Weingartler a stout and valiant Soldier was the Governor but having no more than 500 Germâ—ns and 400 Rascian Soldiers in all for defence of the place they sustained a Storm from all the Turkish Army but being overwhelmed with Numbers Semendria taken by Storm and the Garrison put to the Sword the Governour with all his Soldiers were put to the Sword and perished and the Turks became Masters of the place in which they found a good Booty with quantity of Provisions In the mean time Prince Lewis continued his march towards Transylvania and having passed the Danube at Culitz a place something below Semendria he arrived at Karansebes with the Horse on the 16th but the Foot and Baggage came not thither until two days afterwards And here it was that the Prince received Intelligence how that Tekeli's Lieutenant-General was marching against him with some thousands of Horse by way of the Valley of Hadegger leading to that place which is called the Iron-Gate with intent to hinder the Prince's passage into Transylvania but the Germans were beforehand with them and with a Party of Horse took possession of the Pass before Tekeli's Men could reach it P. Lewis in Transilvania which they maintained for two or three days before the Army could come and enter into it and having passed it about the 21st they drew into Battalia according to the situation of the Ground and encamped near the Ancient Romana Colonia Vulpia Trajana the Ruins of which do still appear where they remained until the 24th before which time their heavy Baggage could not arrive at the Camp The German Army being thus entered into Transylvania many of the Nobility of that Country applied themselves to the Prince for Safe-Conducts or Protections to live quietly and to save their Goods whilst in the mean time the Rascians were entered into Walachia where they plundered burned and put all to the Sword with as much Cruelty as enraged Men can exercise one against the other But Prince Lewis marched with his Army in three Lines until they came within an hours distance from Huniad and here the Army rested for a while The Turks as we have said having taken Semendria and killed all that were it the Grand Vizier marched with all his Forces towards Belgrade of which News being carried to the Imperial Court the Duke of Croy was immediately dispatched to Belgrade to take upon him the Command of that City The Duke was sent away on the 1st of October October The Grand Vizier invests Belgrade which was the Day that the Grand Vizier invested Belgrade and encamped in the very same Places and Posts which the Christians had set out and marked two years before And on the 2d he had surrounded the City from the Danube to the Save and from that Day to the 8th they fired continually with their Cannon and Bombs without ceasing and stormed the Pallisadoes with such Rage without fear or wit that the Defendants wondered to see them run on so desperately before any Breach or the least opening was made to favour or prepare for an Attack On the 8th The Duke of Croy arrived in the City by Boat and immediately applied himself to take a View with General Aspremont and Officers of the Artillery of all the Works and Fortifications as also of the Enemies Trenches which were already advanced within 12 Paces of the Pallisadoes The Duke of Croy at Belgrade which done he retired to his Lodging and that night the Besieged discovered and emptied one of the Turks Mines just ready to be Sprung Next Morning the Duke of Croy being desirous to send a true account to the Emperor of the State and Condition of the Place a Draught thereof was drawn and subscribed by General Aspremont and Officers of the Artillery which whilst the Duke after a small Breakfast was preparing to dispatch away giving an Account withall that there were not above 3200 Men in the place fit for Service an outery was made The Steeple of the Castle takes fire That the great Blue-Steeple of the Castle began to burn upon which Alarm the Generals and others applying themselves to extinguish the Fire it was soon put out But no sooner were the Generals and People returned to their Homes and busily employed in their Dispatches for Vienna which were to be carried by the Count Archinto but by some unknown Accident or as it is rather believed by the Treachery of a Turk disguised in a German Habit or by the villainous and traiterous Practice of some French who had been employed to work in the Magazines and had that Morning Deserted and gone over to the Turk the said Blue-Steeple about three or four a Clock in the Afternoon which was the principal Magazine for Powder in all the City took Fire Again on fire and blows up and blew up with such Violence that the Duke was not only wounded but half buried in the rubbish of his own Lodgings and dis-interred as it were by a Page of General Aspremont This blow over-turned the great Bulwark which defended the Castle together with its Walls Guns and other Defences opening so large a Breach for the Enemy that they might have entered the Town with whole Squadrons And so extraordinary and fatal was this blow that it destroyed a thousand Men of the Garrison A great slaughter thereby which were drawn up on the place of Arms and on the Walls so that when the Generals ordered new Men
of the Germans and tho' the Turks told him the contrary yet not believing them he still persisted so earnestly to be Convoyed to Belgrade that the Turks at length carried him and his People thither consisting of 600 Men besides Women and Children but this mistrust of the Turks words cost them dear for arriving there they were put for two days into a Fort of the City and afterwards commanded them to bring out their Arms and lay them upon Waggons on promise of sending them for Esseck which being done they commanded them to come forth two by two that they might be the better counted After which they drove them back to the Fort like Cattle and chained them there with Iron-Chains where they kept them in so severe an Imprisonment that most of them died with Want and Hunger except such as were under 20 years of Age whom they Shaved and Circumcised and made Turks but the Women and Children they Sold and pillaged all the Goods which they brought out with them In this Island the Enemies found 23 great Guns 15 Field-pieces and three Mortars but the Bombs and Powder were thrown into the River And thus ended this Year which proved the most unfortunate to the Emperor of any that had happened since the beginning of this War THE Venetian Successes In Their WAR against the TURKS In the Year 1690. WE concluded the Venetian Successes of the last Year's Expedition with the Triumphant and Glorious Entry of that Illustrious Prince Francisco Morosini Cavalier Captain General and Elected Doge of Venice to whom his Country testified as much Honour and Glory as could be contrived and expressed the Particulars of which are long and not necessary to be inserted in this History only it may not be improper to recount in short some of the Exploits of this Great Man with that Applause which is due unto his Memory This Francisco Morosini descending from the most Ancient Patrician Family in Venice was Born in the Year 1618. He was in his Infancy dedicared by his Parents to the Service of his Country and educated in all Martial Exercises and rising by degrees and steps to several Offices both Military and Civil he at length arrived at the Supream degree of Government in that Republick being elected Doge during the time that he was fighting abroad in defence of his Country he was at first made a Noble Commander of a Gally which is the first step and degree which a Noble Venetian takes then he was made a Vice-Admiral and Governour of a Galleass next Captain of the Golf Proveditor-General of the Arms in Candia and then Captain General in which Office he continued a long time until the Year 1661 behaving himself with incomparable Valour in which Year he fought a Battle with the Gallies of Barbary under the Fortress of Valona he took a great Ship called a Sultana richly laden from Egypt near the Island of Milo he defended the Breaches of Candia and took another great Sultana The Atchievâ—ments of Francisco Morosini the Captain of which was called Admiral Nicolo of Nadalin Furlano and made him Prisoner he laid the Captain Pasha's Gally Aboard and almost entirely ruined it he took the Gally of the Pasha of Cyprus together with the several Fortresses of Calamo Egena Volo and Megara and having made himself Master of those Seas he destroyed 13 Galleots under the Fortress of Prevesa He made many Sallies from Candia in the Face of the Enemy destroying many of their Works and Intrenchments he subdued the Fortress of Calamata and made himself Master of two Turkish Gallies commanded by Hali Pasha he also took the Fortresses of Toron Chisme Castel-rugio and Schiato putting them and other Islands under Contribution He also took the Castle of Capricorno and destroyed the Forts of Calogero Sancta Veneranda and Calami which commanded the Fortress of Suda He likewise took two Ships bound from Alexandria laden with Soldiers and Provisions with another Convoy bound from the same Place for Constantinople under which were divers Ships and Vessels In fine after all these Successes and Triumphs being returned to Venice he was made Proveditor of Friuli to oppose the Incursions of the Turks who at that time threatned those Countries very much but those Fears being blown over he was sent back a second time to Command both the Seas and me City of Candia then streightly Besieged by the Grand Vizier Kupriogli with the main force of the Ottoman Empire the which Siege having continued for the space of almost three Years The Praises of Morosini the Turks were concluded to have lost 128000 Men before it During which time this Hero behaved himself with all imaginable Wisdom and Bravery and tho' at length he was forced after many Conflicts and various Successes which we have distinctly recounted in our History of the Lives of the three last Emperors yet the fame of that renowned Defence accompanied with an ensuing Peace will much more immortalize his Fame than any other of his Martial Successes it being the most memorable Siege that ever happened in the World Finally in the Year 1683 when the Grand Vizier Kara Mustapha appeared before Vienna with an Army of 200000 Men he was then appointed Proveditor-General of Friuli to oppose the vast Inundations of the Turks which had happened to all those Countries had the Success of that Vizier answered the Expectations of so mighty a Power After which he was sent a third time in quality of Captain-General against the Turks in the Morea where in the space of five Years he performed all those great Actions which have been before recounted by which he acquired such immortal Honour and Fame that he was by the Death of Contareno exalted to the Supream Throne of that Victorious and Renowned Republick where we shall now leave him employed in the exercise of the Sublime Dignity and so proceed to recount the Actions of that Noble General the Cavalier and Procurator Girolamo Cornaro who when the Doge about the latter end of the last Year returned to Venice was left in the Command before Malvasia of the Blockade which continued during the whole Winter past But the Summer coming on and the Army and Navy reinforced considerably with Men Provisions and Money dispatched from Venice under several strong Convoys and being joyned with the Pope's and the Maltese Gallies it was proposed to convert the Blockade into a Formal Siege It was now full 17 Months that the Besieged had with much patience stood out in defence of their City so that it was believed that they were reduced to the utmost Point of Famine and Penury The Venetians resolve to besiege Napoli di Malvasia the which Opinion the Turks were willing to confirm in the Minds of the Besiegers that they might take them off from the Attempts of Attacking Bombing or other Methods for forcing the Town But the Captain-General having discovered that the Defendants were still provided for a
assaulted the Places appointed to them and in this general Storm the Auxiliaries forced into the middle of the Town separating the Defendants on the Right Hand from those of the Left The Fort of Cannina capitulates who finding themselves distressed on all sides spread a White Flag demanding to Capitulate the which being granted some Persons came forth demanding such exorbitant Terms as were not thought fit to be granted At length all was reduced to these Particulars namely That they should without further delay Surrender the Fortress into the Hands of the Venetians and march forth immediately with their Families Bag and Baggage Thus was the Fortress of Cannina delivered up to the Will and Pleasure of the Captain-General Cannina surrendred out of which came forth about 3000 Souls besides 546 of the Garrison and were with safe Convoy conducted to their Camp The loss on the Venetian side was not considerable as to the Numbers but for the Quality of the Persons killed and wounded amongst which Alvise Sagredo was wounded with a Musquet-Bullet in the Thigh and General Borri through the Body Persons of Quality â—illed of which he died to the great Sorrow and Lamentation of the whole Army likewise Monsieur de Moroglie Lieutenant General of the Forces of Malta whose Place was supplied by Sergeant-Major de Brossie a Person of approved Valour and prudent Conduct The Captain-General not being willing to lose the favourable advantage of the present Consternation the Enemy was in their Army being beaten in the Field and put to flight and the Fortress of Cannina delivered and the Cannon for several Batteries playing upon the Town of Valona it was thought fit to make ah appearance of the whole Army before the City and to affright them the sooner into a Surrender a threatning Summons was sent them with Menaces of giving no Quarter in case of Refusal but hereunto no Answer was returned by the Turks so that nothing but an obstinate Resistance was expected all things being silent and quiet in the Town during the whole Night At length in the Morning the like Quietness and Silence continuing it was discovered that the Turks had privately in the Night conveyed themselves away The Turks abandon Valona and cowardly abandoned the Town to the Pleasure and Will of their Enemies on the 18th of September 1690. In the Fortress of Cannina and in the Town of Valona 134 Pieces of Cannon were taken of several sorts of Metal as well of Brass as of Iron And in this manner this Enterprize ending to the great Glory of the Venetian Arms Te Deum was sung in Venice with much Joy and Triumph and greatly to the Honour and Praise of the Captain-General Cornaro who with equal Valour followed the Footsteps of his fortunate Predecessor Morosini Nor were the Venetian Arms less successful under the Command of General Molino in Dalmatia The Pasha of Arzigovina designs on the Greeks where Zenalee the Pasha of Arzigovina had a design with a Body of 3000 Horse and Foot to attack the new Subjects lately conquered by the Venetians the which being for the most part Christians of the Greek Church it was resolved to surprize them in the Easter Week when they were more attentive to Devotion than to the Exercise of their Arms but this Design was not so secretly managed but that it was discovered and brought to the knowledge of Pietro Duodo Proveditor Extraordinary of Cataro who upon the News immediately dispatched by an Express an Information thereof to the People of Nixichi advising them to be watchful against the Surprizes of their Enemy He attacks Nixichi Accordingly at the time appointed the Pasha moving from Nevissigne entering into the adjacent Parts of Nixichi began to execute all Acts of Hostility burning Houses and Villages making Slaves and taking a considerable Booty The News hereof being brought to the Churches where the People were assembled and intent at their Devotions they all ran out of their Churches and betook themselves to their Arms with such wonderful Celerity and Resolution that they unexpectedly assailed the Turks and after a sharp Conflict routed them Is beaten off and put them to Flight The Pasha endeavouring to stop their Career killed two of his affrighted Officers with his own Hand but Fear and Consternation had so possessed their Minds that nothing could give a hindrance or stop to their Course for all being in Confusion they trampled one on the other and in the Pursuit 400 Foot and 300 Horse were cut to pieces the Slaves which they had taken were set at liberty and the Booty recovered many Prisoners were taken amongst which were some principal Turks with the Pasha himself who being put into Chains offered 3000 Zechines with two Vests of Sables for his Ransome with some fine Horses and Arms of considerable value but the People of Nixichi were too generous to accept of a Ransome The Pasha taken Prisoner and rather chose to carry their Prisoner in Triumph unto Cataro than to accept of any Present whatsoever in lieu thereof From Cataro by order of General Molino the Pasha was on a Gally transported to Spalatro And least the Turks of Arzigovina being hereby incensed should be provoked to take a Revenge with greater force the General Molino for better security of that People ordered the Commander of that District to march with a Body of 300 Men to their assistance and to put all People into Arms that taking advantage on the present Consternation with which the Turks were affected they might with more ease enjoy the lasting Fruit of the present Victory With like happy Success was the strong Fortress of Filiporich situate in the Neighbourhood of Glamoz in Dalmatia Filiporich taken taken and destroyed by order of Molino directed to the Proveditor of Knin who accordingly executed the same with such Prudence and Vigour that having dis-speeded 500 Men to a Place called Dervis their fortune was to take 60 Turks which kept the Towers Houses and Moschs within that Precinct together with four small Guns some Musketoons Colours and other Arms of the Turks as also a considerable number of Cows and Sheep they also burnt three great Villages belonging to the Turks consisting of 500 Houses and took 32 Slaves Thus had all the Adventures of this Year answered the Expectations of the Venetians at Land better than those of the Germans had done at the Court at Vienna but yet an unhappy Encounter at Sea gave the Turks some cause to rejoyce and not a little tempered the Triumph of the Venetians the which happened in this manner About the opening of the Campaign on the 22th of March of this Year the Captain-General gave Orders to Admiral Valier Commander of the Ship St. Iseppo carrying 44 Brass Guns that taking with him for his Confort A Sea-Fight the Ship called the St. Mark he should sail to Milo there to collect the usual Charach or Tribute of that Island
William of England had gained at the Boyne in Ireland which served to augment the Triumphs with another triple Discharge of all the Cannon in the Army The Winter drawing near the greatest part of the Turkish Militia being under great Discouragements and having a long Journey Home thought fit to leave the Camp So did the Tartars Plundering all in their way so did the Arnouts and Albanians Septemb. and all the Soldiers whose Towns and Houses were not at a far distance so likewise the Spahee's stole privately away The Turkish Forces disperse and the Asiatick Horse made towards the Dardanelli where they passed into Asia and in this manner did all the Forces disperse that scarce any appearance remained of an Army or a Camp and those few who kept to their Colours were possessed with great Consternation upon the News that the Poles had actually Invaded Walachia and brought great Destruction and Ruine upon that Province The Weather beginning now to be Cold and Wet much incommoded the Soldiers of Prince Lewis his Army in their March especially the Foot who trashing through the Waters in a Country where was no Wood to Dry them or Warm and Dress their Victuals many of them fell Sick and Died. And indeed that Country as I have my self observed hath neither Timber nor Underwoods so that the Inhabitants live in Caves under Ground the Soil being of a stiff Clay grows hard with Fires like a Stone all their Fuel being Turf of which by the Laziness of the Inhabitants a sufficient store had not been gathered to furnish the present use of the Army Whilst the Army quartered in this Barren Country News was brought to Prince Lewis That General Veterani having heard of the Defeat of the Turks had Decamped from Dobra and was marched to Lippa where coming before the Town he sent his Summons to Surrender which being refused Lippa surrendered to General Veterani some few Bombs were cast into it which brought the Garrison to a Desire to Capitulate but nothing would be granted but a Surrender at Discretion In fine all the Men being 216 in number were made Prisoners together with three Pasha's viz. Mahomet Bey and one Ali Pasha who had been sent thither for a Place of Banishment by the Grand Vizier and also another Bey with a Ziorbassi or Captain In the Town were three Guns and two Mortar-pieces only with a good quantity of Ammunition but little of Provisions After which Count Guttensteyn was made Governour of the Place with some Hundreds of Men for a Garrison And whereas News was brought That Tekeli with five or 6000 Men was Quartered about Temeswaer it gave some Apprehensions of his Design to Invade Transilvania for which reason General Veterani kept his Station at Lippa to observe his Motions In the mean time Prince Lewis continued his March to Segedin where he refreshed his Army for some Days And here it was that a certain Turk came from Belgrade under a Pretence to demand the Exchange of 4000 Turks against so many Christians Pr. Lewis continues his March but this Proposal seeming fictitious he was suspected for a Spy seized and committed to Prison It being thought fit to secure Lippa lately taken the Prince sent his Adjutant-General with 12 Saicks laden with Provisions and some Money by way of the River Maroth to Lippa to Mend and Repair the Fortifications of that Place Reinforces Lippa and raise new ones where the Works were defective and for its better Reinforcement 2000 Rascians and Hungarians both Horse and Foot were sent to strengthen the Garrison The Prince likewise with the remaining part of the Army marched to Zolnock where the Horse having passed the Bridge for that purpose erected met on the same Day of their Arrival with the Field-Marshal Count Mansfelt and Major-General Aversberg at the same place A Party of Tekeli's Men defeated who had lately been detached in two Parties the latter of which had the fortune to surprize a Party of 600 Men belonging to Tekeli of whom they killed above 100 and made 32 Prisoners which gave so great an Alarm to others of their Companions which were posted near Great Waradin that in a precipitate Flight and Confusion they betook themselves to their Heels carrying withal their Bag and Baggage with whatsoever else was portable Nor was Count Schlick who Commanded the Blockade of Great Waradin less successful for having received Information That some Hundreds of Oxen belonging to that Garrison were Grasing in the Meadows near thereunto posted himself with 400 Horse in a small Wood over against the Place C. Schlick defeats a Party from Gr. Waradin ordering some Hussars to drive the Oxen towards the Wood where he lay in Ambuscade The Hussars following their Instructions in driving the Cattle were pursued by the Garrison till they came near the Wood when Schlick sallied out upon them and so vigorously Attack'd them that 400 Turks were killed on the Place many Prisoners taken and the Oxen carried clear away to the great damage of that Garrison This Success was followed by another of the like Nature for Schlick having understood from the Prisoners that a considerable Body of Tekeli's Men were Quartered in a Village on the other side of the City he took the opportunity of the Night to pass silently along and without any Noise surprize them and killed most of them in their Quarters after which he repassed with the like Privacy back without the least opposition to his own Camp It being now divulged that the Design of Prince Lewis was to turn the Blockade of Great Waradin into a Formal Siege Count Aversberg was Detached from the Army with a Body of Dragoons and Pioneers to Mend and Repair the Roads which were become almost unpassable especially for Cannon and Waggons laden with Provisions and Necessaries for the Army Count Schlick who was not as yet privy to this Design of the Prince observing by his Motion That Great Waradin was to be formally Besieged he privately conveyed himself and Troops into some Islands between the Rivers Korosh and Bozze and drove away the Enemies Cattle being about 900 Head and took some Prisoners from under the very Walls of the City and brought them all to his Camp As Schlick returned the Turks of the Place called to him and the Pasha desired a Parly with him in the open Field upon Parole which Schlick refused to do until he understood that Count Marsigli and his Chiaus were in the Town having been employed on the Negotiation of Peace Count Marsigli and his Chiaus at Great Waradin and then he yielded to an Interview with the Pasha who declared to him That the loss of their Cattle droven from under their Walls was not so much caused by the Negligence of the Garrison as by their attention to their New Guests whom they were entertaining with all Freedom and Friendship and so would seem to insinuate that for that reason it would be but
Just and Agreeable to the Laws and Rights of War that they should be again restored but Schlick wou'd understand none of these Laws and Ceremonies but retired without other Answer and Count Marsigli was suffered to go to the Camp of Prince Lewis October On the first of October the Prince continued his March and on the 10th arrived within a League of Great Waradin where the next Day he joyned with all the Foot and received Intelligence That Tekeli had released General Heusler on Parole whom he had some time before taken Prisoner and that he was already come as far as Hermanstadt And from hence it was that Count Marsigli with the Turkish Chiaus was also dispatched to the English Ambassador at Adrianople of whose Death they had not as yet received any Report whilst the Prince of Baden was making Preparations for a Siege before Great Waradin the Duke of Croy Attacked the Fortress of Brod in Sclavonia in which there was a Garrison of 300 Turks who upon appearance of the Enemy before the Walls put out five Red Ensigns and in a manner of Defiance and Scorn Danced upon the Ramparts but this Sport continued not long for the Duke that Evening took a Post near the Walls with 400 Men and immediately began to Work and notwithstanding the continual Fire of the Enemy they finished a Battery before One in the Morning together with a Line of Communication on which they planted four Guns and one Mortar-piece and before Day began to batter the Town Brod des rted by thē Turks The Turks affrighted hereat withdrew and retired into a Fort on the other side of the River leaving two small Guns and some Pedreros behind them and the Place unto their Enemy who took possession of it and therein placed 150 Germans to defend it Howsoever the Turks continued to Fire out of their Fort on the other side but without any considerable Damage to the Germans for they remained not long there before they deserted that Fortress also being terrified to see Percilie a Rascian Captain with 80 Hussars And fly to another Fort. and about 100 Foot in small Boats to pass the Save and hearing in the Night the Sound of Trumpets and Drums and all sorts of Instruments to play they were immediately struck with a fear and apprehension that the whole Imperial Army had passed the River with intention next Morning to Attack them Which was also deserted by them and flying into the Woods are for the most part cut off with which imagination affrighting one the other they retired in a confused manner out of the Fort towards the Forests and Woods being in all about 1500 Persons besides the Peasants of the Country who with Arms in their Hands but without any Order fled into the same Forrests but being pursued by the Hussars and some German Horse they were cut down and most of them Killed very few escaping alive In the mean time Prince Lewis was busied in preparing things and putting all in a readiness for the Siege of Great Waradin and Commanded Count Stirum with a considerable Body of Men and some Artillery to approach nearer to the City and soon after followed in Person with all the Horse and Foot pitching his Camp on the Banks of the River Korosch and having planted a Battery on a rising Ground he shot into the Town and raked the Streets from one end unto the other At the same time also two Mortar-pieces being well fixed threw into the City several Bombs which set Fire to the Houses and burnt whole Streets In this Consternation the Besieged attempted nothing by Sally but only plyed their Great Guns and set Fire to the Hay and Straw of which they had raised great Stacks in their Gardens and void Places of the City least the Enemy should serve themselves of it The Bombs continued firing whilst Barfus General of the Brandenburghers and Count Guido of Staremberg with nine Battalions placed themselves in a deep Ground where they could not be overseen by the Enemy from whence 1500 Men issued in the Night and opened the Trenches whilst others were busied in raising a Battery over-against the Gate of the Palancha Ottorsi Great Waradin Attacked on the Right Hand of which a Redoubt was made between which and the Battery a Line of Communication was drawn by this time a Battery of six great Guns was perfected and began to play which the Enemy answered with their Guns from the Wall firing without any intermission The six Guns being at some distance did not the execution which was desired and therefore the Night following the Battery was brought nearer to the Palanca which was on the Right Hand and next Night a New Battery was raised to the Left Hand of it on which Guns and Mortar-pieces being planted many Houses were set on Fire and a great part of the Palanca consumed by them Howsoever the Turks labouring with all Diligence possible repaired what Damage and Ruine the great Guns had done which they easily did for the Walls being for the most part made of a strong sort of Timber or Oak which doth not Shiver or Splinter the Bullet made no greater Hole in the Walls than the size of the Shot besides which the Ditch was very deep about them and six Paces broad howsoever by frequent firing the Holes became so wide and large as gave Encouragement to make a Storm on the Walls the which was ordered for the 16th at Night General Barfus and Count Staremberg Commanded the Attack which was performed with the greatest Resolution imaginable The Musqueteers with Hatchets in their Hands ran to the Gates in which the Guns having made several Holes they cut them down with the more ease On the other side Col. Mollner's Heydukes The Palanca of Great Waradin taken stormed the Walls with much Bravery and Resolution one of them Kneeling down supporting himself on his Hands and Arms another stood upon him whilst a third climbing over both with his Scymiter in his Mouth threw himself into the Palanca and in this manner many of them having passed the Wall began to cut down all that were before them with which the Turks being terrified abandoned the Fort and fled over the Bridge into the City This place being thus taken with the loss of very few Men some Guns were found in it with one Mortar-piece only Some Battalions being lodged in the Palanca Prince Lewis with his Army passed the Rivers of Korosch and Poze and Encamped on the other side of the Town where that Night 1500 Men were Commanded to open the Trenches The Town Besieged which was performed with much diligence and a Battery was raised and another also in the Palanca of Ollorsi now taken The Hussars in the mean time Encamped on the other side to distress and streighten the City the more narrowly and now the Approaches being constantly carried on nearer and nearer and another Battery raised on which 11 Guns were planted
yet something of Action continued in Poland where on the 27th of September the Turks Attacked a Fortress called Soroka with an Army of 30000 Men Commanded by the Seraskier Mustapha Pasha Poland the same consisting of 8000 Turks 2000 under the Pasha of Silistria 6000 under the Hospodar of Valachia 2000 under the General of the Cossacks with 12000 Tartars With this Army as we say Mustapha Pasha Invested this small Fortress which was defended by a Garrison of 600 Men with most of which the Governour made a Sally on the same Day that the Enemy came before it and killed about 80 of the Besiegers and so returned to the Fort having first burnt the Suburbs to prevent the Enemy from taking Shelter therein So inconsiderable a Fort as this which might have been taken by this Powerful Army with open Breasts without the Methods of Trenches and Approaches The Turks vigorously Attack Soâ—oka was now Invested with all the Formalities of a Siege For the first Night the Turks began their Trenches and to throw Bombs into the Place and to raise a Battery of Great Guns which they plyed for three or four Days and Nights continually On the 1st of October they advanced their Trenches to the Ditch-side the which having filled up they stormed the Fortress but were repulsed with the loss of 600 Men notwithstanding which they made a second Attempt and entered the City and Burnt it but being again beaten out of it they continued the following Day to Fire without ceasing for the space of three or four Days Is well defended by which time tho' great Breaches were made yet the Besieged with indefatigable Industry repaired in the Night what the Enemies had ruined in the Day On the 5th and 6th the Turks took Post in the Ditch and endeavoured to fortifie themselves there but the Besieged Sallying out dislodged them from thence the Turks howsoever recruiting themselves with fresh Forces recovered their Post and having drained out all the Water from the Ditch they encompassed the Fortress round on all sides throwing thereinto Bombs Carcasses Stink-Pots and other Artificial Fires But neither these nor Batteries availing to terrifie the Besieged the Turks applied themselves to sink Mines which the Besieged having discovered made some of them useless by Countermines howsoever the Turks intending to Storm the Place on the 9th of that Month fired one of their Mines early that Morning which threw down part of the Wall and immediately they began to Storm the Place October which the Besieged withstood for four Hours together driving the Turks from the Walls as often as they advanced and planted their Colours thereupon In this Action the Besieged took three Standards The Turks repulsed and killed 800 of the Enemy and prosecuting this Success they drove them out of most of their Posts and Lodgments with the loss of 1000 of their Men and having gained six Ensigns they returned with Joy and Triumph to their Fortress October This Vigorous Defence so astonished the Turks and caused them to despair of taking the Fortress that silently in the Night they raised their Camp with so much Precipitation Raise the Siege that they left behind them two Great Guns and three Mortar-pieces with much Ammunition and Provisions The next Morning being the 11th of the Month the Besieged Sallying out found no Enemy near them The Action was very strange and almost Miraculous considering that the Turks had lost more than 4000 Men and the Christians had 150 Killed and 120 Wounded the Turks had an Army of 30000 Men to oppugne the Castle and the Christians no more than 600 to defend it And with this Action the Campaign ended as well in Poland as in Hungary After the Death of Sir William Hussey who Died as we have said the last Year at Belgrade William King of England c. immediately dispatched away Mr. Herbert in Quality of Ambassador to the Grand Seignior with Orders to reassume the Mediation of Peace between the Emperor and his Allies with the Sultan and not to lose the present Opportunity which looked favourable in regard to both sides Mr. Herbert had very little time given him to provide himself for so great an Undertaking and Journey over Land Mr. Herbert sent Ambassador to the Turks and tho' he was often afflicted with the Gout and not very well at ease when he begun so long a Journey yet being a Man of a great Spirit he forced himself that he might not lose the Merit and Honour of being the Instrument of procuring that Peace between the Emperor and the Sultan in which all Europe was concerned the Turks being then very low and much debased in their Spirits seemed flexible and inclinable to a Peace And not to lose this favourable Conjuncture the Journey of Mr. Herbert was pressed with all the haste imaginable but what with the Fatigue of the Journey and the Unquietness of his Mind for being obstructed in a Negotiation so much desired by him he became so violently Attacked by the Gout that he was forced to yield unto his Distemper and lay himself up for some Months at Frankfort so that it was March before his Arrival at Vienna and far in the Month of April before his Departure from thence during which time I received two Letters from him Mr. Herbert's Letters to the Author the chief substance of which was to complain of his want of Health and of the little appearance of a Peace between the Emperor and the Turks they despising as he said all the Overtures that had been made to them which had served only to exalt the French Ambassador and to keep the Turks from a Peace who imagined that such Instances would never have been made for Peace had the Christians not been droven to Extremities and want of Power to support and continue a War Howsoever Mr. Herbert in Obedience to His Majesty's Commands resolved to proceed and try his Fortune and being furnished by the Emperor the Venetians and the King of Poland with their Conditions respectively on the which they were contented to establish the Foundation of Peace he took his way down the Danube which was the most convenient Passage for a Person labouring under his Distemper And on this occasion I have thought fit to Insert the Propositions offered from the Allies unto the Turks which are these which follow PROPOSITIONS For a Lasting PEACE Offer'd at the Sublime Port by Mr. Herbert the English Ambassador 1692. Propositions Offered by the Emperor In Nomine Dei. Inter duos Imperatores pro fundamento almae Pacis prolatae Propositiones Prima Propositio NE futuris quoque temporibus inter utrumque Imperatorem aliquod intercedat dissidium sed firma Pax coalescat Caesarea Majestas occupatorum aliquam partem restituens reliqua verò retinens moderationem aequanimitatem ostendat si autem abnuerit retentis occupatis foederi terminus temporis praefigatur Secunda Propositio Sub patrocinio
drowned in the Waters that before the Turks understood from whence that Inundation proceded 6 or 7000 of them were drowned and the rest being put into confusion and endeavouring to save themselves fell into the hands of the Arabs and were all cut in pieces or made Prisoners only the Pasha of Bosnia with 14 more escaped of all that multitude And soon after this defeat the Arabs attacked and took a Caravan with the Spoils of which they enriched themselves The news of this Defeat very much discouraged the Turks in Europe having lost by this accident 25000 Men of their own Friends and Acquaintance which became the more sensible to them at that time when the Turkish Army became so feeble in Hungary that had not the Tartars assisted them with great Numbers the Vizier would have been forced to return home with Confusion and Dishonour The Tartars being made sensible of the great need that the Turks had of them stood the more strongly on their Terms and made some difficulties of joining with them but at length suffered themselves to be worked upon when they saw the rich Presents which the Grand Signior had sent to the New Tartan Han to engage him to come early this Year into the Field and when they saw the rich Vests lined with Sables and the Sword set with great Diamonds with 40000 Zaichins in Mony they needed no other Rhetorick or persuasive Arguments to prevail upon them but all unanimously prepared to make an early Campagne Upon the news that the Christians design'd to besiege Belgrade the Vizier hastned his march thither where by reason of the many losses which that Garrison had sustained a Recruit was sent of 1000 men out of Bosnia and 2000 Arnouts to re-inforce the Garrison And also 15000 Turks more were detached from the Army in Bosnia to recognize or take a view of the Christian Forces in those Countries and having passed the Save over three several Bridges came and shewed themselves before Oseck which was commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Baron Ogiley This Governor finding himself unable to oppose the Turks in the Field kept himself within his Bulwarks and Fortifications until the Turks having at their leisure taken a view of the Place and Country round about retired back-towards Belgrade plundering every thing they could carry with them together with Men Women and Children which they carried into slavery to the number of about 3000 Souls After which Ogiley drawing together a Body of about 800 select and choise Men he passed the Save and with them surpriz'd a Town called Bratzein to which having given fire 200 Turks were burn'd therein and the like number endeavouring to save themselves from the flames ran out of the City of which near 100 men were killed on the Place and many Christians lately taken by the Turks were released and sent back to their own Habitations Since the taking of Great Waradin Temeswaer Giula and Geno were so streightned for want of Provisions that they were forced to send away all Women and Children and unnecessary Persons from the Places the better to conserve the Victuals and Provisions for the use of the Garrison For General Heusler having for some time blocked up Geno he made a nearer approach to it June and on the 16th and 17th day of June placing his Camp within half a mile of the place he attacked the Suburbs which were surrounded with a Ditch and fortified with Palisadoes howsoever the Germans forced the place and took it the Turks retiring with much confusion into the City The next day being the 18th General Heusler having received four pieces of Cannon he fired with them into the City and threw some Bombs thereinto after which he summoned the Place and threatned them that in case they did not immediately surrender he would afterwards give them no Quarter But the Turks not hearkning hereunto a Battery was rais'd from whence the Guns fired without ceasing and thereby in the space of five or six days a Breach being made all matters were prepared for a Storm on the Place which the Turks not daring to withstand and adventure they resolved to capitulate and on the 27th hung out a White Flag and sent out three of their Principal Men into the German Camp Where entring into a Treaty it was agreed that the next day one of their Gates and Bulwarks should be delivered up into the Hands of the Besiegers which being performed the following day the Garrison of the Turks consisting of about 800 fighting Men with 200 Horse were convoyed within half an hour's march from Lippa This City was provided with four Bulwarks fortified with a high and strong Wall broad and deep Ditches into which the River Kerez hath a passage and within it hath another retreat fortified with four Towers In this Place the Germans found 35 Brass and three Iron Guns with other Warlike Stores as 20000 pounds of Powder and other Ammunition proportionable In this Siege within the Town 350 Men were killed and wounded Immediately after the surrender of Geno General Heusler invested the strong Fortress of Philagoras situated between Geno and Lippa which yielded unto him and having repaired the Breaches of Geno and placed a small Body of Men in those parts under the Command of General Hoskirken he returned to Great Waradin with his remaining Forces The Grand Vizier being on his march to Belgrade the news of what had happened at Geno and Philagoras was brought to him and thereby suspecting that Temeswaer would be the next enterprize of Heustler dispatched immediately Orders to the Pasha of Belgrade to send another Convoy and more Troops thither to re-inforce the Garrison of Temeswaer with Men and Provisions But the Pasha with several other Commanders refusing to obey upon certain pretences that such a Detachment would be the Ruin of the Place and that to save Temeswaer they should lose Belgrade the Vizier became so enraged that with his own Hand he killed six of the Principal Turks July 11. who were Complices with the Pasha and left their Dead Bodies in the Streets to the view and terror of others Whilst these things passed at Belgrade the Duke of Croy who commanded the Imperial Army prepared all necessaries to besiege the Place And in the first place he caused a Bridge to be laid over the Danube at Veresmarton of an hours journey in length over which he passed one half of his Army and the other half he transported in Ships and Boats and were followed by the Hanover Troops and the Artillery And tho' he had by these means gotten together in a Body yet many things were wanting to begin and carry on the siege to supply which being encamped on the 25th of this Month near Peter Waradin he dispatched an Express to some Brandenburgher Troops which remained in the Rear to advance forwards and hasten their march And having assembled a Council of War it was resolved forthwith to pass the Save over the Bridge of Peter
whole Day the Hussars were Skirmishing with the Turks and Tartars and on the 11th it was thought the Turks would have Stormed the Imperial Camp wherefore all was prepared to receive them They appeared with 3 or 400 Ensigns or Companies within 800 Paces of the Retrenchment but behind the Earth of a Ditch which they had made and which covered them so well that the Imperial Guns could but little annoy them A Fight by Water and Land On the 12th the Turks begun to fire from all sides on the Imperial Camp with their Great Guns Their Fleet also advanced higher up and fired furiously on the Imperial Ships and on the Bridge Septemb. but were answered as hotly both from the Imperial Ships and from the Batteries on the Shore Two Waggons with Ammunition were set on fire by a Shot of the Turks and about 30 Men were thereby Killed or Burnt Count Solms Major of the Regiment of Cuirasses of Count Herbersteyn was also Killed with a Cannon-Bullet On the 13th the firing both by Water and by Land was again renewed The Attack made by the Turks seeming to be a formal Seige both of Peter Waradin and of the Imperial Camp they having either on their Ships or Batteries upwards of 500 Great Guns continually firing tho' with little damage to the Germans The Design of the Turks being to ruine the Imperial Bridge This great Shooting continued at the same rate the 14th 15th 16th and 17th which last Day the Turks not only threw Bombs out of three Mortar-Pieces into the Imperial Retrenchments but also from the Point of the Island with two Mortars into Peter Waradin and carried more Guns on their Batteries But the Night betwixt the 17th and 18th the Turks were pretty quiet but after Break of Day they again fired more hotly than ever and shewed themselves beyond the Imperial Retrenchments but being briskly Attacked by the Hussars they were droven back to their Camp The Turks also drew a new Parallel-Line 60 Paces nearer to the Imperial Camp and were very busie to close the said Line with their Line of Communication On the 19th in the Afternoon the German Right Wing fired with Great Guns and Musquets from an Eminence on the first Lines of the Turks and annoyed them very much so that a great Alarm arose amongst them and the Turks came running from all sides with Horse and Foot to strengthen and assist their Left Wing The Brandenburgers râ—inforce the Gâ—rmans That Evening the Brandenburgh Foot consisting of six Battallions arrived in the Camp which were received with three Salvo's of the Guns from the Castle and the Batteries on the Water-side This Reinforcement being arrived the Turks seemed less brisk in their Attack but that which most incommoded them was That the Governour of Titul surprized and took 25 Turkish Ships laden with Provisions for their Army and sunk two or three of their Frigats That the Tartars having at the Request of the Grand Vizier swam over the Donau near Cobila where indeed they had taken about 1000 Horse and part of the Imperial Baggage were overtaken in their Retreat by General Bassompiere who cut down above 1500 of the Tartars amongst which was the Han's Son and that thereupon the Tartar Han fell out with the Grand Vizier and Commanded his Troops consisting of 7000 Tartars which remained to prepare for their return Home notwithstanding the Grand Vizier continued his Endeavours against the Imperial Retrenchments and Peter Waradin and the Bridge till the 13th of October but seeing that they lost more than they got at this sport The Grand Vizier raises the Siege and that also because the six or seven following Days of great Rains the Turkish Soldiers were up to their Knees in the Water in their Approaches which caused Numbers of 'em to Die having also been several Days without Bread by the taking of the abovesaid Ships and not knowing when any would arrive the Grand Vizier on the 13th at Night caused all the Guns from the Forts and Batteries to be carried off and Shipped on their Gallies and thereupon quitted at once all his Approaches Guards and Retrenchments and marched back with the whole Army to Salankement leaving nothing in his Camp but some few Shovels and three Dead Bodies neither could the Germans follow them their Horse being Encamped on the other side of the River and the Retreat of the Turks not having been perceived till the next Day when immediately upon the discovery some Horse were sent after them which returned with some stragling Turks only the rest of their Army having passed the Save and broke their Bridge down after 'em And thus the Turks ended this Campaign but the Germans had the good fortune to joyn the City of Giula to their other Conquests Towards the end of this Month of September Scio taken by the Venetians News came in an unexpected and astonishing manner to Adrianople That the Venetians had Surprized the Island of Scio and in a few Days without much difficulty had made themselves Masters of the whole Island At first both the Castle and the Forts Capitulated and on the 19th all was yielded up and the same Day the Turkish Garrison was by agreement Transported into Anatolia and Disbarked at Chisme as the Turks call it being the nearest Land unto the Island With this News the Turks were affected with a most Terrible Consternation and then those two long Words might have been said of them Consternabantur Constantinopolitani The News was so surprizing at first that no Man would believe it but various and frequent Reports confirmed the Truth thereof and tho' to the great Mortification of the Turks the News came confirmed from all Hands yet the Turks comforted themselves with the Thoughts that that Island could not remain long in the Hands of the Venetians The Sultan howsoever cheared himself up with better Successes by Land and gave order to the Grand Vizier to fight the Germans upon what Terms soever should be offered but the Vizier returned for Answer That his Forces were so weak this Year for want of the Asiatick Troops that he was unable to fight the Christians which if he should attempt to do he should undoubtedly Sacrifice all to the Ruine of the Musselman Cause and Destruction of the Ottoman Army For the truth was the Grand Vizier had then but a very small Army consisting of 11000 Janisaries and 6000 Albanians under their General Mehmet Oghla an Albanian together with 20000 between Spahees and Segmen with some Troops belonging to Pashees and 7000 Tartars Besides which Money was all this Year very scarce Asia was all in Confusion and in want of every thing so that it was no wonder that the Number of true Janisaries should be no greater in the Field for Kara Mustapha when he went against Vienna had no more than 14000 The ill condition of the Turkish Affairs and the famous Sultan Morat when he went against Bagdat had no more than
as well those of Budziac Bialogrod and Dobrucz as those of Crim who the last Year had joyned with the Turks under Peter Waradin came on the 10th of this Month of February and Encamped themselves in the Plains of that Town which is called the Cracovian Leopolis with intention to fix his Camp there and from thence to send out his Parties to all Places where they could Burn and Spoil make Slaves and put all to Fire and Sword and so they Ravaged every where for the space of eight Days until at length all the Countries round being alarm'd hereat I raised all the Forces that I was able and brought them together from their respective Quarters which alas was a most inconsiderable Power against so Mighty an Enemy for all that we could gather and unite did not amount to more than 3000 fighting Men. The Day following about Eight of the Clock in the Morning the Sultan Tartar drew out his Men into form of Battle and I also having my Confidence in God drew out that Handful of Men which I had with me and made a Sally out of the City to cover the Suburbs The Enemy staid not long to look on us but seeing some Polish Companies to march boldly against them they Detached a Party of Tartars to meet and engage them and to force the Outworks which were only fortified with Hedges and a kind of Wall made up with Mats and Rushes well woven together This Command was executed with such Vigour that doubtless the Place had been carried at the first Attack had not the danger wherein they were of losing their Lives and Estates and all they had made them desperate and forced them to make all the resistance that they were able and in effect they fought like Lyons receiving the Enemy so bravely that in a short time all the Fields were covered with the Dead Bodies of the Slain The Tartars made Thirteen Attacks to try their Fortune and were as often repulsed by the Christians without any great loss on their side This Fight continued four Hours until at length the Enemy observing that all their Assaults prevailed little but were very Bloody and of great loss they resolved That at the same time when they engaged us in the Front with one Party they should break in upon the Hedge with another and whatever loss or Blood it should cost to carry it by main force as it immediately proved for the Enemy having by this means got between us and the City The Tartars beaten we remained without any hopes imaginable of relief howsoever with a Courage full of resolution to overcome or die like Brave Men turning our Faces upon them to whom we had but newly turned our Backs we did not only overcome them but cut a great Number of them in pieces and after another Engagement which lasted about two Hours more drove them out of the Suburbs of the City tho' in the time of this Fight the Tartars having set Fire thereunto the Wind and Smoak and Dust did so incommode our People that they were in a manner Blinded and knew not which course to take howsoever their Invincible Courage was such as that the Enemy was put to Flight This Fight continued until Three a Clock in the Afternoon by which time they had been so beaten that they were forced to withdraw before the Evening about a League and a half from the City The Tartars withdraw and the next Day proceeded on their March and the third Day passed the Neister on their way homewards The Number of the Slain on the Christian side did not exceed above 100 and about 160 Wounded what the Enemy lost is not to be known But such Matters as these at so far a distance and between Tartars and Poles did not much affect or trouble the Ottoman Court but such as were nearer hand as Naval Fights and the Taking and Recovering of the Island of Scio being near the Royal Cities made great noise both in Europe and Asia and raised the hopes of the People to great and high Expectations of the future Fortune of this New Sultan as if he had been born to be Restorer of the decaying Condition of the Ottoman Empire We have related already the ill Success which the Venetians had had in two several Fights at Sea against the Turks Scio regained by the Turks which being unusual and of many Years not known made it matter of Wonder to all the World For after the Turks had beaten the Venetian Fleet all things were put into great Consternation at Scio so that the Venetian Commanders most shamefully abandoned the Place stealing away in the Night without giving time for some of their Troops which were abroad to guard the Island to Embark with them which gave cause to some of their Officers who thereby became Slaves to the Turks to vent out Thousands of Imprecations and Curses upon them and indeed their Case was sad but Necessity had no Law for the Venetians had now been beaten twice at Sea by the Turks who had they followed their Blow might have utterly destroyed the Venetian Fleet but the Turks being contented with this unusual Success a thing not known to them for more than a hundred Years past were contented with the Flight of the Enemy and therewith a Cession to them of the whole Island and the Turks entered triumphant thereupon without any Opposition The first Act of the Turkish Clemency was to Hang up four Men of the Latine Rite who were of the Romish Church and of the Italian Race namely Signior Pietro Giustiniani di Antonio Signior Domenico Stella who were Deputies ordained to protect that Religion Signior Francesco Draco and Giovanni Castelli di Brecci Signior Sofiati who was Vice-Consul for the English Nation in that Island fled with his Family and was well received at Tino Domenico Castelli Son of Vincenzo Castelli escaped also with whom I was well acquainted together with forty of the chief Families of the Latine Rite leaving their Possessions and Moveables behind them Antonio Rendi happened to be then at Smyrna but his Family deferring their Departure his House was Plundered and all his Estate ruined like that of his Neighbours for tho' they fled to Smyrna for refuge by this Revolution the Greeks gained a clear Victory and Ascendant over the Latines For whereas formerly there were great Animosities between those two Rites the Latines by reason of their Riches having the Pope on their side were always esteemed the Superiors and by the great Collections made for them and Legacies bequeathed they gained much more of the Hearts and Favour of the Turks than the Poverty of the Greeks was able to purchase but now a fair Opportunity happening of gaining and Confiscating all that appertained to the Latines they seized on all that belonged to them treating the Greeks more favourably The Greeks in Scio favoured by the Turks because they believed them to be the less culpable having the
or Lord-Treasurer began their March following the Janisaries on the 20th of June June but after some few Hours they made a Halt to give time to three of the greatest Pashas or Beglerbeys of the Empire to come up with them that is to say to the Pasha of Damascus the Pasha of Aleppo and Beglerbey of Anatolia every one of which brought with him about 1200 Men recounting Spahees and Sarigiaus and Segmen on Horseback with all which and others attending the Sultan in his March they did not amount to more than 12000 Horse with which he marched from Adrianople in six Days to Philippopolis and Encamped over against that City in those Plains where a great Council of War was held touching the Methods which were to be observed in the War and the Places which were to be Attacked The Numbers of this Army appeared so small and inconsiderable that the Sultan remained very much unsatisfied and would not be contented unless the Tartar Han would follow him with all his Force unto the Camp at Belgrade but he positively refused it and said That it could not be done unless he should expose and lay his People open to the Incursions of the Muscovites who were coming down in vast Numbers to over-run all the Regions of the Tartars Howsoever not to displease overmuch the Grand Seignior the Tartar Han forced himself to appear in the Turkish Camp with an Army of about 5000 Tartars which was a good addition to the Turkish Force so that in all they composed an Army of about 50000 Men. The Christian Army led by the Elector of Saxony was not much stronger but very desirous to meet the Turks who had taken their March towards Transylvania But in regard the Turks were so far advanced before the Imperial Army that it was impossible for the Elector to come in opportunely and in season to succour the Places which the Sultan designed to Invest unless they could take a shorter way which was offered unto them being guided by some of that Country but the Ways proved so bad being all Marshes and Wet Grounds that it was impossible to pass them with the Cannon and heavy Baggage of an Army so that after great Fatigues of three or four Days Marches the Elector was obliged to return back again to his former Camp and in the mean time the Turks had got such a way before them towards Transylvania that it was impossible for them to be overtaken by the Christian Army and having liberty to rove every where without any Opposition equal to them they fell in upon the Palanca of Lippa on the 7th of September Septemb. without Breast-works or Parapets or any Approaches Defence or Shelter before them but only with the Scimiter in their Hands they Attacked the Palanca at four several Places with such incredible Resolution that after four Hours Engagement they took the Place by Storm and put all to the Sword excepting only Major Toldo who was Governour of the Place with some others of the Principal Officers whom the Turks after their usual Custom reserved to carry in Triumph and to show them to the People at the Port as one Signal of their Victory In the mean time the Imperial Army continued their March near to Chonad situate upon the River Maros and on the 13th of that Month pitched their Camp before Natla where they reposed that Day and the 14th marched directly to Lippa hoping to overtake the Turks and to come time enough to Attack the Enemy and relieve the Place but they found it too late and the Turks reinforced with an Army of 6000 Tartars Commanded by the Han in Person This News gave a stop to the March of the Imperial Army under the Command of the Elector of Saxony and what was most discouraging was the News That the Turks lead by the Sultan himself in Person were marched into Transylvania Veterani defeated to Attack Count Veterani in his Camp which consisted not of above 6500 Men who tho' they were very well fortified and Resolute Men and good Soldiers yet being too unequal a Match for the whole Turkish Army which consisted of 18000 Janisaries and 40000 Spahees they were all cut off with the most part of their Officers and as to General Veterani himself he was shot through the Body with a Musquet-Bullet and cut over the Head with a Scimiter notwithstanding which he being still alive Endeavours were used for his Recovery but he Died of his Wounds This ill News was followed by the unfortunate Loss of Titul which the Turks having Attacked by Land and Water with 15000 Men the Place Surrendered it self to the Turks by Treaty in vertue of which the Garrison consisting of 1600 Men ought according to Articles to have been Convoyed to Peter Waradin but the Turks returning after they had Burnt and Abandoned the Place carried all the Garrison with them to Salankement This Place was taken by the Turks before that General Herberville who was Encamped with 6000 Men near Kobila as also fortified with 8 Galleys and 16 Frigats could hinder the Enemies Approaches After which the Turks leaving the Place the Imperialists entered into the same and took Possession of all what the Turks had ruined for nothing was left but heaps of Rubbish In the mean time the great Army under the Command of the Elector of Saxony advanced so far as Solnak where the Grand Seignior having received intelligence That the Christian Army was marching towards him hastned with all speed for Temeswaer with intention to enter into Sclavonia Upon which the Elector of Saxony made a Halt and on the 17th marched back and pitched his Camp about half an Hours distance from Chonad and the next Day being the 18th continued his March as far as Mokoua But whereas Advices came That the Enemy designed to enter Transylvania the Elector resolved to send all the Infantry to Peter Waradin whilst he in Person marched with the Horse to oppose the Enemy giving Commands to the National Militia of Sclavonia to joyn with the Croats to oppose the Entrance of the Turks into that Province And here it was that certain Intelligence was given of the Defeat of that Worthy General Veterani and that he was dead of his Wounds which News was received with much grief of all Brave and Worthy Champions for the Christian Cause After which Count Heisler took the Van of the Army and marched before them for Deva there to provide all sorts of Provisions for sustenance of those who were to follow and to assemble the Estates of Transylvania commanding them to meet His Electoral Highness and consult with him in the best manner how things might be put into a posture of Defence for the Safety and Security of that Province At which time also came the unhappy News of the loss of Titul taken by the Turks It was the common Opinion at that time of all the well experienced Soldiers That the Martial Affairs of the Empire
but the Bishop not being able to support the same out of a Madness and Fury and transport of Rage he made a Voyage from Salonica to the Grand Vizier to whom he offered 15 Purses on condition That in Despight of the Patriarch he might be re-established again in his Diocese of Salonica or Thessalonica And to incline the Vizier the better hereunto he demonstrated that hereby the Grand Seignior in this time of War might gain great Advantages For that in case the Vizier would accept of these 15 Purses it might be an Example to other Metropolites to offer some 20 some 15 and others 10 according to the Value and Riches of the Diocese the which Proposition much pleased the Sultan having a good pretence thereby to charge all the Metropolites or Bishops the which being many in the Greek Church brought a considerable Sum to the Grand Seignior The Greek Patriarch hearing hereof made his Journey to Adrianople there to make his Complaints against this hard Usage offered to the Greek Church and Nation the which irritated very much the Anger of the Moscovites against the Turks And tho' the Moscovites did greatly at this time threaten Caffa and give Terrour and Affrightment so far as to Constantinople it self yet the Sultan did not neglect the Thoughts and Contrivances of carrying forward his War in Hungary with as little Expence as was possible all Charges being retrenched Tekely's Poor State and Condition amongst which one particular was that of Tekely to whom no more than five Dollars were allowed a Day that was for the Maintenance of his Lady Servants Horses and other Parts of his Epuipage only to help them they gave a Liberty or License to sell Wine which was at that time prohibited And here it was that he set up his Wine-Sellar within the Greek Liberties near to the Privileges of the Patriarchate where he continued to exercise the Trade of selling Wine with very good Benefit and Advantage without which the five Dollars per Day could not have yielded to him and Family half his Subsistence And being now entered into the Month of April April four of the Men of War belonging to Barbary arrived before the Arsenal of Galata where other Men of War remained also at an Anchor and frequently fired their Cannon with a Chi viva at every Shot or to the Fortune of the Fortunate Sultan On this occasion the Barbarouses brought their usual Presents as accustomary to the Sultan and designed to remain in the Port until the Departure of the Fleet prepared against the Venetians consisting of 23 Men of Mar should be in a readiness to Sail And thus the Sultan being resolved to carry on the War both by Sea and Land did neither rest Day nor Night but busied himself in the proving of his Cannon and making his Warlike Preparations with diligence was so pleasing to the People that never was any Sultan so acceptable to the Soldiery as was this Mustapha and the more highly was he esteemed in regard he was a great Lover of Justice which is the Prime Ornament of Emperors and of the highest Monarchs But notwithstanding all the Care of this Grand Seignior and the Preparations he made for the War of the following Year yet his Force neither by Sea nor Land did amount unto the Strength of that of the preceding Year by reason the Rebels in Asia becoming more powerful a Proclamation was issued forth That none should Transport themselves out of Asia into Europe on Penalty of having their Houses demolished and their Possessions of Timar and Ziamet to be all Ruined and Destroyed with all the Lands they held of the Sultan With which Menaces the Rebels who were Soldiers were so incensed that such as they took for Prisoners they did not Kill but what was worse they cut off their Noses and Ears and in that Condition they sent them to the Port that therewith they might make a report of their Strength and Power Farther there was a Report That these Rebels as formerly it had been done demanded the Life of the Valide Soltana which is the Queen Mother and whereof there have been two Examples in former Times and of one Mulchi Kadun a great Favourite whom they cut in Pieces by reason that they would not endure the Government nor Counsel of Women suffering howsoever the Queen Mother to live because she did not make Intrigues in the Affairs of State Of which the Asian Soldiers being put in mind and also the Europeans of their Tumults let us expect to see the Issue of these Tragedies The Tumults in Asia gave great Disquiets to the Affairs of the Turks in Europe and retarded all things or put them backward and all in expectation of Succours from the Levant but none coming the Sultan resolved howsoever to begin his March and to that end appointed the Days thereof the several Camps and the Days of their Movements it being determined to remain nine Days under the City of Philippopolis and on the 4th of July to pass Sophia and to make seven Days March thereof where having fixed their Tents for some Days then to proceed for Nissa and there also to halt for some Days all which was done with such slowness as might give time to the Asian Troops to overtake the main Body of the Army the which not appearing the Sultan received divers Letters from the Pasha of Bosnia begging with great Instances that he might have Relief and Succours sent to him whereby to raise the Siege of Bihatz which the Imperialists had closely begirt on all sides Whereupon the Sultan dispatched away those few Pasha's which he had with him and all the Forces near Belgrade and also all the Arnauts and all for the Succours and Relief of Bihatz The Turks found themselves much more Weak than they had been the Year before and no appearance of Recruits from Asia nor any hopes of quieting the Troubles in those Countries whereupon the Grand Seignior finding himself greatly Distressed he very urgently sent his Imperial Commands from his Camp before Philippopolis to those Pasha's who were appointed to attend and watch the Motion of those Rebels commanding them that laying aside all Excuses they should in the â—iâ—vell's Name leave those Rebels to their own Imaginations and send him five of those Pasha's with 300 Horse a piece in the lieu of those which he formerly dispatched for those Parts namely the Pasha of Damascus call'd Mustapha Pasha who had been the late Vizier the Pasha of Aleppo Osman the Pasha of Sebaste Usuf Pasha the Pasha of Diarbekir Mustapha Pasha and the Pasha of Adana call'd Fusli Pasha but when these might be expected from so long a Journey was very uncertain so that the Turks themselves were very doubtful of the Event and Successes of this Year for that all the Power which the Turks could make up could not amount unto above 40000 Men with Horse and Foot Things remaining in this posture it was the Opinion of
with Women and Children they gave them liberty to shift for themselves and go to what Places they pleased In the Castle little Provision was found and few Arms so that Colonel Kyba according to his Instructions from the General proceeded in his March And On the 17th came to the Castle Maglay which upon the first Summons Surrendered on condition only to go out with their Wives and Children leaving all other things behind them On the 18th by Break of Day in the Morning the Garrison of Maglay marched out and Surrendered the Place About which time nothing more was heard from the Enemy only that the Kahya the Son of the Deceased Pasha was Encamped near Orossa Viza and that the Imperial Foragers were annoyed much by the Meroders of the Enemy On the 18th they appeared before the Palanca or Pass called Schebze wherein were 300 Turks which upon the Summons demanded a time of Consideration until the next Day which the General of the Imperialists would not grant them but advanced with 400 Foot Soldiers and 300 Dragoons with the Artillery belonging to them and mounting 12 Pieces of Cannon against the Palanca in the Night they stormed it in two Places in which Attack having lost 12 or 15 Men within the Pallisadoes without any stop they still advanced forward whilst Colonel Kyba meeting with 200 Horse of the Enemy whose Design was to cast themselves into the Pass Schebze but were prevented being in part killed and in part taken Prisoners And having Intelligence That the Kahya was with a Body of about two or 3000 Men between Schelze and Branduck he caused Batteries to be raised to hinder their ready Passages On the 19th they marched on through the Orohovizar Valley being a very troublesome Passage at the first Entrance thereinto not only for the Narrowness and Streightness of the Road but also because the Enemies on both sides had cut and ruined the Ways so that about three a Clock in the Afternoon the last Regiments which were Horse entered the Field and joyned the former Troops but the Infantry came not thither until it was Night and as to the Artillery and Baggage they remained full half an Hours March behind at a distance from the narrow Passage where it remained all the Night guarded by two Regiments of Dragoons which in the Morning marched in safe Conduct and guarded them in safety to the Body of the Army The 20th the March was through Narrow and Rocky Passages worser than the former or that way which leads to the Castle Branduck which was so difficult that the Imperial Army would have been in a very ill Condition had the Turks been capable of disputing vigorously the Passage with them But at length having passed the most rough and difficult Ways of Branduck which were so inconvenient that the Artillery and Baggage could not be brought after them but were forced to be lodged under a strong Guard on the Orohovizar Valley where the Places were fairer and more pleasant but the Inhabitants were fled and gone but had left behind them all sorts of good Fruits with small and large Cattle in great Numbers with sufficient Herbage and Sustenance to maintain them The 21st the Imperial Army arrived near the River Bosna over which there was a Bridge but so Old and Ruinous that the Army was not willing to adventure a Passage over it but rather esteemed it more secure for every Dragoon or Horseman to take a Man behind him and therewith to Wade through the River with this Burden and Equipage they marched over a very high Hill for the space of two Hours which nevertheless was more easie to pass over than the former So they continued their March again over the Bosna by the help and convenience of a good strong Bridge not ruined by the Enemy and so advanced into the Camp near the Village Doboy where Colonel Kyba joyned again with Prince Eugenius advancing still before the same Night towards Sarai or Seraglio to observe the Place to which great Numbers of People of that Country were fled for security But because that City was not capable to receive such Multitudes of People great Numbers of them were forced to lodge before the City Gates so as the Prisoners declared which together with those in the City would make up a Body of 30000 Men but they wanted Arms very much October So that tho' the Kahya was then personally present in the City yet his Power and Authority was weak to dispose Matters into any tolerable State and Condition of Defence But the Imperialists found this Part very Fair Fruitful and well Built and therefore the Christians and Inhabitants of that Land went to the Imperial Camp to render themselves up under their Protection At the beginning of this March on the 22d the Troops found the Ways Narrow Crooked and Deep but afterwards passed into a more pleasant Place called Visega and then repassed again the River Bosna over a Bridge at the end of which after an Hours time they Encamped and by this time Colonel Kyba was come back with his People who had done some Execution against the Inhabitants in their March killing some and making Prisoners of others which put the City of Seraglio into great Amazement and Confusion whilst several Parties of the Enemy roved round the adjacent Parts and took several Prisoners at which time a Cornet with a Trumpeter were sent into Seraglio to Summon the City to submit willingly or otherwise no Quarter should be given to any of them The 23d two Parties sent out the Day before returned back again very early in the Morning before the breaking up of the Imperial Army bringing no News or Advice from the Enemy Only the Cornet gave a Relation That as he was going to Seraglio for almost a Quarter of an Hours time he had met with no Body at all but afterwards falling in amongst the Turks to whom having made a Sign with his Hand he showed them the Writing he had with him which were Proposals for the Surrender of the City but that he happened to see the Trumpeter killed before his own Eyes and with much difficulty with divers Wounds escaped himself And farther reported That all the Inhabitants in great haste went out of Seraglio After this the Army in a Body marched to the City which the Turks had quitted and abandoned leaving none remaining but Christians and Jews from whom they took all they could find but nothing of great Value in regard the Turks had not only disposed of the best of their own Goods but likewise before their Flight had Plundered the Houses of the Christians and committed the Guard of the Castle to a Garrison of 150 Men and the same Day towards Evening a Fire broke out in the City of which no care being taken to Extinguish it it was totally burnt and consumed The Castle howsoever was not burnt for it being built of Stone required leisure to demolish which at that time could not
Envoy Resident or Agent shall at the Fulgid Port enjoy the same Privileges and Immunities which the Ambassadors or Agents of any other Princes there enjoy and to make a Distinction of the Prerogative of the Caesarean Dignity with the usual Marks of Preference They shall have liberty of Hiring their own Interpreters and their Messengers that come to the Fulgid Port or return from it to Vienna shall have free Passage going and coming with all convenient Favour and Assistance in their Journey XVIII This Peace tho' it now stands concluded upon the present Conditions yet it shall then only be esteem'd to have and to receive its full force of Obligation and Effect when all and singular Conditions stipulated and accepted on both sides as well concerning the Distinctions of the Borders as the Evacuations and Demolishments shall be fully executed in this manner after the Limits are settled then shall the Evacuations and Demolishments of Places follow and that all this may as soon as possible be put in practice Commissaries to settle these Distinctions shall on both sides be appointed who at the Equinoctial S.N. 22. S.V. 12 of March A.D. 1699. shall with a moderate and peaceable Attendance meet at Places to be determin'd by the Governors of the Confines and these Commissaries shall within two months or less if possible by manifest marks describ'd in the former Articles separate and set apart these Confines and shall with all exactness and expedition execute all other things that shall be Agreed by the Plenipotentiaries of both Empires XIX The Plenipotentiaries of both Empires do mutually Oblige themselves and Promise that these Conditions and Articles thus reduc'd into Form shall be mutually Ratify'd by the Majesty of each of the Emperors and that within 30 days or sooner from the time of Subscription the Ratifications shall in Solemn manner be mutually Exchang'd in the Confines by the most Illustrious and most Excellent Lords the Plenipotentiary Mediators XX. This Truce shall continue and God willing extend to full 25 years to be reckon'd from the day of the Subscription after the Expiration of which Term or in the middle of it it shall be in the Power of either of the Parties that so shall think fit to prolong it to a greater number of Years Therefore what things soever are here establish'd by the mutual and free Consent of the Majesty of the most Serene and most Potent Emperor of the Romans on the one part and the Majesty of the most Serene and most Potent Ottoman Emperor on the other and their Heirs shall be Religiously and Inviolably observ'd thro' all their Empires and Kingdoms by Land and Sea through all their Cities and Towns and by all their Subjects and Dependants and it is likewise Agreed that it shall on both sides be strictly enjoyn'd to all Governours Commanders Captains Generals to all the Soldiery to all under their Protection to all in Subjection and Obedience under them that they take diligent Care to Conform themselves to all the above-mention'd Conditions Clauses Compacts and Articles that under what pretence or colour soever contrary to the Peace and Friendship thus establish'd the Subjects on either side do not offend or injure one another but abstaining from all sort of Enmity they are commanded to become good Neighbours to each other under the severest Penalties if after they are thus admonish'd they do not yield a ready Obedience The Tartar C ham likewise and all the Nations of the Tartars by whatsoever Names they are call'd stand engag'd to the Observance of this Peace Good Neighbourhood and Reconciliation nor shall it be permitted 'em in prejudice of these Agreements to commit any Hostilities in the Provinces or upon any of the Subjects or upon any under the Protection of his Caesarean Majesty Moreover if any one shall presume to Act contrary to these Sacred Imperial Capitulations Agreements or Articles whether he belongs to the Tartar Nations or to any other Forces by whatsoever Name call'd he shall be most rigorously punish'd This Peace Cessation and Security of the Subjects on both sides shall commence from the Date of this Subscription and thence all Enmities on both sides shall cease and be extinguish'd and the Subjects on both sides shall enjoy full Security and Tranquillity and for that end and in order all Hostilities may be carefully prevented Mandates and Edicts for publishing the Peace shall as soon as possible be sent to all Governours of the Confines but considering some time will be requisite that the Officers in the remoter Confines may have notice of this Peace 20 days are for this purpose appointed after which if any one on either side presume to commit any sort of Hostility he shall without Mercy suffer the Punishments before declar'd In the last place that these Conditions of Peace contain'd in 20 Articles and accepted of on both sides may with great and due respect be inviolably observ'd The Lords the Ottoman Plenipotentiaries by Virtue of an Imperial Faculty granted to 'em for that purpose have deliver'd to us an Authentick and 〈◊〉 Instrument writ and subscrib'd in the Turkish Language are likewise by Virtue of a Special Order and by our Plenipotentiary Power have on our part deliver'd these Writings of the Articles Sign'd and Subscrib'd by our proper Hands and Seals in the Latin Tongue as a True and Authentick Instrument This Treaty between the Emperor being thus finished and agreed the next thing was to appoint Commissaries to regulate the Limits between Croatia and Bosnia as was concluded by the Treaty of Peace at Carlovitz to appear upon the said Limits on the 14 24th of March following in order to which Affair his Imperial Majesty appointed Count Marsilii for his Commissary giving him Orders to depart from Vienna in a Weeks time But the Ratifications relating to the Articles of Peace concluded on both sides were sooner dispatched for the Grand Seignior's Ratification of the Treaty arrived at Belgrade the 9th of March N.S. 1699. of which Advice was given the same day to the Secretary of the Imperial Embassy who waited at Peter-Waradin with that of the Emperors that the Exchange might be made on the same Day the which was accordingly done COPIA INSTRUMENTI TURCICI CUM MOSCOVITA Hic est Deus maxime aperiens omnia Potentissimus Firmissimus In Nomine Dei misericordis semper miserentis CAusa exarationis hujus veritate praecellentis Scripti necessitas descriptionis hujus realitate insigniti Instrumenti haec est Incorruptibilis Domini Creatoris immortalis Opificis liberrimi arbitru Domini Dei cujus Gloria extollatur extra omnem similitudinem paritatem aeternarum confirmationum ubertatis concessione gratiâ honoratissimae Meccae lucidissimae Medinae Servi Sanctae Hierusalem aliorum Locorum benedictorum Defensoris Rectoris binarum Terratum Sultani Regis binorum Marium Dominatoris potentis Aegypti Abyssinarum Provinciarum ac Felicis Arabiae Adenensis Terrae Caesareae
c. and Lord Jacob Colyer performing the part of Mediators with great good Offices and Diligence Deputed so to do by the most Glorious amongst the most Illustrious Christian Princes and the Resort of the Rulers of the Nations William III. of England Scotland and Ireland King and the States General whose Ends God crown with Salvation and Righteousness altho' both Parties show'd a Propensity and Inclination to Peace and Reconciliation but considering in so short a time it was not easie to remove all Difficulties and to settle all things Agreeable to Friendship and good Neighbourhood Therefore least the Continuance of these good Treaties should be interrupted but that they should proceed and be brought to an End with this Intent on both sides by mutual Consent the Term of Two Years is Agreed on to begin from the 25th of December Christmas-day A. Heg 1110. within which time this good Treaty may be reduced into Order and by the Grace of the most High God a Peace or Truce may be concluded betwixt the Sublime Empire and the Muscovitish Czareate by which perpetual and ancient Friendship may be Renew'd Therefore within the Term thus prefix'd by unanimous Consent all War Battles and Skirmishes shall cease and all Hostilities shall be remov'd and forbid to the Subjects of the Czar of Muscovy both Muscovites and Cossacks and all others there shall be no Excursion Hostility Damage whether privately or publickly done or committed upon the Musulman Confines subject to the Sublime Empire whether in the Crimea or any other Places or upon the Subjects of this Empire In like manner on the part of the High Empire no Army of what Condition soever especially belonging to the Crimean Cham and all sorts of Tartars or Hords shall make any sort of Excursion nor commit Damage privately or publickly upon the Cities and Towns and Subjects or Dependants upon the Czar And if contrary to this Compact and Agreement which is made betwixt us any either privately or publickly shall raise any Commotion or make Preparation for it or shall commit Hostility or make Incursion or shall be Obstinate or not Obedient let 'em be of what side they will they shall be Apprehended Imprison'd and Punish'd without Mercy Therefore after this method shall this Truce be cultivated and observ'd during the time of it all Conflicts and Hostilities shall be remov'd and extinguish'd and both Parties with full Inclination shall apply themselves to the Conclusion of a Peace and the Crimean Cham shall be included in this Place by reason of the Obedience and Subjection he owes to the Sublime Empire That it may be receiv'd and observ'd on both sides the Plenipotentiary Ambassador and Commissary of the highly foremention'd Czar by Virtue of his Powers and Authority has deliver'd an Authentick Instrument in due Form written in the Muscovite Language We likewise by Virtue of our Powers and Deputation have deliver'd this Authentick Instrument in due Form Subscrib'd with our Hands and Seal'd with our Seals God is favourable to Justice A COPY OF THE Muscovite Treaty WITH THE TURKS IN the Name of the Omnipotent Lord God One in Holy Trinity By whose Grace the most Serene and Potent Lord Czar and Great Duke Peter Alexovic Emperor of the Whole Great and Little Russia of Muscovy Kiovia Wolodimiria Novogardia Czar of Carania Czar of Astrachan Czar of Siberia Lord of Plescovia Great Duke of Smolenscum Lord of Treria Ingoria Permia Viatka Bolgaria and of other Dominions Great Duke of Novogardia of the Lower Country of Csernihovia Resania Rostovia Jarosclavia Belovroria Valoria Obdoria Condinia and Emperor of all the Northern Country and Lord of the Land af Iveria Czar of the Cartalinensians and Grunizensians and Duke of Karbardia of the Csercassians and Mountaneers and many other Dominions and Lands to the East West and North from Father and Ancestors Heir Successor Lord and Commander between his Majesty and the most Mighty Great Lord Sultan Mustapha Han Son of Sultan Mehmet Han Lord of Constantinople of the White Sea the Black Sea of Anatolia Rumia Romania of the most Honour'd Mecca and Medina and Holy Jerusalem of Egypt of the Abyssines of Babylon and Rica and Commander of Damascus Emperor of the Tartarian and Crimean Hords as also of many other Dominions Kingdoms and Cities Islands and Provinces Whereas the War for many years has been the Cause of the Misery of the Subjects and Dependants on both Parties that Friendship and Kindness might be restor'd and by that means the Civil Affairs might become better settled and all things chang'd into a more flourishing Condition with this intent a Congress was had in Sirmium on the Confines of Carlovitz with the most Illustrious and most Excellent the most Select Lord Great Chancellor Reis Mehmet Effendi and the most Select Lord of the Privy Council Mauro Cordato of the Family of Scarlati Plenipotentiary Commissioners and Ambassadors Extraordinary of the highly mention'd Sultan Majesty Deputed with full Powers to Treat of and Settle the Business of a Peace through the Mediation of his most Serene and most Royal Majesty of Great Britain and of the States General of the Netherlands by their most Excellent Plenipotentiaries Ambassadors Extraordinary the Lord William Lord Pagett Baron de Beaudesert c. and Lord Jacob Colyer c. both sides show'd an Inclination to a Peace and Truce but in so short a time it was not easie to remove all Difficulties and put all things into an Order agreeable to Friendship and Good Neighbourhood yet least the Continuance of these Treaties should be Interrupted and that they might be perfected and brought to an end with this Intent by mutual Consent on both sides a Truce betwixt the two great highly mention'd Lords is Agreed on for Two Years to Commence from Christmas-day the 25th day of December Anno Domini 1698. within which Term this Treaty may be reduc'd into good Order and by the Blessing of God a perpetual Peace or a Truce for a sufficient Number of years may be Concluded and Antient Friendship restor'd betwixt his Czarish Muscovite Majesty and Turkish Sultan Majesty Therefore within this prefix'd time all War Battles Fights and Skirmishes shall Cease and on both sides all Hostilities shall be remov'd and extinguish'd nor shall any Incursion or Hostility be done or any Damage committed either privately or publickly by the Subjects of his Czarish Majesty whether Muscovites or Cossacks or others within the Mussulman or Crimean Confines or within any other of his Sultan Majesty's Dominions or on any of his Subjects In like manner on the part of his Sultan Majesty no sort of Troops of what Condition soever shall be brought against his Czarish Majesty especially the Crimean Cham and the Tartars of what Nation or Hord soever shall be oblig'd not to make any Incursions or do any Damage publickly or privately either in the Cities Towns or Territories Subject to his Czarish Majesty And if contrary to this Constitution and Agreement made betwixt us
an Enemy to the French 431. Chonad defends it self against the Turks 234. Christians forc'd from the Bridges 105. Several of them kill'd 107. Pass the Danube 142. Defeated and receive a great Loss 152. Five hundred put to the Sword 154. Prepare to give Battle to the Turks 213. Gain an intire Victory over the Turks 346. Cities Revolt to the Emperor 125. Claudiopolis describ'd 262. Its Conditions with the Duke of Lorrain ibid. Clergy endeavour to disturb the Diets 75. Clin surrenders at discretion 327. Coin alter'd in Turky 445. Conditions demanded of the Hungarians by the Turks 23. Conduct ill of the Imperial Army 552. Coningsmarc advances against the Seraskier 224. Engages the Turks and overthrows them ib. Falls ill 320. Dies 321. Considerations offer'd by the Turks 353. Conspiracy against the Vizier discover'd 302 441. Constantinople a Fire there 5. A Council held there 6. The Inhabitants thereof possest with a panick fear 222. Fires there 497 502 538. Copper-Money breeds Sedition in the Turkish Empire 431. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Coke to Sir W. Trumbal late Ambassador to the Grand Seignior 498. Corbelli destroys the Palanca of Bellingesh 367. Reinforces the Troops in Servia 377. Corinth describ'd 270. Cornaro Gen. in Dalmatia 314. Marches against Clin 326. Designs against Narenta 327. Returns to Spalatro ibid. Joins the Venetian Fleet 363. Attempts to burn some Turkish Vessels ibid. Coron described 177. Taken by Storm 181. Council General of the Turks call'd at Sophia 347. Councils held about the Siege of Buda 200. Counties and Towns several submit 128. Croats take Behatz from the Turks 441. Cross set up instead of the Half-Moon at Vienna 122. Crown of Hungary described 140. Croy Duke of wounded 119. Cruelties acted both by the Imperialists and Hungarians 35. D. DAmbi sent by the Venetians to confer with Liberachi 358. Debates about a Peace 497. Debrezin taken by Count Strazoldo 38. Redeems its self from Free Quarters 189. Deputies afraid to meet at the Diet at Presburg 32. Designs to surprize Tekeli 348. Despot of Valachia submits 280. Diarbekir Pasha put to flight 537. Diet at Cassovia 24. The Emperor declares against it 25. Dissentions amongst the Turkish Militia 246. Appeased with Money ibid. Dobay Castle surrenders 554. Doge of Venice sick 322. Continues so 356. Recovers 357. Sails for Culuri 360. Relapses 364. Returns home 365. Donative refus'd to the Soldiers 529. Doria Marquis of sold for 60 Rix-Dollars 377. Draco Bey tortur'd 3. Duare besieged and reliev'd 176. Dunewalt Gen. with a Party observes the Enemies Motions 246. Marches to Kobas 250. His Character 299. Dutch troubled by the Turks 11. Dutch Ambassador's Letter to the Emperor 498. E. EArthquake at Smyrna 301. At Sophia 336. Edendorf a Meeting there 114. A Council of War held there ib. Embassy from the Poles and Moscovites to the Emperor 49. Emeric a Jesuit hinders the Agreement between the Emperor and the Hungarians 22. Emperor his Grant to the Hungarians 17. Prepares for War 26. Denies the Maintenance of the Hungarians Privileges and why 30. Sends Presents to the Grand Seignior 31. His Declaration 32. Enforc'd 33. Alters the Government of Hungary ibid. Makes Applications to the Port 38. Publishes a Manifesto 45. Satisfies the Male-Contents 78. His Camp 97. Takes a view of his Army 98. Goes with the Court to Lintz 101. Enters Vienna after the Siege 121. Interview between him and the King of Poland ib. Wants Money 156. Prepares for the next Campaign 276. Encourages the Bulgarians and Rascians 333. Makes Preparations against the Turks ib. Ratifies the Treaty of Canisia 370. Empress Crown'd Queen of Hungary 92. English Merchants troubled by the Port 8. Ambassador a Trick put upon him ibid. Trade in a bad Condition 393. Ambassador hastens to Constantinople and makes his Entry there 397. Erschet holds out against the Emperor's Forces 29. Surrenders ibid. Esperies yields to Tekeli and is demolish'd 93. Describ'd 160. Esseck describ'd 171. Taken ibid. Burnt 172. The Bridge ruined 221. Abandoned by the Turks 249. Summon'd by them 385. They raise the Siege 386. Esterhasi and Forgatz make offers of Peace 75. Made Palatine 76. F. FAcket taken by the Rascians and burnt 394. Faction against Kara Mustapha Grand Vizier 6. Famine and Pestilence a great one 159. Fechedebator surrendred 339. Felsiat surrenders 280. Ferislau taken by Tekeli 338. Burnt 348. Fight a bloody one 115. Another by Land and Water 517. Another between the Poles and Tartars 524. Filiporich taken by the Venetians 391. Finch Sir John the English Ambassador a Trick put upon him by the Port 8. Flies kill abundance of Cattle 372. Forces number of the Emperor's 98. Number of the Turks 99. A List of those design'd against Buda 199 200. Number of those of the Circles 162. Those of the Emperor join 401. Forts Schella and Scheinau give Offence to the Turks 38. France the King thereof makes a Truce with the Emperor 139. Frangipani Count made Prisoner 26. Tryed and Executed 30. His Estate forfeited to the Emperor 32. French Ambassador imprisoned 7. A juggle between them and the Turks 8. Ambassador has an Audience of the Grand Vizier 196. Persuades the Turks to fight 399. They assist the Turks 251. Desire to engage the Turks to them 261. King obstructs the War against the Turks 314. Writes to the Pope 515. Their Cruelty in Germany 316. Encourage the Turks to continue the War 332. Endeavour to draw the King of Poland from the Emperor ibid. Banished the German Empire 337. Obstruct the Peace between the two Empires 355. G. GAspar Col. killed 319. General of Malta receives Audience of the Doge 317. General Tax 528. Generals of the Great Duke and Malta desire to return home 321. Germans blam'd for not making a Peace with the Turk 332. Contemn their Enemies 340. Defeated 366. Quit the Blockade of Great Waradin 384. Germany alarm'd by the Turks 95â— Girolamo Garzani slain 320. Gomenizze taken by the Venetians 183. Gondola his Character 299. Gran the Siege thereof resolved upon 125 128. Proposals concerning the State thereof 128. A Description of it 129. Surrendred on Conditions 130. Greek Patriarch a rash Man 548. Greeks in Scio favour'd by the Turks 526. Grievances of Cassovia and Epperies together with all the other Protestant Cities and Towns in Hungary from 65 to 73. Guadagne Duke of joins the Venetian Fleet 360. Gutta taken by the Turks 160. H. HAdgi Ali mutinies 285. Kills the Aga of the Janisaries ibid. Halmet yielded 280. Hanover Prince of kill'd 393. Harscham a Battle began there 244. Hatwan surrendred 219. Heemskirk Mr. sent home 514. Herbert Mr. sent Ambassador to the Turks 444. His Letter to the Author ibid. Herbeville Col. order'd to recover Orsoua 340. Defeats of a Party of Turks and retires from it ibid. Heusler Col. his Successes 160. Attacks a Convoy of the Turks but pays dear for it 190. Wounded 250. His Character 299. Defeated 377. Hoffkirchen Count makes an Excursion as far as Esseck 249. Attack'd
amongst the Soldiery as Shaitan Pasha had done who had so bravely Defended the City in the Year 1684 and thô the wise Generals gave little or no credence to such Relations as these coming from affrighted Prisoners and Captives whose business it was to flatter and mollifie the Minds of their Conquerours yet such Reports proceeding from Witnesses that were come from the City served to encourage the Soldiery who were ready to believe what they desire and what may render their Enemies Low and Contemptible Count Staremberg received Orders from the Duke of Loraine to perfect the Bridge with all possible speed Proceedings of the Duke of Bavaria which being finished the Elector of Bavaria with all his Forces except those which were left for the Guard of Pesth passed and encamped his Men at the Foot of the Mount St. Gerard and took possession of the same Posts and Places which he had possessed two Years before and on the side of the Mount he raised two Batteries against the upper Town and made his own Head-quarter at the Baths of hot Waters to be nearer to that Place which his Forces were to Attack and there raising a Battery of six Pieces of Cannon he thence drew two parallel Lines of Communication to which another was added very large and deep extending to the lower Town into which the same day Two thousand Men were entred to attack that Place The Quarters of the Army Next hereunto were the Quarters of Count Staremberg to which were united the Troops of the Prince of Saxony having their Lines in a circular Form Next hereunto the main Body of Horse was lodged being as it were in the middle and in the most commodious place to oppose the Sallies of the Enemies Cavalry on the other side of which Prince Lewis of Baden had made his Allodgement Next hereunto were the Quarters of the Duke of Loraine opposite to the Breach which they were labouring to lay open Next in order were placed the Troops of the Circles which with the Voluntiers reached to the brink of the River making a most formidable Body encompassing the Town And to surround it on all sides Trenches and Lines were made on the side of Pesth guarded and defended by Heydukes and Hungarians Thus was this City again encompassed with the Christian Arms June on the 22d of this Month which about two Years ago was accounted the impregnable Fortress and the Sanctuary and Place of Refuge for the Turks where Fortune had made its Ne plus ultra and set Bounds to the Progress of the Imperial Arms. But these brave Captains and Soldiers being returned again to their old Quarters remembring the Disgrace they had received by being foiled and beholding the Places where their Comrades and Fellow-Soldiers had breathed out their last and where some of them had received such Wounds as were still smarting and scarce healed became more enraged and animated to avenge themselves of which they conceived greater hopes by Experience and Acquaintance with the Situation of the Place and thereby better enabled to amend the Errors of the last Siege having made Provisions of all things in great abundance for want of which Armies commonly suffer more in their Trenches than they do from the Efforts and Violences and Sallies of the Enemy The provident and wise Duke of Loraine being well advised and aware hereof and observing that very little Rain had fallen that Spring so that the Grass and Forage for Horses was very short and that the great Heats and Drought had burnt up the Pasture in all parts round the Leaguer He drew out from every Troop ten Men only to lodge within the Trenches which made a Body of two Regiments The Horse Quarters or Two thousand Horse under the Command of Count Taff which were esteem'd sufficient to repulse any Sallies of Horse which the Enemy could make from the Town But the main and great Body of Horse were ordered to march towards Alba Regalis under Command of the Counts Palfi and Gondola and other Generals and taking their Quarters upon the Banks of the River Saruvitz they might there not only find plenty of Forage for themselves but deprive the Enemy thereof and diminish their Stores besides the Place was commodious both to interrupt the Vizier in his March and all other Succours designed for the Relief of Buda The parallel Lines of Communication being finished by which the Soldiers might pass under shelter to the lower Town and the Batteries raised on the side of the hot Waters where as we said the Duke of Bavaria had his Head Quarters Six Pieces of Cannon of Twenty four pound Ball began first to play on that Wall Batteries raised where two Years before a Battery and Breach had been made and an Assault given the Place was called the Burg of Wasserstadt in English the Water-Town and here it was thought fit to renew the Battery for that the Earth having been lately laid and the Work repaired it could not be so well setled and so firm as the ancient Fortifications the which was manifested by a plain and open Proof for being for one whole Day continually battered so great a Breach was made and so wide as to open a Way to a formidable Assault On the other side the Turks plyed their Cannon very hard upon the Camp which did not much damage thô lodged within Musquet-shot And thô the Breach was made yet it was thought necessary to defer the Assault until the Approaches were perfected June which before Morning were almost finished under the darkness of the Night On the 24th all things being prepared and a Breach open'd of above twenty Paces wide a Signal for an Assault was given by firing three Pieces of Cannon The lower Town assaulted upon which the Troops appointed for that Service advanced with such Bravery and Resolution that the Enemy yielded up that Station with little Resistance and a Party of them descending from the upper Town gave only a single Volly of Shot and so again retired with some Disorder and taken This being the first Action of this Siege there was scarce a Voluntier or Gentleman-Adventurer in the whole Army but who presented himself in this Enterprize being desirous to signalize his Valour in the first beginning The Night following the Turks kept continually firing which did not hinder the Christians from lodging themselves to the right and left on the Breach of the lower Town in the taking of which they lost but Eight Soldiers in that Day and Night's Service which being so cheaply obtained the Generals suspected that the Enemy had abandoned the Place with Design and with Intention to Blow up the Assailants with some Mines prepared for them and for that reason they gave a stop to the Advancement of the Troops but the next Day having searched and examined those Places and finding all secure they proceeded to make a new Lodgment in the Angle of the Wall of the lower Town
which answered in a right Line to the main Tower of the upper City under which they lay secure from the Enemies Shot This Exploit being performed with the loss only of Sixteen Men there was but little Plunder found therein besides some Horses and Oxen and some few Field-pieces upon one of the Works for all the Houses were beaten down by the Turks themselves and consumed by Fire and the Inhabitants either fled or retired into the upper Fortifications which shews evidently that the Turks looking on that Place as not tenable had drawn their Force into the higher Town in which they placed all their Security hoping to make a most vigorous Resistence both by the advantagious Situation Lines drawn in the lower Town and the goodness of the Fortifications But the Christians finding the Advantage of the lower Ground whereby to offend the upper City employed immediately Two thousand Men with diverse Laboures to draw the Lines and deepen the Approaches from one Gate to the other In the mean time the Turks who lived in the parts adjacent to Buda being put into great Consternation by the concourse of the Christian Arms The Turks near Buda fly to the Isle of St. Margaret prepared themselves to fly and seek Refuge in remote parts so that many with their Wives and Children and Servants having taking with them the best of their Housholdstuff and Goods passed over to the Island of St. Margarets which is situate in the Danube and of a very great length but finding this Place of too near Neighbourhood to the Christian Army and very unsecure having got about thirty large Boats and Barges they had laden their Goods and embarked their Persons thereon with design to pass down the River to Belgrade when a Body of Hungarians Hussars and Heydukes under Command of Count Budiani having Advice thereof Are attacked by the Christians and plunder'd armed out a good number of Boats and Barges and with Three hundred Dragoons by Land boarded their Vessels and having killed the Boat-men and the chief amongst them easily made themselves Masters of the rest and of all the rich Houshold-stuff Mony and Goods in such abundance that every Common Soldier had a Suit and Vest of Silk for his own Share with other good Booty and Plunder which they carried away and departed but being informed afterwards by some Rascians that the Inhabitants of that Island had committed many Cruelties and Outrages upon the Christians Many of them kill'd they returned again to the Island which is about seven Hungarian or German Miles long which make about Twenty eight English and there put all to Fire and Sword with the Slaughter of about a Thousand Men. After which Count Budiani went purposely to the Duke of Loraine June in the Camp to render an account of his late Atchievements and in testimony thereof he presented him with seven Turkish Standards which he had won in that and in another Rencounter in which he had defeated a Party of the Enemy near Ersein together with some Prisoners of Quality and Condition amongst which there was an Aga and Chiaus The Christian Soldiers animated with these daily Successes some few of them 26th with more Temerity than Prudence made an attempt to Lodge themselves nearer to the Upper City without those due Precautions of Defence which are commonly used by throwing up of Earth and making some little Blinds as is practised in all Military Approaches The Boldness of the Christian Soldiers but these bold Men adventured with open Breasts to enlarge their Lodgments on that side of the City which looks towards Strigoniam which when the Turks observed a great number of them flanked on one side by the round Tower and on the other by a Party of Musqueteers throwing Stones and Hand-granadoes assailed the Germans who were not above Fifty in all with so much Fury as forced them to make their Retreat the which notwithstanding they did with good Order being assisted by their Comrades who came to their Help and repulsed the Enemy and made them with some loss to retire back into the City Sallies made by the Turks and are repulsed Howsoever in a short time after about the Close of the Evening the Turks made a more vigorous Sally on the Left-hand of the round Tower of the old City The Count of Ausberg and the Cavalier Rohne having the Command that Night of those Quarters with great Bravery received the Enemy and engaged with them for above an Hour's space when the Prince of Commarcy and the Prince of Vaudemont having their Quarters near thereunto came seasonably into their Succour with many Gentlemen who were Voluntiers and Soldiers of Fortune and forced the Turks back into the City with the loss of about Fifty Janisaries Of the Christians were about ten killed in this Action which was well paid by the advantage then gained for whilst the Parties were engaged in this manner they opened the Trenches on both sides of the old City with two large Parades or places of Arms and extended the Lines of the Approaches towards the two Bulwarks of the upper City And because it was necessary to Batter the City on that side a Battery was raised without the old Wall of Sixteen Pieces of heavy Cannon from which many Shot were made at the round Tower and several Bombs thrown into the City The Turks nothing disanimated herewith made a vigorous Sally on the Quarters of the Bavarian Forces with Three thousand Horse and Foot and thô the Elector was at that time indisposed in his Health The Turks made a Sally and were repulsed yet his Bravery prompted him to mount on Horseback and with the assistance of the Horse under Command of Lieutenant Colonel Hofkerken which were Quartered in a Vally on the Way towards Strigonium he with a steddy Foot opposed the Turks and forced them to Retire with Disorder into the Town In this Action Twenty four of their Officers were Slain with many Janisaries and many Wounded Of the Bavarians about Forty were Killed caused by a Surprize at the first beginning of the Sally The Prince of Savoy according to his natural Courage and Valous pressing into the thickest of the Enemies numbers had his Horse Killed under him but mounting another pursued the Enemy to the very Gates of the City Whilst these things were acting it was a matter of great encouragement to the Camp to find their Forces daily augmenting by new Recruits The Swedes and others come to the Camp For the Swedes were then newly arrived under the Command of the Marquis of Turlac and took their Station on that side which leads to Alba Regalis These were followed by Lieutenant General Schoning Commander in Chief of the Brandenburg Forces whose arrival at the Camp sooner than was expected was a cause of much Joy and Satisfaction to the whole Army About the same time also came Prince Lewis of Newburg Great Master of the Knights of the
to the other which was not above the space of an Italian Mile and the Mould or Soil being all Earth it might easily be effected the which being fortified with a Ditch and Pallisadoes Redoubts and Cannon might make a sufficient place of defence for the Soldiers and convenient Quarters might be made for them out of those Timbers and Planks which they had saved from the Ruines of the Suburbs of Negropont And that they might be in a condition all the Winter to endamage the Town and hinder the Turks from repairing their Breaches the Mount of Muslekat and the Hill of Vilibaba were to be strongly fortified with Cannon In fine all things were proposed and provided as far as Humane Reason could contrive for security of the Camp and Maintainance of the Soldiery and for Provision and Sustenance they promised themselves sufficient from the Inhabitants of the Islands besides those which might be brought from the other Isles of the Archipelago These Matters being thus proposed and projected in the Council of War where Enquiry was made into the Miscarriages of the late Assault which was made appear otherwise than was represented it was ordered that the Cannon which were nearest to the place should be drawn off and the manner contrived how it might be executed and the Night following they began to draw off the covered Cannon Some Cannon drawn off which lay under the Works the which Attempt was the most difficult of any To prevent which the Turks all that Night assaulted the Bonnet with quantities of Granadoes and Sacks of Powder but a valorous resistance being made by the Defendants the Turks were repulsed with great loss so that the Night following all the remaining Cannon were drawn off and secured In which Work Silvester the Admiral of Candia having been very active and adventurous as he had been in many other doubtful and hazardous Attempts the Doge honoured him with a Gold Chain and Medal Octob. 15. as an evidence of his good Services and of the Esteem he entertained of his Personal Courage and Conduct Had the Project of Quartering all that Winter on the Island succeeded it was very probable and with good reason it might have been rationally concluded that the City would have been obliged to yield before the Spring The Foreign Troops mutiny and will not Winter on the Island but the Foreign Troops being acquainted with the Design began to mutiny and loudly to declare That they would not Winter on the Island it being one of their Capitulations of Agreement when they first Enrolled themselves for Soldiers that they should at the Season when Armies usually break up their Camp be provided with warm and convenient Quarters and with the Spring return again into the Field To force the Soldiers to an Obedience in this particular was not esteemed adviseable but to try how far soft Terms and perswasive Arguments might prevail upon them several Noblemen and chief Commanders were employed to incline the Wills and Consent of the Soldiery thereunto but the Plot was deeper laid for tho' the Commonalty only appeared openly therein yet it was well known that their Officers had the chief Hand in the Design and instigated their Soldiers to act that part which was most desired by themselves But what was most prevalent with the Council of War was the Report made by Sergeant General Hor That the Soldiers in the advanced Lines were so far set on a Resolution to Abandon the Siege that in case it were not done above 100 of them would desert and fly to the Enemy Whereupon the Doge took a Resolution before other Misfortunes arrived to comply with the Soldiery and as a beginning thereof to embark all their Sick and Wounded Men and Baggage The Siege raised and that the Enemy should not discover the Design it was ordered That the Cannon which were not drawn off from the Lines Bonnet and Batteries should continue still to play upon the City After which by degrees all the remaining Cannon was shipped and many of their Horse embarked and all things put in order for an entire Desertion of the Island and Siege which when the Grecian Inhabitants observed who had taken the part with the Venetians against the Turks full of Fear and terrified Consternation came running to the Shoar petitioned to be carried off to the Christian Coast to avoid the Fury of the Turks for performance of which all the Boats and Vessels of the Island were taken up at Freight for Service of the Army and Transportation of the Islanders of which several of them were cut off by the Turks before they could reach the Vessels on which they intended to embark Some disorder The Turks seeing their Enemies draw off and commit themselves unto the Seas had cause sufficient to rejoyce as the Christians had to be sad and dejected when the Rear of the Army was forced to betake themselves to a precipitate Flight with some Confusion and Disorder Octob. 22. Howsoever they all got Aboard on such Vessels as they could at first come unto so that the lighter Vessels were overcharged with Soldiers and with Islanders until such time as at the adjacent Islands where Vessels usually Careen they could more orderly dispose their Companies and repart them by a more commodious and proportionable share unto every Ship Galeass and Gally From this place Orders were given by the Doge unto Venier Captain Extraordinary to pass into the Archipelago Orders given to the Admirals and places appointed where to disbark the Soldiers to collect the Contribution of the Island Admiral Zaguri was dispatched with four Ships laden with Provisions and Bisket to furnish the Fortresses of that Kingdom The Vessels laden with the Horse were ordered to disembark them at the first Shoar and thence to march by Land to Napoli di Romania Some other Companies were Landed at the Fortress of Termizi All the Foreign Troops were put into Winter Quarters in divers parts of the Morea Novemb. Other Companies and Troops Embarked on the Squadron of Ships commanded by Captain Pisani were Transported to Modon Navarin and Patras from whence Pisani had Commission to Sail for Zant and Corfu and thence to carry all the Provision and Ammunition which had been brought thither from Venice for Use and Refreshment of the Army All the Galeasses were ordered unto the secure Port of Varvaronda under Cranidi in Romania The Regiments of Brunswick Wirtemberg and Hesse having compleated their time stipulated for Service were discharged and permitted to Sail for Venice Thus all the Troops being dismissed and sent into their Wintet Quarters the Doge intended himself to Land at Napoli di Romania The Dâ—ge Lands very sick but being taken short by the Wind he could only fetch the Port Tolon where the next Day he Landed and went to Napoli di Romania but in an ill condition of Health caused partly by the Hardships of the Siege but chiefly by the Troubles and
Affliction of Mind for the Loss and Disgrace he had sustained before the City of Negropont a great cause of which being attributed to the Miscarriage of some Officers who performed not their Duty in the last Attack he ordered a Process to be made against them and their Tryals to be managed at a Counsel of War But here we will leave the Venetians for this whole Winter and return to the Wars in Hungary transacted in the Year 1689 at the end of which we shall recount all the Actions performed by the Venetians during that Campaign But Procurator Girolamo Cornaro was more fortunate and successful in Dalmatia and Albania where he Commanded the Venetian Army For having Landed his Forces at Scardona on the 24th of August Cornaro marches against Clin. they speedily marched towards Clin with design to invest that place and on the 27th the several Troops took their Posts and began a Line of Circumvallation fortifying the same with several Redoubts The next Day Summons were sent to the Garrison which being answered with Vollies of small and great Shot the Night following the Trenches were opened and in the Morning the Cannon and Mortars began to play upon the Town with great execution Septemb. In the space of two Days a considerable Breach was made in the first Wall which the Besieged labouring to repair the Cannon quickly ruin'd their Works The Venetians stoâ—m the Breach So that by the 1st of September the Venetian Trenches were advanced so far and the Breach made so wide that it was resolved to give an Assault which was accordingly executed on the 2d of this Month and performed with such Resolution that the Venetians notwithstanding the Vigorous Opposition of the Enemy mounted the Breach on which having lodged themselves obliged the Defendants to retire within their second Wall or Retrenchment On the 3d and 4th several new Batteries were raised from whence the Enemy was greatly annoyed and a Bomb falling into their Magazine of Powder blew up and killed many of the Inhabitants however the Defendants still continued to maintain their Castle and the Lower Town with great Resolution At length it being observed by General Cornaro that one side of the Town was naturally fortified by Water without other Guard or Defence he ordered that the Regiments of Corbon and Sebenico should pass over and streighten the Enemy on that side the which they chearfully performed for most of them being practised Swimmers they carried their Swords naked in their Mouths and swam over to the other side which when the Turks observed fearing to have their Retreat cut off from the Castle they quitted the defence of the Breach and retired some within the second Retrenchment and others into the Castle They bâ—come Masters of the first Retrenchment Thus the Venetians without farther opposition entered the first Retrenchment where they found some pieces of Cannon 50 Horses two Camels some Mules 100 Head of Oxen some Corn and a good quantity of Hay The Venetians having gained the first Retrenchment appointed Marquis Borro and Francisco Grimani to maintain the Ground they had gained which they performed by throwing up Earth for shelter of their Men whilst on the other side they cut off the Pipes and ruined the Aqueducts which conveyed Water to the Castle The Turks in want of Water The want whereof and the blowing up of the Magazine of Powder greatly sunk the Courage of the Defendants howsoever the Venetians continued still to throw their Bombs and Fire into the Castle and batter the Walls of it with their Cannon by which they had now made the Breach so wide that an Assault might be made thereon But the Proveditor-General well considering that the Turks could not long subsist without Water deferred for some few Days the Assault until he saw the Effects which the Extremity of Thirst would constrain them unto the which speedily happened out according to expectation For on the 12th of September the Defendants spread a White Flag on the Walls desiring to Capitulate and that in the mean time a Cessation of Arms should be granted Hereupon the Pasha of the place They Capitulaâ—e sent out two Aga's who being conducted to the Tent of General Cornaro they offered the Surrender of the Town and Castle upon License given them to march out with their Arms and Baggage as is usually granted to Valiant Soldiers But Cornaro answer'd That their Behaviour had not merited such kind and honourable Usage And growing angry at their Discourse he told them plainly That he expected they should immediately yield at Discretion without farther Argument or Capitulation The Turks astonished at this peremptory Resolution desired time to propose the same to the Garrison and to the Inhabitants but no more time would be allowed than four Hours during which in case they did not submit they threatned them with the last Extremity Within the space of four Hours the same Aga's returned again declaring their necessity to submit to the hard Conditions of the Conquerors and soon after they were follow'd by the Pasha Atlagick attended with his Son and Nephew and with Cernigick the Sangiack They Surrender at Discretion and five Aga's with 50 other Turks of Condition who being conducted to the Tent of General Cornaro they were received by him in quality of Slaves howsoever to demonstrate the Generosity of the Conqueror an Allodgment was assigned them in a Tent provided for them where they were treated with all Conveniencies both of Victuals and Lodging The Day following in the Morning about 900 Women and Children came forth and about 400 Turks capable to bear Arms with Countenances full of Sorrow and dejected Looks which showed the inward Grief which oppressed their Spirits These were follow'd by a Troop of 150 poor Christians who having hereby regained their Liberty and Freedom from Slavery changed the Scene of Sorrow into another of Joy and Festivity 22 Pieces of Brass Cannon were found in the place 200 Horse great quantities of Provision and Ammunition both for War and Sustenance for Life Clin being in this manner surrendered the Proveditor Girolamo Cornaro General in Dalmatia designed to take Narenta an ancient Port for all sorts of Merchandize brought thither in former Times from Thrace Cornaro designs against Narenta Servia Bosnia and Macedon and several other Provinces but first it was esteemed necessary in order thereunto to become Masters of a small Tower called Narino built about three Years before by the Pasha of Bosnia who had furnished it with some Guns and encompassed it with a double Palisado October In pursuance of this Resolution the General embarked at Spalatro all his Troops Provisions Cannon and other Military Appurtenances with which having loosed from that Port they were so crossed by contrary Winds that the Fleet was forced to put into divers Harbours and the Winds continuing long in that Quarter they spent some Weeks without any Action At length the General being
they began to fire from thence and from the Palanca with a like Number into the Streets which much annoyed the Town These Batteries fired so constantly on the Walls that a sufficient Breach was made on which to make an Assault and accordingly a Storm was appointed for the 24th of this Month which the Turks perceiving by the Preparations that were made had not the Courage to stand the Shock but setting fire to the City which they believed they could not maintain retired to a Fort which they had raised between the City and the Fortress the City being now on Fire and no opposition on the Walls the Germans crowded into it with great Throngs where they took much Cattle and released some Hundreds of Rascians who were Inhabitants in that City which the Turks had they not been prevented had carried off with them The resigning this Place which was so well fortified with several Retrenchments and Works one behind the other was to the great Wonder of the Germans who hereby were well advertised and assured of the fear of the Turks by which they took fresh Courage and posted themselves in the great City over against the Fortress and in the space of two Days they advanced very near to the Ditch of the Fortress and in two Days more they finished a Work on which they planted 18 Mortar-pieces and from thence threw such quantities of Bombs into the Fortress and with that effect that one of them falling into one of the Magazines of Powder it blew up and showed a dreadful Spectacle of the Arms and Heads of Men carried into the Air. The Turks having other Magazines of Powder and Provisions remained resolute in their Defence and on the other side the Christian Army continued to throw Bombs into the Fortress by which a Steeple took fire which spread it self through the whole Fortress and in less than six Hours time one half thereof was reduced to Ashes In the mean time a Party of Tartars of about 600 fell in upon the Foragers and took both the Men and Horses and Booty which they had by them but being immediately pursued and overtaken by the Hussars all was seized again and brought to the Camp with seven Heads and three Prisoners Novemb. The Month of November being now entered the Turks began to be of Opinion that the Christians could not continue long before the Place for that the long and wet Nights Snow and Frosts of that Country must needs force them to raise the Siege the Consideration of which moved the Pasha of the Place to refuse the acceptance of the Prince's second Summons saying That there would be time enough for that six Months hence This Answer obliged the Besiegers to throw their Bombs continually into the Fortress to force the Turks so soon as was possible to a Surrender But in regard the bad Weather came on and that Forage became so scarce in the Camp that many of the Horses died tho' Provision for Men was plentiful and cheap it was concluded by the General Officers that the Season of the Year was too far advanced for continuance of the Siege and therefore it was esteemed most adviseable to turn it to a Blockade but before the Germans bid a Farewell to the Place they beat down a great Tower with their Cannon on which the Turks having planted several Guns did very much annoy the Germans On the 2d Instant the throwing of Bombs was continued and a Great Fort was raised for the securing of the Posts if the advanced Season of the Year and the Obstinacy of the Turks should oblige the Prince to raise the Siege and to leave the City narrowly Blocked up during the Winter On the 3d the Cannon of the Besiegers beat down a great Tower on which the Besieged had several Guns which much incommoded the Germans The 4th and 5th the Guns and Mortar-pieces of the Besiegers continually fired on the Turks That Day a Polish Envoy who came into the Prince's Army some Days before departed from thence for Tockay to expect there the Arrival of the Plenipotentiaries both of the Allies and Turks who had appointed to meet there for the reassuming of the Treaties of Peace But about this time Forage begun to be very scarce to be had in the Army the Horse being obliged to fetch their Hay sive Miles off for which reason many Horses perished but Provisions for the Army were plentiful and cheap enough Several of Tekeli's Men came over to the Prince before Waradin all which unanimously confirmed That the Body of Turks Tartars and Rebels or Tekelians which hitherto were Encamped between Gena and Gyula suffered extreamly for want of Provisions being for the most part obliged to sustain themselves with Wild Fruits which caused them to Die in great Numbers their Horses wanting Forage perished likewise in abundance On the 6th Instant cold Rains and Snow began and continued until the 10th notwithstanding which the Bombing continually went forward the Prince also sent a Letter to the Basha-Governour Summoning him to Surrender the Fortress which Letter the Basha would not at all receive but told the Bearer it was not yet time to speak of Capitulations or Surrendring that Fortress The 10th of November Novemb. 10th on which Day the Rascian Lieutenant-Colonel Antonio returned back to the Army with 400 Wagóns which he had taken from Tekeli as he marched homewards the great Fort distant five or 600 Paces from the Gate of the Fortress was finished and brought to its entire Perfection which Fort was more elevated and higher than the Walls and Batteries of the Fortress in which 1000 Germans and some Hundred were Commanded as a Garrison Besides this Fort a lesser was made on a certain Eminence from whence the Guns fired in the inside and Streets of the Fortress which was provided with a proportionable Garrison In the Great City of Waradin a far greater Garrison of Horse and Foot than that in the Great Fort was ordered and Colonel Mollner was Commanded to remain in the Palanca Ollorsi with his Regiment of Hussars and some Foot which being thus ordered and by that means the Fortress so closed up that nothing could come out or go into it there being also not the least appearance of any Succours to relieve the Place the Prince thought it more expedient to send his Army into Winter-Quarters in the Neighbouring Villages and Cities of Debrezin and St. Job then to expose them to the hardships of the long cold Nights Wet and Snowy-Weather especially since Count Tekeli was already decamped from about Gyula and marched with his ruined and fatigued Army of Turks and Tartars and Rebels to Winter-Quarters as it was confirmed by upwards of 300 Tekelians Deserted from him and arrived at Lippa Zolnock Belnesch or in the Army since that our Trenches also were carried on to the very Ditch of the Fortress that their Bridges over the said Ditches were beaten down and most of the Water drained thereout that