Duke of Saxe-Lawenburg and the Left by Count Caprara Count Staremberg being General of the Foot and so Marching along the Banks of the Waag came and incamped between Raab and Commora to expect the motion of the Enemy and there it was that the Duke had the first notice of the Grand Visiers advancing with the gross of the Ottoman Army as far as Greicks Wissenberg and that the Grand Seignior with a greater Power followed by slow Marches having vowed not to turn his back till he had besieged with his Army the City of Vienna the principal Imperial Seat of Austria upon notice of which the Duke of Lorrain again decamped after he had sent the Count Palfie to give the Emperour an account of the State of the War resolving to be in Action and thereupon marched towards Gran a strong Garrison of the Turks in Hungaria with a design to besiege it for that purpose having sent for divers other Mortars Granadoes Bombes and the like they were sent up the River in Boats and arrived safely at the Camp The Emperour finding the perverseness of the Hungarian Rebels sent an express to the Palatine of that Kingdom immediately to march with the Forces under his Command not amounting to above five thousand with which he had been posted in the Isle of Schuts to joyn Major General Schuts and the Prince Lubomirski on the Waag and there to act against Count Teckely and such Forces as he had in the Field who at that time besieged the Castle of Donowitz but before they could draw together strong enough to raise the Siege the said Castle was after five weeks Siege taken and the Baron Joannel Governour thereof made Prisoner yet Teckely began to grow jealous of the Turks who now having by his Rebellion made way for their Arms did not regard him as before therefore although the Bassa of Offen sent divers Summons to command him to joyn his Forces with the Body of Turks incamped near new Husel yet he declined it making divers excuses and desiring that he might act separate That nothing might be wanting in the Emperour to prevent the miseries of War in the so long distracted Kingdom of Hungary but that those that had taken up Rebellious Arms against him might easily perceive how willing he was for the saving the effusion of Christian Blood to forget and forgive what was past he again published a General Declaration promising thereby as well to the Hungarians as Germans who had been or are in Rebellion against him restitution of Goods and Estates if they lay down their Arms and return to their Obedience upon which several Germans and some Hungarians who had deserted the Emperours Service and taken part with Rebels came in and submitted who thereupon were restored in Person Goods and Estates which did not a little alarm Count Teckely by possessing him with a Fear that many of his Followers might do the like and thereupon to prevent it he again began a feigned Treaty with the Emperour and the rather for that he had notice that the Czar of Muscovy earnestly desired to enter into the Treaty between the Emperour and King of Poland yet he put a strong Garrison into the Fortress of Donowitz which is a Place of great Importance and capable of puting all the Country under Contribution as far as Cracow The Duke of Lorrain with the Imperial Army being advanced within four Leagues of Gran incamped there to expect an Account in what posture the Enemies were as not thinking it safe to besiege so Important a Place as Gran without good assurance and there he received advice that the Grand Visier and Aga of the Janizaries were with all diligence forming the Body of their Army near Belgrave whereupon he sent out two Parties each consisting of four thousand Men to observe their motion he also received advice that the Count Caprara his Imperial Majesties Ambassador who so long negotiated at the Port was brought to Belgrave under the charge of the Aga of Janizaries and strictly guarded not permitted to go abroad without especial Licence from the Grand Visier and then not without fifty Janizaries to attend him to whom he is obliged to pay a daily Stipend The Duke of Lorrain having learned the State of the Turkish Army and sent out a Party who defeated eight hundred Turkish Horse that were advanced near his Camp to discover what they could raised his Camp and marched directly towards New-husel not thinking it safe to attempt Gran in which Garrison there was not computed to be less than eight thousand Turks and Hungarians but resolving to be in action before the Body of the Turkish Army could take the Field although he had frequent advice that the Grand Visier sent out daily Detachments and amongst the rest one very considerable consisting of twenty thousand Men to joyn the Bassa of Buda he sat down before New-husel the greatest part of whose Suburbs the Garrison had demolished and burnt as not being Tenable and retired into the City or upper Town at what time the Country-People in the Turkish Territories near Commora and Raab fearing the advance of the Turkish Army retired with their Substance into those Imperial Garrisons to prevent the severe Treatments which they are wont to receive from the Turks in times of War and with all possible diligence the great Ordnance were conveyed to the Camp whilst a Body of Men was forming at Presburg to recruit the Emperours Army if occasion required it being composed of Moravians Bohemians and Hungarians and to prevent any Party that might be sent from the Enemies Camp falling upon his Out-guards he sent a Detachment of sour thousand Horse in two Parties to burn the Bridge of Essek where upon their Arrival they found seven hundred Turks advantagiously posted who at first made great shews to defend the said Bridge but upon the first Discharge of four Field-pieces the Imperialists brought with them the Turks in great Disorder retired as altogether despairing to defend it yet not so swiftly but being pursued about a hundred of them were killed and as many taken Prisoners when after the Dispute the Prisoners to the number of two hundred who for that purpose brought Saws Axes Sleds and the like broke the Bridge in pieces and afterward burnt the greatest part setting the rest a float down the River By this time the Duke having intrenched and raised his Battery played furiously upon the Town with eight piece of Canon carrying thirty six and forty pound Balls and was answered in the same Language by the besieged who made diverse Sallies to hinder the advancement of the Lines and Works wherein divers were killed on either side for in the Town were amongst others a thousand Janizaries two or three hundred of which were in every Sally that was made for the space of four days in which space six Sallies were made though with the greatest disadvantage to the Turks for the Imperialists keeping in their Trenches cut divers
drawing from Bell-grade in order to besiege some Important place thereby to raise the Seige of New-husel whereupon it was resolved that three new Regiments should be raised and that four Regiments one of Horse and an other of Foot should be detached from the forces of the Empire under the command of Count Waldeck as likewise it was agreed that the Quota's and Arrears of the Electoral Princes and all other Princes depending upon the Empire should be immediately performed for defraying the Charges and for the better management of the War Upon which Resolves the Marquess of Baden Dourlach presented his Deputy a memorial setting forth the great damages he had sustained by the War between the Empire and the Crown of France as well by the last as the precedent therefore desired that he might be freed from the Taxes of the Empire as not being in a capacity to pay them upon which the Estates assembled in Council wrote a favourable letter to the Emperour in his behalf but the affairs of the Empire requiring great Summs of Mony to defray the charges of a wide wasting War it could not be wholly dispenced with though part was remitted Teckely having taken breath for a long time without being urged to action assembled a great party near Zatmar threatning to besiege it and to that end sent for Han Kerogly Commander of the Tartarian Troops in those parts Whereupon the Duke of Lorrain sent a Regiment of Foot to enter it who without any opposition effected the command of their General which put a stop to the intention of the Rebells yet they out of a bravery coming within sight of the Walls fire divers pieces of Cannon and were answered in the same language The garrison at the same time appearing with Ensigns Spread Trumpets sounding and Drums beating seeming thereby resolute to make a vigorous defence in case they were besieged Whereupon he passed on to expect the Tartars who under the leading of Ingreni Kan Son or Nephew to the Great Tartarian Cham was upon his march into Hungary by the way of Transylvania where as well of the Transylvanians their Friends as those that were their Enemies they made spoil Upon notice of which and to prevent such a conjunction Major-General Schuts posted himself near Transchin who there in conjunction with the Prince Lubomirski made a body of 12000 Horse and Foot expecting daily a reinforcement from Presburg whither the Troops from all parts were drawing to recruit as occasion required it The Imperial Army the gross of whose Body lay incamped at Commora from whence a considerable Party was sent out by the Dukes command under the leading of Collonel Monthazon to burn the Bridg on the River Grann over which the Turkish Army was to march in order to their advancing towards Newheusel But ere their arrival the Turks had strongly possessed it with a detached Party sent out by the Bassa of Buda who about a League from thence was incamped for the security of Gran into which he had put 2000 Foot and 1000 Horse 1000 of the former being Janizaries so that they could not effect their design During these transactions the Czar of Moscovy by his Ambassador had often conferences with the Ministers of Poland in order to his entring into the League agreed upon between 〈…〉 offering 〈…〉 but 〈…〉 that he had or could this Summer have any considerable Forces in the Field it came at this time to no conclusion though the Treaty continued and still continues on Foot that Prince being greatly desirous to regain the Towns which the Tartars secretly encouraged thereto by the Turks took from the Moscovian Dukedome during the intestine broils and clandestine Revolutions of that Government in which the Great Duke fell by Poison and most of the Nobility by the hands of the rude Multitude who under pretence of revenging their Princes death committed all manner of outrages laying Houses wast with Fire plundering murthering ravishing of Women deflowering Virgins seizing upon the Goods of Merchants overthrowing Temples and all other wickedness for such was is and will be the miserable condition of those Kingdoms or States where the rude multitude turn Reformers and pretend to do justice upon offenders But to return By this time the Electoral Princes being sensible how much the great Army of the Turks conduced to the encouragement of the Rebels and that if preparations were not speedily made the Imperial Army under the command of the Duke of Lorrain would prove too weak to keep the Field against such a multitude used great diligence in raising fresh Troops Nor were there Voluntiers of divers Nations wanting to flock to the Imperial Camp as desirous of nothing more than to fight against the common Enemy who appeared so formidable to Christendom so that six new Regiments were compleated four of which were commanded to continue at Presburg till they had orders to march further and the other two kept on their way to the Army encamped between Commora and Newheusel who in their way encountred 500 Turks that were advanced as far as Newstadt when between the fore-runners of the Imperialists and the said Turks there happened a sharp encounter for the Turks supposing the Imperialists inferior to them in number by reason the Hills interposed between the advanced and those that were yet to advance and loth to lose the Booty they had gotten which consisted of much Cattle they came resolutely to the encounter firing with their Harquebusses thrice round when as the Vaunt-guard of the Imperialists answered them with the like salutes whose Rear-guard perceiving them ingaged drew off and passing the Hill appeared at the back of the Turks drawn up in Battalia which they no sooner perceived but despairing to prevail as also of any succour they being advanced ten Leagues from their body they threw down their Arms for the most part and betook themselves to flight in which and upon the place 200 were killed and the rest or at leastways the greatest part of them fell into the hands of the Imperial Parties sent out from the Camp near Commora to observe the motion of the Enemy near Gran. The Booty recovered was 300 head of Cattle 67 Slaves and much Houshold-stuff which they had taken from the Villagers by the way as they had passed amongst them was taken prisoner a Nephew to the Bassa of Buda who upon strict examination confessed that the Grand Signior's Army consisted of the chiefest strength of Asia and Gracia and that by the beginning of August they reckoned accounting the Tartars that were coming to their aid and those to be sent by the Princes of Transylvania Moldavia and Vallachia to have in the Field in Hungary 300000 effectual men with part of which it was resolved to fight the Imperial Army if it could be drawn to a Battle whilst another part besieged Raab Commora and other Imperial Fortresses the Grand Signior not doubting but to make him Master of the remaining part of Hungary and Austria
unsuccesful for what by the Cannon from the Work and the Town and volleys of small shot from the Palizadoes and Brest-works they were forced to retire 2000 less than they came on The war remaining at this point the Duke of Lorrain having received a supply of 5000 men the better to encourage the besieged drew near the City incamping with his whole Army at Krembs on the Danube about three Leagues and a half from Vienna within hearing of the Cannon and sight of the Leaguer and there received advice from the King of Poland That he was upon his march with an Army of 40000 effectual men and that by the 20 of August he would be before Vienna and oblige the Turks to rise or come to a general Battle which advice he caused to be conveyed to the besieged by a Fisherman who adventured to swim over the River and thereby so incouraged them that the next morning they made another sally upon the Turks and finding them altogether unprepared made a great slaughter beating them out of their Trenches and throwing down their Works which so much alarmed the Camp that the Visier suspected the Imperial Army was at hand and therefore immediately drew up into Battalia commanding 1000 Janizaries and 2000 Spahies to succour the Leaguers that maintained the Works upon whose arrival the Imperialists returned into the City having killed between 3 or 400 of the enemies and taken eight Ensigns Which negligence of duty in the Turks the Visier punished by the death of the Zangiack that commanded in chief on part of the Works This action was no sooner over but the Duke of Lorrain had notice by his Scouts that a great convoy of Provision and Ammunition was on its way to the Turks Camp before Vienna He commanded out a strong party to attack it who accordingly did but finding the Turks that guarded it obstinate and not willing to surrender it without blows a sharp dispute happened and continued hot for the space of two hours in which time 600 Turks being killed upon the place the rest fled some to the Camp and others to Count Teckely who lyes on the frontiers of Silesia leaving the Baggage to the Imperialists who lost 58 men in this action but in the end brought their booty to the Camp computed worth 40000 Dollars for it consisted of 1000 Waggons all well laden The Imperial Ministers in the name of his Imperial Majesty having motioned to the Count d' Crecy the French Minister That the Troops of that Crown might not molest the Empire nor any of its dependences during his Imperial Majesties being involved in war with the Turk The said Count sent to acquaint the King his Master with what had been proposed and having received Instruction on that affair He on the 26 of July presented a memorial wherein he acquainted them That the King his Master would not take advantage of the condition the Empire is in by reason of the war with the Turks but would make a truce with his Imperial Majesty for the space of thirty years provided it be consented to before the end of August Upon which Proposal the Bishop of Aichstadt the Imperial Minister sent to acquaint his Imperial Majesty therewith and to receive instructions in that affair the Electoral Colledge being of opinion That it is absolutely necessary to conclude a peace with the Crown of France upon the Conditions proposed and that thereupon they shall be the better able to assist his Imperial Majesty with men and money to maintain the war against the Turk for that they are at present obliged to keep Forces upon the frontiers to prevent the incursions of the French who are roving abroad in parties But the result of this affair at this juncture of great importance to the Empire as yet remains undetermined and doubtful During the Treaty between the Empire and Crown of France the action grew warm at the siege of Vienna for the Turks continuing their Batteries and pressing on the siege by running their Trenches and covering with Bavins and Planks to defend them from the small shot out of the Palizadoes and Flankers The Imperialists on the 24 of July made another brisk sallie with 3000 Foot and 2000 Horse who charged the Turks with such fury in their Trenches that they drove them out of divers works which they had advanced near the Ravelin and filled them up setting fire to the Planks and what else was combustible and following their advantage beat them to their main Works and there disputed it at push of Pike and But-end for half an hour during which space 7000 Turks advanced from the Camp to the relief of their fellows when the Imperialists tired with the slaughter of the Infidels of which as some that were taken Prisoners since say no less than 4 or 5000 perished in the action they retired into the Town carrying Turks heads upon their Lances which they afterwards planted upon stakes on the Bastions This and the former carnages did so infect the air that the smell and noysomness caused a mortal sickness in the Turks Camp and thereby obliged the Visier to remove with the greatest part of his Army 3 or 4 miles distant from the Walls And moreover it was related by a Christian slave who in the action made his escape That the Turks in running their Trenches did happen upon a great number of dead bodies full of putrefaction and contagious smells who had been buried during the raging of the late Plague at Vienna insomuch that not being able to endure the scent they were often obliged to discontinue the work many of them thereupon falling mortally sick and dying shortly after So that here as well the dead as the living contributed to the defence of the City In the last sally the Imperialists lost 160 men The Elector of Bavaria by this time having drawn forth an Army of 13 or 14000 men brought them to Passaw where he drew them up and exercised them in the presence of the Emperor where they for the most part appeared wonderful dextrous in handling their Arms swift and ready in their advances and indeed expert in all military exercise to the no small delight of the beholders Scarcely was this over but News came That General Dunwalt having notice that 7 or 8000 Tartars were fallen into the upper Austria he with such forces as he had under his command and a considerable Band of the Peasants fell upon them as they were plundering and so consequently divided and not in any reasonable posture of defence and aster some dispute put a great number of them to the Sword took divers of them prisoners and delivered 2000 poor Christian Captives which they were dragging after them in chains as likewise recovered a considerable Booty part of which he delivered to the owners and the rest he distributed amongst his Souldiers These successes of the Imperialists as they greatly dismayed the Turks and Rebels so they animated the Imperialists and the Princes of the
Circles inducing them to hasten out their Troops insomuch that in a Conference held at Hasford the 27 of July between the Bishop of Bamberg and Wirtsbourg and the Deputies of the Elector of Brandenburg the Princes of Hanspach Bareith c. it was resolved That the Troops of Franconia designed for the assistance of the Emperour should begin their march on the 2 of August it being conditioned That the Bishop and Chapter of Wirtsbourg should for this service furnish out two Regiments of Foot and four Companies of Guards and the Elector of Brandenburg not reckoning his Quota should assist the Emperour with a body of men under the command of the Velt Marshal Borfling All which were immediately to be raised and sent to the Imperial camp incamped between Krembs and Vienna impatiently expecting those Auxiliary Troops But from hence let us again return to the Siege of Vienna The Turks still pressing the siege in hopes to carry the Town by Storm or oblige the besieged to surrender upon reasonable proposals raised divers new Batteries in the stead of those the besieged's Cannon had ruined Which Batteries they chiefly manage by Renegadoes of all Nations to whom they give double pay They on the 30 of July made three attacks near Scotenburg-Gate and the Red Tower in which they were bravely repulsed by the besieged who came to handy blows with them with great resolution whilst the Cannon from the Flankers cut off the Turks in great numbers and spared not to kill some of the Imperialists who were mixed and fighting with the enemy In these three attacks the Turks lost near 8000 men Whereupon the Grand Visier sent to demand a Cessation to fetch off the slain and wounded but Count Staremberg returned answer That he had no need of Truce his Garrison being all in good order The Turks scarce had time to breath before the Imperialists making another sally entred the Suburb called Leopolstadt some time since possessed by the Turks they beat them out and put a considerable number of men into it to defend it it serving as a Flanker to the Town and playing furiously against the Battery the Turks had raised against the Scotch-Gate dismounting all the Cannon and ruining the Battery though not without loss on their own part the most stout and resolute Souldiers still keeping the Walls the Garrison consisting of 18000 fighting men besides a great number of the Burghers Scholars and religious persons of all Orders who upon occasion are assisting Nor is any thing of Ammunition or Provision wanting but a plenty sufficient for several Months according to the computation of those that by the Count's order took a narrow survey of the Magazines Money being the thing most wanting the Governour borrowed a considerable summ of the Religious Orders promising to restore it with addition if the City escape falling into the hands of the enemy and if it should so happen yet to make reparation if his life and liberty were preserved the which money he freely and cheerfully at divers times distributed amongst his Souldiers As likewise was so exact as to see the Provision fairly divided that one has not more than another thereby to prevent murmurs animosities and mutinies Causing the whole Garrison as well Burghers as Souldiers to take an Oath To defend the place to the last extremity and never to hearken to any proposals or overtures from the enemy how advantagious soever they may be These resolutions equity and bravery in the Governour contributed not a little to the resolution and courage of the Souldiers and Citizens the very Women appearing every where couragious heartning and exciting their Husbands to maintain and defend the City against the common Enemy without weariness or fainting This great City when the Turks first sat down before it had no more than 15 or 1600 men in it and not greatly provided with Ammunition and other necessaries but as Providence had ordered it just as it was invested viz. on the 14 of July four great Vessels came up the River laden with all manner of Necessaries and within sight of the enemy recovered the Port Though few expected the day before that the Turks would have attempted a siege in which they have always been unfortunate For before this very City much weaker than at present Solyman the Magnificent lost 80000 or as some say 100000 men and after all that he could do being there in person he was obliged to raise his siege with shame and disgrace The Duke of Lorrain likewise had the good luck to thrust in 13000 Foot and 1000 Horse besides which upon occasion the Inhabitants can make 20000 fighting men and happy was it for the City that the Garrison and Provision so luckily entered for the next day the Ottoman Army so closely invested it that it was a work of great difficulty for a single person to get in or out The Country round about Vienna is destroyed and laid waft for upon the Turks first arrival from the Walls and Towers of the City might be seen 40 Villages in a flame at once and daily for a week together were brought into the Camp droves of such miserable Christians as the Barbarians had surprized or taken in the Castles and small Fortresses adjacent which were not capable of standing out but to save their lives surrendered though they had better have dyed like Souldiers and men of courage than fallen into the hands of so barbarous an enemy from whom they can expect nothing but slavery so that great are the cryes and wailing of Women and Children which when the Wind sat on the back of the Camp could be distinctly heard by the Besieged The King of Poland having left Cracaw with the Army under his command marched with all dilligence to joyn the Imperial Army and in joynt confederacy to relieve the besieged City or to give the enemy battle When in the mean while the Duke of Lorrain having advice that Count Teckely marched towards Presburg with a strong power of the Hungarian Rebels and Turks the latter being sent him by the Bassa of Buda and taking the advantage of the juncture of affairs he intended to besiege it He detached a strong party of Horse and Foot and marched towards them with a resolution to give them battle which Teckely little suspected by reason the day before he had received advice that he durst not come forth of his Camp for fear of the Ottoman Army but too late finding his intelligence false and that the Duke from the Walls of Presburg advanced towards him he with his whole body of Turks and Hungarians consisting of 25000 men retired in the best order the small time would permit but not so swiftly but that the Imperialists fell in with his Rear making of them great slaughter cutting off about 6 or 700 of them and seizing upon most of their Baggage Ammunition and Provision taking in all 1000 Waggons After which the Duke reinforced the Garrison causing all the Boats that
latter being jealous that the former would be by the Grand Seignior invested in his Principality He I say notwithstanding adventured to break the Truce e're it was half expir'd by committing divers Hostilities burning and destroying many Villages Then fetching a Compass about he covered with his Army Villecke whilst the Bassa of Buda besieged it with 25000 Turks and Tartars which City made a long and brave Resistance but in the end perceiving no releif at hand and most of their Provision and Ammunition spent they capitulated with the besieged the Souldiers and Townsmen doing it without the consent of the Governour and on the sixteenth of September 1682 surrendred it into the hands of the Bassa and all but the Governour suffered to March out with Bag and Bagage the Governour by reason of his not consenting to sign the Capitulation he was made a Prisoner of War To this Town Teckely layed claim alledging that the Grand Seignior had promised that such Places as were taken in Hungary during the War should be furnished with Hungarian Garisons which occasioned a sharp Contest between them when after divers considerations and debates wherein they appeared to be jealous of each other it was concluded to end the debate that the Place should be demolished which with fire and blowing up was accordingly done and all the Walls levelled with the Ground at what time Lewents a Place not tenable being much consternated upon the nearness of so formidable an Army was both by its Inhabitants and the Imperial Garison abandoned and thereupon possessed by the Enemy and Count Caprara finding himself far inferiour in strength and number raised his Camp near Atsol and retired towards St. Croix to joyn the Hungarian Palatine who had drawn a considerable Body into the Field and incamped near Torney About which time advice came from the Count Caprara to inform his Imperial Majesty that in consideration Warradine and Rabb two of the strongest Pieces in Hungary might be surrendered the Grand Seignior would renew the League for the space of twenty Years but this being look'd upon only as an Artifice to gain time and that if the Turks possessed those important Places all the rest would be easily gotten there was nothing farther negotiated as to that affair Winter growing on the Turks and Hungarian Rebels having seized themselvs of the Fortresses of Atsol Neusol Schminitz and Cremnitz by a Command from the Vizier of Buda abandoned them as either not thinking them tenable or that the charge in maintaining them would be greater then the advantage yet e're they left them they blew up the Works broke down the Walls and dismantled most of the Houses carrying away divers Persons Prisoners to Buda Grand Novagrade and other Garrisons adjacent This being in general the State of Affairs and of this War Anno 1680 1681 and 1682 I shall for the time ensuing take a more exact Survey of particular Transactions The Emperour finding by this time that there was no Faith amongst the Infidels and little or none to be given to the fair pretences of his Rebels who still pretended they took up Arms for the preserving and maintaining their Religion and Liberties which the Turkâ—sh Sultan assured them by his Bassas should be both enjoy'd if his and their Arms prevailed and finding his own Forces too weak to oppose so great a Torrent as was flowing from all Parts of the Turkish Empire against the Spring he negotiated by his Ministers an offensive and defensive League with the King of Poland which upon the first motion found great opposition by the perverse Party assembled in the Diet who are ever desirous to keep peace with the Turks by reason their Hereditary Estates lye on the Frontiers and are subject to be spoyl'd by the Turks Garrisons but upon the arrival of Count Walstain his Imperial Majesties Ambassador in that great Affair they seemed more pliable and gave order for the Ambassador's reception in the most splendid manner passing a Decree that 20000 Men should be instantly raised for the defence of the Kingdom and that although the Diet should break up abruptly by reason of the Protestation of any of the Deputies which often happens for if any of them protest against the proceedings the Diet is dissolved unless his Assent can within 24 hours be procur'd the said Decree should stand good The Negotiation in the Polish Court going on succesfully Count Teckely fell to his former Artifices feigning himself desirous of nothing more than to come to a Peace with the Emperour signifying by his Secretary to the Imperial Ministers that it had for some time past been his chiefest care and business to prolong the Truce and perswade the Turks to a Compliance and that in order thereto he had written to the Grand Signior insomuch that he hoped an Honourable Peace toight be on the part of the Emperour obtain'd These overtures made many hope that himself would at least come in and accept the offered Grace Pardon and Favour of his Imperial Majesty but such hopes soon after vanished for Teckely perceiving that a League would be concluded between the Emperour and King of Poland having daily notice of the Advances towards it from such of his Faction as resided at the Polonian Court he caused the Estates of Hungary as many as were under the Jurisdiction of his Arms to assemble at Caschaw where they to the number of six met and the end for which they were assembled openly declared which was in these or the like Words delivered by the Adjutant or Speaker viz. Forasmuch as the said Count had to the hazard of his Life and Fortune adventured in all Dangers to maintain the War for the Protection and Preservation of their Religion and Liberties and was ready at all times to spend his Life on that occasion it therefore behoved them in Gratitude to consider his Services past and have in mind the prospect of what he might farther advantage them in and that it was no time now to look back seeing they had all so highly incurred the Emperour's Displeasure or if they should then they would break their Words with the Grand Seignior whose powerful Army would suddenly be upon them and that without a Head they could not subsist without Faction and Division amongst themselves therefore if they made choice of one they could not better do than to chuse the Count a Man as he said not only of approved Valour and Conduct but a Man approved of by the Grand Seignior and beloved by the neighbouring Bassa's insomuch that they need not fear the Emperour's Indignation for that they should always have a power at hand able to repell his Forces and as for their Liberties Religion and an easie Tribute they might assure themselves the Grand Seignior having solemnly vowed not to alter any thing in the former two nor suppress or be exacting in the latter designing no more than a bare Acknowledgment of his Sovereignty for the two first Years This Oration ended
in warlike Discipline the List of which Forces as it was published running thus According to the List taken by the Command of the Duke of Lorrain the Emperour has in Pay twenty seven Regiments of Foot making together 55700 Men whereof 25296 were at the general Rendezvouse near Presburg 4692 in the upper Hungar 2040 in Jabulunca on the Frontier of Hungary 2040 at Leopolstade on the Waag 364 in Austria 2040 at Vienna 13912 in the Empire and 2040 in Bohemia In the Emperour's Pay is likewise seventeen Regiments of Horse amounting to 13600 Men seven Regiments of Dragoons consisting of 5600 Men and four Regiments of Croats consisting of 3200 Men whereof 15200 are at the General Rendezvouz 800 in the upper Hungary 400 in Jabulunca 2400 at Leopalstadt 800 in Austria and 2800 in the Empire So that the general List of Horse and Foot appears to be thus at the gencral Rendezvouz 39696 in the Empire 16712 in the upper Hungary 7532 c. in all making 78540 Men Horse and Foot not accounting the Troops under the Command of the Palatine of Hungary nor those commanded by the Vice-Roy of Crotia nor the 600 Polish horse brought into the service of the Emperour by the Prince Lubomirski over the Army in Hungary or to Act there against the Turks Tartars and Rebells The Emperour appointed the Duke of Lorrain Generalissimo impowering him to Act as he saw occasion for the advantage of the Empire without expecting any orders from Court unless upon special occasion declaring his resolution to carry on the War with all imaginable vigout hoping the Princes of the Empire and other Christian Princes would freely imbarque themselves in the Action seeing it not only concerned the Empire but indeed all Christendom For that the Grand Seignior aided not his Rebels for pity sake as he gave out but took hold of the opportunity to incroach upon the Christian Princes and if possible to over-run all Christendom which he hoped God would never permit to fall into the hands of so cruel and unmerciful an Infidel This discourse ended the Emperour admonished such chief Commanders as were present to play the man saying that he would be always ready to reward the Valiant and with the same Willingness punish the Coward Aster which he rode about the Camp to take a view of the Order of his Men and confessed himself highly satisfied in their Promptness and Aptness to handle their Arms and manage them at all Points and then having taken leave of the Duke he returned to Vienna About the latter end of April the Grand Seignior set forth from Adrianople in order to his being present at the Randezvouz to be holden for the Summers Campaign near Belgrade the manner of his setting forward and Attendance being thus First his Tents or rich Pavillions were carried to the Place where the insuing Night he designed to lodge then went the Carriages with other Tents for the Commanders and Souldiers for note that the Turks have always double Tents or twice so many as is needful to lodge in the Reason being this when the Tents are pitched in which they intend to incamp the other Tents are carried and pitched a days Journey before so that when they rise again they upon their Arrival at the place where they are to lodge find their Tents ready which is one great help to them in their swift Marches but in case they are in an Enemies Country and march but slowly this Order is not observed The first Day the Army consisting of 180000 Men marched twenty five Turkish miles and at Night pitching their Tents seemed rather a City than a Field Provision for about the Tents of the Grand Seignior were those of the Bassas and great Commanders next them more outward those of lesser rank and so by degrees according to their Quality or Merit in Arms. As for the Order of the Grand Seignior's March it was thus Before the Body of the Army went the Yeomen a kind of Foot-men much in the nature of Pioniers who cleared the way and levelled the ground for the better and more convenient Passage of the Carriages setting up heaps of Stones and other signs as marks and setting Fire to divers Piles of Wood at the beginning of the Match for observe the Turks always unless something extraordinary prevent it begin their March at Midnight and so continue to march till the Noon of the ensuing Day Between two Bassas of his Council rode the Grand Seignior with a short Turlipant his Turbant set with Diamonds and his Tunick or Vest studded o're with Rubies Emeralds and Saphires his Horses Bridle of Gold and in his Fore-head a blazing Carbuncle his Bridle bit Gold and Stirrops of the same Mettal before him marched the Janizaries as likewise on either side the foremost being on Horseback bearing lighted torches and the rest on Foot armed with Harquibusses and Pole-axes with very short Handles but between them and the Grand Seignior marched divers Captains with Horsemens Maces to keep the Vulgar from gazing on the Emperour and nearer to his Person marched a thousand of his Guards called the Ich Oglians or young Gentlemen brought up in the Seraglio till such time they are fit for Service being before-hand instructed in all manner of Feats of War as shooting the Harquibuss casting Darts using the Long-bow tossing the Launce or Pike using the Mace and the like and immediately after him within this Circle marched divers of the Officers of the Seraglio being for the most part Eunuchs and in the midst of them a Chariot or close Litter in which were the Women for the Grand Seignior's Use and in each Wing of the Army or Points of the Crescent were divers other Chariots or Litters filled with Women appertaining to the Bassas or great Captains not exceeding twenty for the most part their Wives tho formerly no such thing was permitted These were inclosed with the divers Orders as the Tamaru which are Men on horseback bearing Lances and Scemyters who are at all times bound to serve in the Wars in lieu of certain Lands they hold of the Grand Seignior throughout his dominion The Accanzi another sort of Horsemen who are kept in continual Pay and are reckoned for horse the chiefest strength of the Turkish Empire as the Janizaries who are composed of Christian tributary Children are accounted its strength for Foot and the Assapi who are of small account being the Refuse of the Empire who serve only for Plunder Marching on Foot and are for the most part in Battels thrust sorward as the forlorn hope on no other account than to blunt the Enemies Swords or in Seiges driven upon the mouth of the murthering Cannons to no other end than to fill up the Trenches and Ditches with their dead bodies that so the Imperious Janizaries may mount the easier on the Ramparts or Walls of the Place besieged and these for the most part are the Sons of Turks After these marched the Camels Mules Dromedaries
and Sumpters with all manner of provisions as likewise Taylors Bakers Butchers Sutlers and indeed all men of Trades that can possibly depend upon an Army or who by labour or procuring Provision can be any ways serviceable so that where ever the Tents are pitched all Trades pitch round about them In so much that the Camp seems rather like a Mart or Fair than an armed Host with Banners All the way they marched in the posture aforesaid they kept deep silence even to admiration not offering to break Ranks or as little as possible to indamage the Orchards Fields or Gardens as they passed and when they came to pitch as aforesaid all of them with a loud yell or singing tone cryed Allali Allah Allahu which is thrice repeating O God c. Thus the Army continued in its march till it came to the General Rendesvouz therefore the particulars of each days march I shall wave for brevities sake and again by following the Turkish Army return into Hungary where great preparations on all sides were made for a vigorous prosecution of the War The Tartars barbarous Troops beginning to ravage the Country near Caminice Plundring Burning and taking Captive all that came in their way driving before them the wretched people naked and bound together with Cords in great droves to oppose whom the Poloman King drew down fifteen thousand Horse and Foot sending to the Cossacks to take the Field and joyn him promising them large Pay and at the same time strictly commanding his Subjects not to have any intercourse with the Hungarian Rebells upon severe Penalties and withall sent an Envoy to Count Teckely to move him with many pregnant reasons and perswasive Arguments to a complyance and a submission to the proposals of his Imperial Majesty but the said Envoy prevailed not with his perverse nature but as it were rendred him more haughty and obstinate by supposing his Cessation would be purchased at any rate since Emperours and Kings as it were became so desirous of his Friendship Things being brought to this pass his Imperial Majesty continued to chear his Commanders and Souldiers with his Presence and to give Orders for their taking the Field whereupon he accompanied with the Arch Dutchess and Elector of Bavaria took another view of the Camp lying near the Walls of Presburg and was received with all Joy imaginable the Army against his coming being drawn up into Batalia in two lines at least an Hungarian Mile in length and eighty peices of Cannon Demy Cannon and Culvering placed at the Head of it whereas about eleven of the Clock the Bishop of Strigonia sung Mass in a Tent for that purpose prepared in which for the Emperour and Empress was a seat set Canopied over with Cloath of Gold another for the Arch Dutchess and a third for the Elector of Bavaria and Duke of Lorain the Mass ended the Bishop came from under the Tent and blessed the Army whenas the Emperour mounting on Horse-back and being followed by the Empress Arch-Dutchess Elector of Bavaria and divers others of the Nobility he visited the Ranks still encouraging with his Presence and Speeches the Souldiers and Commanders to do their utmost against the common Enemy and then returned to a stately Tent prepared by the Duke of Lorrain in which the Emperour Empress Arch-Duchess Elector of Bavaria Duke of Saxe Lawenburg and Prince Louis of Baden were splendidly entertained at Dinner divers other Tables in Tents spread for that purpose being furnished for the other Nobility attending them and in the mean time the whole tire of Artillery was thrice discharged and the whole Army to which his Imperial Majesty for the better encouragement of the Officers and Souldiers gave a Months Pay upon free gist gave three Salvo's of small shot and so his Imperial Majesty with the rest of the Court returned to Presburg and from thence to Vienna having given what necessary Orders he conceived convenient and amongst other things that twelve half Cannon and eight great Mortar-pieces should be taken out of the Arsenal and sent to the Army which had received a Command to march and oppose the Proceedings of Teckely who by this time was very active on this side the Waag the Imperial Army upon muster was found to amount to 47000 men Upon the remove of the Army News came that a Croatian Souldier having insinuated himself into great credit and confidence with the Turkish Governour of Ziget had watched his opportunity to fire the Magazine of the Garrison which was capable of maintaining 30000 men for the space of two Years and that being made Store-house-keeper in one part of the said Magazine he had set fire to it by a train and blown up all making his escape into Croatia whilst the consternation lasted and that by the fall of timber and blow of Powder not only most of the Houses were demolished but Five Hundred Turks killed The Turks by this time having drawn a Body of twenty five thousand men under the Walls of New-Husel Major General Schutz with a strong Party of Imperials Hungarians and Bohemians was sent out to observe their motion who upon notice from the Countrey People thereabout that a Party of Turkish forragers belonging to the said Garrison were abroad and had done great Mischief by burning Houses driving away Cattel and taking Prisoners and that they were upon their return with a considerable Booty he taking Guides marched cross the Countrey with a thousand Foot and five hundred Horse found them encamped upon a great Plain near Tranchin who little suspecting any of the Imperial Troops had passed the Waag lay carelesly dispersed insomuch that being furiously encountred though they could not be less in number than two thousand five hundred yet they were put to flight and exceeding great slaughter insomuch that seven hundred fell by the Sword and two hundred were drowned in the River divers Prisoners of note taken and all the Booty recovered with the loss only of fifty Imperials twelve Hungarians and amongst them one Captain two Ensign-bearers and a Major of Horse The King of Poland perceiving the Tartarian Forces to increase and upon his Frontiers commit divers Outrages the better to inforce himself thought not only fit at his proper Charge to raise two Regiments one for the Queen and the other for Prince Alexander his eldest Son but delivered out of the Treasury of his hereditary Estate a hundred thousand Crowns towards the providing a greater Train of Artillery and defraying the Charges of the War with part of which he raised eight hundred Hussars armed with Launces and strictly to guard the Confines of Silesia on which the Tartar Cham had a Design to make Descent giving it out that he designed nothing more than to take the Spoil of that Province By this time the Imperial Army was arrived at Ketser and rising from thence marched towards Raab under the command of the Duke of Lorram as Generalissimus the Right Wing of Horse commanded by the
of the Enemies in pieces as they came to attacque them Upon notice of this Siege the Bassa of Offen sent to the Duke to inform him that the Grand Seignior and Count Teckely were resolved to observe the Truce till it expired but he returned answer that they had by divers Hostilities as well the Turks as the Hungarian Rebells broke the Truce and that this offer he could conceive to no other end thâ—n to protract time till they could draw their Army into the field therefore he found it absolutely necessary since they had been the Aggressors to make the best use of the present Juncture to employ the Arms of the Empire to the best advantage and that he could not hearken to the observing a Truce that the Enemy had so manifestly violated but if he had any thing to offer in that Case he must apply himself to the Emperour and the Council of War assembled to debate the reasonableness of such Matters and with this Answer the Messenger being dispatched he caused two pieces of Cannon newly arrived in the Camp carrying Balls of fifty and sixty pound to be bent against the Gate looking towards Gran and battering it with sixteen shot beat in pieces the Iron Port-cullices and Ribs of Copper but the besieged had countermured or rather dammed it up yet a furious assault was given but without success for the Imperialists were capable of entring but with some loss obliged to retire though divers fresh Parties were commanded on For the Turks from a Sally-Port undiscerned by the Christians came down upon them in great numbers yet they made good their ground with a bloody and doubtful Fight till the Turks were beaten into the Town and the Retreat sounded by command to call off the Imperials But leaving this Siege a while I shall return to Count Teckely who continuing near Tokay drew together such Forces as he could to oppose the Joynt-Forces under the Leading of the Prince Lubomirski the Palatine of Hungary and Major General Schutz who had seized the important Posts on the Waag and by that means hindered him from joyning with the Turks at which as most suppose he was no whit sorry but rather rejoyced at such an excuse for had he been embodied with the Turkish Army his Grandeur by which he allured the ignorant and such as sought for Prey to take Arms against their Emperour would have been ecclipsed and impaired especially if they had been commanded by a Turkish Bassa for such is the Insolency of those men that although they for the most part are in their Original but Slaves or Tribute Children that when they come to this Preferment they make no Scruple to Lord it over Kings and Princes though their Lives and Fortunes depend upon the Breath and Pleasure of their Master who frequently upon the least Capricio disseises them both of Life and Honour sending the meanest of his Slaves for the Heads of his greatest Captains nor dare any other oppose it upon Forfeiture of their own This being a good excuse for Teckely the better to keep up his Reputation with his Faction he again pretended to treat with the Emperour about a truce but this Artifice so often used to protract time would not take he thinking by another stratagem to pacifie the Turk gave out he would joyn with a Body of Tartars consisting of nine thousand in order to besiege Zathmor as knowing that he could at pleasure Lord it over those rude People who came to Wars only for Prey and if so be they can get Booty they matter not who Commands or whom they Spoil be he Friend or Enemy Having joyned a Party of these barbarous Infidels more in humane than the Turks he passed a Breach of the Danube burnt divers Villages Plundring and taking Prisoners many of the Boors who had not time to retire by reason of his suddain and unexpected arrival many of those miserable people fell likewise into the hands of the Tartars who tying them together in cords drove them before them into miserable boudage conveying them thither without any harkening to Ransoms proposed by their Friends by such Merchants as they call them as the Soldiers sold them to who for that purpose always attend the Turkish Camp bring Loads of Cords and Iron shackles to Bind and secure them without respect either to Sex or Age nay the Aged fare worse than those in the strength of their Age middle Age or extraordinary Young for they being looked upon as unserviceable seldom escape the Sword To requite the outrage of Teckely and the Tartars the Vice-roy of Crotia having notice that a Party of the Rebels Turks and Tartars to the number of twelve or thirteen thousand were advahcing upon the Frontiers he by stopping the strait Pass of Jabulunk not only impeded their advancement but with a party of a thousand horse fell into them and after two hours dispute put them to the rout killing three hundred upon the place and taking a hundred Prisoners thereby redeeming or rescuing divers miserable Christians whom they dragged after them in Ropes and Chains having surprised them in their Houses most of whose Houses they had plundred and laid in Ashes The Siege of New-Husel whist these things were doing was carryed on by the Imperialists with all imaginable Vigor and the Besieged prepared as resolutly to defend it being incouraged thereto by the approach of the Turks Army a part of which by this time was lodged upon an Eminence near Gran and waited for an additional force to fall upon the forces appointed to Guard the River Nitera under the command of the Palatine of Hungary who undertook with a select power of the Militia of that Kingdom to defend both that and the Waag yet such was the resolution of the Imperial Leagers that they advanced their trenches within an hundred paces of the Wall running them under ground in order to fix a Mine under the chief Bull-work of that Garrison playing at the same time furiously against the Wall insomuch that for the space of two hundred yards all the Battlements were beaten down which the Turks in the Counterscarp perceiving sallied furiously upon the Pioneers but being encountered by a Regiment of Austrians commanded on to their assistance they were forced to retire with the loss of sixty eight of their companions and amongst them a Zangiack two Captains and an Ensign-bearer when following that success the Imperialists pressing on entred one of their Redoubts and for a while maintained it but a great party sallying and the Cannon of the Town playing incessantly upon them they were forced to retire with some loss These things passing divers Councels where held at Vienna and Presburg in order to the management of the War the Electoral Princes being daily sollicited to send such Troops as they could raise into the Field for that by frequent Courriers it was advised that the body of the Turks Army under the leading of the Grand Visier had mustered and was
the Duke of Saxe Lewenburg who was sent to Vienna to give his Imperial Majesty an account of the State of affairs and whilst he lay incamped on the Danube he caused the Fortifications of Raab to be repaired putting a reinforcement into it and furnishing it with all things necessary to hold a long siege and make a resolute defence in case it should be besieged And now great was the expectation of all men for the Visier with his Army having passed divers small Rivers by Plashing of Trees or bridging them over with Boats by swift marches advanced as far as Stat Weissemberg within six hours march of the Imperial Camp his Forces Horse and Foot consisting of 80000 effectual men And thither he sent for Count Teckely who immediately went to attend him When to prevent the Fortifications on the Neytra from falling into the Turks hands the Emperor sent orders to Count Chackey who commands on that side to demolish them Which was accordingly performed And now so near were the approaches of the two Armies that divers Skirmishes with various success happened between parties The Turks impatiently expecting 12000 Tartars who were upon their march through Moldavia to joyn them And the Imperialists as earnestly expected the Prince of Transylvania who envying Count Teckley's advancement and mistrusting the Grand Signior has a design to deprive him of his Principality promised as the rumour went to take the Field with 18 or 20000 men at arrival of the Polonian Forces and to act offensively against the Turks On the 2 of July 1683. the Duke of Lorrain having received advice That a Body of Turks and Tartars had passed the Raab at Segine and exercised all manner of cruelties upon the people where they came burning their Houses deflowring their Daughters ravishing and ripping up their Wives dashing their young Children against the Pâ—â—â—ment and haling such as were of ability of body into miserable bondage with a thousand the like cruelties and bestialities He detached a considerable party to oppose their further proceedings and oblige them to repass the River which they accordingly did and after that having made a shew as if they intended to lay siege either to Leopolstadt or Raab The Imperial Horse posted themselves near Altenburg and the Foot in the Isle of Schutz to be in a readiness as occasion should serve to assist either of the places But this stratagem being in a short time discovered and that the Turks real intentions were to get between the Horse and Foot to hinder their acting joyntly The Imperial Horse sent their Baggage towards Altenburg which the Turks attacked with 3000 men but being fought withal and for a long time couragiously repulsed by the Convoy which exceeded not 600 Horse they retired leaving 100 of their men dead upon the place But in their retreat meeting a party of 800 Turks they again rallied Whereupon the Duke of Lorrain from the main Body made what speed he could with 4000 Light-Horse insomuch that there happened a sharp and obstinate Skirmish between both parties in which the Imperialists lost 1200 men and all their baggage valued at 40000 Guilders The Turks are said to have lost in this skirmish 1700 men and amongst them divers of note The Duke of Lorrain was ingaged in the midst of the Enemies and near unto him were wounded the Prince of Savoy General Rubatta and the Count d' Lamberg and the Prince of Aremberg The Princes of Savoy and Aremberg soon after dying of their wounds After which the Imperial Horse making good the retreat passed the Bridge and joyned the Foot who during the Action being divided by the River could not come to their assistance The Turks heightned by this success and being recruited by 8000 more of their accomplices laid siege to Raah from whose Walls the Guns played upon them so furiously that they perceived that siege too hot for them they after having burnt an adjacent Village called Petronello quitted it and marching outwards joyned the gross body of the Ottoman Army under the leading of the Grand Visier who marched directly towards Vienna the chief City of Austria and Bulwark of the Empire spoiling and ravaging the Countrey after so dreadful a manner that the Inhabitants fled before them with such things as were portable like droves of Sheep and divers Towns to avoid such cruel treatment put themselves under their protection the Countrey all about them being in a flame There might one behold the hellish Tartars like so many fiends dragging and haling the Christians fast bound in Ropes and the barbarous Turks carrying the Heads of such as they had slain in triumph as it were upon the points of their Lances still blaspheeming the Redeemer of the World and threatning destruction to all Christendom Whilst before the torrent the Imperial Army retired under the Walls of Vienna into which City to get entrance the Count Staremburg Governour thereof was obliged with much bravery to fight his way through the Enemy with a Body of Foot with which he had been abroad to observe their motions and immediately entring gave orders for firing the Suburbs and placing the Guns upon the Wall resolving to make a resolute and brave defence Whilst the transaction happened Major General Schutz had better success for upon notice that a strong party of the Rebels were about to pass the Danube about six Leagues from his Post he drew off and marched immediately to impede their passage And finding them making provision for their transportation he fell upon them with such courage and bravery that after a hot dispute he put them to the rout killing 200 upon the place taking 106 Prisoners with seven Ensigns and a great Booty which they had gotten in their Progress Their intent-was to have fallen into Silesia there to expect a body of Tartars who were on their march to joyn them The Turks Camp increasing before Vienna and furiously pressing the siege though the besieged made a brave and resolute defence Yet knowing they could not subsist without relief from abroad the Bishop of Aichstadt the Imperial Commissioner by a Memorial represents unto the Diet for that purpose assembled the imminent danger wherein the City was as likewise the whole Circle of Austria which must of necessity fall into the hands of the unmerciful Infidels if a speedy course were not taken to relieve it and under what miseries the Countries about the besieged City groaned they were not ignorant Therefore in the name of his Imperial Majesty he prayed them to lay aside all other business and debates and come to a quick resolution about raising Men and Money sufficient to enable the Imperial Army if not to raise the Siege yet to keep the Field and prevent the farther progress of the Turkish Arms which they promised to do And immediately thereupon the respective Deputies Dispatched away Letters to their Principals to acquaint them with the Resolves of the Dyet Whereupon the Duke of Bavaria drew his Forces together with all
Teckely had brought thither to bridge over the Danube to be burnt sending after him the Prince Lubomirskie with the Polish Horse under his command who for the space of eight miles had the execution of the Rear-guard which made a kind of a running fight the Duke with the whole Army following close after In this action the Imperialists and Poles lost 100 men and the enemy 1500. After which Count Teckely in great confusion repassed the Waag and the Turks separating from him returned to Newbeusel out of which Garrison most of them were drawn The Duke stay'd upon the bank of the River Marck two miles from Presburg to have notice of their motion as fearing they might wheel about and fall into Moravia sending after them General Dunwald with 1000 Light-Horse continually to give him an account of what he could learn in relation to their inclination to action and so rising with the part of the Army he had brought he returned to his Camp near Krembs upon the Danube there to expect the Elector of Bavaria and the King of Poland both which were near at hand with a resolution to joyn him these two Princes marching in person at the head of their Armies both which Armies amount to 45000 fighting men the flower of those Countrys Upon whose approach the Grand Visier sent orders to the Bassa of Buda to draw up a body of 2000 men out of the neighbouring Garrisons and dispatch them immediately to the Army as likewise Ammunition and Provision with all speed the Army by reason of the late Convoys falling into the hands of the Imperialists being much distressed for want of Provision He likewise dispatched a Chiaus to the Grand Signior to give him a relation of what had happened since the siege wherein as some fugitives report he gave the Chians a strict command to assure him that he would suddenly send him the Keys of Vienna And as soon as he was departed that he might inform the Grand Signior he left the Camp in action he furiously battered the Red Tower thundring incessantly against it with 12 pieces of Cannon and Culvering flinging Bullets of 52 and 58 pound weight yet through the vigilance of the Defendants did small damage besides renting the Battlements and Curtain of the Wall The Viceroy of Croatia whilst these transactions were on foot having drawn together 13000 men for the defence of that Countrey having notice that a body of Tartars and Turks the Refuse of the Garrisonupon the Frontiers were roving abroad and had done great mischief in firing Villages burning the Hay and Corn ravishing the Women putting the men to the Sword that were unable for service and drowning the Children in the Rivers to put a stop to this barbarous torrent and to repay the inhumane Rake-Hells in their own coin he drew out 1700 Horse and 5000 Foot with which crossing the Country the nearest way he on the 9 of August found them triumphing in all manner of rapine and cruelty when leaving 3000 Foot and 1000 Horse under the covert of a woody Grove he advanced with the rest towards the enemy who being 6 or 7000 strong after some consultation threw themselves into a posture of desence and prepared to give him Battle with whom he as resolutely joyned having first wheeled about and taken the advantage of the Ground so that he might train them into the Ambushment and by that means inclose them which fell out so to his expectation that after a furious charge the Ambuscade burst out at their back with loud shouts which they seconded with so many messengers of death the enemies being as it were taken in a toil were killed on all sides without making further resistance all the Plain being strewed with their ruins and miserable slaughter of which not above 2000 escaped the rest being killed and taken Prisoners Of the Croats in the first charge 30 were killed and as many wounded and in all they lost but 120. By this action 700 Christians were delivered from miserable captivity and 1000 head of Cattle recovered with much Baggage and store of Proivision which they had gathered up in the Countries through which they had passed and certain it is had not a timely stop been put to this torrent before it had swelled great as it would soon have done by the conjunction of 8000 more of the same Tribe who were advancing but upon notice of evil success retired It would have put he whole Country into a great consternation and confusion Count Leslie being sent to secure Moravia from the incursions of the enemy with a Body of 4 or 5000 men took a Convoy of 78 Waggons loaden with Ammunition and Provision on its way to Teckely's Camp on the banks of the Waag putting those that kept it to flight though without any more slaughter than of one man for the Convoyers being aware of his coming left the Waggons and shifted for themselves in the Woods To know the state of the besieged the Duke of Lorrain on the 8 of August sent an Ingineer disguised in Country habit who under the favour of the Night passed the Leaguers and the next night had the good success to return in safety to the Imperial Camp bringing an account That the besieged were resolute in the defence of the City full of courage and vigor not having lost above 3000 men since the siege began and that on the other hand the Turks appeared less vigorous in their attempts than at first they did and that they were in a manner distressed for want of Provision a mortal sickness at the same time raging in the Camp of which many dyed they not being computed to have lost less than 20000 men in the divers attacks they have made in the sallies made by the besieged and those that have perished by the Pestilence besides several Boats full of sick and wounded men that have been sent up the Danube whilst all the Troops of the Circles are on their march and daily arrive at the Imperial Camp so that the Duke of Lorrain is 38000 strong and will be 59000 strong when the Brandenburg and Bavarian Troops have joyned him who are daily expected so that in conjunction with the King of Poland the Army will consist of 88 or 90000 fighting men so that a mortal battle must of necessity insue if the Visier raise not his Siege before the latter end of this Month of August 1683. The Rebells having intelligence of the Duke of Lorrains being retired from the Walls of Presburg with a body of 3000 Horse and Foot fell into Moravia of which the Duke had no sooner notice but he commanded out a party of Polonian Horse to stay their advancing further into that fruitful Country which party had the success they desired for overtaking the Rebells as they were ravaging and plundering the Countrey and a little before strengthened by joyning a party before in those parts under the command of the Prince of Lichtensteyne they charged them with