thing else At last we retir'd which the Turks seeing sally'd out at the Port where the Brandenburgers were entrenched who receiv'd them so well that they retir'd with the loss of 18 Men whose Heads were put up on their uppermost Line What Men we lost is not yet known Among the English there was Captain Rupert Mr. Wiseman Mr. Moore and Captain Talbot kill'd Colonel Forbes Captain St. George Captain Bellasis and my Lord Savile wounded by Musquet shot besides several others hurt with Stones After our Dead were carry'd off a List was given in to his Highness the Duke of Lorrain of the kill'd and wounded viz. 1000 Soldiers besides Officers 50 Voluntiers most of which are Noblemen the rest of the day was employ'd in burying the Dead The Turks continued their Colours flying on the top of the Breach Orders were given for enlarging the Trenches next the Breach they being found in the Assault too streight and the cause of a great deal of Confusion This day Letters were intercepted from Hamet Bassa to the Bassa of Buda bidding him be of Courage for that he would certainly come to his Relief About 4 in the Afternoon we heard the Turks at work just on the Right of our Left Gallery going from the Mosque upon which we began another on the Right of the Mosque with intention to obstruct them if upon a Level with us and continued the other also The Brandenburgers have play'd so hard on the Left of the Round Tower that it is quite demolish'd We pierc'd the Wall of the Lower Town looking into St. Paul's Valley and carry'd on a 3d Angle Salliant and rais'd a Battery of Spanish Guns on that side which regards the Round Tower which have been well ply'd and with so good Success as to have ruin'd its Defence looking into the Valley which annoy'd our Men in the Line of Contravallation and Communication which we are carrying on in the said Valley to join the Bavarians on the other end of the Town who have now lodg'd themselves on the top of the Breach by the advantage of two Mines which they sprang in which Action they lost but 12 Men. Early this morning another Battery of Mortars was raised in the Lower Town The Captain of the Battery is a little Man who formerly lost both his Hands by the charging of a Cannon which was not well spung'd He is esteem'd a knowing Man in shooting of Bombs and other artificial Bodies Amongst others his throwing 14 or 15 Hand-Granadoes at once out of a Mortar This day a Turk fled to us and reports that they lost above 500 Men in the last Assault Likewise that their Vaults could not resist the Force of the Spanish Bombs one of which falling through an Arch kill'd and wounded 80 Men Women and Children Our greatest Talk now is of a speedy Battel with the Turks who advance towards us apace We have about 6000 Horse on Pest side encamp'd there for the Security of our Bridge and to hinder Succors to the Town by Boats. This Night the Bavarians sprung a Mine and made themselves Masters of the Faussebray the Enemy had made at the foot of the Rondel Early this morning the Bavarians posted themselves at the Foot of the Breach with the loss of a Lieutenant-Colonel and 30 or 40 Men. News came to the Duke of Lorrain that an Army of Turks appear'd on this side the Danube upon which our Guards were doubled but it proved false The Horse the next day were order'd to march that way The Enemy was expected upon advice that the Grand Visier was marching towards us with an Army of 40000 Men. This day Mr. Kerr a Scotch Gentleman was kill'd in the Trenches We added more Cannon to our Batteries and ply'd them incessantly on the two Flanks of the Round Tower which incommoded us so much in our last Attacque About break of day the Turks sally'd on the Bavarian side so vigorously as to beat them quite out of their Lines kill'd a Saxon Colonel the Colonel of the Artillery and above 150 Men Nail'd up a Battery of Cannon and 2 Mortars and so retir'd overturning their Gabions and all without any considerable loss About an hour after the Enemies principal Magazine blew up which stood near the Castle looking towards Pest The Danube is here above 500 Paces over beyond which flew Stones of very great size By this Accident a great part of the Wall was demolished The Duke of Lorrain with several other Generals went over to Pest side to observe the Damage which seem'd so great that several were of Opinion we should immediately storm the Town in that place but many difficulties arise viz. That at that distance we could not discern whether the Breach were accessible or not and that our men would be greatly expos'd to the Cannon there This Night a Deserter came out of the Town and reported they had lost by the blowing up of the Magazine 1500 men This day the Duke of Lorrain sent a Letter to the Governor of Buda which was deliver'd at the head of a Pike as soon as it was read the Turks hung out a white Flag on the top of the Breach which caus'd a Rumor in the Army that they would Captiulate There was a Cessation of Arms on both sides for the space of 2 hours during which time several of our men discours'd with the Turks in the Breach This time being expired 4 men were desired to advance towards the Gate that leads to Alba Regalis at which 4 Horsemen came out one of them delivering the Visier's Answer wrapp'd up in Sattin at parting one of the Turks presented the Interpretation with an embroider'd Handkerchief The Letter his Highness sent imported That he thought them not in a state much longer to resist that he was ready to give a General Assault in which if they succeeded they would be all put to the Sword Man Woman and Child as at New-Heusel And that in Charity to save the effusion of so much Blood he gave them that Notice that they might timely deliberate for their Safety This Letter the Turks answer'd in three lines viz. That they thought his Highness would justifie them that they had hitherto done like brave Men that they were resolv'd to continue in so doing that God punish'd the Vain-glorious This day was design'd for a General Assault but the Council being divided and the Bavarians not ready it was deferr'd To day arrived about 2000 Heydukes and Hussars who encamp'd at the Head of Count Taaff's Quarters on the Danube side Early in the morning the Rondel which the Bavarians had batter'd at the Foot fell and the way into the Town or rather Castle made very passable In the afternoon the Turks sprang a Mine at the Foot of the Rondel looking into St. Paul's Valley and sally'd out with about 50 Men on that side upon which our Men that were nearest quitted their Line and push'd them very bravely back In the mean time they
Mine had alter'd the Duke of Lorrain's purpose of making the Assault this day but upon the arrival of a Messenger from the Duke of Bavaria who brought word that they had begun and could not go back his Highness the Duke of Lorrain order'd a Party of Dragoons to quit their Horses and pass the Ditch which they very bravely perform'd accompany'd with some Foot in all to the number of 300 Men. The Descent and Ascent was very difficult so that the Turks had time to receive them very smartly The Duke of Lorrain perceiving that this Attempt would not succeed without a necessity of still relieving them by fresh Men and being loth to expose so many in so open and large a Ditch to Stones Granadoes Arrows Bullets and Fire-Trunks and at the same time receiving advice that the Bavarians were retir'd his Highness order'd likewise a Retreat but not half our Men came back We lost in this Action two Lieutenant Colonels and two Majors General Megrett was wounded in the Foot by an Arrow and my Lord Mountjoy in the Face with a Musquet-shot We advanc'd our Lodgment to the Tower on the Right looking into St. Paul's Valley and continued our Line of Circumvallation We had News the Grand Visier had not yet pass'd the Bridge of Essecke and that it was thought he would hardly leave that Post being very apprehensive that General Schultz who commanded in Croatia might fall upon it and burn it as General Leslie had done formerly We are likewise inform'd that 6000 Turks are marching towards us to endeavour the putting Succor into the Town In the Evening the Bavarians discover'd a Gallery of the Turks which they possess'd This Morning a Party of Hussars brought in five Turkish Prisoners who told us that the Serasquier was at Alba Regalis with about 20000 Men and that by this time the Grand Visier must have pass'd the Bridge of Essecke with a much greater Force This News made us work very hard to compleat our Lines that the whole Army might be encamp'd within them We continued working on our Lines and to press our Miners in their Work under the second Wall to blow away the Palisadoes which to us seem stronger and stronger every day The News of yesterday is confirmed Early this Morning some Turks and Tartars appear'd on the Hill having surpriz'd and cut off our advanc'd Guard of 100 Hussars upon which we sounded to Horse to receive them They continued there about two hours skirmishing with some of our Hungarians and so retir'd and we return'd to our Camp. This day our Bridge above the Town was remov'd being thought too far from our Camp and another was made below the Town where the Bavarians were encamp'd Early this Morning we heard a great Noise towards our Trenches much resembling Shooting which at first we thought to be some Sally of the Turks It continued for a time which made the Duke of Lorrain hasten thither where his Highness was told that the Turks had thrown a Bomb amongst a parcel of Hand-Granadoes in number about Four thousand which made that Noise killed two Men and slightly wounded Count Archinto who then commanded in the Trenches Towards Noon the Turks appear'd upon the Hills where they were the day before Little of Moment occurr'd Our Miners reported to his Highness that their three Mines under the second Wall were ready upon which he order'd that all things should be prepar'd by the next Morning for a general Assault Every thing was in good order by break of Day and the Mines sprung which like the rest had no other effect than the killing our own Men with which the Duke of Lorrain was greatly displeas'd saying aloud 'T was well Field-Battels depended not on Miners and so order'd the Soldiers that were commanded to the Trenches to retire to their Camp. The whole Army was order'd to march at eight of the Clock at Night to get over the Valley and gain the Brows of the Hills which lie betwixt us and the Enemy on which the Turks were encamp'd and to fall on them at break of Day but as we were ready to advance News was brought that the Grand Visier was arrived and at the same time we perceiv'd their Camp to advance and Fires kindled on the Descent of those Hills we design'd to gain so that we were all order'd back to our Tents This Morning at eight of the Clock the Turks Army began to march down the said Hills as if they intended to attacque our Lines The Duke of Lorrain observ'd a Party to march towards our Right as if they design'd to gain some Hills which commanded a great part of our Lines and at that time the Right Wing of our Army the Duke of Lorrain apprehensive of this commanded the Army tor march out of the Lines and made the Right Wing stretch to the very top of the said Hills making an even Front with the rest and so we continued in this Order the Enemy still advancing but very slowly The Left Wing commanded by the Duke of Bavaria stood in their Lines which join'd the Danube the whole Line was well furnish'd with Cannon and Bombs under ground about 50 Paces from it This Line is very complete reaching from the Danube side in a very strait Line cross the Plain to some steep Hills that are at this time cover'd with the Brandenburgh and other Auxiliaries our Right Wing consisting of old Imperial Regiments which reach'd to the top of the said Mountains the general Form was one Squadron and two Battalions which Order was observ'd likewise in their Encamping as may be seen in the Plan of Buda The Battalions took up a great deal of ground to make a great Show though very weak in number at this time About five in the Morning we perceiv'd the Enemy marching down again into the Plain with three or four great Detachments on their Left Wing which separated and march'd along the Valley to get behind the Hills which were on our Right thinking to gain them and fall on our Right Wing in Flank and Rear in order to the putting Succor into the Town but the Duke of Lorrain perceiving their design order'd seven Regiments of Horse and some Hungarians under the Command of General Dunewalt Taaffe and Palfie to march up the Hills and possess the top of them facing the Enemy We were no sooner up but immediately the Turks appear'd on our Left who still made towards us there being a deep Valley between presently appear'd others on our Right where the Valley ended their Body not being come up kept skirmishing for the space of an hour with some Hungarians when of a sudden the Hills were cover'd with the Enemy who immediately gave us a discharge of eight pieces of Cannon and with terrible Cries fell most furiously on the Hungarians who immediately gave way whereupon Count Taaffe c. advanc'd Mr. Fitz-James and the English Voluntiers being in the first Rank This Charge was perform'd with that
Gallantry that the Enemy could not endure it but immediately fled as fast as they came on We persu'd them about a League the way being so very bad for the Foot that most of the Janisaries were cut off the rest fled into the Plains Bushes and deep Hollows which lead into the Valley where they had a great Reserve which made us halt till the rest of the Party were come up who had made a great Circuit in persuing those who fled into the Plains that lay between our Camp. From hence we observ'd the rest of the Turks Army scatter'd like Flocks of sheep As soon as the seven Regiments had beaten the Turks on the Hills his Highness advanc'd his Right Wing from the Heights towards the Plain the Brandenburgers and Auxiliaries quitting their Lines and marching in good Order towards the Enemy before the Bavarians who were the Left Wing had got half over the Plain The Turks Right Wing retires to the top of their Hills which were very difficult of Access and there left a Party and sends the rest to the Left Wing which now is very hard press'd by General Taaffe and Dunewalt which with the Duke of Lorrain's motion on the same side gave the Turks some Apprehensions they not stirring from the Foot of their Hills we continued in our aforesaid Order galling them as much as possibly we could with our Field-pieces at which time a Party of Turks attacqu'd very briskly the Left of our Right Wing where a Party of Hungarians were posted who soon gave way and had not General Taaffe with two or three Squadrons of Dragoons come up to sustain them the Enemy having already forc'd our Line 't is believ'd they would have endanger'd the putting Succor into the Town shortly after a Party was seen to detach from their Left towards the Right Flank of our Right Wing which General Taaffe by a great Presence of Mind perceiving immediately commanded about four Squadrons of light Horse to post themselves at the Foot of those Hills which the Turks seem'd to press for and by that means to have got into the Town This Order of Count Taaff's was perform'd with so much Expedition that not above 20 or 30 Turks gain'd the Hill who were cut to pieces Our General now seem'd under some uncertainty whether to attacque the Enemy on the Hills and push for an intire Victory or return to our Lines and prosecute the Siege but the Turks seeming to retire and considering how difficult the Ascent was and drow uneasie to Horse already so much harass'd how weak his Wing was and how liable to be forc'd by an Enemy that charg'd with so much Fury who had a Town in their view and would be content to sacrifice their whole Army to its preservation it was therefore thought most adviseable to return into our Lines and press on the Siege The Turks lost in this Mornings Action about 3000 of their best Janisaries being all pick'd men to attempt our Line and get into the Town by that unexpected and difficult passage We took about 500 Prisoners 58 Standards and 8 pieces of Cannon The Bassa that commanded them was kill'd and the Aga of the Janisaries wounded Mr. Fitz-James was in all this Action with Count Taaffe behaving himself with Remarkable Gallantry It pleased God that neither he nor any of the English Voluntiers had any hurt This Morning the Grand Visier removed his Camp and march'd back towards Alba Regalis he strangled the Bassa who brought him News of their Defeat and told him That they charg'd us like Lyons but were receiv'd by Devils upon which the Grand Visier spit in his Face and commanded him to be dispatch'd Early this Morning the Turkish Standards were plac'd on the top of our Breach at the putting up of which the Enemy shot very warmly upon them and kill'd several of our Men. This Night his Highness order'd a burning-Compâ—sition of Father Gabriel's to be fix'd to the Palisadoes which burnt several of them but before Morning the Turks by unspeakable Diligence and Industry had placed new ones An Attempt was made to take another Lodgment nearer the Turks Retrenchments but we were beaten off with loss We wrought at a new Battery in the Line of Contravallation to take away the Defence and dismount the Cannon of the two Round Towers that look into St. Paul's Valley which incommoded us much in passing and repassing from the Danube side At break of day and just as our advanc'd Guard return'd 3 or 4000 Tartars and Janisaries on Horse-back appear'd near our Lines in St. Paul's Valley upon which the Trumpet sounded to Horse but before our Men could mount about 150 forc'd through and got into the Town Our ordinary Guards which were about 500 entertain'd them for some time till others came to their assistance when they were repuls'd with the loss of 200 upon the place besides the taking of several Prisoners who told us that 2000 of these were Janisaries to whom the Grand Visier had promis'd 20 Aspers a day during life to all who entred the Town Orders were given for palisading the Breach of the Lower Town and all other Passages leading that way and a Garison of 500 Men were put into the Round Tower by the Water-side This day likewise our Battery of eight 24 Pounders began to play on the Round Tower looking into St. Paul's Valley against which the Turks rais'd another of seven heavy Cannon upon the Courtine betwixt the two said Towers which much incommoded us The Bavarians lodg'd themselves on the top of the Castle which they had ruin'd with their Cannon That part of the Line of Contravallation was doubled and a large Redoubt built at the Foot of the Swabes Hill all which was well palisado'd likewise two Squadrons of Dragoons viz. Mercie and Seraucte were posted on the other side of the Hill so as to give Check to the Enemy in case of a second Attempt that way This Night we had great storms of Wind and Rain which forc'd the Bavarians from their last Lodgment which lay very high and expos'd to the weather The Bavarians repossess'd themselves of their former Lodgment The Duke of Lorrain order'd a large Sap to be made into the Ditch which lay between our Lodgment and the two Walls by that means intending to fill it up with Sand-sacks and Barrels of earth This Night we had Notice that the Enemy was to fall upon us upon which we kept our Horses all sadled and our Men alert but nothing hapned About 10 in the Morning the Enemy shewed themselves upon the Hills where they us'd to appear beyond the great Plain and we saw their Camp some space behind them Our Army was drawn out to their old Post but they not advancing nor appearing in great Numbers we return'd to our Camp. This day we batter'd the Town without Intermission A Deserter came from the Turks that said they would attacque us the next day This Evening the Besieged dislodg'd
the Bavarians from their Post which they regain'd that Night with the loss of 18 Men. We expected the Troops from Transilvania with great Impatience A Battery of 8 Guns was plac'd to flank the Breach on the Lorrain side A Boom was made cross the River with pieces of Timber to prevent swimming into the Town We had Notice that General Scherffenberg left Zolnock but that day having stay'd there five days which was no small trouble to us and the more because a Deserter assur'd us that the Visier had setled the attacquing us that very Night That 3000 Janisaries had 20 Crowns apiece to come behind us and throw themselves into the Town while with the Army he attacqu'd us that Night All our Men kept their Post and the General sent 200 Wagons to meet General Scherffenberg's Foot to bring them forward with the more Expedition We yet see no Enemy nor any Succor though expected both At Day-break a Party of about 3000 Janisaries on Horse-back advanc'd along the Danube side by the hot Baths to throw themselves into the Town by the way of the lower Town to which purpose they brought with them some Engines like Ladders made with Boards which they apply'd to the Wall and about six Turks pass'd who were cut off by those on the inside About 400 rid along the Wall of the lower Town till they came to St. Paul's Valley receiving the Fire of our Lines which was there doubled upon them and a little further they met some Squadrons of Horse who cut them all off except four or five who got into the Town They were so confounded with our Lines and Redoubt and by seeing Enemies on all sides they knew not whither to turn some run into the General 's Quarters and thought to save themselves in the Tents the rest of the Party seeing this ill Success retreated We took some Prisoners and 18 Standards General Mercy was in this Action dangerously cut in the Head and Shoulders which was our greatest loss About an hour after this Action the Duke of Lorrain had News that the Enemy descended into the Plain and that a strong Party appear'd behind the Hills where we beat them the 14th While they were giving this Account to his Highness we discover'd 25 Squadrons of Scherffenberg's Men ready to pass the Bridge upon which a Messenger was dispatch'd to hasten their march while we prepar'd to meet the Grand Visier but whether the accession of those new Troops discourag'd them or that they design'd only to amuse us they return'd to their Post on the Hills and we lay that Night with less apprehension than we had for several days before Most of the Turks that were kill'd this day had about them a Paper from the Grand Visier to the Bassa to give a certain Sum of mony to every one that should get into the Town The rest of Count Scherffenberg's Troops arrived being three Regiments of Foot and two of Horse besides some Hungarians They encamp'd with their Body on our Right upon the Hills which overlook the lower Town A great Council of War was now held where it was debated Whether we should advance towards the Enemy leaving a sufficient Number to defend our Trenches or attend them in our Lines and continue the Siege The later was at length resolv'd and our Guards in the Trenches were strengthned out of the new Men. We continued our Preparations for the general Assault and wrought at a Gallery in the Ditch that was to guide to the Breach That Night the Camp was alarm'd with the Enemies advancing and all were on Horse-back but it prov'd but a Rumor All things continued quiet in the Camp while due provision was making for the Assault the next day which was to be on both the Attacques The Duke of Lorrain before Day-break order'd the Trenches should be fill'd with such Men as he had appointed for the Assault that the Enemy might not by their motions discover our Design They lay very quiet till the Cannon had broke many of the Palisadoes and the Signal for the Assault was given which was by 3 Discharges of six pieces of Cannon from the Sâ—abe's Hill It begun about 3 in the Afternoon under the direction of Duke of Croy and Thenock the Brandenburgh General the Soldiers going on with great courage and in good order soon reach'd the Palisadoes and took a Post on the Flank of the Enemy which Rak'd the inside of them and chased the Turks from thence where finding no Retrenchments as was expected persued their advantage making great slaughter as they went. Such as escap'd fled to the Castle where they put out a White Flag This is the Account of our success on this side But the Bavarians who somwhat later began their Attaque met with different Fortune for they were repuls'd with loss Nor was it indeed possible to have enter'd that way However the Duke of Lorrain would not permit the Duke of Croy to treat with those who Fled into the Castle Leaving them to his Electoral Highness's disposal it being his Attacque who gave them Quarter They were in number about 200 amongst which was a Bassa who was a Sub-Governor his name was Abdi Bassa the Visier or Principal Governor dying gallantly upon the Breach On the Lorrain side the Aga of the Janisaries fought bravely There were taken of all sorts betwixt 4 and 5000 and kill'd about 3000. The slaughter was less than expected for though both Women and Children were kill'd in the heat yet there was more Quarter than usual from the severity of the Germans especially in places taken by Storm 'T is remarkable that this Glorious Success of the Christian Arms was attended with a singular Circumstance of Divine Providence namely that while our Army march'd with doubtful success to the Assault of the most important Frontier Post of the Ottoman Empire the Grand Visier should with a greater Body of Men stand a tame Spectator of the issue of this Action and then retire which they did with great Precipitation JACOB RICHARDS FINIS ADVERTISEMENT The Plan herein-mentioned being large could not possibly be finished with the Journal but being now under the Engravers hands you may expect it when perfected
posted themselves under the Cannon to make good their Retreat and kill'd and wounded about 16 of our Men. This day the Line of Communication between the Lodgment and Angle of the Wall looking into St. Paul's Valley was finish'd and another Line prolong'd from the Angle and Side of the Old Wall so as to flank and discover any Sallies that may be made out of the West Port or Port of St. Paul's Valley Nothing more occurr'd saving that the Turks shot great quantities of Pebble-stones on our Pioneers which wounded some The abovesaid Line was finished and Orders were given to place four Mortar-pieces against Night About 2 of the Clock in the Afternoon a Party of Bavarians attempted the taking some Sheep that were feeding in the Valley upon which the Turks made a Sally which the Voluntiers observing advanc'd against them and Engag'd so far that the Duke of Lorrain in Person with his own Guards went to succor and bring them off The Bavarians lost a Lieutenants Colonel two Lieutenants and an Ensign with about 20 or 30 of our Troopers This Action of the Voluntiers has by the Generals been greatly censur'd and positive Orders given that no Voluntiers should offer to picqueer This Night our 4 Mortars began to play which set Fire to a Church but it was soon put out The Turks continue to shoot Stones at us Four Grecians who were Slaves in the Town having the keeping of a Flock of Sheep were at Pasture with them in St. Paul's Valley and being near the Bavarians fled to them the whole Flock which consisted of 800 Sheep following them These People could inform us of nothing but that the Turks were very hard at work in making Retrenchments They likewise say there was a Mutiny of the Janisaries against the Bassa The Janisaries in the last days Skirmish carried in two Christians for which they demanded 10 Ducats each as their due but the Bassa gave them but 10 Grosses per Head which is 18 d. sterling We continued working in our Trenches and are now Half-way between the Old Wall and that of Buda Our Battery was finish'd and we began to Fire upon the Angle of the Round Tower which looks towards St. Paul's Valley At the same time the four Mortars play'd and with so good success as to dismount the Guns on that Tower and our Cannon dismantled the Wall for about 6 Paces About 10 of the clock in the morning a Turkish Boy made his Escape He said that Provisions began to be searee and that our Bombs had kill'd many of the Turks and had dismounted the Cannon on the Great Tower. We observ'd the Enemy at work on the East-Port to which place they had advanc'd a Spurr and brought Gabions as if they design'd to make a Battery there expecting we would attacque them on that side Our Battery consisting of twelve 24 Pounders was ply'd diligently upon St. Paul's corner Tower and the Tower next the North Port making considerable Breaches in both of them though not accessible yet so as to take the Defence wholly from them Several Carcasses have been sho◠to set Fire on the Town but as yet we have not learn◠with what success Last Night two Boats came up the Danube and got into the Town they are suppos'd to be Engineers and Gunners that were in Erla which we have reason to believe forasmuch as this day we receiv'd more Bombs than ordinary from them and very nigh our Battery one of which fell into our Trenches and kill'd two of our Men. This Evening the Duke of Lorrain went over to Pest-side and gave Orders for making 2 Redoubts on the shore and left a Flying Camp consisting of 600 Hussars to hinder the Enemy from succour by Boat. We carry'd on our Trenches and took in a Turkish Mosque from whence we return'd with an Angle and Parallel Line with Buda till we came to the Right-hand way going to North Port at which 3 Lines met by savour of a Wall and deep Road under which our Men were Cover'd We mounted 4 Mortars more just by the former which Play'd continually into the Town Our Cannon have now made a considerable Breach This day a Janisarie deserted who inform'd us that their Garison was weak consisting of not above 2500 Janisaries 1000 Spahis 1000 Jews and about 3000 Inhabitants Men Women and Children That Provisions were very scarce that our Bombs and Carcasses had ruined many of their Buildings one of which kill'd 12 Janizaries as they were Relieving the Guard. We have advice that the Brandenburgs were within 4 hours March of us Orders were given to advance a Line from the Place where the 3 Lines met so as to Flank the outermost of them and joyn the Wall of the Old Town looking into St. Paul's Valley which was accordingly done and a Place of Arms made of a Building capable to hold about 2 or 300 Men. Behind and Parallel to the Line which went from the Building and home to the Wall was made a Cover'd Place for a Battery of 4 Mortars The Turks Fired more this Night than ordinary We are now within 50 Paces of the Breach which with the Light of the Moon encouraged the Enemy not to spare either Musquet Ball or Stones thô with no great Effect we not losing above 3 or 4 Men and 5 or 6 wounded About 3 in the Morning we were under ground well Cover'd from the Enemies Fire and capable of maintaining our Works if they should attempt to molest us We now discover'd that the Turks were making a kind of a Faussebray just before the Breach whereof the Generals being acquainted did not however think it worth the while to disturb them About 8 of the Clock the finishing of the Banquets and enlarging of the Trenches was left to the Officers and Soldiers who were Posted there according to their method About 3 in the afternoon the Brandenburgs arrived on Post side whither the Duke of Lorrain went to see them They Receiv'd his Highness with 3 Salutes of Ordnance small Arms and several Bombs and Carcasses His Highness immediately allotted them their Quarters and in what place they should carry on their Attacque Viz. on our Left which was accordingly done they Posting themselves by favour of the ground where they were well cover'd from the Town About 8 at Night a Serjeant and 10 Granadiers were sent to the Breach to discover what the Turks were doing whom they found Mining towards us upon which Orders were given to advance a Counter-Mine from the 2d Traverse and inside of the Old Wall looking into St. Paul's Valley towards the Turks with directions that if the Miners should meet with the Turks Mine to Vent it otherwise to advance under the foot of the Wall and then make the best use we could of ours About 8 of the clock in the Morning our Miners were about 20 foot under ground The Battery of 4 Mortars is fixed and begins to play by slinging great quantities of Stone into the
made another Sally on the Left in a much greater number falling upon the Brandenburgers and cut several of them in pieces who immediately rallying repuls'd them very smartly with equal loss A party likwise attacqu'd the Heydukes that were nigh the River encamp'd under the Wall of the Old Town somtimes the Turks with great Cryes of Allah Allah Then the Heydukes rallying push'd the Turks with great Cryes of Hida Hida and would be somtimes so mix'd as one could scarce distinguish them Thus the Skirmish continu'd for two hours with the loss of about 100 Men on each side Lieutenant Colonel Arty was shot in the Leg. News came that the Enemy approached and had sent 15000 Men to observe us and attempt putting relief into the Town Our Mines not succeeding it was resolv'd to burn the Palisadoes of the Breach by Artificial Fire in order to an Assault the next day The Wind was favourable on the Bavarian's side and burnt the Palisadoes to the Ground but on the Lorrain side the Fire would not fix but did rather incommode ourselves both Fire and Smoak coming on our Lines The Duke of Lorrain being resolv'd to give a General Assault order'd the Cannon to play very smartly on the Palisadoes which had very good Effect About 4 in the Afternoon the Signal was given from the Swabes Hill by Cannon The Imperialists went on first attacquing the middle of the Courtain and the great Tower on the Right where they were twice beaten off before they could reach the Palisadoes on the top of the Breach At the same time the Brandenburgers and Heydukes attacqu'd the Tower on the Left with a slow but very firm pace marching in Battalion mounted the Breach and fixed themselves on the top of the Palisadoes and maintain'd them which the Imperialists seeing mounted the third time to the Palisadoes which many of them pass'd and having lodg'd themselves on the Tower on the Right mann'd it with their own Men where they were no sooner entred but a Fugade overturn'd the whole surface of the Rondel Men and all which did not so discourage us but a second Battalion took the Post who were treated in the same manner with the first by a lower degree of Fugades or Jorneaux a third follow'd when a large Mine sprung which beat them off again however this Post was repossess'd by the Imperialists who maintain'd it with great bravery the Duke of Lorrain all this while at the Foot of the Breach encouraging his Soldiers The Bavarians likewise lodging themselves in a Rondel entred into a Court of the Castle where was a Battery of 9 Guns and 4 Mortars It was a Saxon Captain who first entred by a small Embrazure and finding the place very open and overlook'd by the Castle nayl'd up the Cannon and Mortars and so retir'd to the Lodgment on the Breach Our Lodgment on the top of the Breach was now better secur'd and a Parapet of Sand-sacks made for the betetr covering of our Men Likewise the ruins of the Breach made more easy for the coming and going to the top of the Lodgment and the Fire put out of the Palisadoes of our Lodgment which the Turks had made upon the quitting of it which gave us no small trouble This day the Miners were fixed to the 2d Wall. We sprung 3 Mines with no great success yet they help'd to fill the Ditch which was between our Lodgment and the 2d Wall. The Turks planted 2 pieces of Cannon in a high Steeple which overlook'd all our Works and kill'd many of our Men upon which 3 Guns were pointed upon them which were ply'd so well that they were soon dismounted and the Tower almost beaten down This day likewise a Scaffold was erected on the top of the Breach for a Platform of Guns Two Mines more are begun Provisions of Cask and Sand-Sacks are order'd to be made and thrown into the Ditch In the evening the Duke of Lorrain with the concurrence of the Duke of Bavaria sent a second Summons to the Town by the Count de Lomberg to whom the Turks reply'd that an Answer should be sent the next day it being too late then Notice was given us by some Boors of Hungaria that the Grand Visier was to pass the Bridge of Effecke the 28th Instant and that 6000 Men were march'd before whom they left 18 Hungarian Miles off Three Cannon are mounted on our new Lodgment and begin to fire In the Morning about 9 of the Clock the Turks return'd an Answer to the General 's Letter letting him know That the Town was in the hands of God and that they could not give it up but if they would receive another Place in lieu of it they would Treat thereupon But the General 's Reply was That his Imperial Majesty had commanded him forthwith to Surrender or never more to expect Offers of Capitulation After this the Duke of Lorrain order'd two Mines to be sprung which were ready under the second Wall That towards the Right destroy'd the Wall very much but made little or no Breach through but endamaged our new Battery on the top of the Breach In the Evening the Enemy sent two Messengers to the Duke of Bavaria whereupon his Highness sent two Hostages and there was a Cessation of Fire for about two hours The Bassa then propos'd to deliver the Town if we would conclude a Peace on its Surrendry which he said he had power to do urging the Advantage it would be to the Emperor This was answer'd by the Duke of Bavaria that he would do them what Service he could but had no Commission to conclude a Peace upon this the Turks return'd and we renew'd our Fire This day Count Staremberg was shot in the Hand and Neck as he was looking through the Sand-Sacks on the top of the Breach Two Cannon more were added to the Battery on the Lodgment and our Mortars were brought nearer to the Foot of the said Lodgment More Cask and Sand-Sacks were ready for filling the Ditch Our Horses which were sent to Alba Regalis and the Bridge of Essecke are return'd bringing News of the Turks Approach We prosecuted the filling of the Ditch and Orders were given to the Engineers for tracing out our Lines of Circumvallation which being once done is compleated by the Regiments whose Officers take care to encourage and forward the Work the Engineer reviewing the Works somtimes that no mistake be committed All the Talk now is of the Enemy's advancing Early this Morning things were in a readiness for a general Assault which began on the Bavarians side who after a small time retired finding the Turks too well barricado'd and prepar'd for them who were no ways fitted for the Enterprize so they made their Retreat to their Lodgment with the loss of about 50 Men At the same time a Mine was sprung on the Lorrain side which did nothing but shake the second Wall and throw a few Stones into St. Paul's Valley The ill success of this