The history of the Turks Beginning with the year 1679. Being a full relation of the last troubles in Hungary, with the sieges of Vienna, and Buda, and all the several battles both by sea and land, between the Christians, and the Turks, until the end of the year 1698, and 1699. In which the peace between the Turks, and the confederate Christian princes and states, was happily concluded at Carlowitz in Hungary, by the mediation of His Majesty of Great Britain, and the States General of the United Provinces. With the effigies of the emperors and others of note, engraven at large upon copper, which completes the sixth and last edition of the Turks. In two vol. in folio. By Sir Paul Rycaut, kt. eighteen years consul at Smyrna, now his Majesty's resident at Hamburg, and fellow of the Royal Society.

ANNO 1686.

THE Grand Vizier being of a melan∣choly pensive Nature, and much af∣flicted with hypocondriacal Distempers, made his Thoughts more burdensom by suppressing

them, and not communicating his sad Ap∣prehensions to other Friends. At the Siege of Buda he was ill for the space of a Month; but when good News came, he recover'd again, and his political Disease had its cold and hot Fits, according to the changes and vicissitude of Times. About the end of the last Year, or beginning of this, Soliman Pa∣sha, who was General of the Army against Poland, had not only defended the Confines, but worsted the Poles, and returned to A∣drianople with much Applause; for it was now no less Glory for a General amongst the Turks to save his Army, and not be Overcome, than it was formerly to Con∣quer. This was the Fortune and Honour of Soliman, for having brought off his Ar∣my entire and unbroken; which was a piece of Service so highly esteemed, that the Grand Vizier received him upon his arri∣val, with all Honour and Appearances of real Friendship, sending the Chiausbashee and Chaouses to conduct him to his Presence, where at the same time were the Mufti, the Generals of the Janisaries and Spahees, and other great Ministers of State assembled, and all congratulated the Honours and Glo∣ries he had acquired; which Ceremonies being ended, all these great Persons (except the Mufti) attended Soliman to the Seraglio, where the Grand Seignior received him with much Kindness, clothed him with a rich Vest of Sables, entertained him with a splendid Banquet, and presented him two Horses richly furnished: According to which Exam∣ple, as is accustomary, all the great Men made him their Presents; for whom the Sul∣tan will Favour, the inferior Officers are obliged to Honour. The next Day Soli∣man came to the Vizier's Palace, held a Divan, and acted all publick Business, and in the Mouths of the Commonalty, he was cried up for Vizier Azem. And thô what Soliman Pasha acted was only as an Assist∣ant or Coadjutor to the Vizier, during his Weakness and Infirmity; yet Soliman got so much ground in Esteem of the Sultan, and of the People, that the Vizier thought it time to rouze up his Spirits, and to act every thing by his own Person. And to secure himself from the danger of being sup∣planted by so powerful a Rival, he addressed a Memorial to the Grand Seignior, where∣in he represented the Vertues and Abilities of Soliman in an eminent manner, that he was a faithful, experienced, and a fortunate Minister, and the only Person in the World fit and able to be General in Hungary, and to conduct an Army in this dangerous and difficult War. The Grand Seignior enter∣taining a like sense of the Abilities of Soli∣man, inclined thereunto, and would have gi∣ven him that Employment, had not some Accidents intervened to prevent it. For the Embrahor, or Master of the Horse, the Kuzlir Aga, or Eunuch of the Women, and the Sultana or Empress her self, being all Friends and Confidents to Soliman, advised him of the Plot, which might bring upon him the like Fate, which had befallen Shai∣tan Ibrahim; and that the best way to avoid it, would be to push at the Office of Vizier, and demand the Seal. Soliman encouraged by such powerful Abettors, boldly cast him∣self at the feet of the Grand Seignior, and told him, That he was ready to lay down his Life either at Home or in Hungary for the Service of him his Master, and sacrifice all to his Pleasure and Glory; but to go into Hungary without the Seal (which was with∣out the power of Vizier) would be of Pre∣judice and ill Consequence to the whole Empire, for which he alledged many Rea∣sons, and being an eloquent or a well-spo∣ken Man, was seconded by others, who represented the present Vizier to be a Per∣son infirm and unfit for War. The Grand Seignior was prevailed upon, and agreed to constitute Soliman his Vizier; but the Exe∣cution thereof, at the desire of Soliman was deferred until next Morning; and in the mean time, the Matter was carried so se∣cretly, that the Vizier had no Intimation or Jealousie of the Resolution. Next Morn∣ing being the time, when the Pay of the Spahees was to be delivered out, Soliman came to the Vizier's Chamber, and pressed him very instantly, that since he was now in better Health, that he would be present at gi∣ving out the Pay unto the Spahees; and that in case he were wearied or uneasy, he would perform the remainder of the Trouble for him; but the Vizier excused himself, and would not come, but desired Soliman to take the trouble upon him of that Day's Office; which as he was performing, and had half done, the Bostangibashee to the Grand Seig∣nior, or he who is Master of the Wardrobe, came to the Vizier and demanded the Seal, shewing him a Warrant for it, under the Hand of the Grand Seignior: The Vizier was so struck with the Surprise, that he had scarce power and strength to put his trem∣bling Hand into his Bosom to give it to him; and Nature being weak in him, he fell in a Swoun, and so was left. So soon as Soliman had finished the giving out the Pay, a Capigibashee came to call him to the Grand Seignior, to whom being come, he had the Seal conferred upon him, with the Character of the Supream Vizier, and so was conducted to the publick Palace be∣longing to that Office; from whence the former Vizier, without other Ceremony or Warning, was in a moment removed, and being by his Servants put into a Coach,

was carried to a private House, and four Days afterwards was order'd to retire unto Constantinople, with a Pension of an Hundred and fifty Aspers a Day, which may be about eight Shillings English Mony. This Ibra∣him (for so we must now call him) having a House and Garden of his own upon the Bosphorus, obtained leave to retire thither, but not to go to Mecha, as he instantly de∣sired: But he had not long continued there, before a Command was issued to seize his Estate, which was executed early one Morn∣ing by the Janizar-Aga and Bostangibashee, who surrounded his House, the latter of which went in to him, and told him that he must go with him; Ibrahim apprehending that his End was near, asked him, If he came for his Head; and when he told him no, he could not believe him, until he had Sworn by his Law and by his Prophet; being herewith a little comforted, he was carried Prisoner to the Middle-gate of the Seraglio; in the mean time his House was rifled, and all his Servans and Pages of any fashion were taken into Custody, and Examined for better Discovery of his Estate. All the Mony found, did not amount unto more than Five thousand Purses, besides his Jew∣els, and his great Revenues in Lands and Houses. Being thus stripped of all his E∣state, he was on the 18th of March put in∣to a Gally, and sent to Rhodes, there to remain a Prisoner in the Castle. Soliman Pasha, now Vizier, compassionating his Case, and not knowing how soon it might be his own turn, sent him Five thousand Dollars, with a Vest of Sables, and obtained a small Allowance for him from the Grand Seig∣nior.

Nor was this Change only of the Vizier, but attended with others at the Court; for the Janizar-Aga, or General of the Janisa∣ries was put out, and one Hassan Aga, Lieu∣tenant General of the Janisaries at Buda was put in his stead: Zulficar Aga a vast rich Man, one of the Pashas of the Bench, was sent to command in the place of Mu∣stapha, Brother to the late Vizier Kupriogli, who was recalled to Court and made Chi∣macam at Constantinople. Ahmet Pasha nam'd for Captain Pasha last Year, was made Se∣raskier, or General in Hungary, in the place of Shaitan Ibrahim, and Apti Pasha (whom we have formerly mentioned) was return'd again to his Province of Pasha of Buda. The Reis Effendi, or Secretary of State was displaced, the Reason not known, and that Office supplied by a Relation of the late Vizier's, who wrote his Letters for him, a raw and an unexperienced Man. The Mosaip was continued General in the Morea, and Missir-ogli was made Captain Pasha in the place of Mazzamama, to whom as we have said, the care of the Fleet was committed the last Summer.

These were the Changes with which this Year began in the Ottoman Court, after which care was taken to Recruit the Army, and make all Warlike preparations in Hun∣gary, for which the new Vizier Solyman was preparing; and al the Court and People were full of hopes, and expectations of mighty Successes under the auspicious Con∣duct of Solyman, whose very Name had been Fortunate to the Turks.

Tekeli (as we have mentioned before) be∣ing set at Liberty, and restored to his Com∣mand with Honour; received Money from the Vizier to Raise Two thousand Men, and was recommended by the Vizer to the new Seraskier, to give all the encourage∣ment and assistance he was able, that so he might once more try his Fortune in the Upper Hungary.

Amongst the many ways and contrivan∣ces to raise Money, one was to discover the hidden Riches of the Imprisoned Vizier, for which, whilst they made diligent Search in his Seraglio, or Palace at Constantinople it came to be known, that Three hundred Purses belonging to the Vizier Kara Musta∣pha, who was Strangled at Belgrade, were found in a secret conveyance of the House, the Chimacam and Embrahore, or Master of the Horse, would be present at Sealing of the Baggs, and had counted out Two hundred, when it proving dark and late, they deferr'd the remainder until the Day following; but that Night, by what Ac∣cident is not known, the Palace took Fire and was Burnt to the Ground.

At Adrianople, where the Court resided, an Envoy arrived from Muscovy, and another from the General of the Cosacks, with Com∣plaints against the Tartars and Governour of Asac, a Fortress of the Turks on the Ta∣nais, for Incursions made upon them: The Muscovites remain'd until this time in su∣spence, whether to make War, or confirm a Peace with the Turks; but the Success of the Emperor, and the Provocations received from the Tartars, put that Business beyond all doubt, and brought the Muscovites into a League with the Emperor and Poland, as will shortly be made manifest by the Capi∣tulations between them. Amongst other Applications to the Ottoman Court, a new Ambassadour from France arrived at Adri∣anople, to assure the Sultan of his Master's Friendship, and his Resolution to stand Neuter in this present War: But the Turks, who rely not with much confidence on the Word and Stories of the French, gave them an ordinary Reception, without Favours, or any unsual Concessions, denying to them the Guardian-ship of the Holy Sepulcher at

Jerusalem, which had formerly been granted to them.

This was the State of the Ottoman Court, in the beginning of this Year 1686; when Count Caprara kept the Town of Mongatz Blocked up, which is strongly fortified with a Castle, Situate on the River Turza, be∣tween Ungwar and Zatmar, near the Moun∣tains. The place belonged to the Countess Tekeli, in right of her former Husband Prince Francis Ragotski; She was Daughter of Count Peter Serini, and Married to Tekeli, as we have formerly mentioned. Caprara having all the Winter his Quarters not far from Mongatz, sent frequent Messages to this Lady to Surrender the Town and Castle to the Emperor, promising in the name of his (Coesarean Majesty, to con∣serve both her self and her Son, in the same Condition of Greatness, and Estate as at present; adding thereunto many Comple∣ments, which are commonly given to a young and beautiful Lady. The expressi∣ons he made to her, were so full of tender∣ness and respect, that she could not refuse to return an Answer, agreeable to so much concernment as he testified for her; assur∣ing him, That nothing so grieved her, as to see herself embarked in a Cause against the Emperor; and that nothing could be so un∣easie to her and difficult to determin, in what manner she was to behave herself, between the Duty and Faith she owed to a Husband, and Allegiance to the most gentle and gra∣cious Prince of the Universe: But as to the Surrender of the Town and Castle, it was not in her Power, but depended entirely on the Secretary and Deputy of her Husband, who was there constituted Governour, with all the Riches and Wealth of the place; and that the Citizens and Chief Magistrates thereof, were joyned in the same Resoluti∣ons with him, to defend and maintain the Place to their utmost hazard of their Lives and Fortunes; and that herein they were the more encouraged, by Advices lately re∣ceived from Count Tekeli, whereby he not only gives them the good News of his Li∣berty, and the great Honours and Aids, which the Turks had bestowed upon him in recompence for the Affront, which the late Vizier had cast upon him; but promised them very speedily a Relief sufficient to drive their Enemies from their Doors, and at a distance from their Country, and would bring Rewards in his Hands for those, who should in the mean time remain true, and constant to his Interest.

Count Caprara rightly judging, that by such delays and excuses as these, the Prin∣cess intended only to gain time, and to il∣lude his designs, began to draw his Forces nearer, with a Train of Artillery, Mortars and other Engins proper for a Siege: But the Garrison nothing dismaid thereby, made a Sally with Six hundred Men, and gained a Redoubt which the Imperialists had raised near the lower Town, with the slaughter of Four hundred Souldiers therein; and ha∣ving taken out the Arms and Guns, they demolished the Fort, and rased it to the very Ground. Howsoever, Caprara having received a Recruit of Two thousand Men, possessed himself of a Post, whereby he hoped to bar the Town of the Water, which supplied both that and the Castle: But matters happened quite otherwise, for the Rains fell in such abundance, as filled the Cisterns with Water, which were anciently made to supply the wants of the Inhabi∣tants on such occasions.

In the mean time Apafi Prince of Transil∣vania, labour'd with all his power to gain a Neutrality for himself between the Turks and the Emperor; by the first of which he was pressed with all imaginable instances, to serve in this War both with Men and Money, according to agreement and obli∣gations of his Investiture, when he received the Standard from the Sultan: And by the other, That is, by the Emperor he was threatned to declare himself either a Friend, or an Enemy, for that no sort of indiffer∣ency would be admitted in this Case: And the better to compel him thereunto, Count Caraffa advanced into his Country with Eight thousand Men, Two thousand where∣of were Hungarians, and took up their Quarters on the Frontiers of Transilvania, which was now in a Condition under such a Force rather to receive Laws, than to give them. The Prince Apafi being much incommoded by Quartering of Soldiers, dispatched three Agents to Vienna, to Treat of those matters, to which he was altogether averse in former times, and readily offer'd to give free Quarter to those Troops which were sent into his Country; but as to an open Declaration of nearer Alliance he de∣sired to be excused, considering that his Country was environed by the Turks, and their strongest Garrisons bordering on his Confines, so that until the Emperor had driven the Enemy at a farther distance, it could not be advisable for him to make a more publick Declaration.

The City of Debrezin, Situate between Tokay and Great Waradin, is Populous and Rich, and had voluntarily desired to be received into Protection of his Imperial Majesty, after Zolnock and Cassovia had been reduced, having conserved themselves in a Neutrality during the late Revolutions of Hungary, without taking part in any En∣gagement with the Malecontents. This City I say, was received into Protection,

upon promise to maintain with free Quarter Five thousand Germans, and One thousand Hungarians; but finding themselves over∣burdened and harassed with Quartering these Soldiers, they agreed to pay Eighty thousand Florins per Month, for the space of six Months, in lieu of their free Quarter, by which Sum of Money they eased them∣selves from the inconvenience and insolence of Soldiers, as did also many parts of the upper Hungary, the main burden of Quar∣ters being cast upon the Counties bordering on Transilvania, which was of great relief to the Hereditary Countries.

This Year began early with Action; for the Generals Mercy and Heusler having their Quarters at Zolnock, made frequent Incursi∣ons upon the Turks with great Success and Advantage: And having intelligence, that in Transilvania a Convoy of about an Hundred Wagons was providing laden, with Money, Ammunition and Provisions for the subsistence and relief of Buda, they made a Detachment of Five thousand choise Horse, with some Auxiliaries from Count Caprara, and order∣ed them to march towards Segedin, and to Way-lay them in their Passage over the River. Heusler being advanced about a League from Segedin, gave Orders to Peterhasi, with a strong Battalion to embosk himself within the Woods, which grew very thick in that Country; and when the Garrison of Sege∣din should Sally forth to the assistance of the Convoy, That he should then with his Battalion arise from the place of Conceal∣ment, and seize upon the Town, which might perhaps be left naked, and void of all defence. Matters did not in all things answer expectation; for the Convoy being Guarded with a strong party of Turkish Soldiers, they Fought with such Valour and Resolution, that thô the Imperialists re∣main'd Masters of the Field, and of the Convoy; yet the Action cost so much Blood, that it could not properly be called a Victory; for a Victory may be too dearly bought, when it is purchased with the Lives of so many brave Men, as are not to be estimated by any advantage whatsoever: And so it happened now; for thô Three thousand Turks were killed on the place, yet they were not to be valued with the Blood of Two thousand Germans and Hun∣garians, all choise and select Men, who lay dead in the Field. But as it happens com∣monly amongst Soldiers, those who live and survive, have little sense or regard for such as are slain; unless that being made Mad, and more Furious by the death of their Companions, they breath nothing but Re∣venge; as did this remaining Party, which exasperated by the difficulty of the late Fight, fell upon the Lands of Seudin, Geset, Bahatz, and the Parts adjacent, or not far from the place of Battle, destroying and consuming all with Fire and Sword. The News of these Successes were not very pleasing at Vienna, where they esteemed the Victory too dearly obtained; and thô they publickly applauded the bravery and resolution of the Officers and Soldiers, yet in their private Councils, they could not but secretly blame the rashness of the Com∣manders.

As all places in the upper Hungary were filled with Slaughter and Confusion; so no less Damage was caused in Croatia, by the vast Flouds and Inundations, which for some time drowned all that Country, and carried away whole Towns and Familes, Castles and Provisions down the Torrent: And not only hinder'd all Commerce and Correspondence of one Town with another, but prevented the intended Incursions on the Enemy, destroy'd the Provisions neces∣sary for support of the Army, and super∣induced a grievous Famine over the whole Land. Count Nicolas Erdeody, who was then Ban or chief Commander at that time of Croatia, being much affected with the Common Calamity of his Country, assem∣bled a Convention of all the Estates at Za∣grabia, to consider of the said Condition and Desolation of their Province, where after divers Conferences, they concluded it necessary to represent unto the Emperor, the State and Condition of Croatia, and the Confines and Militia thereof, and how ne∣cessary it was to defend and guard those Frontiers, from the Forces then gathering between Belgrade and Esseck.

Nor were these Advices ill grounded; for the Turkish Forces were daily on their march from Belgrade to the Bridge of Esseck, which they had received Commands to Repair and Defend, being the most important Pass of all Hungary. Apti Pasha now Seraskier, or General of the Turkish Army, was ex∣treamly diligent and active to provide e∣very thing necessary against the next Cam∣paign; and with admirable Sedulity, as well, as the shortness of time would ad∣mit, he succour'd all the Frontier Garri∣sons with Provisions, and reinforced Wara∣din, Agria, Segedin, Temiswar, Buda, Alba-Regalis and Kanisia with Recruits, and all necessary supplies, being places most ex∣posed to the Enemy; and such as might with Reason be believed, would all or some of them be attempted, and become the En∣terprise and Design of this Years Cam∣paign. This Apti Pasha, was a Man of some experience in the War, but being of a sower and morose Temper, was ill beloved by the Soldiery.

Tekeli being intent to Relieve his Coun∣tess and City of Mongatz, and raise the Siege which Caprara had laid, and now compleatly formed; departed from Great Waradin about the beginning of February, with Seventeen Standards, and took his march by way of Hongland into Transilva∣nia, about two Leagues from Clausemberg, where understanding that several of his Troops, which the last Year had made a Defection from him, were Quarter'd in the Parts thereabouts, he hoped either to sur∣prize and cut them off, or else to regain them back to his Party; but these Hun∣garian Troops having advice of his near Ap∣proach, changed their Quarters, and march∣ed away to joyn with the Croatian Regi∣ments of Lodron, and six Companies of the Regiment of Spinola; of which Tekeli being advised he alter'd his design, and resolved to pass the Tibiscus, and march with all expedition towards Mongatz. This Motion of Tekeli Alarum'd all the Countries, and caused Caraffa to endeaver to Way-lay him, and take some convenient Post to inter∣cept him in his march; but Tekeli upon this intelligence directed his Course towards Giulia, to joyn with the new Pasha of that place, and to concert other Methods, in order to their future proceedings. In the mean time Caraffa not to remain idle, having a Force of Four thousand Germans and Three thou∣sand Hungarians, with four Pieces of Can∣non and four Mortars, sent to Summon the Fortress of St. Job, about three Leagues distant from Great Waradin, Situate in the middle of a great Marsh or Fen, which ren∣der'd it naturally very strong; and was form∣ed by Art in a Quadrangular Figure, encom∣passed by four Bulwarks, joyned by strong built Curtains, and encompassed by a very deep Ditch: Upon one side of this Fortress there is a great wide open place, in which many Houses are erected, and is called by the name of the Little City; which also is forti∣fied in the nature of a strong Palanca, encom∣passed with a convenient Ditch, by which it is joyned to that of the Castle, and hath communication therewith by a Draw-bridge: Notwithstanding the strength of this place, Caraffa invested it on the 9th of February, raised his Batteries, threw Bombs and Fir'd instantly upon the Town, which was re∣returned in like manner from thence. But so it hapned by the Divine Providence, that one of the Bombs fell directly into a Tower in the middle of the Castle, where the Powder and Ammunition was conserved; with which all blowing up, not only tore and rent the Tower in Pieces, but shook the whole Castle and the neighbouring Town, and put all the Soldiers and Inha∣bitants into such amazement and consterna∣tion, that they knew not which way, nor how to apply themselves for their defence and safety. This fatal Blow gave advantage to the Christians to Attack the Fortress in three several places; for which when the Turks perceived, that preparations were making, they spread a white Flag on the Walls, and demanded Terms of Surrender, which were readily granted and allowed to the Garrison, and to all the Inhabitants to march forth with their Arms, with their Wives and Children, and with as much of their Baggage, as every person could carry. Possession being taken of the Gates and En∣trances by the German Soldiers, Six hun∣dred Turks of the Garrison marched out, besides Women and Children, which were according to the Faith given, safely con∣ducted within a League of Great Waradin; only an unlucky accident hapned, that as the Garrison passed forth, about Twelve Persons were discover'd amongst them, to have been Hungarian Christians, and such as had become Renegadoes, and denied the Faith of Christ: Upon the sight of which the Christian Soldiers became so scandali∣zed and incented, that forgetting the Capi∣tulations agreed, they violently seized upon them, with intention immediately to Hang them up, or by some other way to put them to Death as Apostates: This Busle caused great disturbance, and made the Turks to Cry aloud, that the Conditions and Articles of Surrender were broken: But the Officers applying themselves with their Authority, to restrain the Licentiousness of the Soldiery, the Tumult was appeased: After which due care and diligence being used to extinguish the Fire, which still raged both in the Town and Castle, it was at length overcome, and much of the Ammu∣nition and Provisions conserved; what Goods remained were given to the Soldiery. In the Castle were eight Pieces of Cannon, without other Arms; about Two hundred and seventy Christian Slaves were set at Liberty. The taking of this Place was esteemed of much importance, by Reason, that thereby the Counties of Zathmar and Zobolesch were freed of all Contributions, and the Towns and Boroughs in all Parts round, as far as Waradin were bridled and kept under some restraint, by a Garrison of an Hundred Musquetiers, and Two hundred Heydukes and a Hundred Hussars, which Count Caraffa had put into St. Job, which were esteemed sufficient to resist any sud∣dain Incursion of the Enemy until Relief came, which could not be long wanting from the neighbouring Places.

In the mean time (as we have said) Count Caprara had drawn his Line of Circumval∣lation before Mongatz, and laid a formal

Siege: Against which, the Besieged want∣ing no resolution to defend themselves, fired continual Vollies of great and small shot: And on the 10th of March made a Sally to ruin the Batteries of the Imperi∣alists, but were vigorously repulsed with some loss: Thô not long afterwards they made an∣other Sally with more success, having over∣thrown a Battery, and made the Cannon un∣serviceable: But in regard the Defendants found by experience that frequent Sallies cost the Lives of many Soldiers, which they could ill spare, they resolved to con∣serve them selves within their Walls, on the Defensive part, without other hazards of offending the Enemy. On the other side, the Imperialists pressed forward with much Resolution, plaid with their Cannon on the Palanca, and threw Bombs and Carcasses into the Town; but what damage was done thereby was soon repair'd by the diligence of the Besieged, returning their Shot with fiery Bullets of a new invention, which did great execution within the Lines. This and other Successes, raised their Spirits with∣in the Town to a steddy defence; to secure which, the Princess Ragotzki imposed a new Oath of Fidelity on all the Souldiers, which they chearfully took, and to express their readiness thereunto, they fired all the great and small Shot round the Town, with resolute Protestations never to hearken unto any Offers or Conditions for Surrender of the Place: To confirm the Soldiery in this good Humour, it was noised in the Garri∣son, that there were sufficient Provisions in the Magazines, for the subsistence of a whole Year; that the Princess had received Letters from her Husband Tekeli assuring her, that he would very suddainly appear before the Town, with an Army sufficient to raise the Siege and restore their Liber∣ties, and reward all those, who had con∣tinued firm and constant in their Faith and Allegiance unto him. Nor was this Re∣port confined within the Walls of Mongatz, but it was spread over all the Imperial Camp, that Tekeli had joyned the Seras∣kier's Army, with a Force of Eight thou∣sand Turks and Tartars, and shortly resolved to attempt the raising of the Siege before Mongatz, and to Re-inforce the place with considerable Recruits. To prevent which, Count Caprara dispeeded General Piccolo∣mini, with a strong Detachment to joyn with Mercy, Caraffa and Heusler, and with united strength to oppose the Enemies pas∣sage, and watch some favourable oppor∣tunity to engage them: But the Report of the Turks numbers, and Tekeli's design soon vanished, there being no such apparent Force in the Field to give them opposition.

In the mean time the Siege proceeded vi∣gorously, Bombs and Carcasses being daily fired and thrown into the Palanca and Ca∣stle; one of which fell into the very Room, where the Princess Ragotzki was at Dinner, which without any disorder, or affrightment of the Lady was soon extinguished. How∣soever, the Besiegers made such a Breach into the Palanca, that they lodged a strong Party upon the brink of the Ditch. The Besieged on the other side had raised a great Battery behind the Breach, which dismount∣ed several of the Imperialists Cannon, and made divers Retrenchments, and fired continually Bombs and Carcasses into the Lines, which often times did considerable execution. But when the Officers of the Garrison consider'd, that the only means to preserve the place, was to prevent the Draining of the two Ditches of the lower Town, which were extreamly deep, they cut a passage for several streams of Water, by secret and hidden Channels to fall into the Ditch, which being increased by the melting of Snow from the Mountains, and continual Flouds of Rain, which fell in that Season of the Year, the Ditches were not only filled, but the Earth made so soft and moist, that it was impossible to main∣tain their Works; so that Caprara could do nothing more than Batter the Town with his Cannon, and throw some Bombs and Carcasses with little or no Execution. In fine, the Season coming on for Action, which required an application to something more profitable and promising than this difficult Work; the Siege was raised by Order of the Emperor about the end of April, after five Months had been unprofitable spent before that place.

But before the great and most consider∣able Actions of the following Campaign began, there were certain Preparations or Preludes thereunto represented in Fights and Skirmishes between certain Parties detached from the main Bodies, in all which the Im∣perialists gained the Advantage, and some∣times had the fortune of a clear Victory: On the 14th of March, some Imperial Troops having their Winter-quarters in Croatia, routed Fifteen hundred Turks drawn up in open Field, and put them to flight; Achmet Aga their chief Commander was killed, and his Son taken Prisoner: This Engagement happen'd near a little Town called Jalonne, which the Croats stormed, and took and pillaged it, and set at liberty Eight hundred Christian Slaves, of which Three hundred were in a condition to take up Arms. Another Detachment of Croats possessed themselves of the Castle of Clanitz, where they found a considerable Booty; as also of the Town of the great Cladussa, about four Leagues from Strediclo, from

whence they were enabled to make Incursi∣ons into the Territories of the Turks with∣out any opposition. [ 1686]

About the beginning of this Month, o∣ther Detachments from the Garrison of Ve∣sprin, and Places in the Lower Hungary, took the Castle of Palotta, about two Leagues distant from Alba Regalis, and put all to the Sword. About the end of this Month, Count Baragotzi with a Regiment of German Horse, and some Hungarian Troops, intended to surprize Tekeli in Gie∣na, a little Town belonging to the Turks; but the Design failed, Tekeli being retired a little before the coming of the Enemy: Howsoever his March was not altogether fruitless, for in his return he took forty Turks, whom he made Prisoners.

The Turks on the other side, with Three thousand Horse and Foot, under the Com∣mand of Fonduck Pasha, designed to surprize Wirowitza in Croatia; but the Governour of that Place having notice thereof, got to∣gether about One thousand Seven hundred Horse and Dragoons from the neighbouring Garrisons, with which he surprised the Ene∣my in their Camp, before Day in the Morning, and charged them so briskly, that they killed about an Hundred and Se∣venty on the Place, took Thirty seven Pri∣soners, amongst which were two Agas, and several Officers of Note, with three Stan∣dards, Drums, Timbrels, and a considera∣ble Booty.

The Imperialists were still within their Winter-quarters, which were so well dispo∣sed, and in that Military Order, as if the Army had been drawn in Battalia, by which means they kept the Seraskier in continual Alarums, on both sides of the Tibiscus. The Hungarian and German Troops posses∣sed a vast Tract of the Country; for Gene∣ral Barkotzi, with Four thousand of his Countrymen, acting joyntly and by agree∣ment with Piccolomini, and the Regiments of Schultz and Dunewald, extended them∣selves all along the Upper Hungary, as far as to the Confines of Poland, to hinder the Incursions of the Tartars, who were used to make that Way their common Road to Pil∣lage and to Infest those Countries. The Quar∣ters of these Forces reached so far as to be near, or (as we may say) in call of Gene∣ral Caraffa, who with the Counts Getz and Terzi, extended their several Bodies of Horse and Foot all along the Confines of Transilvania, and the Counties of Chege and Debrezin, even to the neighbouring Juris∣diction of great Waradin. In like manner General Marcy and Heusler, extended their Quarters from the Province of Zolnok, be∣yond the Tibiscus, into the very Heart of the Turks Country, bringing all those Parts under great and heavy Contributions, and still maintaining a mutual Correspondence with the other Generals: By which means the Turks were so locked up on all sides, that they could not come to the Relief of any one Place without fighting, unless it were Pesth and Buda. The Prince of Tran∣silvania was environed on one side by Ca∣raffa, who laid grievous Impositions on his People; and on the other, by many Troops that Quarter'd on the Confines, which so hum∣bled him, that he became much more pliable and submissive in his Language towards the Emperor, than he had formerly practised in all the Treaties hold with the Imperial Mi∣nisters. In this straitned Condition, the Prince Apafi acquainted the Ottoman Port, and the Seraskier, that it was impossible for him to answer the Expectation of the Turks either with Men or Mony, unless he were relieved from the Oppression of the Christi∣ans, who levied those Monies on his Sub∣jects, which were designed for his own and the Turkish Forces. To remedy which, the Seraskier drawing forth a Detachment from the Garrisons of Buda and Agria, marched in two Bodies; one by way of Giulia and Lippa, and the other pass'd the Danube at Pesth, by which Mareschal Marcy and Heusler being greatly Alarum'd, drew out their Forces in∣to the open Field, with resolution to give Battle to the Seraskier, who considering that the Success of War was hazardous, and that the ill event thereof might prejudice the Turks in all the Enterprises of the ensu∣ing Campaign; he thought fit to draw off and return back to his former Quarters: Howso∣ever, lest he should seem to act nothing, he detach'd a Body of Fifteen hundred Men to advance forward, and make a dis∣covery of the Forces and Disposition of the Enemies Camp; but being met by a Party belonging to Marcy, were treated so ill by them, that about an Hundred and fifty were killed on the Place, and Fifty taken Priso∣ners, the remainder in a disorderly manner betaking themselves to flight. This Victory opened a free Passage for the Cavalry as far as Wesserhasel, a Country abounding with Provisions for Man, and Forage for the Horse, which the Inhabitants freely bestowed upon them. The Garrison of Schonot much offended at this Kindness of Wesserhasel to their Enemies, sent Commis∣saries to examine the Matter, and without much Dispute, empaled diverse People, plun∣der'd and burn'd their Houses and Mills, threatning greater Destruction in case they continued to afford Relief to the Christians. Marcy on the other side being greatly enra∣ged at this manner of Proceedings, resolved to revenge the same on Schonot; and to that end, joyning with Heusler, they at∣tempted

the Town, and were proceeded therein so far, as to enter the Ditch, the News whereof so allarum'd the Turkish Camp, that they resolved with all their force to endeavour the Relief of Schonot; which Mercy not being of sufficient strength to oppose, drew off from the Town, and pos∣sessed himself of a Pass at the Bridge of Arath, where he hindred the Turkish Forces from joyning; and with a party of Hussars and Dragoons so charged the advanced Troops of the Turks, that they defeated a great number of them, and took the Bey of Lippa, and the Aga of Jiena Prisoners.

But all these were petty Actions, and inconsiderable Preludes to what was to fol∣low in the succeeding Campaign, which was now in its beginning. [ 1686] The general Rendez∣vous of the whole Army was appointed to be on the 15th of May, between Gran and Barkan. The main Body of the Army, which was to act under the Command of the Duke of Loraine, was to be composed of 14.000 German Foot, and 12.000 Ger∣man Horse, drawn out from the Troops of Saxony, Brandenburg and Suabia, to which Three thousand Hungarians were to be joyned, with other Troops, so far as would make up an Army of Fifty five thousand Men; Count Caprara and Count Staremberg were to be Major Generals; the Duke de Croy was created General of the Foot, Prince Lewis of Neubourg, and Count de Susa Lieu∣tenant Generals; the Barons of Tinghen, Thun, and the Marquis of Nigrelli were made Sergeant Majors of Battle. There was likewise another Army preparing under the Command of the Duke of Bavaria, consisting of Thirty five thousand Men; of which Eleven thousand were to be Foot, Eight thousand German Horse, to which the Bavarian Troops were to be added, with those of Franconia, and Two thousand Five hundred Hungarians. Of these Count Leslie was nominated for Major General, Count Serini for General of the Infantry; the Marquess of Vergne and Count Schaf∣femberg for Lieutenant Generals; the Barons of Walis and Berk, and the Count de Apre∣mont for Major Generals. Prince Lewis of Baden was made General of the Horse, the Counts Caraffa and Gonda Lieutenant Gene∣rals, and the Counts Piccolomini and Ve∣terani, and Baron Heusler Major Gene∣rals.

In this manner all things being prepared and disposed in Martial Order, for carry∣ing on the War for the present Campaign; a Council of War was called to consider and determine the Proceedings and Methods thereof, and to resolve of the Enterprise which was first to be undertaken; upon Debate whereof, two different Opinions arose; one proposed the Siege of Agria, or Alba Regalis, and the other that of Buda. The first urged the difficulty and hazard in the Attempt of Buda, which was much bet∣ter fortyfied than in the former Siege; for that several new Works were raised on the Banks of the Danube; and that on the other side, the Ditch had been made much more deep and large than it was before: That the Turks had prepared diverse Countermines in those places where the Christians had late∣ly made their Mines: That they had made diverse new Sally-ports: That they had un∣paved all their Streets, uncovered the tops of their Houses to prevent the Mischief which was feared from Bombs and Carcas∣ses, against which they had fortified the large Cistern of Water, which was built in the middle of the City: That they had furnished the Town with such quantities of Provisions and Ammunition, and Stores of all things necessary for War and support of Human Life, as were sufficient without other Supplies or Recruits to maintain a Siege for six Months: That the Garrison consisted of Twenty five thousand select Men at least, chosen out of the Janisaries and Spahees, and were all resolute Men and good Soldiers: That the Governour in chief was a stout and valiant Man, a Renegado, and one who was learned and experienced in all the Military Arts of the Christians: That under him six Agas were subordinated, all Men of Conduct and Bravery to succeed in the Government, as one or the other of them should fail. And lastly, That the Town was discharged of all useless and un∣necessary Inhabitants, such as Women and Children, and Jews and Armenian Mer∣chants, who were permitted to withdraw themselves, with all their Goods and Estates, out from the City.

Notwithstanding this Discourse maintain'd and urged by divers, the contrary Opinion prevailed for the Siege of Buda; as if the Difficulties thereof served rather to enflame, than to discourage so many valiant and ge∣nerous Spirits: Such an Enterprise as the taking a Capital City, with the Conquest of which, the whole Kingdom would fol∣low, and fall a Prey into their Hands, seem∣ed an Adventure and an Exploit worthy the undertaking of so many brave Soldiers, who were certainly the greatest Captains of this Age, and perhaps we may speak it without injury to past times, that they were the best Soldiers that ever the World had produced. Indeed, the whole Army of this Year was in a most Flourishing Condi∣tion, well Provided and Accoutred, Fleshed with Blood and Victory, and so Couragi∣ous that nothing seemed too hard and diffi∣cult for them. And this was one Reason,

to perswade the Military Councils to the Siege of Buda, not knowing whether the next Year would produce such an Army as at present; which as it was capable to undertake any thing, so it was pity to have it wasted and employed in trivial matters, and taking in of Fortresses from whence no Important Consequences could be expected. There was moreover one thing more especially urged, that by the last Siege the Defects and Errors, and false Attacks were all seen and discover'd, the which might now easily be rectified, and provisions made against the mischiefs, which cost the Lives of many Men; and the Ground and nature of it, and Situation being per∣fectly known, the subjection of this place would become much more easie than the time before, notwithstanding all the Provi∣sions the Turks had made. In fine, with these Arguments, as I said, the Siege of Buda was resolved, and every thing prepar∣ed in order thereunto: In the mean time, the Turks were not idle on their part; every Day Olacks or Curriers were dispatched in all hast from Buda to Belgrade, and thence to the Port, to expedite the coming of the Ottoman Army, and Succours for Re-inforce∣ment of their Garrison; giving them advi∣ces of the Motion, and Approach of the Imperial Troops against them, which if not prevented would quickly surround their Walls, and intercept their Advices and Re∣lief. The Turkish Officers and Soldiers in all their Quarters in Hungary amassed, and gather'd what Forage and Provisions they were able, which they laid up, and dispo∣sed in those Garrisons which were most ex∣posed to the Enemy; and Re-inforced them with Troops drawn from other places, which were in the least danger of the Enemy, and at farthest distance from them.

The Tartars were urged and sollicited, not only to hasten their march to the Confines of Poland, to keep that Country in Awe; but also to send another Body to joyn with the Ottoman Camp in Hungary. In the mean time, Skirmishes daily hapned be∣tween several Hussars and Dragoons belong∣ing to Raab and Strigonium, and detached Parties from Buda; to which place Rein∣forcements were so constantly sent, that the Garrison was calculated to amount unto above Nine thousand Men, [ 1686] besides the Ci∣tizens and Inhabitants, tho' in reality the numbers were much greater. And in regard, the Grand Seignior was not well satisfied with the Valour and Conduct of the pre∣sent Pasha, another was sent to supply the place, who incessantly laboured both Day and Night about the Fortifications; for tho' it was not certain, whether the Imperialists would make that Siege the business of this Year; yet it was greatly feared, and too much labour and caution could not be used, for the Defence of a place of such Importance.

In the mean time the Grand Seignior re∣moved from Adrianople to Constantinople, to pass his Summer there, in hopes that his Presence would bring some Trade to that City; but the War had drained all the Money in such manner, that the Merchants found little benefit, or alteration in the quick∣ness of their Trade. The Grand Vizier intended at the same time to have moved from Adrianople towards Belgrade, but the great Fire which had hapned lately there, caused him to retard his March for some Days, in order to rebuild the publick Edifi∣ces consumed by the Fire. Besides the Fire and Sword, there was great Scarcity of Corn in all the Ottoman Dominions; by the two first, the Rich were the greatest Suffer∣ers, but the latter was an Aggrievance which most affected the Poor. Howsoever, they supported these Troubles and Losses with Patience, without Murmurings amongst the Citizens, or Mutinies as yet in the Camp.

The Moscovites were all this time play∣ing a double Game, having sent an Envoy to the Court to complain of the Incursions, which the Tartars had made into their Country, and of the Depredations which the Turkish Governour of Asac, had made upon them at the Mouth of the Tanais. The Envoy found a kind Reception, and Orders were sent both to the Tartars, and Governour of Asac to abstain for the future, from all such Acts of Hostility, and maintain a good Correspondence with the Moscovites, who were become Allies and faithful Friends to the Port: And more to engage the Envoy, some few Russian Slaves were given him, with License to rebuild an old ruined Greek Church in Constantinople; with which to outward appearance, the Envoy returned with entire Satisfaction.

The Polish Inter-nuntio, who from the beginning of the War had been kept under restraint at Constantinople, was now upon exchange for a Turk of quality, again set at Liberty; and being upon his return into Poland, was on the Confines met by a Polish Jesuit, who had some Months before been sent by the late Vizier with Letters to that King, containing a Project for making a Peace; and was now returning with An∣swers to those Letters, and Instructions to the Inter-nuntio, in what manner to man∣age a Treaty with the Turks. The Inter-nuntio returned herewith, and made Pro∣posals, That in case the Turks would Sur∣render Caminiec, with all they had taken in Podolia, That then the Polish King would

become a Mediator for Peace with the other Confederates: But the Turks were not as yet sufficiently humbled, to give up any Places they had in Possession, especially that important Fortress of Caminiec, which was the very Key of Poland; and tho' an Expedient was offer'd to Demolish the same, it would not be accepted by the Turks, who had a greater value and esteem for that Place, for having been the only Conquest, which this Grand Seignior had made in Person. And the Turks having no great value of late for the Poles, either as to their Prowess in War, or Conduct in Peace, gave a proud Answer to the Demand; re∣solving this Year to stand on the Defensive part, and to tire out the Christians with a long, and an expensive War: For thô they had lost some of their Towns, and been often beaten in the Field; yet they kept up that Pride and fierceness, which is agree∣able to their nature and former successes in War.

The French Ambassador, who had for a long time maintained a Controversy about the Safraw, (as formerly mentioned) did now conceive that it might be a very proper Sea∣son, after such various revolutions and change of Officers, by which the Pride of the Turks might be abased, to obtain those Demands which were formerly denied. The Grand Vizier at the desire of the Ambassa∣dour admitted him to Audience, and treated him very civilly: But howsoever, at the be∣ginning of their Discourse, he gave him a caution not to demand any thing, which was not warranted by the Capitulations: And when the Ambassadour moved, That some Alterations should be made in the Ceremo∣ny of his Audience, that when he arose to put on the Vest, which the Grand Vizier or Chimacam had given; that they also should rise up at the same time, until he was Clo∣thed, and that then they should sit down together. The Vizier provoked a little with this new Demand, believing that it pro∣ceeded from a meaner Opinion conceived of their Power, by Reason of their late Mis∣fortunes, readily Answered with some quick∣ness, and said, That the first Turks, who came over into Europe, passed the Bospho∣rus but with Forty Men only, and that they would return again by the same Way with the like number, rather than condescend to any thing tending to a Diminution, or A∣basement of the Honour of the Empire. In fine, Thô the French were treated at this Audience with more than usual Civility and Respect; yet could obtain nothing more than a Confirmation of the Privileges they had formerly enjoyed, and a Liberty to re∣build a burnt Church.

But whilst Preparations were making on both sides for the War of the succeeding Year; It was adjudged in the Councils at Vienna, to be a matter absolutely necessary, to engage the Moscovits in the Confederacy, for that thereby, the King of Poland would not only be freed from all Jealousies, of be∣ing Invaded by the Moscovites, whilst his Arms were otherwise diverted; but the Tar∣tars restrained from their Incursions, in case the Czars would take that Incumbence up∣on them, to give a stop to their Depredati∣ons. The benefit thus doubly considered, Mini∣sters were sent from Vienna and Cracow to Mosco, and many Arguments offered to in∣duce the Czars to enter into the League; the which Work found the greater difficulty and opposition, by reason that a Treaty was so lately concluded with the Turks, [ 1686] and their Ambassadour returned with a favourable Grant, and Concession of all their Demands: But the Moscovites in reality, could easily dispense with such Articles and Agreements, provided their Interest was advanced, and their Territories enlarged; in pursuance of which, a League Defensive between Poland and Moscovy was concluded for ever, and an Offensive so long as the present War with the Turks should be continued; the which League was Dated the 24th of April, ac∣cording to the following Articles.

First, That a perpetual Peace be concluded, and established between the two Powers.

Secondly, To avoid all Differences and Disputes, arising about the Titles to be given to the Czars and the King of Poland, the same was agreed by both Parties.

Thirdly, That the Poles shall Deliver and Surrender up to the Moscovites, the Palati∣nates of Kiovia and Smolensko, with some other Places specified in that Article.

Fourthly, That the Cosacks of those Coun∣tries, shall be mutually discharged of the Oaths of Allegiance, which they had taken to either Crown.

Fifthly, That the Rebels and Revolters, who had submitted to the Turks, should find no Protection or Refuge from either Party.

Sixthly, That the Czars should pay 1500.000 Florins of Polish Money, to the Government of Poland in two equal Pay∣ments; the first to be made at the Signing and Sealing of the Articles, and the second at the Meeting of the next Diet.

Seventhly, That the Towns and Fortresses, Situate on the Banks of the Boristhenes, from Kiovia to the River of Tasmin, which runs by Czekrim, shall not be Rebuilt or Repaired, but that all that Country should re∣main Wast and Depopulated, until such time, as the Differences arising thereupon should be decided by more Ample Authority: The Ple∣nipotentiaries of Poland declaring, That they

had no Power nor Instructions in that parti∣cular.

Eightly, That to avoid all Differences, which might arise about the Cities and Places, which were to be Surrender'd by the Moscovites into the Hands and Possession of the Poles, shall be particularly nominated and mentioned: And accordingly they were afterwards nomi∣nated in this Article.

Ninethly, That free Liberty be given to the Roman Catholicks, to Exercise their Re∣ligion in the Suburbs of Kiovia and Smolens∣ko: Notwithstanding any endeavours or oppo∣sition, which the Patriarch shall make there∣unto.

Tenthly, That their Majesties the Czars, being desirous to introduce and establish the Christian Religion within the Mahometan Do∣minions, at the Instance and Request of the King of Poland, and in pursuance of the League Offensive and Defensive concluded with His Majesty; do Promise and Oblige them∣selves immediately to make War upon the Turks, and with a numerous Army to Invade his Dominions this Summer, by such Ways and Roads, as the Tartars have usually Invaded Poland, and thereby give a stop to their In∣cursions: And that Commands be immediate∣ly dispatched to the Cosacks of the Tanais, That they forthwith Equip their Fleet for the Black Sea, and Trouble and infest those Cities and Countries belonging to the Turks, which are Situate on that Coast.

Eleventhly, That in case the Turks shall lay Siege to Kiovia, or any other place ap∣pertaining to the Dominion of the Czars, That then the King of Poland shall send an Army for the Relief and Succour of such place Besieged: And in like manner, in case the Turks shall Besiege Leopolis, or any other City in Poland, the Moscovites shall endea∣vour the Relief and Succour thereof.

Twelfthly, That the Czars shall forthwith give Advices to the Ottoman Port of the League concluded with Poland, and their Intentions to make War upon the Grand Seig∣nior: And tho' the Turks upon such intima∣tion shall offer to give satisfaction to either, or both Parties; yet no heed shall be given thereunto, or Conclusion made without the Approbation and Consent of all the Confede∣rate Christians.

Thirteenthly, The Moscovites engaged to send their Ambassadours into divers parts of Christendom, as, England, Denmark, Hol∣land, and other Princes to crave their Assist∣ance and Union against the Mahometan Ar∣mies.

Fourteenthly, That after a Peace shall be concluded by common Consent of the Confede∣rates with the Turks; And that afterwards one of them shall be desirous to commence a new War, That then the other Confede∣rates shall not be obliged to joyn therein.

Fifteenthly, That whereas some Disputes remain still undecided, touching the Limits and Bounds of Poland and Moscovy, That Commissioners shall forthwith be authorized and dispatched for accommodation of that Mat∣ter; especially about the Dependencies on Ki∣ovia.

Sixteenthly, That Security of Trade and Commerce be established between the two King∣doms.

Seventeenthly, That the Debts which are owing from the Subjects of one Kingdom to those of another, shall mutually be accounted for, and satisfied by one to the other: And that what Suits do or shall arise between the Subjects of either Kingdom, shall be deter∣mined by the ordinary Courts of Justice, where the Defendant abides.

Eighteenthly, Those Points which remain undecided, and cannot be agreed by the Com∣missioners, the same shall be remitted to the Determination of the Sovereigns.

Nineteenhly, That the People on each side, who live on the Borders, shall pass friendly and peaceably one with the other; and in case of Differences arising between them, the smal∣ler Causes shall be determined by the Pala∣tines, and the greater by Commissioners.

Twentiethly, Neither side shall give Suc∣cour or Assistance to the common Enemy, nor entertain any of their Subjects in the War, or in any Office or Employment.

One and twentieth, That their Majesties the Czars shall Swear to the Observation of these Articles in presence of the Polish Am∣bassadours. And the like shall be performed by the King of Poland, at a meeting of the Diet, in presence of the Ambassadours from the Czars; and in the mean time, the Ambassadours shall mutually engage, that all these Articles shall be observed and main∣tained.

Two and twentieth, That whilst these Articles are interchanging, and before the Ratifications are made, It shall be lawful for the Merchants of each Country and Na∣tion to Trade and Traffick without any trouble or interruption of Commerce: Only Tobacco and Brandy shall not be brought into Moscovy, but remain Contrabanda, as by ancient Ar∣ticles.

Three and twentieth, In case the Poles or Moscovites shall have occasion to dispatch Messengers to Persia or other Parts, no mo∣lestation, let, or hindrance shall be given them, nor Passports denied.

Four and twentieth, And in regard a good Understanding and Communication is necessary in this War, the King of Poland obliges himself to maintain and defend the Confines and Country of the Dukedom of Solensko, and the Czars so far as Kohzi••▪ And that

private Letters shall pay Postage on both sides; but the Publick and Royal Letters shall go free without Charge.

Five and twentieth, That both Parties shall give Advices to all the Allies and Con∣federates of this happy League and Agree∣ment.

Six and twentieth, That this Contract shall as well oblige the Heirs and Successors as the Princes, who are Parties thereunto. And in case this Original Instrument of Accord should be lost or embezled in the Chancery, or Paper-Office of either side, yet the Agree∣ment shall not be Rescinded thereby, but stand in full Vertue and Force.

The League being in this manner agreed, signed, and ratified on both sides, the News thereof soon spread it self over all Europe, and was particularly received at Vienna, and in the Confederate Camp, with as much Joy and Triumph, as it was at Constantinople with Trouble and Confusion. And now it was expected by all the World, that this Agreement should be executed, and that the Moscovites should in the first place, to give a beginning, have made In∣cursions into the Enemies Country, and without farther delay, have invested those Places, which lay upon the Frontiers; but instead thereof, their first Exploit was to take Possession of the Dukedom of Smo∣lenzko, and of Kiovia, and of about Fifty Leagues of Country, which lies along by the Banks of the Niester; but as to other Acts of Hostility, unless it were by some ranging, and confused Incursions made by their own Cosacks, with design rather to Pilfer and Pillage, than to Offend and Da∣mage the Enemy, nothing of Moment was performed; by which means the Tar∣tars, against whom the Moscovites were o∣bliged to oppose their Arms, found an op∣portunity to joyn with the Cosacks of Po∣land, who with united Forces, not only disputed the Passes with the Polanders, but likewise recruited and reinforced the Grand Vizier's Army in Hungary.

After this Agreement was finished, the next Treaty in hand was to deal with Apafi, Prince of Transilvania, to draw him off from his Adherence to the Turk. This Prince finding himself between two great Powers, the least of which was able to crush him to nothing, kept and maintained his Agents at both Courts, only to protract time, and divert a Storm. Count Caraffa quartering with a strong Party of Horse and Foot, on the Confines of that Principality, was appointed by the Emperor to treat with Apafi, and to joyn Menaces and Force to fair Words; but little Satisfaction could be extorted from him, more than a Desire to live in a kind of Neutality; for thô the Im∣perial Forces were not far distant from him, yet the Turks were not as yet beaten out of the Field, nor their Garrisons taken, but all things seemed to remain in a doubtful state and change of War. Thus Apafi fear∣ed both, and demanded Protection and Assistance from both sides, hoping that whilst he was wavering and seemed unfixt, he should preserve both his Friends, or at least not provoke them to be his Enemies. But what Count Caraffa could not obtain by Treaty, he forced by two Regiments, which procured the Contributions, which were then exacted; to which Apafi more easily yielded, because such a Compliance seemed rather an effect of Violence and Necessity, than of Choice. Howsoever, the Turks were not so very well assured of the Constancy of the Transilvanias, but that just cause of Jealousie remained of their In∣clinations towards the Emperor; to prevent which, the Turks order'd a strong Body of Men to march and quarter on their Con∣fines, there to attend and observe the Moti∣ons both of the Germans and the Transilvani∣ans; the latter of which seeing the Sword over their Heads, continued still in a state of Irresolution: So that the Emperor e∣steeming, that nothing was to be done by Treaty, commanded the Agents to quit his Court: Howsoever, for a while a stop was given to their Departure; for that the Bro∣ther of the Prince of Valachia, called Cata∣chuzeno, (of which Family and Name were the last Greek Emperors) being privately di∣spatched to Vienna, to enter into a Treaty and League with the Emperor, in the Name and Behalf of his Brother, did insinuate many fine and hopeful Projects, for gain∣ing without Blood or Treasure the three Principalities. In order unto which, a Di∣spatch was sent to the Count Scaffemberg, under the Imperial Signature, immediately to march with his Forces to Cassovia, where he should find Orders for his farther Pro∣ceedings; the Count accordingly obeyed; and immediately upon his arrival, received a positive Commission to joyn Seven thou∣sand Germans to Four thousand Hungarians, detached from the Troops quartered in the Upper Hungary; and with that Army, without any farther delay, to march to the Confines of Transilvania, situate on the River Maros, where Catachuzeno had given Assurances, that Twelve thousand Transilva∣nians, well provided and armed, would there be ready to meet Scaffemberg, and joyn with his Forces at their first appearance; and with these, proceeding farther to Vala∣chia, he should there on the Confines have his Numbers increased by an addition of Sixteen thousand Valachians and Moldavians,

with which formidable Force composing a most powerful Army, it was not to be doubted, but that after the Example of their Soldiers, the three Provinces would revolt, and yield to the Emperor; and with such a Force, which nothing could oppose, Incur∣sions might be made with Fire and Sword into all Towns and Quarters of the Turks, from the River Danube to the Confines of Poland, and whereby an intercourse of Arms, and other intelligences would be ob∣tained. This had been a rare design, and a happy project, had all things corresponded with the like Success, and in such a man∣ner as they had been promised, and insinu∣ated by Catecuzeno: But tho' all things did not answer these expectations; yet in other matters, the March of these Forces came very opportunely into those Countries, and served to obstruct the Tartars passage into the upper Hungary, where they were speed∣ing to joyn with Tekeli, and to wast and destroy all those Counties.

By this time the Sultan had received a new Confirmation of the Advice, That Apafi had sent Commissioners to Treat with the Emperor at Vienna; and tho' the Turks were well assured of the inclination of A∣pafi towards them, yet not knowing how far the fear and dread of the succesful Arms of the Imperialists might prevail, Orders were dispatched to the Vizier then at Bel∣grade, immediately to send Succours into Transilvania, to six and confirm the waver∣ing Mind of that Prince: Accordingly a very considerable Force being on the march thither, they were encounter'd on the way by Count Schaffemberg, who charged the Ot∣toman Troops sent to secure Transilvania with such Bravery and Success, that he killed and routed that whole Party, and made himself Master of that important Pass of Hermansburg: After which he pressed the Estates of Transilvania once more to declare, but they seeking new pretences and excuses of delay, endeavouring so long as they could to maintain their Neutrality, were so distressed at length by Oppression and Free quarters, and Insolence of the Soldiers, that seeing no other remedy they joyned their Troops with the Imperialists, [ 1686] and in a Body charged a party of the Tartars and put them to Flight.

In the mean time the Season coming on for laying (as was resolved) Siege to Buda, the Duke of Loraine departed from Newstadt, with intention to go to the place of General Rendezvous; but being seized by some In∣disposition, he stopt at Odemberg and came not unto the Muster, and Review of the Army until about 19/29 of May: At which time the Elector of Bavaria, and Prince Lewis of Baden, Count Staremberg, and Count Bielk with a Regiment of Swedish Curassiers, rai∣sed for the Service of the Duke of Bava∣ria, together with the Auxiliary Troops of Saxony came to the Camp at Newstadt upon the River Waagh; but the Brandenburghers, and the Troops of Suabia being not as yet come; the Duke of Loraine marched toward Raab, Comorra and Gran, and put off the Re∣view and Muster of the Army until the 5th of June: But on the first of that Month, a General Council of War was held to agree upon such Measures, as were to be taken for carrying on the Siege of Buda. At that assembly of Officers, all the miscarriages and defects in the mannagement of the last Siege of the Year 1684 were examined; and Plats brought of the place drawn by divers Hands. In fine, After long Discour∣ses thereupon it was resolved, That every one should possess the same Post, which he held before at the last Siege; and that some false Attacks should be made at first, until the Lines were formed, and secured in such manner as to hinder all Succours from being brought into the City. After the Council was risen, several small Parties of Horse were detached to scowre about the adja∣cent Parts of Buda, Alba Regalis and Erlaw, to make discovery of the State and Condi∣tion of the Enemy. The same Day the Commissary Generals brought unto the Duke of Loraine a List of the Forces, which were formed and in a readiness to be em∣ployed in the Siege of Buda, the which was composed of Thirty thousand Foot, and Twenty thousand Horse, besides the Hun∣garians and Brandenburgers, which were not as yet come to the Camp: The Artillery con∣sisted of Sixty Pieces of heavy Cannon, Forty Mortar Pieces, besides a great num∣ber of Bombs, Carcasses and Granadoes, with vast Stores of Ammunition and Provi∣sions.

The greatest part of the Army was by this time advanced as far as Gran, which is about Forty English Miles distant from Buda; the Imperial Troops with those of Saxony passed the Danube over a Bridge at Gran, whilst the Bavarians continued their march on the other side; that place being designed for the General Rendezvous, and where the Feast of Corpus Christi falling out on the 13th of June was to be celebrated; the So∣lemnity thereof caused so great a Concourse of People, that the City not being capable to contain them, the Procession was made without the Walls, and within the compass of the Camp. Some Writers say, That the People flocked in greater numbers to per∣form the Festival in that place, where it had been interdicted by the Turks, for the space of One hundred and twenty Years; which now they were joyful to see resto∣red:

These Writers had said more properly, if instead of the word Restor'd, they had used the word Introduced; for that it is scarce an Hundred Years, as yet, since that Feast was first ordained. After this Day of Devotion was past, the Duke of Loraine leaving his In∣fantry under the Cannon of Gran, marched with his Cavalry without any Opposition as far as Marotz, a place near to the Isle of St. Andrew; he caused the Ways to be en∣larged, which were Narrow, and full of Woods and Bushes, and then took a full Survey of all the places Situate near the City.

In the mean time the Turks were not idle to secure and defend themselves; and for encouragement of the Garrison of Buda, an Aga arrived there from Constantinople, with a great Sum of Money to pay the Soldiers all their Arreares; and being assured now, that the Siege of Buda was certainly design∣ed, great numbers of Boats freighted with Ammunition and Provision, were with a strong Convoy sent up the River; which so drained all the Countries round of Victu∣als, that there was almost a Famine in the adjacent Provinces. Several Troops of the most select and choise Soldiers were likewise sent to Buda, which increased the Garrison to 12.000 effective Foot and Three thousand Horse, besides which the Vizier kept an Army by him of forty five thousand Horse and Foot, which he thought a sufficient Body to oppose any Force, which could be spared and detached from the Christian Army, and to disturb them in their Tren∣ches and Works before Buda. And because the Jealousies which the Turks conceived of the three Provinces of Transilvania, Mol∣davia and Valachia grew higher every Day, and more cause to fear their inclinations to∣wards the Emperor, some Forces were sent against them; but considering that there was great need of an united Force, a great Detachment from the main Body could not well be spared; and therefore it was contri∣ved, that Hostages composed of the No∣blest, and most considerable Persons of those three Principalities, should be sent to the Port, for better securing the Faith and Al∣legiance of those Provinces unto the Sul∣tan: But whilst things remained in this doubtful Condition, the Turks could avail little either by fair Terms, or rude Mena∣ces.

But the time now approaching for the Siege of Buda, the Troops of the Heredi∣tary Countries, hastned their march from every Province. The Auxiliaries were already advanced to the Confines, and having quit∣ted their Winter-quartes, marched towards the large Campaign of Barkan, which was appointed for the place of General Rendez∣vous. The Military Stores and Ammuni∣tion, with the Train of Artillery being all in readiness, were dispatched away, part by Water and part by Land, besides the Provi∣sions which accompanied the Regiments and Troops in the Field: In the mean time, fre∣quent Councils of War were held at Vienna, at which the Emperor, the Dukes of Loraine, Bavaria and Newburg were present, the Re∣sults of all which tended to the Siege of Buda; towards which place Orders were given to all the Army to march, and to the Officers to repair unto their respective Com∣mands; for thô all the Forces were not as yet come up, yet seeing the Year was so far advanced, it was thought necessary to lose no longer time before the Siege was formed. The Forces immediately under the Command of the Duke of Loraine, to whom the Counts Caprara and Staremberg were Major Generals, consisted of Forty seven thousand and seven hundred Horse and Foot; the Troops under Command of Maximilian Elector of Bavaria consisted of Thirty four thousand Horse and Foot. The Forces under Count Schultz appointed to guard Croatia, and the Banks of the Drave made a Body of Twelve thousand Men; which in all made an Army of Ninety three thousand and seven hundred Men, besides the several Garrisons in Hungary, and the two Bodies of Schaffemberg and Caraffa, which were appointed to act apart on the Fron∣tiers of Transilvania, and along the Tibis∣cus; besides a great number of Voluntiers, which flocked from all places, to gain Ho∣nour and Renown in so Signal a Conquest, amogst which were several Persons of great Quality; [ 1686] as one of the natural Sons of King James the II. called then Mr. Fitz-James now Duke of Berwick, with many other English Gentlemen of good Quality: Also two Grandees of Spain, namely the Dukes of Vejar and Scalona, with about Three hundred Spanish reformed Officers and Gen∣tlemen of that Nation.

With this formidable Force (thô the Troops of Brandenburg were not yet come) about the beginning of June the Army be∣gan to move. The Duke of Loraine with his Horse Encamped at St. Andrews, The Count Staremberg with his Foot at Posscamp, The Elector of Bavaria at Wailun; so that thô the Turks could from the Rampiers of Buda discover the Christians on both sides of the Danube, yet they made no Sallies to hinder, or obstruct them in their march; believing that this might prove a false Ap∣pearance; whilst the real and true intenti∣ons of the Christians was designed against Alba Regalis: But it was not long before they were undeceived, when they saw the Bridge of Communication passed over the River,

[illustration] portrait of the governor of Buda, Hungary

Apti Bassa Late gouernor of Buda who havnig defended the place to the last Extremity was killd upon y^e Place P: 201.

M Vander Gucht Scul.

and the Bavarian Troops near to Pesth, and their City environed on all sides with armed Force, then they began to believe that the Siege of Buda was designed; for until that time they were of Opinion (as we have said) that Alba Regalis or Great Waradin, or some other place would be the labour of this Summer.

[ 1686] On the 19th of June, the whole Army appear'd before the City to the great Con∣sternation of the Turks; and Orders were given to form a regular and close Siege: And to make the Communication between the Ar∣mies the more easie and expedite, a strong and spacious Bridge was built over the Danube, by the Island of St. Andrew, which was Si∣tuate in the middle of the River. The Ba∣varian Troops approaching towards Pesth, enter'd it without any opposition, for that the Turks finding it to be a place not to be de∣fended without a greater Force, than what could well be spared from the Walls of Buda; had Demolished the greatest part of the Works, carried off the Cannon, their Am∣munition and their Stores, leaving the Town dismantled and desolate: Howsoever, be∣fore they had wholly demolished every thing as they had intended, they were sur∣prized by the Bavarian Troops, and forced to quit their Work and fly to the Bridge; but when they came thither, they found it broken down by some of their Companions, who had passed before, fearing to be pursu∣ed by the Enemy; so that terrified and a∣mazed, many leapt into the Water, of which divers were Drown'd, and about Thirty with an Aga were taken Prisoners; the Boats of which this Bridge was Built, float∣ing on one side and the other of the River, were taken up by the Bavarians, and brought to the Isle of St. Andrews, where they ser∣ved, and contributed much to the speedy finishing of that Bridge which was there in Building.

Pesth being in this manner possessed; It was agreed at a Council of War, That those Fortifications which were the least damaged should be repair'd; which was accordingly done, and a Platform made in a Trianglar Figure, and surrounded with a deep Ditch, and fortified with some Cannon, and a sufficient Garrison left to defend it, where∣by they cut off from the Enemy all Incur∣sions and Communications on that side of the River.

Apti Pasha was then chief Commander in Buda: He was an aged Man, but a good Soldier and of great experience in the War: He had repaired all the Bastions, and Cur∣tains, and Walls, which had been battered down and blown up in the last Siege; and that those Repairs might be the less seen and discovered by the Enemy, he had cau∣sed all the Walls to be new whited, that it might not appear where the Repairs had been lately made, and the Earth brought, which could not be so close and binding and solid, as the old Works: Moreover he had erected a strong Wall descending from the Castle to the River, to secure the Water and Communication with the Danube.

The Duke of Loraine passed over the Water in a little Boat, to Visit and hold a Conference with the Duke of Bavaria then in his Quarters near Pesth; where after some Discourse, the Aga taken at the Bridge was examined; and a Turk, who had volun∣tarily escaped out of the Town was brought before them, and declared, That there was not above Eight thousand Men in all the Garrison, accounting Janisaries, Spahees and Segmen (which are a sort of Foot Soldiers, properly belonging to those Countries) and most of them of the new Levies; and that Apti Pasha himself, had not gained so much Reputation and Esteem amongst the Soldiery, as Shaitan Pasha had done, who had so bravely Defended the City in the Year 1684; and thô the wise Generals gave lit∣tle or no credence to such Relations as these, coming from affrighted Prisoners and Captives, whose business it was to flatter, and mollifie the Minds of their Conquer∣ours; yet such Reports proceeding from Witnesses that were come from the City, served to encourage the Soldiery, who were ready to believe what they desire, and what may render their Enemies Low and Contemptible.

Count Staremberg received Orders from the Duke of Loraine to perfect the Bridge with all possible speed, which being finish∣ed, the Elector of Bavaria, with all his For∣ces, (except those which were left for the Guard of Pesth) passed and encamped his Men at the Foot of the Mount St. Ge∣rard, and took possession of the same Posts and Places which he had possessed two Years before; and on the side of the Mount he raised two Batteries against the upper Town, and made his own Head-quarter, at the Baths of hot Waters, to be nearer to that Place, which his Forces were to Attack; and there raising a Battery of six Pieces of Cannon, he thence drew two parallel Lines of Communication; to which another was added very large and deep extending to the lower Town, into which the same day Two thousand Men were entred to attack that Place. Next hereunto were the Quarters of Count Staremberg, to which were uni∣ted the Troops of the Prince of Saxony, having their Lines in a circular Form: Next hereunto the main Body of Horse was lodged, being as it were in the middle, and in the most commodious place to op∣pose the Sallies of the Enemies Cavalry;

on the other side of which Prince Lewis of Baden had made his Allodgement. Next hereunto were the Quarters of the Duke of Loraine, opposite to the Breach, which they were labouring to lay open. Next in order were placed the Troops of the Circles, which with the Voluntiers reached to the brink of the River, making a most formidable Body encompassing the Town: And to surround it on all sides, Trenches and Lines were made on the side of Pesth, guarded and de∣fended by Heydukes and Hungarians. Thus was this City again encompassed with the Christian Arms, on the 22d of this Month, which about two Years ago, was accounted the impregnable Fortress, and the Sanctuary, and Place of Refuge for the Turks, where For∣tune had made its Ne plus ultra, and set Bounds to the Progress of the Imperial Arms. But these brave Captains and Soldiers being re∣turned again to their old Quarters, remem∣bring the Disgrace they had received by be∣ing foiled, and beholding the Places where their Comrades and Fellow-Soldiers had breathed out their last, and where some of them had received such Wounds, as were still smarting, and scarce healed, became more enraged and animated to avenge themselves, of which they conceived great∣er hopes by Experience and Acquaintance with the Situation of the Place, and there∣by better enabled to amend the Errors of the last Siege, having made Provisions of all things in great abundance, for want of which, Armies commonly suffer more in their Trenches, than they do from the Ef∣forts, and Violences, and Sallies of the Enemy.

The provident and wise Duke of Loraine being well advised and aware hereof; and observing that very little Rain had fallen that Spring, so that the Grass and Forage for Horses was very short; and that the great Heats and Drought had burnt up the Pasture in all parts round the Leaguer: He drew out from every Troop ten Men only, to lodge within the Trenches, which made a Body of two Regiments, or Two thousand Horse, under the Command of Count Taff, which were esteem'd sufficient to repulse any Sallies of Horse which the Enemy could make from the Town: But the main and great Body of Horse were ordered to march towards Alba Regalis, under Command of the Counts Palfi and Gondola, and other Generals; and taking their Quarters upon the Banks of the River Saruvitz, they might there not only find plenty of Forage for themselves, but deprive the Enemy thereof, and diminish their Stores; besides, the Place was commodious both to interrupt the Vizier in his March, and all other Succours de∣signed for the Relief of Buda.

The parallel Lines of Communication be∣ing finished, by which the Soldiers might pass under shelter to the lower Town, and the Batteries raised on the side of the hot Waters, where (as we said) the Duke of Bavaria had his Head Quarters; Six Pieces of Cannon of Twenty four pound Ball, began first to play on that Wall, where two Years before a Battery and Breach had been made, and an Assault gi∣ven; the Place was called the Burg of Was∣serstadt, in English, the Water-Town; and here it was thought fit to renew the Batte∣ry; for that the Earth having been lately laid, and the Work repaired, it could not be so well setled, and so firm as the anci∣ent Fortifications, the which was manifest∣ed by a plain and open Proof; for being for one whole Day continually battered, so great a Breach was made, and so wide, as to open a Way to a formidable Assault: On the other side the Turks plyed their Cannon very hard upon the Camp, which did not much damage, thô lodged within Musquet∣shot. And thô the Breach was made, yet it was thought necessary to defer the As∣sault until the Approaches were perfected, which before Morning were almost finished, under the darkness of the Night.

On the 24th all things being prepared, and a Breach open'd of above twenty Paces wide, a Signal for an Assault was given by firing three Pieces of Cannon; upon which the Troops appointed for that Service, ad∣vanced with such Bravery and Resolution, that the Enemy yielded up that Station with little Resistance; and a Party of them des∣cending from the upper Town, gave only a single Volly of Shot, and so again retired with some Disorder. This being the first Acti∣on of this Siege, there was scarce a Voluntier or Gentleman-Adventurer in the whole Army, but who presented himself in this Enterprize, being desirous to signalize his Valour in the first beginning. The Night following the Turks kept continually firing, which did not hinder the Christians from lodging themselves to the right and left on the Breach of the low∣er Town; in the taking of which, they lost but Eight Soldiers in that Day and Night's Service, which being so cheaply obtained, the Generals suspected that the Enemy had aban∣doned the Place with Design, and with In∣tention to Blow up the Assailants with some Mines prepared for them; and for that rea∣son they gave a stop to the Advancement of the Troops; but the next Day, having searched and examined those Places, and finding all secure, they proceeded to make a new Lodgment in the Angle of the Wall of the lower Town, which answered in a right Line to the main Tower of the upper City, under which they lay secure from the

Enemies Shot. This Exploit being per∣formed with the loss only of Sixteen Men; there was but little Plunder found therein, besides some Horses and Oxen, and some few Field-pieces upon one of the Works; for all the Houses were beaten down by the Turks themselves, and consumed by Fire, and the Inhabitants either fled or re∣tired into the upper Fortifications; which shews evidently that the Turks looking on that Place as not tenable, had drawn their Force into the higher Town, in which they placed all their Security, hoping to make a most vigorous Resistence, both by the advantagious Situation, and the goodness of the Fortifications: But the Christians finding the Advantage of the lower Ground, whereby to offend the upper City, employ∣ed immediately Two thousand Men, with diverse Laboures to draw the Lines, and deepen the Approaches from one Gate to the other.

In the mean time the Turks, who lived in the parts adjacent to Buda, being put in∣to great Consternation by the concourse of the Christian Arms, prepared themselves to fly, and seek Refuge in remote parts; so that many, with their Wives, and Chil∣dren, and Servants, having taking with them the best of their Housholdstuff and Goods, passed over to the Island of St. Margarets, which is situate in the Danube, and of a very great length; but finding this Place of too near Neighbourhood to the Christian Army, and very unsecure; having got about thirty large Boats and Barges, they had laden their Goods and embarked their Per∣sons thereon, with design to pass down the River to Belgrade; when a Body of Hun∣garians, Hussars, and Heydukes, under Com∣mand of Count Budiani, having Advice thereof, armed out a good number of Boats and Barges, and with Three hundred Dra∣goons by Land, boarded their Vessels, and having killed the Boat-men, and the chief amongst them, easily made themselves Ma∣sters of the rest, and of all the rich Houshold∣stuff, Mony, and Goods, in such abundance, that every Common Soldier had a Suit and Vest of Silk for his own Share, with other good Booty and Plunder, which they carri∣ed away, and departed; but being inform∣ed afterwards by some Rascians, that the Inhabitants of that Island had committed many Cruelties and Outrages upon the Christians, they returned again to the Island, which is about seven Hungarian or German Miles long, (which make about Twenty eight English) and there put all to Fire and Sword, [ 1686] with the Slaughter of about a Thou∣sand Men. After which, Count Budiani went purposely to the Duke of Loraine, in the Camp, to render an account of his late Atchievements; and in testimony thereof, he presented him with seven Turkish Stan∣dards, which he had won in that, and in an∣other Rencounter, in which he had defeat∣ed a Party of the Enemy near Ersein, to∣gether with some Prisoners of Quality and Condition, amongst which there was an Aga and Chiaus.

The Christian Soldiers animated with these daily Successes, some few of them, with more Temerity than Prudence, made an attempt to Lodge themselves nearer to the Upper City, without those due Precau∣tions of Defence, which are commonly used by throwing up of Earth, and making some little Blinds as is practised in all Military Approaches; but these bold Men adventu∣red with open Breasts to enlarge their Lodg∣ments on that side of the City which looks towards Strigoniam; which when the Turks observed, a great number of them flanked on one side by the round Tower, and on the other by a Party of Musqueteers, throwing Stones and Hand-granadoes, assailed the Germans, (who were not above Fifty in all) with so much Fury as forced them to make their Retreat; the which notwithstanding they did with good Order, being assisted by their Comrades, who came to their Help, and repulsed the Enemy, and made them with some loss to retire back into the City: Howsoever, in a short time after, about the Close of the Evening, the Turks made a more vigorous Sally on the Left-hand of the round Tower of the old City: The Count of Ausberg and the Cavalier Rohne having the Command that Night of those Quarters, with great Bravery received the Enemy, and engaged with them for above an Hour's space; when the Prince of Com∣marcy, and the Prince of Vaudemont having their Quarters near thereunto, came season∣ably into their Succour with many Gentle∣men, who were Voluntiers, and Soldiers of Fortune, and forced the Turks back into the City, with the loss of about Fifty Janisaries: Of the Christians were about ten killed in this Action, which was well paid by the advantage then gained; for whilst the Par∣ties were engaged in this manner, they opened the Trenches on both sides of the old City, with two large Parades or places of Arms, and extended the Lines of the Approaches towards the two Bulwarks of the upper City. And because it was neces∣sary to Batter the City on that side, a Bat∣tery was raised, without the old Wall, of Sixteen Pieces of heavy Cannon, from which many Shot were made at the round Tower, and several Bombs thrown into the City.

The Turks nothing disanimated herewith, made a vigorous Sally on the Quarters of the Bavarian Forces, with Three thousand

Horse and Foot; and thô the Elector was at that time indisposed in his Health; yet his Bravery prompted him to mount on Horse∣back, and with the assistance of the Horse, under Command of Lieutenant Colonel Hof∣kerken, which were Quartered in a Vally on the Way towards Strigonium, he with a steddy Foot opposed the Turks, and forced them to Retire with Disorder into the Town. In this Action Twenty four of their Officers were Slain, with many Janisaries, and many Wounded. Of the Bavarians about Forty were Killed, caused by a Surprize at the first beginning of the Sally: The Prince of Savoy according to his natural Courage and Valous, pressing into the thickest of the Enemies numbers, had his Horse Killed un∣der him; but mounting another, pursued the Enemy to the very Gates of the City.

Whilst these things were acting, it was a matter of great encouragement to the Camp, to find their Forces daily augmen∣ting by new Recruits. For the Swedes were then newly arrived under the Command of the Marquis of Turlac, and took their Sta∣tion on that side, which leads to Alba Re∣galis. These were followed by Lieutenant General Schoning, Commander in Chief of the Brandenburg Forces, whose arrival at the Camp sooner than was expected, was a cause of much Joy and Satisfaction to the whole Army. About the same time also came Prince Lewis of Newburg, Great Ma∣ster of the Knights of the Teutonick Order, with Count Dunewalt, and many Knights of that Order: As also divers famous En∣geniers, together with Count Rabata, who brought with him many Bombs, Mortar-Pieces, with a new Train of Artillery, a∣bundance of Ammunition, and all Warlike preparations: With which, and with the Addition of new Forces, they were enabled to draw a new Line of Communication, without that which was next to the City, extending from one Encampment unto the other; which they supported with small Redoubts raised and fortified with Cannon, which proved to be of great use against the Sallies of the Turks, which were very fre∣quent, and performed with Resolution and Courage: Besides all which Recruits, the Auxiliary Troops of Suabia and Franconia, to the number of Five or Six thousand Men, with two Companies from Passau and Ratis∣bone arrived in the Camp; and on the first of July they took those Stations which were appointed for them.

The Town was now Batter'd on all sides, and particularly by a Fort raised by the Swedes, which on the third of this Month, began to make a Breach on three Towers which defended the upper Wall. The Cannon on the side of the Loraine Quarters, had in four Days time absolutely demolished two Bulwarks, which flanked the Wall on that side, and ruined the Wall it self, having made a very large Breach; to discover which, and to know in what manner it lay open to an Assault, four Musquetiers were Order'd to mount thereupon, and see in what Posture the Turks remained on that side; so soon as these adventurous Men ap∣peared at the Mouth of the Breach, the Turks cried out and took a general Allarum, running immediately to drive them from thence, but they being succoured by another Party of Musquetiers, and by continual Peals of Cannon, and Fourteen Mortar-Pieces, which threw Bombs, the Turks were worsted and lost many Men; and being not able to endure the constant Firings, were forced to Retreat, as also did the four Mus∣quetiers with some Wounds received by Stones and Granadoes. By two or three Inhabitants, who for fear had deserted the Town, informations were given, That by the many Bombs, and the continual Firing of great Cannon, the Consternation was so great, that both the Inhabitants and the Soldiers esteemed themselves in as much danger within the City, as those were who mounted the Guards, and were actually emploied in Defence of the Walls: Where∣fore, to secure themselves the better, the Tops of the Houses were uncovered, and Caves and Vaults made under Ground, to Lodge both the Citizens and the Souldiers; and for the better safeguard of the Garri∣son, which was always exposed on the Walls, it was contrived to make some Mines without at every Bastion, well charg∣ed with Powder, that upon any Attack might be ready to be Fired: Of which the Duke of Loraine having intelligence from these Fugitives, he order'd Countermines to be made, which hinder'd the Turkish Labour∣ers something in their Works; but either by the loosness of the Ground, or the unex∣perience of the Miners, the Success did not answer Expectation: For thô the Miners had proceeded a great way under Ground, by which it was believed, that the Spring∣ing of one Mine would widen the Breach and facilitate the Assault; that Project had little effect, for the Mine being fired did not cast up much Earth: Howsoever, It was followed by an Assault on that side of the Duke of Loraine, of which the Turks being aware made a most vigorous resistance, throwing great quantities of Bombs, Stones and Hand-Granadoes amongst the Besiegers. In this Action above Sixty Musquetiers were killed and wounded; the General Tingen, and Major Besancon were wounded with Stones, and the Cavalier de Rosne was shot through the Shoulder. Howsoever, the Im∣perialists

keeping their Ground in their Trenches, about Two hundred Paces from the Wall, did at length repulse the Enemy; and with continual Batteries the Walls were so plied, that from the Tower in the Corner of the City, to the first Bulwark, they were almost ruined and beaten down, as were also the three Towers which were opposite to that Attack.

On the 9th of this Month about break of Day, the Turks made another Sally to the Left-hand, where the Brandenburg Troops were lodged, which was performed with such Fury, that the Brandenburgers being surprized, quitted their Posts, and were beaten out of their first Line, with the loss of about Two hundred Men killed, amongst which there was one Captain, one Lieu∣tenant and an Ensign: And the Enemy fi∣ring at the same time a Mine, in which four or five Miners were buried, had caused much more disorder, had not a Body of Reserve, and the Main Guard come in to their Assistance, which so bravely Charged the Enemy, as to force them to Retire in great Confusion. The Imperialists lost in this Action, besides the Brandenburgers above One hundred and fifty Men, amongst whom was a Lieutenant Colonel, who was a Swede, a Cap∣tain of the Regiment of Mansfelt, two Lieu∣tenants and many other subaltern Officers.

In the mean time the Bavarians advanced their Approaches, and from a new Battery began to Fire, and shoot at a small Tower, which notwithstanding did little execution, the Walls being very good on that side. The same Day a Deserter from the Town brought News, That the Besieged expected in Twenty four Hours time a Reinforce∣ment of Three thousand Men; upon which intelligence Three hundred and fifty Men were immediately dispatched over the Wa∣ter unto Pesth, to strengthen the Redoubt at that place, and to prevent the Turks in their design of cutting off all Communication between that Fort and the Camp. And up∣on farther intelligence, that the Turks assem∣bled in great Bodies about Segedin, the Duke of Loraine dispatched away the Baron Marcy, with Three thousand Horse, and six Battalions of Foot over the Danube, with Orders to advance as far as Hatwan, and to Engage the Turks in what place soever it should be his Fortune to meet them: Accor∣dingly Baron Marcy passed the River, and posted himself near the Bridge of Pesth, there to attend the Enemy who were coming up∣on him, as was reported, with a Body of Ten thousand Men, under Command of Achmet Pasha: Upon which Advice, the Duke of Loraine dispeeded away three Im∣perial Regiments, to joyn with and rein∣force the Detachment under Marcy, lest the Enemy should seize the Passage over the Teysse. In the mean time, the Christians working hard upon a Mine on the Bavarian side, which they designed should make the Breach wider and larger than it was, were discovered by the Turkish Miners, who were preparing a Mine near thereunto; and had almost completed it, when fearing lest the Christians should be before-hand with them, they precipitated matters sofast, that due care was not taken to hinder a Reverse; but on the contrary, the Turks gi∣ving Fire to their Mine, it recoyled back on themselves, and buried many of their Men, and so shook the Walls and Fortifi∣cations of the Tower, that by the help of a Battery of eight Pieces of Cannon, which were levelled and plaid upon it, the Breach was made considerably wide, and so en∣larged, that at a Council of War held on the 13th of this Month, it was resolved not longer to defer the Assault on the Bavarian side: The Orders for which were no sooner Issued, and the Signal given, than all the Voluntiers and brave Adventurers in the Army, Transported with Ambition, and De∣sire of Glory, pressed to be the first that should mount the Breach. In this Action Count Guy of Staremberg, Count Herber∣stein, and Count Aversberg were Commanded each with Two hundred and twenty Men to make the Assault in three several places; the first of which was to enter in the middle of the Curtain, the second on the right Hand, and the third on the left; amongst which some Granadiers were mixed, and Pioniers to prepare and level the Ground to make an Allodgment; and a Reserve of Two thou∣sand Men was appointed to sustain, and second the Assailants. The Ascent unto the Breach was very difficult, and the Turks had repaired it in many places with Paliso∣does; howsoever to brave Minds spirited with a desire of Glory, such as were the Voluntiers, who were Gentlemen of princi∣pal Quality, from divers Parts and Nations of Europe, nothing seemed so difficult and ha∣zardous, but what they were able and daring to surmount. The Onset was made about se∣ven a Clock in the Evening, and the first thing attempted was to force up the Palisadoes, which being done, they found the Besieged posted behind in their Trenches with good Order; the Christians Attacked them with great Vigour, and the Turks made an equal Defence, pouring whole Vollies of shot with great numbers of Granadoes, and discharg∣ing a prodigious quantity of Stones from their Mortar-pieces upon them; on each side likewise was a round Tower filled with Musquetiers and Granadiers, who bestowed their Shot liberally upon them; so that the Assailants being between Firings on each

side, as also on the Front were killed and wounded in great numbers; howsoever they made themselves Masters of the Breach, which they maintained and defended above the space of an hour; but at length the heat of the Fight was so great, as had put things in∣to much Disorder, and caused the Pioneers and Labourers to disperse; and a Provision of Faggots, and Sacks of Earth not being at Hand sufficient to cover the Assailants, they lay naked and exposed to the Shot of the Enemy; and at the same time a Mine be∣ing prepared, and fired under the Breach, it did great execution; so that many Persons of great Quality and Valour were killed and wounded in this Action; and the Turks making a Sally in another place at the same time, the General caused a Signal to be gi∣ven for the Troops to Retreat, which was done in very good Order. The Regiments of Souches, Mansfelt and Staremberg, were those which suffer'd most in this Action.

The Persons Wounded were:

• The Prince of Commarcy.
• The Duke of Bejar, a Grandee of Spain.
• Marquis Blancfort, Son of Mareschal Cre∣qui.
• Count Staremberg.
• Count Dona.
• The Duke of Escalona, a Grandee of Spain.
• Two Captains of Souches's Regiment.
• The Baron Chifler, the Natural Son of Prince Rupert.
• My Lord George Savil, Second Son of the Lord Marquis of Halifax.
• Count Maldeghen.
• Mr. Fitz James, Natural Son of King James the II. of England.
• Count Urse, three Spanish Gentlemen.
• Monsieur Sulpice, a Gentleman belonging to the Prince of Commarcy.

Persons Killed were:

• Prince Palatine of Veldens.
• Prince Piccolomini.
• Count Hortemback, Page to the Duke of Loraine.
• The Cavalier of Courmaillon.
• Count Ermestein, Major of Schezfemberg's Regiment.
• Six English Noblemen, amongst which was that Worthy Gentleman Colonel Robert Forbus, Second Son to the Earl of Gra∣nard.
• Three Spanish Gentlemen, belonging to the Duke of Bejar.
• The Turks had about Two hundred Men killed, and One hundred wounded.

The Besieged thinking hereby to have gained a great advantage over the Christi∣ans, and thereby to have put them into some Confusion and Disorder, made a Sally that Night on the Brandenburgher's Quar∣ters; but were vigorously repulsed back again into the Town, with the loss of many Heads, which the Brandenburghers carried into the Camp, to receive the usual Rewards promised thereupon.

For several Days there hapned nothing but Batteries, and Firing Mines on one side and the other; but the Mines on the Chri∣stian side did not so much execution, as did those of the Turks: Howsoever, the Bombs were much available, and did great damage within the Town; especially those of a new Invention made by an In∣genier called Gonzales, which not only kil∣led, but set all on Fire wheresoever it fell. One of this sort of Bombs hapning within the Walls of a great Edifice, (for as we said before, all the Roofs and Coverings were taken off) produced most terrible and direful effects, not only beating down the Walls, but Killed above One hundred Men, Women and Children. The Turks to Re∣venge themselves for all these Slaughters, were very diligent and active in Springing their Mines, which they had prepared with great Art; by which many Soldiers and Officers of note were destroyed, to the great diminution in number of the Besieg∣ers: In the mean time the Christians plied their great Guns, and Sprang the Mines to widen the Breaches, in order to make a General Assault, for which Preparations were daily made, and Ladders brought, and all Instruments provided in order there∣unto.

On the 20th Day of July, about seven a Clock in the Morning, a strange hollow Noise was heard under Ground, and the Earth trembled both in the Town, and un∣der the Feet of the Soldiers in the Camp; and a dark Cloud of Smoak and Ashes co∣ver'd the City, so thick and black, that for the space of an hour, scarce any thing of the Walls themselves could be seen; which caused a Terrour in the Minds of the Besiegers, notwithstanding their Resolution and Bravery; for whole showers of Stones were cast up, and thrown into the Bavari∣an Trenches, whereby many Soldiers and Officers of Quality were Wounded: And whilst the Elector of Bavaria, and the Prince of Baden were busily employ'd in Riding about to confirm their Soldiery, a Stone of considerable weight and bigness fell between them: All which Convulsion hapned by blowing up of the chief Magazine of the City, whether by Bomb from the Camp, or any other Accident is uncertain:

But such were the dreadful effects thereof, That it shook down one Wing of the Ca∣stle, and that side of the Wall towards the Water; threw vast quantities of Stone and Rubbish into the Danube; and Killed above Fifteen hundred People, who were useless and unfit for Service, and had for their better safety hid themselves in Vaults and Cellars: By this unexpected Blow, the City being much weakned towards the Water, Giavarino Lieutenant General of the Hey∣dukes, was Order'd with a Party of his Sol∣diers to take the advantage of this Accident, and to post himself in the best manner he could, to hinder all Sallies of the Enemie by that way, and to make that side more easie and fit for Storm.

But whilst the Duke of Loraine thought of these things, and how much his Forces were diminished by Assaults, by Sallies of the E∣nemy, by Mines, by Sickness and various other Accidents; and how much Blood it might still cost, before the Town could be forced to Surrender by dint of Sword, he resolved to make use of this opportune Mis∣fortune, whilst the Turks remain'd in their Terrour and Amazement to try the Pasha with Capitulations and good Conditions in case of Surrender, and to send him a Summons in Writing, by the Hand of Count Coniseck, who according to his Instructions, represented the State and Con∣dition of the Affair to the Pasha Gover∣nour, that the Christians were very strong without, and resolved to take the Town, the Walls of which were almost demolish'd, and their Garrison laid open and exposed; and that a General Assault was determined; and that since they could not reasonably expect any Relief or Succour, the Pasha would do better Service to his Master the Ottoman Emperor by saving the Blood of his People, than by a desperate defence to sa∣crifice the Lives of so many by his wilful obstinacy; nor hereby could he give occa∣sion to any to tax him, either for want of Valour or Conduct, since he had given such fair Evidence of both unto the World. The Pasha received the Messenger with much more Humanity, than they did ever practise in the times of their Prosperity, and heard him with great attention; and Read the Letter sent him by the Duke of Loraine several times over: But before he would make any Reply thereunto, he called a Divan or Coun∣cil, in which the Business being debated for the space of about three hours; at length this Answer was returned in Writing, and put up in a Purse of White Sattin, accord∣ing to the Custom of the Turks; which was to this effect. That he did wonder much from which of his Actions during this Siege, he could ground any Hope upon these Summons, that he should, or could be prevailed with to make a Surrender, not having been guilty as he imagined of such mean and Cowardly beha∣vior, as might merit so great an Affront to his Valour, as to be tempted with Conditions and Terms how Honourable soever unto a Surrender. But in case He, and his Soldiers had appear'd in the least manner Timorous and Base, That they would amend that fault by a more vigorous De∣fence, and by such Actions as should make it appear to the World, that, that City was con∣served with a Bravery equal to the Impor∣tance thereof; That God would punish the Pride of the Christians, for daring so much as to conceive a thought of bringing low the Otto∣man Emperor, from whom having received the Command of that Place, he was resolved to deliver it unto no other, than unto him only.

Whilst this Treaty continued, which was for the space of three Hours, a Cessation of Arms was granted, during which time, the Soldiers on each side discoursed friend∣ly, and jested together, and reached to one another their Pipes, and their Tobacco; from whence it may be seen, how natural Love and Friendship is to Mankind, and how unnatural and violent is Hatred, War and Cruelty.

From this Haughty and Resolute Answer of the Turks many did conjecture, That they had received promises of a speedy Re∣lief; which caused some Reports and Dis∣courses in the Camp, That the Vizier was marching with a very numerous and puissant Army for their Succour: Of which thô the Besieged had no intelligence; yet consider∣ing that the thing was not improbable, the Turks conceived some hopes from thence, and the Christians prepared to receive and engage them. Nor was the expectation of Relief by the March of the Turks without some ground; for at Hatwan in the Upper Hungary great numbers of them joyned in one Body, which with much advantage might descend with the Current down the River, and give trouble and disturbance at the Siege of Buda: To prevent which, some Bridges were sent, for passing the Regiments of Horse under Caprara, and the Prince Charles of Neuburg over the Rivers, unto such Commodious Passes, as were advanta∣gious to restrain those Forces from farther proceedings. In the mean time some com∣fortable News was brought to the Duke of Loraine from Count Caraffa, who advised, that upon intelligence of a very considera∣ble Convoy sent from Segedin, for the Re∣lief and Reinforcement of Agria; he with General Heusler resolved to make an As∣sault thereupon; which design failing, gave an occasion howsoever to give a Defeat to a great part of the Garrison of Agria; in

which Action Caprara posted himself in a close, and deep Vally, cover'd on both sides with Hills; and about half a League be∣yond Peterhasi with some Hungarian Troops well Armed, was order'd to lie in Ambush; from whence he detached about Fifty Hus∣sars to March towards the City, and in their Way to take up all the Horses and Cattle they could find in the Pastures, with Orders that in case the Garrison should Sally out upon them, that they should feign a seem∣ing Flight, and draw them on until they came near the Camp: The which being ac∣cordingly performed by the Hussars, Osman Pasha of Agria pursued them close with a select number of his best Soldiers, until un∣warily he fell into the Ambuscade which was laid for him; from whence the Hungarians Sallying forth renewed the Fight, being se∣conded by General Heusler's Dragoons, who kept the Enemy in play until the Foot were come up to their Assistance: And then Os∣man Pasha being sensible of the Snare into which he was fallen, encouraged his Men bravely to defend themselves, and to make an orderly Retreat, but he was then too far engaged; for after a hot and desperate Conflict, above Two hundred and fifty of the Garrison were killed, and about One hundred Prisoners taken, and amongst the rest Osman Pasha himself was slain: How∣soever this Victory was not gained without some loss on the Christians side; for Baron Bur a Captain of Dragoons, and the Cap∣tain Lieutenant of the Regiment of Castelli, with above Twenty Common Soldiers were, killed, besides many wounded; this En∣gagement being towards the Evening, the remainder of the Garrison by covert of the Night, made their Retreat back and re∣cover'd the City.

Whilst these things were acting, the Siege of Buda proceeded with various Fortunes; and the wise Generals were not only intent thereunto, pressing forward with the greatest Bravery imaginable; but also were wary, and vigilant to observe the Motions of the Turkish Army designed to raise the Siege: For by certain intelligence it was advised, That the Seraskier was on his March, but that he moved slowly, to give time unto the other Troops, which were Quarter'd along the Banks of the Rivers Save and Drave to come and joyn, for that the Forces of the Turks were not so numerous, as to ad∣mit of any Detachments, but rather to Fight in one Body only: It being necessary to secure the Passage by the Bridge of Esseck, Eight thousand Men were order'd to pos∣sess it; but News coming, that the Imperi∣alists were already Masters of it with a far greater Force, the Seraskier passed the Ri∣ver by a Bridge at Peter Waradin, and stayed at Segedin; from whence he order'd a Flying Army of Horse composed of Turks and Tartars, to March unto Alba Regalis, from whence they were order'd by frequent Sallies and Alarums to offend and amuse the Christian Camp before Buda; until such time as the Grand Vizier being enforced by the Asian Horse, and by the Tartars, might be able to joyn with them at Alba Regalis; from whence it was designed to make all their Sallies upon the Camp. Of which General Schultz having advice, whose business it was to observe the Motions of the Enemy, he pitched his Camp along the Drave, from whence he observed the March of the Ene∣my, and narrowly watched the Garrisons of Kanisia and Zigeth. The Leaguer being thus secured from outward Assaults, every Quarter of the City was attacked by sever∣al turns, sometime by the Bavarians on their side, by the Brandenburgers on theirs, and by the Imperialists, and others in their several Stations, with Mines and Counter∣mines, with Cannon and Batteries, Bombs and Granadoes, and all other Instruments of Death, which cost much Blood on one side and the other. At length, to bring Mat∣ters to a more sure and speedy Issue it was resolved, to prepare all things against the 27th of July for a General Assault, which was to be performed by Fifteen thousand Men; That is, Five thousand at the At∣tack of Loraine, Five thousand of Bavaria, and as many of Brandenburg, besides Two thousand Talpatsi, which are a People of Hungary; and that the Besieged might be attacked on all sides, and their Forces di∣vided thereby, the Lieutenant General Gi∣avarino Commander of the Haidukes, was order'd to make a seeming Attack by the Water-gate, where part of the Wall near the Castle was thrown down by the Maga∣zine which was lately fired: For this Ge∣neral Storm all things were well prepared; the Officers of most experience, and bravery were appointed to lead the Assailants unto the respective Attacks, and Labourers pla∣ced in a readiness to carry Faggots, and Sacks of Earth to cover the Men, and make good the Lodgments, and others with Mattocks and Spades, and such like Instruments to dig and throw up the Earth.

The Duke of Loraine intending to be∣gin the Assault at break of Day in the Morn∣ing, passed that Night in the Trenches; but when they were ready for that Enterprise on the Bavarian side, all the Palisadoes were on Fire, and burnt with so violent a Flame, caused by a certain mixture of bituminous stuff, that the Attack was deferr'd until to∣wards the Evening; before which time some Rains falling, served to extinguish the fierce∣ness of the Fire, and the Duke of Loraine and

Bavaria after some Consultations together resolved forthwith to proceed unto the As∣sault; the Sign for which was given by fi∣ring three Pieces of Cannon: Upon which Signal the Imperialists, Bavarians and Bran∣denburgers drew out of their Lines, and ad∣vanced against the Breaches: The Imperia∣lists soon made themselves Masters of the great Tower, but were quickly droven thence by the Turks; which when the Duke of Loraine observed from the place where he had posted himself, for to give out his Orders; he immediately in Person advanced with fresh Troops to sustain and support the first; the Presence of the General, who was engaged in a dangerous place, with the Sword in his Hand and Casket on his Head, did so animate the Soldiers, that inflamed with a de∣sire to imitate the bravery of their General and preserve his Person, they all returned to the Fight; and tearing out the Palisa∣does all on Fire, in despight of the Ene∣mies shot and resistance, they bravely lodged themselves upon the Breach of the first Wall, and presently made themselves Ma∣sters of the great Tower, with two other small Bastions on the Right and on the Left-hand; driving the Turks into the Re∣trenchments, which were lately cut behind the new Palisadoes: But the Christians so plied them with small Shot and Granadoes, that they were forced to quit that place al∣so, with great loss and slaughter of their Men: But while they were labouring to secure that Ground and the Lodgment there; the Enemy gave Fire to four Mines, which tossed up many of those into the Air who were the farthest advanced: Howsoever, the Presence of the Duke of Loraine so en∣couraged the Soldiers, that in emulation of each other, they pressed forward, and made themselves Masters of that Ground, which their other Fellows had newly quitted with the loss of their Lives. At the same time, the Brandenburgers were so successeful in their Enterprise, that they took the Tower which they attacked, whereon were Seven∣teen Pieces of Cannon with some Mortars. The Elector of Bavaria also succeeded in his Enterprise, leading on his Men in Person, and possessed himself of the great Tower which fronts the Castle, whereon were seven Pieces of Cannon, and two Standards of the Janisaries.

On that part of the City allotted to the false Attack of the Heydukes, no great mat∣ter was performed, nor nothing expected; for the place was strong, and the Party ap∣pointed for the Assault was to make a di∣version of the Forces, rather than in good earnest to gain a Lodgment.

During these Attacks the Turks made a Sally, and charged the Christians in the Flank, but being watched by some Squa∣drons of Horse, were repulsed back into the Town with great loss; and finding that the Christians were pressing forward, as far, as to to the second Wall, they set Fire to a sort of sulfureous and bituminous matter, composed on purpose to suffocate and poi∣son the Lungs, which being thrown into the Ditch, gave a stop to the Progress of the Assailants: But a Wind arising soon after∣watds, which carried the Fire and Smoke towards the Town, annoied the Defendants in such manner, that they were forced to quit their Station, and suffer the Christians without farther resistance to keep, and make good the Ground they had taken.

This Assault continued for the space of four hours, with a vast effusion of Blood on one side and the other; but the Imperi∣lists, Bavarians, Brandenburgers and all o∣ther the Assailants, with unparallel'd Va∣lour fighting amidst the Fire and Smoke, Granadoes, Stones, Swords and Lances without any regard to their Lives, and ani∣mated by the Bravery of the Commanders, who were as forward to expose themselves to danger, as the meanest of the Common Sol∣diers, possessed at length, and lodged them∣selves on all round Bullwarks, and Walls made with Earth, reaching from one side of the City unto the other. About Sun-setting the Attack ceased, and both sides as it were by mutual consent gave over the Fight, which ended with the great advantage of the Christians, who had penetrated to the second Retrenchment of the Wall and Ditch: And Night coming on, those who were ty∣red with that Day's Labour, were relieved by others, who were all Night long em∣ployed in raising Earth, and fortifying the places which they had gained, on which they mounted Cannon, and turned those on the Enemy which they had taken from them; and the next Day began therewith to Batter the inward Wall. It is impossible to express the Bravery and Resolution, with which this Attack was maintained: For besides the Gallantry of all the Officers in general, the Duke of Loraine, and Count Staremberg gave undeniable Proofs of their Courage, of their indefatigable Industry, and of their Zeal for the Glory of the Em∣perour, and the Christian Religion; not on∣ly attending unto their own Quarters, but hazarded their Persons in all places, where their Presence and Directions were necessa∣ry or useful. In this Enterprise many brave Soldiers and Officers were slain, who were ready to Sacrifice their Lives, being pushed forward with an Ambition to signalize them∣selves in the Presence of their Generals; the numbers of them were so great, that to make the Victory look more cheerful, it

was thought fit to conceal them; only such as were of principal note, were acknow∣ledged as followeth.

Killed.

• Monsieur Artein Agitant General to the Duke of Loraine.
• Serjeant Major Pini.
• Count Schlik.
• Baron Geta, with many other Subaltern Officers of great experience.

Wounded.

• The Duke of Croy.
• The Prince of Commercy.
• Serjeant General Diepenthall.
• Baron de Asti.
• The Serjeant Major of Staremberg, with two Captains.
• Serjeant General Dingen.
• The Lieutenant Colonel of Neuburg's Regi∣ment.

Killed of the Brandenburgers.

• The Count of Dona.
• Serjeant Major Maruvitz.

Wounded.

• The Duke of Curland, with many other in∣feriour Officers.

The Elector of Bavaria and Prince Lewis of Baden, with incomparable Conduct and Bravery, exposed their Persons to danger and hazard in all places which required their Presence, and remained all Night upon the Watch, giving directions in what man∣ner the Labourers were to work, nor did they Retire, or take any Rest or Repose, until the Lodgments were secured: For during the Darkness of the Night, they had formed a strong Trench round the Tower, which is under the Wall of the Ca∣stle; and made smooth the heaps and ruins of Stones and Rubbish, by laying thereon an innumerable number of Sacks of Earth, whereon the Troops could with a large Front march up to relief of the Guards. And now whereas the innermost Gate of the Castle was possessed by the Bavarians, so that it could not longer hold out; the Turks thought fit for saving their Men to abandon it wholly, the Garrison being much diminished, and their numbers abated in the late Attack.

In which of the Regiment of Bavaria were killed, A Captain, and wounded a Ser∣jeant Major, a Captain and three Lieute∣nants.

Of the Regiment of Baden were killed two Lieutenants, and wounded five Captains, one Lieutenant and three Ensigns.

In the Regiment of Aspremont, Killed one Ensign, and wounded the Colonel, the Lieutenant Colonel, Count Nicholas Palfi, Serjeant Major, Count Zacco, a Cava∣lier of Malta, and six other Captains, five Lieutenants and two Ensigns.

In the Regiment of Rummel killed, A Cap∣tain and a Lieutenant; wounded a Cap∣tain and an Ensign.

In the Regiment of Gallenfels, killed the Lieutenant Colonel; wounded two Cap∣tains and a Lieutenant.

In the Regiment of Furstemberg, wounded a Captain, a Lieutenant, and an En∣sign.

In the Regiment of Beck, wounded the Lieu∣tenant Colonel, the Baron of Welsberg, five Captains, five Lieutenants, and five Ensigns.

In the Regiment of Steinau, killed a Ser∣jeant Major and a Lieutenant; and wound∣ed a Captain, two Lieutenants and an Ensign.

In the Regiment of Seibolstorff, killed a Ser∣jeant Major; and wounded a Captain and two Lieutenants.

In this Attack, of the Imperialists and Ba∣varians, were killed Common Soldiers an Hundred and seventeen; wounded Nine hundred seventy two.

Of the Saxons, were killed a Lieutenant Colonel, two Corporals, and seventy Com∣mon Soldiers; wounded a Lieutenant Co∣lonel, two Serjeant Majors, two Captains, a Captain Lieutenant, three Ensigns, two Serjeants, two Corporals, and a Hun∣dred Ninety nine Common Soldiers.

Having in this manner, with a vast effu∣sion of Bloud, entred as far as to the in∣ward Wall, all Art and Industry was used to blow that up with new Mines, at which they laboured with so much diligence, that in a Day and a Night's time they were finished and fired; the third of which did such great Execution by opening the Breach, as invi∣ted the Besiegers to make an Assault; to the performance of which, Twelve hundred foot Soldiers, and Four hundred Dragoons were appointed; but their Officers being for the most part killed or wounded, the Duke of Loraine was forced to make use of the two Generals of Horse, the Counts of Lodron and Styrum, to Command the At∣tack; and in the mean time that they were coming, a Battery of three Pieces of Cannon was raised on the Curtain lately possessed, with four Mortar-pieces, both to widen the Breach, and offend the more in∣ward parts of the Town. But whilst this was doing, the Besieged were making a new Retrenchment behind the Breach, which was an evident Proof, that they resolved to

defend the Place unto the last extremity.

But not to drive Matters to that ultimate Period, the Turks sent on their part two Agas to the Duke of Loraine to enter on a Treaty; and the Duke on his side sent his Adjutant General, the Count of Lamberg, with his In∣terpreter, into the Town; where he was in∣troduc'd to the Presence of the Pasha, with such Respect, Ceremony and Honour, as was agreeable to the ill Circumstances under which the Turks labour'd; but he return'd again with no other satisfactory Answer than this: That the Officers and Commanders of that Government could not, nor would not so easily yield and sur∣render up that City, which is the Key of the Ot∣toman Empire: But when it should be thought sit to conclude, and establish an universal Peace, that they would then oblige themselves, that an Equivalent should be given to the Emperor, by the Delivery of two other Places: And that they were ready to give up the same, and conclude a Peace, for making which, they had received a sufficient Power from the Grand Seignior, pro∣vided that the Siege be immediately raised. With this Answer the Generals not being pleas'd, they began on both sides to fire with the usual Fury, and that Night they finished two Bat∣teries, which were raised for enlargement of the Breaches, and three Mines were fired, which fill'd a great part of the Ditch with Earth; but one of them recoyling back, bu∣ry'd a hundred Men of the Brandenburger Troops, who were advanc'd too far, and were not advertis'd, when the Mine was to be fir'd.

The next Day following, about Nine a Clock in the Morning, the Turks beat again a Parly towards the side of the Breach of the Bavarian Quarter, and sent the two Agas, which had been employed the Day before with the Duke of Loraine, unto the Elector, desiring that two Hostages might be returned in their Places, which being done accordingly, one of the Agas offered in the Name of the Vizier of Buda, To yield and surrender up the Place, with all the Dependencies, which he avowed to be very great, and to contain no less than a Hundred and Fifty Leagues of Land thereupon depend∣ing, or otherwise to deliver up any other two places within the Kingdom of Hungary, being under the Turks Dominion, at the Will and Choice of the Emperor, provided that a gene∣ral Peace might thereupon be concluded and ensue: But in regard the Elector was suffi∣ciently informed, that it was not in his own nor yet in the Emperor's Power to make a Peace without the common Consent of the Allies, for which there was no time at that critical Season: The two Agas were re∣manded back, and the Hostages returned, and then the old Trade proceeded, and they began again to fire on all sides as before. But this Cessation of Arms was made use of by the Christians, for discovery of the Breach of the Castle, and the entrance thereunto by way of the Town; of which a Lieutenant Colonel belonging to the Regiment of Baden, took a particular Observation.

The same Day a Mine was fired by the Imperialists at the Attack of Loraine, which made a Breach in the second Wall, and sha∣ked the third, which so alarum'd the De∣fendants, that in great numbers they came running to that place; by which such a diver∣sion was made of their Forces, as gave the Bavarians an opportunity to enter the Ca∣stle; but being not able to make good their Ground, they were constrained to abandon the Lodgment which they had already begun.

During these Actions, Count Staremberg applying himself to all places, where his Presence was required, without any regard to the hazard and danger of life, he received a Musquet Shot on his Left-hand, which carried away his Thumb; and with another Shot he was both wounded in the Cheek, and in the Shoulder; but the Wounds were so slight, as did not constrain him to with∣draw from his Care and Command. The Duke of Loraine was at the same time indi∣sposed in his Health by the accession of a Fever; which though not very violent, yet it gave some cause of Fear and Discourage∣ment to the whole Camp; howsoever the Spirit of this Hero was so great, that he still continued to prosecute his Enterprize, and give direction for perfecting the Mines, which were now necessary on that side; for that little thereof could be effected at the Bavarian Attack, where the Labourers were stopped by Rocks and Quarries of Stone: And whilst the Miners worked at the Breach of Loraine, they were forced to withdraw themselves from the pestilential Air, caused under Ground by the noisome Stench of dead Bodies. Howsoever, the Mine under the third Wall was finished, and sprung with good success, thô the Ditch was not so fil∣led, that the Soldiers could pass to the Assault; yet bringing Sacks of Earth, and other defensible Matter, they lodged and co∣vered themselves at the foot of the Breach.

Whilst the Siege proceeded with all this heat and vigour, certain News was brought, that the Grand Vizier had com∣posed a Body of Seven thousand Horse, drawn out of divers Garrisons in Hungary, and caused them to advance as far as Sa∣rowitz, which is within Thirteen Leagues of Buda, and that other Troops had passed the Bridge of Esseck, and that the Seraskier was appointed to guard that way, until the Vizier in Person had made his Passage, who with 40.000 Men was marching to the Relief of distressed Buda; and that he would be shortly Reinforced with a very

great Body of Tartars and Asiatick Horse, which were already on their March, and had passed Adrianople. But the Generals, who had received more certain Advices of the Strength of the Vizier, were well assu∣red, that neither the Number of his Soldiers was so great, nor the Quality of them so formidable, being for the most part compo∣sed of soft Asiaticks, of Country-men and People inexpert and unaccustomed to War; and for that Reason it was not to be imagi∣ned that the Grand Vizier would put all to the hazard of a pitched Battle. How∣soever, not to despise an Enemy, the Ge∣nerals considering hereof at a Council of War, dispatched immediately express Or∣ders to the Cavalry, quarter'd in all parts of the Upper Hungary, where was no ap∣prehension of any Enemy, to march unto the Camp; and accordingly General Dune∣waldt, with several Regiments of Horse un∣der his Command, and Count Caprara, and General Heusler with their Troops, and Count Budiani with about Two thousand Hungarians, all valiant and veterane Sol∣diers, appeared at the Rendezvous, and with all expedition marched towards the Enemy, with intention to give them a stop in their Way towards Buda. The Ban or Governor of Croatia, having given Advice to the Generals, that he had raised the Mi∣litia of that Country for the Service of the Emperor, was commanded to March to∣wards the Bridge of Esseck, and joyning with the other Forces, to make Head and Op∣position to the Grand Vizier in his March.

The rumour and report of the Grand Vi∣zier's approach with all his Army did daily increase, and as a certain Fore-runner there∣of, several Thousands of his Horse were advanced very near to discover the Force and Actions of the Christians: Whereupon a Council of War being called of all the Generals, it was concluded to counter∣mand the Advance of the Troops, and ap∣point them to appear at a general Rendez∣vous, where it was plainly manifested, how greatly the numbers were abated; and there∣fore since the great Line of Circumvallation was perfected and well flanked with strong Redoubts, Spurs and other defensible Works, they order'd, that the same should be main∣tained by Three thousand Foot, which were sufficient to give a stop to any Attempt, which might be made upon the Camp: And the Imperial, Bavarian, and Branden∣burger Cavalry, were commanded to lodge on the Hills and rising Grounds which were round the Town: And the Heydukes were encamped along the Wall of the old Town, extending themselves from the Fort situate on the Danube, unto the Trenches of the Brandenburgers.

Having thus secured their Camp, and put every thing in a readiness to receive the Enemy, in case they should attempt to force their Lines; they proceeded on all sides to perfect their Works on the Breaches. The Bavarians being piqued in point of Honour for the Foyl or Disadvantage they had re∣ceived about two or three Days before, had incessantly fire on the great Tower with their biggest Cannon; and from another Battery near adjoyning plaid continually on the Breach of the Wall, which as yet was not wide enough for the Attack; and be∣cause the Situation of the Place was such, as made it almost inaccessible and too dan∣gerous to the Soldiers to ascend over the Rocks and Ruines which lay in the way, the Elector resolved to point all his Can∣non against the Castle, as also his Bombs of greatest weight, with design to beat down the Walls, and with the Ruins thereof to make the Ascent thereunto more easie and secure; with which, and some Mines which were blown up, that ancient and stately Edifice was almost destroyed.

The News of the daily approach of the Vizier and his Army, caused the Christians to be more watchful and vigilant than be∣fore, and scarce gave the Generals any rest or repose by Day or Night free from Alarums, which the Duke of Loraine sustained in a manner rather Miraculous than Natural; for being scarce recover'd of a Fever, the present state of Affairs required him to re∣double his Cares and Vigilance; which agi∣tation of Mind was able to have droven a confirmed Health into the extremities of Heat and feverish Distempers; but God, who intended him for the glorious Instru∣ment of subjecting this strong City, gave him strength for his great Work; so that notwithstanding the expectation of the Vi∣zier hastning to the Relief, a general Assault was made at every Breach, which continued for the space of two hours; in which the Defendants behaved themselves with such Gallantry, that the Duke of Loraine caused a Retreat to be sounded, rather than un∣profitably to lose the Lives of his Soldiers, of which they began now to be sensible of the great Abatement: Howsoever something was gained by this Assault on the right side of the Tower, adjoyning to the Castle at the corner of the inward Wall, where they lodged forty Men. In this Conflict not many Men were killed, but many were wounded, both Officers as well as common Soldiers, and particularly Count Leopold of Herberstein, and Serjeant Major Bischoff∣shausen; and on the Quarter of Bavaria, the Prince of Savoy, and Prince Lewis of Baden, both slightly wounded.

By the motion of the Seraskier, it seem∣ed as if his Intentions were to enter his Succour and Relief into the Town by the Bavarian Quarters; and some Thousands of Turks appearing on the rising Grounds and sides of the Hills, put themselves into a po∣sture, as if they intended to Engage; but the Trenches were so well guarded and for∣tified, that there seemed to be little danger of forcing Succour by that way into the City: Howsoever, there happen'd daily Skirmishes, in which diverse were killed on one side and the other; and particularly a Turk well mounted and habited, advancing with more than prudent Gallantry, was laid dead on the Ground; and being stripped by the Soldiery, there were some Letters found about him from the Grand Vizier to the Pasha of Buda, signifying that his In∣tentions were to force some Quarter of the Enemy, and thereby introduce the Suc∣cours designed for Relief of the Place; and that in the mean time with a Body of Eight thousand Tartars, to stop the Passage of all Provisions to the Christian Camp between Strigonium and Buda. Upon this Discovery, the Duke of Loraine and the Generals re∣solved to guard their Trenches with Twen∣ty thousand Men, posted in the most ad∣vantagious Places, and to draw out all the remainder of the Army into the Field to meet the Vizier, and shew their readiness to give him Battle; for thô the Turks were reported to be Seventy thousand strong, they were not in reality above Forty thou∣sand able to bear Arms; against which the Duke of Loraine forming his Van-guard of Four thousand Talpatzes and Hungarian Hus∣sars, flanked by a part of the German Horse, marched forth in view of the Enemy. Af∣ter some Skirmishes with loss of Men on both sides, the Turks retired, carrying away with them some Heads of Cattle, which the Hussars endeavouring to recover, were beaten back with the loss of thirteen Men. After this, the former Resolution was changed, and it was concluded at a general Council of War, to keep within, and guard their Trenches, which were well fortified, until they were certainly assured of what Strength the Vizier was; according to which Resolution, they continued to Forti∣fy their Lines of Circumvallation with Re∣doubts, on which they mounted several Field-pieces.

The 9th of the Month the Turks ap∣peared on the Hills, opposite to the Bava∣rian Quarters, in greater Numbers than be∣fore, and after an Engagement with the ad∣vanced Troops, made their Retreat as they had done the Day before; and in the re∣turn to their Camp, they met with a Party of about an Hundred and fifty Hungarians, which were sent to discover the Enemy; they cut them all off, thirty only escaping, of which most of them were wounded; and at the same time the Besiged made a Sally on the Bavarian Quarter, and killed about Eighty Soldiers, besides some Officers. On the 10th the Bavarians had finished their Line of Circumvallation, adjoyning to that of the Imperialists, and had wholly guarded themselves from all Attempts of the Enemy by a very deep Ditch: Howsoever, things not being so secure, but that the Enemy might be able to attempt the entring Suc∣cours by way of the River, the Water of which was very low; they fortified that part also with some Boats at a convenient distance from each other, and with some Turn-pikes called Chevaux de Frise

On the 11th certain Intelligence was brought, that the Grand Vizier was encam∣ped about five Leagues off; and the same Day Two thousand Turks appeared oppo∣site to the Bavarian Quarter, about the same place as before; to discover which and their numbers, a Detachment was sent, but they were soon forced to retire in hast, the Enemy descending in numbers, which were too unequal a Match for them. The three Mines on which much Work was bestowed being charged with Five thousand weight of Powder, were now ready; and on the 12th were fired, but not with such good effect as was expected, having only shaken the inward Wall, and some few of the Pali∣sadoes; so that it was believed, that the Turks had discharged them of the great∣est part of their Powder, by which disap∣pointment, the Assault which was intended, was countermanded, and the Miners or∣der'd to begin a new Work. The After∣noon of the same Day, the Vizier appear'd and encamped on the Banks of the Danube, being as some Deserters reported about Fifty thousand strong; at the sight of which, the Besieged being encouraged, made a Sally with about an Hundred Horse and Foot, upon Three hundred Horse of the Van-guard; of the Imperialists, who feigning a flight, drew them at some distance from the Town, and then returning upon them, cut the greatest part of them in pieces.

On the 14th, the Turks drew out their whole Army into Battalia, and Detached Six thousand Men under three Pashas, a∣mongst which were Two thousand Janisa∣ries, with Orders to make their Way into the Town, by the Imperial and Brandenbur∣ger Quarters. Against whom the Duke of Loraine sent the Regiment of Hungarians Commanded by Palfi, and the Regiments of Schultz, Serau, and Lodron to charge the Enemy and begin the Fight: The Hungari∣ans upon the first Shock or Charge began to

give Ground; but Baron Marcy putting him∣self at the Head of the Regiment of Schultz, gave a stop to the Flight of the Hungarians, until such time as Count Dunewalt came up with the Regiments of Taff, Lodron, Neu∣bourg, Stirum and Staremberg, which be∣ing joyned in a Body, charged the Turks with that Fury and Bravery, that they totally defeated and put the Turkish Horse to Flight, by which the Janisaries being abandoned and laid open, were almost all cut off and de∣stroyed. The Elector of Bavaria with his Horse pursued them to their Camp, where Rallying again they endeavoured to charge the Christians in the Flank; which when the Duke of Loraine perceived, he made a stand or a halt, and drew out some Forces from the Lines, which he caused to march towards their assistance; but the Turks having re∣ceived the first Fire retreated to their Camp, whither it was thought fit not to pursue them, but rather to conduct the Troops back to the Camp, being much tired and wearied by continal Watchings, having for the space of three Days and three Nights, been always on the Guard with Arms in their Hands. The Victory was very clear and signal, for the Turks lost eight Pieces of Cannon, and Forty Standards, and Two thousand and two hundred dead Bodies were accounted by the Duke of Loraine himself lying in the Field, where the Battle was Fought, which he caused to be buried, to prevent a putrefaction in the Air; and all this with the loss only of about Two hun∣dred Men killed and wounded, amongst the latter of which were the Count of Lodron, a Major, and two Captains.

After this happy Success all the Cannon were discharged, and the Colours taken from the Turks displaied, and many Heads of those who had been killed, were set upon Pikes, and shewed to the Besieged to in∣crease their greater Terrour and Despair.

Notwithstanding all which, the Turks aba∣ted nothing of their Courage; the Grand Vizier giving the Christians every Night Alarms, the better to discover with what Force and Vigilancy the Lines and Avenues were Guarded. At length, on the 20th of August about break of Day, Four thousand Turks, of which Two thousand were Janisaries mounted on Horse-back, made a vigorous Attempt by the Vally of St. Paul, and with great Fury assailed those Guards, which they not being able to sustain, gave them Way, and permitted them in a full carrear, to Ride up to the Walls of the Town: At this confusion of the Guards, and the Noise made by the Janisaries, the Regiments of Caprara and Heusler came, and renewed the Fight with them, and killed several hun∣dreds of the Turks, who as they advanced farther into the Approaches, were so plied by the Musquetiers, that most of them were slain: Howsoever, about Two hundred of them made their Way into the Town by the Ba∣varian Quarter: Which so animated the Defendants, that they made and discharged four Vollies of Shot for joy round the Town: Though this small Recruit was rather a Weakening to them than any Reinforcement. This Attempt seemed so desperate to the Turkish Soldiery, that the Vizier could not prevail with any Man to undertake it, with∣out a Largess of Thirty Dollars in hand paid to every Janisary, and promise to any that should get within the Town, to have his pay doubled during his Life, and to be freed from going ever more to the War: Of which sort of People there are above Fifty thousand in the Ottoman Empire, called Oto∣racks, or as in Latin Milites immeriti.

All this interrupted not the Bavarians in their Works, or in the Batteries they had raised on the great Rondel, by which they very much annoied the main Castle, which when the Turks observed, they planted one of their biggest Pieces of Cannon on the highest part of the Wall, which they ha∣ving charged with Musquet Bullets, Iron, Stones, &c. did great execution on the Sol∣diers, which maintained and guarded the Ron∣del of the Tower: Howsoever, not to give ground or abandon so advantagious a Post, the Elector of Bavaria with advice of the General Officers, resolved to Assault the Tower, which was half ruined and already demolished, so as thereby to gain the ad∣vantage of an upper Ground: The Assailants so bravely behaved themselves, That on the the 22d without any regard to the dif∣ficulty and ruggedness of the Ascent, or the opposition the Turks made, they sur∣mounted the Breach and killed about One hundred Men, and made themselves Ma∣sters of the Tower: In the mean time whilst this was in Action, the Duke of Loraine, and the Brandenburgers caused an Alarm to be given without, and with continual Fi∣ring of their Artillery and Vollies of Shot, kept the Enemy at a distance.

The Pasha of Buda finding himself nearly urged, and pressed by the loss of so im∣portant a place, from whence the Christi∣ans could now shoot into the Town; he ap∣plied all his endeavours to dislodge them: But the Bavarians having str ngly posted themselves, being assisted with the advan∣tage of the rising Situation, vigorously re∣pulsed all the Force which the Turks could make upon them, and easily threw them down head-long from the Scaling Ladders which they had erected. This place was gained by the Bavarians without much Blood of the Common Soldiery, but Duke

Henric of Saxon Mersburg was in that Acti∣on wounded in two places; and General Rummel of the Bavarians was slain by a Musquet-shot in the Approaches, which ought to have been made deeper by three or four Foot, so as to cover the whole Body of a Man; he was an excellent Sol∣dier, and a brave Man, and therefore much lamented by his Electoral Highness, and the whole Army.

Nothing could more annoy and vex the Defendants, than the taking and possessing this Tower, which render'd the Case and State of the City almost desperate; so that no hopes remained, unless they were suc∣cour'd and reliev'd by the Army of the Grand Vizier, whom to advise of their Ex∣tremity, two Messengers were dispatch'd out of the Town, one by the way of the Water, and the other by the Land side, both dis∣guised in the Hungarian Habit. The first was discover'd swimming over to the Island of St. Margaret's; and being pursued was taken, but his Letters he had first thrown into the River: Howsoever, being brought before the Generals, he confessed and decla∣red the low and desperate Condition to which the City was reduc'd; and that it could not hold out much longer unless spee∣dily Reliev'd; and that another Messenger was sent to acquaint the Vizier thereof by Word of Mouth, letting him know, that it was not sufficient to appear before the Town, and flatter them with the hopes of Succour, unless also he could force the Ene∣my to raise the Siege; and that the late Recruit of Two hundred Men, who brave∣ly made their way into the City, was but a small Help and Comfort to a Garrison already wasted, and almost totally consu∣med by a long Siege. That the Castle was in a manner lost, since that the principal Towers and Bulwarks of it were possessed by the Enemy: And in short, that those who re∣main'd alive, were wearied out with con∣tinual Watchings, and every Day dimi∣nish'd by Cannon and Musquet-shot, by Bombs, Fires, and Carcasses continually thrown into the Town.

All these Matters being reported before the Generals, they conceived certain hopes of putting a speedy end to their Labours and Dangers: Howsoever, therewithal they so far consulted their own Condition, that they concluded it very necessary, before any thing was farther attempted, to expect the coming of that Body of the Army under Count Scaffemberg, and the Twelve hundred Swedes, which were now on their March, and near at hand. At length Scaffemberg being come with a Reinforcement of Eight thousand Men, besides the Swedes, raised the Spirits of the whole Army, and put the Generals into a capacity of executing the Designs they had already plotted and contrived. On the Loraine Quarter a Bridge was made near the great Tower, leading to∣wards the inward Palisadoes of the Enemy; and to conserve it from fire, they covered it over with Earth: The like was also per∣formed on the Bavarian side; but whilst these things were preparing, a stop was put thereunto by an unexpected and vigorous Sally which the Besieged made, for dislodg∣ing the Soldiers which had possessed the Tower. Three Attempts were made there∣upon with the greatest fury and desperation imaginable, throwing Granadoes, Sacks of Powder, and artificial Fires, composed of Sulphur, Pitch, and all sorts of burning and fetulent Matter; notwithstanding which, they were most vigorously repulsed with much loss. The Elector considering the dangerous Post, which his Men had under∣taken to defend, thought sit to withdraw his Soldiers from the Bulwark, that he might with more advantage batter the great Tow∣er with his heaviest Cannon, which were so hotly plyed, that the whole Tower was beaten down, and the Enemy thereby made uncapable to offend from those Works. The Bridge of which we spake, being finished on the side of the Imperialists, with the Batte∣ry on the Rondel, the inward Palisadoes were broken down, and the Breach widen'd above Forty Paces; so that now all had been surrender'd, had not the Vizier comforted the Pasha with Assurances, that he and the Seraskier had resolved to attempt the Camp in three places at the same time; and that the most forcible one should be given at the Water-side, where 'twas believ'd the least Opposition could be made. Upon this Ad∣vice, the Water-side and Banks of the Ri∣ver were well fortified and secured, and a strong Chain stretched over the Water be∣low the Bridge of Boats, from the Shoar to the Point of St. Margaret's Isle, to obstruct the Passage of Spies and Messengers, who used to swim over the Water with Intelli∣gence, and which also might serve to give a stop to the Cavalry, in case they should attempt any thing on that side.

The City being now in a languishing Condition, the Grand Vizier resolved to make his last Effort; and having chosen out of his Army Three thousand of his bravest Soldiers, which he encouraged with Thirty Dollars a-piece paid them in hand, and with promise of Increase of their daily Pay, du∣ring Life, to such as should make and force their Way into the Town; and at the same time another Body was ordered to enter the Line, at the place which they had lately attempted. The Three thousand descended by way of the Vally called Shamboiuck, and

with great Fury fell in upon the Guards of the Imperialists; but were so well received by the Baron of Asti, with his Talpatz and Hussars, and by General Heusler, with his Regiment, that they were vigorously re∣pulsed. After which they made an Attempt on Count Caprara, and again on the Quar∣ters of the Duke of Loraine, but in all places were ill treated, and came off with a great loss of Men. In the mean time, the second Body of Turks assaulted other parts of the Army, which increased the heat of the Fight; to succour which, the Duke of Loraine detach'd all the Forces which were about him, remaining alone only with two Assistants; but the Battle growing hot, and the Turks endeavouring in diverse places to break into the Line, the Duke of Loraine put himself at the Head of two Battalions of Brandenburgers, whose Example gave Life and Courage to the whole Army. But whilst this Fight was mannaged in diverse Squadrons, which confusedly ran from one side to another, some of them had the for∣tune to force the Line towards the Wall of the lower City; but passing to the Line of Contravallation, they met there such Vol∣lies of Shot, and continual Firings, that knowing not which way to retreat, they fell into the Squadrons of Baron Marcy and Serau, by whom the greatest part of them were kill'd upon the place; and those which escaped were so confused, that being dispers'd about the Fields, they knew not which way to take. Some of them happen'd to fall in with the Brandenburgers, others into the general Quarters, where being encompass'd on all sides, they were miserably cut to pie∣ces and slain, not so much as their Servants, or Grooms of their Horses escaping. The Besieged in the mean time being Spectators of all that passed, designed by a most vigo∣rous Sally to meet their Succours, but were so warmly encounter'd by the Bavarians, that they were forced to Retreat with pre∣cipitation and disorder.

The Body which the Turks kept for a Re∣serve, observing the unfortunate issue of these Conflicts, durst not adventure to make another Attack, but retired back to their Camp. The Turks lost above One thousand Men kill'd on the place, and Twenty five of their Colours were taken. Howsoever, this Advantage was not obtained without some considerable loss on the Christian side, which was the more to be lamented by the Death of Baron Marcy, who after having kill'd several Janisaries with his own hand, receiv'd two Cuts on the Head with a Cy∣meter, and one on his Shoulder, which thô at first were not esteem'd Mortal; yet the Wounds being neglected, and the Cure thereof not much regarded, he Died thereof in a short time afterwards, to the great Grief of the whole Camp, which much la∣mented the loss of so brave a Soldier.

The Vizier being informed of this unfor∣tunate Success, immediately gave order to the Janisaries of his Guards, which were kept for a Reserve to renew the Fight, and attempt once more to give succour to the Town; but the March of these fresh Forces being discovered by the General Count Pic∣colomini, who was at the Head of five Regi∣ments of Horse, divided into Twenty five Squadrons, he marched boldly to meet the Enemy; but the Turks upon appearance of the Van-guard of the Christians sounded a Retreat, and returned back to the Vizier's Camp.

Whilst these several Conflicts and Skir∣mishes were acting in the Field, the Attacks upon the Town were not neglected; and on the side of Loraine they had advanced their Lodgment to the Breach of the inward Wall, not above three Pikes length from the Palisadoes; but because it was necessa∣ry to attack the Town with extream Reso∣lution and Force, without which it could not be taken; and that in the mean time, no Interruption should be given to the As∣sault by the outward Force of the Enemy; it was resolved at a Council of War, held by all the Generals then present, that the Lines of Circumvallation should be made deeper, which being well guarded, would secure the Soldiers from the Enemy with∣out: And in the mean time, to keep the Design secret, a Report was given out that the Christians intended to give Battle to the Turks; upon the News of which, the Vizier applied himself to fortify his Camp, and the Besieged neglected to provide for their last Defence.

It being now the second of September, the Artillery continued still to play upon the Breaches with Chained-shot, and to burn the Palisadoes with Bullets red-hot, and to amuse the Besieged with the report of the Battle; so that several Troops were drawn out of the Lines, as if all the Army intended to take the Field; when on a sud∣dain, upon a Signal given by firing six Pie∣ces of Cannon from the Swedes Battery, the Soldiers arose like so many Lions to attack the Breaches in three several places, of Loraine, Bavaria and Brandenburg; besides there were two other false Attacks. Baron Asti, with his Granadiers, was the first to mount the Breach, but being wounded in the Attempt, he resigned his Command to lead his Men to the Serjeant-Major of Die∣penthal. Never was any thing more brave∣ly assaulted, nor more courageously defen∣ded: For the Besieged, notwithstanding the late Stratagem to amuse them, still continu∣ed

their usual Vigilance, and oppose themselves with open Breasts against their Enemy; so that never was made a more brave and reso∣lute Defence than that of this Fortress of Buda. The Brandenburgers, not inferior in Courage to the Imperialists, were as forward as the o∣thers to mount the Breach; but both of them encountred an incredible Resistance by whole showers of Shot, Granadoes, Bags of Gunpowder, Stones, and even Swords and handy Blows, to which they came with the Enemy: But the Assailants being se∣conded by Reserves, and animated by the Presence and Example of their Generals, who marched at the head of their Men ra∣ther as Guides and Conductors, than as Commanders, were so encouraged, that they resolv'd either now at last to enter the Town, or die on the Breach: The Duke of Croy, the Prince of Neuburg, with the Ge∣nerals Souches, Scaffemberg and Diepental, were like Common Soldiers engaged amidst the thickest of the Enemies; and the Duke of Loraine, who out of an heroick Spirit, was always present where was most of Dan∣ger, was one of the first to mount the Breach, being followed by the other Gene∣rals. The Fight grew so hot, and the De∣fendants so hardly press'd upon the Breach, that the Pasha-Governour of the Place, with the most select and choise Men of the Garrison came running to succour that part where the Enemy was just ready to make their Entrance; the Pasha fighting valiantly on the Breach, and giving undeniable Proofs of his Valour, was slain on the Ruins, and fell a Sacrifice rather to his own Master than to his Enemies; for had he escaped the Danger and Slaughter, 'tis probable he would have been ill received at Home, and his Death made shameful by the Hand of the Executioner, which was now made glo∣rious by the Sword of the Enemy. In fine, after a bloudy Fight on the Breach, which continued for the space of three quarters of an Hour, the Soldiers entred freely into the City, where a new Engagement began, the Garrison retreating from House to House, and from Wall to Wall, firing from Win∣dows and Holes, and all parts, being resol∣ved to sell their Habitations and Lives at the dearest rate they were able, until at length with great disorder they fled to the foot of the Castle Wall. The Imperialists being now Masters of the Town, made a most direful Slaughter of all they met; and being in the heat of their Fury, put Women and Children to the Sword.

But the Elector of Bavaria met a strong∣er Resistance at the Castle; for the Turks who were still in their Trenches, and knew not as yet, that the Christians had enter'd the Town, defended themselves with their utmost Bravery, until at length the Bava∣rians redoubling their Force, became Ma∣sters of the remaining part of the Castle; when those who had forsaken the Breach, were flying to take their Refuge in it; but now no Place or Sanctuary remaining to save the Miserable, some of them threw down their Arms, crying for Quarter, and others made Signs of Surrender, by the white Turbants which they took from their Heads, and display'd in the Air, and others thinking to save themselves in little Boats, and pass over to Pesth; but many of them were taken by the Bavarians, and most of them kill'd: But in regard that those, who were still in their Trenches, perceived that no Quarter was given, they apply'd themselves again to their Arms, and as de∣sperate Men, resolved to sell their Lives at the dearest rate; and having set Fire to diverse Places of the City, render'd it a most direful spectacle of Horrour and Confusion. In fine, all endeavours being made by the Ge∣nerals to stop the farther effusion of Bloud; the Soldiers not being as yet satiated with Revenge for the Death of their Companions; and the Prince Eugene of Savoy, who (with his Regiment of Horse was posted in a bu∣rying place to oppose the Turks, in case they should attempt any thing from the Vizier's Camp) was deaf to the Cries of the Conquer'd; for hearing that the Town was enter'd, and unwilling to lose any part of the Glory, or that his Sword should ap∣pear dry, and not colour'd with the Bloud of his Enemies, at the end of the Action, forsook his Post, and let loose his Soldiers, crying out to give no Quarter to the Jani∣saries, which to the number of about Six∣teen hundred defended themselves within the Trenches and Works of the Castle; but the Generals consulting together, con∣sider'd that the Night was coming on, that the Enemies Camp was in sight, that Fires were kindled and furiously burning in di∣verse parts of the City, and that the Con∣fusion was every-where great; they at length agreed, thô with some Opinions to the contrary, to grant Quarter to the Jani∣saries for their Lives only; the which they having accepted, and surrender'd themseves, were by a strong Guard conducted to one of the Moschs of the City, others to the chief Store-house, and others to a part of the Castle, where they were kept in Custo∣dy until the Day following.

In the great Action of this Day, being the 2d of September, 1686, which gave the capital City of the Kingdom of Hungary into the Hands of the Emperor, after it had remained in Possession of the Turks ever since the Year 1529, when it was taken by Solyman; There were kill'd only Four

hundred Soldiers, and about Two hundred wounded; for where is a great Consterna∣tion, there is seldom much Bloud spilt on the victorious side: Of the Turks about Three thousand might be slain, and Two thousand made Captives; of which last, the Kahya to the Pasha of Buda, or his De∣puty, was made Slave to the Elector of Bavaria; the Aga or Commander of the Janisaries to the Duke of Loraine; as also the Mufti, the Treasurer, the Hasnadar or Privy-Purse to the Pasha, the Secretary to the Pasha, with several other Officers of Note: Many others were taken and kill'd, who endeavour'd to make their escape over the River, some of them being overtaken by the Talpatz in their swift-rowing Boats; and o∣thers taken or kill'd by the Garrison of Pesth, at their landing on the other side; but still was the City all this Night in con∣tinual Flames and Confusion; for the Turks had conserved diverse Stores of Powder and Fire-works in places near the Attacks, which were not regarded by the Christians, when they first enter'd the Town; where the Fire encreasing, and running from House to House, at length touching the Maga∣zines, they blew all up with so terrible a noise, that the General began to suspect some Treason, and fear'd that all the Town was min'd in subterranean Vaults; but considering afterwards the place from whence the Blow came, it soon appear'd that it was all no∣thing but an Accident; howsoever, with that and other terrible Blows, very few Houses in the City remained standing, and the Roofs uncover'd; only the principal Church of the City was not much damnified, and the chief Magazine or Store-house was conserved by the great Care and Diligence of Count Rabata, Commissary General, with another containing vast quantities of Powder and other warlike Provisions.

A stop being put (as we have said) by the Authority of the Generals, unto the Slaughter; and the Fury of the Soldiers growing cool, they began to hearken to the voice of their Commanders, who with good Words, and promises of Reward, prevail'd with them to apply themselves to the ex∣tinguishing of the Fire, which by the assi∣stance of God was in a few Hours over∣come. But a more wonderful deliverance by the Hand of God's Divine Providence, was the discovery of two Mines under the Castle, charged with Ten thousand Pounds of Powder, which the Turks reserved for their last and parting Blow, which had they taken Fire, would not only have destroyed the remainder of the City with the Walls and Bulwarks, but therewith buried the greatest part of the Assailants in the Ruins, and given a sad occasion or cause of Rejoy∣cing and Triumph to the surviving Con∣querors; but the Turks amidst this great Consternation had forgot these Mines, or else abstained from that desperate Attempt in hopes of Life.

This was the Fate of this great and strong City of Buda, the Capital of all Hungary, and Residence of the Beglerbei of that King∣dom, under whom are Twenty Sangiacks: He is stil'd the Vizier of Buda, and esteem'd after the Grand Vizier Azem, and the Pa∣shas of Grand Cairo and Babylon, (who are always entitul'd Viziers) the next in order of Superiority; and because his Station is on the Frontiers, and Neighbour to such a Formidable and Martial People, as are the Germans; they commonly chuse Men of Va∣lour and Conduct for that Employment, of which we have had a good Proof and Evi∣dence in the Person of the late Pasha, who decently Died on the Breach amidst the croud of Common Soldiers.

This City was at first taken by Solyman the Magnificent, in the Year 1526; and af∣terwards in the Year 1527, was subdu'd by Ferdinand the I. King of Bohemia, Brother to Charles the V. In the Year 1529, Soly∣man regain'd it by Treachery of the Gar∣rison, and after it laid Siege to Vienna it self, which after many bloudy Assaults he was forc'd to raise in hast and con∣fused Precipitation. After which, Buda sustain'd eight several Sieges without any Effect.

The first was by Ferdinand King of Bo∣hemia, [ 1st.] in the Year 1530, which he was forced to raise with shame and loss.

The second was by the same King, un∣der [ 2d.] the Conduct of his General Leonard Festius, in the Year 1540; but the King dying, the Siege was raised.

The next Year being 1541, the General [ 3d.] Rogensdorf laid Siege a third time to that City, which again was reliev'd by a pow∣erful Army under the Command of Soly∣man.

The Marquess of Brandenberg, in the [ 4th.] Year 1542, made an appearance as if he had a design upon Buda, and came so near as to Attack Pesth; but being repuls'd thence with some loss, he return'd back into Ger∣many.

In the Year 1598, the Count of Swart∣zemburg, [ 5th.] having by a Stratagem taken Rab from the Turks, marched thence towards Buda, and in the Month of October laid Siege thereunto, with the Forces of Ma∣thias the Arch-Duke, which after thirty Days time he was forced to raise, by rea∣son of the continual Rains: And what is observable, the Turks did the like at Wara∣din on the Frontiers, being under the same Inconveniences.

The Christians made an Attempt the 6th [ 6th.] time upon this City, in the Year 1602, un∣der the Conduct of General Rosworm: And thô they had ruin'd the Bridge over the Danube, and taken by force the City of Pesth, yet being overtaken by the rigour of the Winter-season, they were forced to desist from that Design.

[ 7th.] The 7th Siege was laid in the Year 1684, by Charles Duke of Loraine, Generalissimo of the Imperial Forces, and of the other Princes of Germany; which after many blou∣dy Assaults was again raised; as we have at large declared in the Historical Treatise of that Year.

[ 8th.] But now at length, after many Battles un∣fortunate to the Turks, this Fortress was forced to surrender to the said Duke of Loraine, being over-whelm'd by the Power and Valour of the Christians, and taken in the sight of the Ottoman Army, Command∣ed by the Grand Vizier himself, in which was the Flower of the Turkish Troops; but having lost the best and bravest of their Soldiers in former Battles, and discourag'd by a Series of evil Successes, their Courage fail'd them, and no wonder, when they were generally possess'd with an Opinion, that God fought against them; in sense of which, so soon as the City was taken, the Vizier with such Precipitation raised his Camp and marched away, that he was forc'd to burn a great part of his Baggage to prevent the falling of it into the Hands of the Enemy. And indeed it was no wonder that the Vizier with fear and dread should hasten away, for the Duke of Lo∣raine had dispatch'd Count Budiani, with Six thousand Hungarians, to march in pur∣suit of him, whilst he with the other Generals render'd Thanks to God, and sang Te Deum for their Successes in the great Church, Dedicated to St. Stephen King of Hungary.

In the mean time the Command of this important City was committed to the Charge of General Beck, with the Assistance of the Lieutenant Colonel of the Regiment of Salm, and of Biscofshausen, Serjeant-Major to Diepenthal, with a Garrison of Three thousand Five hundred Germans, and a Thousand Hungarians: The first Work to be done, was to clear the Streets of the dead Bodies, which was perform'd by the Turks and Jews, who were made Prisoners; those Bodies which were Turks and Jews, like themselves, by Command of their Task-masters, they threw into the River, but the Bodies of the Christians were de∣cently Interr'd. The next Business was to demolish the Works, repair the Breaches, to fill up the Trenches, and level the Lines: But the chief Prisoners, and Persons of Quality, were conducted by Count Rabata to the Emperor at Vienna, where the Joy and Triumph of that Court was much in∣creas'd at the sight of such considerable Captives.

The Spoyl and Plunder of the City could not amount unto much, by reason that the greatest part of the Housholdstuff and Move∣ables was consum'd in the Flames: Howso∣ever, there were some who had the fortune to seize considerable Sums both of Gold and Silver. After which the Place being visited and survey'd in all parts by the two Generals, they found therein above Four hundred Pieces of Cannon of great weight; of which there were four of vast bigness, carrying an Hundred and fifty Pound Bul∣let; to which the Christians afterwards gave the Name of the four Evangelists; besides, there were twenty Mortar-pieces, and Pro∣visions and Ammunition for about a Month longer.

The Generals having refresh'd their Ar∣mies in Buda for the space of three or four Days, on the 6th of September they march'd towards the Vizier with Twenty thou∣sand Foot and Twelve thousand Horse; of whom Count Budiani (as we have said) being dispatch'd before, gave an account, that the Vizier having visited and reinforc'd the Garrison of Alba Regalis, or Stultwissem∣berg, had taken his March with all expedi∣tion towards the Bridge of Esseck; and that his Army was reduc'd to a very small num∣ber, being deserted by the Country-people and Handycraftsmen, whom they had forc'd to the War; so that the Vizier not know∣ing otherwise in what manner to save him∣self, encamp'd with all the advantage he could about three Miles distant from the Bridge of Esseck, upon the little River of Sarwitz, having his Rear guarded by a Bog or marshy Ground, intending there to re∣main, until he saw and discover'd the De∣signs of the Enemy, who could not in that advantagious Post force him to an Engage∣ment.

The Duke of Loraine being with the Imperial Army encamp'd at Tolna, about three Leagues distant from the Vizier, whom he could not force nor perswade to Fight; he detach'd Eighteen Regiments under Command of Prince Lewis of Baden, with Orders to Besiege the Town of Quin{que} Ec∣clesiae, whilst he with the remainder of the Army passed the River, with a Bridge of Boats, at Tolna, taking his March towards Pesth; and in his way seized on the Town of Hatwan, which the Turks had abandon'd, and set on Fire; but the Christians entring therein before all was reduc'd to Ashes, they extinguish'd the Fire, and sav'd the rest, and found therein seventeen Pieces of Cannon.

Thus did the Imperial Arms proceed with a prosperous gale of Fortune, nothing stand∣ing before them, but all yielded to the con∣quering Eagles; for Prince Lewis of Baden in his March, made himself Master of Si∣mon-Torn, a Fortress encompass'd with a Ditch of thirty Paces broad, and that also defended by a Marsh quite round; the Pas∣sage over which is made by a Bridge of Three hundred Paces long, and the Castle is built of Free-stone, with Fortifications after the ancient Fashion. In this Place were sixteen Pieces of Brass Guns, and one of Iron, Twenty six Granado-shells, and Twenty five Tuns of Gun-powder. Then without farther loss of time he proceeded to Kaposwar, which he Pillag'd and Burnt, the Castle only excepted: And being reinforc'd by Count Scaffemberg and some Troops of the Croats, which joyn'd with him, they march'd together towards Quin{que}; Ecclesiae; and being come near the Place, a Detachment of Three thousand Germans and Croats was made to take a View of the Situation and Strength of the Town; which they finding to re∣main in a secure Condition, enter d it by Surprize, and put an Hundred Turks to the Sword, the rest flying to the Castle for Refuge, after they had set fire to the City in four places; but the Dragoons scaled the Walls, and with their Swords in their Hands cast themselves into the Place, and open'd the Gates to give entrance to the other Troops. After which the Fire was put out, and considerable Booty, and rich Plun∣der taken, and about a Thousand Christian Captives set at liberty.

This Success was soon afterwards follow∣ed by the Siege of Segedin, by some Troops detach'd by Order of the Duke of Loraine, under Command of Count Caraffa, one of the Generals; who, coming before the Place, in a short time rais'd four Batteries, and mounted his Cannon thereupon, which were brought from Zolnock; but Forage and Provisions growing very scarce in the Lea∣guer, Caraffa went himself to hasten the Provisions, leaving Count Walis, Major-General, Chief Commander of the Forces before the Town: In the mean time Count Walis receiv'd Intelligence, that Two thou∣sand Turks, joyn'd with a considerable Body of Tartars, were marching to raise the Siege, or to force Succours into the Town; he de∣tach'd six' Regiments of Horse and Foot, with some Croats, and a Regiment of Dra∣goons, under the Command of Count Vete∣rani; who having marched all the Night, by break of Day drew up his Forces in∣to Battalia, and with his right Wing charged the Tartars with such resolution, that he put them to flight, and kill'd great numbers of them in their Tents, and took Four or Five thousand of their Horses, with all their Baggage: Nor was the Colonel of the Re∣giment de Gotz, whose Incumbence it was to Charge the Turks, less successful in his Enterprise; for thô they had the advantage of a Palanca for their Defence, yet the Ins∣perialists (to whom nothing could now be difficult) did Storm it with so much Cou∣rage and Vigour, that they soon became Masters of it, killing Two hundred of the Three hundred Janisaries, which defended the Place; at the same time the Horse charging the others, forced them to fly in disorder, of which many falling into the Hands of Veterani, were kill'd without Quarter given to any. This Action was scarce over, be∣fore the Imperialists espied a great number of Turks, passing a Bridge which they had laid over the Danube, as if they had de∣sign'd to reinforce those Troops newly de∣feated, and to come in to their Assistance for the Relief of Segedin. Veterani resolving to charge them also, made a Detachment of some Regiments to hinder the run-away Tartars from attacking the Imperialists in the Flank, whilst he assail'd the Turks, [ 1686] who were reputed to be Twelve thousand Men, Commanded by the Vizier himself. The Action was so bravely perform'd, that the Van-guard of the Turks was beaten, and fore∣ced to retreat to a Place where their Infan∣try lay under covert, supported by Six hun∣dred Janisaries, with Thirty Field-pieces, which were discharged with terrible Fire and Smoke upon their Enemies; but the Christians having receiv'd their Fire with undaunted Constancy and Courage, they assail'd the Turks and Tartars with such bravery, that they put them to flight. In this last Encounter above Three hundred Janisaries were kill'd upon the Place, all their Artillery and Baggage taken, with their Timbals, which they sound before the Pashas, and many Colours, together with Five hundred Horse, and Two thousand Beasts of Burden, laden with Baggage and Provisions; and all this on the Christian side, with the loss only of a Hundred Foot Soldiers, and about Fifty Horsemen. After which Veterani returning to the Camp be∣fore Segedin, where Te Deum was sung; some Prisoners were releas'd to carry the In∣telligence of these Successes into the Town: And thereupon a Treaty being desired, and Hostages given, it was agreed, That the Soldiers of the Garrison only should have liberty to march out with as much Baggage as every Man was able to carry upon his Shoulders and to be conducted in safety as far as Temeswar. Thus Segedin being ta∣ken, great quantities of Provisions were found therein, which served to augment the Loss, and increase the terrible Consterna∣tion

in the Turkish Army, and in the Court, and in all parts of the Ottoman Dominions. Nor did the Turks Misfortunes of this Year's Campaign end here, nothing being able to withstand a victorious Army. Prince Lew∣is of Baden divided his Army into two Bo∣dies; the first he Commanded himself, and march'd towards Darda, which is a Fortress built by the Turks, and serv'd to cover the Bridge of Esseck; the other Detachment was committed to the Conduct of Count Scaffemberg, with Orders to Attack Zyclos, the which he so well executed, that in five or six Days he took the Place, the Soldiers and Inhabitants Surrendring at discretion: In the Town were found Twelve Pieces of Cannon, with stores of all sorts of Provisi∣on and Ammunition. The Men were made Prisoners of War, but the Women and Chil∣dren were dispersed into several Cities and Towns under obedience of the Emperor. After the taking of Zyclos, the Count of Scaffemberg joyn'd again with Prince Lewis, who was now come before Darda on the first of November, where he understood the two Pashas, who had layn encamp'd on that side, with about Two thousand Five hun∣dred Men, were already pass'd the Bridge of Esseck; and that the Garrison of Darda had abandon'd the Place, and march'd the same way, carrying their Cannon and Pro∣visions, with them, and to hinder the pur∣suit of their Enemies after them, had beat∣en down and burnt a great part of the Bridge behind them. The Fort and the Bridge being both possess'd without any opposition, Prince Lewis burnt about Six thousand Paces more of the Bridge, not∣withstanding the Cannon-shot which they fired continually from the Town of Esseck, without any great loss or damage to the Imperialists, or the People of the Country, which came in to their Assistance; so that by what one side and the other had done, the Bridge was totally ruin'd. Prince Lew∣is having put a good Garrison into Darda, march'd to Zyclos, and thence to Kapeswar, which he took upon Conditions, that the Garrison should march out, and be conduct∣ed in safety as far as Sigeth. There were in that Town Twenty four Pieces of Can∣non planted, and the Magazines well stor'd with all sorts of Provisions and Arms.

In this glorious manner did this Cam∣paign end in favour of the Christian Arms: And now it being time for both Armies to retire into their Winter-quarters, the losing Party had leisure to lament and quarrel, and lay the fault on each other, and the victorious Party to rejoyce and triumph. And so it was; for by this time the news of the loss of Buda, and the several Victories gain'd by the Christians, being come to Con∣stantinople, it struck all sorts and conditions of Men with a wonderful Consternation and Astonishment; and yet under this Affliction and pressure of heavy Taxes, they behav'd themselves with much Humility and Resig∣nation of Mind to the Will and Pleasure of God, acknowledging all these Miseries which had fallen upon them, the flights and turning of their Backs to their Enemies, the loss of their fortify'd Towns, and the Slaughter of their brave Soldiers, and va∣liant Men of War, to be all the essects of the Divine Anger and Vengeance upon them for their Sins. The Imaums or Parish-Priests, the Shecks or Preachers in their Moschs, the Religious Men, such as the Dervices, Ka∣lenderi, Nimetulahi, and others made di∣verse Processions, exhorting the People as they pass'd to Repentance and Amendment of Life, and particularly to lament their Sins of drinking Wine and unnatural Lusts, the common Wickedness and Vices of the People: And for better observation of their Law, which had been much neglected, it was commanded on pain of Death strictly to observe the Ramazan, which is the Month of Fasting, during which Month, no Man is by their Law, in the Day time, till Night comes, to tast Bread or drink Water: Every Friday in that Month, the Mufti and Kadees clothed in penitential Habits, were oblig'd to visit all the principal Moschs of the City, and to make Prayers for turning away the Anger and Displeasure of God: But the People and Soldiery were of another Tem∣per, being inclin'd to enquire after the Cause and Grounds of all these Evils, Slaughters, and Confusion. The News of taking Buda, and putting all the Garrison to the Sword, (which as reported) consisted of Eight thou∣sand Men, besides Women and Children, had fill'd all Constantinople with a most won∣derful Consternation; the common sort of Shopkeepers and Handycrafts-men ran to Coffee-houses, and Places of publick Meet∣ings to hear the News and Particulars of what had pass'd. The Kadees, who were Lawyers and Judges, and the Otorack Jani∣saries, who are like the Milites immeriti, or Soldiers with dead Pay, caball'd every Day together without the knowledge of the Grand Seignior, which so soon as he came to hear, he was affrighted, not knowing what might be the issue of such seditious Meetings, and thereupon doubling his Guards in the Seraglio with Bostangees, who are Gardiners, and stout able Men, he sent to know the meaning of such numerous Assemblies; to which answer was made, That seeing to their Grief the extream Ruin and Danger, then threatning both the Person of his Majesty and the whole Empire, they thought it their Duty as Loyal Subjects and Slaves,

and true Musselmen and Believers to con∣sult together what Advices and Expedients they might with all Humility offer to his Majesty, for his own personal Conservati∣on, and for the Defence of their holy and true Religion, with the great Body of the Empire. The Grand Seignior, who dread∣ed the ill Consequences of such seditious Meetings, return'd to them a gentle Mes∣sage of Thanks for their Care and Love, desiring them to offer him such Remedies, which they in their Wisdom did judge con∣venient for cure of the present, and preven∣tion of future Evils; it being natural for the common sort of People in such cases to cast the Blame on the chief Ministers of State, they immediately reply'd, That the Musti was a bad Man, and had abused his Office, and that it was generally murmur'd in all places of the Empire, That his Ma∣jesty was in such times as these too expen∣sive in his Seraglio, and too loose in his Government, giving himself up to Hunting and Recreations, and forsaking as it were the Helm of Government, whilst the Vessel of the Empire was tossed amidst an Ocean of Miseries, and ready every Day to suffer Shipwrack. And that his Majesty did too much neglect his Imperial City of Constan∣tinople, gracing every little Place with his Presence, which made that Royal Seat be∣come desolate and so impoverish'd, that it was not possible to answer and pay the vast Taxes and Impositions which were charged upon it. The Grand Seignior seem'd to take all this that was said very kindly; and immediately depos'd the Mufti, and banish∣ed him to Prusa, and calling for one of the Kadileschers (who are Chief Justices) he cloth'd him with a rich Sables, and invested him with his Office: And looking more nearly about him to the main Chance, he recall'd the Orders he had lately given for a general Hunt on a certain Day, and a vast number of Grey-hounds, which with great Charge had been got together from all parts of the Empire, were let loose, and suffer'd to run without a Master through all the Streets of Constantinople: The Expences of the Seraglio were also much retrench'd, and the dayly Allowances reduc'd to one Moiety: And after this Example, the Ku∣stir-Aga, the Kimacham, and all the great Ministers of State made a Regulation in their Families: And to make this Reforma∣tion the more publick and notorious to the People, the Grand Seignior put on a more grave and penitential Face than ordinary, and frequented the Royal Mosques, going to one or other of them every Day with much Solemnity: This Reformation quieted the Minds of the Commonalty pretty well; but this and the News of the Vizier's co∣ming to Constantinople very speedily, to assist at the Councils for conserting Mea∣sures for the next Year's Campaign, terri∣fied the Ringleaders of the late Cabals, with an Apprehension of being called to an Account on score of their late seditious Meetings; for the Turks, who can easily dissemble with the Vulgar, and temporize during the Outrages and Fluctuations of the People, yet so soon as the Storm is ap∣peas'd, they never fail to question the Cause, and punish Captain Tom and his mutinous Rabble with Punishment agree∣able to their Demerit.

As the Grand Seignior was affraid of his People, and they of the Grand Seignior and Vizier, so likewise were they generally possess'd with a Panick-fear of the coming of the Enemy, which will plainly appear by this Instance. The Turks having surren∣der'd up Napoli di Romania upon Conditi∣ons to the Venetians; one of them was, That they should Transport the Inhabitants and Garrison of that City, to some Place within the Dardanelli, near to the Castles: The Venetians, in pursuance of this Article, embark'd all the Soldiers, with the Men, Women and Children, and transported them to the place appointed; to which when they began to draw near, so that many Colours of St. Mark were seen from the Castles, en∣tring into the Hellespont, the News thereof was posted from all hands to Constantinople, which put the whole City into a Consterna∣tion, and gave cause of Rumour every∣where, that the Venetians had already pas∣sed the Castles, and Reports flew up and down, that they were in a few Leagues, or as some fancied in sight of the Town. This put all Hands to work, and in a con∣fused manner, many Pieces of Cannon were mounted at the Seraglio Point, on the Maiden Tower, which is a little Fort built on a Rock in the Water, in the midway between Con∣stantinople and Scutari, where also Guns were mounted, and Soldiers and Inhabitants of the City posted in all places, where might be any suspicion or danger of the Enemies de∣scent or landing. This hurly burly conti∣nu'd for the space of two Days, by which time the truth of the Matter being known, and that the Venetians were retired, things began to be quieted, and the People to return to their own Habitations and Business.

Thus have we done with the Campaign in Hungary for the Year 1686, which end∣ed very glorious for the Emperor: It rests now before we proceed farther, to take a view and survey of the Successes of the Venetians both by Sea and Land, which were not less prosperous than those in the parts of Hungary.

In the preceeding Years of this War, the Venetians made it their chief Business and Enterprise to render themselves Masters of the Morea, a fruitful and ancient Country, in which are many Provinces, and amongst them, that of Laconia, now call'd Maina, and the Inhabitants, Mainioti, a sort of People, who call themselves Christians, but live chiefly upon Spoyl and Robbery: In this Country the most considerable Places are, Calamata, Zarnata, Chielefa, and Passava, all which Places were subdu'd by the Veneti∣ans, and taken from the Turks in the pre∣ceeding Year of 1685, in despight of the Ca∣ptain Pasha, and in the sight of him and his Army, [ 1686] as we have before related, which Disgrace being a Crime sufficient to cost him his Head, he resolv'd to save his Life if possible by recovery of Chielefa; to gain which, he began betimes his Campaign, and on the first of April, he invested the Place with an Army, composed of Ten thousand Foot and Fifteen hundred Horse, commanded by himself and four other Pashas, with a great number of Labourers and Pioniers. At his first appearance before this Fortress, the Captain Pasha sent a Summons to the Go∣vernour, call'd Seignior Marin Gritti, Pro∣veditor extraordinary for the Maina, de∣manding with many Threats the Surrender of that Town. To which Seignior Gritti return'd a resolute Answer, That he and all his Soldiers would either live or die in De∣fence of that Place, not doubting but that the Omnipotent God would favour their just and brave Intentions. The Captain Pasha ha∣ving receiv'd this Answer, immediately rais'd a Battery, and began to fire upon the Town with six Pieces of Cannon; at which the Governour not being in the least dismay'd, put all things in order for a resolute Defence. The Turks ply'd their Batteries so warmly on the Town, that in the space of ten Days they had open'd a Breach wide enough for an Assault; which whilst they were preparing to do, the News being brought to Seignior Girolamo Cornaro, the General of the Islands, how that the Turks had invested Chielefa, he immediately gather'd all the Force which was then ready in Zant, consisting of divers Nations; and having embark'd 'em on a Fleet of Ships commanded by Seignior Lorenzo Ve∣nier, he sailed with a favourable Wind to the Morea. This News flew likewise with much speed to the Captain General Morosini then at Corfu, who, with like diligence, ha∣ving embark'd all the Forces he had there, and being assisted with a prosperous Wind, arrived in the space of four Days at the Place, where he design'd to make his De∣scent, and the Day following being the 30th of March, he landed Four thousand Men under the Command of three Major Generals, that is, Storf, and the Cavaliers Alcenago, and d' Andria.

This unexpected News of the arrival of the Captain General surprized the Captain Pasha, and filled all the Turkish Camp with Fear and Confusion; so that at the very Name of Morosini, and the Christian Troops, they rais'd their Tents, and drew off their Camp, but with such hast and precipitation, that at a little distance from the Town, they left six Pieces of Brass Canon behind them, four of which were found in the common Way, and two were thrown down a Precipice, which afterwards were recover'd by the industry of the Ve∣netians. So soon as the Besieg'd observ'd the Enemy to raise their Camp, and to fly away with a Panick-fear, the Greeks and Mainiots pursu'd them, and kill'd above Four hundred of them; and the whole Body of the rest were dispers'd through the whole Country of the Morea; only the Captain Pa∣sha with some few Troops pitch'd his Camp in the Country near to Passava, where he labour'd to gather his dispers'd Troops.

Towards the end of May, [ 1686] the Auxiliary-Gallies and Forces being united to the Army and Fleet, under the Captain General; the whole Body of the Armada consisting of about Two hundred Sail, on the second Day of June appear'd in sight of old Navarin, which fill'd all that Country round with great Consternation. The Galleasses and great Ships led the Van, and serv'd to shel∣ter and protect the smaller Vessels in land∣ing their Men, which being enter'd on the Shoar, were drawn up in Battalia by the Art and Direction of that valiant General Count Conismarc, in sight of the People of Navarin. Morosini, according to his accu∣stomary Generosity, sent first his Summons to the Garrison to Surrender, before he thought fit to make use of his Force, in answer un∣to which, they desir'd time to consider until the next Morning; and then they propos'd a longer Term, with design only to pro∣tract the Time, until they might receive Succours from the Seraskier, whom they knew to be not far distant with a consider∣able Force; of which the Captain General well considering, gave order to Count Co∣nismarc to advance with a great part of the Army towards the Town, and at the same time, he caused another Regiment to take possession of a Rock which forms the Port; and to plant a formidable Battery thereon; in which Matters whilst they were thus em∣ploy'd, the Besieged being greatly affright∣ed, set forth a white Flag, and dispatched immediately in their Admiral Gally, certain Deputies to treat on, and receive some rea∣sonable Conditions upon the Surrender, which, as they desir'd, were generously

granted by the Captain General. In pursu∣ance of which, the Inhabitants were permit∣ted to march forth with all their Bag and Baggage and small Arms, being not above Four hundred in number, of which One hundred were Soldiers, who were judged to be a sufficient Garrison to maintain a Fortress so naturally strong, and situated on a high and almost inaccessible Rock; and afterwards according to the Articles, all these People were transported to Alexandria in Egypt. Thus in a few Hours, without loss of Men, or the least effusion of Blood, did this old Fort of Navarin fall into the Hands of the Vene∣tians, in which were found Forty three Pie∣ces of brass Cannon, with many Arms, much Ammunition and Provisions. The Captain General having furnish'd the Place with a Garrison of an Hundred and sixty Men, un∣der the Command of Pietro Grioni, in Qua∣lity of Proveditor in ordinay, he immediate∣ly block'd up the Port, and guarded the narrowest streight of it, to secure the Pas∣sage for the more safe and easie Transport of Cannons, Mortar-pieces and Provisions unto that Place, where the Camp was pitch'd with design to Attack New Navarin, which was a Royal Fortress, and a place of greater Importance than that of Old Navarin.

[ 1686] On the 4th of June at Night, the Gallies of Donado and Pizzamano, both Noble Vene∣tians, were the first to enter into the nar∣row Passage; on the first of which the Ge∣neral Count Conismarc was embark'd, who enter'd safely within the Port, thô several Pieces of Cannon were fired at them from a Ravelin, which trolled the Shot exactly on the Surface of the Water. These were follow'd by the Captain of the Gulf, with three other Gallies, who passed without any damage or loss; and on the 6th at Night, Cornaro, General of the Islands, en∣ter'd with his four Gallies also without other hurt, than the breaking some few Oars by a Shot from the Ravelin: The Cannon and Mortar-pieces, and other Necessaries for an Attack were first to be landed, which by the diligence, use and labour of the Slaves was presently effected, notwithstanding the ma∣ny Difficulties which interven'd; and a for∣mal Siege in a short time laid by the Indu∣stry and Valour of Captain General Moro∣sini, and the happy Conduct of Count Co∣nismarc, who had raised a Work, on which eighteen Mortar-pieces were planted, carry∣ing Bombs of Five hundred pounds weight, and on another advantagious Ground had raised a Battery of Twenty Pieces of Can∣non, carrying Fifty pound Bullet.

Whilst these Matters were acting, a cer∣tain Greek was taken with Letters from the Town, directed to the Seraskier, whereby they gave him to understand, That thô Sefer Pasha, a valiant and resolute Soldier, was come to them, with a good Recruit both of Men and Ammunition, whereby their Garrison amounted to a Thousand Soldiers, and that nothing wanted either of Arms or Ammunition, yet that it was impossible for them to hold out long, unless the Siege was raised by a vigorous Force. Upon this Advice, General Conismarc re∣solved with the greatest part of his Troops to advance into the Country, and engage the Seraskier: Upon which Advice, the Turks were so far from designing to disturb the Siege, that they raised their Camp, and retreated: Upon which also Conismarc thought fit to draw his Troops off, and return to the Siege; the Turks defending themselves, and refusing to Surrender upon any Summons or Force, which had hither∣to been applied, upon hopes as they con∣ceived of receiving speedy Succour and Relief from the Seraskier, concerning whom the Report was, that he was approaching towards the Christian Camp: In the mean time, the Captain General form'd all the Trenches and Traverses for an Attack, and bomb'd the Town with Twenty Mortar-pieces, and batter'd the Walls with six Pieces of Cannon, carrying Fifty pounds weight of Bullet. The Report of the Sera∣skier's near approach, confirm'd by the Scouts and other Messengers, and that the Turks with a Body of 10.000 Men were come within six Italian Miles of the Lea∣guer; Count Conismarc with a very strong Party advanced once again to meet and give them Battle, leaving the Cavalier Alcenago, one of the Major Generals, with a suffici∣ent Force to maintain the Siege.

The next Day after, Count Conismarc had risen from before the Town, being the 14th of June, they found the Seraskier en∣camp'd with 10.000 Men, of which Two thousand were Horse, in a very advantagi∣ous Post, which seemed very difficult to be forced: Howsoever, the Venetians resolving to surmount all the Disadvantages with their Valour, enter'd into the Vally by a very streight Passage, where the Turks lay encamped, and forced them to engage in Battle, which lasted for the space of two Hours in a dubious Condition, it not ap∣pearing as yet to which side the Victory would incline: The Regiments of Corbon and Visconti, which were Dragoons, behaved themselves very bravely, and sustaining the heat of the Battle, the greatest part of the Loss fell on them; but the Saxons, and the Troops of Brunswick coming to their assist∣ance, with four small Field-pieces, forced the Enemy to quit the Field, and betake them∣selves to flight, leaving about Five hundred dead upon the Place, with all their Tents

and Baggage, besides many of them are wounded, amongst which the Seraskier himself was one; all which was perform'd by the wonderful Mercy of God, without any considerable loss on the Christian side. The Joy of this Victory was solem∣nized with Te Deum, and giving Thanks to God, and with many vollies of Shot and Cannon, which wholly disanimated the Be∣sieged, and put them into such a distracted Consternation; that with more lenity than before, they began to hearken to a second Summons, which the Captain Gene∣ral, to spare farther effusion of Bloud, had been pleased to send to them. After divers Debates, and Articles propos'd, the Besieg'd declar'd themselves willing to lay down their Arms, and yield, on Conditions that three Days should be given to the Garrison to march out with their small Arms and Bag∣gage; and that shipping should be given to the Garrison and Inhabitants, to Transport them to the nearest Coast of Barbary. Whilst these things were in agitation, it un∣fortunately happen'd that by some Accident a Fire took in certain Houses, near a Ma∣gazine of Powder, which on a suddain blew up, and killed an Hundred and Fifty Turks, with Sefer Pasha, the Commander in chief of Navarin, and also six Christians, and about fifteen wounded without the Walls of the City. The Turks fearing lest this Accident should be esteem'd as done with Design, came trembling before the Captain General, solemnly protesting their Innocence in the Disaster, offering two other Hostages for performance of the Articles agreed; and lay∣ing their Standards and Keys of their City, at the feet of the Captain General, they were graciously received: And accordingly at the time appointed, above Three thousand Per∣sons were embarked, of which, One thousand were capable to bear Arms, and were con∣veyed over to the Coast of Barbary; and the Venetians took Possession of the Town, and planted the Colours of St. Mark on the Walls thereof.

It was not long after before the Fortress of Modon followed the same fortune; for the Christan Forces losing no time to pur∣sue their good Success, [ 1686] on the 22d of June the Armada of Ships and Gallies shewed themselves before Modon; at which the Gar∣rison not seeming to be dismay'd, the Pasha, who Commanded in chief, returned a reso∣lute Answer, full of Bravery and Defiance, to the Summons sent to him by the Captain General: Upon which the Approaches were begun, and the Batteries raised, and Can∣nons plaid, and Bombs thrown by Directi∣on of that famous Engenier Mutoni, by which the Garrison being terrified, on the 7th of July they spread a white Flag, and surren∣der'd on Conditions, That in three Days they should leave the Place, and march out with Arms and Baggage; which accordingly was perform'd on the 10th of July, all the Inhabitants to the number of Four thousand, of which, about One thousand were Sol∣diers bearing Arms, abandon'd their Habi∣tations with sad and dejected Countenan∣ces; and, as was agreed by Articles, were all Transported into Barbary. The Town being seized, there were an Hundred Pieces of Cannon found therein, of which, Ninety one were of Brass, besides great Quantities of Powder and Ammunition, and plenty of Provisions.

Thus good Success attending the Veneti∣an Arms, the Captain General resolved to pursue his Conquests, whilst Fortune incli∣ned to his side; and to proceed to Napoli di Romania, a Town anciently Famous, and celebrated for its happy and commodious Situation, in the most pleasant and richest part of all the Morea: The Greeks call it Anaplia, and Ptolomy Nauplia, being seated at the bottom of a Bay, call'd in former times Sinus Argolicus, having a very spaci∣ous and secure Port for Shipping, and very commodious for Trade. The Town it self is situated with great Advantages, being defended on the one side by the Sea, and on the other by high and craggy Hills, ha∣ving Walls filled with Earth, much after the Modern Fortification; but without any Ditch; only at the Gate to the Land-side, there is a kind of a Ditch about six Paces broad, and about six Foot deep with Wa∣ter; it hath also something like a Counter-scarp, but inconsiderable; it hath no Draw-bridge, but only some Passages thereunto, which the Turks have made a little difficult to enter.

The Venetians having refreshed their Ar∣my for a while before Modon, order'd Lo∣renzo Venier, Captain extraordinary, with three Ships of good force, to Cruise within the Archepelago, where he discovered, be∣tween the Islands of Nixia and Nicaria, a Fleet of Turkish Vessels call'd the Caravan, bound from Egypt to Constantinople, plying to Wind-ward, nine of which belonged to Constantinople, and four Merchant Ships from Rhodes and other Places, under Convoy of four Tripoli Men of War: The Venetians immediately made up to them, and enga∣ged with them for the space of six Hours, with Damage on both sides, thô the Turks had much the worst, and at length with help of the Night, were forced to take Re∣fuge in the Port of Rhodes, and the Veneti∣ans afterwards retired into Trio, a Port on the Island of Parisi; where having taken some fresh Water, and mended their Rig∣ging, and other damages sustained in the

late Fight, they sailed again towards Rhodes; and being on their way between Lemno, and the Shore of Caramania, they espyed Two great Ships, and a Sayke; and making up, and passing some Broad Sides upon them, the greatest Ship ran a∣shoar, and set her self a Fire; all the per∣sons, being 130, escap'd a-shoar and sav'd themselves; the other Ship and the Sayke were taken by the Venetians; the Ship which was burned, was called Nachis, Com∣manded by Usuf of Rosetto, an Abyssine by Nation, very richly Laden; and the Prizes taken were well Freighted with Rice, and other Provisions very seasonable at that time for the support of the Venetian For∣ces, which by reason of contrary Winds, were long detained at Modon; but by help of their Oars, and assistance of the lighter Vessels, they arrived at Port Rogdi about Four Miles distant from Napoli de Romania on the 30th day of July, from whence they had a Prospect of the pleasant Gardens, and Fountains belonging to Assan Pasha: And here having Landed the 200 Foot, and 20 Horse, which every Gally carried, their Orders were to march to Mount Palamida, which is higher than the Town, and com∣mands it, being within Musquet-shot; This Van was the next day followed by the whole Army, between most pleasant Streams, and Falls of Water.

The Town being Situated, as before men∣tioned, was defended by 3000 men, of which 300 were lately sent in to recruit the Garrison; well fortified with Cannon, and with sufficient Stores and Provisions for their Maintenance; the Commander in Chief was Mustapha Pasha, with whom were Four Brothers, who were all Beyes, as also a Disdar, which signifies the Commander of the Castle, a Kadi or Judge, besides the Aga who Com∣manded the Recruits. Upon approach of the Venetian Army, all those who lived in the out-skirts and lower parts of the Town, amongst which were above 100 Families of Greeks, retired with their Goods into the upper parts of the City, and of a Fortress amidst the Rocks called Senonbolo. In the Port were Two Gallies unrigged, and dis∣armed, and all the Slaves and Soldiers taken out and lodged on a Rock not far distant, to the number of about 500 persons, one of which by the fall of a Bomb was sunk some days after the beginning of the Siege, and an English Ship called the Mary, which came from Alexandria, laden with Rice and Coffee, whose Masters Name was Edward Wall, submitted her self to the favour of the Captain General: Besides which there were also Two Galcots in the Port, one of 25 and another of 18 Banks or Seats for Oars, besides 40 Boats, or Barks of several sorts. In Landing the Bombs and Mortar-pieces, with all the Train of Artillery, they found little or no difficulty, or opposition, tho' the Seraksier shewed himself twice at a di∣stance, as if he had intended to have distur∣bed them in their Works, and raising Batte∣ries; nor did the Seraskier for that present do more, than only to fortify his Camp, which he had pitched near Argos, a Castle about 3 hours Journey distant from Napoli di Romania, the Way to which is all upon a plain, situate on a high Hill, at the foot of which is a Town containing about a hundred Houses, the Inhabitants of which, being for the most part Rich and Wealthy, had car∣ried up the best of their Houshold-stuff and Moveablss into the Castle above, which is well defended by its natural Situation; it had also 8 Iron Guns, and 10 Petreroes, some small quantities of Provisions in it, with a Cistern, not very well furnished with plenty of Water.

On the 3d of August, the Galeasses and Ships appeared in sight of Napoli di Roma∣nia, and forthwith Landed all the Horse and Foot, which were embarked thereon: And on the same day a Feluca belonging to Mahomet Pasha, a Bey, or Commander of Se∣ven Gallies, deserted, and came into the Ser∣vice of the Venetians; upon the Feluca were 7 Greeks, who gave intelligence, That the Captain-Pasha having received advice of the arrival of the Venetian Fleet, had in Two Nights time entred 300 Foot into Napoli: But to prevent the like for the future, seve∣ral Gallies with Four Felucas were detatch∣ed to guard and defend that Coast, and thereby to hinder and intercept all succours on that side.

But because it was necessary also to dis∣lodge the Seraskier, who on the other side appeared with several parties of Horse, and gave frequent disturbances to them in the Lines and Trenches which were then form∣ing; the Captain-General and General Chi∣nixmarch after due deliberation concerning the manner, resolved to give them Battel: To which end 2000 men selected out of the Ships, and Gallies, most of them being Vo∣luntiers, and Soldiers of Fortune, were land∣ed in a Creek, or covert place under the Conduct of Col. Magnanini, who was or∣dered to take a compass in the Night, and fall on the Turks in the Rear, whilst the main Body of the Army charged them in the Van: In the Morning Count Chinixmarch, having left 1500 Italian Soldiers in the Trenches, under the Command of Sargeant Major Count Repeta, advanced two miles with his Army drawn up in good order to meet the Turks on the Plain; the Seraskier seemed at first very ready and resolute to join Bat∣tel, advancing with a strong Body of 3000

Horse, and therewith to break into the Ve∣netians; but finding a stout Repulse, they made a stand; and fearing lest they should be attacked in the Rear by the Marine Re∣giments, they made a Retreat; and taking up their Tents and Baggage, they marched away with all the Order that their hast would permit: The People in Argos seeing the Seraskier and his Army, betake them∣selves to Flight, resolved to accompany them, and marched towards Corinth, where they arrived the next day, having lodged the Night before at a Village called Centera. In the Skirmish about 200 Turks were kil∣led and wounded, with very little loss on the Christian side: After which having plundered the Castle Argos of all the Goods which the Turks had left therein, in which they found about 60 small Boxes of Powder, they returned back again to their Trenches and Siege as before. In the mean time the City was burning in several places, being Fired by the Bombs and Carcasses which were thrown into it from the Palamida, and the Walls which were of Stone built after the ancient manner, were battered on all sides by the Cannon, which they were not able to resist; but that which caused the greatest Consternation in the City, and did the severest Execution, was the fall of a Bomb into the Magazine of Powder, which blowing up beat all the Houses down which were near it on every side, killed many People, and filled with Earth and Ruins the chief Cistern which supplied all the Town with Water, so that the Defendants wanted now both Powder and Water, Two very principal necessaries for Life and Defence.

The Captain-General conceiving, that after such a loss, the besieged would scarce have encouragement to defend themselves much longer, resolved to try their inclina∣tions by sending to them his Interpreter Fortis, with a Letter full of persuasive Mo∣tives, and good Articles, and Conditions, which should be performed upon surrender of the City; and seeing that their Seraskier had been beaten and durst not approach to give them Relief, they were exhorted before it was too late, to accept of the Mer∣cy and Clemency which was then offered to them. To these Summons the Governor without much consideration returned a speedy Answer, That they were very sensible that it was for their Sin, that God had cha∣stised and punished them; howsoever their Trust was, That God would deliver them, to whose Will and Divine Providence they re∣mained with intire resignation. The Bombs and Batteries continuing to do great Execu∣tion, by the obscurity of the Night, several Greeks and Rene••g••••es made an escape our of the Town, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 came to the Captain-General, agreeing together in their Reports, that there was scarce a House in the Town which had not been damaged by the Bombs or Canon; and above 30 Houses burnt down to the Ground, 22 Churches and Chappels ruined with their Granaries, and Stores for Provisions: Many were the slain and wounded, and the people forced to drink brackish Water; and amidst all this misery and confusion, the poor Women in a distracted manner were running about the Streets, with tears and sighs, and screeks. Howsoever the Governor. Mustapha Pasha seemed to remain still firm and resolute to hold out unto the last, and to lose his Life for the sake of his Country. In the mean time the Seraskier fortified his Camp about Corinth, endeavouring there to encrease his Army; and to encourage the Besieged, he frequently caused certain Bodies to be seen from the Town, and parties of Horse to advance near to the Trenches; which thô they did nothing, yet it supported the Spi∣rits of the Defendants with some little glimmerings of hope. Whilst matters were in this posture, Admiral Duodo being re∣turned from the Coast of Barbary and Tripoli, where he had landed the People at Modon; he joyned the rest of the Fleet, as did also the same day Captain Pisani with 8 Ships from Argentiera.

The Turks continued still to defend them∣selves, thô their offence was very weak, now and then firing a Bomb, whilst the Ve∣netians plyed them continually with Car∣casses and Bombs, having by this time spent at least 3500 on the place: the Batteries also plaid almost without any intermission, and the Lines and Approaches daily drawn nearer to the place; and they began now to throw Bombs into the Castle, which lies upon the Sea-side. This Castle is situate on a high Rock, with many Sands and shallow places round about it, so that it is impossi∣ble for any Vessel to approach near to it: The Walls are very high with some Bastions, and the place fortified with Seventeen Pieces of Brass Cannon, and Seven Iron Guns, and a Mortar-piece to throw Bombs; it was sup∣plied also with a good Cistern of Water, and Garrisoned with a hundred Foot Sol∣diers commanded by an Aga.

The Christians continuing still with inde∣fatigable Labour, and fearless Hazards to press the Besieged, entred the Ditch of the Town on the 23d, which Adventure cost the Life of the Cavalier Alzenago, one of the Major Generals. About that time also seve∣ral others dyed of the Camp Disease; namely, Colonel Visconti, Major Cleist, as did also Signior Barbon Bragadino a Noble Venetian; and Count Charles, Nephew of General Chinixmarch, a young Gentleman

of great hope; likewise Girolamo Ghirardi, Captain of his Guard. On the 29th by break of Day, the Seraskier, with part of his Army, shewed himself on the Hill which descends towards the Right-hand of the Line, having his Left-wing re-inforced with a thousand Leventz or Soldiers of the Ma∣rine Regiments sent by the Captain Pasha; which having joyned the Army but a few hours before, they all in good order of Bat∣tel, being Ten thousand strong with Horse, and Foot, descended into the Plain, near unto the Line, charging with their usual cryes of Allah, Allah, and much fury on the Soldiers who defended the Trenches: But General Chinixmarch had with such ad∣mirable Order and Art so well disposed the Militia, that they repulsed the Enemy; and then Two thousand Sea-Soldiers, by Order of the Captain-General, coming to their succour, they put the Enemy into great confusion; and the Captain-General himself at the same time coming in person, with some Troops of select men, wholly turned the fortune of that day's Fight (which for Three hours had continued doubtful) to the Christian side, and caused the Turks to be∣take themselves to a shameful Flight, lea∣ving Fourteen hundred of their Companions behind them, killed, or wounded: In which Engagement the Venetians lost not more than Three hundred and Fifty men, killed and wounded. General Chinixmarch had his Horse shot under him, but he soon remounted another, and with great Vivaci∣ty, and Courage was present at all places, where the danger was most pressing: The Princes of Brunswick, and Turene, exposed themselves like brave Soldiers in all places which required their help and encourage∣ment; and having thus discomfited the Se∣raskier's Army, and caused them to with∣draw in disorder from the City, the Cap∣tain General to lose no time, left the pur∣suit of the Enemy, and returned to the Siege, causing the Batteries from all sides to play on the Town; and to terrify the De∣fendants, they shewed many Heads of the Turks ranked in File on the points of their Lances. The Besieged having seen the Se∣raskier, in whom was their greatest hope, routed and defeated before their Eyes, grew desperate of any relief or succour from thence, which caused them to display divers white Flags on the Walls, upon which all acts of Hostility ceased; and Two Turks came forth from the Town; and be∣ing conducted to the presence of the Cap∣tain-General, they presented a Paper to him, subscribed by the Pasha, who was Go∣vernor of the City, declaring his readiness to make surrender thereof, provided they might have free liberty to march out with their Arms and Baggage, [ 1687] and to be Trans∣ported thence to Troy, or to the Castles in the Dardanelli or Hellespont. And that the Two Turkish Gallies then in Port might also be freed, with their Chiurma, or Slaves and Equipage, which (as we have said) were retired into the Rocks, and fast places near the Town: But this latter would not be allowed, or granted by the Captain-General, nor any thing more, than what had been accorded lately to Modon and Navarin. The first step unto all which, was the Delivery of the Castle, situate on a Rock within the Sea, into which a Venetian Garrison was put immediately; and therein were found Seventeen Pieces of Brass Canon, and Seven of Iron, with a large Mortar-piece to throw Bombs; after this Eight Hostages were required of the most principal Turks of the City; and then the other Articles were performed, which related to the Embarking the Soldiers and Inhabitants, who were accordingly Shipped and Transported to the Dardanelli, the ap∣perance of which so affrighted all the Coast at first, that the Alarum ran as far as Con∣stantinople, and put them there into that Consternation, of which we have before made a Relation.

Thus was this and other famous Fortresses of Greece, which had for many years re∣mained in the Ottoman power, and with∣stood great and considerable Forces, in a few Months subjected to the Christian Arms, by the Valour and Bravery of the Captain-General Morosini, by the admirable Conduct of Count Chinixmarch, and the courage of those noble Princes of Brunswick and Turene, amongst which the German Sol∣diery, and all others did greatly signalize themselves in all their Atchievements. And thus we shall put an end to the Successes of the Year 1686, which have terminated so gloriously in honour of the Christian Arms, by which the Turks were reduced to that low and miserable condition, of which they were never before sensible, nor never accustomed unto, which made them the less able to bear the Evil, nor endure the Remedy.

Notes

• The Grand Vizier's Distemper.
• Soliman Pasha's re∣ception.
• The Grand Vizier jea∣lous of So∣liman.
• Soliman made Vi∣zier.
• The late Vizier sent to Con∣stantinople.
• His Estate seized.
• Changes of Officers in the Tur∣kish Court.
• Tekeli re∣ceives Aid from the Turks.
• The Viziers Palace Burnt.
• Addresses to the Ot∣toman Court.
• Mongatz Blocked up.
• A Sally from the Town of Mongatz.
• Apafi de∣sires a Neu∣trality.
• Debr••zin redeems it self from free Quar∣ter.
• Heusler Attacks a Convoy of the Turks.
• The Victory dearly bought.
• Flouds of Water in Croatia.
• The Seras∣kier Rein∣forces se∣veral Gar∣risons.
• Tekeli marches towards Mongatz.
• The For∣tress of St. Job.
• Invested by Caprara.
• And Sur∣rendered.
• Mongatz Besieged.
• Sallies made.
• Reports of Tekeli's March.
• The Siege of Mongatz raised.
• Achmet Aga de∣feated.
• April.
• Other Suc∣cesses.
• The orderly Disposition of the Chri∣stians in their Win∣ter Quar∣ters.
• Prince A∣pafi in di∣stress.
• The Cruel∣ty of Scho∣not.
• Schonot re∣lieved by the Turks.
• Preparati∣ons for the Campaign.
• Officers ap∣pointed.
• A Council of War called.
• Arguments against the Siege of Buda.
• The Siege of Buda re∣solved.
• Provisions made by the Turks for the War.
• The Pasha of Buda changed.
• The Grand Seignior goes to Constan∣tinople.
• Scarcity of Corn a∣mongst the Turks.
• The Mosco∣vites treat with the Turks.
• T•••• Poles make pr••∣posals.
• The French Ambassa∣dors Au∣dience with the Grand Vizier.
• How the Treaty was put in exe∣cution.
• Treaty with Apafi be∣gun.
• The Turks jealous thereof.
• Catachuze∣no sent from his Brother Prince of Valachia to the Em∣peror.
• His Promi∣ses.
• Orders sent to the Grand Vi∣zier to relief Prince A∣pafi.
• The Tran∣silvanians joyn with the Imperi∣alists.
• A Council held for directing the Siege of Buda.
• A List of the Forces designed for Buda.
• Recruits brought to Buda.
• The Turks demand Hostages of the three Principal∣lities.
• Councils held about the Siege of Buda.
• The Force of the Christians.
• June.
• The Ar∣mies march.
• The Turks abandon Pesth.
• A Fort rai∣sed at Pesth.
• Apti Pasha Governour of Buda.
• Examina∣tion of Turks taken.
• Proceed∣ings of the Duke of Bavaria.
• The Quar∣ters of the Army.
• June.
• The Horse Quarters.
• Batteries raised.
• June.
• The lower Town as∣saulted
• and taken.
• Lines drawn in the lower Town.
• The Turks near Buda fly to the Isle of St. Marga∣ret.
• Are attack∣ed by the Christians and plun∣der'd.
• Many of them kill'd.
• June.
• 26th.
• The Bold∣ness of the Christian Soldiers.
• Sallies made by the Turks, and are repul∣sed.
• The Turks made a Sally and were repul∣sed.
• The Swedes and others come to the Camp.
• July.
• The Works of the City batter'd.
• The Turks uncover their Houses.
• Mines and Counter-Mines.
• An Assault given,
• To the da∣mage of the Chri∣stians.
• July.
• The Turks make a Sally on the Brandenburg side.
• Succour sent to Pest.
• Marcy sent to oppose the march of the Turks.
• The Turks Fire a Mine to their hurt.
• July.
• An Assault made on the Town.
• An Assault given with loss to the Christians.
• Terrible ef∣fects of Bombs to the Turks.
• Of Mines to the Chri∣ans.
• July.
• The great Magazine of the Turks Blown up.
• Summons sent to the Pasha.
• The Pasha's Answer.
• A stop gi∣ven to the progress of the Turks.
• The Pasha of Agria defeated.
• Advices that the Seraskier approached
• Schultz watches his Motion.
• A General Assault pre¦pared.
• The Assault made.
• The Exam∣ple of the General encourges the Soldi∣ers.
• The Turks Fire four Mines.
• Sulfureous Fires much annoy the Christians.
• A cruel Assault;
• Which ends at Night.
• The Elector of Bavaria secures the Works which he had taken.
• Officers and Soldiers killed and wounded.
• Another Assault.
• July 31st. A Treaty begun.
• Batteries raised and Mines fired.
• Another Parly
• which is broken off.
• The Bava∣rians enter the Castle, but are re∣pulsed.
• August.
• Count Sta∣remberg wounded.
• Duke of Loraine sick.
• The Diffi∣culty of the Mines.
• News of the Grand Vi∣zier's March.
• The Chri∣stians pre∣pare to re∣ceive them.
• The Bava∣rians point all their Batteries against the great Tow∣er.
• The Chri∣stian Camp alarum'd.
• Skirmishes between the Turks and Bavarians.
• Letters ta∣ken.
• The Chri∣stians pre∣pare to give Battle to the Turks.
• August.
• Various Successes.
• A Mine fired.
• The Vizier appears.
• A Party of Turks com∣manded to enter the Town.
• The Turks defeated.
• Two thou∣sand Turks force their way into the Town.
• The reward promised for the Ser∣vice.
• Batteries raised on the Rondel.
• August.
• The Tower taken.
• The Turks endeavour to dislodge the Bava∣rians.
• Two Mes∣sengers sent from the City to the Grand Vi∣zier.
• One of them is ta∣ken.
• Eight thou∣sand Men come to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Camp.
• Septem∣ber.
• An Assault made in three pla-
• The Com∣manders Guide to the Soldi∣ers.
• The Pasha of Buda killed.
• The City enter'd and taken.
• The Turks demand Quarter.
• Quarter not given
• by the Prof Savoy.
• but is gran∣ted by the Generals.
• The num∣bers slain at the ta∣king of the City.
• The Store-House of Powder takes fire.
• Endeavours made to quench the Fire.
• Two Mines discover'd.
• The Great∣ness and Power of the Vizier of Buda.
• The many Sieges which Buda sustain'd.
• The 8th time Besieged and taken.
• The Com∣mand of Buda gi∣ven.
• Stores found in the Town.
• The Army marches a∣gainst the Vizier.
• Hatwan surrender'd.
• Simon Torn taken
• and Kapos∣••••.
• Quin{que} Ec∣clesiae ta∣ken.
• Segedin be∣sieged.
• Veterani routs the Tartars.
• A Body of Turks rout∣ed.
• Another Body of the Turks de∣feated.
• Segedin taken.
• Zyclos ta∣ken.
• The Bridge of Esseck ruin'd.
• The Turks humble themselves.
• Keep pediti∣ous Meet∣ing.
• The Grand Seigmor af∣frighted at the Meet∣ings, and sends to them.
• Their An∣swer.
• They offer Remedies.
• The Grand Seignior ap∣proves thereof.
• A Panick-fear possesses them at Constanti∣nople.
• Description of the Coun∣try of Mai∣na.
• The Turks invest Chi∣elesa.
• The Veneti∣ans relieve Chielesa.
• The Vene∣tians invest old Nava∣rin.
• The Inha∣bitants treat and surrender.
• The Vene∣tians enter the Port of Old Nava∣rin.
• Conismarc advances against the Seraskier.
• June.
• He engages the Turks,
• and over∣throws them.
• The Town Capitulates and Sur∣renders.
• The Vene∣tians take Possession of the Town.
• Modon at∣tacked.
• Modon surren∣dered.
• The Des∣cription of Napoli di Romania.
• A Fight at Sea.
• The Vene∣tians land near Na∣poli.
• The Castle Argos.
• August 1686.
• The Vene∣tians march against the Seraskier.
• August 16.
• The Turks Retreat,
• And quit Argos.
• A Bomb blows up the Powder in the Town.
• The Vene∣tians offer conditions to the Town,
• Their Answer.
• The Se∣raskier gives hopes of Relief.
• A Castle near the Sea.
• August.
• The Se∣raskier shews him∣self, and attacks the Christians in their Prenches.
• The Turks put to Flight.
• The Be∣sieged capitulate.
• And sur∣render.