Night coming on, we could no longer pursue, having followed the Enemy about a Mile from their Camp, and our Army having been all that time without Eating and Drinking, we were forced to found a Retreat to refresh them. We had all that Night to rest in, and the Enemy to save themselves. The next day being the Thirteenth we continued not the pursuit for the same reason, which without doubt we might have done with great advantage, since they fled in much disorder toward St. Godart to get over the River Raab. We are building a Bridge at Alltemburgh in Hungary, and our Armies will march very suddenly. On Sunday Night, after the Battle, his Imperial Majesty came to Cloister Nuburgh, Four hours from Vienna, from whence he sent the next day to compliment the King of Poland and the Electors upon their good success the day before.
On the Fourteenth, Count Staremburgh came to his Imperial Majesty (who received him with all manner of demonstrations of Affection and Esteem) and gave him a Relation of several considerable passages during the Siege: A short time after the Emperour embarked on the Danube, and landed above the Bridge before the Town, and entred the City at the Stuben Gate, at Landing he was received by the Electors of Bavaria and Saxony, who were attended by their Guards and a great many Noble Men. It being impossible to remove in so short a time such a number of Dead Bodies, both Turks, Christians, and Horses, whereof the stench was so great on the Road, that it was enough to have caused an Infection.
We saw the Mines of the Turks which had made so great Breaches, one in the Bastion of Leb and the other in that of the Palace, each about Six Fathoms long from bottom to top: There were also Five Mines under the Courtin, which would have been ready to spring in two days, when they designed a general Assault; which would have been dangerous, as well for the greatness of the Breach, as the diminution of the Strength of the Besieged: As His Majesty passed over the Bridge erected on purpose at the Bastion of Stuben-Tower, he was harangued in Latin by the Magistrate, and thence he went to the Cathedral of St. Stephens. Three Royal Vollies were made by all the Artillery, the first at his Majesties arrival near the Town, the second at his landing, the third during the Te Deum; which being ended, he returned to his Palace, and gave Audience to several Publick Ministers, and after dined with the two Electors.
Towards Night arrived the D[uke] of Lorrain, who was received with great Joy and Satisfaction (having behaved himself to Admiration) for his Care, Valour and Conduct, during the whole Action. On the fifteenth the Emperour, Electors, and D. of Lorrain, went to Visit the King of Poland and take a View of his Army, which was Encamped upon the High-way as far as Ebersdorf. The Elector of Bavaria was at the Head of his Troops with his Sword drawn, with which he made a most profound Reverence to His Imperial Majesty; who came and embrac’d him, saying a Thousand obliging Things of him, desiring him to put up his Sword; Whereupon his Electoral Highness told him that it was the same Sword which had been given him by His Imperial Majesty at Alten Oettinghen Two years since, and which having promised to wear for his Service, he was now come to perform his Duty: but since his Majesty commanded him to put it up, he obeyed. And then he asked his Majesty whether he should March or Retreat with his Troops: He likewise asked the same of his Highness of Lorrain, who stood by the Emperours side, and then follow’d the Emperour to Ebersdorf, and from thence to Schwechet, where was the Head Quarters. As soon as the King saw the Emperour coming, he advanced towards him, accompanied with the Prince his Son, the great Mareschal Jablonowsky, Palatin of Russia, with several other Persons of Quality, very bravely attended; and as we marched likewise in a great Body, we made a Demi-circle on both sides, and drew so near to one another that we made a perfect Circle, that no body could enter.
print version
return to list
previous document