Brought by Express to his Excellency the Spanish Embassador

August the 20th. 1687.

YEsterday Morning arriv'd a Flanders Male, which brought no Fresher Letters than the 11th. from Vienna, there ha­ving been that Morning an Extraordinary Courier arriv'd from the Imperial Camp, with Advice that the Duke of Lorrain was March'd from Mohaez towards Darda, with full reso­lution (considering how Important it was to the present Juncture of Affairs) by some Stratagem or other, to oblige the Prime Vi­zier to a Battle. The said Courier reports, that being a League on his way, Early in the Morning, he heard the Discharge of a great many Cannon, and continued Vollies of Musquets; which gave subject to believe, that the two Armies began to Engage. The Gentlemen of Horse of the Marquess Castanaga, Governour of the Spanish-Netherlands, arriv'd at the same time here, being sent Express to Don Pedro de Ronquilio the Spanish Ambassador, to im­part to him the Glorious Victory the Christian Army has obtain'd over the whole Ottoman Force in Hungary, being 80000 Effective Fighting men, being brought to Brussels by the Gentleman of Horse of the Marquess Burgamanero the Spanish Ambassador at Vienna, and sent from his Highness the Duke of Lorrain by the Prince of Savoy to the Emperour, doted from the Imperial Army in the Turkish Camp near Esseck the 7th. of August 1687. Which for the Valour and Conduct of the General, as well as the good of Christendom, shall give what particulars can at present be obtain'd.

His Highness the Duke of Lorrain having since his re-passing the Drave, reach, d his Bridge of Boats over the Danube at Mohaez, not thinking the Prime Vizier would have abandon'd his strong Retrenchments about Esseck, was about entring upon the Design of Besieging some Strong hold the Turks yet possess in Hungary: When Advice was brought him that the whole Turkish Army, with all their Cannon, Baggage and Attirals of War, pass'd the Drave the 28th. of last Month, and strongly Encamp'd themselves near Darda: On the 30th. the Duke of Lorrain held a Council of War, where 'twas resolv'd, that 'twas absolutely necessary to preserve their Conquest, to return, and Fight the Enemy, if they could be possibly drawn to accept it; and secret methods were among the Generals Concerted, how to induce the Turks to quit their En­campment, and Fight on equal Terms. The Duke made a present Detatchment of 8000 Horse to cover Sycloss and Five-Churches from the Insults of the Enemy, which lay most Expos'd, and so leaving his heavy Baggage behind him at Mohaez Muster'd his Army, [Page] [Page] [...] [Page 2] which did not much exceed 40000 Men; the next day March'd to­wards the Enemy with easy Journeys, not too much to Fateigue his Men, and Skirmishing with some Parties of them in his passage; on the 4th. he came within a League and a half of their Camp, and made Entrenchment, and finding that 'twas impossible to force them from their Post: On the fifth sent a Detachment notwithstanding, to make a shew of Attempting it, who retir'd with some loss to the Camp. In the Night, the Duke of Lorain caus'd the Elector of Bavaria with a considerable Body of the Army, to draw out of the Camp, some one way and others another, as if they were Retreating; which the Prime Vizier being advised of by his Spies, and belie­ving (through the disadvantage they were at the day before,) that the Christian Army was retiring as they did, when they re-passed the Drave, seeing them seperated, by Six the next Morning, the Prime Vizier, before they were all Retreated, drew out his Army from their Post, Attacqu'd the Christian Camp, thinking to have eat them for a Breakfast; but they Valliantly maintain'd the Fight till al­most Noon, before the first Detachment (which was March'd some Miles round) fell in upon their Rear; and soon after, another Body of Christians on their Flank, which put them into so great a Con­sternation, seeing themselves Decoy'd, that they began to give ground, taking their Flight towards Esseck, and some Thousands of them driven into the Drave; which, through the rapidness of the Stream, were most of them Drown'd; but in some places the Fight was very Obstinate and Bloody, and continued till Ten at Night: But in conclusion, the whole Army was Discomfited, the Christians being in a full pursuit after them, they having intirely quitted the Field, leaving all their Cannon, Baggage, and Attirals of War be­hind them, which is said to be full as Rich as their Camp before Vienna. The number of the Slain are Computed to be 8000 on the spot, and almost as many Drown'd in the River, besides a good ac­count will be had of the Pursuit, which every Post for some time will bring us more particularly: The Germans in this days Action, have so approved themselves for their Valour and Conduct, as they will for ever be dreadful to the Turks, and the Success of the En­gagement being the Turks last Effort, will bring no small Advan­tage to the Emperour. The Christian Army being not wholly re­turn'd from the Pursuit; There is no certain advice of the loss on our side, but as it may be Computed, 700 some think a 1000 may be slain: And we do not as yet miss any Considerable Officer of Note; but few of the Turks are made Prisoners, the Germans be­ing so Enrag'd for the Action of Esseck, as to give no Quarter.