LEtters yesterday Afternoon (by three Flanders Mails) of the 21st instant; from Vienna, bring us the joyful increase, and particulars of the entire and accomplish'd Victory, the Christian Arms have obtain'd over the Turks near Darda, the 12th Courant; for which glorious Atchieve­ment their Imperial Majesties, attended by all the Nobility of that Court, paid their Devotions in the Cathedral of St. Stephen, where Te Deum was Sung (with a Royal Salvo) of a triple discharge of all the Cannon; upon the Ramparts continued by Vollies of Musqueteers, resounding with ringing of Bells, Bonefires, and Acclamations of the people, the same being brought the Empe­rour from the Duke of Lorain, by General Count Taaffe, since the dispatch of Prince Eugine of Savoy.

The better to conserve the method of acquiring this mighty Action, 'tis necessary at first to know the inducement that obliged the Grand Vizier to quit his impregnable Retrenchments, and give Battle to the Christians: On the 27th the Grand Vizier pas­sed the Drave with his Army, and fortified his Camp near Darda, with two modern Retrenchments in Front, strengthned with Pallisado's, having Esseck and the Drave in his Rear, the Danube and the Morass on his Right, with a Wood and the Morass on his Left, which being viewed by the Generals, 'twas judged impossible, without ha­zarding the ruine of the whole Army, to attack, and force his Camp; therefore was re­solv'd by stratagems of War, to draw the Grand Vizier from those secured Retrench­ments, so marched, and counter-marched the Army in divers figures: one Detachment of them making shew, as if they would re-pass the Danube at Moha [...]z, and go into high Hungary, whilst another made a feigned movement of marching towards Sygeth and Sycloss, not without being able suddenly to re-unite their Main Body; which the Turks perceiving, lookt upon it at first, (as really it was intended) to decoy him out of his Post; and thereupon, would scarce permit the ravaging Tartars to pick up some of our Forragers, till believing they might be retreating in earnest, made some Detachments to observe the Countenance of our Army, and sometimes skirmish'd with our advanced Guards, gave us the Alarm; and having taken 200 of our men, returned to their Camp; (flush'd with this advantage) the Turks began to shew themselves in different Parties; our Generals concerted new methods, marching their Army in several Fronts, further a field, as well to be distant from a Wood, which incommoded our Foragers, as to give the Grand Vizier a large space of ground. with desire to follow us, but this march was still in vain: yet notwithstanding the same day we perceived a considerable Body of Turkish Cavalry in our Rear; but so soon as we faced about, and began to skirmish with them, they made a hasty Retreat: The Duke of Lorain, by this time, judging that he should not be able to cause him to give Battle in open Field, took a reso­lution to march for Sycloss and Five-Churches, and withdraw those Garrisons, demo­lishing [Page 2] the Fortifications, which otherwise might have fallen into the Enemies posses­sion, began to move towards them on the 10th, and with easie marches, continued the 11th, sending Baron De Orlick to precede the Vant-Guard with 4 or 500 Horse: In this march, a great Body of Turkish Spahi's did what they could to interrupt our moti­on, shewing themselves sometimes on the Wing, then on the Flank; we entred upon dispute with them, but they retired with precipitation. On the 12th, the Grand Vi­zier, thinking the Christians were making the best of their way from him, would not lose the opportunity, but detached some of his best Troopers, to give us a Diversion; and about two in the Afternoon 10000 Turkish Cavalry, and half the number of Jani­zaries came right upon our Left Wing, commanded by the Elector of Bavaria and Prince Lewis of Baden, preceded by some German Curiasiers; who vigorously su­stained the Turkish Charge, but retir'd into their first Line: On a sudden the Janiza­ries were posted on an Eminence, with some Field-pieces, and made continual firing with small and great shot, whilst 10000 of their Horse endeavoured to put us in disor­der, which obliged the Elector of Bavaria to extend his Front to be in proportion with that of the Enemy, the Regiments of Savoy and Comercy sustain'd this first Charge, which was very fierce and obstinate, the Christians continuing firm with great Resolu­tion and Courage, notwithstanding they were attack'd in Front and Flank; the Elector came in person to their Assistance, and found the Dispute so warm, that he received a Shot in his Hand, Prince Comercy a Wound in the Breast with an Arrow, which yet did not hinder his continuing in the Action, to give what necessary orders were required.

The Duke of Lorain to get ground, caused at the same time the Right Wing to march cross, and stretch towards the Flank of the Enemies, who attacked our Left, and the Left went to meet another Body of Horse and Foot, which marched to Charge them: And now the Fight began to be bloody on both sides, the Victory hanging in suspence for two or three hours; but by the coming in of a fresh Detachment on the Christian side, the Turks began to lose ground, afterwards to mend their pace; and in the end to take a perfect Flight, one Body of their Cavalry retiring upon their Foot, put the whole in disorder; a great slaughter being made, and we pursued the Enemy with so much vi­gour and heat, that we entred Pell-mell with them into their Camp, and made our selves with little resistance, Masters of both their Retrenchments, and pursued the Enemy as long as the day would permit. This Victory is so great, as not to have any parallel for some Ages: we drove many into the Morass and Drave, where they perish'd, and the Bridge over the River, through the weight of people thronging to get over, broke down; some say the Grand Vizier caus'd the same to be done, leaving a multitude on this side the Drave, who are retir'd to the Woods, Marshes, and Isles, where they are shut up, and must surrender upon discretion for want of Food: And some persons re­port, that there is no less than 25 or 30000 Men thus dispers'd, and of 15000 old Ja­nizaries, scarce 50 are sav'd; and they reckon above 20000 are kill'd and drown'd. They have seiz'd a mighty Rich Booty, the Grand Vizier's Tent, which fell to the lot of the Elector of Bavaria, is so Rich in Gold and Pearl, Precious Stones, &c. as is inestimable, 116 Canon and Mortars taken, 6000 head of Cattle, 1500 Camels, 100 Buffulors seiz'd, 2000 Waggons with all Provision and Ammunition, are fell into our hands, a number of Tents, Standards, and Horses Tails; and there is scarce a Souldier but abounds in Gold and Silver. The Prisoners also report, That the Grand Vizier had not been induced to come out of his Retrenchments, but by the perswasion of some Christians in his Army, who flatter'd him with assurance of Success; and that they should certainly take the Dukes of Lorain and Bavaria Prisoners; and thereby oblige the Emperour to make Peace with the Grand Seignior, and restore all the Places in Hun­gary he has Re-conquer'd during the War: But Providence has disposed otherwise, and 'tis not to be doubted, but that this Glorious Victory will have a quite contrary effect.