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JOSEPH I (1678-1711), Holy Roman Emperor. Autograph letter signed (as King of the Romans, 'Josephus') to Herr Ayo, n.p., n.d. [August 1691], four pages, 4to, on a bifolium.
EXPRESSING HIS JUBILATION AT NEWS OF THE VICTORY OVER THE TURKS AT SLANKAMEN: Joseph hastens to ensure that the recipient has received news of the battle, 'dan es gewiß eine victori von grosser consequenz ist', going on to recount the news he has received of the battle from Prince Louis of Baden: the Turks first 'das erste retranchement gleich anfangs verlassen, und sich in den andern zweyen, nur eine stundt lang recht defendirt. Sie haben zwar anfangs ein sehr Grosses feuer gemacht, es saint aber die meisten schuss zu hoh und über unsere leithgangen also daß wir gar wenig schaden davon gehabt', going on to describe the taking of the last line of trenches, the Turkish casualties of 8,000 on the field, with the majority of the remainder drowned in trying to escape -- the Grand Vizier is thought to be among the dead.
The Battle of Slankamen on 19 August 1691 turned the Great Turkish War (1683-1697) decisively in favour of the Austrians, and marked the last hopes of a significant Ottoman incursion into Europe. The Austrian army of 30,000 under Louis of Baden defeated a poorly-equipped Ottoman force of almost twice that size, under Grand Vizier Mustafa Köprülü, who was killed on the field.
EXPRESSING HIS JUBILATION AT NEWS OF THE VICTORY OVER THE TURKS AT SLANKAMEN: Joseph hastens to ensure that the recipient has received news of the battle, 'dan es gewiß eine victori von grosser consequenz ist', going on to recount the news he has received of the battle from Prince Louis of Baden: the Turks first 'das erste retranchement gleich anfangs verlassen, und sich in den andern zweyen, nur eine stundt lang recht defendirt. Sie haben zwar anfangs ein sehr Grosses feuer gemacht, es saint aber die meisten schuss zu hoh und über unsere leithgangen also daß wir gar wenig schaden davon gehabt', going on to describe the taking of the last line of trenches, the Turkish casualties of 8,000 on the field, with the majority of the remainder drowned in trying to escape -- the Grand Vizier is thought to be among the dead.
The Battle of Slankamen on 19 August 1691 turned the Great Turkish War (1683-1697) decisively in favour of the Austrians, and marked the last hopes of a significant Ottoman incursion into Europe. The Austrian army of 30,000 under Louis of Baden defeated a poorly-equipped Ottoman force of almost twice that size, under Grand Vizier Mustafa Köprülü, who was killed on the field.
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