to death."
I do not think this account at all extenuates the severity, which it admits to have been exercised; for I never knew that it was the custom to accompany a flag of truce by an armed force; neither was it very military in the German Officer to advance with his whole detachment, even had he imagined the place was going to surrender, before he sent a party to receive the post from the enemy.
The Imperial army now took post with their left flank on the river Korana, near Dresnick, and their right towards the mountains of Plessivicza, so as to have the road to Bihacz open before them.
In the mean while, a considerable corps under Colonel Kesnowick passed the Unna, and attacked Turkish Dubitza, but were repulsed with a heavy loss. The Austrians themselves acknowledge to have had 431 men killed and wounded.
This coup-de-main having failed, Prince Charles Lichtenstein was sent to commence a regular siege. He took the command of the army early in March, and on the 25th of April, a practicable breach being made, the Imperialists advanced to the assault. They met a very unexpected reception, being themselves most furiously charged by the Turks, which threw them into such confusion and dismay, that they were soon repulsed, and the garrison sallying out, without giving them time to form, drove them headlong through their own trenches, burnt their works, and obliged Prince Lichtenstein to cross the Unna that very night, and secure himself on the opposite heights.
A besieged garrison routing a besieging army in so complete a style, is such an extraordinary circumstance, that I was anxious to hear what turn the Imperialists would give it. Their account is so curious a one, that I shall subjoin it for you.
"An attempt was made by the Austrians
on the 25th April to storm
Dubitza, but they were repulsed as