The Virginia Gazette

From the Field-Marshal de Königsegg's Camp at Panczowa,
May 31. O.S.

For three Days past we have had an incessant Rain,

and the Weather being at the same Time very cold, it

does incredible Injury both to Man and Beast; and if it

should continue, as 'tis feared it will, 'tis like to baffle

all the Projects that have been concerted. The Count de

Königsegg has resolved to succour Orsova, which the

Commandant has received Orders to defend to the last

Extremity.

The Fortress of Orsova stands in the middle of the

Danube, in an Island about three Miles in Length, and

near a Mile in Breadth. 'Twas built by Order of the

Emperor, after the Treaty of Karlowitz, and consists

of a Parallelogram, with a Bastion at each Angle, in-

vironed with a good Ditch, a covered Way, a Coun-

terscarp, and some other Works. All of it that could

possibly be casemated is done so, because the Place is

commanded by a double Chain of Mountains, which

run on each Side of the Danube from Apatin to

Vidin. These Works take up the West Part of the

Island. At the Point of the Eastern Part, there's a Bas-
tion with two Fronts, mounted with about 9 Pieces of

Cannon, which communicates with the Fortress by means

of two Parapets of Stone Work, which cover the two

Sides of the Island. The Space between is filled with

the Houses of the Inhabitants, which are not very nu-
merous, Old Orsova is half a League on this Side to-
wards the Banat. On the other Side over against the

Island, at the Foot of the Hills, is the Fort of St. Eli-
zabeth being a great square Structure casemated and

bored for Artillery and Small Arms. A little above

there's a Tower, which is Square also like the other.

communicates with the Fort, and is casemated and bo-
red in like manner. The Turks are actually batter-
ing this Fort and Tower with several Pieces of Cannon.