The Virginia Gazette

From the London Magazine, for May, 1738.

About the Middle of last Month, the Turkish Bashaw, Commandant of Widdin, sent a Message to M. de Cornburg, the Imperial Commandant of Orfova, That he would certainly come and pay him a Visit on the 20th; to which the latter made Answer, That he should be welcome, and that he would take Care to give him such a Reception as he deserved. Accordingly, on the 20th in the Morning, the Bashaw, with about 3000 Men, came and attacked the Fort of St. Elizabeth, one of the Outworks of Orfova; and M. de Cornburg was as good as his Word; for tho' the Enemy attacked them with great Fury, and pushed with two Pair of Colours as far up as the Bass, yet they met with such a warm Reception from the Artillery and small Arms of the Fort, that after an Attack of above three Hours, they were obliged to retire with the Loss of above 500 Men killed and wounded, and two Pair of Colours.

As Orfova is a Place of great Importance, not only On Account of the Magazines erected there, but because it covers the Island of Pega in the Danube, this Attack made it suspected the Turks had a Mind to make themselves Masters of the Place, and for that Purpose would return again to the Attack; therefore a Body of 3 Battalions of German Foot and 400 Horse, were posted upon the North Side of the Danube, between Meadia and old Orfova; but this did not prevent the Enemy from endeavouring to execute their Design; for on the first Instant, they advanced early in the Morning towards the Post which this Detachment was in, with a Body of at least 5000 Men, and after harrassing the Germans with small Detachments, til about 2 in the Afternoon, they then advanced with their whole Body, and with great Fury attacked the Imperialists upon all Sides. The latter defended themselves with great Bravery 'til 6 o'Clock at Night; but then finding they were like to be overpower'd with Numbers, and having in the Action lost their Commander, Major General Count de Miseroni, who had received five Wounds before the last, which was mortal, they retired in good Order towards Orfova. In this Action the Germans lost 400 Soldiers, but 'tis said the Infidels lost above 2000: and that the Bashaw of Widdin's Son was amongst the Number of the Slain.