The Austrian bank of the Danube

Whilst the Turks were ravaging the neighbour  ing Xahias, all who could effect their escape had fled to Poretsch. Here, under an incompetent Woiwode of Mladen’s appointing, a more able commander, Iladschi Nicola, had, inconsequence of the general danger, obtained the authority.

His exertions, however, proved equally unavailing. He erected a redoubt on the lower point of the island : but the Turks effected a landing between the town and the fort; and as soon as they made their appearance, the people, who had become accustomed to flight, again fled. In vessels and boats  nay, even on planks or by swimming they sought to escape the vengeance of the enemy, and to find safety on the Austrian bank of the Danube. Iladschi Nicola was taken prisoner and beheaded; and the Turks advanced without opposition as far as Smederewo.

These great results on the Danube were followed by others on the Morawa. The Grand Vizier, Churschid Pacha, was still less disposed now, than during the campaign of 1810, to lose time at Deligrade, which was bravely defended by AVuiza; he, therefore, left a part of his army behind for the siege of this fortress, and proceeded with the remainder down the right bank of the Mo rawa.

Mladen, who was little of a warrior, and now felt himself far too weak to encounter the large Turkish force, did not even attempt resistance. The Grand Vizier was consequently able to proceed along the river without molestation ; and at Petka he formed a junction with the troops of the Capitan Pacha. The united army took up its position close by the mouths of the Morawa, opposite the Servians, who were on the other side of the river; and the Turks were reinforced by vessels of war : the largest that had ever been seen on the Morawa.

Of the three great divisions of the country, the Servians had now entirely lost the one beyond the Morawa. The second division also, which lay on the further side of the Ivolubara, was also nearly lost. Knes Sima did not offer any resistance to the passage of the Turks over the Drina, though all the YVoiwodes were anxious to give them battle ; and when they encamped before Leschnitza, he made no effort for its defence.

TIilosch of Pozerje had unfortunately been killed two }rcars before, by a robber, whom he was in pursuit of; and he was succeeded by his brother, who, by no means equalled him in talent. To this brother, Leschnitza was now entrusted ; and he was foolish enough to allow himself to be persuaded by the bishop of Swornik, who accompanied the Turkish force, that no harm should occur to him or his people, and he accordingly surrendered.

Thus, the Turks, with little trouble, regained possession of Kulin’s scimitar. They conducted their prisoners, under an armed escort, through Bosnia, and at length to Constantinople: whence none of them ever returned.

Antonie Bogitsehewitsch was no longer alive, to defend Losnitza, as he had formerly done. Peter Molcr, who had taken his place, did not, it is true, sutler himself to be duped by the bishop’s assurances ; bnt he did not venture to defend the place; and was content to effect his own escape.

In like manner Knes Sima allowed the Turks to advance, without coming to any regular engagement. Kven when they attacked the fortress of liawanj, which was defended by the valiant AVoi  wodes Stojan Tschupitsch, ]\1 iloscli Obrenowitscli, and 1’rota Xenadowitsch  he remained inactive in his camp: paralysed by an unaccountable insensibility : he sent neither ammunition, (of which those chiefs soon felt the want,) nor troops, whose aid they greatly needed: were it only to procure a brief repose after the fatigues to Avhich they had been subjected, and their protracted loss of sleep.

For seventeen harassing days, the Woi wodes defended the entrenchment; during which time they affirm that they suffered such privations as had never before been endured in a fortress. At length they abandoned the place to the enemy; who now advanced against Schabaz, where Ivnes Sima was encamped.