1. LETTER FROM THE KING JAN III SOBIESKI TO HIS WIFE QUEEN MARIE CASIMIRE LOUISE DE LA GRANGE D’ARQUIEN, 1683
LETTER FROM THE KING JAN III SOBIESKI TO HIS WIFE QUEEN MARIE CASIMIRE LOUISE DE LA GRANGE D’ARQUIEN, 1683
“At the Vizier’s tent on the night of 13th September.
My heart and soul’s only consort, my prettiest, most beloved Marysieńka, God, our Lord, blessed he be through the ages, brought our nation the fame and glory the ages past had never heard of. Their cannons, their entire camp, and the wealth they once held is now in our hands. The adversaries, many of whom were laid dead in their trenches, their fields, and their camp, now flee in confusion. The camels, the cattle, the mules, and the sheep, that once marched in flock at their side are now being taken by our troops. What I find rather bizarre are the other Turks, the finely dressed deserters who seek refuge come to our side atop their fine horses. The most peculiar thing had happened today, that terror was felt by both the townsmen and our men at the camp as they understood and could not be convinced of our foe’s retreat. The gunpowder and munitions we took were worth more than a million on their own.”