Letter from Carlstatt (Karlovac), 23 September 1685: Our forces again advanced some twenty miles into Turkish territory and completely devastated an entire province, which is considerably larger than the recently ruined County of Krbava, laying waste to it entirely and reducing all villages and towns to ashes, so that the Turks will not be able to resettle there for many years. In this action, two prominent castles, whose garrisons had repeatedly troubled us, were captured; about four hundred Turks were killed, one hundred and thirty taken prisoner, and around five thousand heads of cattle, along with other rich spoils, fell into our hands. I must confess that the Croats are brave soldiers; however, it is regrettable that they do not maintain closed ranks and formations like we Germans do. Instead, the one who has the best horse charges first at the enemy, which often results in many a brave fellow being lost and losing his life. If our General had only a few German regiments, one would hear of great wonders, especially since there is an indescribable fear among the Turks. Everything is retreating into the fortresses. The palisades around Karlstadt are mostly decorated with Turkish heads. Within fourteen days, His Excellency the General is again planning an incursion about forty miles into Turkish territory, though we do not know exactly where
