Sixteen years after, Mahomet II. was anxious to crown his exploits
by the capture of Belgrade; he invested it by land with an army of
four hundred thousand men, at the same time that his fleet blockaded
it upon the Danube. Ladislaus, king of Hungary, was encamped on the
other side of the river with a numerous army. Being convinced that he
should lose Belgrade if he did not in some way get rid of the Turkish
galleys, he embarked the _élite_ of his troops on a vast number of
large boats, and fell upon the Turks with such fury that he took
twenty of their ships, sunk others, and put the rest to flight. This
victory reopened his communication with Belgrade, and he sent in the
celebrated John Corvin, known under the name of Huniades. This general
was seconded by John Capestran, a Cordelier, sent into Hungary by
the Pope, to preach a crusade. This monk appeared at the head of all
the sorties, a crucifix in his hand, inducing the warriors to perish
rather than give way, by constantly displaying to them the crown of
martyrdom suspended over their heads, if they fell by the hands of the
infidels. His words and example destroyed all fear, and the troops he
led always returned victorious. But the Mussulman artillery had made
a large breach; Mahomet commanded an assault, led his troops to the
edge of the ditch, carried it, and rushed into the city without meeting
with much resistance. Thus were both parties situated, just as in the
former siege. This calm was a _ruse_ of Huniades. To surprise the
Ottomans in the midst of their fancied triumph, he drew up his troops
upon a retired part of the city; at the first sound of the trumpet the
garrison of the citadel had orders to join those who, by his direction,
had abandoned the breach. The signal was given, and the Hungarians
poured from all quarters. The Turks, attacked in front, in rear, in
flank, knew not which way to turn; some perished in their astonishment,
without offering any defence; others precipitated themselves into the
ditches, and a small number succeeded in escaping through the breach.
In vain Mahomet endeavoured to rally them; his obstinate valour was
constrained to give way; the conqueror of Constantinople was forced to
raise the siege of Belgrade shamefully, after losing an eye and his
noble army. Huniades survived this triumph but a short time; he quickly
died of his wounds.