Battle
of Moslavina
On March 10, 1562, Zrinski learns from
captured Turks that Arslan-bey (Yahyapasha-zade), the governor of Pozega, received
orders to build two fortifications; at Moslavina on the Drava and near the
village of Sveti Gjura (Saint George) and also received money to pay for
soldiers to man the fortifications. The Ottoman
objective is to block the Drava River and prevent soldiers from Sziget raiding
the river traffic, taking supplies and taxing lands downriver. On March 13
Zrinski writes to Palatine Nadasdy that Arslan-bey has gathered the agas and
commanders from the neighboring regions at Osijek and from there they will move
to Valpovo. After assembling a large
army and conscripting a great multitude of rajah (peasants) from Bosna and Turkish
held lands in Croatia and Slavonia Arslan begins to move on his goals. While the
rajah are taken to the designated places in Moslavina region to build the
fortifications under the command of the Turkish engineers Arslan goes with his
army to the Drava River to stand in the way of the Christians in case they
attempt to harass his people in their work.