In 1788, the Austrians were scouting for forces of the Ottoman Empire near the city of Karansebes, but two different sections mistook each other for Ottomans, and fired on each other instead. 10,000 soldiers perished, and two days later, the Ottomans showed up and captured the city.
The army of Austria, approximately 100,000 strong, was setting up camp around the town. The army's vanguard, a contingent of hussars, crossed the river nearby to scout for the presence of the Ottoman Turks. There was no sign of the Ottoman army, but they ran into a group of Tzigani, who offered alcohol to the soldiers. The cavalrymen bought the alcohol and started to drink.
Soon afterwards, some infantry crossed the river, they saw the party going on, the infantry demanded alcohol for themselves. The hussars refused to give them any, while still drunk, they set up makeshift fortifications around the barrels. A heated argument ensued, and one soldier fired a shot.
Immediately, the hussars and infantry engaged in combat with one another. Some infantry began shouting "Turci! Turci!" ("Turks! Turks!"). The hussars fled the scene, thinking that the Ottoman army's attack was imminent. Most of the infantry also ran away; the army comprised Austrians, Serbs, Croats, and Italians from Lombardy, plus other minorities, many of whom could not understand each other and end up fighting themselves.
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