the pains to be a good Muskettier certainly cannot be idle but hath gained something more to make him capable of such praise To conclude I shall desire the Gentlemen of the Pikes and the Gentlemen of the Muskettiers to go hand in hand in love like dear Brothers and neither of them to envy each other and in so doing God will give a blessing to their undertakings But now fearing I have dwelt too long upon this discourse of the Arms I shall next proceed to set down first the postures of the Pike then the postures of the Musket with all the words of command tending to their Motions after collect them in order in a brief way and then set forth unto you the equality of number that the one Arms hath with the other in the postures as followeth CHAP. III. The Postures of the Pike THE Pike lying on the ground the first word of Command will be Stand to your Arms. Handle your Pike to your Open Order Handle your Pike to your Order Raise up your Pike to your Close Order Charge with the butt-But-end of the Pike at the inside of the right foot your Pike in the left hand drawing your Sword over your left arm Charge to the Front Right Flank Left Flank Reer Order your Pikes and put up your Swords This way of charging to the Horse I have set down as being practised sometimes amongst us in our private Meetings but I conceive it to be of little use to receive a desperate charge of the Horse for by these charges the Souldiers are in so lame and weak a posture that the Horse cannot choose if they come on with a full career but beat the Pikes and Pike-men down to the ground Therefore in my opinion the best way of opposing the Horse-charge is that which we learned of our ever-honoured Captain Major Henry Tillier in the Military Garden which was Files closing to the midst to their closest Order insomuch that there was not above half a foot interval of ground between File and File the Pikes Porting and after closing their Ranks forwards so close that they locked themselves one within another and then charged on Which in my judgment is so secure a way from routing that it is impossible for any Body of Horse to enter therein and farther to my best remembrance I never could meet with any Souldier that hath been a broad upon any service that ever saw any charging of the Pikes at the Foot therefore I will further proceed From Order Advance Shoulder Port Comport Cheek Trail Your Pike Order as you were From your Order charge to the Front Right Left Reer Order as you were Advance your Pike Shoulder Port Comport Cheek Trail Your Pike Advance as you were From your Advance charge to the Front Right Left Reer Advance as you were Shoulder your Pike Port Comport Cheek Trail Your Pike Shoulder as you were From the Shoulder charge to the Front Right Left Reer Shoulder as you were Port your Pikes Comport your Pikes Cheek Trail your pikes Comp. as you were From the Comport charge to the Front Right Left Reer comport as you were Cheek your Pikes Trail your Pikes Cheek as you were From the Cheek charge to the Front Right Left Reer Cheek as you were Trail your Pikes from your Trail charge to the Front Right Left Reer Trail as you were Order your Pikes Lay down your Pikes Here is to be observed by this Method an endeavouring to perform all the postures of the Pike from each particular posture only shortning it by degrees leaving out what was before commanded until we come unto the Trial. Yet notwithstanding I spared not the charges but have shewn them from every posture in their due order Next followeth the postures of the Musket wherein in answerableness to the Pike I shall lay them down in full and afterwards contract them in a shorter way CHAP. IV. The Postures of the Musket THE Musket lying on the ground the first word of Command will be as to the Pike Stand to your Arms Take up your Bandiliers Put on your Bandiliers Take up your Match Place your Match Take up your Rest Put the string of your Rest about your left wrist Take up your Musket Rest your Musket Here the Souldier may perform the saluting posture if he shall find any occasion so to do for the honouring of a friend or any Gentleman of worth Poyse your Musket Shoulder your Musket Un-shoulder your Musket and Poyse Joyn your Rest to the outside of your Musket Open your pan Cleer your pan Prime your pan Shut your pan Cast off your loose corns Blow off your loose corns and bring about your Musket to the left side Trail your Rest Ballance your Musket in your left hand Find out your charge Open your charge Charge with powder Draw forth your Scouring-stick Turn and shorten him to an Inch Charge with Bullet Put your scouring-stick into your musket Ram home your charge With-draw your scouring-stick Turn and shorten him to a handful Return your scouring-stick Bring forward your Musket and Rest Poyse your Musket recover your Rest Joyn your Rest to the outside of your Musket Draw forth your Match Blow your Coal Cock Your Match Fit Your Match Guard your Pan Blow the ashes from your Coal Open your Pan Present upon your Rest Give fire brest-high Dismount your Musket joyning the Rest to the outside of your Musket Vn-cock and return your Match Cleer Your Pan Shut Your Pan Poyse Your Musket Rest Your Musket Take your Musket off the Rest and set the butt-Butt-end to the ground Lay down your Musket Lay down your Match Take your Rest into your right hand cleering the string from your left wrist Lay down your Rest Take off Your Bandiliers Lay down Your Bandiliers Here endeth the postures of the Musket from the taking of them up from the ground to make ready and the proceeding in them to the laying of them down again Now if the Souldier will take his Rest into his right hand for to be a support and help to him in his march he must observe the following words of command Lay your right hand upon the butt-Butt-end of your musket The Musket being shouldered you may proceed in these words of command to recover the Rest into the right hand Lay your left arm over your musket Shift your match between the fingers of your right hand Take your Rest into your right hand cleering the string from your left wrist Return your match and take your Rest into your right hand 't will cause you to be in a fit capacity for to march CHAP. V. The Postures and Charges of the Pike to be performed in a shorter way all things acted in order and nothing done twice THE Pike lying on the ground the first word of Command will be Stand to your Arms Handle your Arms Raise up your Pikes to your Open Order Order Close Order From your close Order charge to the Horse Front Right
wind it would be ready to blow him down Therefore as above that which is most commodious for the souldiers marching up a hill is to comport his pike The use of Trailing The Trailing of the Pike is seldom used but when the souldier shall march straight forward through a Wood the File-leader before he enters in trails his pike and consequently all the rest in his file then stooping down they take up the butt-end of their leaders pikes which they may easily gripe with their own in their right hands and after march forward through the busling leaves in a straight line every file single by himself but as neer each other as possible they can march for more security sake that when they are clear they may find each other and be in a condition to rally up again as occasion shall require The trailing of the Pike may also be of excellent use in a Trench that at such time when they shall have intelligence where the Enemy are preparing to make a breach they may then move forwards unto that place undiscovered and may defend the same The use of Cheeking The cheeking of the Pike is the proper sentinel-posture and then to be used CHAP. IX The use of the Postures of the Musket I Conceive it will not be material to go over every posture of the musket to describe the use of them in respect the greater part of them have conformity to the Pike Those that shall remain and of the chiefest consequence I shall not be wanting to satisfie the souldier in The ballancing the musket and rest on the right side The use of ballancing the Musket on the right side with the barrel upward is one of the chiefest postures belonging to the musket from thence he begins to make ready as to open clear and prime the pan all being motions to this posture To traile the rest and ballance the musket on the left side with the barrel downward is a posture likewise of as great consequence The use of ballancing the Musket on the left side for there are several motions belonging also to this posture as to find out the charge to open it to charge with powder to take bullet out of the bag and to charge with bullet with divers other motions before you can recover your musket and rest again How a Muskettier shall perform the Sentinel-posture THe Sentinel-posture is to be performed after this manner first the musket is to be laded with powder and bullet afterwards he is to cock his match and to stand with his pan guarded his musket being upon his rest until such time he is relieved but as concerning him I shall more fully set forth his duty treating upon the duty of the Sentinel CHAP. X. The manner and way to do the Funeral-posture NExt followeth to shew how to do the Funeral-posture the properest and the best way to begin this posture is when the musket is rested and is to be performed after this manner You must first slip up your musket upon the rest so high until the fork of the rest be within a handful of the cock after you must bring your right hand under the barrel of the musket close to the fork of the rest and then lift him off and after cast your Rest backward trailing him on the left side and bring your Musket under your left arm with the barrel downwards bearing the butt-butt-end upward with your two fore-fingers and your thumb holding off the pan and that with the left hand Now if you begin to be weary in the march by reason of the weight of the musket you may to ease your self bring your right hand backward and there take hold of the musket keeping still your left hand in its first place until you shall reduce him to the Rest again The reducement of the Musket from the Funeral-posture FIrst raise up your Musket a little with your two fingers and thumbs of the left hand as you formerly held him then turn the Musket until you perceive the barrel to be upward after lay your right hand upon the barrel much about the lazie pin and then taking him bring him up forward on the out-side of the Rest recover your Rest fall back with the right legge you may with ease bring your Musket again upon the Rest as at first This posture being so seldome used makes the Souldier much to seek in performance of the same but he that takes pleasure in handling of the Musket and shall exercise himself therein cannot chuse but find it very easie and much delightful to him And I know no posture more becoming a Muskettier then this if it be near and well performed by him And here I shall conclude and end discoursing of the postures CHAP. XI The Souldiers desire to know every particular place of Dignity as they stand in Rank and File THe Souldier now having obtained some pretty knowledge skill and ready aptness in the managing and performing the postures begins to look about himself what next is needful for to fasten upon to make a further progress in this Art and straight he meets with some that whispers to him That it were a gallant thing to know the Dignity of a File true and rightly stated To which he answers But where can it be found the opinions of souldiers are so various and differing therein that none knows where for to attain it My Captains eye saith he is upon me because I do the postures well which causeth the Serjeants to make me a File-leader and that I know to be the chiefest and first place of Honour in the File the second place to be the bringer-up the third the half-file-leader the fourth the bringer-up of the Front half-files Thus far no souldier of any known judgment can deny but now a-dayes our Files being drawn up six deep makes me altogether ignorant of the honour of the rest neither know I the Dignity of a File eight or ten deep which still in some places they do retain drawing them up so deep If my ambition were but now fully satisfied herein I should in time come for to know the Dignity of the Captains as they are drawn up all in a Regiment by which Rule I am informed they walk And in my judgment there cannot be a truer stating the Dignity of a Rank and File then that which shall conform to the Dignities of the Captains as they are drawn up abrest all in a Regiment Now for as much as many Regiments consist of several numbers of Captains and Companies in them as some six Companies others eight some greater as ten and twelve Companies It is expedient therefore not only for my self but for every souldier that will be truly knowing to be resolved herein concerning those several numbers and as occasion shall alter to any other they may inform themselves by these how to fit their purpose And therefore not to keep the apt and forward souldier longer in suspence but that
Reer of all his whole Body move forward with the rest to the Church-door then falling off in respect of ordering his Company the rest of the Train Marching into the Church After which the Captain may cause them all to face to the Church or to their Leader he standing then before the Church-door commanding them to Rank again as they were After every Leader may draw off his File and set their Arms apart in each File by themselves and go in to hear part of the Sermon if there should be any such order before-hand from their Captain placing Sentinels to look to their Arms. And when Sermon is almost done they ought to go forth of the Church and draw forth the Files by some little warning of Drums to be in readiness to answer such directions as they shall receive from their Captain who may if he have conveniency of room draw all his Muskettiers into a Ring and the Pikes in like manner on the outside of them and as soon as the Souldiers have notice being all ready and presented that the Body is laid down in the grave they may upon warning of the Drum give one volley of shot all together and after make ready again performing the same twice over more After which the Ensign may put his Colours upon his Staff and furl them up then the Pikes may be drawn up again into one Body and the Muskettiers into another and falling in the Reer of the Pikes they may troop away And a little before the place of lodging the Colours they may make Alt and the Muskettiers may sleeve up by the outside of the Pikes from the Reer filing to the right and left making a Guard for the Colours and Pikes to march through them and being cleer and the Colours lodged they may face about again to the right and give another volley of shot but if there should be such a streight of ground that the Muskettiers cannot be drawn into a Ring then they must be otherwise disposed of by making them into two Ranks the one on the one side of the Street and the other on the other side facing them either in opposition or in an oblique manner if in opposition they must present very low and give fire three times all together as before with one volley after another if oblique the one Rank is to be faced towards the upper end of the Street and the other towards the lower end and so may fire with less danger to each other the Pikes to be filed away to the right and left behind the Muskettiers before they were thus faced And again where they have not length of ground to contrive the Muskettiers into two single Ranks they may fire all together as they stand at Order mounting up the Muzzles of their Muskets into the Air without offending each other Therefore according to the conveniency of the ground it must be the discretion of every Commander to order his men accordingly to perform his three volleys of shot in the most gracefullest way which being ended they may all return to their Quarters And thus much may suffice for satisfaction to any Commander in ordering his single Company to any Funeral-occasion marching along of it self CHAP. XXVI The ordering of a Regiment to a Funeral-occasion WHen Companies are to march in a Regimental-way care must be had that the Regiment be first drawn up according to this Rule The Pikes to be in one Body and the Muskettiers equally divided to flank that Body after which let the Major make his Divisions appointing the places of every Captain and Lieutenant where they shall lead and where they shall bring up After that they may move away towards the place or lodging of him that is to be interred and there make Alt opening the Van-guard or Muskettiers and facing them to the Reer then let the Body of Pikes and them interchange ground that the Pikes may march next the Hearse in manner as before exprest of a private Company whose smaller Bodies take Rule from the greater Then let the Lieutenant-Colonel lead the Regiment and the Colonel bring it up and so in like manner in every Division the Bringers-up are to lead and the Leaders to bring up All Officers and their Arms being thus reverst the Front becomes the Reer and the Reer the Front they must move slowly away and before the Corps pass into the Church there must be ground reserv'd that after the Muskettiers have first made a Guard the Pikes may move through them and may also in like manner file in their Ranks as the Muskettiers did joyning to them and making a Guard in like manner of each Arms. After which the whole Train may pass through in an orderly manner into the Church the Souldiers in the mean time attending without until Sermon be passed over And being all in a readiness they may give three several Peals or Volleys of shot according to such warnings as shall be given them After which the Souldiers being ranked again as they were if they have conveniency of ground the Major may cause the Captains to draw off their Companies and troop home to their several Quarters according to their best conveniency But if they have not room it will be most properest for the Major to command the Muskettiers to stand and first to rank the Pikes again as they were Then let the Drums beat a Troop upon the head of the Pikes in the Reer of the Colours and let the Ensigns and Pikes first troop away through the Guard of the Muskettiers who being cleer of them and being led by the Colonel and other Officers there appointed the Muskettiers may also rank again in like manner and fall in the Reer of the Pikes following them until they come unto a convenient place or ground for the Captains drawing off their Companies as they shall receive order from the Colonel Lieutenant-Colonel or Major And here I will conclude my Discourse concerning the Exercising of the Infantry in all their Military Motions and Exercises FINIS The Postures of the Musket to be performed without the Rest The Musket lying on the ground with Bandeliers and Match the first Word of Command will be Stand to your Arms. Take up your Bandeliers Put on your Bandeliers Take up your Match Place your Match Take up your Musket letting the butt-Butt-end rest upon the Ground Rest your Musket in your left hand bringing the butt-Butt-end to your right side Poyse your Musket Shoulder your Musket Unshoulder your Musket and Poyse Ballance your Musket in your left hand with the Barrel upwards Open your Pan. Clear your Pan. Prime your Pan. Shut your Pan. Cast off your loose Corns Blow off your loose Corns and bring about your Musket to your left side carrying the Barrel downwards Ballance your Musket in your left hand Find out your Charge Open your Charge Charge with Powder Draw forth your Scowring-stick Turn and shorten to an inch Charge with Bullet Put your Scowring-stick in
with us the Horse and Foot have but one Auditor-General who passeth no sentence himself but it is done by a Council of War in which every Captain hath a Vote XII Of the Provost-Marshal THe Provost-Marshal ought to be an honest man for that he is to look to the Weights and Measures and to protect the Victuallers and Sutlers from the insolencies of the Souldiers Himself or one of his men must always be in the Market-place and is to inform himself at what rates the Sutlers buy their Victual that the Commissary and Auditor may rate them accordingly He must see the Orders published in the Horse-quarter strictly observed and he must cleer those Quarters of vagrants and idle fellows He must always carry his Truncheon in his hand and having the same it is death for any Souldier to lay hands on him If he be to take a prisoner he is not to enter the Quarter without leave of the Chief who is to cause the Delinquent to be delivered up to him but if the Delinquent offer to make escape he may then enter the Quarter by his own Authority In marching he is to cleer the Ways and to prevent the stragling Souldiers of Pillaging CONCERNING The Enrolling Arming and Exercising OF THE CAVALRY ALl things must be presupposed in a Souldier to be enrolled into the the Cavalry which are common to him with the Infantry as soundness of Body vigour of Members of fitting Age between 20 and 40. a Resolution to addict himself to that Profession and a Desire to learn it a vertuous emulation of Advancement by Merit due Obedience to his Superiours and a strict observation of Military Discipline above all the fear of God which will direct him to follow Virtue and abhor Vices with these general Qualifications he ought to be endowed and as to the Profession he hath now undertaken these particular Faculties are necessary He ought to be active nimble and to know well what belongs to a Horse he must be curious and careful to keep his Horse and Arms in good order He must wear a Scarf of his Princes or Generals Colours and not put it off though he go out of his Quarter whether alone or in Company by which means besides the Ornament they will by the thoughts of whose Badge it is forbear many unfitting Words and Actions they being subject by that to be discovered I. Of the Arming of the Cuirassier THe Cuirassier is to be armed in this manner His Horse being about 15 hand high strong swift and well managed His Arms a close Casque or Head-piece Gorget Brest Pistol and Caliver-proof the Back Poldrons Vanbraces two Gauntlets Tassers Cuissets Culets or Guard de vain all fitting to his Body A good Sword very stiffe and sharp pointed with Girdle and Hangers so fastned upon his Cuirass as he may readily draw it a Buff-Coat with long skirts to wear between his Armour and his Cloaths He must have two Cases with good Fire-lock-Pistols hanging at his Saddle the Barrel being 18 Inches long and the bore fitting for Bullets of 20 or 24 in the pound to rowl in He is to have a Boy and a spare Nag to carry his spare Arms and Oat-sack and to get him Forrage His Saddle and Bit must be strong made after the best manner he must wear his Scarf and must have his Bridle made with a Chain to prevent cutting II. Of managing of the Horse and Arms. COncerning the Horse supposing him to be of sufficient stature and strength nimble of joynts and sure of foot he must of necessity be made fit for service so that you may have him to be ready at command to pace trot gallop to run in full carreer also to advance stop retire and turn readily to either hand and all with alacrity and obedience Now to bring him to this ready turning he is to be ridden the Ring and Figure of 8. first in a large then in a narrower compass First upon his pace then upon the trot and so to the gallop and carreer He may be taught these things by using the Hand Leg and Voyce for the Hand observing not to move the Arm only the Wrist if you would have him to face to the Left a little motion of the little Finger on that Rein and a touch of the left Leg without using the Spur doth it If to face or turn to the Left about then a little harder If you would have him to Trot move both your Legs a little forward for the gallop more forward and for the carreer to yerk them most forward and to move the Body a little forward also with it After every motion performed it were good to keep him some small time in that motion As when you bid him stand to stand a while c. Also it were not amiss after every thing well performed to give him some Bread or Grass for a reward For the Voyce you may use the Words Advance Hold Run or the like but because the Voyce cannot always be heard it were therefore best to use him most to the motion of the Hand and Leg. It is also very necessary that you teach him to go side-ways this he may be brought unto by laying his Provender somwhat far from him in the Manger and keeping him from turning his head towards it You must use him to the smell of Gun-powder the sight of Fire and Armor the hearing of Shots Drums and Trumpets all by degrees and with discretion When he is at his Oats you may fire a little Gun-powder at a good distance from him and so neerer by degrees Afterwards a Pistol at a distance and so neerer by degrees and in like manner may a Drum or Trumpet be used He may sometimes be dressed in Armor and eat his Oats upon a Drum-head It will be useful sometimes to cause two Muskettiers at convenient distance from you to fire at each other and thereupon to ride up close to him Also to ride him upon a compleat Armor upon a stake and overthrow it and trample upon it by which means he will grow bold not fearing to attempt any Object You may use him to mountanous and uneven Ways and teach him to Leap Swim c. Of Exercising the Cuirassier BEfore I speak of the particular Postures belonging to the exercising of the Cuirassier I will begin with this necessary preparative to Posture viz. Command 1. To Horse Direction Both Reins hanging in a loose posture over the Horse-neck and upon the Pummel of the Saddle the Horsman is first to take the end of the Reins above the Button in his right Hand and with the Thumb and two first Fingers of that Hand to draw them to an even length Then putting the little finger of his left Hand between both Reins under the Button with the other three fingers of the same Hand on the farther Rein and the Thumb on the nether side of the Button to grasp both Reins that so before he endeavour to mount he may
Left Reer Recover your Pikes and put up your Swords Advance your Pikes Charge to the Front Port your Pikes Charge to the Front Shoulder your Pikes Charge to the right Comport your Pikes Charge to the left Cheeke your Pikes Charge to the Reer Trail your Pikes Charge to the Reer After lay the narrow end of the Pike to the ground face about to the left to your first Front and move forward with the butt-end of your Pike on your right side in your Funeral posture After face about to the right raise up your Pike face then again to your first Front you may lay down the Pike to the ground and march from your arms having ended all the postures charges in their due courses And here Fellow-Souldier whoever thou art thou maist perceive that there are no more then eight Postures of the Pike and four Charges that is to say to the Front Reer and both Flanks There are some would fain have another posture added to these which they call the Lazie posture which somtimes I have perceived upon a Stand that then the Pike-man le ts slip his Pike from the shoulder until the butt-end rest upon the ground then laying his right arm over it he stands in an ill-favour'd lazie way Such postures as these are not fit to be ranged among the former but rather to be condemned in regard the Souldier will be apt enough to find out such postures as these of himself if not prevented by the discretion of the careful Officers for upon a Stand the Souldiers properest posture is to Order his Pike And thus much in brief concerning the postures of the Pike CHAP. VI. The Postures of the Musket collected in a brief way ACcording to my former promise I shall endeavour to give the best satisfaction I can to the Muskettiers as well as to the Pikes that there is an answerableness of number in the proper postures of the Musket to them of the Pike and they are eight as I conceive and may be proceeded on in order from the taking up to the laying down of the Musket and nothing acted twice The words of Command for the postures followeth Stand to your Arms Handle your Arms. Now you are to take notice that in taking up the Bandiliers putting them on taking up the Rest putting the string about the left wrist the taking up of the match placing of it the taking up of the musket these or the like are no postures but motions to the first posture Therefore I will proceed upon them all in order as they lie leaving out the words of command tending to the Motions 1 Order your musket 2 Rest your musket 3 Poyse your musket 4 Shoulder your musket 5 Ballance your musket and Rest on the right side with the barrel upwards 6 Trail your Rest and ballance your musket on the left side with the barrel downwards 7 Recover your musket and perform your Sentinel-posture 8 From this perform your funeral-posture This being ended a man may recover his musket and rest that knows how to perform this last posture without bringing him again upon the Rest and may lay down his Arms again observing the former Rule where the postures of the musket are set down at large CHAP. VII There is also a conformity of Posture with the Musket to those of the Pike and Words of Command to be given as may in many things be received by both Arms. THe musket and pike lying on the ground these words of Command may properly be imployed to both That is to say Stand to your Arms Handle your Armes The butt-end of the musket standing or resting on the ground at the outside of right foot is conformable to the Pike ordered The musket poysed to the pike advanced The musket shouldered to the Pike shouldered The musket porting to the pike porting The musket reverst as in the funeral-posture to the Pike trailing The musket rested to the pike cheeked which is his proper sentinel-posture The musket presented to the pike charged As for the motions of posture which conduce to the lading and priming of the musket as to cast about trail recover and the like they are all included in that general word of Command properly to the muskettiers belonging which is to make ready Now methinks I hear some ingenious Souldier begin to ask me What are the use of these postures so fully laid down by you To whom I shall be so courteous as to satisfie them according to my former Method beginning with the Pike as followeth CHAP. VIII The use of the Postures of the Pike The use of Ordering the Pike THe Pike being ordered is the proper posture of a Souldier upon a stand which he ought ever to mind upon any such occasion so to make use of it And I have likewise seen in many places in the day-time this posture to be used by the Souldier standing sentinel The use of Advanceing the Pike The Pike advanced is useful for the Souldier upon a Troop when they are to march swiftly either for the relieving of some Court of Guard or to repair to their place of Randezvous or upon some sudden approaching to an Enemy to make a Charge for then he will be in a fit capacity to clap down quickly his pike upon the breast of the Enemy It is likewise very useful in the time of exercise to the half-files and bringers up upon any doubling to the Front for then they are always to be advanced in respect of a longer march in their doublings then those that double ranks and files but having doubled they must always conform in posture to the part doubled The use of Porting The use of Porting was invented for the ease of the reer half-files upon a charge for the front half-files are only for to charge the reer half-files in the mean time are to port It is likewise very useful at such times when the souldiers are marching through a gate or sally-port from whence I conceive it doth derive its name porting The use of Shouldering The use of shouldering the pike is only properest upon the march in some kind very useful upon a stand in time of Fight provided they are at convenient distance from the Enemy For it much preserveth the pikes and pike-men from the danger of the shot the bullets then gliding off from their Arms which if they stood at such times either ordered or advanced the bullets would make such a clattering amongst the Pikes that what with breaking of them and the shivers flying from them may much endanger the souldiers which carry them The use of Comporting The comporting of the Pike is only useful to the souldier marching up a hill for if then he should be shouldered the butt-end of the Pike would always be touching of the ground to hinder him in his march and much endanger his fellow-souldiers that shall come after him Neither can he march advanced for if there should be any
to come up with more courage to fall on upon the Charge Therefore the best way amongst the ancient experienc'd Souldiers is that the Artillery be divided some here some there both before the Front between the Battalions and upon the Flanks and to be placed some 50 or an 100 paces one from another and then there will be no danger when the Enemy shall come up to shock to encounter you or to offend our own men Especially when they are fastned to them by drawing Ropes and Iron Rings that upon an instant they may be removed and turn'd for the advantage of our own Troops giving fire as fast as they can charge and discharge against the Enemies Troops it being a matter of great moment for the obtaining of a Victory and gaining the day from the Enemy But that many times the Ordnance cannot be planted in such convenient places as could be wished for in respect an Army may be driven into such places as the Ordnance must be planted according to the best ground it will afford by reason of Woods Hills or Marish-grounds and such like disadvantageous places may be oftentimes met withal for which no certain Rule may be given but that the General by his wisdom and discretion may make choice of the best advantages which might annoy an Enemy most and give the least offence to his own men either by dazling them by the Sun or by raising of the dust observing the winde which drives the Smoak both of the Ordnance and Small-shot full upon them To conclude it is conceived the best way for every Captain of the Ordnance and Master-Gunner to use some light Field-peeces and small Drakes which upon any occasion may be removed from one place to another being with ease planted upon such places of advantage as may most annoy the Enemy In the next place 3000 Horse may be a good proportion for 10000 or 12000 foot which ought to be equally divided in their Troops and placed upon the Flanks of the foot in such good order as the Troops may come with conveniencie to fight for the relieving of each other But in case you shall perceive the Enemies Horse as sometimes through necessity of ground or by other political ends may be interlaced and placed between the Intervals and Divisions of their foot it will be needful then that we should observe the same form and likewise have Horse to come forth and encounter with their Horse lest they should break in upon our Divisions of Foot which by this means and good order may be timely prevented Next follows the Figure of the Army as before described and ordered to be drawn up Folio 176. CHAP. XXIII The several duties belonging to the Foot in a Regiment as followeth by degrees from a private Souldier unto a Colonel of the same and first of a Private Souldier A Private Souldier ought to be very active not slothful and idle informing himself of his duty learning from his Corporal or other Officers the true use and well handling of his Arms always keeping them neat clean and well fixed Upon the beat of the Drum he is to repair to his Colours Squadron or Company upon the march he must observe his Leader and his right and left-hand-men that he may march streight in file and even in rank in time of Exercise he must be silent in the Body well minding the words of Command and Directions which are given forth by the Leader He ought likewise to be well vers'd in all the ordinary words of Command and to mind the place wherein he stands that he may the more readier move and not be to seek at such time when he shall be commanded whether it be to face double counter-march or wheel He must inform himself of all the several beats of the Drum as first or a Call second a Troop third a March fourth a Preparative fifth a Battle or Charge sixth a Retreat and also of the Revalley and the Tattoo By the first he is summoned to hear present Proclamation or else commanded to repair to his Colours upon the beat of the second he is to advance his Arms and to close in Rank and File to the distance of Order and to Troop along unto such places and services as he shall be commanded unto upon the hearing of the third he is presently to shoulder his Arms and to take his distance of six foot in Rank and three foot in File upon the fourth he is to close both in Rank and File unto the fighting distance which is called Order and to prepare himself for skirmish upon the beat of the next he is undauntedly to move forward boldly stepping in good Order into the place of his fellow-Souldier that shall happen to fall down dead before him upon the beat of the last he must orderly fall back either for relief or advantage of ground or other political ends whereby he may draw the Enemy into a snare The first of the remaining two gives warning in the morning for some of the Sentinels to fall off or to be taken in the latter is used in the night to give notice unto the Souldiers or others for their repairing to their several Guards Watches and Lodgings To conclude a private Souldier ought to avoid all Quarrelling Mutinies Swearing Cursing or Lying and to be content with his wages and likewise to be a good Husband in the well managing of his means keeping himself neat and handsome in his apparel avoiding drunkenness and all manner of gaming truely to serve and fear God and to be obedient unto all the commands of his superiours cheerfully going on upon all Duties and to be loving kind and courteous unto all his fellow-Souldiers The duty of a Sentinel A Sentinel must be very vigilant carefully casting his eyes about him and harkning whether he hear the noise or approach of any drawing neer him which if he perceive he is presently to command them to stand presenting his Musket or Pike to their brest after calling his Corporal for to take the Word unless he should be commanded to come in silently He is not to come off until he be relieved by the Corporal or Lanspassadoe His proper Posture being a Muskettier is to have his Musket rested and loaded with Powder and Bullet his Match cockt and his Pan guarded being a Pike-man if he stand Sentinel in the night he must have his Pike cheek'd if in the day his Pike ordered Or it may be a very proper Posture for a Pike-man to stand Sentinel with his Pike in his left-hand holding it a little below the cheeks thereof and with his Sword drawn being held in his right-hand which I leave to judge or to be made use of according to discretion and as occasion shall require Of a Gentleman of a Company A Gentleman of a Company ought to have such worth in him as may make him capable to be a File-leader or Captain of his File and he more especialy above the rest
Hereupon it is to be supposed the Relievers are advanced toward the Main-Guard where the relieved are to be drawn off and to make a stand expecting till the Relievers shall come up which being done the relieved then are to troop homeward and after that they have attended and seen their Colours lodged they are to disband and not before And now further to satisfie the expectation of the Lovers of the Art Military it shall not seem unseasonable here to declare somewhat concerning the manner of Field-Watches or Vigils de Campe denoted unto us by the Expert and Ancients under these three Notions The first are Castra temporanea aleager ad placitum pitcht onely for the present and may perhaps alter and change it's Station in a day or an hour according to the pleasure and judgement of the General and Commanders in chief Secondly there are Castra a select or constant Camp so called because of their intentions of continuance in the besieging of a Castle or Town c. until they shall have taken the same or by some other necessity or further advantage forced to raise their Seige The third and last called Castra Such a Camp as is pitcht before or neer some Rivers side to oppose and frustrate the Incursions of the Enemy who otherwise might this way break in for the infesting or taking of a Country Now concerning such Watches or Guards which shall relate unto several Camps both in regard of the several and most convenient places for securing the Camps by Sentinels and Perdues they are to be primarily appointed and ordered according to the discretion command of the Masters of the Field whether Generals or Majors of Brigades afterwards the Serjeant-Majors Captains of Regiments according to their commands and relieved order are to design them for the aforesaid place To enlarge the several Arguments and Disputes that might further arise in-point of Field-duties relating thereunto would be too tedious and to little purpose in regard that whosoever shall but diligently observe what hath before been set down concerning the duty of Watches in Garrison and Fortresses may sufficiently be able to apprehend and perform all manner of Duties that shall concern this Field-service provided that he be careful to adhere to the directions of the Field-Officers in all points and diligent to observe the manner of managing of all things according to their instructions And therefore to avoid prolixity and fruitless disputes I refer the Reader to what hath been above related CHAP. XXV The ordering of a private Company unto a Funeral-occasion WHen any Commander or Souldier of worth shall be deceased a private Captain that would shew respect and honour by marching along with his Company attending the Corps to the place of burial must order his Souldiers after this manner They being summon'd by beat of the Drum to meet at their usual place of Rendezvous they may be drawn up according to the usual manner having a Van-guard Battail and Reer-guard being thus ordered and each of the Souldiers having either in his Hat a black Feather or Ribbin the Captain may draw them off and order them to their Long-march moving them away in an orderly manner unto the place of him that is deceased and there make Alt. After which he may command the Muskettiers in the Van to open to the right and left outward to such convenient distance as the Pikes may move up between them and take possession of their first ground and those Muskettiers may face about and move down cleer of the Pikes and after close their Files inward to Order and face to their Leader Now being in two Divisions let them so continue with their Arms ordered until such time as they shall perceive the Corps to be brought forth into the Street then the Captain may face them all about and move them some three Pikes length before the Corps after which he may command his Muskettiers to perform their Funeral-Posture which is to have their Muskets under their left Arm with the butt-But-end upward their Rests likewise on that side trailing After which the Pikes are to face again to their first Front and to lay the narrow end of their Pikes down upon the ground after facing about to the left and bringing up the But-end of their Pikes on their right side conforming themselves with the Muskettiers in their Funeral-Postures In the next place the Ensign strips his Colours off from the Staff and ties them about his right Wast putting a black Ribbon towards the very end of his Staff he after faceth to the Body of Pikes standing in the Reer of them and trailing his Staff in the same Posture Next followeth the Captain having in his hand a Half-pike or Leading-staff conforming himself likewise to his Funeral-Posture Thus being all ready to march and rightly faced toward that place where the Corps are to be interred are after this manner following to lead and to bring up The first Division of Muskettiers which was the Reer-guard is led by the Lieutenant the next Division of Muskettiers that was formerly the Van-guard is led by the second Serjeant the Body of Pikes is led by the eldest Serjeant he trailing a Half-pike upon the head of them the Ensign bringing it up and the Captain twelve foot short of him bringing up the Reer of the whole Company And after him the Ministers marching just before the Coffin in the Reer next unto it the neerest kindred and after them those that are invited to the Funeral Having thus stated the manner and order of the Military Part with all others belonging thereunto for any ordinary Funeral-occasion I shall in the next place proceed to shew their Order upon the March and how each Arms ought to be disposed before the Corps enter into the Church with the rest of the Train All persons being ordered as before expressed the Drums being covered with Black-bays and placed betwixt the second and third Ranks in each Division and all being ready to move the Drums may begin to beat their Funeral-March and the Lieutenant leading them away with the But-end of his Pattison upward and comported the rest following and marching in a leasurable and slow way along together until they come within a hundred foot of the Church-door or place where the Corps are to be interred there making Alt. After which let the Muskettiers in their Ranks File to the right and left not advancing ground and face in opposition making a Guard for the rest to pass through and resting their Muskets or putting the butt-But-end thereof to the ground with the Barrel towards them which is a conformity to the Pikes being ordered In the mean time let the Pikes advance their Arms and immediately after move forward betwixt the Guard of Muskettiers and let their Ranks afterward file to the right and left making also a Guard their Pikes being ordered and they as the rest facing in opposition Then let the Captain who brings up the
O The Pummel sometimes called the Cascabel A L B M The Concave Cylinder M O The Breech of the Piece M N The thickness of the Metal at the Breech The Metal of the Piece which is about the Mouth above A and B is called the Muzzle-Ring Thus much for the Description of the parts of the Gun now for its Carriage c. What proportion the several parts of the Carriage ought to bear to the Gun it is to carry as also of the Rammer Ladle Lanade or Spunge c. EVery Carriage ought to be in length once and an half the length of the Concave Cylinder of the Piece The Planks at the fore-end of the Carriage ought to be in depth four Diameters of the Bore of the Piece At the middle of the Planks three Diameters and an half and at the end next the ground two and an half And they ought to be in thickness one Diameter For the Traverses or bars of Wood that joyn these Planks together the foremost must be three Diameters and an half in length and must enter one half of a Diameter in length into either of the Cheeks or Planks That in the middle must be four Diameters in length and enter into the Cheeks as the former And that at the foot or lower end of the Carriage must be in length five times the Diameter and entred into the Planks as the former The Wheels must be in height one half of the length of the Piece the Circles must be equal both in breadth and thickness to one Diameter of the Bore the Spokes or Arms three times the Diameter The Cube three Diameters in thickness and three and an half in length The Bore of the Cube must be one Diameter and the length of the Axle-tree eight Diameters and two third parts more The Wheels for the Saker and Minnion must be in height the half length of the Piece and 1½ part more And the Faulcon and Faulconet half the length and â…™ part more Of the Ladle It is by some taken for a general rule that the Circumference of a Bullet being divided into five equal parts that three of those parts must be the breadth of the Ladle The bottom of every Ladle must be one Diameter and â…“ long and of such a thickness as may with ease enter into the Bore of the Piece Of the Rammer The Rammer of every Piece must be made of hard Wood once and an half the Diameter long and so thick as it may with ease enter into the mouth of the Piece It must be bound at the lower end with a plate of Brass set on with brass or Copper-nails to strengthen it Of the Lanade or Spunge The bottome of the Lanade must be one Diameter and â…” parts in length and â…” parts of a Diameter in thickness covered with Lambs or Sheeps-skin the Wool-side outwards and made fast to the bottom with small brass Nayls The Staff both for the Lanade and Rammer must be one foot longer then the Cylinder of the Piece To every Piece there must be Coyns of several sizes some great some small and also Leavers proportionable to the Piece the Coyns to keep the Piece at any elevation it shall be set to and the Leavers to move the Piece and Carriage upon the Platform Cautions Before you attempt to charge your Piece see that the Ground or Platform be level that the Wheels of your Carriage be of equal height that the Trunnions of your Gun lie right in the Carriage If they be not cause them to be amended or expect to make no perfect shot How to Load any piece of Ordnance both surely and fafely BEfore you load your Piece take care to cleanse the Touch-hole and sweep the Piece clean within with a dry Lanade or Spunge then observing the Winde set your Powder-barrel to weather your Piece and your Linstock on the contrary Then filling your Ladle give it a gentle knock on the foot that the loose Corns may shake off into the barrel then put your Ladle into your Piece and being come to the bottome of the bore draw it back two fingers breadth and turn it over then take it out and with your Rammer you standing on the right side of your Piece ham the Powder close into the Chamber of the Piece another in the mean time holding the Finger or Thumb upon the Touch-hole that the Powder may not fly out that way If the Touch-hole be full it is a sure sigh that the Powder is well rammed and if your Piece be to be charged at twice you must do this after each Ladle-ful Then take a wisp of Hey or Straw and chrust it hard into the mouth of the Piece after the Powder that no loose Corns may remain in the empty part of the Cylinder and ram that haâ—d home upon the Powder Then again take a dry Lanade and cleanse the Cylinder of the Piece that â—oothing be left in the hollow Cylinder to hinder the Bullets way This done make your Bullet very clean that neither Earth nor Sand hang upon it and put it gently into your Piece and after it a wad of Hey or Straw easily rammed And here note that in doing this you must not stand right before the mouth of your Piece but on one side for fear of mischances and having charged your Piece you must lay your Ladle Lanade Scowrer and Rammer on the right side of your Piece the Ladle and Lanade their heads towards the mouth and the Rammer and Scowrer towards the Breech of the Piece Your Piece being thus charged direct her to the intended Mark and then Prime her in the doing of which First with your Priming-iron enter the Touch-hole and let your Powder come from the Touch-hole to the Base-ring for there you may fire safely for if you fire at the Touch-hole your Linstock may be forced out of your hand therefore some use to prime their Gun two or three inches forward off the Touch-hole for if that be large the more care must be had in firing In firing of any Piece take your Linstock in your right hand and coming to the side of your Piece set forward one Leg keep your Body upright and your Arm extended at full length the cole of your Match being cleared give fire to the Powder so shall you perform your work both safely and gracefully Another way of Loading a Piece of Artillery There is another way used to load Guns which is by Cartredges these Cartredges are made either of Canvas or Paper rowled upon a Former or Rowler turned something less then the hollow Cylinder of your Piece these being sewed or pasted and having bottoms put to them are filled at spare times in Garrisons or other places with a due charge of powder belonging to the Piece for which they were made and are ready whensoever occasion shall require one of these being put into the mouth of the Piece together with the Bullet and well wadded and rammed with your priming-iron