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-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
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-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-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-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
the Reer to the left entire Direction Front half-files face to the right march clear of the standing part face all to the Reer Front half-files move down and double the Reer to the left Command Right half-ranks double your left Flank to the left Direction Face all to the left right half-ranks move forward and double the left Flank to the left to your Leader Command Double your Ranks to the left entire into the Reer Direction Face all to the Reer and every even Rank from the Reer move forth and double the odd to your Leader and close forward to Order Command The two outmost Files upon each Flank double entire advancing the four inmost Files Command Front half-files double the Reer to the right entire Command Right half-ranks double your left Flank inward entire Direction Half-files of the left half-ranks face about left half-ranks move clear of the standing part face all to the left right half-ranks move forwards and double the left Flank inward entire Command The four middle ranks double your Front and Reer inward entire Direction Half-files face about the two first and the two last Ranks open outward until you be clear of the standing part then the four middle Ranks move forward two to the Front and two to the Reer doubling entire to both places face to your Leader and close your Divisions Command The two outmost Files upon each Flank double the four middlemost Files by Division Direction Half-files of the two outmost Files face about outmost Files move clear of the standing part then close inward to Order and face to your Leader Command The two first and the two last Ranks double the four middlemost Ranks inward entire Direction The four middle Ranks face outward and move clear of the standing part then face to your Leader the two first Ranks face about move forward with the two last doubling the middlemost inward entire to your Leader Command The four inmost Files double entire advancing the two outmost Files Direction The two outmost Files stand the inmost Files move forward clear of the standing part then face outward and move straight with the outmost Files to your Leader and close Files into the midst to Order Command Front half-files double the Reer by Division Direction The four middle Files double the two outmost Files inward entire Direction Half-files of the two outmost Files face about outmost files move forward clear of the standing part face all to the right and left outward inmost Files move forward and double the outmost inward entire to your Leader and close Files into the midst to Order Command Front half-files double your Reer to the left Command Files double your Depth to the right Command The two first and the two last Ranks double the four middle Ranks by Division Direction The two first and the two last Ranks face outward and march clear of the standing part then face inward and move forward doubling the inmost Files by Division face to your Leader Command The two outmost Files upon each Flank double entire the Depth of the four inmost Files reduceth CHAP. XVIII Plain Firings and Figures of Battail HAving passed over these Motions of Doublings in the next place we will proceed to Firings command therefore Files to open from the midst to open Order and after let the Bringers-up double the Front to the left The first firing Let the Muskettiers give fire even in the Front and fall in the Reer of themselves The second firing Let the first Rank give fire and fall in between the Pikes every Rank doing the same until all have fired then let the first Rank move forth by Division give fire to the Front and fall in again every rank doing the same The third firing Let them face to both Flanks and give fire and fall off to the right and left and flank their Pikes to Front and Reer the Pikes may now port and move all forward three paces the Muskettiers may give fire again and fall in the Reer of the Pikes the Pikes charging on and after retreating to their first ground may charge at foot and the Muskettiers may give fire by two Ranks all together over their heads after recovering their Arms let them face to Front and Reer and let the Muskettiers move forth clear of the standing part then stand and give fire to Front and Reer and fall off to the right and left and flank the Pikes who after may charge on to Front and Reer then retreating face all to their Leader Command Half-files of Pikes face about Muskettiers face outward march all three paces Pikes face to the right and left Muskettiers face about to the right march all three paces then let the last Rank face about the first and the last Rank double File-wise inward advancing Pikes face to the outward Angles of Front and Reer Muskettiers face to Front Reer and both Flanks and move all two paces to your Leader The first firing Let the first Division of Muskettiers fire to the Front and fall in the Reer of themselves and after wheel off to the Right moving down into the place of the Reer Division who may at the same time move forward into their ground and fire in like manner wheeling off as the former did The second firing Let the two outmost Divisions move forward into the Front give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves and after move down into their places The third firing Face all to the Reer and let the Muskettiers give fire there in the same manner as they did to the Front The fourth firing Let the Muskettiers face to Front Reer and both Flanks and the Pikes face to the outward Angles of Front and Reer then let the Muskettiers move forth three foot clear of the Pikes and fire to Front Reer and both Flanks and fall in the reer of themselves after facing about move into their places again The fifth firing Let them face as before and give fire on the same ground they stand and fall in the Reer of themselves the Pikes may after charge on and retreat into their places again Command Muskettiers move forth and range even abrest with the Pikes into Front Reer and Midst and they will stand in a square as followeth The first firing Upon this Figure as they are faced to Front Reer and both Flanks and the Pikes to the outward Angles of Front and Reer it will be best to fire on the ground they stand and to fall in the Reer of themselves the Pikes may after charge to the four Angles The second firing Let them double their Ranks outward and give fire after face about and move three paces into the midst of Pikes and having made ready again let them face about and move forward and fire as they did before and after dismount their Muskets taking them in both hands they may as occasion shall require make use of the Butt end thereof against the Horse and the Pikes may stand upon their
charge The third firing Let the Muskettiers double inward File-wise the Pikes keep their Aspects to the four Angles the Musketttiers as before may give Fire to Front Reer and both Flanks and fall in the reer of those Pikes next their right hand and having their Aspects unto the same Angles they may fire there if they please by way of Extraduction and move forth to the left into their places again then let the Pikes face to the Front and Muskettiers upon the wings face about to the right and Muskettiers move forward three paces face to your Leader forms the following Figure The first firing Let the first Division give fire together and wheel off into the Reer the next two Divisions moving forward into their ground giving fire all together and wheeling off to the right and left into the Reer the rest still moving forward until the Reer-division is likewise come up into the Front and gives fire in like manner and falling off to the right into his first place again this firing may be continued twice The second firing Let them give fire all together to the Front after this manner let the middle Divisions move forth to the right and left clear of the Pikes the Reer-division at the same time moving forward upon the outside of those in the Front and give fire and move into their places again making ready whilest the Pikes close forward and charge on five or six paces they may retreat again into their places The third firing Let them face all to the Reer and fire after this manner the first Division kneel down the middle Divisions move forth clear of the Pikes the Front-division marching down into the Reer may give fire all together the outmost Division and the Front-division over the heads of them in the Reer and move in and back again into their places then face to their Leader Command The outmost Division of Muskettiers upon the left in the midst and the three last Divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers face about march all three paces and stand Middle Divisions face to the left and move two paces face all to your Leader Divisions of Pikes face inward Front-division of Muskettiers and the second from the Reer face about and move little and close your Divisions to your Leader The first firing Let the first Division give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then wheel down into the Reer the other Divisions successively moving up into the Front and firing in like manner this firing may be continued twice over The second firing Let the Divisions of Muskettiers double their Ranks to the right and left outward and give fire in single Ranks as they did before until all have fired twice over The third firing Let them double their Files to the right and left inward and the Reer Divisions to face about then let them give fire both to Front and Reer falling first in the Reer of themselves after to wheel off into the midst and facing to Front and Reer the middle Divisions may move forth into their ground firing in like manner the Pikes may after charge whilest the Muskettiers make ready again and after retreating into their places they may continue their firing as formerly the Pikes charging on as before The fourth firing Let each Division of Muskettiers double Ranks outward and fire to Front and Reer and to wheel off in one single rank to the right and left and rank again in the midst and after double inward File-wise and face to their Leader Command The four last Divisions face to the left the four first Divisions face to the right march all until you be clear one of another then face to the right and move until you be even abrest in Front and Reer to your Leader The first firing Let the first Divisions give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves after wheeling off to the right and left into the Reer they at the same time moving forwards into their places firing and falling off in like manner they may perform the same firing to the Reer being thither faced The second firing Let the Reer-Divisions move to the right and left outward clear of the standing part then face to the Front move up even abrest with the Front-Divisions and let every Division fire to the Front and fall in the Reer of themselves the Pikes may charge and after both they and the outmost Divisions may move down into their places Command The inmost Divisions of Pikes advance forward three foot before the Front the rest face inward and move two paces to your Leader Upon this Figure let the first Ranks of the Front-Division fire and fall behind the Front-Divisions of Pikes the next rank may fire and fall behind the first then let the Reer-division move up and give fire and fall in the reer of themselves and after wheel about to the right and left inward moving down clear of the reer and facing again unto their Leader then they may fire a second time in the same way the Front-divisions moving forth and firing first and falling behind the Pikes the reer-divisions coming up into their places firing and falling off again by wheeling about inward until they be clear three foot of the reer then facing to their Leader they will stand as followeth where the Ensign may display his Colours if the Leader pleaseth to march upon it Having now spent much time in these particular Firings it will be convenient to give the Souldiers some respit to refresh their almost tired spirits that they may more chearfully appear upon the next summons of the Drum and therefore we will conclude this Exercise and prepare for the lodging of the Colours Reducement Reer-Divisions of Pikes move straight forward until you range even abrest with the Front-Divisions of Pikes Reer-Divisions of Muskettiers move forward and range inward even abrest with the Front-Divisions Files close into the midst to Order Front and Reer half-files open from the midst to double distance the four inmost Files of Front and Reer half-files face inward and interchange ground then let each two Files of Pikes close outward to Order and after to double their Divisions to the right File-wise and to close Files to the left to Order the two outmost Files of Muskettiers upon the right double Ranks inward and lead them away before the left half-ranks of Muskettiers the next two Files double Ranks outward and lead them away behind the Reer by first facing them about Pikes face to the left and move straight before the Muskettiers and then double the Reer inward entire after Files to double their Depth to the right every man falling behind his Bringer-up they are reduced CHAP. XVIII The Sixth Exercise with four Files eight deep THe Souldiers being met at the place appointed and their Files being drawn forth according to the usual custom the Leaders being to shew each Souldier how to handle and use his Arms and after leads up their Files and
by the way laying of them secretly in some Ambushments Which being truely considered of care may be taken accordingly of Supplies in other remote places free from the danger of the Enemy To conclude a Quarter-Master ought to carry himself honestly and carefully in his place and to be well skill'd in the Art of Mathematicks that he may the better give Directions for fortifying and measuring of ground quartering of his whole Regiment and in hutting of the particular Souldiers The duty of a Serjeant HE that is a Serjeant to a Company ought to be well skill'd in the Postures and all Military Motions whereby in the first place he may endeavour to correct the errours of such who handle not the Arms in a handsome or a serviceable way And secondly that he may be helpful to his Captain or other Superiour Officer In time of his Exercise his duty is to draw forth the Files according to such depths as shall be appointed unto him by his Captain or other Superiour Officer and to order them in the drawing up and joyning together the Souldiers unto such places of honour as they shall direct him unto In a single Company he leadeth oftentimes a Division but ought not always there to march in respect he is concerned to see that the Souldiers march even in their Ranks at their distance of Order in File and open Order in Rank To which purpose he ought many times to be upon the Flanks and perceiving any Souldier out of order he may cast in his Halbert between their Ranks to cause him to march even abrest with his right and left-hand-men He is likewise either in Field or Garrison to lead his Squadron to their Guard and to carry to prison such Offendours as his Captain or other Superiour Officer shall commit to the Provost-Martial He is to see that the Muskettiers in time of skirmishing present all even abrest with their Matches all cockt giving fire all together in good Order and to direct them how to fall off and rally again in the Reer of their own Divisions His duty likewise is to fetch Ammunition Powder Match and all other Materials for the Company He is moreover every particular evening to attend at the place of Parade or at the Majors Lodging to fetch the Word and carry it to his Captain Lieutenant Ensign and Corporals and likewise as soon as he is come unto his Guard he must direct the Corporals where to set out the Perdues and Sentinels and how to order his Watch. He must likewise make Rounds and if he finde a Sentinel asleep in the Field he is to commit him to the hand of Justice And thus much concerning the duty of a Serjeant Of an Ensign AN Ensign being a Commission-Officer in the absence of his Captain and Lieutenant is Commander in chief of the Company and ought to march upon the head of the same leading them with a Half-pike His Captain and Lieutenant being present and upon a Stand his Colours ought to rest upon his side being held by his right or left-hand and unfurled upon the March his Colours ought to be shouldered taking up the corner-corner-end of them in his right-hand and to let them be half flying the Pikes and Muskets all conforming unto the same Posture Marching through a City for the more grace his Colours may be wholly flying being advanced and held up by his right-hand or resting upon his right side He ought to be a proper man grave valiant and discreet and to be well skill'd in the Postures of the Pike in respect he leads them and they expect from him to be taught the Postures thereof He ought to be well skill'd in all the lofty Figures of the displaying of the Colours above the head and to make use of them according to discretion and command which is not onely a healthfull exercise to his body but also most becoming to him or any other Gentleman or Commander whatsoever that shall sometimes make use of the same although condemned through sloth and ignorance by others who will not take the pains to learn it An Ensign upon a Troop lodging he Colours or in time of skirmishing may fold them up and retreat into the second Rank for the securing of his Colours which he ought to stick by and not to stir from them at such a time although he hazardeth his last drop of blood or makes them his winding-sheet When the General shall pass by or any such man of worth he ought a little to vail his Colours inclining the head or narrow end thereof a little downward but not to bow his knee or uncover his head He may sometimes for his ease or recreation upon the March request some Gentleman of knowing trust of the Pikes to carry his Colours for him until such time as he shall come again for to take them In the absence of his Lieutenant when his Captain shall exercise the Company he may stick his Colours in the ground or deliver them to some Gentleman of the Pikes and fall down himself in the Reer with a Half-pike or Cane there to be an assistant to his Captain in supplying the Lieutenants place except his Captain should command him to the contrary He ought to have a Guard along with him as well to the lodging of his Colours as to any other place He ought to perform all courteous offices for the Souldiers unto his Captain which will gain him both love and reputation amongst them they thereby better respecting him and more couragiously following of him Of a Lieutenant HE that is a Lieutenant to a Company ought to be a good and able Souldier and well to understand the Duty of a Captain in respect that in his absence he is as Captain and Commander in chief over them He is likewise to receive all Orders Charges and Commissions from his Captain assuming no authority unto himself but in the absence of his Captain he is to see all such Orders he hath received duly executed for the better ease unto him He is likewise at such times frequently to exercise the Company in all their Military Motions Skirmishings and False-firings in the pan He is to hold the Serjeants and Corporals strictly to their duty causing them to provide all things necessary for the Company and to be assistants unto him where he shall see cause He is to teach and instruct the Souldiers in the use of their Arms and sometime for their ease he may command every File-leader to draw forth his File and to shew them their postures By which means he shall do such good service to his Captain that when he shall exercise them himself he may find them more apter and readier to fulfil his Commands at which time the Lieutenant ought to be in the Reer and to see all things there truly executed according to the Captains commands He is in time of danger and great importance to advise with his Captain about the welfare of the Company for knowing
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 butt-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 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
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
have his Horse-head in ballance and at command then grasping the Pummel of the Saddle with his left hand and standing with his full body close to the Horse-side and just between the Bolster and Cantle of the Saddle always on the nere side of the Horse with the help of his right Hand he shall put the left Foot into the left Stirrup and with his right Hand taking fast hold on the highest part of the Cantle behind he shall by the help of both Hands gently but strongly and in an upright posture without inclining his body to either hand raise himself until he may stand perpendicular upon his left Foot and then casting over his right-leg place himself in the Saddle He being now mounted his Postures are as follow Command 2. Vncap your Pistols Direction Turn down the Caps of your Pistol-cases or Holsters with your right-hand Command 3. Draw your Pistol Direction Draw your Pistol out of the Case with your right-hand always the left Pistol first mounting the Muzzle of it Command 4. Order your Pistol Direction Sink your Pistol into your bridle-Bridle-hand and remove your right-hand towards the Muzzle and rest the butt-But-end upon the right Thigh Command 5. Span your Pistol Direction Sink your Pistol into your bridle-hand and take your Spanner in your right-hand and put it upon the Axle-tree winding it about till it stick and return your Spanner to its place Command 6. Prime your Pistol Direction Holding your Pistol in your bridle-hand as when you Span'd it take your Priming-box in your right-hand pressing the Spring with your fore-finger to open the Box put Powder into the Pan. Command 7. Shut your Pan. Direction Press in the Pan-pin with your Thumb and shut it Command 8. Cast about your Pistol Direction With your bridle-hand cast about your Pistol and hold it on your left side with the Muzzle upwards Command 9. Gage your Flasque Direction Take your Flasque in your right-hand and with your fore-finger pull back the Spring then turn the mouth of the Flasque downwards and let go the Spring Command 10. Lade your Pistol Direction Press down the Spring which openeth the Flasque with your fore-finger and bringing the mouth thereof to the Muzzle of the Pistol turn the Powder into the Barrel Command 11. Draw your Rammer Direction Draw your Rammer with your right-hand turned and hold it with the head downwards Command 12. Lade with Bullet and ram home Direction Hold the Rammer-head in your right-hand and take the Bullet out of your mouth with your thumb and fore-finger and put it into the Muzzle of your Pistol and your Rammer after it and so ram home Command 13. Return your Rammer Direction Draw forth your Rammer with your right-hand and return it to its place Command 14. Pull down your Cock Direction Bring your Pistol towards your rightside with your bridle-bridle-hand and resting the butt-But-end upon your thigh with your right-hand pull down the Cock. Command 15. Recover your Pistol Direction Take your Pistol into your right-hand and mount the Muzzle Command 16. Present and give Fire Direction Your Pistol being in your right-hand with your fore-finger upon the Tricker incline the Muzzle thereof towards your Mark with a fixed eye and by degrees on the right side of your Horse-head turning your right-hand so that the Pistols Lock may be upwards having obtained your Mark draw the Tricker and give Fire Command 17. Return your Pistol Direction Return your Pistol and with your right-hand put it into your Case Concerning the Snap-hans Pistol those Postures wherein it differeth from the Fire-lock Pistol are these Command 18. Bend your Cock Direction Hold your Pistol in your Bridle-hand and with your right hand bend your Cock Command 19. Guard your Cock Direction Pull down the Back-lock with your right hand it will secure the Cock from going off Command 20. Order your Hammer Direction Draw down the Hammer upon the Pan with your right hand Command 21. Free your Cock Direction Thrust back the Back-lock with your right thumb thereby to give the Cock liberty For the more easie and speeding lading of the Pistol for the gaining of time and avoiding the carrying of either Flask or Touch-box there is an invention of a Spanner or Key which contains six Charges of Powder at the least and priming-Powder sufficient for those Charges and for the Cartouches wherewith the Pistol-cases be furnished which the Cuirassier will find to be of very good use The Cartouches are made of white Paper cut into convenient breadth and length and rowled upon the Rammer or other small round stick the edge being passed down and the Rammer drawn out one end of the Paper is to be doubled in to keep the Powder from falling out these Cartouches are to be made so big as to fill neerly the bore of the Pistol and of length to contain as much Powder as the Pistol requires for a Charge When the Powder is in tie it with thred and then put in the Bullet also tying that also these the Souldier may make at spare hours and have them always by him When he uses his Cartouches he must bite off the Paper at the head of it and so put it into the Barrel of the Pistol with the Bullet upwards and then ram it home these being beforehand prepared it will much expedite the work of lading his Pistol The Cuirassier being well mounted and throughly exercised in his Postures the next thing he should apply himself unto is to be a good Marksman to attain which he must be frequently shooting at Marks on Horsback having such set upon a Tree some higher and some lower The Cuirassier being armed Pistol-proof he must not give fire but at a very neer distance being careful to make his Bullet do execution the principal place of advantage to aim at is the lower part of the belly of his Enemy his arm-pits or his neck Some are of opinion that it is not fitting for a Cuirassier to give fire till he have his Pistol under his Adversaries Armor or against some unarmed place and if he miss of an opportunity of hitting the man he may aim at the head or brest of his Horse He is commonly to give the charge upon a Trot and seldome galloppeth but upon a pursuit Having spent both his Pistols and having no opportunity to load again he must then betake himself to the last refuge his Sword placing the Pummel of it upon his right thigh and with his right hand to direct the point thereof by his eye raising it higher or lower as ocsion serveth aiming at his Enemies Neck Arm-pits Eye or about the Pummel of the Saddle at his Belly c. but being past his Enemy he is to make a back-blow at him aiming to cut the buckle of his Poldron thereby disarming one of his Arms c. Of Exercising the Harquebusier and Carbine NOtwithstanding there be some difference between the Harquebusier and Carbine in their Horse their Arming and their Piece
yet in regard the Harquebus differeth nothing from the Carbine in length only in the Bore the manner of using them is one and the same In Marching he is to carry his Carbine hanging at his Belt by his right side or else to order it upon his right thigh In Fight he is to strive to gain the left side of his Enemy contrary to the Curassier because that in presenting he is to rest his Carbine on his bridle-bridle-hand placing the butt-butt-end on the right side of his Breast neer his Shoulder He must exercise himself that he may use his Carbine with exactness and dexterity and be exquisite in shooting at Marks For the manner of handling the Harquebus or Carbine the directions before delivered may serve for sufficient Instruction but forasmuch as now adays our Carbines are made with Snaphans and somewhat differ from the former I will set down the order of handling of it in the several words of Command Postures for the Snaphans-Carbine 1. Order your Carbine 2. Sink your Carbine into your Bridle-hand 3. Bend your Cock 4. Guard your Cock 5. Prime 6. Shut your Pan. 7. Cast about your Carbine 8. Guard your Flasque 9. Lade your Carbine 10. Draw your Rammer 11. Shorten your Rammer 12. Lade with Bullet and ram home 13. Withdraw your Rammer 14. Shorten your Rammer 15. Return your Rammer 16. Recover your Carbine 17. Order your Hammer 18. Free your Cock 19. Present 20. Give fire He is to use his Sword in all respects as the Curassier Of Exercising the Dragoon THe Dragoon is of special use and service to assist the Cavalry as Infantry for there be many considerable Exploits which cannot be effected by the Cavalry alone The Muskettier must therefore exercise himself to give fire on Horsback When they come to guard a Passage or do other the like service they are to alight and to demean themselves as Infantry and being alighted to do their service every of them is to cast his Bridle over the neck of his Sides-mans Horse in the same order as they marched keeping them so together by some purposely appointed to attend them Of Exercising the Cavalry in their Motions THe Horsman being sufficiently instructed in the managing of his Horse and in the use of his particular Arms it is time now that he be taught how to demean himself being joyned in a Body The Horse being to be exercised is to be drawn up into a Body not by Ranks as in the Infantry but by Files and those of 5 deep according to most Authors or of 6 deep according to others that of 5 being a number not divisible by 2 so that in doubling of Ranks or Half-files or the like there will always remain an odd Rank Others would have them especially the Harquebusiers to be 8 in File making the Troop to consist of 64 Men being drawn up into a square Body Being thus put into Battalia the first thing they are to be instructed in is Distance and herein there is a disagreement among Authors Some making Close order to be 2 paces Open order 4 paces and so forward to a triple quadruple Distance proportionable Others make but two kinds of Distances Close order which is 3 foot and Open order which is 6 foot And here a difference is to be observed between the manner of taking the Distance of the Cavalry and that of the Infantry for in the Foot the Distance is taken from the Center or middle of the Souldiers Body which here cannot be understood but only of the space of Ground between Horse and Horse But the best and latest Authors are of opinion that the Cavalry being to be exercised in their Motions should be at their Distance of 6 foot or Open order standing right in their Ranks and Files The Motions which belong to the Exercising of the Cavalry are principally four viz. 1. Facings 2. Doublings 3. Countermarches 4. Wheelings And here note that in the exercising of the Cavalry we use to this day the same words that the Graecians and Romans did of old for a File the Romans called Versus and Decura a Rank Jugum a File-leader Ducanus because their Decurae or File consisted of 10 Bringer-up they termed Tergi-ducor a Leader being every odd man in a File Phrastes a Follower which is every even number Substes a Side-man Astes Their Distances also were the same with ours their two Cubits every Cubit being a Foot and a half of our Measure agrees with our three Foot their four Cubits our six Foot and so increasing upon occasion They ordered their Horse-troops at six Foot Distance between File and File in March and three Foot in fight In all the motions we also retain the same words of Command which they used Facing they called Declinatio to the Right Left Hastam Scutum Facing about Immutatio Doubling by Ranks Files Duplicandi duo genera per juga versus Their Countermarches the same which we use Evolutio Chorica Macedonica Laconica per Decurias Scutum Wheelings the same with us Conversio ad Hastam Scutum Reversio est conversionis restitutio Inflexio Wheeling about The use of Facings is to make the Troop perfect to be suddenly prepared for a Charge on either Flank or in the Reer Doubling of Ranks or doubling by Half-files or by Bringers up is used upon occasion of strengthning of the Front Doubling of Files or doubling by Half-ranks serveth to strengthen the Flanks Countermarches serve either to reduce the File-leaders into the place of Bringers-up and so have the best men ready to receive the charge of the Enemy in the Reer or to bring one Flank into the place of the other or Front and Reer or either Flank into the middle of the Body The use of Wheelings is to bring the Front to be ready to receive the Charge of the Enemy on either Flank or Reer For the better information and satisfaction and for the easie apprehending of what hath been said those several Motions are here following represented in Figures by a Troop of Harquebusiers of 64 men and in every Figure the file-leaders are represented by this kind of A. the Bringers up by this kind of a. and the rest of the Body by this kind of a. The form of the first standing To face them to the Right is done by commanding Direction This is done by turning all at one and the same time to the right hand The Front is where the right Flank was To reduce them to their first form the word is Command As you were Direction It is performed by turning to the left hand From thence to face them to the left the Word is Command To the right hand Direction It is performed by turning to the left From hence they are to be reduced by saying Command As you were Direction It is performed by turning to the right Now to face them to the Reer though it be proper first to do it by the right hand yet for the more ready way I
your Musket Ram home your Charge Draw forth your Scowring-stick Turn and shorten him to a handful Return your Scowring-stick Bring forward your Musket Poyse Ballance your Musket in your left hand with your Barrel upward Draw forth your Match Blow your Coal Cock your Match Filt your Match Guard your Pan Blow the Ashes from your Coal Open your Pan. Present upon your left hand Give fire Brest-high Dismount your Musket holding him still in your left hand Uncock and return your Match Clear your Pan. Shut your Pan. Set the butt-Butt-end of your Musket to the ground Lay down your Musket Lay down your Match Take off your Bandeliers Lay down your Bandeliers An Advertisement to the Souldiery of the Nation WHereas this Book in the several Tracts thereof with much variety doth set forth at large as to their several kinds and changes all your Military Motions and Postures which may not only serve to give light to the unexperienced and lead them by the hand into the Military Gardens of Honour and other * Place this Sheet betwixt Bb and Cc * places where they are trained up until by degrees they arrive unto perfection but may delight and confirm the most able and most knowing Souldiers whilst here they read over those several forms in which heretofore they stood when in so many Battails with such admirable success they have both opposed and overcome their Enemies And whereas even from hence may be extracted many excellent Directions and Rudiments of War which may incourage and fully inable all active and gallant Spirits in this City of London to perform such Commands and to follow those Conducts to which they shall be disciplined by those exquisite and most expert Souldiers who shall train them up either in the new Artillery or any other ground of such Honorable Imployment and hereby be so fitted and furnished with all directions that the performance of them shall render them most acceptable yet I cannot but confess that through the usual variety of this most Noble Profession proceeding from the great plenty which these times afford thereof the exercise of Arms being every where so frequently shown that the most plain and ordinary Rules though far more useful are not so well rellished many men looking more in such your publick Trainings after novelty and delight then solidity which was purposely contrived by the Authors of it only for variety and for drawing of one another to the love of Arms and not for any prejudice to the Fundamentals of War on which the Ruine or the Safety of the Kingdom and Commonwealth of the World depends If peradventure it be alleadged that he who can perform things of difficulty will be more apt to carry on things of more facility It may be speedily answered that the plain Rudiments and Principles of War being of greatest use and importance and practised in all Armies both in this and other Nations they are by no means to be neglected or omitted but to be preserved and esteemed in that high manner which they do deserve for the ability in the performance of them will no doubt more readily prefer a man and render him more capable of any imployment then the practice of any useless or impertinent things in War Add unto this that the more easie and plain a man is in his command the more readily it is received by the Souldiers and more promptly obeyed for new coined and Sesquipedalian words of Command do so puzzle and torment the apprehensions with directions and expositions to have them understood that not only they oftentimes transcend the reach of those that are to give them but they do much amaze and confound the capacities of those who are to be led and ordered by them I do the rather make mention of this in this place that a discreet care be taken that no man make himself ridiculous in his undertakings or Commands but that he may be able to give an absolute account of any Branch which in the whole Body of the Art Military shall be propounded to him to give satisfaction therein to any judicious Souldier as concerning the use purpose and property of it for otherwise it would signifie nothing at all But when a man being required thereunto can render a sufficient reason for what he doth or shall voluntarily give it himself as to this or that management of any service in War it will very much both content him and inform them who shall be under his Command and give them a just encouragement to proceed in it but if he should fail in this point of Knowledge and Judgment there is but little benefit to be expected from his Conduct for it were far better that a man did but a little in a Souldierly way which is proper and carrying good approbation to men of understanding then to spin forth a long thred with new expressions and inventions that are of no use or profit but tend rather unto laughter and to the loss of time and the offence of many and to the bringing of a generall contempt upon the Art And although there be many Rules which may be sufficient forms to direct and to teach to be expert in War and doubtless are of great concernment to them who have both the. Theorick and the Practick part yet nevertheless there is no rule but at some time or other doth admit of some exception there being espepially so many cross events in War that no Commander can positively tie himself up to any Rule for occasions do vary so in several places that the chiefest Rule a man can walk by is his Eye and his Intelligence wherein accordingly he must accommodate himself to encounter his Enemies And although a Commander should be qualified with much Knowledge Courage and Faithfulness the only accomplishments of a true Souldier yet they are to be attended with diligence for in all his undertakings and performances delays being always dangerous it is usually said That which is soonest done and well done is best done But above all he is to have an eye to order which is the very life of an Army And in acting against an Enemy great care is to be taken not to puzzle the Souldiers by confounding their understandings which may occasion their utter overthrow And this makes me to reflect on what hath been mentioned heretofore Let every Commander that truly delights in Military exercises study to be exact in all plain things and practice the Souldiers much in the exercise thereof for this is the only use and is altogether practised and observed in the Field If a man will be curious in new fancies there are stratagems enough to be found out in which he may exercise himself with much variety to delight the curious and find much matter in them to be highly valued and esteemed But this is to be carried on in a plain way the study whereof would ask some time and it is not easily obtained by ordinary capacities which should
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
the general being thus largely discoursed of I proceed next to the particular Quartering of the Souldiery Giving you VI. Examples of Quartering a Regiment both after the Old and New way With the Reasons which moved the Prince of Orange to alter the old Form VII I have discovered the manner of Quartering the Horse giving you an Example of Quartering four Cornets by which President a whole Regiment or Regiments may be quartered in the like manner VIII You have the manner of Quartering of a Foot-Army and IX An Example of Quartering of a whole Army both Horse and Foot and for an Example have added a Scheme of the Form in which the Prince of Orange Quartered his Army both Horse and Foot Artillery Waggons c. And to bring up the Reer for the farther satisfaction of the Reader I have added divers Orders for Watching and other General Orders to be observed in the Quarters with what else is necessary for the Encamping of an Army either in part or in whole What Rules are to be observed in the choice of the Ground to Quarter in IN chusing your Ground for your Quarters let it as neer as you can be upon high Ground lest your Enemy being higher may have an advantage of you by that means 2. Let it be neer no Woods nor Groves where your Enemy may lie in ambush and sally out upon you and vex you yet let it not be very far from neither Wood nor Water they being two as necessary things as can be But let the Ground be champion the better to discern your Enemy at a distance and if possible neer some River for the relief of Men and Cattle and for the cheaper conveying of necessaries for the use of the Souldiery 3. See that the Ground you quarter upon be not at any time subject to overflow with Water nor that any Water be let in upon you by Sluses or otherwise 4. That no boggy moorish or unwholsome Grounds be neer your Quarters which may be a means to bring Diseases and Sickness among the Souldiers 5. That Forrage Wood and Straw be neer you or may be easily conveyed to you 6. That the Quarters be not too neer your Enemy for fear of their Cannon nor very far distant but that timely relief may be given to the approachers 7. That the Ground be of a competent largeness to contain the number of Companies Horse Foot Artillery and other necessaries thereunto belonging with allowance of fit dimensions for every particular But it will rarely fall out that any place you can chuse will have all these conveniencies wherefore gain as many of them as you can and for the rest you must by industry supply Wherefore above all let the Fortifications and Intrenchments about your Quarters be well made and guarded lest by the neglecting of them you be surprized and your Enemy hinder your relief How the Quarter-master is to design his Quarters when the Ground is chosen THis work is not to be done of a sudden but the Quarter-master knowing the place where the Quarters are to be let him go to his Chamber and there consult with his List which he is to quarter namely how many Regiments of Horse how many of Foot what Waggons what Artillery and whatsoever else as Sutlers c. he is to quarter also how many Companies there is in each Regiment and how many men in each Company He having collected and gathered them all together in a Note let him take some pieces of fine past-board and cut them into pieces 300 foot by some small Scale deep and so broad as to contain the number of men of such a Regiment either Horse or Foot he is to quarter allowing true distance of Ground both for Hut Passage Stable c. and at that length let him cut off his past-board square and write upon that past-board the Colonels name and number of men and thus must he do for every Regiment both of Horse and Foot In like manner for the Generals Quarters and his Retinue for the Provost Quarter-master Minister Chirurgion and all others that require single Quarters and likewise for the Waggons and Sutlers All these must he lay one according as he finds their Numbers greater or lesser in his List and cut his past-boards accordingly writing upon them as before His past-boards being thus prepared let him upon a Table or rather upon a sheet of Imperial or Royal paper draw divers occult parallel lines at 50 foot distance for Streets and spaces of 300 foot for his several Regiments By help of these parallel Lines he may lay his past-boards upon this paper and move them this way and that way till he have brought them into a Square or Parallelogram or as regular a form as they will permit He having thus disposed them to the best advantage in his judgment he may draw a Scheme or Plat thereof upon fair Paper or Parchment writing the name of every Colonel and his number of men upon his particular Quarter with the Generals Quarters Market Streets Lanes c. making thereof a perfect Map and adding a Scale thereto he may measure the distance of any part thereof at pleasure This being done he may repair to his General and shew him his design which if he approve of he may proceed to the laying out of the Quarters in the Field The Past-boards laid together How the Quarters are to be laid out in the Field THe paper-design being approved on the Quarter-master-General repairs to the Field the several Quarter-masters of every Regiment accompanying him each of them having four staves of nine or ten foot high painted of the Colour of their Regiment with a Standard or Banner at the top thereof Then the Quarter-master-General coming to the Field with a Surveying Instrument pitcheth it down at one of the angular points of his Quarter and taking his sights setteth off a right Angle from the point where his Instrument standeth and measureth from thence with a Chain the whole length of his Quarter and at the end of that measure he setteth up a Standard of the Colour oâ— that Regiment that is to be quartered in that angle of the General Quarters Likewise from his Instrument at right angles he measureth out the bredth of his Quarters and at the end of that measure he causeth another Standard to be erected of the Colour of that Regiment that is to be there quartered and going to his Instrument he causeth another Standard to be erected there of the Colour of the Regiment that is there to be quartered Then removing his Instrument from this first place let him carry it to any of the other Standards and there place it laying his Index and sights upon the Diameter thereof and turning it about till he see his Standard that was set up where his Instrument last stood then fixing it there turn the Index to a Right-angle and looking through the sights measure out the length or bredth of your Quarters that way and