coffers hence it is evident that there is a whole weekes pay reserved for the number of 20000. men and 1500l overplus at the rate of 5s the weeke for a Soldiers pay and who can deny but that this course is advantageous to a State But now if any shall say But we will not have Pikes equall for number with Musquets but let there be 15000. Musquets and onely 5000. Pikes yet who knowes not that the rate and charges still holds proportionably For 5000 Pike-mens furniture will amount to as much as will set forth 8000. Musquetiers the charge for the one being after 35s the man comming to 8750l And the cost for 8000. Musquetiers comming after the rate of 22s but to 8800l in all So that there is in arming out 5000. Pikes as much disburs'd as would have set out 8000. Musquetiers within one 50l onely which is nothing Now were not the Musquetiers more necessary it was something to the purpose but if they be not why should their numbers be allowed for advantageous Or if the Pikes be not so excellent Parcatur sumptui 't is then good to save charges or if not yet to lay out monies for those Arms which are most usefull Then secondly when both are ready furnish'd and compleatly arm'd the maintaining the Pike with it's furniture is a great deale more costly than that of the Musquet And though care be had by the Soldier which is rare yet what by casualties and accidents he can scarce ever be at all points ready and then if his furniture doe faile it is harder and costlier to be repaired and mended then the Musquet For proofe hereof is it not manifest that Rainy weather rusts and spoiles a Corslet but not a Musquet or any little blow or sudden touch many times breakes off a Pikes head which makes it altogether unserviceable as also the tases with the hookes buckles and other materialls are quickly broke and then the Corslet is unfitting for defence and unseemly to weare Adde to these inconveniences That to be put upon long and quick Marches in hot Summer weather with Armes compleat as well for Pike as for Corslet and Soldiers are subject and liable to such duties cannot but be wonderfull burthensome and the more by reason of the excessive heat which he is forc'd to suffer being as I may so say imprison'd in his Armes whereas the Musquetier marches with a great deale of liberty and is free and open to the aire which is no small benefit and happinesse to him upon such occasions And as these Armes are more combersome to the Soldier so they are the more chargeable for carriage for they take up and imploy more waggons waggoniers and horses for draught neither can they belayd up so closely or safely as Musquets may And as the Pike out-vies the Musquet for charge and combersomnesse so they cause more losse than Musquets for though there goe as many out yet there come fewer home for let the Officers lay ne're so strict a charge upon the Soldiers for preservation of Armes yet upon advantages and opportunities offered what by their running away and what by their wearines upon long and hot marches and so not recovering the Army againe being often cut off by the Boores or Enemies parties that wait upon such occasions or dying in the place there many Pikes and Corslets are lost daily and miscarry which casualties as they are a weakening to an Army so they prove a losse to the Prince for I suppose the Captaines would be unwilling to answer the charges of all Armes that are lost these waies neither indeed is it fitting that they should for notwithstanding all their care and vigilancy yet these inconveniences doe and will often happen in great Armies and long marches The best course that I know how to remedy this losse and dammage is to furnish the Soldiers with Arms that are cheaper lighter for carriage and such as Soldiers will not be easily perswaded to part withall and them I hold to be good Musquets and half-pikes SECT. IX That if the Pike be still retained yet to have all the Pike-men to be as well experienc'd in the use of the Musquet as of the Pike HAving sufficiently proved the Pike to be unusefull in military occasions in the precedent Sections I now come to shew one Particular which is necessary to be put in practice which is this That in case for the present there shall not be a full discharge of the Pike yet it is fit that all the Pike-men should be expert and able to use the Musquet upon any need or occasion which may be confirmed for these considerations following First that in case our Musquetiers be too few in number for the Enemy that then by this meanes they may have supplies neere them to give them assistance and 't is but equity for one member to relieve another and as much as it can to afford ease and supportment to it's fellow Now 't is not fit that the Musquetier should performe duty oftner or harder then his Comrades which yet he must needs do in marchings Convoyings Sallyings c. except the Pike-man upon occasion afford ease by exchanging his Corslet for a Musquet Secondly Suppose we match and equalize the Enemy in Troopes of Horse then for certain there need not be any divisions of Pikes for what shall they performe when there are none to make opposition against them And by this means we shall much increase our volleyes of shot which are indeed the glory and strength of our Army and the onely instruments to daunt the Enemy Then thirdly Is it not a great benefit to goe often out upon Convoyes and Parties And comes there not profit by freedome of pillaging upon lawfull Command in an Enemies Country And who acts these services but the Fire-lock and Musquetier For the Pike-man may play the part of a good huswife stay at home upon expectation what the Musquet will bring in but cannot fetch in any thing of or by himselfe so that unlesse out of charity the Musquetier be pleas'd to give him some part of his booty he must either buy or else want it which he needed not have done had he been furnish'd with the like weapons this I have knowne to be true in many places where our Leaguer hath been And to speak truth the Boores and Peasants of the Country are not terrified to yield their goods at the command of Pike-men but will and have made resistance even to the losse of our mens lives with their loap-staves and other Country weapons because they have not seene Musquets to force their obedience and subjection And to conclude Doe not Pikemen by being tyed onely to that sort of Armes offer great injury to their Prince to themselves to their fellowes For is it not an injury to take pay and yet doe not halfe so much labour and service as others Why should they be maintain'd with equall pay to Musquetiers whenas they undergoe not halfe such
warres in Germany have flesh'd them both The Spaniard usually is held to schoole or Trades till 14 or 16 yeeres old and ever after for the musquet and to speake truth he hath valour enough to make attempts and to get ground and he wants it not to hold it he is fit for heat cold hunger or thirst yet he is better for land then sea and better to hold a Fort then to fight in field Now for certaine without any disparagement to other Nations 't is known that there is not a truer bred spirit for war by land or by sea then the English for who ever affronted them without sufficient proofe of their ability especially if they pleased to call in their Seconds to accompany them What Country of Christendome hath not felt the force of their steele and the Turkes at sea confesse it that they had rather deale with any Nation then the English So that if they be well ordered and kept in by the rules of good Discipline they feare not the faces or forces of their stoutest foes and have one singular virtue beyond any other Nation for they are alwaies willing to goe on and though at first stoutly resisted yet will as resolutely undertake the action the second time though it be to meet death it selfe in the face To be briefe most men would have Soldiers to partake more of the Country then the City to be sturdy and stiffe rather then courteous and affable I would have them stout hardy temperate watchfull patient faithfull obedient religious for an an Army of such persons is most likely to prove to the honour of their Prince and glory of their Nation SECT. III. What weapons are the fittest for Soldiers and that the Pike is not of consequence in these times WIse Commanders have alwaies had great care to have their forces both Horse and Foot to be well and compleatly furnished with the most serviceable Armes and weapons for 't is good Policy to take all advantages in field especially against such Enemies who neither take nor give faire Quarter such as are Dragooners Gravats with some partees of Freebooers and Hannovers against whom any sort of murthering weapons may be used However for the generality of weapons most men will approve of them best which have these five properties First they should be Defensive against Assaults fit and able to safeguard the persons of those Soldiers who beare them into the field these make the Enemy loath to come on and encourage our Soldiers to make attempt by this course many great Armies have been discomfited In this regard the Spaniard is much to be commended for he still keeps himselfe in his Armes but above all others the Turkes are vigilant this way for they in their march against Enemies move like a compleat Armory for variety and choice of weapons Our Nation of late hath been much to blame who against all Orders have many times for the enjoying a little ease cast away their Armes for the present though after strictly and severely punished by their Officers for their fault and though they have been by this course unfit to have made Resistance if any occasion should have been offered Secondly 't is not enough to have weapons for a Defence unlesse also they can Offend the former respecting the good of our owne persons these ayming at the annoying and destroying our Enemies 't is the end of warre to weaken his forces and to subjugate his Armies by cutting off and lessening his numbers and therefore those weapons must needs be counted excellent which are fit to bring to passe our intended desires herein the Polish and Hungarian horsemen are commendable it is to be supposed they have learn'd that Custome from their neighbouring Enemy the Turk And indeed defensive weapons may be used in times of Peace but offensive are the best for warre why need men goe forth to kill their Enemies except they be allowed such instruments as can perform the deed Then thirdly 't is good as to have weapons so qualified so also is it as convenient to have them light and portable 't is not to be expected that a Soldier can fight stoutly upon the suddaine whenas by long marches and hot weather he is tired under his Armes Soldiers should take a pleasure in beareing them but they should not be burthened under them Hereupon 't is thought that Buffe-coats came so much in request because they are so easie and comely and if good as fit for defence as common Corslets The High-Dutch and Imperiall forces are excellently well accommodated with nimble Armes being most of them proper able persons and also furnished with very light Musquets Fourthly though these three things be fit to be in Soldiers weapons yet they are then far better when they come from the hands of the Artificer dextrously and sufficiently tempred and made to effect which there is no better inducement then to see that the Labourers be paid their wages good and certaine Pay being the spurre to Work-men to make their work compleat and serviceable and for certain when they are truly payed if they faile in the delivering in good Armes they are then liable to severe punishment by the Magistrate and are fit to be made Examples and discarded their places with Ignominy and disgrace Our Army was ill provided for swords those which were delivered to the Soldiers being so brittle that with any blow almost they would breake to peeces there is no Nation that may have better then our owne if care be had we having first excellent matter and secondly as expert Artificers to give them forme as any Nation nay in many respects farre better Then lastly weapons should be so made that they may be with conveniency and as much as can be with advantage too used in all places and at all times for their chiefest virtue is in their generality of use Hereupon the short strong Sword is held better then the long Rapier or as the Switzer useth two-handed swords the Musquet and Fire-lock are held excellent because seldome can an Army be so instraightned but that Soldiers may use these with terror and advantage these are good for all convoyes marchings intrenchings pillagings onslaughts neere or farre off they are easie of carriage terrible in their execution doing their message quickly and throughly as after shall be proved And though the Musquet be but of late Invention yet none that ever went before it was more approved and commended nor was any weapon except the sword onely so generally received of all Nations as the Musquet hath been Now for certaine the Pike hath been of great repute in former times also yet in these latter losing much of it 's antient authority as being experimentally known for true that it is not of an offensive virtue against professed Enemies for it's antiquity is not a sufficient argument to tye our times to conformity to the practice of the former after-Ages having altered and changed nay quite left off
Outworkes and Scoutes without the walls It so fell out that many Musquetiers being imployed in other services and being by reason of the perfidiousnesse of the Citizens forced at all times to leave a sufficient number within lest they should have betrayed the Towne that there were an 100. or an 150. Pike-men able stout expert and well arm'd appointed with some few Musquetiers to keepe a Scout not farre from the Towne whereas 't was thought there was little or no danger to be feared came it not to passe that the Enemy roving about to spy all advantages march'd that very night against that Scoute which was mann'd chiefly with Pikes the Alarme was taken first by one of our Pike-men by the sight of a Dogge which as he supposed and so all the rest came not alone which proved true for presently the Enemy gave fire and hearing but one or two discharge from the Scout supposed that we had either left the worke or else were asleepe and so unable to resist 't was true that when the Enemy had twice or thrice furiously given fire our men did retreate towards the towne but upon notice given to our Generall they were charg'd to maintaine and defend the worke and to beat out the enemy againe so they going on did by their sudden returne and the darknesse of the night terrifie the Enemy so that they left their easie gotten purchase for a time supposing that either we had increased our numbers or else might have some plot to encompasse them in but hearing no further pursuit made a stand and upon advice set upon the Scoute the second time wherein they made a fearefull slaughter casting our men which were shot into the fire one upon another kill'd and burn'd all that stood it out shot divers of them who cast away their Armes to save themselves by swimming so that we lost most or almost all our men Now was not this an unequall fight to set Pikes against Musquets And had these men had Musquets they would have defended that worke against double so many Musquetiers comming on This was much lamented but the losse was unrecoverable Nor yet will any impute any indiscretion to our Generall for this Act could not at that time have been remedied most of our Musquetiers doing daily service in all places both within and without the Towne and halfe our forces almost if not altogether were Pikes who when they perceiv'd how that the heat of duties lay all upon the Musquet did all of them very well like of their weapon because it freed them from the most dangerous and forlorne places which inconvenience as soone as it was so deerly understood was remedied and most of our Pike-men were urg'd to use the Musquet and such as did not were adjudged to be Cowards as indeed they deserved And it must needs be a great disadvantage to an Army to be so set forth whenas first the Musquetiers cannot amount to those numbers that otherwaies they would and so in case the Enemy outvy us in numbers as usually they doe how hard service must needs lie upon the small quantity of Musquetiers that we have and if they be daily forc'd to fight what help or assistance can they expect from their fellow Pikes in regard that though they would yet they could not relieve in respect of their Armes And it hath done and will cause great complaints and murmurings dayly amongst Soldiers whenas the Musquetiers perceive that the Pikes usually are like men priviledg'd or exempted from Sallies Convoyes Skirmishes Onslaughts all dangerous and tedious Enterprizes especially to beat out an Enemy from a worke or to gaine a passage and keep it for in all these and many other the like services the Pike may rest in his Quarters and onely the Musqùet must out if we meane to speed in what we undertake may it not produce heart-burnings amongst Soldiers to see some in a manner doing nothing while the whole heat of the day lies upon and is undergone by others Now seeing the service doth equally concerne all why should not eevery sworne servant doe his taske Brieflly concluding that the highest and chiefest service for Honour is either going on against an Enemy or lying downe before him or else retreating from him it shall appeare to all that in all these Considerations our great number of Pikes is a gret disadvantage to us For first suppose that we are marching against the Enemy any one of experience knowes that there will fall out sundry skirmishes and Salutes much playing by Partees as well of ours as of their men before we can come to take a view of their Body in grosse or they of ours Now this cannot be done by Pike-men for the fight is yet at distance and so unfit for them 't is quickly and suddenly done and usually in such places where the Pike-man will scarce have liberty to manage his arms and to speake truth what was it but to expose the lives of so many Pikes to the mercy of the Enemies shot if they should be set out and doth not the Enemy by such discover that we either are but few Musquetiers or else we would never have begun the fight with Pikes And I may justly speake it that those who carry Pikes intend not to hurt the Enemy untill they have parlyed with him for though they may be ready and resolv'd to fight a great way off yet they cannot untill they come close up to them which priviledge I believe the Enemy being Musquets will not afford them Then secondly if it be to lie against an Enemy in case we keepe any watch in Outworks as for the better safeguard of the Army we usually doe then if the watch be set with 200. men halfe of them Musquetiers and halfe of them Pikes if any service be perform'd I doe account that it must be all done by the Musquets for to what purpose should the Pikes hazard themselves whenas they are not within reach to offend so that I suppose excepting onely their doing service by standing Centinell that there are but 100 in the place to beat the Enemy and therefore it hath been seen in service even in Trenches when the Musquetier hath been giving fire furiously upon the Enemy that the Pikes have sate safe in the Trenches taking Tobacco or telling tales as though the matter had not any wayes concerned them And lastly if it be to make a Retreat from an Enemy which includes a great deal of honor valor and skill for it must not be done dishonorably confusedly or cowardly especially if the Enemy pursue but with good Intelligence resolved Hearts and singular Policy for Cowards run away but valiant and wise Soldiers make retreats from a Foe Is it not manifest that even at this time also the Pike proves disadvantageous for 't is to be concluded and resolved that the Enemy following will not make assaults upon us with Pikes but with Musquets Carbines and Pistols and will any man of experience
hazards nor yet doe any notable exploit against the Enemy For let any one by experience speak it when any skirmish or set Battell hath in these latter times been ended upon the view of dead carcases have there been found any quantity or great numbers who have received their deaths by the wounds given by Pikes the slaughter being made for the most now with Musquets Carbines Pistols and Swords Now is it fit or just that such chargeable Numbers should be kept on foot for doing nothing in respect of others And the injury is little lesse which they doe to themselves for in any publike service they stand exposed to as much danger nay many times to more then divers others doe for while they are not able to offend they are fit to be offended and though they cannot send death to others yet others can send it to them Now is not this a wrong done to themselves that although they be valorous and able men yet they willingly binde themselves to such Armes as are not offensive and wil rather be killed in them then leave them for others which would much more beat off their foes to the safety perhaps of the whole Army and to the greater security of their owne persons Then lastly The injury is great if strictly considered which they offer to others for whereas they put great confidence in them as I believe they may for matter of courage and faithfulnesse yet they must needs faile their hopes upon necessity in regard the Armes which they use are not able to performe any great service Now their safety consists in the well comming off of the Musquetiers for they failing how long can these hope to stand sure The Enemy will quickly command their throats at his mercy if once the Musquet be foyled And therefore to uphold the forces decaying and lessening 't is fit that at least the Pike-men should have so much art as to know how to handle the Musquet as well as the Pike skill and experience being no burthen to the master and the advantage and benefit which may come by thiâ— practice being so great and waighty Let us now come to answeâ— all the Arguments that are made for the defence of the Pike SECT. X. Answers to the Arguments that have been and that are now made in and for the defence of the Pike in these times I Know I shall not want Opponents for a point of thiâ— Nature at first seemes like a project every man will have an ill conceit of it and as many as can will cry it downe though they know not well what it is or why they doe so As first I suppose Object What 's he that set it out to the world and is never able to prove it or the like To which I answer First That I am Iure Anglico Accademico Sacro Bellico Religioni Principi Patriae Marti Mercurio addictissimus In plaine English more I am not lesse I am not Now why I had need to doe it appeares first In that all the writers of Martiall affairs have kept silence in this one particular and is it not lawfull for me to make a discovery of what may in time conduce to the generall good of our Nation A Mine of Gold is not therefore to be dislik'd because 't was no sooner found out nor is any good thing therfore to be disparag'd because it 's lately disclosed Then secondly knowing by Experience that in forraign services our Nation hath been disabled to performe such execution as they might in regard of the great multitude and extraordinary number of Pikes which are put into our Regiments whereas the Enemy consists most of Musquets and usually out-strips us in Numbers and so hath perform'd more against us then we could against him Now that I am able to prove it let but any Martialist read this Discourse and lay aside all prejudicacy of Opinion I doubt not if he please to speak truth as a true-bred Soldier should doe but that he will allow my Positions to be just and advantageous to publike services To come now to the Arguments which seeme to plead for the necessity of Pikes Arg. 1. Some argue the Pike to be full of Necessity because of it's Antiquity and 't is pitty say they that a weapon which hath been so generally approved of and used with such applause for so many hundreds of yeares should now be left off seeing that it was used in Military occasions before the Musquet was ever thought upon To which I thus reply I will and doe ingenuously confesse that the Pike hath the priviledge of the Musquet in respect of it's Antiquity But that 's no safe conclusion to say that all old things are the best and that 't is pitty to leave off an old Custome meerely because 't is so Indeed where Antiquity holds correspondency with present usefulnes and when old things retaine their former necessity and benefit in after Ages I hold they are not to be slighted but honoured and retained But wherein 't is found by experience that the after-times have out-stript the former and that the latter Inventions are most excellent and usefull then sure 't is no Policy to be tied to the practice of our Fore-fathers For example Was not the Caliver Flasques all in use of late but who knowes not that the Musquet and Bandileeres are now more easie safe and needfull So was not the Lance of prime excellence amongst Horse-men yet now who will not preferre the Carbine and Pistolls So Crosse-bowes were used in Sea-fights but now the thundring bullets of Culvering and Demi-Canons gave discharg'd them The Bow and Arrow what a renowned weapon and for long time how terrible how victorious yet not at all now used but for recreation though much more may be said for that then for the Pike So that it is plaine that the Pike is not therefore to be still used only because it is so ancient a kinde of weapon But that as occasions vary so it may be either not us'd so much or else not at all Arg. 2. There be divers that plead for the Pike because it doth say they keepe off the Enemies Horse and this they verily conclude is undeniable nay some are so confident of the truth of this that they have hereby disclosed to men of experience and tryall that they them selves never were in any reall service hereupon they conclude the Pike to be as good and necessary in earnest as it seemes to be in jest Well I shall easily remove this strongly received Opinion This is surely grounded upon Tradition and true it is that in former times when the winged Cavalry were fenc'd with sword and lance onely then the Pike had that virtue to keepe off their invading Horse because the Lance was made 4. feet shorter then the Pike the Pike being 16. and the Lance being but 12 foot long So that of necessity if the horsmen intended execution upon them they could not choose but hazard
many kindes of weapons that were antiently in use Now it shall briefly appear to all how un-usefull the Pike is in Military occasions at this present and that in many respects SECT. IV. That the Pike cannot offend or doe Execution AS there is nothing doth more encourage the Enemy to assault so nor is there any thing that doth more dishearten Soldiers to fight valiantly then the knowledge and certainty of a disproportionable disability of Armes and therefore it hath alwaies been counted the best Policy in warre against open Enemies as to take the advantage of Time Place Numbers and Valour so also of warlike Instruments And they have been accounted excellent Commanders who have invented new Stratagems to foyle the Enemy and hence those Armes have been accounted most admirable which can most offend and annoy the adverse Party Now it shall plainly appeare that the Pike cannot effect or doe execution For whereas 't is pretended that they alone keep off the Enemies Horse nothing lesse as shall after be proved and admit they did yet that service was to be accounted defensive onely Now suppose the Enemy invading be either Horse or Foot the former can kill at least 120 yards off the latter at least 400 yards now is the Pike able to kill at either of these distances being 16 foot at most in length and then push'd perhaps with armes of an impotent sickly weake-bodyed Soldier or which is as bad by one that wants skill or courage or both And what more there is not one private Soldier of twenty shall by his utmost strength and skill together runne through a common Corslet nay not through a Buffe-coat which is good to wound mortally and what wisedome or policy is it to have so many standing men in Armes which are not able to kill the Invaders Further hath it not been seene that three or foure good resolute Soldiers with their swords and Buffe-coats only have cut off ten or twelve Pike-heads and come off safe without wounds and purchased to themselves honor and reward For an instance of this The Prince of Orange his Leaguer lying before Scenke-Sconse it so fell out that there was a great uproare betwixt the English and Switzers they being enquarter'd one next to the other the occasion was small being about a stiver or two lost at Cards but the issue had likely to have produced wonder and amazement if by faire perswasions and entreaties both parties had not been pacified for the Tumult began to grow to an intestine Mutiny many men being wounded on both sides so that the English first and Switzers at last call'd to Armes whenas there stood one of the Divisions of the Switzers pikes ready charg'd did not then two Soldiers of Collonell Burlacyes Regiment with their swords only enter by force into that Body and cut off divers Pike-heads and came off againe with three or foure of them in their hands which in fury and great derision they flung againe amongst them with this jeere to boote Oh doe us no harme good men And because other Arguments shall be used Can there be any hopes of much slaughter of the Enemies by our Pike-men when not above three rankes at once can doe any hurt without prejudice and danger to their fellowes more then to their foes which shall be thus proved Admit the Pike be 16 foote long the first Rank indeed have use and liberty of the whole length but then the second Ranke loseth the benefit of three feet and the third Ranke of sixe feet if they stand charg'd at three foot distance Or if upon close-charge at one foot and an halfe distance which though the stronger yet disadvantageous because the Enemies bullets seldom misse then the second Ranke loseth one foot and a halfe and the third three foot at least so that at the best the men being able and skilfull in Armes yet what with the terror of the Alarme the confusion of Rankes by the death of some the time of night when the Enemy may fall on the hazard of wounding in their thrust their own Commanders or Comrades by their close standing sufficiently shew that it is not the Pike that doth the feat For the liberty of the Enemy being horse-men with speed and fury of charging will and doth so puzzell and non-plus the Pikemen that in a Body of Horse varying their motions the Pike must play the Ape of force and in case they faile in variety of Postures for defence all is lost which in a Body so beset with furious Assailants conscious to themselves of their owne insufficiency of Resistance easily yield to their Betters And if the Enemy be Musquetiers who knowes not but that a thousand expert able Fire-men using their utmost skill and advantage are able to reduce two thousand Pikes to their own desired conformity And all this is onely in regard that the Pike cannot answer like for like but is forc'd to suffer the volleys of shot and is no waies able for Replies To proceed SECT. V. That the Pike is unfit for Convoyes ARmies are like great Families must have all sorts of Provision there 's little or no hopes of the long subsistence of that Body which wants Ingresse Egresse and Regresse 't is a dishonour to a Prince not to be able to come to his owne home therefore 't is and alwaies hath been the wisedome of Chiefes to sit downe and enquarter in such places to which there may be a confluence of Trading so that the Campe and Leaguer shall be but like a City removed into the fields every house must have a doore of entrance Yet it often so falls out by the casualty of warres and opposition of Enemies that men cannot alwaies enjoy this liberty For sometimes the Enemy or Neutrall friends blocke up passages and then few men doe desire to goe to that Market where there is nothing to be bought but blowes It hath been knowne that many good Spirits have paid deer for fetching in others Provision it shall appeare in one instance Whenas foure English Regiments lay in Bremeland under the Command of that experienc'd and truly valiant Generall of the English the Lord Morgan at the Long-Line part of the Provision came up the River of Wesar but that which came by Land was conducted by our Soldiers through our owne Horse-quarters who as they were many and neutrall so they were as treacherous for they would usually plunder and pillage our waggons and kill our men if they resisted and all under a pretext of want of pay and that they hoped to requite us in another course So that in plaine termes the first warre in my apprehension was with our seeming friends for our owne victualls too deerely bought But if the Enemy or others doe not hinder yet distance of place difficulty of way time of yeare Covenants of paying want of ready monies Remove of Armies sudden alterations of Princes mindes may cause Convoyes to be full of hazard Else why is it called a
Convoy but because 't is cum Via Vita for way and life and who are indeed more exposed to dangers then Convoyers being men whose lives hang upon Waggon wheeles or as I may say truly Persons who alwaies carry their lives in their hands Now whosoever rightly conceives the necessity of Convoyes in Armies and what a great charge is laid upon the undertakers For sometimes they bring along great treasure as the pay for the whole Army sometimes they undertake the protection of some great Prince or Commander sometimes they bring Commissions and letters of Intelligence for the safety of the whole Body may easily conclude that seeing their way doth often lye through the Enemies Countries they had need to pick men of singular valour admirable courage and choice dexterity for feates of Armes and such as goe with Armes fitting to offend upon all assaults and occasions such as shall any wayes at any time dare to make approaches Now it is plaine that the Pike-men are altogether unfit for such high service as this is not that any can question or disparage their valour or skill but their unfitnesse for that imloyment which is thus proved to all First from the place where they may be set upon if it should be in a Wood amongst trees as such places are fittest for and fullest of Pillagers and Freebooters for Ambush I would faine know how the Pike could be in such places charg'd without a great deale of incombrance in regard of the branches of trees which would hinder them to use their Postures If secondly it should be upon the passage of some Bridge were not 100 good fire-locks able to keepe that passage against 500. Pikes and pillage at their pleasure If the place be a Narrow lane set with hedges Bullets will force their passage through whereas Pikes cannot And if the ground be spacious and champaigne gives it not the more compasse and liberty to the Enemy to come off or on and to keep distance untill the Pikes be either most shot or kil'd for in such places what are the Pike-men upon their charge but even standing markes to be hit the sooner Then secondly from the time that the Enemy may fall on If first in the night what a confusion will there be for every man first to finde his owne Armes and then what a deale of toyle to put them on And if in the day time are not the Pikes fit onely to take wounds but not able to give any Now can they be held fit to safe-guard others who cannot helpe or relieve themselves And thirdly Is not the Pike-man as unfit for Convoyes in respect of swift Marches For Convoyes upon Intelligence of any Enemies approach will haste away for safety and shelter now the Pike is not good for speed and as they cannot goe apace from so nor can they pursue with any speed an Enemy when he hath affronted them so that as they have been powerfull to purchase their booty they have as large liberty to goe off with their prizes without feare of surprize or pursuit And as the Pike is full of disadvantage in respect of place time and marching so lastly is it as insufficient in some cases to returne to their own leaguer againe For if any Enemy hath heard of their marching by may he not with a few Musquetiers block up their passage for returne so that their Generall had need to send out another Convoy of Fire-men to bring home his Pikes againe or else he must give them for lost or bee forc'd to ransome them who if they had been Musquetiers would have been able to have freed themselves And to conclude In an Army mix'd of Musquets and Pikes why should not the one as well as the other performe services and run equall hazards seeing they are all alike ingag'd and interested in the same cause which yet they cannot For the Pike is so farre unfitting for any present service upon the Enemy that after ten a clock at night he is not reputed to be a sufficient Sentinell especially in any out-workes as Halfe-moones Horne-workes c. For all the Alarum he can give must be by word of mouth which at many times especially if there be any distance betwixt his Centinels place and the Corps-du-Guard or else if the winde be high and blustring or contrary as many times it may be cannot be well perform'd And is not that a poore course to have 20000. men in field and onely all or at least the hardest service to be done by 10000. To what end need their persons be there whenas they stand us in little or no stead for certaine great are the inconveniences that have issued in publike services by having either equall numbers or such great store of Pikes with Musquets But to goe on to other Arguments SECT. VI What a great disadvantage it is to have all the properest men to carry Pikes BY Counsell saith King Salomon make warre 't is indeed the Hinge of great services none are likely to be well manag'd without Policy and Advice It hath been alwaies determin'd by able Commanders to have strong hardy lusty couragious and active men to be set forth for Soldiers and thereupon 't is thought fit by Great States to give liberty to servants and Apprentices to use publike exercises of Recreation as Leaping Running Wrestling Pitching the barre Riding Swimming Fencing c. in the times of Peace that in the times of warre they may choose men of lively and active spirits to doe their King and Country service Which course cannot be by discreet men reproved But the mistake followes that when such men are appointed for service and chosen for war then the Officers make choice of the tallest and to all likelyhood of the strongest men to be for Pike-men Now 't is certaine were the weapons as serviceable as the men it might be good in consequence but here 't is cleane otherwise for the men though apt and ready for service are yet mainely disabled by the Armes they are injoyned to use for to speake plainly what reason is it while that others can send the messengers of Death to their Enemies at a large distance Pikes onely cannot and while others are discharging their Bullets these may stand and looke on onely not being able to doe any thing Now it shall plainly appeare what a great disadvantage it is to an Army to tye such able men to such a kinde of weapon which cannot affront an insulting foe for doth it not spurre on the Enemy to take the advantage whenas he knowes we cannot hurt him and will he not have matter enough to laugh at to see our Pikes stand charg'd and to sinke down shot in their Rankes by their Pistols or Musquets and no waies able to answer like for like as is plaine in this Instance Whenas the Town of Stoade was beleaguer'd by the forces of Count Tilly and others and defended by the English for a good while we kept many
dye it is manifest that this weapon cannot choose but be of singular use for if managed with a stout heart and a strong arme it will force passage through the bodies of the Enemy there being no resistance made against the Assailants but with eminent danger of the Defendants lives 5. Soldiers desire such weapons usually which stand them in the most generall stead and such as they can use in any place or upon any service Now 't is certaine that the Musquet and halfe-Pike are of that generall use that they may be practis'd and managed upon all Convoyes skirmishes Retreats Sallies Onslaughts c. For Convoyes no safer posture for the Musquetier can be then to be impaled within such fences and Barricadoes and 't is impossible that any troopes of Horse can enter before the Musquetiers can so fortifie themselves for 't is no great toyle or difficulty but may quickly and speedily be performed and can vary alter or change any way as the Enemy shall wheele about so that the Reere may be as safe as the Front and the Flanks as either And as it is good for Convoyes so 't is excellent in skirmishes for it fights with quicknesse advantage and safety and if they please to maintain their ground who can force them to leave it or if they be minded to retreat who can gaine any thing by the pursuit So that the Musquetiers thus armed goe on with advantage fight with terror and retreat with honor So for Sallies and Onslaughts which are desperate kinde of services none goe out with so much hopes to speed as men so guarded being as I may justifie it two Soldiers in one person And there is no such spur to make Soldiers valorous in Execution as the the knowledg of the advantage they have of their Enemies by the excellency of their weapons Briefly for the 〈◊〉 of this is better for Practice than Discourse It cannot be denied but that the Musquet and halfe-Pike is easily purchas'd and as quickly for exercise to be learned any Soldier may as soone be expert in the use of it as he can of Musquet and Rest nay sooner if his Corporall or Commander have any skill to drill him to it And I say let any one that either doubts of or objects any thing against the excellency and benefit of this kinde of weapon give but that Martiall Plot of ground the Artillery Garden a visit and he shall and may receive ample satisfaction to all his demands For 't is not to be questioned but that the present and after-times wâ—â—â— speake in praise of and justifie the Invention as rare and as yet I am sure by none paralelld And 't is to be wish'd that it was once generally knowne to our Nation for the practice of it would prove wondrous advantageous This I have spoken without flattery for I would not doe so Noble and Heroick a Soldier as the Inventor is nor yet my selfe that injury Flattery being no waies compatible either to our or their Profession But I thought it an injury to so worthy a Member if notwithstanding all hit labour and ingenuity together with his charges either He or the Weapon should have been slighted or forgotten It being a high degree of base Ingratitude not to be thankfull for such generall benefits But I have done leaving both his dextrous Invention and this Discourse to men of judgment in Armes SECT. XII The Testimony of Brancatio that famous Commander concerning the disability of the Pike In his Art Military Pag. 7. THE Pike is the evident ruine of those that trust in is others defend it though it bethought to defend others for it offends not neither neere nor farre off Again p. 8. 10. The Turks use not the Pike nor will be brought to practise it because it is the most unserviceable Arms used in field Champain as by infallible experience and by the great manifold and too late victories gained over those Christians who too much trusted in that weapon is manifestly knowne So was the K. of Portugal overthrown in Affrick by having grand squadrons of Pikes and so the vast divisions of High-dutch and Switzers Pikemen have rendred the Italian Regiments weaker then they would haue been with Harquebuziers and Charles the 8. K. of France brought the first Pikes into Italy And pag. 105. lib. 5. he saith This settled Opinion and so maintained even to this present is in my opinion false and of no moment with pardon to those whom it may concerne for that the Pike is the weakest Armes in the field how many soever they be and much worse against the Turkes and other Nations more powerfull in Horse for which they are held to be good which is not against Christians and the reason is this The pike offends not a far off nor neere except wee come to the incounter it cannot make great way nor pursue an Enemy when it retires cannot make you master of the field they cannot be divided from their squadrons nor pillage with terror they cannot force a street guard a passage speedily give a Camisado of a sudden escarmouch or to make an assalt and to use diligence on a March with other feates of warre And p. 106. he saith That for these last 40 yeeres the Turkes have gain'd upon the Hungarians other Christians sempre in Ongaria because they placed onely great divisions of Switzish and High Dutch Pike-men to keepe off the Turkish vast troopes of Horse being armed with Harquebuzes and Pistols so that by this meanes that Nation is almost brought under the Turkish slavery So that battell of Ceresola renders a good proof of the weaknes of the Pike-service And Iohn Frederick Duke of Saxony in Almaigne and Peter Strozzi in Tuscany were defeated in regard of their abundance of Pikes Likewise Paul the 4 at Rome so also at the battell of S. Quintines and the Marshall of Termes I say nothing saith he of the Army of the Lord Cherche nor of the battell of Dreus in France and of Moncountor all which proved fatall to their Leaders and were despised by their Enemies because their mainest bodies were none but Pikes Thus this great Warriour gives his judgement of this weapon the Pike which to a wise Commander is of great authority FINIS