were chosen strong men able to go to war men of valour and courage stout and strong of a vigorous and couragious mind not fearful 1 Sam. 14.51 for such were put out of the Host by God's appointment and this did also that valiant Judas Maccabeus 1 Macc. 3.56 what good will they do but fail in performance make others to be faint hearted and so give the Victory to the Enemy likewise for their skill in Arms raw and ignorant men are not to be put suddenly upon service for not a multitude but Art and Exercise geteth the victory for the ignorant Soldier may not only endanger himself but his followers too therefore the Soldiers in Israel were very expert men Judg. 20.16 Besides all this it is fit Soldiers should be Religious ye very requesite because they expose themselves so to the danger of death which none but such as are Religious can be prepared for he that is not truly Religious can never be truly valorous for they then may expect God's ayd they may fight with their hands and pray with their hearts by which means that renowned Machabeus 2 Mac. 15.26.27 conquered Micacanor and slew of his Enemies 35 thousand Religion will make men Valiant never any in Holy Writ Recorded for Religious but were indeed Valiant for God requireth all should fear him there was Abraham David Asa Jehoidah the High Priest Josias the Religious King all valiant men and how can they otherwise choose but be valiant when they know that God is reconciled to them death if it come will be to them advantage these only have Faith in God See Dr. Sutton Dean of Exeter his book of War moving the Army to be religious and so will be couragious the Religious of conscience will be obedient as Israel professed to be to Joshua and are like the Centurians servant going and coming at command Matt. 8.9 and not mutanous they are of a quiet behaviour and temperate not bablers drunkards nor quarrelsome they will esteem of and love a worthy Captain according to his worth who must be to them as a father and they to him as sons for in Israels language they were called the sons of the band their Prayers are of more force to prevail with God to take their parts and to vanquish an Enemy than all other means besides Israel fought but Moses did procure the Victory by Prayer now I know some of your young roaring Atheistical Prophane swearing dam-me boys will laugh at this and fâ—off and deride this choice of Religious men as having no pattern of warlike Chieftains to follow let them look to the mighty man of war the Lord of Hosts the King of Kings and consider what manner of Soldiers he did choose to fight his battels the Commanders were Religious as Joshua the Judges Ehud Gidion Jepthah David and others his Armies mustered by the Lord were called His sanctified ones Isa 23.3 set a part by him to Military imployment they were all mighty ones and strong skilful to march and did not break rank they cared not for wounds though the sword pierced them Joel 2.2 5 7 8. verses I can bring you Examples here in our own Kingdome in our late war in the Army that was raised for the King in that small County when Sir Ralph Hopton came down who was counted a Puritan he was religious and a brave Souldier likewise pray enquire of the worst of our Enemies how it was governed when they were first raised and how God prospered them being but 5 Regiments of Foot and very few Horse The cheif Commanders the Lord Mohun Sr. Bevil Greenfield Sr. Nicholas Slaning Coll. Godolphin Coll. Trevanion and others which ventured their Estates and most of them lost their lives in the Service their Officers and Soldiers under them were as well instructed to fear God as as to honour and serve the King Oaths was held so abominable amongst most of the Officers that the Soldiers durst not swear an Oath before them Likewise went to Prayers before we went to fight if possible we had time the Soldiers durst not Command for a cup of beer much less then to Robb Plunder and Spoyl their Quarters where they march'd or lay and for their undaunted valour and Resolutions upon Service it was very well tryed several times before they ever had Relief or could March out of their own Countrey to joyn with other Forces as that Remarkable Fight at Stratten in Cornwal where our Army was but 5000 foot at most and about 17 Troops of Horse the Enemy 12000 Foot and 1500 Horse and a brave Artillery 12 Brass Guns and we but 3 Iron guns we fought them and totally routed them the Earl of Stamford Commanding them and Chidly his Lieutenant General whom we took Prisoner and all their Artillery the Fight beginning about three in the Morning and continued till three in the Afternoon they having another great body of Horse at Bodnam which likewise the next day we routed and dispersed and having at last neither Powder nor Shot left but Resolution and clubs of Musquets to fight them we went to Prayers that Morning before we fought them and that strengthned our Forces and Armed our Soldiers with undaunted Resolution in a word no courage like a Christian courage But it will be objected that Jeptha had in his Camp vain men there gathered to David men in distress in debt discontented ye and wicked men sons of Belial who fought with courage recovered their losses and slew the Amalekites It is very true but these were some only amongst the rest the Commanders themselves and others among them were well given again they had such persons as pleas'd to come to them in their distresses buâ— they did not hire such as Abimelâ—â—k 〈◊〉 vain men and light men Jud. 9 4. A Company fit for such a Captain Authority that may Press may find fitter men for their Service in a good cause if they look to prosper than Rogues Loyterers Swearers debauch'd persons Goal-birds Scuif and scumm of a people held unworthy to live amongst honest men very Ouâ— casts of Parishes not to be admitted indeed unto the honour of being a Soldier but some will perhaps say that out of these Routs of Out-casts some have proved very serviceable also so may unclean Livers prophane Swearers and Cup Captains have shewed great courage in wars and it s known that Heathen men Julius Caesar Alexander Hector Achilles Themistocles Epaminondas Pyrrhus and infinite others have been vaâ—â—ant Soldiers for these latter though Heathens yet moral vertiles have been commended in them and according to their Pagan Proâ—eâ—â—ion they were Religious asking counsel of their gods without which they would not go to war and they hearkned to their Priests Devines Southsayers Astrologers Chaldeans and such as was Revealers as they thought of the will of their gods but for the Rout of Out-casts it may 〈◊〉 some very â—ew have been serviceable but whaâ— have all the rest been an heathen
of much Gameing a thing that was not in use in God's Host and good it weâ— that it were less in use in our Camp for God is dishonoured by Swearing monys wasted and many evils happen thereupon I have heard that the Spaniard in time of Service doth banish unlawful games in the Seige of Poytiers the Admiral caused a certain Ensign to be hanged for playing at cards while his company did watch in some peril many Exercises should be appointed them and such as can Read to get Histories of War and other good books to read and discourse thereof Thus the mind and body will be well imployed it may be some Soldiers would be so well Exercised if there were Commanders like Caesar who read much and did write his own wars or like Pirrhus the famous Martialist in his time who wrote many books and as Hanibal in whose Tents were found many books which he studied brave generous spirits should be delighted in either to read or hear read the Acts of valiant Warriers and scorn base Play and childiâ—h games 5. Is Cowardliness and flying out of the Host to the Enemy Cowardliness when a Soldier dare not for fear perform his charge Cowards God sent out of his Camp when he sent his to war and so did Maccabeus Appius Claudius did behead those Soldiers that throwing down their Arms fled from their Enemies Licurgus made a Law amongst the Spartans That no man should return home that turned his back upon his Enemy Caesar put certain Ensigns from their places because they lost their ground in an Encounter with Pompey at Dirrbachium The Coward doth not only help the Enemy but dishartens his friends The Lacedemonian women would deliver Shields to their Sons exhorting them to war either to bring them again or to dye valiently there was among them Damatria who hearing that her son had not fought like a Lacedemonian when he came slew him so much did women there detest a cowardly spirit flying away out of the Host to the Enemy is worthy severe punishment such base and treacherous spirits amongst all the Soldiers in Israel I never read of the Romans punished such with death Caius Matienus coming but home from the Army in Spain without leave was beaten under a Gibbeâ— and sold for one piece of money to signify the base esteem of such a Fugitive 6. And last is Murder Theft Filching Rapine Robery and Sacriledge the killing of one another God gave a very strict charge against it Joab the General being guilty must dye for it even at the Alâ—ar 1 Kings 2.30.31 Captains may not like rash-braind and bloody men disorderly kill Soldiers he that shall do so among the Spaniards I have read dieth for it Qâ—arrels and Challenges thereupon with acceptances have been the loss of many lives unworthily hereby Princes lose their Subjects the Army weakned and the Enemy thereby advantaged Soldiers lives should be pretious one to another their blood should be spilt in the Publicâ— cause against the Enemy not in private quaâ—rels no if a man put the lye upon another Jehu a right valiant Captain marâ—hing â—uriously did not quarrel with the Captains in his Company when they said it was false which he spoke so putting the lye upon him Jeremiah said it was false which was a lye to a Captain of the Ward Gedeliah put the lye upon Johanan a Captain a high and proud spirited man and valiant too yet none of these offerd to any the stab nor did beast-like more than man-like rush upon one another and kill-one the other these quarrelsome fellows are not ever the best men drunkenness whoâ—eing swearing and no doubt forswearing are no marks of disgrace o them but the tearm Lye I must confess is a â—râ—voking word and cowards will use it to provoke a patient yet a good spirited man and found so when they try him or before the face of an Enemy away wiâ—h these delusions of Sathan you that are truly valiant and right Christian Souldiers suffer not your selves to be transported with this conceited disgrace to seek Revenge and so be guilty of blood a crying sin before God Now for Theft also God punisheth Acans theft yet these are too common with Soldiers for many base fellows fitter for the Jayl ye the Gallows than the wars are no sooner enterd into Service but are bold to lay hands upon other mens goods which they carry away with many a bitter curse the curse is upon the thief and the swearer who also bringeth a curse upon others as Achan did that one thief caused the overthrow of the Army what evil then will a multitude of thieves do in an Host Aurelianus the Emperor would not suffer his Soldiers to take a Pullet or chicken from countrey people his friends Tiberius made one of his guard to be put to death for taking a Peacock out of a mans yard Tamberlain caused a Soldier to be slain for taking a poor womans milk and some cheese and not paying for it Pescenius Niger would have put to death divers Soldiers met together â—easting themselves with that they had stollen but through intreaty their lives was saved yet they were punished and their punishment was to lye in Tents during the war without fire to live only with bread and water and to make restitution to the Husbandmen and the reason given to this severity because such acts did tend to Rebellion Aurelius writes an Epistle to Soldiers to keep their hands from other mens goods but theft is not only to be restrained in Soldiers but also in Captains and Officers which they may many waâ—es commit by robbing poor Soldiers of their pay Caesar was severe against this villany so as two of his Captains of horse Roscillus and Aegus having defrauded Souldiers of their Pay fled to the Enemy as soon as they heard that Caesar had notice of it it s an indelible base character of infamy saith one to defraud a poor Soldier of his due Likewise in taking from a Soldier his weapon or horse Theophilus the Emperour of the East banished a Commander out of in s Dominion for taking a Soldiers horse per force from him for want whereof he was afterwards stain in battel and withal bestowed the Commanders possession upon the Soldiers widdow albeit that Captain had bestowed the horse upon the Emperour himself unwitting to him till the widdow claim'd him as the Emperor rode on him Of Captains abusing poor soldiers read Sr. Tobiâ—s Smiths Epistle to the Nobility of England as Captains and Officers may not wrong soldiers so soldiers may not rob one another Modestina judg'd him worthy of death that stole his fellows 〈◊〉 besides great care must be had that soldiers do no spoyl nor rob such by whom they are permitted to pass by peaceably nor such as be Victuallers of the Camp such must be suffered to go and come very securely the Army of the Prince of Aurange besieging Florence had like to have been famished through the
disorder only of three or four soldiers which rob'd the Merchants and Victualleâ—s which came and went from the Camp but those were hang'd and then plenty was brought in the punishing of this sin in Tamberlains Camp made his mighty Army of many hundred thousands for to be plentifully served These are those sinful evils which principally in an Army are to be suppressed and punished for by suppressing disorders God is honoured the Army strengthned the Enemy dishartned neighbours and friends secure and incouraged to abide constant but where sin doth reign and disorders suffered there all things fall out clean contrary misery and want will follow to their ruine and overthrow God will be against them and friends will abandon them as unworthy of aid CHAP. VI. Directions and Instructions for the Discipline of Foot Soldiers Six chief things a Soldier ought to be instructed in when he first enters himself to be under Command FIrst to make choice of a civil comrade and an able Soldier if he can that he may instruct him to handle his Arms. 2. to keep his Arms clean and fixt 3. To keep his Arms by him in a reddiness if sudden occasion should happen to be called to them 4. To behave himself civilly in his Quarters and to be in them in due time and not to be out after the Taptow is beat 5. To keep himself clean in his linnen and clothes 6. And Lastly to give respect to his superiour and inferiour Officers and not to dispute their commands and to be civil to the Corporal of your Squadron that he may teach you at leisure times to handle your Arms compleatly Now there is six necessary motions and postures belongs to the Exercise of a foot Company 1. Orders 2. Faceings 3. Doublings 4. Countermarchings 5. Wheelings 6. Firings There is six Orders 1. The Closest Order which is not a Foot between Files it is only necessary for a Stand of Pikes to keep off the Horse from entring a Port or Auenew Piles at this closest and the Ranks at Order or closest Order which is 3 Foot or a Foot and half in this posture they may keep off a party of Horse 2. Is Close Order which is a foot and half this is necessary when Pikes and shot are interlin'd to charge horse when they have fired to fall off to the Right and Left from their Center the Pikes Ported while they fall off a close Order is fit for Firings and Wheelings 3. Is Order that is three foot which is a fit distance between File and File either Marching or in the Field 4. Open Order which is six foot that is commonly between Rank and Rank either marching or in the Field but in a March between Open Order and Distance which may be about nine foot is very convenient for Pikes when they march in a Body by themselves if the Officer thinks fit 5. Is Distance which is twelve Foot which is a very fit space in time of Service to run up Field pieces opening from the center to the Right and Left either in the Flanks of Musqueteers or in the Body of Pikes and when they have fired to run them back in the Reer and the Files to close again as they were 6. Is Double Distance which is twenty four foot this may be used when any great person is coming to view the Company to make a guard for Ranks to open backwards to double Distance or what distance the Officer sees fit according to the fulness of his Company then for half Ranks double your Right and Left hand Files from your center every man upon the Right from the center fall behind his right hand man and so doubles the Right I and File so every man upon the Left from the center doth the like so you make but two files but when you make your guard you face to the Right and Left inwards and make two Ranks no other word for Reducing but Files Rank off as you were Now take notice these Orders or Distances are to be observed as your Officers gives the Word of Command either for Ranks or Files for Ranks o open backwards or advance forward or Files to open from the Right or from the Left or from the Right and Left as your Officer pleases to Exercise only observe your word of Command when your Officer gives it and not mistake Ranks for Files Now your File-leaders your Bringers up and your Right and Left hand Files must be sure to know their Distances for the File-leaders and the Right hand File guides the whole body so doth the Bringers up and Left-hand File when they face about the Rear is made the Front for a Souldier hath but two men to observe in Marching Opening Closing and Countermarching that is his Right hand man and his File-leader File-leaders are to take their distance from the Right hand man or from the Left if Commanded now to keep an even Rank let every man be sure to keep his right hee ll even with his Right-hand mans left hee ll and Files every man to keep right behind his Leader upon Service he will find it a good security one man standing amiss spoyls either Rank or File which is the credit of a Company either Marching or in the Field so much for the first fow Orders 2. Now your second is Facings which I have brought into six which are necessary and serviceable 1. FAcing either Right or Left as occasion serves 2. Facing to the Reer 3. Facing to Front and Reer 4. Facing to the Right and Left from your center 5. Facing to the Right and Left inward to your center 6. Facing to either Angles or to all your Angles Now let Soldiers observe in all their Facings to turn upon the right hee ll and then they shall keep their Ranks and Files even Five of these Facings are necessary for fâ—â—ings but facing to the right and left inward to your center The word of Command is March and intercharge ground then your Body of Pikes are Hanks and your Musqueteers are in the body which may charge the Horse if the Horse should Flank them and if you have a good stand of Pikes you may interline Musqueteers and Pikes The word of Command is Pikes face to your Right and Left inwards Musqueteers face to your Right and Left outwards from your center then March when your Pikes and Musqueteers are joyn'd face to your Leader then you you have a Rank of Musqueteers and a Rank of Pikes then Ranks to the Right or left hand double take notice this must be it your stand of Pikes be equal with your Musqueteers if not let the odd Files of Musqueteers that are over above be in the Flanks 3. Is Doublings 1. DOubling Ranks either to the Right or Left 2. Doubling Files either Right or Left 3. Half Files double your Front 4. Bringers up double your Front 5. Half Ranks of the Left face to the Right March and double your right half Ranks face
to your Leader then face to the Left Reduce them So likewise half Ranks of the Right face to the Left March and double your Left half Ranks face to your Leader face to the Right and reduce them Directions RAnks Doubling every even Rank 1 doubles the 2 the 4 and the 6 movers if you be never so deep if you face about them that moâ—ed before stands and they that stood double if you double to the Right then move with your right foot first to the right hand of your Leader at 3 steps or motions as you were fall off with your left foot first and at three motions it brings you in your right ground again Likewise if you double to the Left you step with the left foot first and fall back with your right Now for Files you that are File-Leaders tell from your right hand File whether you are even or odd if even you must double to the Right if commanded move we with your right foot and at three motions fall behind your right hand man as you were advance up with your left foot first in your place again Now if you be an odd File from the right hand you must double to the lefâ— with your left foot fall beind your left hand man and with your right foot adâ—ance in your place again when commanded take notice that the File-leaders and tight hand File guides Ranks and Files for the Ranks move not till their right hand man moves nor the Files till the File-Leader moves when you double rank or file move altogether not before your right hand men and File-Leaders Now for your half Files doubling your Front the half Files is the 4. Ranks if you be six deep if you double to the Right you March up of the right hand of your Leaders keeping your distance then facing about to the left you March and fall into your places so if to the left you March on the left hand of your Leaders you face about to the right and fall into your places Now Bringers up to the Right or Left hand double your Front you move with that foot first as the word of Command is the Bringers up Marches passeth the 5th Rank then they March falls into the second Rank next the Front and the half files in the third Rank reducing face about on the contrary hand march and fall into your places Now the six doubling is Half Files face to your right and left from your center the center is the midst of your files if you be even files if not you cannot Exercise handsomly if you be twelve files you face six to the right and six to the left the word of Command is as I take it March clear your Body and double your Front to the right and left intire this posture drawing up at the brink of a hill you may seem three Bodies being three stands of Pikes now you may be reduced two wayes face about clear your Body face to the right and left inwards March joyn and face to your Leader 2. Reducement Half Files face to your right and left inwards March and double your Front half files then face to your Leader then face about March and take your places 4. Is Countermarches There is but three Countermarches Gaining Maintaining and Losing ground in your Coun-Marches your Files to be at your Open Order your Musquets Poys'd and your Pikes advanc'd 1. Gaining ground to your right hand advance three steps face about to your right March easily observing your right hand men which was your left hand men before let your Serjeant be in the Rear and shew them their ground where they shall stand face to your Leader then the Front is the Rear and the Rear the Front then countermarch them to the left then they have gain'd six steps of ground in the Front 2. Maintaining ground they step one step and fall off either to the Right or Left 3. Losing ground every man falls off the ground he stands on and follows his Leader so you lose your whole ground Countermarches Maintaining and Losing are very necessary for quick firing they all make ready then they fire and countermarch off very quick countermarch losing upon a Retreat is good Service they Fire and every man falls of upon the ground he stands on upon a countermarch you may make your half files your Rear and your Front half File the Front thus Halâ— Files to your Right hand about then to the righâ— and left hand countermarch your Front Half Files countermarch to the Right and your Reaâ— to the Left then to your Leader Reduce Froâ— and Rear half Files to your Right and Left countermarch then your Front half Files to yoâ— Left and your Rear to the Right they have 〈◊〉 same ground and the same places facing to 〈◊〉 Leader then Half Ranks countermarching faâ— to your Right and Left from your center thâ— countermarch to the Right and Left outward then your Pikes are Flanks and your flanks the Body to your Leader Reduc't Face to your Right and left from your center then countermarch to your Right and Left inwards to your Leader 5. Is Wheelings 1. Wheeling to the Right 2. Wheeling to the Lefâ— 3. Wheele to the Right hand about 4. To the Left hand about 5. Wheel to the Right and Left inwards to your center 6. Wheell is face about Then Wheell to the right and left inwards to the center Directions YOu must close your Files to your close Order and Ranks to their Order slope your Musquets and advance your Pikes if you wheel to the Right your Right hand man stands still only â—s a hinge moves as the Body comes about upon is right hee ll and the Left hand man moves the Body and must observe a distance in the ground â—hat he may neither close nor open his Files in â—heelings now the Fâ—e-leaders must observe â—eir Left hand men in wheeling to the Right and â—e Right in wheeling to the Left and if Fileâ—eaders observe their distance in their Files the Left hand men must move fastest it will ask Officers great care to teach them to wheell handsomely which is a very necessary and commendable motion if well done either to the Right or Left or Right hand about or Left hand about the Right hand men and Left hand men in the Front beâ—ng the chief guides in their wheelings it is necessary in gaining the wind of an Enemy or in altring your Pikes and Musqueteers either to the Front or Rear or to your Flanks As for Example Wheell to your Right and left inwards to your center then your Musqueteers are in the Front and your Pikes in the Rear when you have wheel'd facing to your Leader Reducing wheell to your Right and Left outwards from your center so to the Rear face about and wheell to the Right and Left inwards to the center then your Pikes are in the Front and your Musqueteers are in the Rear Reduce them as before Then Half
Files face about wheell Front and Rear half Files to the Right and left inwards to your center then your Musqueteers are in Front and Reer and your Pikes in the midst of the Body much more may be done with Wheeling but I shall leave it to those whose often Exercising hath learn'd what I have forgot for want of imployment 6. Is Firings 1. Front 2. Reer 3. Right Flank 4. Left Flank 5. Front and Reer 6. Both Flanks According as the Enemy chargeth them Firing to the Front FIrst two Ranks make ready First Rank advanceth six paces when he Presents the second Rank Marches up ready to Present against the first hath fired when they have fired they fall off to the Right and Left in the Reer loading again as fast as they can this Firing is proper Marching towards the Enemy but when they approach nearer the Enemy then All make ready the two first Ranks advanceth 3 paces Presents Fires falls off the first Rank stooping the next standing The third firing is three Ranks advanceth first kneeling 2 stooping the 3 standing The first and second fires the third presents if commanded fires This posture of firing is most commonly fired by Divisions the Divisions that fires stands still and make ready again while others advanceth and Fires There is another firing advancing upon the Enemy and very necessary interlin'd with Pikes charging they all make ready the first Rank Fires Stands makes ready again the second Rank advanceth before them the third be fore them so advanceth still as long as your Officers sees advantage the Pikes still advancing with them I need not give any Directions for the Reer or Flanks firing the Reer firing is for a Retreat and the Flanks is either for advancing or Retreating Now I shall only give you my opinion concerning the Postures of Pike and Musquet which is the shortest and speediest way to make young Soldiers fit for present Service For the Pikes I have reduc't into six 1. Is Order your Pike 2. Advance 3. Shoulder 4. Port. 5. Comport 6. Cheek Trail which is very little difference only removing the hand For your Order it is a fit posture for a Centry in the day time to be set at any Carriages belonging to the Magazeen or Artilery and when you stand to your Arms in the Field for your advance it is a fit Posture to Troop home your Colours to fetch your Colours when you wheell or countermarch or when you are interlin'd with Musqueteers to be ready to Port or Charge Shoulder is for a March. Port is only when you enter a gate or Porâ— that you may be ready to Charge if you were opposed by Horse Comport is necessary when you March up Hill Cheek is a fit Centry posture in the night Trayl is only fit for your Marching throw a a cops or wood in the night every man to take hold of his Leaders butt end of his Pike and joyn it with his Spear end March easily your Files Marcheth out compleatly as they enter in Now you may charge from all these postures but never us'd upon Service nor necessary only 3 which is from your shoulder Advance and port there is two Postures more Charging to the Horse and your Funeral posture The First from your Order to your inside Order that is your Butt end of your Pike in the inside your right foot your left hand holding your Pike with your right hand draw your Sword over your left arm bending with your right knee keeping firm your Pike with your â—oot charging to the brest of the Horse you may face and charge any way turning on your right hee ll when you have done charging Order your Pikes lock your Pike with your right legg and â—…eath your Sword 2. Your Funeral Posture you only ground our Pikes to the left hand of your Leaders and â—…ce to the Left hand about so Trail take notice 〈◊〉 your Funeral posture the Rear and youngest Officer Leads the less you are Exercis'd with it â—he better it is for your Company Six chief and necessary Postures of the Musquet 1. ORder which is answerable to Pikes Order the Butt end close to your right foot with your Lock outwards your right hand up to your Muzzâ—l end but not over your Muzzel and your left hand akembow by your side having no Rest which is a graceful posture 2. Poyse which is answerable to your advance of Pike your right hand close under the Pan and your thumb up the side of your Pan. 3. Shoulder which is answerable to Pikes being ready for a March. 4. Joyn your left hand holding your Musquet by the stock the Barrel upwards under your Loâ—k at a Ballance yet your Muzzel mounted your right hand imployed either to your center posture or guarding your Pan when you stand made ready or Marching under a Gate or Port. Present a compleat posture if you stand well with a full body your Musquet breech close to your right shoulder holding your elbow up your left foot standing a little further than the right your heels bending something inwards and your toes a little outward leaning your shoulder a little forwards close to your Musquet your face upright not bending to the Lock of your Musquet as if you were aiming at a mark 6. Firing brest high or something lower Now when you are commanded to load your Musquets either from your Order or shoulder 1. Joyn or ballance your Musquet 2. Open your Pan and clear it with your Thumb or a little scut or Furr which your neaâ— Soldiers will have hang at their Bandeleers which will clear better than your thumb 3. Prime your Pan handle your Primer with your two forefingers and your thumb so Prime over the breech of your Pan 4. Shut your Pan east about in your casting about shake off your loose corns of Powder that is on the â—iâ—er of your Pan for in trying your match it may do a mischief in casting about step forwards with your right leg holding your Musquet in your lâ—ft hand with your barrel downwards 5. Charge and load wiâ—h bullet open your Bandeleers with your teeth charge with Powder draw forth your scourer shorten it to an inch take the bullet out of your mouth ram down your bullet recover your scourer shortning him upon your brest to a handful or more and hold so with your fingers that you endanger not your hand over the Muzzle if he should fire by chance being hot in Service some sparks may lye in the breech of him when you have Loaded 6. Recover and Poys casting back your right foot then you are ready eâ—her to Order or shoulder as your Officer thinks fit When you are commanded to make ready First is Joyn or ballance again 2. Draw forth your Match blow your Coal 3. Cock and fit your Match 4. Guard your Pan with your two fingers over your Pan. 5. Present when you present blow your Coal again 6. Fire There is Six good Instructions for Soldiers to Observe for Firing well 1. To keep good Priming Powder 2. To keep a good Coal in your Match 3. To try and make fit your Match that youâ— Coal may rather bruise at the breech of your Paâ— than Cock too short 4. Carry your Arms fair when you stand made ready for fear your Peice going off yoâ— may offend your Leader 5. When you Present blow your Match anâ— Present breast high rather lower bend your presenting a little towards the left if you be on thâ— right Division if the left bend a little toward the Right for firing foreright your shot maâ— go thorow the Files which thus levelling a little a cross your shot must do execution in the body and specially if you be near your Enemy 6. When you Fire draw your Tricker but once if he fires not fall off and mount your Piece going off if he should fire he might do no harm to your Leader I shall not presume to give instructions to any Officers what their duties is only these six properties they ought to be endowed with 1. Courage 2. Policy 3. Patience 4. Humility 5. Mercy 6. Charity Courage and Policy are good Companions in the Field before the face of an Enemy Patience and Humility will gain the love of Soldiers and all others Patience will Teach and Discipline a Company sooner than any hasty or passionate words or blows can do When you give the word of Command give them time and shew them how it should be done if they be young Soldiers if old Soldiers and neglectful then ought some severity to be used Mercifulness in not too severely punishing if they be not common offenders Charitableness In taking care of them in their sickness or lying wounded when their Pay cannot maintain them or if they are taken Prisoners to get them Exchanged or send them Relief if you can These things will make your Soldiers stick to you in time of Service and venture their lives if they see you ingaged to fetch you off Gentlemen or Fellow Soldiers I have sent this Old English Officer amongst you how he will be intertaind I know not I hope some will respect him for his Loyalty though by some others slighted for his Indigency he looks for no entertainment of Self-conceited Time-servers and self-ended men for they disdain Loyalty if clothed with Poverty God and a Souldier they alike adore Just at the brink of danger not before The danger past they are both alike required God is forgot and the Soldier slighted Learning and Arts by most these days we see Are Honour'd and Respected when they Ageâ— be VVhy should Old Soldiers then be slighted when they have gain'd Experience in the Field and Honour have obtain'd Incouragement will make us young being try'd it might appear For in midst of dangers we are too Old to fear Lisenced Octo. 22. R. L'Estrange FINIS