to take some Sentinell or some disbanded souldier in some of the houses thereabout And because it well may fall out that after the taking of some prisoner the troop shall be charged by the enemie the Chief which must be valiant d How abundant Antiquitâ—e was in stratagems all their histories testifie Frontine a man of consular dignitie among the Romanes hath written foure books of stratagems being collected out of divers authors Greek and Romane and yet many by him let slip as himself acknowledgeth in praefatione ad lib. 1. also Polianus In stratagems Hannibal is said to have excelled and abundant in resolutions and inventions of stratagems to make his retreat by some woodie place shall send or first there leave them foure of his best and best mounted souldiers with a Trumpet with order that when they see the troop coming charged by the enemie they shew themselves the trumpet sounding For it being an usuall thing in militarie courses to go and observe who they be which appear the enemie by this means makes Alto or a stand for fear of some embuscado which gives leisure to the troop to advance their retreat and the said foure souldiers may make their retreat either severally or together safe enough by reason of their good horses If the enemie be likely to come from divers parts the like number would be sent to each suspected place These should be sent before with the Quartermasters which go to make the quarters that so they might have two or three houres refreshment before they go to take intelligence If the armie be lodged in a very suspicious place after the first troop so sent out a second shall be sent but neither of them knowing of each others sending out If the armie be to march the next day the chiefs of the said troops must know towards what place the march is intended CHAP. III. Of the order of Marching THe Commissarie Generall grounding himself upon good informations is to give the orders in writing for the manner of marching as well of the souldiers as the baggage Every Captain is to receive his written directions overnight that so the signe given he may appear at the Rendez-vous in such rank and place as shall be commanded him a Epoi lodata consuetudine il dividar â—li esserciti in tâ—e squadroni cioè vanguardia Battoglia retroguardia che ogni gioâ—ngto si venga mutando Cataneo di fort cap. 8. Alternis dichus altera legio alterum coâ—nu praecedunt eadémque rursus sequuntur mutantes semper ordinem ut alternatim primi incedant Polyb. Every armie is divided into three parts The vanguard battel and rear That part of the armie which is most exposed to the enemie and that most usually is the front should be the best and therefore all chiefs desire the vanguard The manner therefore is for generall satisfaction that they which this day had the van to morrow have the rear and they which had the rear the battel So changing alternatively except the Lord Generalls guard consisting of two troops as Melzo hath it or the Generalls regiment according to C. Bingham which hath alwayes the vanguard And if the enemie should change place and from your front become to be upon your rear whereby the rear as most dangerous becomes most honourable that Captain which to day hath led the battaillon to morrow in stead of the vanguard may challenge the rear The scouts alter their course also and attend the enemies proceedings on the rear If occasion be in time of march to send out one or more troops for some service they are to observe the same orders But the armie being come to their quarter and occasion being to send out b When all or a good part of the horse are employed in some exploit without Infanterie it is called a Cavalcado Such was that when the States men surprised the castle of Crapoel in Limburg c. Meteren lib. 23. all or part of the Cavallrie upon some exploit that troop which first appeareth at the place of Rendez-vous shall be appointed by the Commissarie Generall who is to be there to the first place the second to the second place If two troops come together at the same instant they shall cast lots By this means every man desiring honour they will be the readier to appear in due time The same course shall be taken when the troops are to be sent upon some embuscado convoy or the like If the march be but of one day he which commandeth shall appoint the best experienced and ablest to lead c Others hold it much better to observe the same order in the dismarch which was used in the march so that companie which went out first comes in first who is to be in the rear returning back to the quarter And these may have private order to be at the place of Rendezvous sooner then the rest to avoid jealousies The vanguard battaillon and rear must be divided from each other 300 paces CHAP. IIII. Of Scouts or Discoverers TO be secured from unexpected assaults of the enemie neither the armie nor the Cavallrie alone no not a companie must march without a These the Romanes called exploratores or speculatores See Veg. lib. 3. cap. 22. Nè secreta noceant ducis praestat industria quem â—mnia prâ—â—s convenit explorare Idem lib. 3. c. 6. discoverers which must be sent out not onely by the direct way where the enemie is like to come or you are to march but to scoure all the by-wayes on either side And sometime the first discoverers are seconded by a second companie to secure the march They that shall be employed in this service must be choice men valiant vigilant and discreet such as neither fear nor misconceit can easily distract They must see that with their own eyes which they inform the least errour of theirs misleading the whole bodie Those select men appointed for this service are to be b P. Considiâ—â— qui rei miliaâ—â— peritissimus habebatur in exerciui L. Sylla postea in M. Crassi fuerat cum exploratoribus praiâ—tâ—itur Câ—es Comment lib. 1. cap. 5. led by an able officer it being a task so difficult that many have lost that reputation by it which they had been long in gaining of This officer shall send word of what he discovereth and what he seeth not himself he is to signifie it as so reported to him and having seen it then to certifie it as for certain CHAP. V. Of the order of marching by day THe a Omni curâ omnÃque diligentiâ providere debei dux nè proficiscens pâ—â—tiatur meursum vel si non facilè at sine damno â—â—pellâ—t illâ—um Veg. ibid. march must be so ordered as the companies may readily from that order be brought into a good form of battel upon occasion of a sudden charge The Cavallrie supposed to consist of 40 troops and the
descry them the other shall go and tell the Corporall who sending word to the Corps-du-guard shall advance at large sending out two horses to take knowledge of the said Cavallry If there be some high tree near the place where the said Corporall stood he may thereon place a Sentinell and save the sending out of the said two Sentinels These horse shall be changed or relieved twice a day by those which have the guard If the enemy charge them they are to retreat to the said entrance and there to entertain the enemy till they of the guard can be ready upon the former notice given them and come to second them If all the Cavallry go to oppose the enemy the Captain of the guard shall have the vanguard If more companies then one be employed for guard that company shall have it near which the alarm was given Sometime it so happeneth as that the troops come to their quarter in the night and in ill weather so as the advenues cannot be observed nor fitting places for the guards nor Sentinels Then the Commissary Generall or the Generall himself is to go and appoint them as he shall judge most convenient appointing to every company ten souldiers of guard more or lesse as need shall require and commanding all to be in readinesse giving order to the Corps-du-guard as the onely remedy that if the enemy assail the quarter they go resolutely and charge him which besides the honour and reputation so gotten oftentimes proveth c Audaces fortis na juvas fortunate Some use to keep their souldiers awake to sound the boute-selle at midnight as if the enemy were at hand but that might prove more dangerous then profitable for after the first time it maketh the souldiers secure and carelesse Better it is that after two or three houres refreshing in such cases the companies be caused to go out into the champain every d Si sint iâ—tae cautelae nihil nocturni aut diurni superventus hostium nocere possunt Veg. lib. 3. cap. 10 souldier taking with him some oats and other refreshments placing the Corps-du-guards as shall be thought fit and not giving eare to the murmuring of the souldiers But if the weather be rainy and tempestuous such as that they must be under shelter every officer by certain houres shall divide the night and go from house to house knocking and calling to the souldiers causing them to saddle their horses A while after him another is to enter the houses and see every souldier armed and ready to mount punishing those that are sluggish The Quartermasters shall also by turns visit the quarters and guards The Chief himself is also to visit the souldiers calling to one and to another with a loud voice to make them the more attentive CHAP. VII Of the Sentinels SEeing a The Romanes manner of setting out of Sentinels and all that belongeth to the watch Vegetius sheweth lib. 3. cap. 8. that they of the guard cannot be alwayes on horse-back nor discover the enemy afarre off to prevent a sudden surprise Sentinels have been invented which every Corps-du-guard setteth out of those souldiers which have the guard These are usually placed b Nâ—cessariis locis ac temporibus non modò simplices verùm etiam duplices vigiliae constituendae sunt ut si quid alteram latâ—at ambarlatere non possit Leo Tact. cap. 14. 31. double that while one goeth to certifie the Chief of the Corps-du-guard what he hath heard or seen the other stayeth to observe new accidents which might happen They are placed where most high-wayes joyn to possesse all the advenues if they exceed not three hundred paces distance Nearer to the Corps du-guard there useth to be placed a single Sentinell to observe the motions of the other double Between these another single Sentinell sometime is placed when the double are somewhat further off to possesse some crosse way or when for some other hinderance they are not in view of him which may have both them and the nearest single Sentinell in view So that every Sentinell must know that he is onely placed there to certifie the Corps-du-guard of all occurrences so as though he were provoked by any advantageous occasion he must not stirre a foot or else he committeth a c That souldier which by day or night shall remove from the place where he was placed Sentinell by his Corporall before he be by him called away or relieved shall be punished with death without favour Edict art 28. Poena mortis apud Romanos illi qui locum deseruisset aut omnino fugesset exstatione Polyb. lib. 1. capitall crime While the one is gone to relate his observation to the Corps-du-guard if the second be forced by the enemie he shall by little and little retreat to the said Corps-du-guard No Sentinell must alight from his horse unlesse for naturall necessitie and then but one at once In the day time the Sentinells are to be placed on high places to discover the further but not on the high-wayes lest they be surprised by forragers or others of the enemie pretending to be friends he shall therefore keep a stones cast out of the high-way suffering none to accost him In the night if it may be they shall be placed in valleys because from thence one seeth best what cometh from the higher ground They shall suffer no person whosoever he be to enter or go out of the quarter but causing him to stand at 30 or 40 paces distance from them the one shall go and certifie his officer who d Since the Prince of Parma's time the Sentinells have not been trusted with the word by reason of a miscarriage at the siege at Tournay which the States men relieved by wresting the word from a Sentinell having the watch-word shall go and take notice of him and know his businesse in that place and at that time The Sentinells are to be changed or relieved after this manner The e The Romanes divided their night and so the day into foure watches every watch containing three artificiall houres which were unequall and planetary The first night watch ever begun at sunsetting the second continued untill midnight the rest accordingly Every Sentinell watched three houres and then was relieved In quatuor partes ad clepsydram sunt divisae vigiliae ut non amplius quà m tribus horis nosturnis necesse sit vigilare Atisbionâ—â— omnes vigilia commituntur finius horis à cornicme revocantur Veg. lib. 3. cap. 8. houre being come the Lieutenant parteth from the Corps-du-guard with that number of horse which are to stand Sentinell the one half of these he committeth to a Corporall or old expert souldier which goeth with him for the Cornet must not forsake his standard the other moitie he retaineth to himself This division made the Lieutenant with his troop goeth one way the Corporall with his the other encompassing the whole quarter each of them having a trumpet with
Cavallry so as they be not able to stirre without your knowledge It must be also considered that if you go to assail your enemies quarter he may have means to discover your purpose by his scouts or otherwise and so be prepared for you therefore must you have a care to be provided for it by taking good order beforehand and securing your g Nam disciplinae bellicae exemplorum periti nusquam majus periculum imminere testantur quà m in recessu ab hostibus Veg. lib. 3. cap 21. retreat by placing a good number of Infantery or Dragoneers in the midway at some convenient place Going about this exploit in the night as the fittest and safest way every souldier must have some token or signe of a h This kind of service is called a Camisado because the souldiers use to put shirts over their arms to be distinguished by So did the Duke of Alva his souldiers Anno 1571. in the night assail the Prince of Orange his quarter donnant une Camisade Petit. lib. 10. white colour on their casks to distinguish each other by It often falleth out that the enemy having got intelligence of some intention to set upon his quarter keepeth extraordinary guards and is very vigilant in the night but in the day time they all go to rest and are carelesse as fearing no danger at which time many have been so found and defeated CHAP. II. Of giving the charge TO know rightly how to charge the enemy is a matter of great consequence If you meet the enemie marching in the day time and he retreat whereupon you resolve to charge him you are first to send a troop of Harquebusiers to charge him on the rear as followeth The Lieutenant shall first give on with 25 horse charging the enemie upon a full trot or gallop him shall the Captain follow with the rest of that troop These are to be seconded by a company of Cuirassiers as fittest to sustain the enemy if he resist But if the way be narrow the said Cuirassiers shall follow immediately after the first 25 Harquebusiers and then the Captain with the rest of them The other troops shall second these keeping alwayes a hundred paces distance between every company If you meet a troop of the enemies horse your self having also but one troop both of equall number and that it so fall out that the enemy retreat you are to send your Lieutenant with twenty horse to charge him in the rear following him with fifty to the same effect closed as firm as may be the rest must follow at a good distance under a good Corporall which shall not engage himself to fight though the enemy turn head unlesse he see his Captain and Lieutenant in great danger and then he shall couragiously charge the enemy to give time to those of his company to reunite themselves a Milites lectissimos habeat Dux postaciem in subsidus praparatos ut sicubi hostis vehemennùs insâ—ilis nè rumpatur acies provolent subitò suppleant loca additâque virtute minticorum audacrant frangant Hâc dispositione nulla melior invenitur Veg. lib. 3. cap. 17. there being nothing more dangerous in combat then to engage the whole troop at once because if they never so little disorder themselves they cannot reassemble unlesse they have fresh men to sustain the enemy Besides the mere sight of a reserve gives a terrour to the enemy which upon occasion may charge him on the flank And if there be but fifty horse in a troop yet some ten or twelve would be left for a reserve If the troop which retreateth be of sixty horse at least fifteen must be sent with the Lieutenant to charge the enemy so as he be constrained to entertain them to give time to the rest that follow to arrive in grosse and united for by your sending of a smaller number they might save themselves without losse by leaving onely some few to make the retreat CHAP. III. Of embuscadoes IT is an ordinary thing in warre to study how to endamage an enemy and to distract his forces to which purpose all possible means must be used especially when the camps lie near each other The Cavallry must principally be employed to travell and molest the enemy sometime by hindering him from his victuall sometime by endamaging his forragers sometime by sending some troops even up to his camp to take some booty by that means a Boni duces no capertomarte in qâ—o est commâ—ne periculum sed ex occulto sempeâ— auemant ut integris suis quantò possunt holles interimant cerie vâ—l terrerat Veg. lib. 3. cap. 9. to draw him forth and to make him fall upon some embuscadoe disposed beforehand in some fitting place To order your embuscadoes or ambushes as they ought you must first know what number of Cavallry the enemy hath if he have fewer horse then you you may employ all yours attempting to draw out all his and to rout them Or else you may employ some small number by which you may at severall times make some good booty the enemy not daring to issue out of his quarter But if the enemy exceed you in horse it is not convenient for you to make embuscadoes unlesse it be with some few horse for being a small number you may easily retreat but being a grosse it might be entertained by part of the enemies Cavallry presently issuing and those seconded by more whereby you should be hardly able to retreat without disorder and losse b Count Philip of Nassaw anno 1595. intending to set upon Mondragons forragers with 600 horse passed the river Lippe to lay an embuscadoe But being discovered by some of the enemies souldiers or betrayed as Meteren hath it lib. 17. was taken unawares and routed himself and Conut Solâ—us wounded to death many others slain and divers taken prisoners The Romanes were enquisite in laying and discovering of ambushes The good successe of an embuscadoe consisteth chiefly in their not being discovered for which cause they are usually appointed to march in the night or being to march a great way to cause them to passe by those places in the night where the enemy might most likely discover them So proportioning the time as that they might arrive at the place appointed for ambush before day that so they may give time to lay their embuscadoe under favour of the night The said troops arriving long before day they are to be kept firm on the plain and Sentinels are to be placed on every side In the mean time you c Qui superventus insidias subsessas passus est culpam suam non potest excusare quia haec evitare potuit per speculatores idoneos ante cognoscere Veg. lib. 3. cap. 22 must diligently search and discover about the place appointed for your embuscadoe lest there should be any ambush of the enemies then being assured for that you are to lay your embuscadoe before the dawning
of the day and to place Sentinels in places convenient where they may be unseen some on trees others couched on the ground to discover such places as they cannot descry from the trees The embuscadoe must not be laid much before break of day because otherwise they cannot discover the approch of the enemy but at hand and so the embuscadoe should have no time to come forth and put themselves in order and being so taken on the sudden d Deprehensa subsessa si circumveniatur ab hoste plus periculi sustinet quà m parabat inferre Ibid. c 6. they might be defeated in their own ambush Besides in that remainder of the night many might be overcome with sleep and not use that vigilance which is required The troops must be placed at good distances one from another that so they intermix not nor hinder each other in time of fight In making the embuscadoe with a grosse of Cavallry some number of Infantery must be laid in ambush about the mid-way to sustain the Cavallry in their retreat if need were or otherwise to assist them upon occasion e With antiquity embuscadoes were very frequent and were to be used by either party Vtrique parti in itinere ad subsessas communis occasio est Nam qui pracedit opportunis vallibus vel sylvosis montibus quasi post se relinquit insidias in quas cum inciderit inimicus recurrit ipse adjuvat suos Qui verò sequitur adversis semitis longè antè destinat expeditos ut praecedentem adversarium atceat transitu decepisum quo à fronte à â—ergo concludat Ibid. cap. 22. In marching some horse must be sent out a good way before by the right way and the by-wayes to discover whether there be no ambush of the enemies And indeed to be the better assured of the good successe of an ambush it should be accompanied with some new and extraordinary invention If the Chief of a frontier garrison will attempt to endammage the enemy by an ambush being inferiour in strength to the enemy he must gather together so many of the troops of his neighbour garrisons untill he be superiour And by making embuscadoes two or three times in this manner it will terrifie the enemy in so much as that it may be conjectured that though afterward he make embuscadoes with fewer horse the enemy will not hazard to come forth and so he may the safelier take booty When the army marcheth there is usually some Cavallry left behind in embuscadoe in some eminent place from whence they may discover farre off by that means to be secured from the enemies Cavallry which usually is sent to charge the rear of the marching army to take some prisoners or to get intelligence But these must not go to their place of ambush by the right way but having passed the place they must return to it by some by way lest the enemy following them discover them by their footing To employ all the Cavallry supposed to be 4000 in fourty troops in embuscadoe three troops must be sent before towards the enemy under an able Commander giving notice onely to him and the Captains where the embuscadoe shall be and letting none of the souldiers know that any more horse are to follow them lest any of them in the enemies charge being taken prisoner should reveal it to the enemy Of these three troops one hundred are to be sent to the enemies camp viz. fifty Cuirassiers with their Captain and Lieutenant and fifty Harquebusiers with their Lieutenant Of these Harquebusiers f Pauei equites pramittuntur valida manus per alia mutâ—tur loca primi ubi ad agmen inimicorum pervenerum equites teniant levites atque discedunt c. tunc illa manus superveniens opprimit ignorantes ibid. 25 shall advance before with a good Corporall attempting to take horses prisoners c. as they shall be able In view of these Harquebusiers at the distance of a canon shot 25 Cuirassiers must make Alto under command of their Lieutenant to receive those 25 Harquebusiers when they return with booty The Captain with the other 25 Cuirassiers and 25 Harquebusiers shall keep behind some half league off divided into two troops the Harquebubusiers being placed nearest the enemy in convenient manner partly to succour the said fifty horse which likely will be charged by the horse of the enemies guards and also to make their retreat wherein the Cuirassiers are of principall use These foure troops must still retreat in fitting distance one from another one of them still turning face to the enemie unlesse the enemy so charge them as they must be forced to flie in disorder The other 200 horse being 150 Cuirassiers and 50 Harquebusiers shall enter the embuscadoe with their Chief about half an houres riding off from the other fifty horse which when they see returning and charged they shall issue out the fifty Harquebusiers first giving a charge rank after rank then the Cuirassiers leaving twenty horse in the rear to make the retreat The grosse which had taken another way lest the enemie should perceive by the footing that there was a greater number and so should stay or turn back must be in ambush about an houres march behind the said 200 horse And seeing them return charged as surely they will the enemie thinking himself the stronger shall suffer them to passe and the enemie also that so they may charge them on the rear when they see their time For better assurance it were good to lead out with them as before was intimated some g C. Cassius in Syria adversuâ— Parthos ducens aciem equitem ostendit à fronte cùm à tergo peditem in confragoso loco occultasset cein cedenie equitatie per notae se recipiente in praeparatat insidias perduxit exercitum Parthorum cecedit Frontin Stratagem 2. lib. cap. 5. 500 musketiers and 300 pikes which must be in ambush about a league behind the grosse of Cavallrie on the way by which the said 300 horse should return charged These foot must take heed they be not discovered untill the enemie be come up to them and then shall give them a full vollie to disorder them Upon this the grosse of Cavallrie now issued out shall charge them on the rear and flanks and then the said 300 horse are to face about and sustain the charge by all which means it is not like that the enemie can escape without much losse According to this proportion a greater or smaller number may be ordered so as if you would make an embuscadoe with 100 horse onely 50 of them must be sent before towards the enemies camp or village where he is quartered Of these fiftie fifteen are to advance before the rest to take some prisoners or horses the other thirtiefive shall be in ambush about half a league behind them in some place if it be possible whence they may see those fifteen but if not then
to place two horse between themselves and those fifteen to give notice when the said fifteen shall return charged Whereupon twentiefive of these thirtiefive shall advance leaving ten of the best mounted at the place to let the enemie see there is a greater number of horse These ten must make good the retreat untill the other fiftie arrive which lay in ambush two leagues behind with Sentinells to discover afarre off towards the other thirtiefive between which about the mid-way two horse were also placed to discover the motions of the first fiftie and thereof to inform these fiftie which were in ambush behind them These seeing the first fiftie return charged shall let them passe and then issue out against the enemie the first fiftie making their retreat by twelve or fifteen of their best mounted horse-men having reunited themselves and taken breath they must make h The word Alto or Alte is used in all languages in Christendome and signifieth to make a stand I cannot guesse whence it should be derived unlesse it should be from the highdutch word halte which is as we say hold and with us is used in the same signification Alto and assist the other as hath been shewed This order is to be observed when you have certain intelligence by your discoverers that the enemie hath no forces thereabout But when you cannot be assured of that left the enemie with a troop of fiftie or sixtie horse casually meeting with some of your said small divisions should defeat them there might be twentie or twentiefive horse first sent out whereof fifteen to advance to take some bootie the other staying about half a league behind in some covert place shewing themselves when those fifteen return charged so to give suspicion to the enemie or to make their retreat The rest might be in ambush altogether some two leagues behind them demeaning themselves as before hath been shewed In i Eil autem optimum instruendi artificium ut plus inferas adversariis copiarum quà m primo aspectu ostendas Aelian cap. 47. grosse ambushes they must make their number seem as small as may be k Sin parvum habeas exercitum plures buccinae sonent ut magnam multitudinem hostium venire arbitrentur Leo Tact. cap. 17. 28. but in small ones they are to make shew of a greater number then they have for which reason all the horse must not go out of the embuscadoe at once but some twelve or fifteen when their number is small must remain at the further part of the wood to favour the retreat of the rest as hath been said and to cause the enemie to think that there is a greater number of them within the wood To this purpose some six horse may be left some league behind the rest a little out of the way but so as they may discover if the rest return charged and then shew themselves at the end of the wood as before is shewed to make the enemie think there is a grosse embuscadoe leaving one horseman further within the wood then the rest and he to give fire when the enemie may perceive or heare him which the enemie may think was done by a mistake CHAP. IV. How to do meeting the enemie marching A Commander marching with one or more troops and chancing to meet the enemie or otherwise having news of him must presently resolve either to offer combat or to retreat or to attend the charge of the enemie and herein he must govern himself according to the intelligence he hath and the convenience of the a Bonum Ducem convenit nosse magnam partem victoria ipsum locum in quo dimicandum est possidere Veg. lib. 3 cap. 13. place To get the more certain intelligence besides his scouts he shall send out a good distance before him a Corporall with ten or twelve souldiers who pretending to be of the enemie if the countrey be at the enemies devotion shall discover and take information c. If you meet the enemie near his own quarter and farre from yours you must resolve with a generous courage to go and b In rebus asperis tenui spe fortissima quaeque consilia tutissima sunt Livius lib. 25. charge him though inferiour in number it being often seen that valiant resolutions are seconded with good luck But being near to your own holds and knowing the enemie to be much stronger then your self it will be prudently done to c Observandum autem est haud par esse sine magna necâ—ssitate ut pauca copie cum magno instructo exercitu dimicent Leo Tact. cap. 12. 36. save your men by the nearest retreat making your retreat in good order and taking heed you spoil not your horses by too much haste but suffer them now and then to gather breath leaving a Lieutenant in the rear with some of the best mounted souldiers The retreat shall be by the same way you went so long as day continues but night being come you must take some other way though the longer to return to your garrison or quarter Thus you shall gain time by turning away from the enemie by the benefit of the night causing the footing of your horses to be defaced at the place where you left the way for it is to be supposed the enemie will follow you by the direct way To deface or put out the footing of the horse if the way be dustie two souldiers are appointed to stay behind all the rest which draw a great bough between them along the ground and so put out the marks of the horses footing Or if there be a great number of horse and the way be broad then foure souldiers with two boughs do it But if the way be soft the Chief commandeth five or six souldiers to alight and with their hands and feet to deface the footings and in such wayes the horse are commanded to march with doubled files and closed for a little space when they turn out of the usuall way that so they may trample the lesse Besides you may avoid the danger of being traced by the horse footings especially in the night by turning out of the way at some house or through some garden breaking the hedge on the further side and going into the way by wayes unthought of by all which means you gain time whilest the enemie is constrained to spend time in discovering of your footing and taking information of the way that you took CHAP. V. How to receive the charge IT hath been shewed how necessarie it is that the Corporall which is sent out with the scouts or discoverers be a very able souldier to know what to do upon occasion of unexpected accidents One or more troops of horse being on their march with their discoverers before them if they shall meet the enemie and perceive him to be the stronger the said Corporall shall presently send a souldier to certifie the grosse that they may retreat himself with
Military Instructions for the CAVALLRIE Or RULES AND DIRECTIONS for the SERVICE OF HORSE Collected out of divers forrein Authours Ancient and Modern And Rectified and supplied according to the present practise of the LOVV-COUNTREY Warres PROV 21.31 The horse is prepared for battell but victory is from the Lord. CAMBRIDGE Printed by ROGER DANIEL Printer to the Universitie 1644. MILITARIE INSTRUCTIONS for the CAVALLRIE According to the Moderne warr's CAMBRIDGE Printed by Roger Daniel printer to the Universitie 1644 And are to be sold by W Hope at the Unicorn in Cornhill near the Royall Exchange TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THOMAS Earl of Arundell and Surrey Earl Marshall of ENGLAND of the most Noble Order of the Garter Knight Lord Lieutenant of His Majesties forces in Norfolk and Norwich and one of His Majesties most Honourable Privy-Councell Right Honourable HAving lately finished this discourse of Cavallry intending it onely for my private use and information it had the fortune to light into the hands of two noble and judicious perusers The one during the short discontinuance from his regiment while it lay in winter garrison hath been courteously pleased to go through it correcting what here and there was amisse supplying some things defective and manifesting his approbation of it with an Imprimatur The other among other things hath chiefly vouchsafed his assistance and directions for the managing of the horse and handling of arms as being a thing principally necessary and that wherein authours have hitherto been defective These considerations together with the commanding request among others of some of your Honours Deputy-Lieutenants not any arrogancie or ambition of mine have prevailed with me in hope of publick good to expose these weak essaies to the publick view of the world Now since the patronizing of a work of Marshall discipline seemeth most properly to belong to the Earl Marshall and that charge wherewith I stand entrusted within your Lordships Lieutenancy obligeth me in duty to consecrate the best of my endeavours to your Honours service May it please your Honour of your innate clemency and favour to Arts to vouchsafe your honourable patronage and protection on these poore labours of his who shall ever in all humility remain Your Honours dutifully devoted servant J. C. TO THE READER OF making many books there is no end said the wise King many ages past Eccles. 12.12 yet for some Arts and faculties I suppose even in this printing age of ours we may complain of scarcitie For among so many Authors ancient and modern which have written of the Art Military is it not strange that hardly any have fully handled that which concerneth the Cavallry Among the ancients Aelian hath somewhat touched upon the manner of ordering the horse among the Grecians and Vegetius where he speaketh of the Romane Cavallrie lightly passeth it over and concludeth in a Lib. 3. c p. 26. these words De equitatu sunt multa praecepta sed cùm haec pars militiae usu exercitii armorum genere equorum nobilitate profecerit ex libris nihil arbitror colligendum cùm praesens doctrina sufficiat Now the reason why they bestowing their chief labour about the Infantery left so little direction for the horse may be either because that both with Grecians and Romanes the b Magis reâ—publicae necessarii pediâ—es qui possant ubique proâ—isse Veg. lib 2. cap. 1. foot were of greatest esteem as that wherein their chief strength consisted and whereon they principally relyed and so the lesse regard was had of the horse or else because the service of horse was not c Eqâ—â—st is Romanorum malitia impofecta fuis unde nostra juâ—â— potâ—oâ— existimâ—â—naâ— est Scipio Amiratus Dissert polit lib. 19. grown to that perfection in those times which it since attained For what great effect could be expected of horse using no d When they were to charge the enemy they used to pull off their bridles T. Liâ— lâ—b 4. bridle and having neither e Lip ad Polyb. lib. 3. 219 220. saddle nor stirrops bearing onely f Polyb. lib. 6. a weak slender pole which the very motion of the horse would shake in pieces and a little round target as the Romanes manner was at first or else a staffe or kind of g Conius lance which they afterward used in imitation of the Grecians with three or foure darts and having no surer stay to counterpoise their forced motion what certainty or violence could they use either in charging or casting their weapons and whereas they usually had of the light armed foot h Cas Com. lib. 1. cap. 17. So did the Germanes of whose light armed foot Caesar reporteth thus Tanâ—a erat hâ—rum ex reitatione celerâ—as ut jubis â—qâ—oâ—um sublevaâ—â— cuâ—sum adaqâ—â—â—ent Com. 1. 10. intermingled among them how could they be so serried together for the shock as to do any great effect in making impressions upon their enemies which surely was the cause they were often commanded i So did the Consul Valerius in the waâ—re against the Sabineâ— l. â—v.l 3. And S Tempanius against the Volsâ—â— Idâ—m lib. 4 and many others to alight and forsaking their horses to fight on foot But for modern Authors there is not the like reason and yet of so many as have written none have treated of rules and instructions for the Cavallry untill lately George Basta Count of the holy Empire and Luys Melzo Knight of Malta wrote their books of Cavallry These works of theirs afford good directions but yet it may be said of them as Aelian saith of those Authors which had written before him k Omnâ—â— fâ—â—è ità â—nanimiter senâ—sâ—â— quasi locere homâ—nes vellâ—nt non ignâ—â—os sâ—d saâ—is eâ—â—â—m rerum pâ—â—os quas explicare statuerent Aelian de instruend ac elâ— cap. 1. That they had so written as if none should read them but such as were already skilfull in the Art Military This defect one Walhausen taketh upon him to supply something he hath done in the motions but for the first rudiments for the handling of arms c. he as all others is silent But these and the like being written in the forrein languages and among so many of our military Pamphlets none treating of Cavallry I have adventured though altogether unfit for such a task to employ some idle houres in the diligent reading and conferring of the said Authors together with such other books and informations as I could obtain out of the Low-countreys and other places for my better satisfaction herein l Lapides ligna ab aliis accipio edificii tamen extâ—uâ—tio formae nostra Nec aramarum sanè textus ideo melior quia ex sefila gignunt nec noster vilior â—uia ex alienis libamus ut apes Lips Polit. endeavouring to extract the marrow and quintessence of their prolixer discourses and to digest them into such a method as I conceived might afford brevity and perspicuity
his scouts also retreating but by differing wayes For suppose the enemie hath received tidings of his contrarie partie it is likely that having discovered the said scouts he will follow them perswading himself that they flie to their grosse by which means the grosse shall have time to save themselves while the enemie is pursuing the said Corporall and his fellows When the enemie is much stronger and the other partie have neither time nor convenience to put themselves into good order the Chief shall call with a loud voice and command every man to a Quintus Sertorius pulsus acie à Quinto Metello pio nè fugam quidem sibi tutam arbitratus milites dispersos abire jussit admonitos in quem locum vellet convenire Frontin Strat. lib. 2. cap. 13. save himself whereupon the souldiers disband into many parts so as the enemie cannot charge them all and so especially in the night many may escape But this course is dangerous and must be commanded with great judgement howsoever in all retreats some of the best mounted must be left behind under a good Commander to make the retreat If passing by or through some village or wood the first discoverers descrie the enemie not being able to discern of what number he is one of them shall presently come and certifie the Corporall which followeth with the other scouts whereof the Corporall instantly certifieth the Chief of the troops who thereupon puts his men in order causing them to put their casks on their heads which otherwise in march they carrie at their saddle or hanging on their left arm and in some convenient place he maketh Alto and resolveth according to the more certain news which the Corporall shall send him Which since it may be such as may b Prince Maurice at the battel of Newport sent the messenger which brought him the news of Count Ernests overthrow away to sea and kept it from the knowledge of his souldiers commanding away all the ships to take away all hope of escape by flight and caused his forces to march through the haven to meet the enemie Meteren lib. 22. discourage the souldiers the Chief perceiving him coming that brings it advanceth towards him with one or two or his discreetest souldiers and receiveth his message in private Having heard his relation he must presently resolve either to retreat or to fight If he resolve to fight the enemie being so strong he must give such orders as shall be fitting especially commanding the troops to go serried close and if there be divers troops that they intermingle not but observe good order for it might so happen that the enemie might charge him c Qui dispersis sui◠inconsuliè insequitur quam ipse acceperat adversario vult dare victoriam Veg. lib. 3. cap. 26. so disorderly as he might make head and endamage the enemie especially if he have not one or more troops of reserve following him well united and in good order CHAP. VI. Of ordering the troops for combat by single companies BEfore we come to shew the severall forms of battel which may be used among the Cavallrie it will be fit to speak of their severall kinds of fighting which they are to be practised in apart by themselves before they be joyned with the grosse If a companie of Lances were to fight against foot they were not to give their charge in an united bodie neither upon this nor any occasion whatsoever because even the second rank of them hardly doth any certain execution but they were to charge them rank after rank wheeling off to the rear to that end keeping large distances between rank and rank The same order they were to observe if they fought against horse upon the offensive For the defensive the companie consisting of 64 as before Part. 1. Chap. 19. might order themselves in this manner Two ranks of eight in rank should face to the front two to either flank and two to the rear leaving an open square space in the middle they all standing back towards back faced every way to receive the charge wheresoever the enemie shall give on The same manner might be used in greater bodies as should seem good to the skilfull Commander If the Lances were to fight against Cuirassiers a Par. 3. rangs de lances luialler gaillardement donner par les stances car par ce moyen ils l'entr ' ouuriront Monsieur de la Noüe Disc 18. they were by two ranks together to setch their careers and so to charge them especially on the flanks and rear every second rank forbearing the shock till the first had done it and was wheeled off If one companie of Cuirassiers be to fight against another your enemie charging you in full career you are to make a b So Walhausen would have it Carracoll that is you divide your bodie by the half ranks and so suddenly open to the right and left so as the enemie passeth through you and you facing inward charge him on the flanks as is shewed in Figure 6. Part. 4. Or if two companies fight against two other then they observe the same manner but keeping each companie entire as may be seen in the same figure It is also to be done by the Carracoll first and then the enemie being within you to wheel to the right and left inward and so to charge him on the rear in full career These forms in Walhausens opinion are of c So the said authour conceiveth but it is very doubtfull For by this opening to the right and left you must turn croop and then make a whole turn again and so give advantage to your enemie It were better therefore to cause three or foure files of each of your wings to advance on the sudden and so to charge the adverse troop on either flank And to equall your enemies front you might cause the half files of your bodie to double your front to the right and left by division All which your troop must be acquainted with beforehand and are to do it in a moment of themselves with all possible dexteritie speciall advantage for the enemie having charged you in full career while you went on upon the trot onely on the sudden opening to the right and left either saith he must run through and effect little or nothing or staying himself in the career d The principall strength of Cuirassiers consisteth in keeping themselves close sertied together for this the Germanes are commended Il faut dire que les Allemans surpassent toutes les autres nations parce qu'il ne semble pas seulement qu'ils soient setrez ains qu'ils soient collez les uns auec les autres De La Noüe Discours 18. disorder his troop and loose the force of his charge as by Figure 7. Part. 4. appeareth The Harquebusiers must be exercised to give fire by ranks The first rank having given fire is to wheel off to the left unlesse the ground
to work about rivers 6  An Assistant to him 3 6 Every Matrosse 1  A Chaplain 4  An Ensigne 5  A Drumme 1 6 A Trumpet 3  A Chirurgeon 4  2 under barber Chirurgeons each 1 6 Master Carpenter 4  2 Mates each 2  24 Carpenters each 1 6 A Master Blacksmith 4  2 Mates each 2 shill pen. 6 Servants under him each 1 6 A Master Wheelwright 3  2 Mates each 2  8 Servants under him each 1 6 A Master Farrier 3  6 Servants being workmen each 1 6 600 Pioners each 1  3 Tent-keepers each 1 6 9 Servants under them each 1  An Armourer 3  4 Servants under him each 2  A Basketmaker for gabions hurdles baskets 2 6 4 Servants each 1 6 A Collar-maker 2 6 4 Servants each 1 6 A Ladle-maker 2 6 2 Servants each 1 6 A Gunsmith 3 6 2 Servants each 2  A Cooper 2 6 4 Servants each 1 6 A Ropemaker 2 6 2 Servants each 1 6 Chap. 19. line 34. for 81. reade 18. Chap. 28. line 30. for uneven reade even Chap. 29. The horseman having spanned his pistol is not to return his spanner to the side of his Case where some would have it for there it is neither sure nor readily returned but is to wear it in a string hanging on his left shoulder by his right side And for lading his Pistols and so for the Carbine I would by no means have him to use his flask but the farre readier way of Cartouches which his Holsters must alwayes be furnished with besides those which he is to have in store Chap. 32. The custome now is to make the horse but three in file for fight so consequently divers of the motions shewed in this Chapter will be uselesse PART III. Chap. 2 Concerning Encamping the Reader may receive more satisfaction in my book of Castrametation published Anno 1642. Chap. 6. and 7. And for the Watches also in my Order of Military Watches then published PART IIII. Chap. 6. and 8. The manner of fighting used by the horse in divers Armies now a dayes is not by wheeling off as formerly but by charging through Every man having his drawn sword in his bridle-hand fires his Carbine or Pistol the Carbine at 12. or 15. foot distance and the Pistol so near as hath been shewed before in Part 1. Chap. 29. the Carbine levelled at the knees of the enemies horse because the powder naturally and also the least motion of the horse use to raise the muzzle of the piece Having fired he presently is to betake him to his sword unlesse the enemy by wheeling off gives him leasure and opportunity to use his second Pistoll and so to charge him on the flank or rear and to fight at his best advantage To this end the Officers must be very carefull to exercise their Troops frequently especially in a regimentall way as the sole means under God to make them victorious observing to keep their Troops close serried to leave fit distances between each Troop Regiment and Brigade to relieve each other orderly to retreat upon occasion in due order into their appointed intervalls and to avoid confusion ¶ To his much honoured Friend Captain John Cruso I Know the Authours works and name Great Mars his scholar is his fame Whose valour honour industrie Hath taught the use of Cavallry Accommodating these our times Surmounting th' limits of all lines Examples set for imitation Then love to fight by Regulation But have not such been ill requited Whom profit never yet invited But blame not such as steer at th' Helm Whose care is to preserve this Realm Settle Religion Law and Right Supprest by rebells force and might If ignorance or malice have The Authours worth laid in a grave Wisdomes grace in men of parts Will raise it up with tongues and hearts Let none be troubled if not us'd When Conscience tells they ne'r abus'd God grant's no use of Marshall men Till we know how to use not when Good service done th' age being cold Prepar'd are new casheer'd are old Your devoted Friend EDMUND HARVY Colonel MILITARIE INSTRVCTIONS for the CAVALLRIE The first Part. THE ARGUMENT CAVALLRIE so called of a Derived from the Latine word Caballus and this from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cavallo which in the Italian and Spanish signifieth a horse is worthily esteemed a most noble and necessary part of the militarie profession which being the subject of my discourse it may be reduced to these foure heads b Primùm idoneos eligamus c. dein in itinere in castris in praeliis ipsis instructum exercitum habeamus Aelianus de instruendis aciebus cap. 3. 1 The levying of men 2 Their marching 3 Their encamping 4 Their embattelling In the levying of men there be two things considerable 1. The election of officers 2. The election of souldiers Concerning the officers they may be considered 1. In generall 2. In particular CHAP. I. Of officers in generall AS in politique government so in this militarie profession every man by a naturall impression is ready to conceive himself to be fit to command and govern others though he never knew how to obey whereas in every mechanicall trade or manufacture an apprenticehood is first passed in the learning of it before it be professed and exercised In this profession of arms c Le plus relevé le plus hasardeux le plus difficille subject du monde Le mestier des Nobles la prattique des couragâ—uâ— l'exercice des Princes des Roys Monsieur Praissac an art obtained with greatest difficulty and practised with most danger men would be Captains before they be souldiers And hereof the chief cause is ignorance the fruitfull mother of all errours For surely if their end and aim were honour and they knew how frail and mutable the estate of a souldier is and that in a moment a man may lose all the reputation obtained by many years industrie d In aliis rebus si quid erratum â—st potest postmodum corrigiâ— Praeliorum delicta emendationem non recipiunt cùm poena statim sequatur errorem Cato apud Vegetium lib. 1. cap. 13. the errours in warre admitting no amendment as in other professions but carrying their present punishment with them and had they seen many shamefully chased from the army and proclaimed infamous and others passe through the hands of the hangman they would doubtlesse strive with much industry and diligence to enable themselves before they came to undertake the exercise of so dangerous an employment And they are not a little mistaken which think their e Non repellatur imperator pauper si cum virtute sit quanquam clariâ— ac illustribus majoribus ortus non sit Leo. Tact. cap. 2. 25. birth a sufficient pretence to places of honour without any qualification or merit there being other things more reall and
essentiall f In legitimo duce quinque haec requiro Scientiam virtutem providentiam autoritatem fortunam Lips polit lib. 5. cap. 15. required in an officer namely Knowledge experience valour dexteritie c. To be under command for a time depresseth those vehement passions which nature exciteth especially in young men which would be very dangerous in a chief or commander Moreover it accustometh a man to danger and g Scientia rei bellicae dimicandì nutrit audaciam Veg. lib. 1. c. 15. maketh him couragious so as being suddainly assailed he can recollect himself without astonishment a most necessary thing in a commander Adde to this that by using himself to travell and labour watching hunger thirst rain and frost and by h Mars is therefore called Gradivâ—â— as Festus hath it quia gradatim per ordinèm militatia officia distribuenda sunt And that this was the constant practise of antiquitie is most apparent Rufus diu manipularis dein centurio mox castris prafectus Tacit. lib. 2. c. an orderly ascent by degrees from a Corporall to a Quartermaster from thence to a Cornet and so to a Lieutenant he prepareth himself for a Captains charge He learneth the trick of entertaining his souldiers and to keep them in good affection and reverence towards him He knows their severall dispositions and sufficiencies and accordingly entrusteth them with employments Honour must be his chief end to attain which he must be very vigilant not to lose i Occasio in bello ampliùs solet juvire quà m virtus Veg. lib. 3. cap. 26. any occasion of any brave exploit by which means he will be alwayes observing his enemy studying how to prevent him or endammage him alwayes bearing in mind this maxime That in warre no great or remarkable matter can be effected without danger and diligence To this end let him be sure to take heed that he k Qâ—id fieri debeat tractato cum multis quid verò facturus sit cum paucissimis ac fidelissimis vel potiùs ipse recum Veg. lib 3. cap 26. trust not too much to his own judgement and valour without acquainting his officers with his counsels And let him so know the severall inclinations and sufficiencies of his souldiers as to take particular notice of such as deserve well and to reward them accordingly and to rid himself of base and debauched fellows and cowards He must alwayes aspire in way of l For this Caesar recordeth a memorable example in Pulfio and Verenus lib. 5. cap. 19. virtuous emulation to higher degrees of honour m Sit celso adversùs pecuniam animo Plutarch in Philop. Covetousnesse he must hate for nothing will better continue his souldiers good affections towards him then liberalitie Gaming he must detest n Philopoemenes pubem ad se armandum impulit deinde delicias luxum eorum optimè invertit Omnes inflammavit ut quotidianis repressis in corpus sumptibus gestâ—ent in militari bellico ornatu ostentare se splendidos Profusio impensa in hujusmodi res rohorat animum extollÃtque Plutarch in Philop. In stead of costly apparell let him delight in good arms and horses wherein oftentimes both his life and honour consisteth He must be continent and sober not given to luxurie nor o The States edict of Marshall law provideth that such as in their drunkennesse shall commit any offence shall not therefore be any way excused but the more severely punished Art 67. drunkennesse but alwayes be as a good example to his souldiers for otherwise he cannot have that requisite libertie to chastise them for those vices Which his own conscience will accuse himself to be guiltie of Above all let him set before his eyes as the originall and foundation of all perfection the fear of God carrying himself so farre as may be internally and externally inculpable For the horrour of a guiltie conscience and the imminent danger and apprehension of death meeting together take away all courage and valour And thus having reformed himself he shall the more easily reform his souldiers and make them fit for every honourable enterprise CHAP. II. Of Officers in particular Of the Generall of horse TOuching the particular officers the p Iphictates resembled an army to a mans body calling the heavy armed the body the light armed the hands the horse the feet and the Generall the head Plutarch Generall of the horse as being one of the principall Chiefs of an armie must be a souldier of extraordinary experience and valour having in charge the nerve of the principall forces and on whom the good successe of many designes and actions dependeth as being most usually executed by the Cavallrie especially in battels where the charging of the enemie in good order usually giveth victorie and contrarywise the q Witnesse the battel of Gembloâ—rs described by Meteren lib. 8. where the Infanterie is overthrown by their own horse So did the Burgundians Les hommes d'armes Bourguignons rompirent leurs propres Archers Phil. de Comines lib. 1. cap. 3. disorders of the Cavallrie often disturb and disband the whole armie The Generall of the horse was wont to supplie the place of Lieutenant Generall of the army and in the Lord Generalls absence to command the whole armie True it is that the Lord Marshall forasmuch as he giveth the orders used to have some superioritie of command according to the opinions of some whence it cometh that the Lord Generall absenting himself from the armie used to take along with him either the Generall of horse or the Lord Marshall to avoid the occasions of competition It is his office to take particular notice not onely of the Captains and officers but also of those private souldiers which are carefull and punctuall in their service r Perserutaberis qui se in billo strenuè gesserint illisque idoneos â—onores habebis ignavos autem quo par est supplicio constâ—mges Leo. Tact. cap. 16. rewarding and Å¿ Monsieur de la Nolle reporteth that in his time in the regiment of Colonel Pedro de Pas consisting of 23 companies of Spaniards there was more then 1200 crowns a moneth given for extraordinary services and signall acts Whence he draweth this observation Qui est un bon tesmoignage quil estoit rempli d'hommes valeureux Discourse Polit. Milit. honouring them in publick when they perform some signall act and advancing them to offices without partialitie On the other side t Omnes culpas lâ—gibus vindicet nulli errantium credatur ignoscere Veg. lib. 3. cap 10. he must chastise delinquents and such as are wanting in their endeavours by which means he shall be reverenced and loved of good men and feared of such as are bad It belongeth to his care that the Cavallrie be in good equipage and fitted with all necessaries requisite And that the companies being to march be provided of nags without which the souldiers can hardly preserve their
give some allowance extraordinary Out of his company he is to choose his Lieutenants Cornets c. weighing onely every ones merit without any passion whereby he shall give content and encouragement to his souldiers and shall be sure not to be crossed by the Generall in the confirmation of the said officers The charge of the troops used to be given to the Captains of lances as having a prerogative above other Captains of horse or to the eldest Captain yet the Chief ought to have regard to their sufficiency for command and to give the charge to them that are ablest to perform it In absence of the Captains of lances when they were in use the Captains of cuirassiers commanded and in their absence the Captains of harquebusiers The Lieutenants observed the same rules CHAP. VII Of the Lieutenant IT is necessary that the Lieutenant of a troop of horse be a man of abilitie and experience nourished and educated in Cavallrie To this office such were usually raised which for their deserts had been Corporalls and Cornets a So much his name implieth for the French word Lieutenant signifieth one which supplieth the place of another In the Captains absence he commandeth the company upon whom usually all difficulties do rest because oft times the companies are given to young gentlemen which want experience He must be strict in seeing the souldiers do their service with all fitting punctualitie and to have a care of their horses and arms b The Lieutenant with antiquity was called Tergidux that is Rear-commander and therefore the rear is fitly assigned him as his proper place He alwayes marcheth in the rear of the companie causing the souldiers to follow the Captain and Standard or Cornet in good order well closed together and to suffer none to depart from the troop Upon occasion of fight he is still to be on the rear with his sword drawn encouraging the souldiers and killing any that shall offer to flie or disband but in case of the Captains absence he shall take the Captains place appointing an officer to be in the rear In the ordinary marching of the company or passing by some place or going to the allarm-place or to the parado the Lieutenant must not take the Captains place but march in the rear because the lances and cuirassiers have their Cornets to lead them at the head of the company Among the harquebusiers the Lieutenant was wont to take the Captains place according to Melzo and Basta because then they had no c As the Velites among the Romanes qui nec signa propria habuere nec duceâ— Lips ad Polyb. lib. 2. Cornets but these last warres having given them Cornets the rule holdeth for them as for the lances and cuitassiers d The Romanes required it in their private souldiers and to cast account also In quibusdam notorum peritia calculandi computandique usus exigitur Veg. lib. 2. cap. 19. He must of necessitie be able to write and reade because he keepeth the list of the names and sirnames of the souldiers of the companie and by reason of orders or letters sent to him from his superiours which he must not shew to others He must know the sufficiencie of every souldier and upon occasion make use of them accordingly The company going to the guard in any place and approching near it the Lieutenant goeth before to take notice of the Corps-du-guard and speaking with the Lieutenant of the company which is to change informeth himself by him of the place of the sentinells for day and night what wayes he must scoure and of all other things requisite He must himself go and place the sentinells visiting them often and using all diligence keeping himself alwayes armed at least with the breast and cask and his horse bridled when he hath the guard The company being lodged in some village he must cause the billets to be signed by the Quartermaster of his company to be distributed to the souldiers before the Cornets lodging where the Alto is made to attend the said billets that so in case of an allarm the souldiers may know where to assemble together at their Cornet If they stay longer then a day in one place the Lieutenant is to visit the houses to see good rule kept by the souldiers and being to march away to command them carefully to put out their fires Going to be lodged in a town or fort there to keep their garrison the Lieutenant must accommodate their lodgings according to their degrees and deserts And wheresoever they lodge longer then a day he must write the names of the souldiers on the said billets and keep a register of them that so upon any complaint of their hostes it may be easily remedied by the ready finding and punishing of the delinquents When the company is to march and the trumpets sound to horse he e The good example of a Leader hath ever been observed to be of marvellous efficacy according to that of the Poet Componitur orbis Regis ad exiemplum c. Ipse manu sua pila gerens praecedit anheli Militis ora pedes monstrat tolerare labores Non jubet Lucan 9. de Catone must be first ready and mounted having care that all the souldiers immediately do the same And if he find any lingering either of lazinesse or with a purpose to stay behind to pillage the houses he must chastise them with all severity for example to others He must have knowledge of the countrey and wayes being often sent upon exploits where the guides are not alwayes ready If the company be charged by the enemy the Lieutenant with some of the best mounted souldiers is to remain behind CHAP. VIII Of the Cornet THe Cornet of horse must be couragious In absence of the Captain and Lieutenant he commandeth the company His place of march is in the front before the first rank yet behinde the Captain In fight the Cornet of lances used to march even with the Captain upon his left hand and charging with him strove to break the standard upon his enemy which being so broken and falling to the ground a This is contrary to the use of Infantery among which the preserving of the colours hath ever been prized above life as appeared among others by one Jaques Marteus who finding himself forsaken by most of the souldiers fought so long as he could then wound himself in his colours and died Meteren lib. 4. But if the enemy should get the cornet unbroken then it were a great disgrace Basta lib. 4 he was not to regard to get it up again especially not to alight for it If he were to charge a flying enemy whether horse or foot he was also to assay to break his standard The Cornet of cuirassiers in march hath his place at the head of the company and also presenteth himself in the allarm-place but in fight he is to be in the middle of the troop leaving â…” parts of
sufficient stature and strength nimble of joynts and sure of foot c. he must of necessitie be made fit for service so as you may have him ready at command to pace trot gallop or run in full career also to advance stop retire and turn readily to either hand and all with alacritie and obedience Now to bring him to this readie turning he is to be ridden the ring and figure 8 first in a great compasse and so in a lesse by degrees first upon his pace then on the trot and so to the gallop and career These things he may be taught by using the hand leg and voice For the hand observing not to move the arm but onely 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 spurre doth it if to face or turn to the left about a harder c. If you would have him to trot you are to move both your legs a little forward for the gallop to move them more forward and for the career to yerk them most forward and to move the bodie a little forward with it After every motion performed it were good to keep him a while in that motion as when you bid him stand to stand a while c. Also it were not amisse after every thing well done to give him some bread or grasse as a rewards For the voice you may use the words Advance hold turn or the like but because the voice cannot alwayes be heard it were good to use him chiefly to the motions of the hand and leg It will also be very usefull to teach him to go sidewayes this he may be brought unto by laying his provender somewhat farre from him in the manger and keeping him from turning his head towards it He must also be used to the smell of gunpowder the sight of fire and armour and the bearing of shot drummes and trumpets c. but by degrees and with discretion When he is at his oats at a good distance from him a little powder may be fired and so nearer to him by degrees So may a pistoll be fired some distance off and so nearer in like manner a drum or trumpet may be used The groom may sometime dresse him in armour and he may be used now and then to eat his oats from the drum head It will be very usefull sometime to cause a musketier to stand at a convenient distance and both of you to give fire upon each other and thereupon to ride up close to him also to ride him against a compleat armour so set upon a stake that he may overthrow it and trample it under his feet that so and by such other means your horse finding that he receiveth no hurt may become bold to approch any object He may also be used to mountanous and uneven wayes and be exercised to leap swim and the like But for further directions for the art of riding and managing the horse I referre the reader to a Besides many of our own writers Pierre de la Nolie in his Cavallerie Franchoise et Italienne also Instruction du Roy de France en l'exercice de monter a Cheval par Antoyne de Pluvinel lately published and divers others them which have written of horsemanship ex professo whose books are every where obvious CHAP. XXVIII Of managing arms extending to postures and motions Of exercising the lance HOwsoever the use of the lance be now left off in the Low-countreys either for the reasons alledged chap. 23 or by reason of the discommoditie of the countrey for the lance is of no use but in a spacious hard and uneven ground yet will it not be altogether impertinent to shew the manner of exercising the same seeing that a I. Lips 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Itâ—m de Milit. Rom. N. Machiavoll G. du Bellay C. Bâ—ngham upon Aelian Sir Cl. Edmonds on Cas Com. Sir Hen. Savile c. many have taken pains to revive unto us the knowledge of those arms which sometime were in use among the Grecians Romanes and other nations which have been for many ages totally abolished The manner of carrying the lance is either advanced or couched that is when it is carried so abased as the enemie can hardly discover it untill he feel the shock The charging of the lance is twofold either by the right or left The right is when it is presented or charged along by the right side of the horse The left is when it is born acrosse the neck of the horse by the left eare The first is the manner used by the Turks and Hungarians and by some prefered before the other One reason which they give for it is because that in charging by the left the Lancier must incline his bodie to the left and so sitteth the lesse sure in his saddle Basta would have the second way to be best Howsoever all agree that a Lancier must ever strive to gain the left side of his enemie and charge him on the left Now there be three wayes of charging 1 By carrying the lance sloaped upwards 2 By charging it levell in a straight line 3 By charging it sloaping or inclining downwards The first is if against Cavallrie to take the sight of the enemie with the point of the lance or if against foot the head or neck of either pike or musketier The second is by charging a horse-man about the middle to bear him out of the saddle or on the breast of the foot The third serveth to pierce the breast of the enemies horse or a kneeling musketier or pike charging at the foot against horse Fig 2 Par j. Cap 28 Having given his charge with the lance so as it becometh unusefull to him he must betake himself to his pistoll in the use whereof he is to be very skilfull His last refuge is his sword which he must also be well practised in Of both which weapons shall be spoken in the next chapter CHAP. XXIX Of exercising the Cuirassier ALthough it be supposed and expected that no horse-man will presume to mount his horse to repair to his Cornet before his pistols harquebuse or carabine be spanned primed and laden his cases furnished with cartouches and all other equipage belonging to himself his horse and arms made fix and in a readinesse yet in case a Cuirassier upon service should though unlikely spend both his pistols and the six cartouches wherewith his cases were filled so that he must resort to his flask and my present task being to teach the untutored Cuirassier his postures it will not be impertinent here to set them down in the largest manner Now because these things are to be performed on horseback it will not be unnecessary though mounting on horseback be accounted no posture but a preparative to exercise or service first to shew how he is to mount which with the rest of the postures is
countrey spacious is to be divided into two bodies of 20 troops apiece Melzo would have 3 troops of Harquebusiers in front of the vanguard which Basta and Walhausen are against because they are for the most part but ill armed These two divisions are to march in even front 150 paces divided Coming to strait passages the right wing is to march before the left The officers must suffer none of the baggage nor any other to intermingle with their troops The Captain of Harquebusiers which hath the vanguard or one of them in that division when the Cuirassiers have it b Praemittes etjam ad loca exploran la equites quesdam pâ—asertim si sâ—â—â—osa sint aut collibus aut montibus inclusa per quae tâ—â—nâ—un dum est c. Leo cap 9.38 must send out a Corporall with 15 horse and a good guide some league before whereof two shall be sent out directly before him two towards the right and other two towards the left c Casar exercitum per insidiosa itinera duxit nunquam nisi praespeâ—â— uâ— lo corum situs c. Sueton. Jul. to discover among the woods and valleys and to get intelligence at any dwelling houses or villages advising the Corporall of what they discover Who is from time to time to advise the chief which is to march at the head of the first troop After these 15 he is to send out 4 others led by a sufficient souldier to bring reports of what those 15 shall discover the rather because the enemie might come upon them upon the flanks after the first 15 were past The Captain of the Harquebusiers which hath the rear of the left wing must leave a Corporall with 15 horse a mile behind him Of these 15 two are to be some 12 or 14 score behind the rest to give notice if the enemie follow them in the rear d Illud vitandum nè alâ—u festinantibus al is tardiùs incedentibus interrumpatur acies aut certè tenuetur Veg. lib. 3. cap. 6. The Captain which leads in front must march so as the other troops must keep foot with him and passing over a bridge or narrow passage must make Alto so soon as he is over or in the plain leaving a souldier at the bridge or strait which shall give him knowledge so soon as the rear be past over or through e Quando per angustias aliquas aut per arduos aviósque montes profâ—cturusâ—s pramitte ex tuis qui juga montium loca ibi editissima occupent qui aduus angustos minùs patentes anticipent c. Leo Tact. cap. 9. 26. And if in these strait passages there be any advenues by which the enemie might charge you those must be prepossessed by Harquebusiers or Dragons alighting and keeping themselves upon some height or in some valley or behind some hedge or ditch to secure their flanks Every troop is to leave 100 paces distance between each other and are to suffer no baggage nor others to trouble them as abovesaid CHAP. VI. The order of marching by night UPon occasion of marching with all or part of the Cavallrie by night the companies are punctually appointed their places of march by written orders delivered to their officers Before the troops a Corporall with 12 or 15 Harquebusiers is to be sent by the space of half a league to discover and take intelligence at the houses whether there be any news of the enemie And passing by places which are at the enemies devotion some of them must have the language and feigne themselves friends the better to know what passeth Not long after these foure others are to follow as in the former chapter Besides a chosen troop of Cuirassiers are to be ready led by a Captain of speciall desert with order to a Capienda rebus in malis praeceps via est Seneca charge resolutely upon any adversarie and these are to march 150 paces before the rest The chief Commander is to march at the head of the first troop which followeth the said chosen troop of 60 Cuirassiers and with him one of the best souldiers of every troop to carrie the orders upon all occasions to their Captains sending before him foure of his ablest men to give him notice if the said select troop of 60 Cuirassiers charge the enemie which if it happen he shall cast his companie out of the way and charge the enemie on the flank and so the rest of the troops observing that they intermix not their troops The troops must not leave such distances between each other as in the day march unlesse they heare news of the enemies approch b Progredientes viam faciunt silentio quietè decenter omnes proprium ordinem asservantes Josephus of the Romanes manner of marching cited by Lipsius de milit Rom. lib. 5 14â— They must march with all possible silence At any by-way the first company must leave a souldier at the entrance thereof which shall be relieved or changed by the next company and so successively untill all be past Coming into open and champion places the officers shall draw up their troops and cause them to march in square bodies well closed having regard that none sleep The spare horses or pages must not march at the heads of the troops If the enemie charge the rear the chief officer in the rear shall cause the last company to face about and so the rest if need be but those companies which were in front must not come to the rear for avoiding of disorder and lest the enemy cunningly make an alarm in the rear when he meaneth to charge the front In the rear of all a Corporall with 15 horse shall march as above-mentioned with a guide The day being come the said 60 Cuirassiers shall return to their severall companies If the companies refresh themselves in the night they must not be suffered to unsaddle their horses nor disarm themselves The guides diverse of them must go before the troops whether on foot or on horse-back guarded by two souldiers which know the language and no other to speak to them c Interdum autâ—m imperita â—usticitas plura promittit credit se scire quae nescit Veg. l. 3. c. 6. These are diligently to observe them whether they seem doubtfull looking here and there as doubting of the way and thereof shall presently certifie the officer that he may call others to be assured CHAP. VII How the baggage is to march AS little baggage as possible may be must be conducted with the Cavallrie It is the Waggon-masters charge to order it for the march First the Generalls baggage is to march then the Lieutenant Generalls then the Commissary Generalls and so the other officers in their degrees The place of march is uncertain a Auuertendo ancora che tutti li impedimenâ—i artiglierie sempre camino da quelle parte che non sia volta verso al nemico Catanco c. 8. This agreeth
upon pain of a fine which the Provost taketh E F is the enclosure of the Captain of a troop of Harquebusiers being of the same breadth and depth as those of the Capt. of Cuirassiers viz. 70. foot broad and 40 foot deep And the ancientest Captain of Harquebusiers or Cuirassiers closeth the battalion of the Regiment on the left hand at the corner marked B. F Y is a street of twenty foot broad to the Lieutenant of the troop of Harquebusiers his enclosure Y. Y Z is 25 foot in breadth for the enclosure of the said Lieutenant where also are placed his foure horses having in depth 40 foot And the Cornets of the troops of Harquebusiers are lodged on the right hand in the two first huts of the horsmen and that to place his three horses and the fourth horse is the Trumpeters who alwayes lodgeth with the Cornet These companies of Harquebusiers have also 180 foot depth for the quartering of their three files of huts marked in the Cuirassiers N O. but these have but 15 huts in every file for 30 horse having also two streets as the Cuirassiers through them marked Q. being 12 foot broad as abovesaid leaving three foot of space between their huts for the drain whereas the Cuirassiers have but two foot their huts are also often foot broad and 8 foot deep for two Harquebusiers and 8 foot for the litter of their two horses and ten foot for their stable And five foot for a street between their huts and the mangers of their horses their Sutlers streets and Sutlers huts c. are as the Cuirassiers Tâ—e maner of Quartering the Pr. of Orange his Army both horsse and foote upon them unto which a new passage must be cut for the more privacie and security If there be Dragons then they are to guard the said approches If Infantery then it is their task to do it If the situation of the place be such as that the enemy may environ it round the usuall entrances or approches to the village are to be stopped up and new ones cut in some secret places as gardens or the like distant from the usuall wayes that so the enemy may be afraid to charge home a Centinell or Corps-du-guard thereby to enter with them as they retreat The quarters are to be well barricadoed about except the new cut passages leading to the Rendezvous CHAP. V. Of the Rendez-vous or alarm place THe alarm place is that place without the village where the souldiers are to assemble to withstand an assailing enemy being a place of great consequence In the election of this place consideration must be had of the situation of the villages and countrey whether it be large or strait also of the time whether it be by day or night again whether the Cavallrie be lodged together or in severall villages If together in one village and in the night when the enemy may come upon them the more at unaware as not being discoverable very farre then this place must not be in the front of the village as being too near the enemies approch whereby it might be seised on by him and so your men cut off one after another as they come thither to assemble themselves but it must be on the sides or flanks of the village though the baggage be hazarded which a This all ages have verified The States men by a stratagem had surprised S. Hertogen-Bosh anno 1585. but by reason of the covetousnesse of the souldiers neglecting their charges to fall to pillaging were beaten out again with losse Meteren lib. 12. inviting the enemy to pillaging often giveth him occasion of disorder But in the day time it were best to be in front shewing the more courage If the Cavallrie be quartered in diverse villages which often happeneth especially in places little suspected the quality of the countrey must be considered Some villages may be backed with rivers and so give but one entrance to the enemie then the generall place of arms or rendez-vous shall be in the center And those villages which are exposed to the first brunt shall be as Corps-du-guards to assure the rest These upon alarm given must assemble in their particular alarm places from thence they shall advance united to receive the charge though the enemy farre exceed them in number and must sustain him so long till they may be assured that the rest are all met at the generall Rendez-vous whether being forced by the enemy they shall retreat by little and little the other advancing to relieve them If the countrey be open so as the enemy may assail which he please then they must use those diligences as when the Cavallrie is lodged altogether in one village They which are first assaulted must make resistance untill the other be met at the generall Rendez-vous Touching the order of their assembling together in the alarm place the Commissary Generall or Quartermaster Generall overnight appointeth a certain place for every troop where they shall stand which way faced c. CHAP. VI. Of the Guards THe Commissary Generall is to keep account of the a Of the guards and means of securing the quarters used among the Romanes Vegetius handleth at large lib. 3. cap. 8. Guards and to give orders requisite to those that are to have the guard wherein he may employ one or more companies according to occasions The Corps-du-guard must be in the middle of the village The guards being disposed in their places must be every night visited by the Commissary Generall which often the Lieutenant Generall and sometime the Generall himself ought to do to keep the souldiers in the greater aw The Generalls company is exempt from the ordinary guards and convoyes because they must be a guard to the Generall unlesse the Generall go in person and so is the Lieutenant Generalls company The companies entring the guard must be compleatly armed and sound their trumpets their Lieutenant taking information of all things from the Lieutenant which goeth from the guard and then certifying his Captain who is to acquaint his superiour officers with all occurrences and with the reports of such as went to discover and scowre the high-wayes also of the convoyes and other duties If the Cavallrie lodge in severall villages which ever must not be farre distant from each other in every village a company must have the guard and Sentinells b Edict for Martiall law art 58. The Captains officers and souldiers which have the guard must be armed all night and have their horses at hand ready bridled observing all possible silence In the day time if there be any open champain within half a league or thereabout of the quarter the company which hath the guard shall send out a Corporall with twelve or fifteen horse which shall hide himself in some covert place near the entrance of the said champain There he shall place double Sentinells in some eminent place who seeing some Cavallry one shall go to
them Thus they riding one towards another change the Sentinells from place to place conducting the discharged Sentinells with them till they meet each other The Captain having gone the first round f The sending out of rounders was also used by the Romanes Idoneos tamen tribuni probatissimos eligunt qui vigilias circumeani renuntunt si qua emerserit culpa quos circuitores appellabant Veg. ibid. the rounders are to be sent out to see whether these Sentinels be vigilant And sometimes foure other rounders are sent out twice as farre beyond the Sentinells as they are from the quarter twice at least in a night to discover round about the quarter and to observe whether the dogs bark more then usually c. If they observe any thing one comes back to bring the news the other three go on In the day time a Sentinell shall be placed on the top of the steeple of the village where the quarter is and a boore with him as best knowing the passages and approches If the Sentinell which alwayes walks before the Corps-du-guard cannot heare him another Sentinell shall be placed at the foot of the steeple so that these three may understand each other and without losse of time give notice to the Corps-du-guard Besides there ought to be double g Equitâ—s extra vâ—llum nocturnas excubias facere debent Ibid. Sentinells on hors-back placed on high places without the quarter to be able to discover the further The Generall hath alwayes a Sentinell at his tent so hath the Lieutenant Generall taken out of their own guards and so the Commissarie Generall No Captain may have a Sentinell not to overburden the souldiers unlesse he command the quarter or have the Cornet lodging with him except the Captains of Harquebusiers which lodge in the advenues that so they may the sooner have notice of an alarm The Commissarie Generall must shew the Captain that hath the guard where the Sentinells for the quarter shall be placed The one Sentinell when they see men approching shall withdraw himself somewhat from the other towards the quarter that so if any violence be offered to the other he may run to the Corps-du-guard They are not onely to certifie of the approch of the enemie or any other but also are to observe the fires which they see or the barking of dogs which they heare more then usuall or shooting with canon or small shot afarre off and of all to inform the Corps-du-guard If an alarm be given whilest the Lieutenant and Corporall aforesaid are about to change the Sentinels they must presently send word to the quarter and instantly hasten towards the place where the alarm is leaving the Sentinells to stand somewhat the longer h Castra munire semper tutum est c. si enim aliquid adversum contingat menùs imperatorium erit dicere aliquando Non putaram Leo Tact. c. 20. To assure the quarter in an open and champain countrey and much suspected it is good to place Sentinells 200 or 300 paces from the quarter answering one upon another as upon all occasions they must be as in a circle round about it And these not to stand near the wayes or principall approches as the manner is but alwayes passing to and fro one towards another as if they would change places By which continuall motions none may passe undiscovered As farre beyond these they which went to discover have their courses sometimes riding up even to the adverse garrisons if they be not too farre distant which shall be shewed at large in the next chapter CHAP. VIII Of Scouts to discover the high-wayes THe quarters being thus accommodated the Commissarie Generall shall depute a Corporall with 12 or 15 horse and a trumpet to discover or scoure the high-wayes towards the enemies abode without which diligence the enemie might charge the Sentinells so suddenly and enter with them as there would be no time for the Corps-du-guard and others to prepare themselves for defence These do consist partly of Cuirassiers and partly of Harquebusiers to give the alarm They are to advance towards the enemie some three or foure houres march by the severall high-wayes foure or five to a way as occasion shall require They must not set foot on ground but must silently go listning if they heare any rumour which in the a Tutiùs operantur exploratores noctibus quà m dicbus nâ—m quodammodo ipse sui proditor invenitur cujus speculator fuerit ab adversariis deprehensuâ— Veg. lib. 3. cap. 6. night is easie to be heard If they heare any thing without being discovered the Corporall shall secretly send word to the quarter by a souldier of the approch of the enemie And when he judgeth the first is arrived he may send a second to assure the former advice retreating by little and little and observing the enemie and the number of his horse which he may easilier guesse by their footing then by view But if the enemie perceived him he shall cause a carabine or two to be discharged and shall speedily dispatch away a souldier to certifie the quarter Or if the enemies number be great he shall set on fire some house thereabout they of the quarter knowing beforehand wherefore it is done And sending two souldiers with more certain news they shall give fire to their carabines when they be so near the quarter as that they may be heard thereby to give them the more time to get ready If the quarter be in a very suspicious place more companies of discoverers must be sent out and they are to have a countersigne given them as the name of some town c. to know each other by in the night Alarms though false cannot be prevented it being in the enemies choice to shew himself as often as he please happily for no other intent but to wearie your souldiers or by that stratagem to make them secure and carelesse To remedie this the Captains use to give the alarm secretly without sound or noise by silent advices that so the enemie vaunt not of putting you to trouble but wearie himself And thus the horrour of the sounds of trumpets and noise of warlike cries is avoided which hinder the hearing of the Commanders directions But if the enemie charge the said Discoverers or Sentinells so hard as that they have no opportunitie to send word but the enemie puts on to enter the quarter with them which is the best way for him to compasse his purpose then they shall flying to the quarter give the alarm with firings of the Harquebusiers and calling out aloud entering not at the usuall wayes but at the private ones to give the enemie occasion of suspence not knowing whither they might draw him on Moreover when the alarm is thus secretly given as before shewed and having some notice of the enemies forces how strong they are in number you may cause your souldiers to mount with all possible secrecie and order them for
fight on the flank of the enemies advenue leaving the Sentinels with some trumpets there standing with command that when the enemie approcheth them they shall b Such a stratagem was used by Sir Fran. Vere Anno 1589. who being to passe through a wood near Loc the enemie from that castle came forth to gall them in their passage Sir Fran. with 50 horse and 6 trumpets made a stand about the middle of the wood hasting the troops and carriages out of the wood into the plain placing 100 foot with 6 Drums in the rear The enemie gave 3 shouts as the Spanish manner is when they go to charge but could neither see nor be seen by reason of the winding of the way in the wood Upon this he commanded the Drums and Trumpets to stand and sound a charge whereat the enemie made a stand expecting to be charged which gave time for all the troops to get into the plain by hastening their march Manuscript penned by Sir Fran. Vere of his own exploits c. bravely sound an alarm Whereupon the enemie if he be a souldier will charge them in full career with one squadron to enter with them and then second those with the rest of his troops whereupon it will be hard especially in the night to keep the souldiers from pillaging The first entring without resistance will be scattered about the houses the rest will hasten to get their shares and whatsoever the Captains do they shall not be able to keep them in such order as they ought Then shall your troops resolutely charge them not doubting of a good issue they being now surprised which thought to find you asleep Or if it be not thought fit to fight yet may you by this means make a safe retreat so as you be not troubled with too much baggage If there be no bridges or strait passages between the quarter and the enemie by which he must necessarily passe the further the discoverers ride towards the enemie the better if he lay in garrison so as the distance be not too great they may ride to the very gates But if there be such strait passages or bridges by which the enemie must of necessitie passe if he will assail the quarter there must be guards of Harquebusiers placed which by their giving fire or otherwise shall give notice if the enemie shall approch Sometime a whole companie is to be sent out upon this service being a guard for the whole armie CHAP. IX Of forraging FOrraging is an action of great importance and danger 1. Of importance because thereon dependeth the sustenance of the horses 2. Of danger by reason of a Hostes qui longè à suis aut pabuli aut praedae gratiâ commorantur subitò occupandi cum delectis Veg. lib. 3. cap. 10. the enemies endeavours to set upon the guards and convoyes of forragers which must be sent out at least twice a week Therefore that these forragers may the better be secured there must alwayes be a good grosse of Infanterie and Cavallrie sent with them under the command of a chief officer or at least a well experienced Captain The Provost or one of his assistants is to go with them to punish such as are exorbitant or straggle If the forrage be for the whole armie the Lieutenant Generall is to leade the convoy b Pugnatores ab impedimentis laxamento aliquo dividuntur nè constipati laedantur in praelio ambulante exercitu Ibid. cap. 6. The baggage nor horse-boyes must be mingled among the troops It is not fit to go twice together to one place to forrage lest the enemie knowing it watch an opportunitie At first it is good to forrage in the most remote places and where the enemie is like to come to encamp but if the enemie be settled it is not good to forrage so near him as that he might set upon the convoy with Infanterie and Cavallrie but rather in such places where he can hardly without great danger to himself endammage the forragers c Vt locorum varitas advenerit ità defensionis ratio varietur Ibid. If there be one or more streets by which the enemie might come between the quarter and the place of forrage some convenient number of foot and ten or twelve horse must be left at the advenues of each of the said streets The horse are to place a Sentinell and to send out two to discover the wayes a good distance before them By this means the forragers having finished their forraging make their retreat safely to which purpose also one or two troops of twentie five horse apiece use to march upon the flanks of the forragers When all the forragers are marching back again towards the quarter all the convoy marcheth in the rear it being unlikely that the enemie will set upon them with any great forces between their convoy and their quarter At the place of d Ubi pabulandi tempus fuerit alii pabulum colligant alii apparati instructÃque sequantur ut nè si omnes se ad pabulum colligendum converterint subita quadam irruptio aut insidiae fuerint ipsi imparati spartique opprimantur Leo Tact. cap. 17. forrage the Chief shall cause a troop of Harquebusiers to advance somewhat before the rest there to stand and to suffer none to passe beyond he is also to send out some souldiers on every side and to visit woods and valleys c. For the better securing of the said forragers or the quarter there use to be fiftie or more of the Infanterie which may be fitly performed by Dragoneers with a competent number of horse placed in some castle or strong Church within two or three houres riding of the quarter But to secure the quarter there ought to be two places equidistant so guarded which might cut off those small troops which run near the armie on either side And if the troops be of number these may by their discoverers or spies receive notice thereof and so suddenly inform the quarter CHAP. X. Of Garrisons BY reason of the affinitie between a camp and a garrison it will not be amisse though somewhat by way of digression to say something of them The fittest places for the Cavallrie to be laid in garrison are those which are frontiers towards the enemie thereby the enemies excursions are hindred and their own friends secured Whereas otherwise though they be never so strong of Infanterie they are like to have some of the enemies horse alwayes at their gates Besides it gives more a Adversus omnia profuit milites quotidiano exercitio roborare c. courage to the Cavallrie to have their garrison thus on the frontiers against the time of their going out upon service then if they had spent all the winter b Severè in desides vindicare Veg. lib. 1. cap. 1. Exercitus â—â—bore profitit ouâ— conseâ—escit Ibid. lib. 3. cap. 26. lazily in some garrison more within the countrey It is good
off their casques and a light a while with leave but must not omit to place Sentinells on some high places The fourth Part. Of Embattelling THE ARGUMENT OF all other military actions the a Acies si sapienter disponitur plurimum juvat si imperitè quanivìs optinis bellâ—tores sint malâ ordinatione franguntur Veg. lib. 3. cap. 14. chiefest is that of embattelling or ordering an army for combat which now in the last place I am to treat of The occasions of combat for the Cavallry are many and frequent sometime by a sole company sometime by more troops otherwhile by all the horse together of divers kinds upon differing accidents and those for the most part sudden and unexpected Since therefore no b Nulla ars minus habet stabilia praecepta quà m militaris ars adeò subita in bellis ingruunt pericula fortunae varietas dominatur Scipio Amiratus Dissert Politic. lib. 21. discours 2. rules nor directions can be so full and ample as to meet with all sorts of accidents my purpose is to aim at the chiefest and to shew 1. How to assail a quarter to give the charge in fight and to order embuscadoes by way of offence 2. How to do meeting with the enemy in marching and how to receive the charge by way of defence 3. How to order the troops in battell first by single companies apart secondly by all the Cavallry united in a grosse body CHAP. I. How to assail a quarter A Captain which is desirous to gain honour by some enterprise upon the enemy though much his superiour in strength hath a In mansione dormentibus opportunum praelium semper infertur cùm hoilis â—ùs interimatur quam praparare se possit Veg. Ibid. cap. 19. no better way then to assail him in his quarter To effect this he must have good knowledge of the village and the countrey thereabout and if he can by taking a little compasse charge him on the rear or on the flanks if there be any negligence in the quarter it is like to be on those parts If he cannot by other means get knowledge how their guards are kept and other duties either observed or neglected he may conjecture by the b Ad rem pertinet qualis ipse adversarius vel ejus comites sint nôsse utrùm temerarii an cauti audaces an timidi scuntes artem bellicam an ex usu temerè pugnantes c. Veg. lib. 3. cap. 9. qualities of their Chief whether he be a good souldier or not whether he be proud and hasty or that he be advised and deliberate for ignorance joyned with a naturall fury causeth a man to despise his enemy and to think it a disparagement to him as an argument of fear to use such cautelous courses in assuring his quarter especially knowing himself the stronger In the assailing of his quarter there are two things to be observed 1. To make your approches as near the village as possible may be 2. c In campis sparsis atque securis opportunum pralium infertur exceptis superventibus vel incursionibus repentinis ex occasione quam nunquam dux exercitatus amittit Veg. l. 3. c. 19. To hinder him from uniting his troops into a body Touching the first the first troop shall advance without any forerunners as secretly as may be and assoon as they perceive themselves to be discovered without losing a moment of time shall charge the Sentinells and enter the quarter with them and surprise the Corps-du-guard before they be able to mount on horse-back For the second there must be an exquisite observance of the orders given and not a man to disband Suppose the enemy hath 1000. horse and you but 500 you may fitly divide your forces into five troops The first having surprised the Corps-du-guard as before mentioned shall from thence passe to the market-place with resolution to sustain any resistance which they shall meet with The second troop perceiving the quarter invested shall follow upon the gallop closely united and finding no resistance shall possesse the alarm place and send some horse to run through the streets to keep the souldiers in and to hinder them from mounting on horseback The third shall come fairly on to the said place and so the fourth which leaving the third there firm shall hasten to the place where they heare the most noise then shall they alight and enter the houses putting to the sword what enemies they find The running of these horse through the streets hindering the souldiers to mount will surely make them think rather d Nec insequentium ullum periculum est cum victi quibus defendi poterant arma converterint in fugam Ibid. cap. 21. of escaping by flight through the gardens or otherwise then of resisting neither can there in such a tumult be good orders given or observed Therefore the fifth troop hearing the noise cease may conjecture there is no need of their help to take the village and so shall divide themselves into two parts and inviron the quarter on the outside to hinder the enemies flight on foot The horse-boyes may fire a house or two especially where the enemy shall endeavour to fortifie then as the souldiers to enter the houses to pillage and take prisoners c. Another way of assailing the quarter is this The enemies camp removing the Chief or Captain must labour to inform himself of the place where he purposeth to lodge that night and where the quarter for the Cavallry shall be which may easily be learned because overnight it is usually published or having good knowledge of the countrey he may conjecture it He must consider the number of his enemies horse and of his own and though he be inferiour by half as beforesaid yet may his enterprise take good effect if it be well carried He must fit the time so e Nam vel celeriùs vel tardius aliquo pervenire quam constitutum est propositum persape nostrum intervertit Leo Tact. c. 15. 42. justly as that he may come to the enemies quarter in the evening before the guards be disposed or the orders given And if the distance were such as that he must march when the enemy marcheth he shall depart from his quarter with all secresie and f A good commander like a good wrastler ought to make shew of one thing and to put another in practise to the end to deceive the enemy and gain the victory Ibid. cap. 20. Tutissimum nâ—mque in expeditionibus creditur facienda ab hostibus nesciri Veg. lib. 3. cap. 6. pretend to march to some other place taking a way contrary to that which leadeth to the place intended And when he thinketh fit he shall face about and march on the flank of the enemy as covertly as may be But to do this two things must be observed 1. That your march be through your friends countrey 2. That you have more then one spie in the enemies
will not permit it but that it must be to the right making readie and falling into the rear the second rank immediately gives fire upon the wheeling away of the first and so the rest successively Walhausen would have them also give fire by files the outward file towards the enemie whether right or left advancing before the bodie in full career and so firing the rest successively to do the same and in this manner to fight against Infanterie that might charge them on the flanks But others do utterly reject it as too much exposed to inevitable danger In their firing by ranks the first rank advanceth some thirtie paces before the bodie first on the gallop then in career as some direct and so to give fire the second doth the same and so the rest The Dragoniers being a kind of Infanterie and doing their chief services on foot as hath been shewed Part. 1. Chap. 31. it will be needlesse here to shew how they are to be exercised for skirmish partly in regard there is no want of books for the e So farre as concerneth the exercising of the foot in their postures and motions I suppose Pr. Maurice his book and Captain Binghams notes upon Aelian with the appendix sufficient alone But I wish some bodie would go on and fully handle that which belongeth to the Infanterie practising of the foot though I dare say they exceed rather in number then in weight and principally because I desire to confine my self to that which properly belongeth to the Cavallrie How they are to dispose of their horses in fight hath been shewed ibid. cap. 31. Fig 6. Cap 6. Par 4. Fig 7. Par 4. Cap 6. CHAP. VII How the Cavallrie are to fight against foot A Commander having intelligence of some grosse of the enemies Infanterie and resolving to set upon them he must principally aim to encounter them in a place of advantage for the Cavallrie that is in an a Si equitatu gaudemus campos debemus optare si pedite loca deligere angusta fossis paludibus vel arboribus impedita Veg. lib. 3 cap. 9. open champain He must also use all possible diligence to charge them before they can be ordered for battel though they exceed him much for number But if the said Infanterie be put in good order at his approch if the ground be champain and the number equall yet may they be charged by the horse First by some troops of Harquebusiers or rather Dragons because they do execution at a larger distance which shall give on on their front flanks and rear These were to be seconded by the Lances in small divisions when they were in use but now by the Cuirassiers who shall make their benefit of such overtures or disorders as shall be caused by the said Dragons and Harquebusiers If the Infanterie exceed in number and so be serried in a grosse bodie it will be hard for the Cavallrie to rout them as hath been found by experience by the Swisses which still had the better of the horse by the reason of their grosse bodies of pikes If the Infanterie be ordered into severall battaillons the horse are to charge them where they perceive them most open and naked But if the foot have possessed themselves of some place of advantage as some wood trench or covert way then the horse are not to charge them though equall or somewhat superiour to them in number in respect of such advantage CHAP. VIII Of ordering the Cavallrie in battel THe forms of battel used among the horse presupposing such as are made by election in a free and spacious champain and not such as are forced through discommoditie of place or other respects a Ordinaturus aciem solem ventum antè prospictat Veg. lib. 3. cap. 14. Una aciei bellicae forma non est sed multa diversa pro varutate armorum militum hostium locorum temporum Leo Tact. c. 20. 182. are many and do varie according to the ground and strength both of your own side and the enemies accidents and occasions In all forms a principall care must be had that the troops be drawn up from an even front that so they may be free from disturbing each other in the retreat Basta reduceth these forms to foure sorts and Melzo to three making the second and third to be as one and the same which are these The first is when the troops are ordered as in one file every troop following each other in a single order which form is utterly disallowed because it bringeth but few hands to fight and the disordering of the first troop must needs endanger all the rest The second is when all the troops are placed as in b Si nimiùm fuerit acies attenuata cuò ab adversariis factâ impressione perrumpitur nullum postea potest esse remedium Veg. lib. 3. cap. 16. one rank or one front the one troop being placed on the flank of the other in a single order or straight line Which form is also disapproved because in it all the Cavallrie is engaged at once the one not being able to succour the other and having no troops of c The Grecians had their troops of reserve and herein the Carthaginians imitated them and these the Romanes also followed Veg. ibid. cap. 17. reserve The third is when the troops are ordered checquer-wise in squadrous enterchangeaby placed one behind another so as three or foure squadrons being in front such distances are left between each as others behind them may come up to the front without hindering the former d Exercitus contractus quadratus aut non ità multùm oblongus ad omnem occasionem atque eventum firmus utilis atque tutus est Leo Tact. cap. 9. 34. The Grecians had three kinds of horse-battels The Square the Wedge and the Rhombe which is as the diamond battel The Square was held the best for the defensive the other two for the offensive Of these the Wedge is preferred because it bringeth most hands to fight the rear division of the Rhombe being of little use Aelian cap 18. This form may well be allowed of and is retained by the best Commanders in the present warres of Christendome yet the forenamed authours have this exception to it because the Harquebusiers having taken up the said distances would hinder the Lances then in use And if they should be drawn from those intervalles and placed on the wings they must be exposed to the first assaults of the enemie The fourth kind of forms they make the Lunarie resembling a half moon but in this they differ from each other in the manner That which they call single must needs be weak their double form is better But both these last forms the Checquer and the Lunarie form shall be more fully represented in figure Walhausen maketh six sorts of battels namely 1. The Lunarie 2. The checquer 3. The Broad-fronted 4. The Embowed 5. The Sharp-pointed