service they are to alight and to demean themselves as Infantery Whereof it shall be needlesse hereto enlarge seeing we have books in such abundance upon that subject as they are able rather to a By reason of the frivolous impertinences and manifest errours which abound in many of them distract then instruct the reader and in my opinion had need of an Index expurgatorius Being so alighted to do their service as abovesaid every of them is to cast his bridle over the neck of his side mans horse in the same order as they marched keeping them so together by the help of such as are thereunto especially appointed CHAP. XXXII Of exercising the Cavallrie in their motions HAving shewed how every horse-man is to be exercised in the managing of his horse as also in the use of his particular arms it followeth now that he be taught how to demean himself being joyned in a body And here before we enter into the motions it were fit to explain the terms of a The Grecians and Romanes had the same order of exercise and that in the same words which we retain to this day A File the Romanes called Versus and Decuria A Rank Jugum A File-leader Decanus because their Decuria or File used to consist of ten among the foot with some 16. A bringer up Tergiductor A Leader being every odde man in the file Prastes A follower which is every even number Substes A side-man Astes Their distances were the same with us Their two cubits every cubit being a foot and an half of our measure agreed with our three foot Their four cubits our 6 foot and so increasing upon occasion They ordered their horse-troops at six foot distance between file and file in march and three foot in sight art therein used and to shew what is meant by a file a rank half files and half ranks the front flanks and rear and the like But for brevitie sake I passe them over referring the reader to the books of Infanterie To exercise the horse they are to be drawn up into a body not by ranks but by files and those of five deep as most affirm or of six as others would have it and that because the number of five is not divisible by two and so in doubling of ranks or half files or the like there is alwayes an odde rank Some would have them especially the harquebusiers to be eight in file taking the troop to consist of 64. Being put in Battalia that is ordered into a square body and silence strictly commanded the first thing to be taught them is distance And herein authors disagree Some make close order to be two paces open order foure paces and so for double triple and quadruple distance proportionable Others make but two kinds of distances close order which is three foot and open order which is six foot But this must be understood cum grano salis as the Civilians speak for here we must observe a difference between the manner of taking the distance of the Cavallrie and that of the Infantery for in the foot the distance is taken from the centre of the souldiers body which here cannot be so understood but onely of the space of ground between horse and horse Monsieur de Praissac is more plain who would have the distance between rank and rank both for the length of the horse as also for the space between horse and horse to be six paces and one pace between file and file Yet if we take every pace for five foot as that is the usuall dimention by this rule they should be at a very large distance In my opinion the Cavallrie being to be exercised in their motions should be at their distance of six foot or open order taking it as hath been shewed b Omnes milites incedendi ordinem servent Veg. 1. 9. Vt aequali leguimóque spatio miles distet a milite nec ultrà quà m expedit aut conglobent agmen aut laxent Ibid. cap. 26. standing right in their ranks and files c In all the motions we also retain the same words of command which they used Facing they called declinatio to the right hand ad hastam to the left ad scutum Facing about immutatio Doubling by ranks and files Duplicandi duo genera perjuga versus Their countermarches the same which we use Evolutio Chorica Macedonica Laconica per decurias juga Wheelings the same with us Conversio ad hastam vel scutum Reversio est conversionis restitutio Inflexio wheeling about c. Now the motions are of foure kinds 1. Facings 2. Doublings 3. Countermarches 4. Wheelings The use of facings is to make the company perfect to be suddenly prepared for a charge on either flank or the rear Doubling of ranks or doubling by half files or bringers up is used upon occasion of strengthening the front Doubling of files or doubling by half ranks serveth to strengthen the flanks Countermarches serve either to reduce the file-leaders into the place of the bringers up and so to have the best men ready to receive the charge of an enemy in the rear or to bring one flank into the place of the other or front and rear or either flank into the middle of the body The use of wheelings is to bring the front which is alwayes supposed to consist of the ablest men to be ready to receive the charge of the enemy on either flank or rear These motions for the more easie apprehension of the untutored souldier are represented in figures by a company of harquebusiers of 64 men And therein the file-leaders and bringers up are distinguished by a differing letter as followeth The form of the first standing To face them to the right is done by commanding Left flank Front Right flank Rear To the left hand Which is performed by turning towards the left From hence they are to be reduced by commanding As you were Which they do by turning to the right Now to face them to the rear though it be proper first to do it by the right hand yet for the more ready way I would say To the right hand Which is done by turning all at one and the same time to the right hand Thus the front is where the right flank was To reduce them to their first form the word of command is As you were Which they perform by turning to the left hand From thence to face them to the left you command To the left hand about Which is done by turning towards the left hand untill their faces front to that place which was before the rear To reduce them to their first-form as that must be observed the word is To the right hand about as you were Ranks to the right double The use hereof hath been shewed before Every other rank that is every even number passeth into the odde upon the right hand of his leader The second rank into the first and so successively To reduce
in the first rank of horse But Walhausen placeth the Lieutenant next after the Trumpeters before the Cornet all others place him as he ought to be in the rear Flamin de la Crote would have them march in foure divisions and every Corporall to lead one but this the Corporalls being leaders of files disordereth their ranks I follow that order which is prescribed to be generally observed by the councel of warre to march they are to be divided into 3 equall parts and each of these is called a squadron according to the number of the Corporalls and these are distinguished by the names of the Captains Lieutenants and Cornets squadron The first squadron to be led by the Captain the second by the Cornet the third by the eldest Corporall The Lieutenant and Quartermaster are to come in the rear And when they come to be exercised or to do service the Captains squadron stands and the other squadrons sleeve up on the left hand and so they become a Battalia As for their marching in grosse that comes to be spoken of in the next part The second Part. Of Marching THE ARGUMENT HAving shewed in the first part how the Cavallrie is to be levied it followeth now to speak of their manner of marching a matter of no small a Plura in itineribus quà m in ipsa acie solent contingere pericula Nam in conflictu armati sunt omnes hostem cominus vident ad pugnandum animo veniunt praeparatâ— In itinere minùs armatus minúsque attentus est miles superveniente impetu velfraude repentè turbatur Veg. lib. 3. cap. 6. consequence in the well ordering whereof oftentimes especially upon occasion of sudden charges the safetie of the troops or of the whole armie consisteth For the orderly handling whereof I purpose to direct my discourse to these 3 heads 1 the knowledge of the wayes and discoverie of the enemies designes and residence 2 The conducting of the troops to their Rendez-vous and their orders 3 The particular distribution of the whole train upon the way And the scouts or fore-runners And how they are to march in an open or strait countrey by day or night CHAP. I. Of Guides FOr the knowledge of the wayes a a For want of good guides the late Prince of Orenge failed of an Aenslach or enterprise upon Bruges a citie in Flanders For when he had marched all the night himself and many other great personages often riding up to the horses bellies in waters he found himself within half an houres march of the place he landed at The day appearing frustrated the designe and caused him to dismarch re infectâ Mereren lib. 17. matter of great importance either to prevent the taking of one way for another in marching or in pursuing the enemie he having received the charge and flying by unusuall wayes the use of maps may somewhat help but being too generall is not sufficient And therefore the Waggon-master is to provide good guides of the inhabitants of those places where the march is to be which may be able to give certain and particular information concerning the b Dux locorum intervalla non solùm passuum numero sed etiam viarum qualitates perdiscat compendia diverticula montes flumina ad fidem descripta consideret high-wayes and crosse-wayes how many there be of them whether they be even large and free or straight hillie or impeached with difficult passages Also concerning ditches and rivers whether there be bridges or not And if there be divers wayes which is the most safe and shortest or most exposed to the enemies advenues or approches or most commodious for the baggage Whether there be requisite commoditie for the lodgings as forrage water c Insomuch as they may be able to know every hedge or ditch and all other particulars And that you may be assured of their fidelitie and the truth of their informations it is good to have them to be souldiers in pay or where they are not to take them of the c Ad hoc à prudentioribus locorúmque gnaris separatim debet universa perquirere veritatem colligere de pluribus boores or inhabitants as aforesaid from place to place keeping them separated from each other And if they differ either from the souldiers which serve for guides or from each other they must be confronted and by the mutuall consent of all the best way is to be resolved on These guides usually to prevent their running away which they will often do if they see an opportunitie of escaping are led bound d Eósque custodia mancipare additá poena ostentatione vel praenni c. Veg. lib. 3. cap. 6. or at least committed to the custodie of some souldier Recompence is promised them if they do their endeavour and punishment threatned if they direct amisse CHAP. II. Of Intelligence EVery good commander must have these two grounds for his actions 1. the knowledge of his own forces and wants knowing that the enemie may have notice thereof and therefore must he be alwayes studying for remedies if the enemie should come suddenly upon him 2. The assurance of the condition and estate of the enemie his commodities and necessities his counsels and designes thereby begetting divers occasions which afterward bring forth victories a M. Cato in Hispania quia ad hostium consilia aliâ vià pervenire non poterat jussit trecentos milites simul impetum facere in stationem hostium rapiúmque unum ex his in castra perferre incolumem tortus ille omnia suorum arcana confessus est Frontin Stratagem lib. 1. cap. 2. And because the commoditie of spies cannot alwayes be had some of the enemies men must be assayed to be taken from whom there may be drawn a relation of the estate of the adverse part and this exploit is called b The French call it prendre langue taking of intelligence a dutie of great importance whereon the deliberations which are to be taken do depend and also of much travell and danger To effect this an expert officer with 20 or 25 of the c Dux cum agmine exercitûs profeâ—turus fidelissimos argutissimòsque cum equis probatissimis mittat qui loca per quae iter faciendum est in progressa à tergo dextra leváque perlustrent nè aliquas adversarii moliantur insidias Ibid. Veg. best mounted stoutest and hardiest Harquebusiers or mixt of Cuirassiers and Harquebusiers according to Melzo with two Trumpets are to be employed These are to carrie with them some refreshment for themselves and their horses to that purpose retiring themselves into some wood or shadie place placing good Centinells upon trees If they find the enemie marching they shall follow him on either flank as opportunitie shall direct them or on the rear or meet him on the front assaying to take some that are disbanded or some forrager In the night they must approch the enemies armie assaying
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
just behind the first but at twice as large a m 600 foot distance from the second as the second is from the first that so the first troop retreating behind the second they may have convenient room to make their retreat in good order All this will appear in the figures following among the rest in Figure 9. If the Infantery and Cavallry be joyned together the manner is to place half the horse on the right flank of the foot and the other half on the left as appeareth in Figure 12. 14 and 15. But upon occasion either of the enemy his ordering of horse within the body of foot whereby he might annoy your Infantery or for other respects of moment some of the horse may be placed within the body of the army as is shewed in Figure 16. Figu 8 Cap 8 Par 4 CHAP. IX Of certain ceremonies before fight HAving shewed by these former rules and examples how the horse are to be ordered for fight not onely by themselves but also when they shall be joyned with foot that which a Quid superest nisi pugnaâ— quae jam manuum est non verborum Lips de milit Rom lib. 4. now remaineth seemeth rather to require action then words Indeed with antiquity when the army was embattelled and ready for combat it was usuall for the Generall to deliver some set speech either from some higher place of turf or stone or at the head of the troops and riding amongst the Maniples to encourage his souldiers And they either with an acclamation lifting up of their hands or clashing of their arms used to manifest their assenting resolution Unto which kind of b Cesars army being so dismaid through fear as they were almost brought to desperation tantus subitò rimor omnem exercitum occupavit c. was by a elegant oration of his suddenly revived Hac oratione habitâ mirum in modum conversa sunt omnium mentes summáque alacritas cupiditas belli gerendi innata est Caesar de bello Gal. lib. 1. cap. 9. allocutions the ancient Sages use to ascribe a marvellous efficacy not onely amongst the Grecians or Romanes but also those whom they then accounted barbarous as the Britons Gauls Germanes c. as the histories of those times sufficiently testifie Next to this they sounded the Classicum that is a generall charge and this was seconded by a generall shout of the souldiers or a concussion of their arms Moreover a c Tunâ—â—a â—ussa punicea vel coccinea Some resemblance hereof there is in the bloody flagge at sea scarlet red or a carnation coloured coat or cassock was hung out upon the top of the Generalls tent and a countersigne or a word of distinction was given to the souldiers as d Veg. lib. 3. c. 5. Victoria palma virtus or the like to know each other by The Grecians used also to sing the Poean before the fight to Mars and after battell to Apollo c. Of all which ceremonies which they duly observed as found to be of very good use and which were much graced by the solemne and stately manner of performing them our times have retained very few For as the actions of the modern warres consist chiefly in sieges assaults sallies skirmishes c. and so afford but few set battels so the practise of delivering publike speeches is almost grown out of use and esteem amongst our chief Commanders Yet the late e Meteren lib. 12 J. Petit. lib. 15. Prince of Orange at the battell of Newport before the conflict delivered a pithy short speech to his souldiers adding to his publick Oratory publike Orisons and riding up and down gave courage to his souldiers The Classicum is still retained that is to sound a generall charge namely amongst those troops which are to give on And sometimes the Clamor militaris or shout of the souldiers which was not onely an acclamation or assent unto the Generalls speech but also a f This by the Grecians was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and by the Latines Barriâ—us the original of which words is shewed by Lip ubi suprá yet afterwards when the Empire was become Christian they used when they were ready for conflict to cry 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is the victorie of the Crosse as appeareth by Leo the Emperour who reigned in the Fast from the year of our Lord 886. to 903. Tact. cap. 12. 69. Cum ad conflictationem movet exercitus consueta Christianis vox usurpanda est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And after this in the very charge they were to make their shout as it followeth there 106. Conflictâ—tionis tempore post vocem Victoriae crucis mignos atque altos clamores â—dere oportet loud and dreadfull kind of noise which they used to make when they gave the charge thereby to encourage one another and to strike a terrour into the enemies as the Turks cry Bre Bre Bre the Irish Pharro Pharro the French Sa Sa Sa the Dutch Vall aen Vall aen c. But as for the countersigne or word of distinction that is seldome used now adayes unlesse upon occasion of some Camisado or other exploits in the night when the souldiers may easily misse those means to know each other by which in the day time the light the sight of the ensigne or cornet their skarfs required among the Cavallry or long acquaintance may afford them But these being but ceremonies as I called them in the title of this chapter I willingly withdraw my self from them Neither should I have been desirous to have meddled with them at all but that the example of others g Lips de milit Rom. Reusner de arte stratagem who have writ in this kind led me unto it and the respect unto my Reader in common civility required it at my hands whom I could not well leave after the sight of so many dumbe figures without a word or two at the parting There remaineth onely now that every one according to his office rank and abilitie strive for honour and victory propounding to himself the goodnesse of the cause and authority of the Prince the command of the Leaders the vertue of the souldiers the honour of the conquest and the disgrace and damage of the defeat Above all lifting up his eyes and heart unto Almighty God from whose hands victory and the means to obtain it is especially to be expected h Psal 18.32.34 It is God that girdeth me with strength of warre and maketh my way perfect He teacheth my hands to fight c. i Psal 144.1 Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth mine hands to warre and my fingers to fight k Psal 44.5 6 7. Through thee will we overthrow our enemies and in thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us For I will not trust in my bow it is not my sword that shall help me But it is thou that savest us from our enemies