Warlike Directions OR THE SOVLDIERS PRACTICE Set forth for the benefit of all such as are or will be Scholars of Martiall DISCIPLINE But especially for all such Officers as are not yet setled or rightly grounded in the Arte of WARRE By a Practitioner in the same Art T. F. The second EDITION corrected and amended LONDON Printed by Thomas Harper and are to be sold at his House in Little Britaine 1643. THE PREFACE THese indeavours of mine which I have formerly learned and practised twenty six yeares in the Low Countries and having divers yeares instructed and exercised the trained Bands within the County of Kent Do I present to all such as are inclinable and willing to profit themselves in the Art of War But especially to all Officers of the selected Bands of this Kingdome which doe yet faile in the delivering of the right words of command My purpose is not in this small Tract to treat of the highest principles or speculative part of military discipline but deâ—cend willingly to the lowest and meanest capacity thereby to instruct by short and evident rules in the point of practise and obedience an unexperienced Souldier and those Officers also who in a private Band are not so well and fully satisfied as they themselves desire and the good and welfare of their Countrey necessarily requires For whole better satisfaction instruction I have also drawn some small Maps for smaller and greater bodies as you may perceive at the end of the Booke that what I have written may be the better conceived and fixed in their memories Leaving all strange and forraine discourses which other painfull hands have excellently and learnedly within these few yeares set forth and well deciphered Applying my selfe wholly unto these moderne times Wishing that every one that loves his King and Countries good the furtherance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ the safeguard of himself and all his being able and fitting for this service would practise this noble Art and to have some of those Books which have been set forth upon this subject to meditate on them at their best leasure For the Theoricke part is good the Practicke better But Theoricke and Practicke both together is best of all He that hath neither Theoricke nor Practicke cannot be best better nor good So with my best wishes for the furtherance of the good desires of all such as love this Subject I humbly take my leave remembring this old Proverbe In time of Peace provide for War that Peace may continue in these and all other His Majesties Dominions in our dayes and for ever our most mercifull God grant Amen Tho. Fisher THE OFFICERS of a Company of SOULDIERS Captaine Lieutenant Ensigne Serjeants 2. Drummers 2. Corporals 3. Masters of the Armes Corporall of the Gentl. 1 Clarke of the Band Provost In a place of duty Lansprezadoes 3. Note that in Collonels Companies are more Serjants and as many Drummes Instructions for yong Souldiers agreeable to that discipline which is now practised within the Netherlands under the command of the Prince of Orange I Will first begin with the severall beates of the Drum becauâ—e every souldier is bound of necessity to learne to know and observe them for when the Commanders voyce cannot be heard vnto the whole company the Drum denounceth and expresseth the same The gathering of the company unto their colours when to Troope March Charge Retreat and such like The beats or sounds which are to be learned are these that follow Instructions for the Drum A gathering A Troope A March A Battalia A Charge A Retreat A Reliefe A Battery A Call for proclamation The gathering is the first which is to bring the company together to their Colors or place appointed by the superiour Commander A Troope A troope is that when the company is come to the place appointed the Commander intending to keepe them close in their order which is three foot the readier with advanced Pikes to troope up to the Court of guard or place appointed for watch Likewise to charge the enemy or receive a charge and is as the voyce of the Commander to all to advance their Pikes shoulder their muskets if they be at any other posture A March A March is if the company be at a stand or trooping charging or retiring as the voyce of the Commander to shoulder their armes and march if the march be beaten in a longer distance of time then is usuall then they must open their files and rankes to the next distance which is sixe foot the body marching very leasurely out if the march be beaten swifter then are they to close their files and rankes and to march with a quicker pace so that a skilfull Commander instructing the Drummer by signes may at his pleasure march troope stand retreat charge in front in reare in right or left flanke in front and reare or right and left at once or every way at one time A Battalia Is the uniting of devisions in battaile forme Likewise a preparation the enemy being in sight or at hand giving notice to all to prepare themselves for skirmish or for battaile A Charge Is when the body is come to push of pike or neere at hand joyning body to body with the enemy that no retiring be from the place during the charge A Retreate It a retiring backward leysurely without disorder either to give way to other battaliaes to relieve them or for gayning some advantagious ground or to draw the enemy in an Ambush or such like which the superior Commander may sometimes upon pollicy direct A Reliefe Is a relieving of the watch and dismissing of Centinels from extraordinary places in day light A Batterie Is most used in places of worke as in Trenches Batteries Halfe-moones Horne-workes Redouts Sconces Counterskarls and such like that those therein imployed should be diligent in that imployment A Call Is onely to proclaime the Commanders will concerning the well ordering of the Armie and of such military Lawes which ought to be kept that all should give eare unto that which the Drummer either readeth or speaketh For the beating of the March I have thought meete for the benefit of each Drummer which is not yet perfect in the March to prick downe the old English March newly revived in the plainest forme I could invent Wishing that all Drummers would leave off other forms invented either by themselves or others herein unskilfull that there may be an uniformitie in this Kingdome as in all other Nations Within the March are 9. severall lines or ranks which must be knowne and distinctly beaten dividing line from line by a certaine distance of time deciphered in short I. and long in r. and halfe r. Note that these 2. former letters short I. and long stands for single strokes the long for the right hand stroke the short I. for the left hand stroke The next two letters the whole r. for a full ruffe the half r. in this manner 2. for halfe a
pace through the divisions into the Front placing themselves before their own Files and so in like manner the rest This is to be performed when the Battalia marcheth from an Enemy the Enemy pursuing them Now followeth the giving fire in Flanke There are three severarall wayes to give fire in Flanke the body marching the first is The body or Batalia marching by a River side or Moras or Wood or in plaine Champaine ground either assaulted sometimes with horsemen or with foot if it be on both the Flanks at once Then the outmost File on each hand that is on both the Flanks make readie the Commander giveth the word To the right and left present then the outmost File on each hand turnes at 3. motions to the hand commanded and presents giving fire stands fast onely turning their faces as they were towards the Front untill such time as the second File who marched along with the Body hath given fire in the same forme as the first did Then the first File marcheth up even with the second both standing fast till the third File hath given fire and so subsequently all the rest one after another A Serjeant must stand at the head of those files that have given fire or if the division be great a superior Officer takes that place gathering up again that whole wing joyning them in equal front with the pikes The second forme to give fire in Flanke If it be on both Flanks the outmost File on each Flanke being ready at the word of Command presents Having given fire faces againe towards the Front standing fast till the leader of that File which gave fire last be free from the marching Body one pace behinde the bringers up then leadeth his File a round pace up on the other side of that division of Musketteers next unto the pikes till he be equall in Front with the rest of the Leaders his whole File even in ranke with the rest in like manner all the rest of the Files must do in all points as the first did Remembring that as soone as the File hath given fire presently prepareth againe whether he be to stand or move The third forme of giving fire in Flanke The outtermost File next the Enemie being commanded to make readie keeping still along with the Body till such time as they be ready and then at command they turne to the hand directed according to the sight of their enemy either on the right or left Flanke or both together and give fire all together When they have discharged they stand nor still as they did the two former wayes but speedily joyning their rests unto their Muskets turning their faces towards the reare the rear-man or bringer-up being then a leader turning short about the reare of that division of Musketteers going a speedy pace yet orderly next unto the pikes up unto the Front placing himselfe with the rest of the leaders so he that was the Leader before is now the bringer up of the File Observe alwayes in every forme of giving fire in Flank that as the first presents the next file maketh ready keeping still along with the Body presenting not till they be free of the File that gave fire last Two times giving fire in this lâ—st forme the first leader with every man in that File commeth in his first place againe In this manner of giving fire two hundred Musketteers may deliver as many shot in as short a time as three hundred any other way I could very much inlarge my selfe in this Subject but I hope these will content my friends for this time who have honest hearts and judge charitably and because I know that there have beene many very excellent Books of military Discipline set forth within these few years in this Kingdome namely the Instructions for Musters and Armes by order from the Lords of his Majesties most Honourable Privy Councell and thirteen other written by skilfull and painfull Gentlemen Souldiers as I have set downe in my Preface If I had appointed me any command with the horse-troops as I have with the foot-companies I should likewise set downe some observations concerning the exercising and imbattailing of them But for this and some other reasons at this time I omit Only remembring the Officers of the troops of Horse which are yet unskilfull or not so skilfull as they would desire to be to observe the forme and manner of the exercising of the Foot-Companies which will in some measure teach them their duties For in the exercising of Horse and Foot there is not much difference Before I passe any further let me remember the Ensigne bearer in few words concerning his place and duty and the displâ—ying of the Colours The Ensigne or Colours is the honour and reputation of the Captaine and Souldiers therefore the Ensigne-bearer ought not onely to be a good soldier bould and valiant but likewise discreet and wise in counsel and in the absence of the Captaine and Livetenant have the same authority the Captaine hath Where the company is appointed to gather together he ought to be one of the first and to be carefull of his Colours and at all times see that they be well guarded and be ready to do any thing to further the service Within these few yeares a Supreame Commander in setting downe the duty of each Officer in his place speaketh of the Ensigne these words following The Ensigne shall never turne his face out of his order start from any danger nor forsake his Ensigne upon paine of death In a march he may beare his Colours flying rested upon his shoulder before the head of the Pikes And being in a batalia his Colours somtimes advanced and breasted flying in the midst of the Pikes between the halfe Files In a troope the Colours furld or rold up In presence of the Generall or supreme Commander hee must beare his Colours flying and passing by him vaile them the point even with his knee once and no more for that time without any other ceremonies But if he passe by the King or Prince he shall likewise withall bow somewhat one of his knees The Souldiers ought not to forsake or leave their Colours before they be lodged and then with leave of the Captaine may depart The postures of the Colours Note that in those parts where the wars are especially within the Leager or any Army in the field the Ensigne ought not to display his Colours but onely to beare them flying marching skirmishing or at a stand or to vaile them as I have shewed before But with the trayned bands in those parts and likewise within this kingdome the Ensigne doth use at their meetings or Musters some more postures in displaying his Colours The Ensigne may performe most parr of the postures and motions with the Pikes except laying downe cheeking and trayling for which two last he may use comporting 1 Hand your Colours 2 Order your Colours 3 Shoulder your Colours 4 Advance your Colours 5
Port your Colours 6 Comport your Colours 7 Charge your Colours 8 Brest your Colours 9 Vaile your Colours Display your Colours 1 The first posture from hand to hand 2 The second overhead ps. with one hand 3 The third twise over-head ps. changing hands 4 The round over-head ps. 5 The backe ps. 6 The Crosse ps. 7 The retreating ps. losing ground 8 The advancing ps. winning ground 9 Furle or roule up your Colours Now followeth those small Maps which I promised in the Preface of small and greater bodies that such things which I have written may be the better conceived and fixed in the memory of all Observe these letters following for each Officer standing in their right places and for the Front Reare and Flankes C Captaine L Lievetenant E Ensigne S Serjeant D Drumme Fr. Front Re Reare Rf. Right flanke Lf. Left flanke P. Pikes M. Musketteeres The Captaine leading before the Front into the field or advancing towards the enemy Out of the field or skirmishing in the reare or marching from the enemy at the reare at all times neerest the enemy The Lievetenant his place is at the reare if the Captaine bee at the front or in the front if the Captaine be at the reare The Ensigne before the head of the Pikes and sometimes in a battalia between the halfe Files of Pikes The Serjeants on the outside of the flanks and in skirmish leading up the Rankes or Files of Musketteers to give fire The Drums in a march hearse form betwixt the third and fourth Rankes In a battalia on the corners flanks and in the middest with the Colours Observe that in the Maps are plaine squares Oes and small prickes The plaine squares are the Pikes the Oes and small pricks the musketteers the Oes leaders bringers up and middlemen Observe when many companies are united or joyned together making an intire body the Serjeant Major directeth every Officer what part of the body he shall be at to make good that place The Table at the end of this Book directeth unto all the speciall things contained in this Booke These squares that you see on the other leafe are 1000. divided into foure Battalions in every Battalia you may perceive their number of figures placed at such distance as they may best second on the other if need require with 100. horse on both the flankes with 100. fire-locks in two parties scouting out before for the approch of the enemy The P. stands for Pikes the M. for Musketteers On the other side of the leafe as you may observe a greater Army divided into many Battalions with their number in each square with their horse on the flanks and their forlorne hopes before and the distance as you may perceive from one Battalia unto the other standing removed one from the other in the best and surest manner for the relieving of one the other or for any other exploit when the superiour Commander shall see fit occasion with Ordnance and Wagons The Table THE Officers of a foot company page 1 The use of the Drum 2 The names of all the beats of the Drum ibid. For what use each severall found is 3. 4 5. Instructions how to beat the March ibid The March 6 Instruction for the unskilfull in arming and disarming in laying downe and taking up of their Armes 7. 8. 9. 10 The preparation unto the postures 11 The postures and motions of a Musketteer first standing then marching with the beginning and ending of the postures and their names 12. 14 The marching postures divided with some observations concerning giving of fire in front flanke and reare ibid. 15 The postures and motions of a Pikeman standing and marching ibid. 16. 17 The postures of a Pike divided The performing of all by the Drum and signes 18 The severall sorts of distances 19. 20 The words of command ought to bee right delivered ibid. What Files and Rankes are 21 The body distinguished ibid. 22 Of facing and doubling of Rankes Files halfe Files and bringers up 23. 24 Countermarches halfe Files intire doubling ibid. The body wheeling 25 Of conversion ibid. The reason why some things are repeated againe 26 Each Officers place ibid. Of facing and Rankes and Files doubling 27 Why halfe Files and why middlemen are named 28 Middlemen and bringers up doubling the front ibid. Halfe Files and leaders doubling the reare ibid. 29 Halfe rankes doubling the flanke ibid. Countermarches maintaining losing and winning ground ibid. Rankes and Files intire doubling 30 Files advancing and doubling ibid. Middlemen intire doubling the front 31 Halfe Files intire doubling the Reare ibid. Halfe Ranks doubling the Flank ibid. Flank advancing intire doubling 32 The body wheeling ibid. The use of wheeling the Front into the Center 33 Files and Ranks closing and opening 34 Rankes and Files by inversion and conversion 38 Files in sequence and Files and Rankes ranking 39 Such words of command as are not explained in one place are in another unfolded 40 In facing what foot to remove 41 In facing marching standing or trooping how to beare their Armes ibid. Observations in all sorts of doublings 42 All sorts of countermarches performed by signes 43 How to performe Rankes filing by inversion and conversion 45 Files ranking by conversion 48 Files filing in sequence 50 Files ranking few or many ibid. Ranks ranking few or many 51 In what forme to march few or many 52 How to beare their Armes at speciall times 53 The uniting of many Companies into one body 54 How the Battalions should march 55 Musketteers giving fire in Front Reare or Flanks how to fall off 56 The Authours reason why he doth not inlarge himselfe in this Subject and the cause why he writes nothing of the exercising of the troopes of Horse 60 The office and duty of the Ensigne-bearer and the displaying of the Colours 61 The reason why the Maps are placed at the end of the Book 64 A Table of the Maps of severall forms of Bodies small and great Marching Exercising Skirmishing and in Battell Letters for the Officers in their places 65 A company of 100 marching 67 A company of 200 marching 68 A company exercising with all their Officers in their places 69 A body standing in battâ—ll forme 70 A Battalia of 200. approching toward the enemy giving fire in Front 71 A Body marching from the enemy giving fire in the Reare 72 A Body marching giving fire in both the Flankes 73 A second forme of a Body marching giving fire in both the flanks 74 A third forme of a Body marching giving fire in both flanks 75 A Battalia giving fire in front with three files at once 76 A Battalia giving fire in front with foure files at once 77 A hollow Body for severall uses 78 A Sconce battalia ready for all assaults of the enemy 79 A Battalia giving fire in front and reare both at once 80 Another forme of giving fire in front and reare or on both the flankes at once 81 A Battalia marching being prepared to receive an enemy in front reare right and left at one time 82 A Battalia fronting every way prepared for battell 83 A Battalia fronting every way giving fire under the Pikes the Pikes charging over their heads 84 A Battalia fronting every way each division of Pikes being on both hands flanke with Muketteers with a diamant of Pikes in the midst 85 A very strong from of a Battalia for night or day against horse or foot having Muskeeteers in the front flankes and reare 86 A Battalia of five companies in one body all the Officers in their right places giving fire in front 87 A Battalia of 500. marching from the enemy giving fire in the reare 88 Instructions for the better understanding of the two following armies 89 A small army divided into foure Battalions with their distances each from other as you may perceive in the figures betweene each Battalia the number of paces with horse on the flankes and fire-lockes before Of this read more page 89 90 A great army divided into many Battalions with their horse on the flankes with fire-lockes forlorne hopes Ordnance and Wagons as you may read more of this page 89 90. 91. ERRATA IN the preparation to the march in the first ranke of the March if there be an r make it an i. In the second line or ra k where there is no r make the fourth i an r. Page the 10. the Ingravers error placing the cock on the wrong side of the Musket and the Trâ—cker too high Pag. 68. the Ingravers error the Drummers place should bee a ranke forwarder In the first division likewise a rank too many The eldest S. between the division of Pikes FINIS Note Note Doubling the flank Note Counter-March Note Note Intire doubling Note Note Note Note Note Note Note Wheeling Note Note The use of wheeling Note Fâ—les closing Note Files opening Note Note Rankâ—s closing Ranks opening Note Closing â—f Files â—nd ranks Opening Files and Rankes Note Inversion Note Conversion Note Note Files by conversion Note Sequence Note Files rankâ— Note Ranke ranke Most things performed by signes Note The maner of facing Bearing of their Armes Note Note Note Note Movâ—ng al together Countermarch by signes Note Note Note Note
distance Files to the right hand ranke by conversion As you were Files to the left ranke by conversion As you were Files to the right and left ranke by conversion As you were Files close to what distance the Commander judgeth fit or convenient If you would ocasion being offered draw out your Files in depth at a passage or such like into one or two Files or ranke your Files or ranke your Ranks The word of Command Files to the right file on in sequence As you were Files to the left file on As you were Files to the right and left file on As you were Files to the right ranke 2. 4. 7. or more As you were Files to the left ranke 3. or more As you were Files to the right and left Ranke 5. 6. or more or fewer As you were Ranks to the right ranke 3 5. or more As you were Ranks to the left ranke 2 4. As you were Ranks to the right and left ranke 3 5 6. As you were The manner how to performe these last and most of all those things which are written before in this Booke which bear only the words of Command and are not there explained may you find after in another place unfolded and more at large set forth for the manner of acting them Many other things of this subject might be added but I suppose these are sufficient for all such as are willing and inclinable to follow them and for any understanding Officer to work on and make triall of their further skill wishing a happy issue unto their good endeavours As I have said before concerning the performance of the Postures and Motions of Musketteers and Pikemen particularly by signes of the Commander and the beating of the Drumme So likewise may be performed the most of all other Motions of Facings Doublings Countermarches and Wheelings Opening Closing Marching fast or leasurely Trooping Charging Retreating and such like by signes of the Commander and the beating of the Drum Here followeth some short remembrances for the acting of these particulars concerning distance and forme First for facing Facing any way by command at a stand some teach to remove the same foot as the hand is named which is a very good way but for some respects I follow the ancientest and knowne manner practised in most parts Which is at a stand to remove the right foot either when you face to the right or left Right about or left about turning upon the left toe or heel but the toe is the best the Pike at the order the Musketteer his Musket shouldered or rested at the discretion of the Commander If the body be marching then facing any way that foot which is furthest from the hand named ought first to remove the Pikes and Muskets shouldered The body trooping the pikes advanced the muskets shouldered For all Doublings Observe that in all doublings hand and foot ought to go together although some do teach that the contrary foot to the hand which is named should first remove but the best way is the same hand which the Commander nameth the same foot first remove the right hand the right foot the left hand the left foot Observe likewise that in all movings or doublings at a stand no above three paces the Pike at the order the Musket rested or shouldered But if they move above 3 paces then the Pike ought to be advanced the Musket shouldred ported poised or breasted at discretion the whole body moving or any part thereof All those which are in the rankes or files that move must observe their Leaders and beare their Armes as they doe the leaders or formost men receiving the word or sign from the Commander Observe when you double to the right hand you must returne back to your place turning to the left If you double to the left returne backe to the right When rankes middlemen or bringersup are to double each man in those rankes which are to move must observe the right-hand man in that ranke they stand in moving with him pace by pace unto the place appointed and so likewise backe againe unto their owne places if it bee so commanded neither going before nor after one another but even altogether Doubling of files halfe rankes flankes wings or angles each man in the file hee standeth in must observe his file-leader and move even with him pace by pace the file-leader looking downe his file setting forth the same foot the hand is named the rest of his file seeing him will doe the like although they heard not the word of command To know by signe without words the severall Countermarches maintaining losing and winning of ground that which followeth will instruct you Countermarching maintaining ground is known by the Leaders turning upon the same foot as the hand is named neither pacing forwards nor backwards till he bee turned then marches downe the file unto the rear the Leaders observing the Commander and all the rest of the files moving together at their distance turning at the same place where the Leaders turned till the front be turned and brought into the same place where the rear was and the rear where the front was Countermarching againe to the contrary hand in the same manner bringeth every one in his first station Losing ground is known when the Leaders step forwards one pace and turning to the hand named then standing still the second Ranke with all the rest that follow passe on their leaders right hand if the right be named and place themselves behind their own Leaders at their distance Winning ground is knowne when the Leaders step backwards with the right foot if the right be named or signed by the Commander and being two paces past the second ranke then that second ranke likewise steppeth backe following their Leaders at their distance and so subsequently all the rest winning of ground towards the enemy who marcheth after them to charge their reare or bringing their front in the suddennest manner to follow the Enemy retiring or to double their owne reare in the quickest forme to receive the Enemy over winging them In all sorts of Countermarches they may beare their Arms Pikes advanced or comported if shouldered then at the turning they must advance port or charge or arme their Pike with their right hand aloft being turned shoulder againe the Muskets shouldered or brested at discretion There are other manner of wayes to performe these Countermarches either for files or rankes But these here set downe are the playnest and as I suppose the best which may suffice for this time Note that you must not countermarch if the Enemy be neare at hand lest the Body be brought in disorder and so easily overthrowne Wheeling When you are to wheele if the Body be great and stand at their open order the best way is to close both Files and Rankes especially the Files to their order if the body be small
The body wheeling The body to the right wheele moving on the right cornerman To the left wheel moving on the left corner man Even so right or left about To the right wheel moving on the middle leader or leaders or left or about at discretion The front or flanks wheeling into the center or midst of the body Front wheele into the center then face to the Leader or Commander if need require wheel again the front into the center or midst of the body then face as before the first wheeling bringeth all the Musketteers before the body of Pikes the second wheeling into the middest of the Pikes the third wheeling unto the rear of the Pikes the fourth wheeling on the flankes as at first they were The use of the manner of wheelings Suppose there were three or four files of Musketteers on each hand of the Pikes they could deliver but six or eight shot at once in the front This first wheeling bringeth the Musketteers that they may deliver twenty shot at once being tenne deep The second wheeling bringeth them into the midst delivering them from the violent charge of horse charging in the flankes especially when their powder is spent or upon some policy to cover the Musketteers from sight of the Enemy In like manner the rest of the wheelings are by a skilfull Commander put in practice at convenient time as the occasion offereth Likewise you may wheele the front to the right and left by division to receive the Enemy who is ready to charge both the flanks at once Now follow some formes of doublings which must be performed at a wider distance six twelve or twenty foure foot at the discretion of the Commander Remember alwaies the manner and form of opening and closing of files and rankes Being in open order the word being given files close without naming any hand is thus performed the two middle leaders close unto the next distance which is three foot the rest of the files likewise close towards the middle leaders untill they are at the distance commanded If the word be files to the right close then the right hand file moveth not but standeth fast all the rest of the files close towards the right file till they are at their distance appointed If the word be files to the left close then the left file standeth fast the rest of the files close towards the left hand untill they come to the distance commanded If the word be files to the right and left close then the one halfe of the files close to the right hand file which standeth fast the other halfe to the left opening in the middle of the body leaving a space betwixt the two halfe bodies which is done for some speciall use best knowne to the Commander Observe that at what distance soever the company stands in if the word be Close not naming any order whether files or rankes then they must close to the next distance being at twelve foot they close to six foot being at six they close to three foot in the same manner files opening or rankes opening Being in close order if the words be files open not naming any hand then the middle leaders open one from the other unto six foot both wayes the rest of the files on both flankes take their distance from them If the word be Files to the right hand open then the left file or angle moveth not the next file to the left hand first taketh its distance the rest of the files in like manner pressing upon their right hand files till the distance commanded be obtained in opening If the word be Files to the left open then the right file standeth fast the rest of the files opening to the left hand still pressing upon their left hand files till they be in the distance and order commanded Rankes closing If the word be Ranks close then the first rank moveth not namely if they be at a stand all the rest of the ranks close forward till they be at the distance appointed If need require you may close your ranks backward from the front to the reare with this word of command Ranks close backeward then the last ranke moveth not all the rest of the ranks go backward towards the last ranke taking their distance ranke by ranke from the reare or last ranke You may likewise open your rankes from the leaders to the reare or from the bringers up to the front but If the word be without any addition as this that followeth Rankes open Then the first ranke moveth not the rest of the rankes fall backe till they have gained that distance commanded the second ranke standeth first the rest in like manner one after another till they have all performed it If the word be Rankes open forwards Then all the body advanceth forward except the last rank which standeth firme the second to the last taketh the distance first then the rest till they have all performed it Files and Rankes close Sometimes it is convenient to close Files and Rankes both at once then it is performed marching being before at a wider distance at a sodaine to give way unto horse or foot to passe or to enter into a narrow passage or such like The body being at their close order both files and rankes and you would have them open the word of command Files and rankes open Which is from the same distance that they did close doe they open unto againe or unto any other distance commanded both together If they be at a stand then the rankes open first and then the files and in closing the files close first then the ranks If the word be Files and Rankes close to the center Then the halfe files and rankes close to the middle of the depth of the Body the halfe files in the front moving backward the reare halfe â—iles forward till they bee at their distance commanded So likewise opening from the center which may be done in the like manner as is directed before If the Commander have occasion to bring all the rankes into one file or into two the Body being at their order three foot The word Ranks open to 6 foot 12. or more as the number are in Ranke then Ranks to the right hand file or by inversion As you were Ranks to the left by inversion As you were Ranks to the right and left by inversion As you were Ranks to the right by conversion As you were Ranks to the left by conversion As you were Ranks to the right and left by conversion As you were Now followeth the closing of the ranks and opening of the files that which the Ranks performed in File may the Files performe in Ranks Ranks close to your order Files open to 6 foot 12 foot or more agreeable to the depth alwaies having in memory that 6 foot is named open order 12 foot double distance 24 foot double double
that is left in the first ranke taketh his place first after the right hand man in the third Rank then the two right hand men in the second Rank advance forward ranking with him making the fourth rank the rest of the ranks do the like till they have all finished what was enjoyned If the left be named then the left hand man with the other two next him advance forward and make the first ranke and so the rest as they did to the right till all have done it In the like manner what number soever is named may be performed Note when the Company is at the appointed place to exercise or else to be joyned with other Companies place all your Musketteers in one division as I have set downe before on the right hand of the Pikes If the Company be in number one hundred or fewer halfe Pikes halfe Musketteers then you ought to march with all your Musketteers in one division before the Pikes the Files both of pikes and muskets being ten deep as most Nations have in use or in case of necessity 8 deep When you make a stand draw up your Pikes on the left hand of the Muskets till they be all even in front But if the number be greater so that you can make six files of Musketteers or more then you may divide them When you march halfe before the Pikes and halfe behinde you must at all times observe to keep the depth of the File ten or eight at the least if you possible may observe that you march not at any time two in ranke if you can any otherwise chuse for it is no way convenient nor comely in sight but three or more when you come to a stand with the first division of Musketteers the rest of the body marcheth untill the first division of Pikes be even in front with the Musketteers that stand then the second division of Pikes if there be so many fronts with the former that stand and last the reare division of Musketteers advanceth forward untill they be even in rank and file with the former divisions Observe that all marching companies or battaliaes great or small when they come to a stand or holt order their Pikes and rest their Muskets standing even in File and Ranke When the Commander gives the word March Observe that all must shoulder their armes both Pikes and Muskets and beare them sloped except it be otherwise commanded In trooping the Pikes must be advanced In charging especially to the front being ten or eight deep the halfe Files in the reare must beare their Pikes ported over the heads of the formost halfe Files as may give them no offence either in charging or retreating Likewise the Pikes are not so subject to be broken by the enemies shot as when they are advanced Observe likewise in going through any port or gate the Pikes at the entrance ought to be ported if it be a small gate or doore the Musketteer is to joyn his Musket with his Rest and enter porting his musket Being through the passage to beare their Arms as they did before Now followeth the uniting of many companies together When many Companies are brought together to be joyned into one two or three or more bodies or battaliaes The Colonell or eldest Captains Company taketh the first place on the right hand of all the rest All the Musketteers of that company are to be placed on the right hand of the body of Pikes standing at their open order the division of Musketteers a double distance from the Pikes So likewise all the rest of the Companies in that manner according to the degree of the Captaine Every Company twenty foot one from the other Then draw backe all the Musketteers fifty foot behinde the reare of the Pikes dividing them into Manaples or divisions of foure files by themselves the files at their order three foot and each manaple from other six foot then joyne all your Pikes in one body or two or three according to their number or at the discretion of the Serjeant Major or superiour command The Files of Pikes likewise at their order then flanke each body of Pikes with two wings of Musketteers having divided them as you did your Pikes for one two or three bodies When all the Officers have taken their places according to their antiquity as the Serjeant Major directeth then march either in hearse forme or in square battalia if there be three battaliaes The first march then the other two even with one another in front but divided one from the other as farre distant as the length of the first battalia is so that the left File of the second battalia which is on the right hand must be direct after the right File of the first battalia and the right File or Angle of the third and last battalia direct after the left File of the first battalia both these second and third battalions if the ground will permit sixty paces after the first battalia when the first marches all march when the first stands all stand they must all move together march wheele or stand by example of the first if not directed otherwayes by the superiour Commander Observe if there be but one division of Musketteers on each hand of the body of Pikes then the right wing after they have given fire in front wheeles off to the right hand into the reare of their owne files In the like manner the left division of Musketteers after they have given fire wheeles off to the left hand into the reare of their owne Files But if the body be greater so that there be more divisions then one of Musketteers on each hand of the body of Pikes then after they have given fire must all both those on the left hand as well as those on the right hand wheele off to the right through the distances which are left open for that purpose between the divisions into the reare Observe when the battalia advanceth towards an enemy being yet a Musket shot off the two first Rankes maketh ready advancing tenne paces before the body directed by a Serjeant as the first Ranke presents two Ranks more marches forward making ready as they goe giving fire ranke after ranke Wheeling off to the right hand through the divisions unto the reare of their own Files making ready againe as they goe and subsequently all the rest But when the Battaliaes come nearer ready to the push of pike then the rankes give fire even with the formost ranke of pikes and being forced to give back then all the Musketteers maketh ready together resting their Muskets standing with their pans guarded giving fire ranke after rank and suddenly with all speed falling off into the Reare Marching from an Enemy Observe when you are to give fire to the Reare two ranks after two makes ready giving fire even with the last rank of pikes as soon as the rank hath given fire it wheeleth to the right hand marching a good round