farre forth in a straight line untill they have ranked even with the first ranke of Pikes not forgetting to leave there a distance betwixt the Inermost Musquet of each Flanke and the outermost File-Leader of the Pikes So soone as the first Ranke hath given fire and wheeled away the second Ranke is to give fire wheeling off as before and passing down betweene the Intervalls of the Flankes placing themselves after their Leaders The same is every Ranke successively to doe untill all the shot be drawne from before the Front placed on the Flankes of their Pikes But when all the shot in the front hath discharged unto the two last rankes then the Pikes are to porte and when they have all fired and wheeled away then they are to charge their Pikes then advancing their Pikes again the Battallia stands reduced as in its first forme Musquetiers make ready to give fire by Introduction to the right Files of Musquetires open by division to your open order You shall finde in the Margent the words of Command that produceth this forme of giving fire by way of Introduction it being a kinde of advancing against the Enemie and of gayning ground although not used in these our Moderne warres but in way of exercise It is to be performed two wayes The first when the motion is begun by the second Ranke from the Front The other when it is begun by the bringers up wherefore observe before the firing begin you must open your Files of Musquetiers to their open order so that the shot may passe betweene the Intervalls of each File to give fire in the Front The maner and forme of this kind of firing by Introduction may be thus performed The Pikes being flanked with the Musquetiers the first ranke of each flanke is to present and give fire and having fired they stand and make ready againe in the same place The second Ranke passing forwards before the first doe there also fire and stand The third Ranke then passing forwards after the second and standing even in Ranke with them that first fired that so soone as the second Ranke hath fired they may presently step before them and fire in like maner In this firing still the ranke which is next to fire stands even in ranke with them which last fired untill those which stand presented have first given fire after which they then passe before them the Ranke which was their next followers passing forwarde Ranking with those which last fired every man following his Leader successively untill the bringers up give fire and stand in the Front of all and then this forme will be like the figure of a Horne battell All the while that this firing by Introduction is continued the Pikes may be shouldred if there be no feare of the Enemies Horse If you continue this firing twice over the Musquetiers will have their right place which being done march up your Pikes and Ranke them even in Front with the shot and they are reduced The second way of firing by introduction The first Ranke or File Leaders are to give fire as before and to stand The last Ranke or bringers up in the interim of their firing marching up and ranking even with the second Ranke the rest follow their bringers up as they doe when bringers up double their Front the first Ranke having fired the bringers up step imediatly before them present and give fire the rest still successively doing the like untill every ranke have given fire once over observe with all that the File Leaders are to give fire twice over being the first and the last and then to stand the Pikes marching up even with their Front of Musquetiers And thus they are reduced as at first If the two first rankes of Pikes in every Battallia should have bowes fastned to their Pikes they might do good service against the enemie whilst the shot performes their duties in giving fire The words of Command which produceth this forme of a Diamand Battell is in the Margent Amongst the Ancients it hath bin of great account but in these late ages Musquetiers Ranke 1 3 5 7 9 c. by increase to the left Files of Pikes ranked by decrease after your Musquetiers not used in the warres The manner of forming it is thus first you must cause your Musquetiers of the right flanke to open to the right to a sufficient distance for the receiving the shot of the left flanke Then you must Command the left flanke of Musquetiers to passe through into the space of ground on the right This being done for to frame this battell you must command your Files of Musquetires to ranke 1 3 5 7 c. by increase to the left then you must command the Files of Pikes to ranke by decrease after the Musquetiers The Musquitiers may give fire from this forme of Battell two wayes principally the first is the giving fire in Ranke viz. the first man or point of the diamond is first to give fire then he is to wheele off to the right and place himselfe just behind the single Pikemen in the Reere then the next Ranke consisting of three men are to give fire and to wheele off by division and are to place themselves in Ranke behind the single Musquetiere as they were before the firing began next the Ranke of five Musquitiers gives fire wheeling off in like manner by division ever observing that where the number is odde and they commanded to wheele off by division there the greatest number alwayes goes to the right And after this manner every Ranke gives fire successively and place themselves after their Leaders as before is shewed when all the shot have given fire and are wheeled off then let the Pikes charge which will be fiveteene in the first Rank the rest decreasing having advanced your forme will stand like two wedges with their points joyned If you would reduce your men from this forme without giving fire then let the Musquitiers stand and the Pikes face to the Reere and then the wedge will stand faced in opposition Next you may command them to interchange ground the Musquetiers advancing forwards into the ground of the Pikes and the Pikes moving into the ground of the Musquetiers and then by facing the Pikes to the former front the body will stand in forme of a diamond againe If you would give fire from this forme in regard all the Musquetiers are placed in the Reere the body must face about so the firing will bee contrary to the former But if you wheele them about then they may give fire the same way However after fire is given they must wheele off by division and place themselves in the Reere of the Pikes even in Rank againe as they were when they gave fire Thus having all fired over wheeled away the Pikes may charge being againe advanced the body wil stand in form of a diamond The second way of firing on this Diamond forme is
left so to give them roome to march up betweene them in the meane time the next File having given fire wheeleth off in like manner marching up on the left hand of the File that fired last before and so successively for all the rest of the Files of Musquetiers all which are to give fire and wheele off as before placing them still on the left hand of the Files which last fired wherein still is to be noted that the Pikes are still to open to the right and left for the receiving the shot betweene them after they have discharged This firing as well as all the former firings in Flank may be led off by their bringers up as well as by their File-Leaders and then the reducement will be answerable The shot having all given fire the Pikes may seeke to defend themselves by charging at push of Pike or at foote if there bee any Bow Pikes they may gall the enemy in the meane time or the shot may play over the shoulders of the Pikes as they charge at the foote one ranke giving fire after another for the formost Ranke having fired may kneele downe and there make ready againe untill the next Ranke behind hath also fired c. For reducement and to bring the Musquetiers into both flankes againe as they were before wee discoursed of these severall firings in Flankes you must first command your Pikes to face inwards and your Musquetiers to the right and left outward and so to passe them through and interchange ground then facing them to their Leader they will be reduced as at first You must observe that all these firings in flanke may as well be performed to the left hand and with the same words onely the words of right must be changed for left and left for right The next discourse shall be of divisionall firings CHAP. XCII How a Commander shall exercise his Souldiers in divisionall firings viz. front and reere upon a March. Musquetiers give fire to the Front and Reere and flanke your Pikes YOu may please to remember how that in the last foregoing firings in the flanke the Shot were placed in the middest of the Pikes and now before we can give directions for these divisionall firings in Front and Reere we must observe the way of reducing the Musquetiers into the Front and Reere of the Pikes from the forme wherein they last stood To performe this you must command the halfe Files of Musquetiers to face about which done let the Pikes stand and the Musquetires march untill they are cleare both of Front and Reere of Pikes then let them stand and face to their Leader then command your Pikes to close their divisions and the shot will bee one halfe of them in Front and the other halfe in the Reere in a readinesse to performe this firing which wee are now about to discourse of The Pikes being shouldred and the words of command and direction given as in the Margent is specified the first Ranke in the Front presents and the last Ranke faceth about to the Reere and doth the like and so by giving fire together wheele off by division viz. the one halfe of the Ranke following after the right hand man of the same Ranke the other halfe after the left hand man who leads them close downe by the sides or flankes of the Musquetiers untill they come to the Pikes The first Ranke of Musquetiers in the Front are to ranke even with the first Ranke of Pikes and the last Ranke of Musquetiers in the Reere are to ranke even with the last Ranke of Pikes leaving a sufficient distance betwixt them and their Pikes for the other Musquetiers to march betweene And by the way take notice that he that was outermost when they gave fire must likewise be outermost when they have taken their places on the Flanks the first and last Ranke having fired and wheeled off the next rankes the body marching on three or foure steppes are in like manner to present and give fire wheeling off by division and passing betweene the divisions there placing themselves they of the Front division are to place them selves behind those which fired last before them and they of the Reere division before them which fired last in the Reere behind them and thus they may continue to give fire after the same manner untill they have all given fire over once then may the body make a stand and the Pikes charge to the Front and Reere if occasion be or if the Commander would continue his firing to the front and Reere still upon this same forme then let the shot of the Front place themselves after they have given fire behind the Musquetiers of their owne division and those of the Reere division are to place themseleves betwixt the Reere of Pikes and the shot of their owne division and so the body moving but slowly forwards they may continue the firing Musquetiers give fire to the Front and Reere placing your selves betweene your divisions In the precedent discourse after fire was given to Front and Reere the shot flanked the Pikes now from this forme I will indeavour to shew you a second way of firing to Front and Reere which may easily be effected if the Souldiers be well instructed To performe this firing take these words of command and directions placed in the Margent which will produce this forme of firing following The command being thus given the first Ranke presents to the front likewise the last Ranke of Musquetiers in the Reere faceth about and presents towards the Reere then both at one instant gives fire wheeling off by division and placing themselves betweene the Musquetiers of their division These namely which were of the Front halfe files falling into the Reere of their owne divisions and those of the Reere halfe files contrary wise falling before their halfe File-Leaders and ranking even with the halfe File-Leaders of the Pikes the next Ranke successively firing and wheeling off after the same manner Having fired once over they are reduced every man to his place The Officer must take some paines in teaching his Souldiers these two last firings otherwise they will seeme very difficult at first for them to performe CHAP. XCIII How a Commander shall exercise his Souldiers in giving fire to the Reere and right Flanke marching and likewise to both Flankes at once marching and also to both Flankes standing Musquetiers give fire to the right flanke and reere placing your selves betweene the Pikes and your owne divisions THis kinde of firing in Reere and Flanke upon a march is very serviceable at such times as the enemy shall skirmish with the body to annoy them in their passage in Flanke and Reere at one time And this kinde of firing you may performe two severall wayes as first your Musquetiers being placed in their ordinary place upon the Flankes of their Pikes The second and more securer way for the Pikes will be to draw the Musquetieres from that flanke which is
by way of Counter-march and is an oblique firing for whereas in the other firing by Rankes in the Diamond Battell each Ranke fired by increase of two beginning with one and ending with 15. 17. or 21 c. according to the quantitie of your Souldiers in a Ranke this second kind of firing contrary wise may beginne with 15. 17. or 21 c. and end with one still decreasing two and to performe this firing your Files must be at open order because the Musquetiers must Counter-march downe betweene the Intervals of their owne Files to the right every Musquetiere that findes him-himselfe without a Leader being to present and give fire and then to Counter-march to the right and to place himselfe in the Reere of his owne File behind the Pikes when the first Ranke if it consists but of 15. have given fire then the next Ranke of 13. is to present give fire and Counter-march still placing themselves in the Reere of their owne files next there fireth 11. then 9 c. And in this manner of firing they that fire together stand neither in Ranke nor File but obliquely when all the shot have fired and are Counter-marcht into the Reere of their owne Files then the Rankes will become two and two of a number Your men standing in the forme before described if you please you may produce another forme by facing them all to the Reere then command your Musquetiers to march ten or twelve paces your Pikes to stand and your Musquetiers will make resemblance of a hollow wedge and your Piks of a sollid wedge Lastly to reduce all these severall formes into the first proper square battell first let the sollid wedge close forwards into the hollow of the other then let the shot make ready present and give fire as before viz. every Musquetiere that findes himselfe without a Leader is to give fire and Counter-march to the Reere of his owne File and the rest doing the like successively when they have all fired and are all Counter-marcht cleare let the Pikes charge and then the body of your Battallia will have the forme of a Diamond againe Next face them all to the Reere and command the Rankes to file 8. c. to the right which being done passe the shot through which belongs to the left flanke into their places and close the Musquetiers to the right Flanke to their due distance and then they will stand in their proper reducement Wheele your Flankes into the front and face the body to one of the flanks and wheele your battell into a Convex halfe Moone The manner and use of the severall wayes of firing belonging to this forme of the Convex half Moone or semi-circuler Battell is a forme which our Schoolemaster in the rudiments Julius Casar did highly esteeme of it makes shew but of a few Souldiers in regard of the rotunditie of it yet being drawne out in Length it makes a very long Front it may be for the Landing of Souldiers in the enemies country or being secured in the Reere with Rivers Bogges Ditches or the like it hath beene accounted very prevalent to be opposed against an Armie of greater power It may be framed either with the shot outermost or innermost or lined If your battell be in forme of a Hearse then wheele them to the right and left about untill they have attained this forme of a Semicircle but if in a square then you must make use of those words of command plac'd in the Margent which will produce this Convex forme Having brought your Souldiers into this Semicircle you may face them all inwards the better to heare such speeches or orations as shall be by the Commander delivered unto them but for to receive a charge from the enemy you must face them outwards there must be certaine intervalls or distances betwixt each division for the shot to wheele off and march downe in The outmost Arch or first ranke of each division is to present and give fire those of the right Flanke wheeling off to the right and the left Flanke to the left placing themselves in the Reere of their owne divisions of Musquetiers still making good their Leaders ground the rest of the Rankes are to doe the same until they have all given fire Never the lesse if the enemies horse should bee too potent then let them give fire by division as is shewed before passing quite through their intervalls and placing themselves in the Reere of the Pikes every ranke is to make good his Leaders ground Thus also are the rest of the Musquitiers to give fire placing themselves in the concave part of the body as aforesaid following the Pikes which now makes good the Musquetiers ground the Pikes may eyther charge over hand or upon occasion at the foote drawing forth their Swords over their left arme and couching downe their heads by which meanes the Musquitiers may play over their shoulders for the first ranke having fired may kneele downe and charge againe and so the second ranke may give fire and kneele in like sort making ready againe and so all the rest untill the first ranke riseth up with the rest and give fire over againe So the skirmish may be continued the Pikes still opposing the Horse Pikes stand Musquetiers face to the reere and march until your are cleere of your body of Pikes Then face inwards and close your division then face to your Leader and double your Rankes For the reducement of this forme and to bring every Man to his place Let your shot either by firing or passing through be brought into the place they were in before they first gave fire then face the whole body to one of the flankes and march them untill they have evened their Rankes and straitned their Files this done then if all your Pikes be upon the right flanke wheele your right flanke into the midst if on the left flanke wheele Front and Reere into the left flanke This being preformed the Commander must passe to his proper file-Leaders and face the whole body to him and they will be in their first forme This way of firing by extraduction is also a firing in Front it is of singuler good use in a Strait or narrow passage where the wings and Reere may be secured from the fury of the Enemies Horse you must fill the mouth of the Passage with your Pikes and if the length of your Company be not sufficient to doe it then double your Rankes and your Pikes being charged Your Musquetiers being in the Reere are to march up into the Front and give fire as in the next place shal be demonstrated onely first by the way observe the words of directions placed in the Margent which produceth this forme The battel being ordred as a foresaid Let the first Ranke of Musquetiers which are those that followes next after the Pikes face to the right and march forth File-wise up close by the right flanke of Pikes untill he that is
wresty Horse goe forwards How to make a shie horse gentle How to make a horse hardy and bold in the warres By trotting the Ring you may embolden your Horse The Dragoones are the fittest to give the on set because they doe their execution at a further distance The Firelocke is â—â—rest to give fire and not so apt to be out of 〈◊〉 besides they will indure Spâ—nd 24. houres together without â—urting them Description of a Ranke Description of a File Twentie in length That the Troope may move orderly and keepe their distances truely let the whole Troope move all at an instant viz. when the Front moves then the Reare to be ready so shall they bee seldome found to erre In Marching or Trooping through a Towne forget not to have your Peeces spand and holding them in your hand with their mouthes upwards and the butt end resting upon your thigh The Figure of the foure Divisions drawne into Battallia The distinctions of the sounds of Trumpet described The proportion of powder usually required for a true charge of any peece is almost halfe the weight in powder of the bullet Some will not have a Cuirassiere to give fire untill he hath plac't his Pistoll under his enemies armour You may place the Pumâ—ell of your Sword upon your right thigh and directing it with your right hand to the place you intend to hit viz. the belly or arme pits or his throat They must be taught to be excellent marks-men for the manner of handling them the directions of the Pistoll may serve for instruction Edmunds observation upon Câ—sars Com. In those Kingdomes that are fortified with strong Garrison Townes there shall neede no such armâ— for those townes are ready to performe the same Office that this Armie should doe * The forme of their standing in Battalia ready for exercise To cause them to face to the right hand is performed by commanding * To the right hand This motion is performed by turning all at once and the same time to the right hand Thus the Front is where the right Flanke was To reduce them to their first forme the word of command is This is performed by turning to the left hand from thence to face them to the left you command This is performed by turning towards the left from hence they are to be reduced by commanding Which they doe by turning to the right Now to face them to the Reare though it be most proper to doe it by the right hand yet for the more ready way you must command This is performed by turning towards the left hand untill their faces Front to that place which was before the Reare To reduce them to their first forme the word of Command is Every other ranke passeth into the rank before them upon the right hand of his leader To reduce them the word of Command is Which is best done by causing those rankes which doubled to stand and those which stood to advance This motion differs nothing from the former onely where as before they doubled to the right now they double to the left hand of their Leaders To reduce them the word of Command is To performe this the second File passeth into the first every man behinde his sideman this must be done throughout the Company at one instant the o are the places where the Files that removed did stand They are reduced by commanding The difference betweene this and the former motion is the difference of hands so that those Files that before moved are now to stand view the Figure They are reduc't by commanding To performe this the middlemen double the first ranke on the right hand the other two Rankes double the two folowing Rankes as is manifest in the Figure To reduce them the word is But in regard of the combersomnesse of the horse in turning to cause them that double to stand and the first division to advance This motion onely differs from the former in the hand The reducing of them is shewed in the former motion In this motion the last Ranke passeth into the first and so successively as the Figure demonstrates it They are reduced by saying For the convenient turning of the horse it is best to beginne with the left hand This Figure is after the Corean manner There are divers other formes of countermarching which are to be performed as well by Rankes as by Files as the Lacedemonian and Macedonian but in regard of brevity they are here omitted All the Files are to close from the right and left towards the middle of the body Note when you intend to wheele your Files must first be closed and then the Rankes and when you command them to open againe the Rankes are first and then the Files To performe this all the Rankes move forwards saving the first which standeth the second ranke being advanc't up to its distance stands so all the rest When the horses are to wheele the Commander must take a reasonable Compasse for they cannot possibly doe it in such exact manner as the foote for they must be allowed a farre greater space in regard of the combersomenes of the horse To performe this motion all the body moveth to the left upon the left file leader as the Center The wheeling to the left hand is the readiest way unlesse some impediments hinders wherefore that is first nominated although it bee more proper to begin with the right the wheeling to the right is for brevity omitted To reduce them wheele to the right hand as you were There is also wheeling to the right or left about wheeling wings into the front they are here omited for brevitie To reduce them into their first order first the Rankes are to be opened then the files In opening the rankes the best way is to doe it by opening forwards It was attributed to Iason Foure kindes of Rhombes â— described Euelide defineth a Rhombe to be a square Figure that hath the sides equall but the Angles not right viz. the foure-sides of the square are of one and the same length but the points which make the Angles are two of them stretched out in length and become more sharpe the other two are more blunt than a Tetragonall square A Rhombe neither filing nor ranking The Thess alonians used this forme of imbattelling their Troopes The termes used by Commanders in former ages as Pâ—li l. 4. 217. A Rhombe ranking but not filing Leo Chap. 5. Sect. 3. and Cap. 6. Sect. 39. Leo Cap 7. Sect. 81 Cap. 14. Sect. 70. Leo Cap 14. Sect. 108 109. Plutarch in Liâ—urgo Leo Cap. 12. Sect. 4â— Their horse Troopes charged the Enemy in Phalang and not by rankes as we doe Leo ibidem reade Bingham upon Aliâ—ns Tacticks pag. 106. Caesar against Pompey did the like and Eâ—aâ—mondas against the Lacedemonians Soâ—e Generalls have 〈…〉 range 〈…〉 second 〈…〉 by a large 〈…〉 â—ront 〈…〉 but 〈…〉 Flank◠〈…〉 battell to 〈…〉 Inâ—anâ—ry Not to charge the enemies foote Troopes
onely differing in hand The Words of Command which reduceth it are Front halfe-Files face about to the left March forth into your places Halfe Ranks of the right double your left Flank intire to the right This doubling of the left Flank by advancing the right Flank and placing it before the Leaders of the left Flank which is a doubling both of number and place being very usefull for the strengthning of any Flank where it shall seem needfull And if you desire to have your Musketires to double even with the Musketires of the contrary Flank then you must first cause the half Ranks of the right Flank to march forth-right untill the Rear-Rank of the right Flank be advanced about 3 foot before the Front of the left Flank and then cause that Flank so advanced to counter-march their Ranks to the right and then all your Musketires will be together and the Pikes likewise by themselves The manner of performing this motion according to the words of Command in the Margent is as followeth First the left Flank stands and the right Flank marcheth forth-right untill the Rear of the right Flank be advanced before the Front of the left Flank as before is shewed then face them to the left and cause them to march untill the Pikes are even in Rank with the Musketires which perfects the doubling For the Reducement let the halfe Ranks that doubled face about to the left and march untill they are cleer of the left Flank then cause them to face to the right and to march straight down into their places then the Commander being at his first Front faceth them all to him which reduceth them as at first The left Flank may also double the right Flank intire after the former manner only changing the hand the Command for reducement is Halfe Ranks that doubled face about to the Left march forth into your places Half Ranks of the left double your right Flank by division This motion of doubling Flanks by division doth make a strong form of Battell to give fire three severall waies at once The manner of performing it after the word of Command is given as followeth The Rear half-Files of the left Flank face about to the right and then both the Front half-Files and Rear half-Files march forth-right untill they are clear of that part of the body that stands then each division faceth that way which they are to double which the Front half-Files must do to the right and the Rear half-Files to the left so march forth-right untill the doubling be performed For reducement if the Commander stands at the right Flank which is the part that was doubled then the reducement is as followeth the half Ranks that doubled are to face about inwards and march forth-right untill they are clear of the right Flank which stands then the Front half-Files face to the left and the Rear half-Files to the right and then close their division The Commander going to his first Front and facing the whole body to him they are reduc'd as at first If that the right Flank would double the left Flank by division the way is the same only differing in the hand The words of Command to reduce it are Halfe Ranks that doubled Face about inwards March forth into your places Double your Ranks to the right intire This doubling of Ranks intire to the right is a doubling both of number and place and in some sort worketh the same effect as the doubling of half Files doth to the right intire but differeth in regard of the parties which are the doublers and in the distance left after the doubling The motion of this doubling ought to be thus performed After the word of Command is given for the doubling to the right as in the Margent is exprest then every even Rank faceth to the right The right hand man of each Rank becoming the Leader of his Rank likewise leading them forth and in their March of moving forwards a little bending to the left that when the left-hand man of each Rank which are the bringers up of the motion are clear of the standing part of the body by only facing to the Front they may stand even in Rank with the rest of the Company For reducement of this doubling you must observe that the left-hand men are the Leaders of the motion wherefore command the Ranks that doubled to face to the left and march forth-right into their places Or you may command the halfe Ranks of the right to face to the left and double the left Flank this will work the same effect with the former To double Ranks to the left intire is to bee done after the same manner onely observe the difference of the hand This kind of doubling may also be done by division The words of Command used for this reducemeâ—t are Ranks that doubled face to the left march forth into your places Double your Files to the right intire advancing This kind of doubling of Files intire to the right advancing is also a doubling both of number and place for it increaseth the depth to double their former proportion of number as from ten to twenty It also gaineth so much ground the more before the Front as formerly the Battell did contain by transferring the even Files of the body into the ground before the Front of the odd Files But this doubling doth diminish the number of the length of your Battell although it preserves their place The manner of performing this motion of doubling is thus to be done first the word of Command being given as in the Margent is specified the odd Files are to stand beginning your account from the outmost File to the hand named the Musketires and Pikes of the even Files are to advance their Arms and follow their File-Leaders every File-Leader leading his File forth-right before his next File to the right untill the bringers up of the even Files are orderly placed before the Leaders of the odd Files For reducement Let the Files that doubled face about to the left the bringers up of each File leading them forth-right downe the distance or spaces which are on their left hand untill they are come even with the Rear and then stand and face about to their Commander and they will bee in their first forme and station The doubling of Files to the left intire advancing is after the same manner only differing in the hand The words of Command used for this reducement are Files that doubled face about to the left march forth into your places Files double your depth to the right every man falling behind his Bringer up This kind of doubling of the depth of Files to the right doth sympathize with the former doubling last discourst of both for number and place only it differeth from the other both in the manner of executing and in some sort of the matter executed for whereas the other doubling by advancing of Files did
to wheele off and to place themselves in the Reere as the former did The next two Rankes are to beginne to advance forwards when they see the last of the two former Rankes presented and ready to give fire and they also having given fire are to wheele off as the former did and so successively the rest of the Rankes advancing are to imitate the former in all the points The body of Pikes are to march very slowly forwards all the while that the shot are drawne up to give fire before the Front and if the enemies Battallias be not neare the Pikes may march shouldred But when the enemies Battallias be approacht within six or eight score or lesse then the Musquetiers are to give fire even with the Front of the body of Pikes and then the Pikemen are to advance their Pikes and close their Rankes to the distance of three foote and the shot to advance up even with the first Ranke of Pikes and there giving fire they are to wheele off to the right and left as in the former directions Note when the first Ranke hath given fire and wheeled off the next Rankes are to move forwards at three motions into their place and there to give fire after the same manner wheeling away againe and placing themselves according to the former directions every Ranke still making good their Leaders ground by this meanes they may continue giving fire untill the two Battells are ready to joyne at push of Pike at which time the shot are to give fire eyther retiring or else not to advance further then the halfe files of Pikes for there they shall be secure from the enemies Pikes offending them besides they may do as good execution there as being placed even with the front If so be the Drumme beate a retreite then the shot ought neyther to advance nor retreite but every Ranke is to give fire upon the same ground they stand on and then wheele off that the next ranke may doe as much Never the lesse when the forlorne files march forth or that two Rankes march forth ten paces or more before the Front then they are to give fire as upon a retreit unlesse the enemy flee The Skirmish being ended the reducement is easie the Leader of each File being in his place at the head of his File is to draw up the shot even with the Front of Pikes and then they will be as at first CHAP. LXXXIX How a Commander shall exercise his wings of Musquetiers to give fire they being advanc'd a small distance before the Front of the Pikes in manner of a Horne battell and also how to reduce it THis kinde of giving fire the shot being advanc'd before the Front of the Pikes the bringers up of eyther winge of Musquetiers being rankt even with the first ranke of Pikes in the Front is of the same use that the firing by two Rankes ten paces advanst before the Front is of cannot choose but be more serviceable upon some occasions in regard the shot doe their execution more readily without intermission of time or stragling from their bodies besides it is an apt forme for over fronting and they are easily to be wheeled whereby they may charge the enemy in Flanke each of these wings of shot may bee led up by a Serjeant or some other superiour officer unto the place assigned by the Chiefe After the word of command is given for the bringing them into this forme as in the Margent is expressed the manner of giving fire is thus to be performed Pikes stand Musquetiers march untill the bringers up ranke with the Front of Pikes The first Ranke of Musquetiers presents and give fire wheeling off eyther all to the right or to the right and left according as they shall be directed and placing themselves orderly in the Reere of their owne Files The next Ranke after the same manner are to give fire and wheele off placing themselves behinde those which were their Leaders thus is every Ranke successively to doe the like untill they have all given fire If you desire to continue giving fire still in this forme then your shot must moue forwards into the grounde of them that fired before them and the forme will be still the same But if you desire after once or twice firing over to have your shot flanke their Pikes then the Musquetiers must not advance into their leaders ground but contrarily every ranke is to present give fire upon the same ground they stand on falling off into the Reere one after another by which meanes they will be brought even with the Pikes Or if you please the Pikes may advance and march up to make their Front intire with the File Leaders of the shot whereby they will be reduced Pikes stand Musquetiers advance before your Front of Pikes and close your divisions The forme of this next kinde of firing is produced according to the words of Command placed in the Margent the manner of the forme is thus the two winges of shot are advanced before the Front of the body of Pikes and closing their divisions they shelter the Pikes from the fury of the Enemies shot And there may be as great execution performed by this forme of firing as by any of the former in regard it is so sollid and stable In the former firings the Pikes either rank'd even with the wings of shot or else the division betweene the wings of shot being open the Pikes are liable to the danger of the Enemies shot the Pikes are not able of themselves to doe any thing either in the way of offence or defence untill the Enemie be within push of Pike But this kinde of Demie-hearse Battell covers the Front of their Pikes securely with the wings of their owne shot untill the Enemie be come within distance There are two principall wayes of giving fire belonging to this forme namely first the Musquetiers may give fire in the Front and so wheele off by division or if the Commander pleaseth they may wheele all off to the right placing themselves in the Reere of their owne divisions and Files of shot just before the Front of the Pikes The next Rankes are immediately to move forwards into their Leaders ground and are likewise to give fire and wheele off placing themselves after the maner of the former the rest of the rankes of Musquetiers performing the like untill they have all given fire Thus having fired once or twice over this way you may make use of a second way of firing which shall serve for reducement of the former Wherefore observe that in this second way of firing when the first Rankes have given fire they are to wheele equally off by division each part faling file wise downe close by the flankes of the wings of Musquetiers untill the Leaders of the rankes of shot are come downe as low as the first ranke of Pikes which being performed they are to face outwards and to move so
the conductor of them become into the Front of the Pikes then he is to leade them quite crosse the Front of Pikes untill he have attained the further part of the Front to the left which being done they are all to stand present and give fire You must observe withall that he in this firing that was the right hand man of the Ranke and was the Leader of the motion now becomes the left hand man when he gives fire and when they have fired they are to wheele off to the left close by the left flanke of Pikes and so to fall into the Reere of the Musquetiers In the Interim whilst that the Ranke that first fired is wheeling away the second ranke is marching into their places to give fire And in this maner they may maintaine their skirmish so long as they please the Pikes either porting or charging all the while The Musquetiers in their time of their crossing the Front are to couch or stoope under their Pikes that they may be no impediment to them in their charge There is another way of firing by extraduction which is that the Right hand Leader of Musquetiers placeth himselfe before the right File Leader of Pikes the rest all faling beyond him but this is a more imperfect way then the former and not worth the further describing For Reducement you must command your Pikes to stand and your Musquets to double their Front by division But if you want roome to doe it then first double your Files to the contrary hand of that which you doubled your rankes and so having doubled by division as a foresaid they will be reduced as at first Wheele your flankes into the front face to your Leader The firings belonging to a broad fronted battell are of singular use either offensive or defensive The words of direction that produceth this forme is in the Margent and the maner of performing it is thus first cause your Pikes to stand and your Musquetiers to march untill the reere ranke of Musquetiers be advanced a little space before the Front of the Pikes then let the Musquetiers face inwards or in opposition and close their division and then face to their Leaders And if you would bring more hands to fight double rankes to any hand But the speediest way to produce thus forme is to wheele both flankes into the Front For the manner of firing there are Intervalls made for each division to the right that so they may either fall into the reere of the shot and there continue the firing or else fall into the reere of the Pikes and be thereby secured from the enemies horse Wherefore be pleased to observe the words of Command whereby this forme is produced which is placed in the Margent For the performance of this firing the first ranke is to present and give fire then wheele off to the right all passing downe the Intervalls to the right and placing themselves in the reere of their owne shot the Musquetiers making good their Leaders ground Likewise after the next rankes have fired they are after the former Manner to wheele off and to place themselves This way they may give fire once or twise over and then make use of a second way And that is to place themselves in the reere of the Pikes either standing or advancing Or if neede be the Pikes may close their divisions and charge at the foote the Musquetiers giving fire over them For Reducement If you make this forme of battell by wheeling your flankes into the front and there having given fire as foresaid Then you must cause them to give fire over againe and so fall into their former places for you must observe that the second firing will cause the body to face to the Reere which then becomes a Front accidentall and then by wheeling your Flankes into the Front againe and facing them about to the right will bring them into their first station or if you would reduce them without giving of fire over againe then you must Command your shot to double their Front by division that being done you are to wheele both Flankes into the Reare then facing to their Leaders you must againe Command the Musquetiers to double their Front by division and they will be in their first forme and station CHAP. XC How a Commander shall exercise his Souldiers in giving fire to the Reere with the severall wayes there to belonging and how they ought to be performed HAving in the former discourse shewed the diverse and sundry wayes of giving fire in the Front It seemes now requisit I should doe the same Office in demonstrating the severall wayes of giving fire in the Reere Wherefore after the Commander hath taught his Souldiers these wayes or at least the chiefest of them in giving fire in the Front he must performe the like paines in exercising them in their firings in the Reere And first having Commanded them to face about into the Reere or wheele them about or performe it by Counter marching The Company we presuppose stands in Battallia with the wings of shot upon each flanke of the body of Pikes the Pikes being shouldred you may cause them to march easily forwards the Enemie being supposed to appeare in the Reere Command your last ranke of Musquetiers to face about present and give fire wheeling off by division File-wise marching uptoward the Front and there placing themselves before the foremost ranke of shot the outmost man of each ranke being the Leader up of those which have fired where first taking their place on the outside the rest wheeling about them and ranking even with them on the inside ever observing that they ranke even with the second ranke of Pikes the rest of the shot also doing the like and in this manner to continue the firing as occasion shall require This kinde of firing may easily be performed if Souldiers will but observe these following directions viz when the last ranke of Musquetiers have presented to the reere and are giving of fire then the ranke which marcheth next before them must blow open and present at three motions still keeping along even with the body of Pikes untill that lastly they present to the reere by which time the ranke that last fired will be wheeled away The next ranke so soone as the other hath presented is likewise at three motions to doe the same and so successively for all the rest every ranke observing upon each rankes firing to loose one and to march one ranke neerer to the reere of the battell that so that part may still be kept absolute Captaine Swan at the giving over of Deventer in Gilderland by Stanly and Yorke did defend himselfe from the enemies Horse by giving fire in the reere untill he had gained a place of strength which honorable performance will never be buried in oblivion But suppose the Enemies horse shall still pursue your troopes in the reere you having gained some straight or place of aduantage
then your best way will be to wheele your Flanke into the Front and then face them about into the reere and with your charged Pikes defend your shot which will be in the reere of the Pikes after they have wheeled as aforesaid The Body standing in this forme the shot may sleeve up by way of Extraduction or otherwise you may cause your Pikes to charge at foote and the Musquetiers to give fire over them For reducing them having thus fired you must command them to wheele their Flankes into the Front and to face about after their proper File Leaders and they will be in their first forme A second way to give fire in the reere is to place all your shot marching in the reere of the Pikes The manner of performing the motion is as before is shewed But the placing of the men after they have given fire may be diversly performed As to wheele off by division placing themselves in the Front of the Musquetiers next behinde the reere of the Pikes Or if the Body be Large to wheele all off to the right through distances for that purpose made and so to march into the Front of the Pikes Or otherwise they may wheele off by division and Flanke their Pikes and so give fire over againe as at first If in giving fire in the reere your Musquetiers wheele off and place themselves before the Front of the Pikes then to reduce them you may either wheele the body about and give fire in Front causing your Musquetiers to fail off by division and to flanke their Pikes Or if you will reduce them with out a firing cause your Musquetiers to open to the right and left and the Pikes to march up into the midst and then facing them to their Leader and they will be in their first forme Let these Instructions suffice for the giving fire in the reere desiring every Commander to be uery carefull and punctuall in exercising their shot in these kinde of firings in the reere It being a thing of great Consequence and very aduantagious for the preservation of Foote troopes from the fury of a prosecuting enemie that would seeke to cut them off or at least deterr them from ariving at their place of strength where they may be secured In the next place shall be shewne the wayes of giving fire in the Flankes so that a Companie may be made compleate in their performances of Exercise CHAP. XCI How a Commander shall exercise his Company in giving fire in the Flankes with the Circumstances there unto belonging THe Manner of giving fire in Flanke is used in two respects The first is when the Enemie shall make his aproaches to charge your Troopes on the Flanke in a march The second is when as by some sudden attempt or ambushment the whole Body of an Army is ingaged and so forced to stand and to face to the right or left or both by which facings the flankes become Fronts accidentall and their firings will be after the same manner of the firings in Front wherefore I will indeavour to shew such firings in Flanke as are of use in a march which are these following The first is for the outmost File to give fire and stand untill the next File hath fired Secondly after they have given fire in Flanke they are to be led up betweene Musquetiers and Pikes The third way of firing in Flanke after they have performed it they are led off by the bringers up The forth way after they have given fire they are placed as sleeves upon the contrary flanke of Pikes The Fifth way is after they have given fire in flanke they are drawne up betweene the inmost Files of Pikes of these I shall discourse severally in their due places In the meane time suppose all your Musquetiers to be placed upon the right wing of your Pikes and casting your eye into the Margent you shall finde the words of Command which produceth this firing in the Flanke Musquetiers give fire to the right and gather up your Files The Command being to give fire to the right presently the outermost File to the right faceth outward and presents the rest of the body still marching forwards Then the presented File gives fire and stands facing againe to their first Front by that time the body will be marched cleere of the standing File then the next outermost File presents and fires in like manner the body facing as before having fired they in like manner facing to their first Front and stand a Serjeant Leading up the File that first fired on the outside of the File that last fired Then they both stand together untill the third File hath given fire after the same manner and then the Serjeant Leades up the two Files even with the third which last fired And after this manner all the Files of Musquetiers are to face to the Flanke and give fire successively and stand untill the Serjant Leades up the rest of the Files which fired even with the Front of the File which last fired Thus having all fired over they are to march up againe even with the Front of Pikes and this reduceth them as at first Musquetiers give fire in flanke march up beâ—eene the Pikes and Musquets The second manner of giving fire to the Flanke is a more secure way then the former and yet full as Serviceable for matter of execution for this way after the shot hath fired they shall be secured from the Enemies shot farre better then the former and also the body shall continue more intire without seperation And this forme is of very good use when two Enemies are divided by a River or by some such like meanes secured from the Incursions of Horse for then the shot being drawne up betweene the innermost Files of the Musquetiers and the outermost File of Pikes to the right your skirmish may be continued as long as occasion shall serve The words of Command which produceth this forme is placed in the Margent And the way to performe this motion of firing is as followeth Onely take notice that as in the former manner of firing the shot were placed upon the right flanke of Pikes after the same manner they are placed now with a distance betwixt the outerflanke of the Pikes and the inmost flanke of the Musquetiers for the shot to march up into after they have given fire The outermost File of Musquetiers being Commanded to face to the right and present the rest of the body marcheth away and the standing File gives fire This done and the body is marched cleere of the standing file the next file presents to the right and the file that first gave fire faceth to the first Front and is led by a Serjeant crosse the reere of Musquetiers up into the distance between the Musquets and Pikes The Musquetiers are still open to the right as they march that so there may be Roome for one File to march betweene them and the Pikes And
least in danger crosse the Reere of Pikemen The words of command and direction you shall finde in the Margent which produceth this latter forme of firing the words of command being given to fire to the Reere and right Flanke The outermost File of Musquetiers presents to the right and the last Ranke of Musquetiers presents to the Reere and so both give fire the rest of the body in the meane time marching a reasonable pace The right hand File on the right Flanke and the last Ranke of the Musquetiers in the Reere of the Pikes having fired the File facech to the left after their File Leader and so marcheth up betweene the Musquetiers of the same division and the Pikes the Rankes also wheeling off to the right and placing it selfe next after the Reere of Pikes and if you please you may make an Intervall or space betweene the Musquetiers in the Reere that so one part may wheele off to the right on the outside the other part wheele off to the right and march up betweene the Intervalls into their places The first File file upon the Flanke and the first Ranke in the Reere that presented having given fire and wheeled cleare of the body the next File and ranke is to present and give fire after the same manner wheeling off and taking their places as aforesaid and so successively the rest both Files and Rankes gives fire observing the same order and having given fire once twice or oftner over they are still reduced to the same they were before the firing began then draw your shot from the Reere to the left Flanke againe and they will be in their first forme and station Musquetiers give fire to both Flankes marching up betweene the Pikes and your owne divisions This kinde of firing to both Flankes marching may be upon some occasions serviceable and the shot after they have given fire may be eyther placed betweene their owne divisions and the Pikes or betweene the midst of the Pikes for their better securitie the shot being placed upon both the Flankes of the Pikes as we left them in the former discourse you must make use of the words of command and direction which is placed in the Margent which will produce this forme of firing The command being given the outmost file of each Flanke presents outward the rest of the body still continuing of the march the presented Files in the interim giving fire then facing after their proper File-Leaders who are to leade them up betweene the Musquetiers of their owne divisions and the Pikes in the time of their wheeling away the next two outermost Files are to present firing after the same manner and leading up as before the rest successively doing the like untill they have fired all over which brings them to their former places Advance your Pikes and stand face to the right and left Musquetiers give fire and Flanke your Pikes This kinde of firing to both Flankes upon a stand is produced by the words of command and directions placed in the Margent onely observe the Musquetiers are placed upon both Flankes of the body of Pikes as you left them in the precedent discourse The words of command being given the whole body both of Pikes and Shot are to face to the right and left hand and then the formost Rankes of Musquetiers which before the facing were the outermost Files are to present and give fire and then wheele off by division Ranking even with the formost Rankes of Pikes and leaving sufficient Intervalls for the rest of the Musquetiers to march betweene them and the Pikes The next Ranke presenting and firing after the same manner but not advancing forwards onely firing upon the same ground and wheeling off by division afterwards passing downe betweene the Intervalls and so ranking after their Leaders but you must observe by the way that they that were outermost when they gave fire are likewise to be so when they have taken their places All the Rankes of Musquetiers having fired and wheeled off as before the Pikes if neede be may charge and the Musquetiers giving fire over againe wheeling off outwards and placing themselves in the Reere of their owne divisious Having advanced your Pikes and faced your body to their first Front all your Musquetiers will be in Front and Reere and then if your halfe Files about and give fire after the same manner formerly discoursed of to the Front and Reere having faced them againe to their first Front they will be reduced as at first into their ordinary square CHAP. XCIIII How a Commander shall exercise his Souldiers in a Triple way of giving fire to the Front BY this triple firing to the Front the precedent forme of firing to both Flankes standing may be reduced for the Musquetiers of the Reere division opening to the right and left and sleeving upon the Flankes of the Pikes untill the Leaders of the Reere division who then were the halfe File-Leaders ranke even with the Front of Pikes and those in the front division are placed before the Pikes in the Front securely covering them from the enemy The word of command and directions that produceth this forme of firing is placed in the Margent Musquetiers of the Reere double your Front of Pikes by division The one halfe of the shot being placed before the front of the Pikes and the other halfe placed upon eyther flanke even with the first Ranke of Pikes and the word of command being given then the first Ranke of Musquetiers both of front and flankes presents to the front and gives fire wheeling off to the right and left by division The Musquetiers of the front division being wheeled off as aforesaid close by the flankes of their owne Musquetiers passe directly downe betweene the Intervals and place themselves even in Ranke behind the Musquetiers of the Reere division which are upon the flanks like wise the Musqueters that fired at the same time on the flankes wheele also off the right flanke to the right the left flanke to the left marching directly downe even with the reere Rankes of the Pikes and there place themselves againe even in ranke with the last ranke of Pikes this done the rest of the rankes successively give fire and doe the like every ranke taking his place after the ranke that fired last before them the other Rankes mooving one ranke forwarder the Musquetiers having given fire once over and falling off according to this direction they will all be reduced to the Flanke againe as at first View the figure in the next page The Figure of the Triple firing to the Front Front Serjeant Serjeant Serjeant Serjeant CHAP. XCV How a Commander shall exercise his Souldiers in giving fire three wayes at once viz. to the Front Reere and right Flanke IN performing this firing three wayes at once first you may suppose the Musquetiers to be placed upon eyther Flanke of the Pikes then by commanding the halfe Rankes of the left to double
their right Flanke by division then the Reere halfe Files of the left Flanke are to face about to the right and then both the Front halfe Files and the Reere halfe Files are to march forthright untill they are cleere of that part of the body that stands then each division faceth that way they are to double which the Front halfe Files must doe to the right and the Reere halfe Files to the left and so march forth right untill the doubling be performed then the Reere division that doubled is to face to the Reere and the Front division is to face front proper and the right flanke that stood is to face to the right hand whereby they are fast ready to give fire three severall wayes at once the manner of firing is thus performed the formost Rankes of Musquetiers on each part having fired they wheele off to the right or to the right and left according as they shall bee commanded placing themselves in the Reere of their owne divisions the next Ranke in the meane time moving forwards into their Leaders ground there in like manner firing wheeling off and placing themselves as before the rest of the rankes performing the like successively for reducement face them all to their Front proper then command the halfe rankes that doubled to face to the left and so to march into their places the figure of this precedent discourse followeth in the next Page Front proper Serjeant Serjeant Front of the right Flanke Serjeant Front of the Reere There are divers other wayes of firings which I am forced to omit desiring you to turne into the excellent book of Millitary discipline composed by Lievetenant Barriff wherein you may be further instructed and see the Poligons or Figures belonging to most of these instructions which I have briefely discoursed of wishing you by all meanes not to omit any of them in your exercises if time and patience may give you leave and if you should passe by any let them be onely your divisionall Motions as for your intire motions eyther of doublings Counter-marches or wheelings c. you must be very circumspect and carefull to performe them all otherwise all your paines will be to no purpose Now for the marching out of the field your Company standing in a square forme viz. the shot upon each flanke of the Pikes the Lievetenant leads away the first division of shot with a Serjeant attending him the Drumme beating betweene the third and fourth ranke of the same division of shot the Ensigne is to march before the first division of Pikes following a pritty distance behind the first division of shot with the Drum placed as before The eldest Serjeant is to march before the second division of Pikes The second Serjeant marcheth before the last division of shot with the Captaine in the Reere of all and being marcht to the place where the Colours should be lodged let them as they march invert to the right and left viz. the rankes are to file to the right and left by division then all the Musquetiers are to face in opposition to cocke their matches guard their Pans and rest their Musquets the Pikemen in the meane time are to advance their Pikes and close their Rankes and Files to their order which being done the Drum beating a Troope at the head of the Pikes All the chiefe Officers in their due places are to passe through this guard into the appointed place for the Allodgement of the colours then the Serjeant is to cause all the Musquetiers to face about to the right and present and upon the first beate of the Drum they are all to give fire in one volley then the Drum beating a call and makes proclamation of silence the captaine is to deliver them such orders as he hath in charge to acquaint them with all eyther from the Lord Lievetenants or the Counsell which being done he is to dismisse them untill the next summons for their appearance In the next discourse I shall intreate about the exercising of Horse-Troopes and so make a generall discourse of all the parts belonging to the body of Warre THE DRILLING OR EXERCISING OF HORSE TROOPES SECT XII CHAP. XCVI Of the preheminency and dignitie of Officers for the avoiding of disputes with a short Declaration of the high Office of the Generall of the Horse HAving finished those instructions concerning the exercising of foote Companies by which meanes they may be fitted and prepared for Service And before we can come to intreate either of Marching Incamping or Imbattelling It is necessary wee should shew some briefe instructions for the Drilling and exercising of Horse troopes in regard no Army can be compleate in power and strength for the exercising of such things of Importance as the cause may require unlesse compounded of Foote and Horse otherwise it must of necessity hault and make use of the stilt of some peculiar place for advantage and safetie and not to looke the Enemy in the face in all places And in regard divers Nations are diversly opinionated some esteeming the Infantrie better than the Caualliary as our English hath done others esteeme the Cavalliarie better than the Infantry as the French yet according to the nature and situation of the country or place the Army is to be imployed in whether Inclosures or Champion accordingly it must be compounded of more or lesse of th' one or th' other But for the avoiding of disputes which may arise amongst the Officers of either part for place of preheminencie and dignitie you shall finde by this Aphorisme amplified with the authority of the Ancient Sages that in profession either Civill or Millitary those are more honourable which have greater charge or require greater knowledge as to rule a State is more noble than to governe a Cittie and this more eminent than to order a Family In which respect though the true end of Horse and foote be one and the same to defend aright and redresse a wrong and per case that of foote be generally more usefull yet this of Horse is the more honorable Service because his vertue and knowledge is exercised as well in Managing and defending of his Horse as of himselfe upon whose safegarde his life and honour depends as well as in immediate defence of his owne person thus much for the dignity of place As for the Officers of the Cauallrie I wil onely with all brevitie touch such things for instruction as are most naturall in every particular Office and then transferre them to the taking of a practicall Surveigh of what is commended to the Generall of the Army and to the rest of the Officers of the Infantrie for if it were possible there ought to be no difference in experience Wisedome and Valour amongst all Officers if they could attaine unto it The Generall of the Horse hath the eminent controule and commande of all the Cavalrie or Horse Regiments of what nature or composition whatsoever
are best horst or those that are nimblest of foote so that they may the safer retire upon all occasions moreover they must not stay over long behind the Army but so as they may soone recover it for otherwise they will be cut off by the enemy If a retreat be wisely carried the enemy that shall follow may receive more dammage then they that retreat But on the contrary side if you perceive the enemy doth provide to steale from you it is wisedome to anticipate such passages as they must passe thorow sending secretly certaine troopes to fortifie at the entrance of them likewise to barricado up the way with trees and to have your Army alwayes in a readinesse to set out after them following them at the heeles but in this case the Army must keepe a very strict order in their Battallia's and march up close together commanding your horse to charge the enemy in the Reare which will bee a meanes to stay the hindermost part of the Army and then the Vantguard of your enemies Army being come to the passages that are blockt up it will so discourage the enemy that your Army marching up to them in Battell aray they will bee easily overthrowne as there hath beene divers examples to verifie this The lightest Ordnance are the best to pursue the enemy withall for which purpose Grave Maurice the Prince Van Nasaw had fifty or sixty small field peeces cast which hee used to place between his Battallions which were of great service in the time of fight for two or three men could weild one of them as they pleased both in advancing it forwards and drawing backe as occasion served and it were very fit and of excellent use to have such small peeces cast here in England for his Majesties service which may bee imployed many waies I have observed the Hollanders how they made use of these small Ordnances to place them in little vessels which they provided to safeguard their great rivers as the river Issel and the Rhine one of these had thirty or forty souldiers to man her and eight or tenne of these peeces whereby they prevented the enemy from marching over the said rivers likewise they were safeguards to the Army when they were convayed by Boates up those rivers or when they lay intrencht neere any great river they safeguarded the Reare of the qnarters from treachery also they safe conducted such Boates as brought Victuals and Ammunition to the Army If occasion should bee in our land which God forbid it should be they could not doe us lesse service than by experience they have done them besides such small vessels being made for service were of more worth to offend an enemy that should dare saile up in any of our great rivers than the greatest Ship of burden for it were impossible for our great Ships to make a fight in the river Thames but they will be more ready to hurt themselves than the enemy whereas these small vessels will lye under the shot and glide up and downe by the great vessels sides and gall them In the next place it remaines how an Army should March neere an enemies Battery to secure themselves from the shot in this you must observe the situation of their Batteries how they are flancked by which you may come to perceive in what direct liâ—e eâ—ch peece of Ordnance shall make her true shot and so accordingly either to open the files and ranckes for the passage of the shot or else to fetch a circumference in your March so as the shot shall not touch the files but only a ranke but the securest way is to March secretly by the most obscurest places so as the Ordnance may not discover you Lastly for conclusion if the enemy should assault your troopes in in some narrow passages or high wayes you are to demeane your selfe as followeth First you are to fill the passage or high way with your pikes if the breadth of your troopes be not sufficient to performe it then double your rancks whereby the Wings will extend themselves to the filling up of the passage these then charging your enemies hande or foote your Musketiers being in the Reare the Battell being thus ordered let the first ranke of Musketiers which are those next the pikes face to the right hand and march forth file-wise close up by the right flanke of the pikes untill he that is leader of the said file be even with the Front of the Pikes then he is to face to the right hand and lead them quite crosse the Front of the Pikes untill he hath attained the further part of the Front to the left hand which being performed they are to make a stand and couch under the Pikes and give fire upon their knees so as the Pikes may not be hindred to charge then are they to march downe by the left flancke and place themselves in the Reare of the shot and the next files in order are to advance into the Front after the same manner and performe the same service by this meanes continuall fire shall be given upon the enemy whilst this skirmish is in action Let there be drawne out certaine Pikes and Musketiers into the best inclosed fields either on one or both sides of the way where they may secure themselves from the enemies horse and there charge the enemy on the flancks or at least keepe them from charging your owne troopes that are in skirmish to maintaine the passage view the figure following in the next page The figure of the Battell Front Left flancke Right flanke Reare In this figure the Character p shewes how the Pikes are plac't their Fronts being doubled the other represents the Musketiers as you may perceive them marching up the right flancke and so plac't under the Pikes in the Front ready to give fire upon the enemy you may likewise perceive certaine shot drawne out into two closes upon each side of the high way whose duty is to give fire upon the enemies flancks as they are charching the Front of the Battell or if the enemy should draw out any forces to charge your Flancks then these shot having Pikes to joyne with them shall be able to encounter with them and prevent them Thus I hope I have collected sufficient instructions which may give any reasonable man satisfaction concerning the ordering of their March only if you please I will referre you to divers Modernâ— Authors which have write of this subject viz. Ierosme Cattamo pag. 133. Machiavill pag. 67. Bellay pag. 151. Barrit pag. 132. Edmonds pag. 39. Garrits Arte of Warre pag. 245. In the next place we are to discourse of the incamping of an Army and how to order the Guards and the Intrenchments Thus ends the sixteenth Section RVLES TO BE OBSERVED IN QVARTERING OR INCAMPING AN ARMY SECT XVII CHAP. IIII. How a Generall is to quarter his Army with the election of places of greatest security what Redoubts are to be raised
Communion but if the doom be passed in any lower Court it shall be signified up unto the Generall in our absence who shall either pardon the fact or execute the sentence 165. No superiour Officer Colonell or Captain either of Horse or Foot shall sollicite for any man that is lawfully convicted by the Court either for any crime or for not observing of these Articles of Warre unlesse it be for his very neere kinsman for whom nature compells him to intercede otherwise the solliciter shall be held as odious as the delinquent and cashierd from his charge 166. Whosoever is minded to serve us in these Warres shall be obliged to the keep-in of these Articles If any out of presumption upon any Strength in any Leaguer in the field or upon any worke shall doe the contrary be he Native or be he Stranger Gentleman or other Processe shall be made out against him for every time so long as he serves us in these warres in the quality of a Souldier 167. These Articles of warre we have made and ordained for the welfare of our Native Countrey and doe command that they be read every moneth publickly before every Regiment to the end that no man shall pretend ignorance We further will and command all whatsoever Officers higher or lower and all our common souldiers and all others that come into our Leaguer amongst the souldiers that none presume to doe the contrary hereof upon paine of rebellion and the incurring of our highest displeasure For the firmer confirmation whereof we have hereunto set our hand and seale Signed in the Leaguer Royall RULES AND OBSERVATIONS TO BE VSED BEFORE BATTELL SECT XIX CHAP. VIII Divers promotions and observations for a Generall to take notice of before the pitching of a Battell IN framing and ordering of Battells there are divers circumstances of great importance to be had in consideration whereby such warlike actions may be crowned with Victory which being neglected shall give an advantage to the enemy to rout and ruine your Army wherefore I will indeavour to draw the particular circumstances to certaine heads and there being divers things of great moment to be handled I must crave your patience to be somewhat the larger in it and the rather because I intend to insert the best instructions that our ablest Generalls both ancient and moderne have left us examples for future ages Our ancient and best experienced Commanders found by their practicall experience that an Army consisting of fifty thousand men was of potency sufficient for any enterprise or designe and that thirty thousand men was the least Army they durst adventure to enter the enemies country withall I shall give you the formes of divers and severall Battells and of sundry proportions of numbers both of Horse and Foot as hereafter you shall see The things observable before the ranging of a Battell are these first the strength of your owne and of your enemies Army both in Foote and Horse with the conditions of souldiers whether they be old and expert or young novices Secondly the situation of the ground the advantages of strength in it as Hills Dales Rivers Hedges Woods Rocks Mores or the like Thirdly the extent of the place so that there may be convenient distances and proportionable for the imbattelling of your Army Fourthly according to the advantages situation smallnesse or vastnesse of the place accordingly you are to proportion and order your forme of imbattelling Fifthly according as your enemies Army shall consist most either in Horse or Foot the choise of your ground shall be thereafter taken for advantage viz. if your owne forces consist more of Foote and lesse in Horse and your enemies strength is chiefly in his Cavallary and weake in his Foot-forces then you must make choice of Fields inclosed or the advantage of hils ditches rivers woods moorish grounds and the like whereby the enemies Horse will bee barred from executing their service otherwise if the Army consisteth chiefly in Horse the plains and large fields are most convenient and proper to further their execution Sixthly the Sun and Wind are chiefly to be gained of our sides wherefore the Battalia's must be ranged at some rising with their backs toward it and give Battell before the Sun declines to be in their faces or if the enemy should have the advantage of the Sunne in the morning then to defer battell untill noon whereby you gain the advantage of it in the after-noon But of the two the Wind is principally to be had on your side for there is nothing that can trouble the enemy more than the dust and smoke of Ordnance and Muskets which blinds and choaks them so as they know not what they do nor can perceive how their adversary orders himselfe against them wherefore if you have but a side-wind bee sure you plant most Ordnance upon that side and make what smokie fires of Straw and Muck mingled with Brimstone and Pitch as possibly you can so that the Wind may convey the smoke full into the enemies teeth Finally if it cannot be eschewed but that the Wind must be against you then place your own Ordnance wide of the Flanks of your Army so that the smoke of them may not blind the Front of your Battell Seventhly get some convenient hils either Naturall or Artificiall for the planting of Ordnance to flanker the Army and annoy the enemy the which must be strongly guarded and intrencht if it possibly may be for it is the first thing the enemy will seek to surprize if he possibly may Eighthly the orderly disposing of the Carts Waggons and Carriages and all the impediments of the Army in the Rear so that the Battell may be strengthned and impaled with them or if there be any naturall strength as rivers woods hedges ditches and the like for to defend the Rear then to order and place those carriages and impediments on the Flanks whereby they shall bee impaled and strengthned but if no commodious place may bee found to safeguard your Army then raise intrenchments upon the Flanks and Rear and man them with Piks and Muskets or at least impale them with Pikes and Muskets Ninthly by dividing the Army into divers sundry Battalions or Divisions and so ordering them that one Division or Battalia may releeve the other being overcharged with the enemy for there is no greater danger can possibly betide an Army than to range it so as one Division cannot retire between the other Divisions for safety and strength Many have used to frame their Battels but of one intire Front so that being repulst they have no refuge but to be routed and vanquish'd but this is to be accounted madnesse for it is great wisdome and policie to range three severall Battels to retreat into but never to order lesse than two for if there bee Battels of succour for the main Battell to retrait into then the Files may be the thinner as we have formerly instanced the