la maniére qu'il faut tirer Chap. 14. Page 178 FINIS THE PERFECT MAJOR Shewing the easiest way of handling ARMS THE MILLITARY MOTIONS WITH THE Manner how to enter into the Field and to form a BATTALION By F. d' Morains formerly an Officer in the French Army's Licensed April the 24th 1686. Ro. L'Estrange LONDON Printed by B. Griffin for the Author 1686. TO THE KING SIR THe natural and incomparable sweetness of your MAJESTY who receives the humble offerings of Strangers as well as those of your natural born Subjects incourages me to take the liberty to consecrate this Military Discourse to your MAJESTY which treates briefly of the most sublime most perillous and most difficult Subject in the World The skill of Noble Men the practice of Men of Valour and the Exercise of Princes and Kings An Art by which to get Honour we must be both Masters and Scholars at once For we must conquer in Learning and learn in Conquering This Discourse contains what the most experimented of the Ancients do write upon that Subject What I have heard say and seen practiced of late by the bravest Men that our Age affords amongst the most Warlike Nations of the World which is a sufficient Warrant for the Truth of this Discourse but not so sufficient as your MAJESTY's own experience having been your self in person in many dangerous rencontres at the head of Armies where your Royal Person was exposed as if you had been immortal which is the admiration of all Europe and the terrour of your MAJESTY's Enemies Heaven grant that you may so excel in it that the most generous Warriers may tremble at your Name and seek for no other examples in Histories than those of your great exploits But Sir if I was able to express my self upon this subject instead of an Epistle I should make a Panegyrick But I want expressions and I most humbly beg your MAJESTY's pardon for the liberty I take to offer you this Discourse and to give me leave to be silent wherein I cannot express my self There is often much art in being silent and silence was among the Ancients a great mystery And therefore I shall say no more but only beg your MAJESTY's protection and the favour to give me leave to make bold to subscribe my self with the deepest respect YOUR MAJESTIES Most Humble most Obedient and most faithful Servant F. De MORAINS TO THE READER Courteous Reader I Do not question but many envious people will blame me of temerity to have been so bold to dedicate this Discourse to so great a Monarch But if they reflect upon the Subject of this Book and the necessity there is for the preservation of a Kingdom that the King's Forces may understand their duty they may in a manner approve the Zeal which hath caused me to give it to the Publick seeing my design is only to teach with an easie way the Handling of Arms the Military motions with the manner how to enter into the Field Form a Battalion to fire Retreating and in the keeping of a Pass or a Hollow way and in Defils I give Reader this instruction of the manner of fighting now as I have seen it and practiced it my self in the last Compagnes which I offer very heartily to the Nobility who always make it their chiefest honour to fight for their King and for the glory of their Country for both which they are obliged to spend their blood If those that will follow this glorious profession can learn any thing in it I shall think my self the happiest man in the World to see that my labour hath not been in vain Farewell THE PERFECT MAJOR Shewing The easiest way of Handling Arms the Military motions ' with the manner how to enter into the Field and to form a Battalion CHAP. I. The Major's Duty 1. THe Major is to take the Colonel's Company with his Adjutant or Ayde Major or him that officiates in his place which is to lead into the field after having view'd it 2. The Major is to receive the Musketeers to make and order the Front of the Battalion 3. The Adjutant is to be at the head of the Pikemen which he shall order after the same manner behind the Musketeers at twenty paces distance if there be ground enough 4. The Major or Adjutant is to observe that the distance of the Files when they do not exercise is to be of half a pace but when they are to exercise they are to open at a pace distance 5. No Company ought to go into the Field but in it's proper Rank or Order and the Files are to be six deep 6. The Captains or Officers are to lead their Companies with their Pikes in their hands The Lieutenants are to be at the Rear of the Pikes but when there is no Ensign they must place themselves at the head of the Pikes when the Battalion is to be formed 7. The Companies entring the field shall File off and march upon the left Wing of the Pikes but before they are to leave their Pikes in the Field and the Musketeers shall follow their march until they joyn the Front of Musketeers 8. As soon as the last Company shall have joyned the Battalion the Adjutant must make the Pikes file off by four at a breast to go and joyn the Battalion upon the same Front of the Musketeers upon the left Wing and immediately without losing time as soon as the last quarter Rank is come up he must command the half Rank of the left of Musketeers to turn to the left and the Pikes to the right giving the word of Command March The Pikes and Musketeers shall keep the same ground after which the Command must be Return as you were In this motion there must be always a Serjeant upon the Wing of each rank to prevent their false march 9. No Officer ought to leave the head of his Company nor his Pike till the Battalion is formed 10. As soon as a Battalion is formed the Eldest Lieutenant must stay at the Rear of the right Wing of Musketeers and the youngest Lieutenant at the Rear of the left Wing an Ensign at the Rear of Pikes with one half of the Serjeants to prevent the Soldiers from breaking and quitting their Ranks 11. When the Major gives the word of Command the Officers and Serjeants must command the Soldiers to keep silence and no other but the Major ought to give the word of Command except he that commands the Regiment 12. The Captains and Officers shall in the execution of the Motions follow the Major's orders 13. The Drums are to be upon the Wings 14. It is requisite that the Officers take care that the Soldiers do not neglect any thing concerning their Duty as to keep well their Ranks to carry their Arms well and to observe their distance not only in the Battalion but in the least things as in their Marches into the Field Towns or Villages or when they stand Centry
except the file Leaders do march backward till they have taken their distances as above 29. To open the Ranks to the Front and to the at double distance is when all the Ranks except the half-file Leaders do march some forward and the other backward till they have taken their distance 30. To open your Files is to make the distance wider 31. You open your files three several ways to the right and to the left and to the right and left at once at double distance 32. To open your Files to the right at double distance is when all the Files except the left hand File do march towards the right till they have taken their distance which ought to be double of what it was before 33. To open your Files to the left at double distance is when all the Files except the right hand File do march towards the left hand till they have taken their distance 34. To open your Files to the right and left at double distance is when all the Files except that which is in the Center of the Battalion march some to the right and the others to the left till they have taken their distance 35. Countermarch is a compound word that is to say to march one against another to interchange ground 36. The Countermarch is done four several ways that is to say by Files to the right by Files to the left by Ranks to the right and by Ranks to the left 37. The Countermarch by Files to the right is when the File Leaders followed by the whole Battalion do advance two paces and after they have faced to the right about do march and interchange ground 38. The Countermarch by Files to the left is when the File Leaders followed as above do advance two paces and after they have faced to the left about do march and interchange ground 39. The Countermarch by Ranks to the right is when the Battalions have faced to the right or left those of the right or left do observe what hath been said and shewed in the three and twentieth Article of the File Leaders for then the Ranks are Files and they become File Leaders 40. The Countermarch by Ranks to the left is when the Battalion doth as above in the right hand Files what hath been shewed in the eighteenth Article of the half Files 41. Conversion is a word taken from the Latin Converto it hath it's signification from the thing to which it is proper for it is as if one should say to wheel all together for the men must wheel as if they were all linkt together sometimes one way sometimes another there is a quarter turn a half turn three quarters turn and a whole turn of Conversion or wheeling to the right and left as the Commander pleaseth 42. To make a quarter turn of Conversion or to wheel to the right is when the whole Body of the Battalion wheels all together upon the right till the Front of the Battalion takes the place of the right Flank 43. To make half a turn of Conversion or to wheel to the right about is when the whole body of the Battalion wheels all together upon the right till the Front of the Battalion takes the place of the Rear 44. To make three quarters of Conversion or to wheel to the right when the whole body of the Battaillon joyned together wheels upon the right till the Front of the Battalion takes the place of the left Wing 45. To make the whole Conversion or to wheel to the right is when the whole body of the Battalion wheels upon the right hand till the File Leaders come to the same posts they have quitted 46. To make a quarter turn half a turn three quarter turn and the whole turn of Conversion or wheeling to the left is when the whole body of the Battalion wheels upon the left as they have done above upon the right 47. To make the Conversion or wheeling by Ranks to the right is when all the Ranks of the Battalion make all together a quarter turn of Conversion or wheel upon the right so that all together make but one Rank every Rank being contained between that Rank which hath the right hand of the same Rank and that which hath the right hand of the foregoing Rank 48. To make the Conversion or wheeling by Ranks to the left is when all the Ranks of the Battalion make all together a quarter turn of Conversion or wheel upon the left every Rank being contained between that Rank which hath the left of the foregoing Rank making as above of all the Ranks but one CHAP. III. The general Exercise of the Foot THe Officer who commands the Exercise ought to have always his eyes upon his Soldiers observing them from the head to the foot to see if they observe well all the motions for the least ill motion is enough to put the whole Battalion in disorder The Serjeants and Corporals ought to have a care when some young Soldiers come into their Companies to try if they know how to exercise well if they do not know it they must shew it them in private before they take them in the Battalion to exercise because an ignorant Soldier disorders and confounds all the rest as well as himself The Serjeants ought always to place upon the Wings and at the Front of the Battalion those men they know to be the most capable and especially in the right File because all the Soldiers are to have an eye upon their right hand man without turning the body or the head of any side and for that reason the Corporals and the Lanspassades are commonly posted there You must take care that when the word of Command is given without explication it is always understood to be to the Front When the word of Command is to march or to wheel you must alwaies step the right foot forward The Serjeants must always be upon the Wings of the Battalion to have a care that the Soldiers do their duty and above all that they observe the silence for if they make a noise it is impossible they should hear the word of Command After all the forces are come up into the Field and have formed the Battalions the said Battalions must open their Files at the following word of Command 1. Take heed to open your Files The right hand Files stand 2. The foregoing word of Command is only to give notice to the Soldiers To the left open your Files at a pace distance March You must turn a quarter turn towards the left hand the right hand Files must stand and keep their ground Halt To the right it is to return as you were You must observe when you turn to the right or to the right about you must return as you were by the left And if you turn to the left or to the left about you must return as you were by the right CHAP. IV. The Exercise of the Musket with the motions that are to
your Scourer You must draw it at three motions and take it with your right hand your Fingers extended being drawn dart it and extend your arm holding it level keeping your arm extended you must hold it between your Thumb and your Fore Finger the great end of your Scourer forwards 27. Hold up your Scourer You must let fall the great end of your Scourer towards your breast a little sloping 28. Shorten it against your breast Bring the great end of your Scourer against your breast bending your arm shorten it to four inches and hold it so till the following word of Command 29. Put your Scourer into the Barrel Bring up your Scourer to the muzzle of your Piece and immediately put it into your Barrel you must hold it in your hand your Thumb being upon the little end of it and so stand till the next word of Command 30. Ram down the Powder Ram your Powder three times with your Scourer pretty hard 31. Withdraw your Scourer At this word of Command you must quit your Scourer and take it again turning your hand outwardly then draw it as fast as you can and dart it level to the height of your Shoulder as before only the great end must be towards your right Shoulder 32. Hold up your Scourer Turn it as before but the small end must be downward and the great end upward and your arm extended 33. Shorten it against your Breast Turn the small end of your Scourer against your breast bending your arm slip your hand till within four inches of the end of it holding it so till the following word of Command 34. Return your Scourer Bring it within four inches of the muzzle of your Musket and at the same time return it into the Stock of your Musket then grasp your Musket with your right hand within four inches of the muzzle 35. Lay your right hand on your Musket Trust the end of your Musket with your right hand and make it turn level upon the left hand turning your Wrist and at the same time grasp your Musket your right hand under the Pan. 36. Poise your Musket Raise your Musket and bring it with your right hand before you turn the right holding the Lock of your Musket at the height of your Cravat 37. Shoulder your Musket Bring your Musket upon your Shoulder grasping it with your left hand after you have quitted it with your right hand which you must carelessy sink along your thigh this is performed by bringing your right foot towards your left hand and turning to the left and so you find your self in the same posture that you were before in the first Command CHAP. V. The Exercise of the Pikes explained by Motions 1. Order your Pikes LAy your left hand on your Pike even with your Shoulder then quit the but-end of your Pike which you held in your right hand which hand you must bring up above the left sinking your Pike and your hand to the height of your waste at the same time you must raise your hand even with your eye when you sink your Pike you must let it slip along your right side without touching it being on the ground the but-end of your Pike must be close to the latchet of your Shoo holding it so as if it was glewed to it when your wheel to the right or to the left your elbow downward and your arm stretched up along your Pike 2. To the right Turn a quarter turn to the right moving your right foot and turning upon the left this word of Command is given four times 3. To the left You must do as before in the second Command which is to turn a quarter turn to the right only you must turn to the left but turn alwaies upon the same foot 4. To the right about You must to observe that word of Command turn half a turn to the right turning your face where your back was 5. As you were It is the same thing as to the right about only you must return as you were by the left 6. To the left about You must do as above in the fourth Command only you must turn upon the left 7. As you were You must do as above only you must return as you were by the right 8. Advance your Pikes Raise your Pike with the right hand that you hold it and stretching up your arm take your Pike with your left hand to the height of your waste then raise your Pike so that you may take the but-end of it in your right hand and bring it close to your right shoulder 9. Charge to the Front Bring your left hand even to your shoulder take your Pike and carry it right before you extending your arms advancing a little your right foot then fall back with your right leg and arm holding the but end of the Pike in the palm of your hand bring down your Pike along your left arm between your Thumb and the second Finger of your left hand your left arm cross your belly your elbow forward and your wrists towards your right hand 10. Charge to the right You must raise your Pike and extend your arms advancing your right foot and your Pike forward then turn to the right and charge as above in the ninth Command this word of Command is given four times 11. Charge to the right about You must do as above in the tenth Command but instead of turning a quarter turn to the right you must turn half a turn to the right so that your face may be where your back was 12. As you were You must do as above in the eleventh Command only you must return as you were by left 13. Charge to the left You must do as above in the tenth Command bu instead of turning to the right you must turn to the left this word of Command must also be given four times 14. Charge to the left about You must do as above in the eleventh Command only you must turn half a turn to the left 15. As you were Return as you were by the right and you must observe that when the words of Command for handling the Pike have no explication you must do as above in the ninth Command 16. Shoulder your Pike To shoulder your Pike you must your Pike being advanced lay your left hand on your Pike even to your Shoulder then quit the but-end of it draw back your right foot and hand stretching your arm to receive the Pike which you must bring to your right Shoulder the but-end a foot from the ground 17. Charge to the Front Stretch your arm and draw your foot and Pike back then lay your left hand on the Pike and turn it upon that hand which is nearest to the but end of it forsaking it with your right hand to take hold of the but-end and charge it must lie along upon your left arm between your Thumb and fore finger which is called the Fork 18. Shoulder
the Front and Rear To the right and left by Center quarter Ranks double your Files upon the Flank quarter Ranks to the Front and Rear March Quarter Ranks as you were March Quarter Ranks take heed to double your Files inward To the right by quarter Ranks double your Files inward March Quarter Ranks as you were March Quarter Ranks that have not doubled take heed To the left by quarter Ranks double your Files inward March Quarter Ranks as you were March Flanks quarter Ranks take heed to double your Files upon the Center quarter Ranks inward To the right and left by Flank quarter Ranks double your Files upon the Center quarter Ranks inward March Quarter Ranks as you were March Center quarter Ranks take heed to double your Files upon the Flank quarter Ranks inward To the right and left by Center quarter Ranks double your Files upon the Flank quarter Ranks inward March Quarter Ranks as you were March CHAP. X. The manner how to interchange ground TAke heed all the Battalion to interchange ground To the right by Ranks interchange ground March Halt To the left To the left by Ranks interchange ground March Halt To the right To the right and left by half Ranks interchange ground March Halt To the right and left To the right and left by quarter Ranks interchange ground March Halt To the right and left To the right by Files interchange ground March Halt To the right about To the left by Files interchange ground March Halte To the left about CHAP. XI Of the manner of Wheelings TAke heed all the Battalion to Wheel to the right or left Wheel to the right March Halt Wheel to the left March Halt Take heed Rest upon your Arms. The Pikes must be to their outside order Lay down your Arms. The Pikemen must lay down their Pikes between their Feet in some places they lay them down on the right side I do not blame their way but we must always find out the easiest and the quickest way To the right about and to the left about break the Battalion March To your Arms. Handle your Arms. Shoulder your muskets The Pikemen must also shoulder their Pikes CHAP. XII The Exercise by quarter Files THe Battalion must be eight deep and the following word of Command must be given Quarter files take heed to double your Ranks to the Front To the right by quarter files double your Ranks to the Front March Quarter files as you were March To the left by quarter Files double your Ranks to the Front March Quarter Files as you were March Quarter Files take heed to double your Ranks to the Rear To the right by quarter Files double your Ranks to the Rear March Quarter Files as you were March To the left by quarter Files double your Ranks to the Rear March Quarter Files as you were March Half File Leaders take heed To the right by Half File Leaders double your Ranks to the Front March By Bringers up as you were March To the left by half File Leaders double your Ranks to the Front March By Bringers up as you were March Bringers-up take heed To the right by Bringers up of half Files double your Ranks on the Rear March By File Leaders as you were March To the left by Bringers-up of half Files double your Ranks on the Rear March By File Leaders as you were March Front and Rear quarter Files take heed To the right by Front and Rear quarter Files double your Ranks to the Front and to the Rear upon the Center quarter Files March Quarter Files as you were March To the left by Front and Rear quarter Files double your Ranks to the Front and to the Rear upon the Center Quarter Files March Quarter Files as you were March Center quarter Files take heed To the right by Center quarter Files double your Ranks to the Front and to the Rear upon the Front and Rear quarter Files March Quarter Files as you were March To the left by Center quarter Files double your Ranks to the Front and to the Rear upon the Front and Rear quarter Files March Quarter Files as you were March Half Ranks take heed To the right and left by half Ranks close your Files March Take heed to double your Ranks to the Front upon the Flanks To the right and left by quarter Files double your Ranks to the Front upon the Flanks March Quarter Files as you were March To the right and left by quarter Files double your Ranks to the Rear upon the Flanks March Quarter Files as you were March To the right and left by quarter Ranks double to the Front inward March By quarter Files as you were March To the right and left by quarter Files double your Ranks to the Rear inward March By quarter Ranks as you were March Half File Leaders take heed To the right and left by half File Leaders double your Ranks to the Front upon the Flanks March By Bringers-up as you were March Bringers-up of half Files take heed To the right and left by Bringers up of half Files double your Ranks to the Rear upon the Flanks March By Bringers-up as you were March Bringers up of half Files take heed To the right and left by Bringers up of half Files double your Ranks on the Rear inward upon the Flanks March By File-Leaders as you were March Half File Leaders take heed To the right and left by half File Leaders double your Ranks to the Front inward March By Bringers up as you were March Bringers-up of half Files take heed To the right and left by Bringers up of half Files double your Ranks on the Rear inward March By File Leaders as you were March Front and Rear quarter Files take heed To the right and left by Front and Rear quarter Files double your Ranks to the Front and Rear upon the Center quarter Files up on the Flanks March Quarter Files as you were March Center quarter Files take heed To the right and left by Center quarter Files double your Ranks to the Front and Rear upon the Front and Rear quarter Files upon the Flanks March Quarter Files as you were March Front and Rear quarter Files take heed To the right and left by Front and Rear quarter Files double your Ranks to the Rear upon the Center quarter Files inward March Quarter Files as you were March Center quarter Files take heed To the right and left by Center quarter Files double your Ranks to the Front and to the Rear upon the Front and Rear quarter Files inward March Quarter Files as you were March To the right and left by half Ranks return to your distances March Pikemen take heed to fraize the Battalion To the right and left by whole Ranks of Pikes fraize the Battalion by the Front and Rear March Halt To the right and left March Halt To the right and left Take heed to return as you were To the right and left Ranks as you were March Halt To the