after the same manner wheeling off and taking their places as aforesaid and so successively the rest both files and rankes give 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 Muskettiers from the reere to the left flanke againe and they will have their places as at first CHAP. LXXXIX Of firing to both flankes marching TO give fire to both flankes upon a march must needs be a serviceable firing without exception the time number place and strength of the enemy being alwaies to be considered which may sometimes cause the Muskettiers having fired to march up betweene their owne divisions and the Pikes as in this Figure Or sometimes betweene the midst of the Pikes the better to secure them Divers other such like waies there likewise be at the discretion of the Commander and as the present occasion shall require them But because I insisted somewhat largely upon the firings on the right flanke I shall not need to shew them againe by division on both flankes but will conclude them all in this one The words of Command which produce the Figure are as follow Muskettiers give fire to both flankes marching up betweene the Pikes and your owne divisions The Command being given the outermost file on each flanke presents outward the â—est of the body still continuing the march The presented files in the interim giving fire then facing after their proper file-leaders who led them up betweene the Muskets of their owne divisions and the Pikes in the time of their wheeling away the next two outermost files 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 The firing may be continued at discretion each firing being its owne reducement Neverthelesse it may so fall out that either through the fury of the enemy advantage or disadvantage of ground or some such like accident the body may be forced to make Alt and to face to both flanks and so with fronts accident all to maintaine the fight standing To which end the firing in the succeeding Chapter shal be of that sort Therefore suppose the body faced to the right and left preparing to give fire CHAP. XC A firing to both Flanks standing FIring to both flanks upon a stand is a good and serviceable firing And although it shew but thinne in the figure yet it may be substantiall and usefull for the field especially if there be a larger proportion of number then I have made use of in my formes and figures of Battell The words of command and direction which produce the figure are as followeth Advance your pikes and stand Face to the Right and Left Muskettiers give fire and flanke your Pikes The bodie being faced to the right and left the formost ranks of Muskettiers which were the outermost-files present and give fire and then wheele off by division ranking even with the formost ranks of pikes and leaving sufficient Intervals for the rest of the Muskettiers 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 Intervals and so ranke after their leaders It is herewithall to be noted that they that were outermost when they gave fire are likewise to be so when they have taken their places If these instructions be not sufficient utrne backe to the figure of the Demie-hearse where the manner of the execution is all one with this All the ranks of Muskettiers having fired and wheeled off as before the pikes if need be may charge and the Muskettiers give fire over againe wheeling off outward and placing themselues in the reere of their owne divisions Having advanced your pikes and faced your body to the first front all your Muskettiers will be in front and reere And then if you face your halfe-files about and give fire after the same manner to the front and reere having faced them againe to their first front they will be reduced as at first into their ordinary square Neverthelesse I will reduce it by another firing which was first invented and shewed us by that worthy Citizen and excellent Souldier Captaine Henry Waller now deceassed It is a firing in front the Muskettiers of the reere division opening to the right and left and sleeving up on the flanks of pikes untill the leaders of the reere division who as then are the halfe-file-leaders ranke even with the front of pikes The words of direction that produce the figure follow in the next Chapter CHAP. XCI Captaine Wallers Triple firing to the Front THis Triple firing to the Front hath had the approbation of good and well experienced Souldiers who have all acknowledged it to be both sollid and serviceable Bringing many hands to fight in very good order the pikes being securely covered by their Muskettiers in front Neither need they be idle in time of battell if they have any Bow-pike-men amongst them for that they may send their whistling Archery over their Muskettiers heads without offence to their friends though not without dammage to their enemies If any carpe at the depth of the Muskettiers either in this figure or in any other in this booke I shall request them to suspend their censures and wisely to conceive by a little what a great deale meaneth My intent not being to make my booke monstrous by having little leaves and targe figures Onely I desire with this small number to shew the nature of severall formes and figures of battell the manner of their firings and wheelings off their orderly placings and severall wayes of reducement not having the least conceit to induce any to beleeve that men are able long to continue battell at foure deepe although at sometimes and for stratagems they may be reduced into a lesser number But lest by digression I too farre trespasse upon your patience I will returne to shew the manner of the firing Onely first obserue the words of command and direction which produce the following figure Muskettiers of the Reere double your front of Pikes by Division The Command being given the first ranke of Muskettiers both of front and flanks present to the front and give fire wheeling off to the right and left by division The Muskettiers of the front-division being wheeled off as aforesaid close by the flanks of their owne Muskettiers passe directly downe betweene the Intervals and place themselues even in ranke behinde the Muskettiers of the reere division which are upon the flanks This you may perceive by the pricks that come downe betweene the Intervals the Muskettiers also that fired at the same time on the flanks wheele also off the right flanke to the right the left flanke to the left marching directly downe even with the reere ranke
reduce it INfinite are the formes and figures of Battell which may be made yet all differing either in circumstances or in matter Some of them are Sollid others Hollow some of them again being Trines Squares Hearses Cirtes Crosses Diamonds Plinthiums Plesiums Paramekes and infinite others Some of them taking their denomination from the nature of their numbers Others according to the placing of each Armes A third sort taking their names from things they most resemble all of them being necessarie to be knowne to such which would be accounted skilfull Serjeant-Majors that with all numbers upon all occasions they may readily bring their Souldiers into any forme or figure of battell according as the time the number and place will give them leave for opposition of horse foot or both together But to returne backe to our single Company the worke of this Chapter being to shew the Plesium or long square In which the Muskettiers are halfe in the midst of the Pikes and the other halfe equally divided and placed on the 4. Angles of the battell the pikes making 4. divisions as being placed upon the front reere and flanke Yet not to hold you with longer circumstance take these words of command and direction which produce the following figure Halfe-files double your front to the left entire Onely do not close them to make one Body That being done your Body will be but 4. deepe Next command the 2. outmost flanks of each Body to double inward by division For better satisfaction observe these directions First see the halfe-ranks of the outmost flanks faced to the front and reere and that they march untill they are cleare of the standing part of the battell Secondly cause the halfe-ranks of the right-flank and the halfe-ranks of the left-flanke to face in opposition and to close their divisions the two first ranks of each flanke moving crosse the front of the standing part of the body and the two last ranks of each flanke moving crosse the reere Then the whole body facing to the front they will stand as in this figure If you would give fire upon this figure it may be performed either to the front and reere to the right and left or to all foure together But which way soever the firing be let the Aspect of the Muskettiers in the midst be turned the same way and cause the pikes which stand before them to charge at the foot and the Muskettiers in the Center to gâ—ve fire over them The first ranke having fired let them kneele or crouch low upon the ground making ready againe whilest the next ranks behinde them give fire and do the like and so forwards for the rest Having all fired once over this way let them rise up and if need be give fire over againe after the same manner The Muskettiers on the Angles in the interim giving fire after the ordinary way wheeling off and falling in the reere of the Muskettiers of their own divisions the others in the meane time moving forwards and making good their leaders ground This being done and the pikes having charged the figure will stil continue to be the same without alteration And that as well in men as matter if so be the firing be performed according to the former direction For reducement command the two first ranks and two last ranks to face to the right and left all marching forth untill they are cleere of the standing part of the bodie Next command them to stand then face them to the right and left and close their divisions This being done let them face all to their leader Lastly by commanding the halfe-files to face about to the right and to march forth into their places you shall see them fully to be reduced I might have further enlarged my selfe upon this subject of firings and figures of Battell yea and shewed varieties enow of Trine Battels round battels the crosse and round in one the sollid-square impaled besides infinite other kindes But I have already advanced further then I at first intended though well I hope no further then will be freely and lovingly accepted Which if it be I shall conceive my selfe to have received a gratefull and most ample satisfaction The hope whereof doth somewhat encourage me to proceed a little further And as I have already shewed divers and severall Motions with their formes and figures of Battell yea and in all or the most part of them as I have not onely given the words of command and direction to produce them from the ordinary square but also together with the demonstration of the figure and direction for the firing I have in like manner given direction for the reducements againe into the ordinary square So now for the satisfaction of some of the quainter sort of Souldiers give me leave to multiply one figure upon another untill that by firings I reduce firings For the performance whereof that I may observe some method I will digest them into the way of Exercise c. CHAP. CV The first daies Exercise HAving brought your Company into a place convenient where you intend to exercise them if you have time enough you may cause the file leaders Corporals oâ— Serieants to instruct them in the Postures and true using of their Armes Wherein having spent some time to the benefit of the Company upon the first summons of the Drum each file-leader with his file is to march into his place The Captaine or other Commander being at the head of his Company commands them to even their rankes and to straiten their Pikes and stand in their order both in ranke and file If your Ensigne be not already in the field but in some place neere at hand then cause your two innermost files of pikes to advance commanding a Serjeant with a Drum to troop them along to the place of ReÌ„dezvouz there to fetch their Colours If the place be not nigh at hand take as many files of Muskettiers Having brought the Ensigne to the head of the Pikes each file returnes into his place the Officers likewise withdrawing their severall stations Silence being commanded the Captain or other Commander begins first to instruct the Souldiers in the severall distances betwixt ranke and file with the waies to open and close to them And if hee thinke fit to instruct them in the severall uses of each distance Next after distance they are to be instructed in the †facings then in the doublings next in the Countermarches and lastly in the wheeling In each of which they are to be instructed according to the opportunity of the time and place but especially is the capacity of the Souldier to be observed Wherein the Captaine may doe very well in each of the motions to lay downe some speciall rules and observations by which the Souldier may the better understand what he is to doe and how the best way to performe it After the motions ended let them prepare for skirmish And first
twelve score or lesse then it is fit that the Muskettiers give fire even with the front of the Pikes and that the Pikemen advance their Pikes and close forwards to their distance of three foot that so they may be even in ranke with their Muskettiers as you may perceive by the following Figure Now the Pikes being advanced and the rankes closed forwards to their due distance of order the Muskettiers are to present even with the front every ranke successively moving forward untill they come to be even in ranke with the first ranke of Pikes there to give fire and to wheele off to the right and left trooping file-wise downe close to their owne divisions and taking their places in the reere as in the former figures The first ranke of Muskettiers having fired and wheeled away the next ranks are to move forwards at three motions into their places and there to give fire after the same manner wheeling away againe and placing themselves according to former directions every ranke still making good their Leaders ground In this sort the battell may be continued untill they have fired once twice or oftner over and that the Bodies become so close together that the Pikes begin to porte and so at length come to push of Pike Which done the Muskettiers are to give fire either retreiting or else not to advance further then the halfe files of Pikes For in that place the bodies being come so neere together they will doe as much execution as if they were even with the front The manner of the standing you may perceive by the following Figure The Pikes being now come to push the Muskettiers are to advance no further than the halfe files of Pikes that so they may doe execution with their shot and be out of danger of the Pikes This having attained they are there to present and give fire every ranke still moving forwards and maintaining his leaders ground After they have performed their firing they are to wheele off by division as in the former Figures still placing themselves in the reere of their owne files alwaies taking their directions from the Drum either for charging or retreiting c. The battell or charge being ended the reducement is easie The leader of each file being in his place at the head of his file command the Muskettiers to march up even with the front of pikes and then they will be as at first Obserue withall that when the firing is to be performed even with the front then the Muskettiers are stil to make good their leaders ground The want to be in the place of most security which is the Reere as you may perceive by the pricks which I have designed for noting out the empty roomes of such who have closed forwards to make good the ground in the front the others that last fired are wheeled off and trooping downe into their places When the firing is even with the halfe-files they are to do the like unlesse the Drumme beat a retreat for then the Muskettiers neither advance nor retreat but every rank giving fire on the same ground they stand and then wheele off againe that their fellows may do as much Neverthelesse when the forlorne files march forth or that two ranks march forth ten paces or more before the front then they are to give fire as upon a retreit unlesse the enemy flye I will now shew some other wayes of firing in front before I shew the firings in the reere The first whereof shall be the horne Battell as in the Chapter following CHAP. LXXIII Of the Horne-battell how to make it and to reduce it by firing THe Horn-battell may be for the same occasion and use as the firing by two ranks ten paces advancing before the front and is by some held more serviceable because that the muskettiers do their execution more roundly without any intermission of time and keepe themselues without stragling from their bodies Besides the wings of Muskettiers being so advanced are more apt for over-fronting and more easily to be wheeled whereby to charge the enemy in flanke each of these wings or divisions are to be led up by a Serjeant or some other superiour Officer unto the place appointed by the Chiefe But because that it may be performed in time of exercise by the intelligible Souldier observe the Command which produceth this following figure Pikes stand Muskettiers march untill the Bringers up ranke with the front of Pikes The Horne-battell The figure being perfect the firstranke of Muskettiers present and give fire wheeling off either all to the right or to the right and left according as they shall have direction and placing themselues orderly in the Reere of their owne files The next ranke after the same manner firing and wheeling off and placing themselues behinde those which were their leaders Thus is every rank successively to do the like untill they have all given fire If the Commander would still preserve and continue the same figure then let the Muskettiers still move forwards into the ground or place of them that fired before them and the forme will be still the same And if by the Chiefetain it be found necessary that after once or twice firing over the shot should flanke their pikes then the Muskettiers must not advance into their leaders ground but to the contrary every ranke is to present and fire on the same ground they stand and that so soone as they are cleere of their leaders Or if need be the pikes may advance and march up to make their front iâ—tire which being done the file-leaders of Muskettiers being in front they are reduced CHAP. LXXIIII Of the Demie-hearse Battell The use of the figure how to make it and to reduce it by firing THe next firing in Front which I present unto you is the Demie Hearse which is a figure most firme most sollid and most stable yea and doth as much execution as any of the former and that with halfe the danger For the pikes in the former figure they either ranke even with the front of Muskets or else the division of Muskettiers being open they become liable to the danger of the enemies shot themselues not being able to do any thing either offensive or defensive But to the contrary in this figure they are securely covered by their owne Muskettiers untill they approach nearer to the enemy Whereby they may be able to do some service either by sending their showres of arrows amongst them for bringing their array out of order or else by closing neerer come to the shocke and so try the fortune of the day But not to hold you longer in circumstance take the words of command which produce the figure as followeth Pikes stand Muskettiers advance before your Front of Pikes and close your Divisions The Demic-hearse For the firings on this figure they may be divers yet I shall content my selfe onely to shew two of them The first is that the Muskettiers may at the discretion
of the Commander give fire in front and so wheele off by division or all to the right as shall best please him that commands in Chiefe placing themselues in the Reere of their owne divisions and files of shot which is just before the front of pikes The next ranks then moving forwards into their leaders ground are to present fire wheele off and place themselues after the same manner the rest of the ranks of Muskettiers doing the like untill they have all given fire which firing doth nothing alter the forme or figure of battell Having fired once or twice over this way the second firing shall serue for reducement which is indeed the firing intended to be exprest by this figure And that I may by words the more clearly explaine the worke take these directions following The first ranke having given fire are to wheele equally off by division each part falling file-wise downe close by their flanks of Muskettiers untill the leaders of the ranks of Muskets come downe as low as the first ranke of pikes which being performed they are to face outwards and to move so farre forth in a strait line untill they have ranked even with the first ranke of pikes But herewithall are they to observe that they must leave an Intervall betweene the innermost-musket 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 downe betweene the Intervals on the flanks placing themselues after their leaders The same is every ranke successively to do untill all the Muskettiers are drawne from before the front and placed on the flanke of their pikes But when there are not above two ranks of Muskettiers to give fire then the pikes may port and when the Muskettiers have fired and are wheeled away they may charge And lastly the pikes being re-advanced the body stands reduced as at first CHAP. LXXV Of giving Fire advancing by way of Introduction with the beneficiall use of the Bow and Pike I Shall next offer to your perusall a figure of Introduction which is a passing through or betweene Being a firing by way of advancing against the enemy and of gaining ground I will not dispute how usefull it is but sure I am it is over-ballanced with danger As for such whom I haue seene to practise it they have rather used it for varietie in a well experienced Company then for any knowne excellency it hath in it selfe But if these lines happen to be over-lookt by any that preserues a better opinion of this firing by introduction then I do I shall be willing to leave them to their owne liking while I in the meane time proceed to shew the manner of the execution which is usually one of these 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 Neverthelesse you must note that your files of Muskettiers must be opened to their open order before the firing begin that so the Muskettiers may passe betweene the Intervals of each file to give fire in the front And therefore take the words of Command and Direction which will produce this Figure following Muskettiers make ready to give fire by introduction to the right Files of Muskettiers open by Division to your open order This firing by introduction may be thus performed The Pikes being flankt with their Muskettiers the first ranke of each flanke present and give fire having fired they stand and make ready againe in the same place The second ranke passing forwards before the first doe there fire and stand the third rank 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 quickly step before them and fire in like manner 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 likewise given fire after which they then passe before them the Ranke which was their next followers passing forwards and ranking with those which last fired every man following his Leader successively untill the Bringers up give fire stand and then the Figure will become a Horne battell All the while that this firing by Introduction is continued the Pikes may be shouldered if there be no feare of horse or otherwise at discretion If you continue this firing twice over the Muskettiers will have their right places which being done march up your Pikes to ranke even with your Muskettiers in front and they are reduced For the other 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 following their Bringers up as they do when Bringers up double their front The first ranke having fired the Bringers up step immediately before them present and give fire the rest stil successively doing the like untill every rank have given fire once over Observe withal that the file-leaders are to give fire twice over being the first the last then to stand the Pikes marching up even with their front of Muskettiers And thus they are reduccd as at first The Pikemen all the time of this firing doe no service Notwithstanding if one halfe of them had bowes fastened unto their Pikes being able and well practised men they might whilest the Muskettiers are in firing be dealing of their doles about and although their arrowes did not happen to wound mortally yet the whisteling noyse the terrour of the sight and the severall hurts which could not chuse but be many would be a great abatement to the stoutest courages And great pitty it is to see the lusty Pike-man poorely to droppe downe by the Musket-shot himselfe not being able to hurt his enemy at that distance nor defend himselfe CHAP. LXXVI The way to make the Diamond Battell severall waies to fire upon it with divers other figures and firings which are thereby produced THe Diamond Battell is also a firing in front though more for shew then moderne service yet because that some hold it in venerable respect I thought fit to place it amongst the rest leaving every man to his liking either to use it or refuse it It may be that some will looke that I should make the Sheere Battell the Wedge the Saw and many such like which might be made either hollow or sollid But I shall intreate such to spare me for I would not willingly spend time to so small purpose chusing rather to insist on Figures more profitable for them and commendable for mee Yet if any man have a minde to practise any of them by observation of this Diamond Battell he may easily make them But not to hold you longer with circumstance
and gâ—â—tifie 〈◊〉 by applying each motion figure and forme to his right use and true intention I will now shew how the figure is to be made which is as followâ—th If yoâ—â— Battell be in forme of an Hearse then 〈◊〉 them to the right or left about untill they have atteined this figure But if in a square then observe these following words which will produce the figure Wheele your Flanks into the Front then face the Body to one of the Flanks and wheele your Battell into a Convex Halfe Moone The Convex Halfe Moone Having brought your Souldiers into this Convex forme you may face them all inward for speech or outward for fight Then let the Officers make Intervals for the Muskettiers and let the outermost Arc or first ranke of each division present and give fire those of the right flanke wheeling off to the right the left-flanke to the left placing themselues in the Reere of their owne divisions of Muskettiers still making good their leaders ground The rest of the ranks are to do the same untill they have all given fire Neverthelesse if your enemy be too potent for you by reason of his horse your Bow-pike-men need not stand idle although they stand behinde their Muskettiers for that they may plie them faster with their shafts then the others can with their shot But if the horse be so violent that the Muskettiers may not abide them then let them give fire and wheele off by division as before passing quite through their Intervals and placing themselues in the Reere of their pikes every ranke making good their leaders ground Thus also are the rest of the Muskettiers to give fire placing themselues in the concave part of the Body as aforesaid following the pikes which now make good the Muskettiers ground If need be the pikes may charge over-hand or if occasion serves at the foot drawing forth their swords over their left armes and couching downe their heads by which meanes the Muskettiers may give fire over their shoulders For the first ranke having fired may kneele downe on the ground and charge againe and so the second ranke may give fire and kneele in like manner making ready againe And so in like manner for all the rest all giving fire and kneeling on the ground that so the next ranke behinde may give fire over them Thus continning the firing untill all the Muskettiers have given fire Neverthelesse if need be the first ranke may rise with the rest and give fire over again as before And so the Battell may be continued the Pikes still keeping off the horse For the reducement of this figure to bring every man to his place let your Muskettiers either firing or passing through be brought into the places 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 on the right flanke wheele your right flanke into the midst if on the left flank wheele front and reere into the left flanke This being done let the Commander passe to his proper file-leaders and face the whole Body to him and they are reduced as at first CHAP. LXXVIII Of Extraduction the severall uses firings and Reducements THe next Firing which I shall take upon me to demonstrate shall be by way of Extraduction which is also a firing in Front It may be to singular good use in a strait or passage sage where your Wings and Reere may be secured your enemy being supposed to be too powerfull for you either in Horse or Foot or both Having gotten into some strait there fill the mouth of the passage with your Pikes and if the length of your Company be not sufficient to do it then double your ranks as in this following figure and let yâ—ur pikes either order advance port or charge according to the occasion your Muskettiers being in the Reere may march up into the Front and fire But before I shew the firing observe these following directions which produce the Figure Pikes stand Muskettiers face to the Reere and March uâ—till you are cleere of your body of Pikes Then face inward and close your division that being done face to your Leader and double your Rankes This being performed the Pikes are all in front the Muskettiers in Reere A firing by Extraduction Having ordered your baâ—tell in this manner let the first rankâ—â—f Muskettiers which are those that follow next after the Pikes face to the right and march forth file-wise to close by the right flanke of Pikes untill he that is the leader of them be come into the front of Pikes then hee 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 note withall in this firing that hee which was the right hand man of the Ranke and was the leader of the â—â—tion now becomes the left hand man when he gives fire and that having fired they are to wheele off to the left close to the left flanke of Pikes and so to fall in the reere of the Muskettiers In the interim whilest that the ranke which first fired is wheeling away the second rank is marching into their places to give fire And in this manner they may maintaine their Battaile so long as they please the Pikes either porting or charging all the whiles The Muskettiers in the time of their crossing the front are to couch or stoope under their Pikes that so they may be no impediment to the Pikes in their charge There is another way of firing â—y Extraduction which is that the right hand leader of Muskettiers placeth himselfe before the right fileâ—eader of Pikes the rest all falling beyond him neverthelesse because I conceive it not to be so good a way as that already shewne I will not trouble you with it but come immediately to the â—educement of this which is as followeth Comâ—and your Pikes to stand and your Muskets to double their front by division but if you want room to doe it then first double your files 〈◊〉 the contrary hand of that which you doubled your rankes and so hauing doubled by division as aforesaid they will be reduced as at fiâ—st CHAP. LXXIX Of the Broad-fronted Battell with the wayes of firing upon it THe broad-fronted battell must needs be of speciall use for many occasions either offensive or defensive Which because it is so apparant to all I shall not need to stand to reason with any rather desiring to shew the manner of making and reducing it which is â—s followeth Cause your Pikes to stand and your Muskettiers to march untill the reere ranke of Muskettiers be advanced a little before the first ranke of Pikes then let the Muskettiers face inward or in opposition and close their divisions and then face to their leader And if
rest of the files after the same manner firing and returning untill they have all given fire and then they will be all reduced as at first CHAP. XCV A firing oblique by foure files together in forme of a W. ALL the commendations that may be given of these oblique Figures is that they powre out a great deale of shot at once and may quickly be reduced to their places Notwithstanding they are a great weakening to the bodie if any sudden accident should happen before they are setled in their former stations Neverthelesse I shall leave them to themselues and if they be found to hold out weight I shall not grudge that I have given them roome amongst the rest But if they prove too light let them be as lightly respected yet beare somewhat with them for their antiquitie The way to make the figure is as followeth The two innermost files of Muskettiers on each flanke march forth each of them being led by an Officer untill they have taken their places Then the Officers that led forth the two middlemost files are to returne to their places againe the Serjeants that led forth the outermost files standing to see them do their execution Yet before the Muskettiers have order to give fire obserue the manner of their standing by the following Figure The Muskettiers having presented according to their directions they give fire all together and then suddenly facing after their bringers up march downe into their places the next two files of each flanke in the interim of their marching away are to move forwards to their ground where they are in like manner to give fire and then to take their places as aforesaid The rest of the files of Muskettiers if you have more must then move forwards and do the like And in this sort may the Muskettiers give fire once twice or oftner over each firing being a reducement to it selfe CHAP. XCVI Of the Fort Battell the way to make and to reduce it THe figure of the Fort-battell is an oblique firing and taketh its denomination rather from the 〈…〉 the strength of a Fort. It s chiefe use is for the entertainment of some great personage or Commander in the field who being received into the midst of the divisions of Pikes the Muskettiers may present and give fire altogether in one vollie Or if they would have the Muskettiers give fire one after another then the vollies by succession which some call the Peale will be the best If there be more Muskettiers then will serve to make up the figure single they may also give fire with the rest presenting obliquely betweene the distance of their leaders The way to make this figure is as followeth First draw forth the outmost files of Muskettiers on each flanke in forme of an hollow wedge before the front of pikes Then cause the next two outmost files to face about and to follow their bringers up in the same forme to the Reere Then let the last two files of Muskettiers on each flanke be drawne after their file-leaders in the same manner and forme to the flanks The Muskettiers being thus ordered and all presented obliquely outwards command the two first and two last ranks of Pikes to stand the rest of the Pikes to face to the right and left and so to march untill they are cleare off the other pikes which stand Then command the Pikes which moved to double their files to the right Lastly command all the Pike-men to face outward each division of Pikes after their hollow 〈◊〉 of Muskettiers Or else let them face all inward to the Center and then the Body will stand in forme of the following figure Having fired upon this figure there is no manner of wheeling off because the forme is still to be continued But when you come to reducement first face all the Pikes to their proper front that is unto the place where you finde the proper file-leaders Secondly let the Pikes which are flankers double their rankes to the left and so close their divisions Then the Pikes will be reduced For the Muskettiers first command those on the flanke to leade up their files in their due places close to the Pikes Next command the Muskettiers of the reere to sleeve up on each flanke by division Lastly command the Muskettiers before the front of Pikes to face after their bringers up and to march downe into their places Lastly facing to their leader they are all reduced as at first CHAP. XCVII Of the crosse Battell the way to make it with a private Company How to fire upon it and to reduce it THe Crosse Battell though it must needs shew thinne in regard that the number is not sufficient to expresse the worth of the Figure yet may the forme be very usefull with a larger body and the Muskettiers may give fire two three or foure waies at once upon it Yea if the number were as opulent as the Figure is excellent then they might fire twelve severall wayes together This notwithstanding I spare to speake further to what may be done and come to shew what I intend in it Concerning this Figure the waies to fire upon it are ordinarily two The first when the Muskettiers give fire and then place themselves in the reere of their owne divisions of Muskets The second way is after that they have fired to place them in the reere of their Pikes the Pikes maintaining the Muskettiers ground The words of Command which produce the Figure are as followeth The two first rankes wheele your front into the midst The two last ranks wheele your reere into the midst The rest of the body face to the right and left and so march untill the reere-Angles meete Then let the Commander goe into the midst or Center and face the whole Company to him giving tm such direction as is meete Lastly being all faced about to the right the body will stand like the following Figure This crosse Battell being faced to the front reere and flankes and the Muskettiers commanded to give fire one way of placing them is in the reere of their own divisions of Muskettiers for that hereby the Muskettiers will still continue their places For the second way after that the first rankes have given fire let them wheele all off to the right or to the right and left if the number be large and place themselves in the reere of their Pikes each ranke moving forwards and maintaining their leaders ground The second ranke in like manner is to fire and to take their places after the Muskettiers which fired and wheeled off last before them The rest successively are to doe the like untill all the shot have fired and are wheeled away againe Then let the Pikes charge c. If any object that it is dangerous to have so large distance betweene the fronts of each firing then if you have files enow yo u may draw two or three files of each Arme crosse the divisions from the Angle of one front
to the other and so facing of them outward they will make reasonable good defence on those parts c. Having given fire upon the crosse battell and brought your Muskets to the reere of the Pikes if you would reduce them passe into the midst of Center of the Figure and face all both Muskettiers and Pikemen to you and cause those which were the flankers to close their divisions Next wheele the fronts into the midst of the two other divisions then move to the front proper and face the whole body to you and so you shall have all your Muskettiers in the midst flanked with Pikes If you would reduce them into their right places command the Muskettiers to face to the right and left outward the Pikes to face to the right and left inward and so to passe through and interchange ground thus being rightly faced they are reduced CHAP. XCVIII Of the hollow-fronted Crosse Battell how to make it with a private Company and the way to fire upon it c. THis next Figure shall be of the hollow-fronted Crosse which is a stronger forme than that last shewne and yet thus much let me warne you of that there can be but little expectation of strength to be perceived in Battels formed with so small a number This notwithstanding the ingenious Martialists can easily discerne those things which in warre may prove most usefull for his owne and his Countries benefit although they are here expressed to the publique view in so meane array and in such thinne numbers Wherefore setting aside all Apologies and excuses I will briefly shew the words of Command and direction which will produce the following Figure The two first rankes wheele your front into the midst The two last ranks wheele your reere into the midst The rest face to the right and left and march untill they have made the perfect Crosse Lastly cause the Muskettiers to flanke their Pikes according to this following Figure The severall directions for firing upon this Figure may be divers But to avoyd distraction I will shew onely one way and that directed to the front reere and flankes Neverthelesse for varieties sake you may cause them to give fire once over wheeling off by division and placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions still moving forwards into their leaders ground thereby to preserve the Figure in the same order At the second time of firing cause the Pikes to move softly up even with the front of Muskettiers porting as they advance forwards The Muskettiers having fired and wheeled off are to place themselves in the reere of their divisions of Pikes whom before they flanked every ranke of Muskettiers firing wheeling off and placing themselves as aforesaid Lastly the Pikes having charged and againe readvanced the body will stand in the Figure of a perfect Crosse For the reducement it is the same with the Crosse-Battell delivered in the 97 Chapter Wherefore I shall need to adde no further directions in this place for the said reducement then that the flanke divisions are to be closed and the front and reere divisions to be wheeled that the body may be againe returned into a square with the Muskettiers in the middle All this being here taught I now proceed to shew one firing with the Muskettiers in that order CHAP. XCIX Of firing upon the square Battell flanked with Pikes THe square battell flanked with Pikes must needs bee very safe for the Muskettiers as being a very able defence for the flankes against the incursions of the enemies horse The Figure followeth just â—s the Muskettiers are in motion The wayes or manners of giving fire upon this figure are ordinarily three The first firing is with the Aspect being directed to the front the Muskettiers wheeling either all off to the right or to the right and left as you perceive by this figure The second is for the Muskettiers to give fire to the reere upon a march which they may easily do from this figure The third is to give fire to the front and reere upon a stand the halfe-files being faced about If the firing be performed to the front then every ranke is to march up into their leaders ground If the firing be to the Reere upon a march then the ranks contrariwise close backwards towards the Reere to make good the Battell on that part If it be to the front and reere upon a stand then the Muskettiers march up into their leaders ground and those which have fired and are wheeled off place themselues in the Reere of their owne divisions To write further of this firing were more then necessarie no one of these firings any wayes altering the figure but the Aspect onely Neverthelesse if the Commander please he may after the firing in front wheele both flanks into the front and so charge pikes and from thence proceed to other firings If the firing were in the reere he may wheele the flanks into the Reere and cause his pikes to charge that way If the firing were to the front and reere he may wheele both flanks into the front and reere and so charge with his pikes both wayes Which by Captaine Bingham is called Amphistomus Before I come to reducement I shall proceed to the next firing in the ensuing Chapter CHAP. C. Of the Plinthium or foure-fronted-battell by us called the Crosse of Muskets flanked with Pikes THe Foure-fronted Battell is a figure both steady and serviceable being usefull as well for a march thereby securing the carriage and all other such like necessaries as for fight For if it should so happen as it often doth that you should be charged in front reere and flanks all at one and the same time then are there both Muskets and Pikes so placed that each Armes is assisting to the other For seeing that neither Muskettiers nor Pikemen alone can be singly sufficient of themselues to withstand the able and resolute horseman without great advantage of ground on the contrary the Muskettiers and Pikes being conjoyned into one body and being well ordered they are not onely able to defen'd themselues against their furie but also to put them to the worser Yet this must not be understood of raw and unskitfull Souldiers whose ignorance is cause of diffidence but of hardy experienced and well exercised men such as know well how to demeane themselues couragiously in time of fight The words of Command and direction which produce the figure are as followeth Halfe-files of Pikes face to the Reere and march untill they are cleare of the last ranke of Muskettiers Secondly command Halfe-files of Muskettiers face to the right and left then march betweene the divisions of Pikes Thirdly command Left halfe-ranks of the first division of Muskets face to the Reere and march betweene the Reere divisions of Pikes Lastly Having evened their ranks straitened their files and closed their divisions to an equall distance and being rightly faced the body will stand like the following figure The
for Skirmish Then if you please you may cause three or foure of the first firings to be performed by light Skirmishing before the Front and that with loose Ranks or Files or both either some of those or such like as I have formerly spoken off in the preceding Exercises After which for your next firing cause your Half-files to open to the right and left by equall division untill the Reere Divisions of Pikes stands right after the Muskettiers of the Front-division Now the Muskettiers standing in foure Divisions let them all present and give fire to the Front wheeling all off to the right and placing themselves in the Reere of their own divisions of like Armes each Ranke still making good the Leaders ground Having given fire once or twice over on this Figure For the second firing cause the Front-division to give fire to the Front and the two Reere divisions to each Flanke in a March The Front-division with fires in Ranke wheele all off to the right placing themselves in the Reere of their ownc Divisions of Muskettiers the other Divisions with fire in flanke leading up their files betweene their owne divisions of Muskettiers and the Pikes Having given fire once or oftner over according to discretion this way let the third firing be performed upon a stand For the which cause your reere-divisions to facc to the right and left outward the front-division still to continue the same aspect Then let the Muskettiers give fire those of the right flanke wheeling off to the right and the contrary flanke to the contrary hand the Muskettiers of the front division placing themselues in the reere of their owne divisions of Muskets the Muskettiers of the reere divisions placing themselues in the reere of the reere divisions of Pikes each ranke of Muskettiers still making good his leaders ground When they have fired all over let the Pikes charge to front and both flanks Having advanced your Pikes againe and faced your body to the front proper each Armes still standeth in three divisions Then let the fourth firing be to the reere and both flanks upon a march And to that end open your front-divisions of Muskettiers to the right and left untill they are cleere of the reere-divisions of Pikes that so they be not troublesome unto them in their march Then let your pikes shoulder and the Muskettiers give fire the front divisions of Muskettiers firing in flanke and leading up on the inside of their owne divisions The Muskettiers of the reere division giving fire in the reere in ranke wheeling off by division and placing themselves in the front of their owne divisions of Muskettiers Having fired once over and the Pikes charged let your fifth firing be to the Reere and both flankes upon a stand In the which let the half-files both Muskettiers and Pikes face to the Reere the Front-division to the right and left and so give fire one each part those that fire to the flankes wheeling off and placing themselves in the Reere of their divisions of Pikes and the Muskets of the Reere divisions wheeling off to the right and left and placing themselves in the Reere of their owne divisions of Musketties each Ranke moving forward into their Leaders ground Having fired over let the Pikes charge The Pikes being againe advanced face the whole body to the proper front and then all the Muskettiers will be in the midst and the Pikemen on the flankes For the sixth firing cause your half-rankes of the left double your right flanke by division For further directions looke back to the tripartite firing which you shall find Chap. 92. Having fired over that way charged and re-advanced your pikes face the whole body to their former front For your seventh firing cause the front and reere divisions of Muskettiers and Pikes to face to the right the rest of the body both Muskets and Pikes to the left Let the Muskettiers give fire and wheele all off either to the right or left and place themselves in the reere of their following divisions of Pikes each ranke still moving up into their leaders ground When there rest but two rankes of each division to fire let the Pikes port Having all fircd and wheeled away let the Pikes charge Then face the whole body to their first front and command the first and last foure rankes to face to the left and to march untill they are cleere of the standing part of the Body Then cause the front halfe-files to face to the left the reere halfe-files to the right and so to close their divisions and after that to face towards their leader For the eight firing make the sollid Square girdled with Muskettiers For the which draw halfe the files of the right flanke of Muskettiers crosse the front and halfe the files of Muskettiers of the left flanke crosse the reere Then face the whole body both Muskets and Pikes to the front reere and flankes This done let the Muskettiers give fire and wheele off by division placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions of Muskettiers All the time of this firing the Pikemen being in the middle of the Muskettiers have good opportunity if the enemy be neere to gall them with their thicke showers of feathered shot The Muskettiers in the meane time having fired once twice or oftner over on this Figure draw your files of Muskettiers backe againe into their places Then having faced the whole body to the proper front let your ninth firing be Captaine Wallers double firing to the front and reere after this manner First wheele front and reere into the right flanke then face them all the same way they were before which done cause the halfe-files to face to the reere and command the Muskettiers which are in the reere of each division of Pikes to double their front of Pikes by division Then let them face about and close their divisions and so having refaced them as they were let them give fire wheele off and charge according to directions on Captaine Wallers Figure For the tenth firing let them face to the right and left and give fire to both flankes upon a stand wheeling off by division and flanking their Pikes When the Pikes have charged and are againe advanced let the Captaine passe to the front accidentall of the left flanke and face the rest of the body to him and in the next place wheele their flanks into the front and so all the Muskettiers will be in the front and by facing the whole body to the left all the Muskettiers will be on the right flanke Let the eleventh figure be the Diamond Battell Having given fire two or three severall wayes according to the directions upon that figure charged Pikes and reduced them againe into the Square face the body about to the right and passe the Muskettiers which belong to the right flanke betweene the ranks of pikes into their places Then the Muskettiers of the left flanke being closed to their Pikes the Body will stand
Pikes   From the Treile Charge to the Front Treile as you were Right Left Reere Order your Pikes Lay down I shall undergo the censure of some for that they will finde more Postures of the Pike here then formerly they knew of and so by their conclusion more then there is any need of for now-a-dayes there are such that will limit discipline to the verge of their owne knowledge and whatsoever else they shall see either acted or written by others that is without the lists of their kenning they will peremptorily conclude for superfluous and improper howsoever I shall alwayes referre my selfe to the judgment of the more judicious The charges of the Pike are twofold either for defense or offence Charges underhand or over-hand but divers and different they are from their severall wayes and Postures from which they are or may be done although they are not all alwayes usefull yet at sometimes they may be usefull and therefore very requisite to be known to all such as either are or at lest would be accounted for good Souldiers As I have set down the Postures themselves both of Musket and Pike so it were not much amisse if that the Motions of Posture were likewise here exprest But because they will take up too much time fill too much paper and the Subject it selfe not pleasing unto many I will spare my labour and my booke the lines rather suffering the censure of curtail'd brevity then tedious prolixity CHAP. III. Of the Drum OVr Souldiers being sufficiently instructed in the Postures of such Armes as they carry or are appointed to use the next thing they are to learn is the knowledge of the severall beats of the Drum which is as requisite to be learnt of the Souldier as any thing else in this way For the Drum is the voice of the Commander the spurre of the valiant the heart of the coward and by it they must receive their directions when the roring Canon the clashing of armes the neighing of horses and other confused noise causeth that neither Captaine nor other Officer can be heard Wherefore it will be most necessary for him to learne these sixe severall Beats viz. 1 A Call 2 A Troope 3 A March. 4 A Preparative 5 A Battaile 6 A Retreit 1 By a Call you must understand to prepare to heare-present Proclamation or else to repaire to your Ensigne 2 By a Troope understand to shoulder your Muskets to advance your Pikes to close your Rankes and Files to their order and to troope along with or follow your Officer to the place of Randesvous or elsewhere 3 By a March you are to understand to take your open order in ranke to shoulder both Muskets and Pikes and to direct your March either quicker or slower according to the beat of the Drum 4 By a Preparative you are to understand to close to your due distance for skirmish both for ranke and file and to make ready that so you may execute upon the first command 5 By the Battaile or charge understand the continuation or pressing forward in order of battaile without lagging behind rather boldly stepping forward into the place of him that fals dead or wounded before thee 6 By a Retreit understand an orderly retiring backward either for reliefe for advantage of ground or for some other politicall end as to draw the enemy into some ambushment or such like Much more might be written concerning the Drum but this may suffice for the present CHAP. IV. Of Rankes and Files their places and dignities NOw that our Souldiers are somewhat skilfull in managing of their armes and no lesse capable of the severall beats of the Drum it is high time for them to know the difference between a Ranke and a File Wherefore know that a Ranke is a row of men sometimes more sometimes fewer standing moving or marching even a breast or as some write pouldron to pouldron or shoulder to shoulder A File is a sequence of men standing one behinde another backe to belly in a straight line from Front to Reere consisting sometimes of 6. 8. or 10. men on some occasions the Spaniards make them 12. deepe But when any one would shew much variety of exercise then 8. will be the more pliant and dividual number yet for service in the field where men are not altogether so expert as I could wish our Country-men were 10. men is the fittest number not onely for the cause aforesaid but also because that 10. is the square root of a 100. and is a better number to draw Companies into grosser bodies And now I thinke it would not be much amisse if I should here insert the severall places of digninity and precedency in Ranke as also in File Wherfore because that Files are first to be drawn forth and that by adding or joyning of Files together Rankes are made we will begin first with Files Wherefore conceive their honour according to the figures or numbers hereunder placed first in File then of Rank lastly of both cōjoyned It will not be of it selfe sufficient that I have both marked and figured the places and dignities to each particular man in his File and Ranke but it will be looked for of some that I should backe my opinions either with sound and good reasons of mine owne or at the least with the opinions of some others as for such as have employed themselves upon this subject they have been as divers in their judgements as their number each man having a fancie to his owne way And if it were much materiall I might have here demonstrated unto you the severall opinions of Leo Robertellus Count Mansfield Sir Thomas Kellie and many others whose workes being extant I will spare the labour But above all the rest that ever I read Captaine Iohn Bingham hath in my judgement best delivered himselfe in this particular which although he have exprest by way of Tetarchies and Mirrarchies yet the same may be understood as well by Rankes and Files His words are these Every Tetarch is over foure Files in all which the Commander that hath the right hath the first place he that hath the point of the left the second place he that standeth on the right hand next to him the third place The last place is his that standeth next to the Commander of the right point on the left hand He demonstrates it by way of figure thus CHAP. V. Reasons for precedency of dignity in Rankes and Files I Shall now endevour to give some reasons for these severall places of dignitie in Ranke and File And first for that Geometricall proportion gives both life and being to orderly discipline consider that all parts of the body ought to be answerable Wherefore seeing that the joyning of Files and Rankes produceth greater Bodies it is necessary that a true proportion should be kept from the beginning and that in drawing forth of Files they observe to make the Reere halfe files answerable in
over some But marvell not the cause I do not show them It is not much materiall for to know them Those that are Skilfull in the Art of Warre And take delight to exercise their men Shall find more pleasure in these doublings farre If that they intermixe them now and then And so contrive their doublings in these cases That lastly one word brings them to their places Why in our Country do we Captains chuse That have no skill nor artfull inclination They do themselves and Country much abuse Thus to deceive them in their expectation I thinke the Cause of this fault in our Nation Is that our Gentry holds it not in fashion But some perhaps will say I am too bold There 's no such need for Captains to have skill The Muster-masters have enough some hold The Captains and the Counties for to fill So whilest the Muster-master doth the labour The Officers may play upon a Tabour But stay me thinks one puls me by the sleeve And tels me that I have my selfe forgot Wherefore of doublings here I take my leave Intreating those that read mistake me not Let Muster-masters take their money then But let the Captains exercise their men CHAP. XXXIX Of Countermarches Their Antiquity and words of direction THe next branch of Discipline which offers it selfe to your perusall are Countermarches which are of three kinds To wit Chorean Lacedamonian Macedonian which is Maintaining Loosing and Gaining Each of them are to be performed two manner of waies One by File the other by Ranke There are also Counter-marches Intire and Divisionall But divers men are divers for their opinions concerning the Macedonian and Lacedamonian Counter-marches Some will have the Macedonian A Counter-march of gaining of ground because that it transfers the Battalia into the ground before the Front Others will have it A Counter-march of losse of ground because say they the Enemy being in the Reere it makes a semblance of flying Some will have the Lacedamonian A Counter-march of gaining of ground because the Enemy appearing in the Reere it makes a semblance of Charging or falling on Others call it A Countermarch of losse of ground because it looseth all that ground the Battalia stood upon taking in stead thereof the ground behind the Reere There are others of opinion That there are Counter-marches of losse and gaine in either of them All these are furnished with reasons to backe their opinions But if I should stand to shew their many and severall reasons I might well be thought to be without reason my selfe My opinion is That taking the ground before the Front is gaining ground and that to leave the ground we stood on to take the ground next behind the Reere is losse of ground And yet to take either whereby there is advantage gotten must needs be gaining But where the matter it selfe is so indifferent it were fondnesse to spend longer time about it Wherefore note That Countermarches were of ancient use amongst the Greekes many hundred of yeeres since from them learned and practised by many other Nations and so still continued unto this day But as the Snow-ball by much rowling becomes the greater So in like manner these Counter-marches have received addition in all ages So that the three originall ones are now become more then thirty accounting those divisionall And yet are all of them fathered upon one or other of the three kinds Though some of them will scarcely be owned or acknowledged as you shall perceive when I come to shew them in their severall places But amongst all the Motions this might be the best spared as being least beneficiall to this our moderne Discipline But because that knowledge is no burthen and that at some times they may be usefull Therefore first take the words of command or direction which are as followeth Intire Countermarches by file Files to the right left hand countermarch Files to the light left countermarch every man turning on the ground he stands File-leaders face about to the right left the rest passe through to the right left and place your selues behind your Leaders File-leaders stand the rest passe through to the your Leaders right left placing your selues before File-leaders stand the rest passe through to the right left placing your selues before your Leaders following your Bringers up Bringers up face about to the right left the rest passe through to the right left and place your selues before your bringers up Bringers up stand the rest of the Body passe through to the right left placing your selues behinde your bringers up Intire Countermarches by Ranks Ranks to the right left Countermarch Ranks to the right left countermarch every man turning on the ground he stands This right hand file face to the left the rest passe Macedonian through to the right placing your selues behind your right hand men This left hand file may face to the right and do as much This light left hand file stand the rest passe through to the right left placing your selues on the our side of your right left hand men This right left hand file face to the right left the rest passe through to the right left placing your selues before your right left hand men Divisionall Countermarches by Files Countermarch front and â—e cre into the midst File-leaders and halfe-file-leaders stand the rest passe through to the right and place your selues before your Leaders File-leaders and Bringers up stand the rest passe through to the right and place your selues before your Leaders and Bringers up File-leaders face about Bringers up stand the rest passe through to the Right and place your selues behinde your Leaders and Bringers up Front-halfe-files interchange ground with the Reere Divisionall Countermarches by ranks Countermarch your wings or Flanks into the middest or Center The out-most-file of each Flanke face outward the rest passe through to the right and left placing your selues behinde your out-side men The out-most file of each Flanke face inward the rest passe through to the right and left placing your selues behinde your outside men The out-most file of each flanke stand the rest passe through to the right and left and place your selues on the outside of your outside men Interchange your Flanks Note what is done by the out most files may be reduced by converting the command to the innermost files but must be done before they have closed their divisions c. CHAP. XL. Of the Chorean Countermarch and the way to performe it I Could willingly have prickt a Figure for each of these severall countermarches but that they will take up too much roome And therefore I will onely pricke some few of the hardest of them and for the rest I will endeavour by words to make them as facile as I may that so they may be apprehended by the meanest capacitie And first I will begin with the Persian
forwarde betweene the Intervalls the seventh ranke following the eighth the sixt following the seventh and so likewise the rest untill the whole body be transferred into the ground before the front and then joyntly together facing to the right about after their leaders the counter marche is ended For reducement observe this for all that any intire countermarch of file may be reduced by another intire counter-march by file of what kinde or to what hand soever These three last Chapters of counter-marches are the originall grounds of all the rest yet I shall shew one in the insuing Chapter which time hath begotten out of the latter two which takes part with either being absolute in neither CHAP. XLIII Of the Bastard counter-march The Command is File-leaders stand the rest passe through to the right and place your selves before your Leader THis passing through or bastard counter-march is partly Macedonian and partly Lacedemonian for first with the Macedon it takes the ground before the front the motion being from the reere forward it is partly Lacedemonian for that they passe through and place themselves before their Leaders and for that it makes semblance of falling on or charging the enemy neverthelesse the Macedonian disclaimes it for that it alters not his aspect The Lacedemonian refuseth it for that it takes the ground before the front and not that behinde the reere or with the Chorean it holds affinitie And many there be that will not allow it for a countermarch for indeed the word it selfe will not beare it notwithstanding seeing that it hath beene long ranged amongst them I will not be he that shall displace it but will passe forwards to shew the manner of the motion which is to be performed as followeth The file-leaders stand according to the former direction the rest of the body advance their armes the second ranke first passing through to the right and placing themselves before the first ranke the third ranke before the second the fourth before the third and so forwards for the rest untill the last ranke or bringers up are become the foremost which perfects the motion It may be severally usefull as to skirmish against an enemy advancing by way of introduction or upon occasion to bring the reere men to march in front and such like For the reducement you may doe as much to the contrary hand onely for order sake I will reduce it by another like it selfe The Command is File-leaders stand the rest passe through to the right placing your selves before your Leaders following your bringers up This motion may be done either to the right or left and is nothing differing from that last shewne but that whereas the other began with the second ranke this contrariwise begins with the last ranke or bringers up every ranke successively following the ranke which came from behinde them untill they which were the leaders are become the last in the reere If this countermarch be first done it may be reduced by any of those formerly shewn c. CHAP. XLIV Of countermarching ranks to maintaine ground The Command is Ranks to the right hand countermarch THis Chorean counter-march of rankes is an altering or changing of one flanke for the other the Battalia still keeping the same ground onely the right flanke becomes the left and the left becomes the right The way to performe this motion is as followeth the command being given then the whole body faceth to the hand named and every man in the outmost file to the right files by this facing being become rankes turnes down through the Intervalle or distance betweene ranke and ranke marching forth right unto the part which was the left flanke with their rankes file-wise following them being come unto their ground they face as before and the counter-march is performed for the reducement let rankes countermarch to the left after the same manner differing onely in the hand and they are as at first CHAP. XLV Of Countermarching Rankes to lose Ground The Command is Rankes to the right-hand Countermarch every man turning after his right-hand-man on the ground he stands THis Lacedemonian-Countermarch of Rankes is a falling on upon the left Flanke the Motion being begun by the right It leaves all the ground the Battalia stood on and takes in place therof the ground beside the left Flanke turning the Aspect to the left The manner or way to performe this Motion is as followeth The whole Bodie faceth to the right and then the right-hand-file being faced becomes a Ranke begins the Countermarch turning downe the Intervals of the Ranks which by this facing is made the distance between the Files and so marcheth forth-right beyond the left Flanke every man following him that was his right-hand-man but not stepping forwards one foot of ground untill the Countermarch be performed For the reducement of this Countermarch do as much to the left and they will he as at first Or if you please take another of the same kind The word of Command or direction is Right-hand-file face to the right the rest passe through to the right and place your selves before your right-hand-men THis Lacedemonian Countermarch of ranks makes a falling on upon the right Flanke the Motion being from the left Flanke to the right leaving all the ground whereon the Battalia stood and taking in lieu thereof the ground beside the right Flanke In those dayes when Countermarches were more usefull for their Discipline then now they are for ours the Lacedemonian Countermarches were of chiefe repute aswell amongst the Macedonians as the Spartans and others the way to performe this Motion is as followeth The right-hand-file faceth to the right and passeth through the Intervals or spaces to the right placing themselves before their right-hand-men untill the left-hand-file become the foremost ranke If you doe this Countermarch by it selfe then for reducement first face them to their Front proper then let the left-hand-files face to the left and do as much to the left and then they will be as at first CHAP. XLVI Of the Macedonian Countermarch by Ranke The Command is Right-hand-file face to the left the rest passe through to the right placing your selves behind your right-hand-men THis Macedonian Countermarch of ranks contrary to the Spartan dismarcheth from the enemy upon that Flanke where hee appeares and presents the contrary Flanke to receive the Charge It is performed after this manner The out-most-file to the right faceth to the left The rest of the body or Battalia faceth to the right every man passing thorough to the right and placing themselves behind their right-hand-men For the reducement of this Countermarch as all the rest there are divers and severall wayes but performe as much to the left as you have done to the right and they will be at first Or if you please this following Bastard Countermand will do the same The word of Command or direction is Right-hand-file stand the rest passe through to the right
placing your selves on the outside of your Right-hand-men THis passing thorough or Bastard Countermarch of Ranks doth alter both ground and flanke still reserving the Aspect without alteration It is to be performed as followeth The out-most or right-hand-file stands the rest of the body facing to the right passe thorough to the right every man placing himselfe on the right side of his right-hand-man and so standing euen in Ranke the Motion still continuing untill the left-hand-file is become the right the right the contrary If this Countermarch be done alone for the reducement let the left-hand-file stand and do as much to the left as before to the right and they will be as at first CHAP. XLVII Of Countermarching Front and Reere to the middest FOr the Intire Countermarches I have indeavoured to expresse them as well as I could in words but for the divisionall Countermarches I intend to expresse both in word and figure whereby they may be the more easily apprehended by such as shall be desirous to know them notwithstanding before I enter upon the divisionall Countermarches I would willingly cleere one thing which by some will be carped at which is the using of the word Middest insteed of the word Center The word Center I confesse hath been the more usuall word amongst us and yet it is not altogether so proper to our use as the other wherefore give me leave without offence to use those words which are not only more proper but more significant The Midst of the Battaile is to be understood either from the Front Reere or from both Flanks or wings If between Front and Reere the Midst must be betweene the half-file-leaders and the Reere ranke of the Front half-files extending it selfe from Flanke to Flanke The Midst betweene the Flankes is betweene the two innermost files continuing the whole depth from Front to Reere Our first Countermarch shall be Chorean the word of command or direction is This divisionall chorean countermarch brings our File-leaders and Bringers up together in the midst and the ranks that were in the midst in the Front Reere It is a countermarch mayntayning ground for every man marcheth up into his leaders ground before he faceth about to countermarch The way to performe the Motion is as followeth The command being given to countermarch either let the commander or some other of the Officers command the half-files to face about then the file-leaders stepping forwards with the right legge and face about to the right passing downe the Intervals on the right hand the rest of the Front-halfe-files following their Leaders and not turning untill they come to the ground where their Leaders turned down before them The bringers up with the Reere-half-files at the same instant turning downe their Intervales on the left hand the rest of their division following them untill the file-leaders and bringers up meet together in the midst of the Battaile and then having faced all to their Leader the Motion is performed For the reducement of this figure doing the same thing over againe will reduce it Or any other divisionall countermarch of File CHAP. XLVIII Of bringing Front and Reere together into the midst by the Bastard Countermarch The Command is File-leaders and half-fileaders stand the rest passe thorough to the right and place your selves before your Leaders THis Bastard Countermarch doth bring the Leaders and bringers up together into the midst and saves two facings and is quicklier performed then the other last done or any other in the precedent Chapters The way to performe the Motion is as followeth The first ranke stands and the half-file-leaders stand then those of the Front-half-files passe thorough their Intervals to the right placing themselves before their File-leaders The second ranke before the first the third before the second the fourth before the third The Reere-half-files at the same instant doing the like and placing themselves before their half-file-leaders as the other did before their File-leaders This Motion may be either reduced by doing the same over againe to the contrary hand or else by countermarching front and Reere into the midst or by any other of the divisionall countermarches of files The next shal be a Lacedemonian countermarch the word of command or direction is as shall be exprest in the ensuing Chapter CHAP. XLIX Of Countermarching to make a large Intervale between the first and last Ranks The Command is File-leaders and Bringers up stand the rest passe thorough to the right and place your selves before your Leaders and Bringers up Lacedemonian THis divisionall Lacedemonian Countermarch makes semblance of falling on or charging both to the Front and Reere and leaves all the ground which was occupied by the Souldiers which stood betweene the front and reere transferring them into the ground before the front and behinde the reere the ground or place of their former standing being vacant onely demonstrated in this figure by the pricks The Motion may be thus performed The Reere-halfe-files are commanded to face to the Reere and then the front-halfe-files passe through to the right placing themselves before their Leaders The second Ranke before the first the third before the second the fourth before the third the Reere-halfe-files at the same instant passing through to the Reere after the same manner and placing themselues before their Bringers-up You may perceive by the figures of Number placed on the Flanks of the figure of battell both how the men stood before the Motion began as also how and in what place they stand the Motion being ended For the reducement if you have not closed their distance you may face them about and so let them passe againe into their places Or else by doing the same Countermarch over againe or to the contrary hand or any such like way will reduce them This next following Countermarch will also reduce them or this will reduce that The word for the Command or direction is as you shall finde it placed over the front of the figure CHAP. L. Of making a large Intervalle betweene the first and last ranks by the Macedonian Countermarch THis divisionall Macedonian Countermarch is little different from that next before it onely the other turned the Aspect outward to the front and Reere this Countermarch turnes the Aspect inwards towards the midst It may be usefull if the Commander would shew or publish ought before his best Souldiers for that it not onely leaves a large distance but that it brings the best Souldiers into the midst with their Aspects directed inwards It may also serue to conduct any great personage crosse the length of your battell whereby to shew them the braverie of your Souldiers c. The figure followeth The Command is File-leaders face about Bringers up stand the rest passe through to the Right and place your selues behinde your file-leaders and Bringers up This motion may be thus performed The first ranke or file-leaders face about the last ranke
the words of Command and direction which are for the making of this Diamond Battell are as follow First cause your Muskettiers of the right flanke to open to the right to a sufficient distance for receiving the Muskets of the left flanke Then command the Muskettiers of the left flanke to passe through into the space of ground on the right This being done for to make the Figure Command Files of Muskettiers ranke 1. 3. 5. 7. c. by increase to the left Files of Pikes ranke by decrease after your Muskettiers The Muskettiers may fire on this figure divers waies though I onely intend to speake unto two of them The first is the most usuall way and that is the giving fire in ranke the first man or poynt of the Diamond first giving fire then wheeling off to the right and placing himselfe just behinde the single Pikeman in the reere Then the next ranke being three men give fire wheeling off by division and placing themselves in ranke behinde the single Muskettiers as they were before the firing began This done the ranke of five Muskettiers gives fire wheeling off in like manner by division ever observing that where the number is odde they command to wheele off by division there the greatest number alwaies goes to the right And so in like manner the rankes give fire successively and place themselves after their leaders as before When all the Muskettiers have given fire and are wheeled off then charge Pikes which will be fifteene in the first ranke the rest decreasing Having advanced your Pikes your figure will stand like two wedges with their poynts ioyned as you may perceive by this Figure next following If you would reduce your men from this Figure without firing your men being sufficiently expert let the Muskettiers stand and Pikes face to the reere and so the wedges will stand faced in opposition Next command them to interchange ground the Muskettiers advancing forwards into the ground of the Pikes and the Pikes moving into the ground of the Muskettiers 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 Figure all the Muskettiers being in the reere the body must face about and so the firing will be contrary to the former But if you wheele them about they may give fire the same way Howsoever they having given fire are to wheele off by division and to place themselves in the reere of the Pikes even in ranke again as they were when they gave fire Thus having all fired ouer and wheeled away the Pikes may charge and being againe advanced the body will stand in forme of a Diamond and this I pray you to conceive for I intend not to remake the Figure The second way of firing on the Diamond figure is by way of Countermarch and is an oblique firing For whereas in the other firing by ranks in the Diamond Battell each ranke fired by increase of two beginning with one and ending with fifteene in a ranke this firing contrariwise begins with 15. and ends with 1. still decreasing 2. For this firing your files must be at open order because the Muskettiers must countermarch downe betweene the Intervals of their owne files to the right every Muskettier that findes himselfe without a leader being to present and give fire and then to countermarch to the right and to place himselfe in the Reere of his own file behinde the pikes When the first 15. have fired then the next 13. present fire and countermarch still placing themselues in the reere of their owne files Next there fireth 〈◊〉 thâ—â— 9. c. for still there fires â—o many as are 〈◊〉 of any leaders And in this manner of firing they that fire together stand neither in ranke not file buâ— oâ—liquely When all the Muskettiers have fired and â—â—e 〈◊〉 into the Reere of their owne files let the pikes charge and so the forme of your battell will be like a long wedge as you may perceive by the following figure where now your Ranks are become 2. and 2 of a number Your men standing in forme afore-shewed if you please yet to be more curious face them all to the Reere and command your Muskettiers to march ten or twelue paces Your pikes to stand and your Muskettiers will present you with an hollow wedge and your pikes with a sollid wedge Lastly to reduce all these severall formes into the first proper square battell first let the sollid wedge close forward into the hollow of the other then let the Muskettiers make ready present and fire as before That is to say every Muskettier that finds himselfe without a leader is to give fire and to countermarch to the reere of his owne file the rest doing the like successively When they have all fired and are countermarcht cleere let the pikes charge and then your body will have the form of a Diamond againe Next face them all to the Reere and command Ranks file 8. to the right Which being done passe through the Muskettiers which belong to the left-flanke into their places and close the Muskettiers of the right-flanke to their due distance and so they will stand all properly reduced CHAP. LXXVII Of the Convex Halfe Moone The use of the Figure and of severall wayes of firing upon it THe Convex halfe-moone or semicircular Battell is a forme both good and usefull which the time the number and place with other circumstances may make either beneficiall or prejudiciall Wise Captains and Commanders ever foreseeing with providence what formes or figures may be most profitable and available for the present service This Convex figure may be usefull either at the landing of souldiers in an enemies Countrey or for necessity the enemy being more able in horse making use either of hedge ditch wood creeke or River to secure the Reere For the figure it selfe it may be made many wayes either with the Muskettiers outermost or innermost or lined c. as pleasest he Commander It may also be made in a Regimentall way or after the way of a small and private Company But because I have onely in this my smal Treatise taken upon me to shew the postures motions and figures which are most usually done in a small Company although many of them yea the more part may be very fit for larger Bodies I shall content my self to saile in so small a bottome not desiring to put on more saile then will suffice for the bearing of so small a burthen Wherefore my request shall be that every courteous and skilful Pilot that shall come aboard this small Barke will be pleased neither to launch it into the maine lest it be swallowed in the Surges nor to expose it to the danger of shelues rocks and sands lest it suffer shipwracke for want of good guidance but so to steere it that it may safely arrive at its â—â—sirâ—d Harbour wherein they will both honour 〈…〉 expressing their vertues
you would bring more hands to fight double rankes to any hand and the body for forme and number will stand like the figure here next following But the speediest way and I thinke the best I am sure with expert Souldiers is to wheele both â—lanks into the front which is the way intended by this Figure For the manner of the firing it selfe you may partly perceive that there are intervalles made for each division to wheele off to the right that so they may either fall in the reer of the Muskettiers there continue the firing or else fall in the reer of the pikes be therby secured from the horse It may be done one or both wayes according to the occasion or discretion of the Commander Neverthelesse before I shew the firing observe these words of Command which produce the Figure Wheele your flanks into the front Face to your leader The broad â—â—onted Battell The first ranke having presented and given fire let them wheele off to the right all passing down the Interualâ—es to the right and placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions of Muskettiers The Muskettiers making good their leaders ground and the next ranâ—es firing wheeling off and placing themselves as before Having fired once or twice over this way a second way may be to place themselves in the reere of their Pikes either standing or advancing the Pikemen in the meane time clouding the cleere skie with their ayrie Armorie The Muskettiers having all given fire and placed themselves in the reere if need bee the Pikes may close their divisions and charge over hand and if the enemy shall still presse forwards the Pikes may charge at the foot the Muskettiers giving fire over them c. For reducement there are divers waies by firings but because I would make every thing so plaine and easie that those that reade for instruction may receive benefit it hath caused me to reduce each figure by it selfe and not to multiply one upon another whereby to make them too ambiguous And therefore if you make this Figure by wheeling your flankes into the front and then fire as aforesaid the reducement may be either to fire them over againe and so to fall into their former places and then to wheele your flankes into the front againe and lastly face about to the right and they will be as before Or else if you would reduce them without giving fire over againe then command your Muskettiers to double your front by division that done wheele both flankes into the reere then face to your leader and command your Muskettiers to double your front by division againe and they are as at first If I should proceed to shew the many and sundry wayes of firings which may be done in front my Booke had need to have as many leaves as lines and yet all too little But that I may keepe my selfe to my promise and my Booke to its compasse I will next come to shew some firings in the reere and amongst my divisionall firings I shall insert some other sorts of front firings which here I have omitted CHAP. LXXX Of dismarching or firing in the Reere the severall wayes and how they ought to be performed HAving so long maintained Battaile in the front I will now face them about and see how they will behave themselves upon their firings in the reere Which kinde of firings may be very beneficiall and serviceable many wayes For by keeping an orderly march and firing in the reere the eager enemy by a too hasty pursuit may be disordered Or if it so happen as many timesit doth that you have a disadvantagious place to imbattell on by this firing you may march away still preserving your order and array untill you have brought your adversary into some ambushment or such like inconvenience For the manner of comming of the firing it must either be by facing about wheeling about or countermarching the Pikes are to be shouldered The figure followeth A firing in the Reere The Bodie being upon a march if the enemy appeare in the Reere let the last ranke of Muskettiers face about and give fire wheeling off by division file-wise marching up toward the Front and there placing themselues before the foremost ranke of Muskettiers the outmost man of each ranke being the leader up of those which have fired where first taking their places 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 Muskettiers also doing the like and in this manner to continue the firing as occasion shall require Neverthelesse of all the figures and firings that ever I have seene this hath beene the worst performed in all places which might easily be amended if the Souldiers would observe this following order in their execution namely when the last ranke of Muskettiers have presented to the Reere and are giving of fire the ranke which marched next before them do then blow open and present at three motions still keeping along even with the Body 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 3. motions to do the same and so successively for all the rest every ranke observing upon each ranks 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 This giving of fire towards the reere for service is to be continued according to the qualitie of the place the occasion for fight and the discretion of the Commander In exercise we commonly do it but once over and then if you please you may make Alte and face your Bodie about giving fire over againe and charging your pikes upon it if need so requireth Notwithstanding if the horse shall still continue to pursue you in the reere you having gained some strait or place of advantage may wheele your flanks into the Front then face to the reere and with your charged pikes defend your Muskettiers which the body being so wheeled will be in the reere The body standing in this forme the Muskettiers may sleeve up by way of Extraduction The manner you may perceive in the Chapter which treats of that figure If the horse still presse forwards cause the pikes to charge at the foot the Muskettiers giving fire â—ver them as in the Convex halfe Moone Lastly to reduce them having thus fired command them to wheele their flanks into the fron and to face about after their proper file-leaders and they are reduced Sometimes we give fire in the reere having all our Muskettiers marching in the reere of the pikes For the manner of the motion it is as before but for placing of the men after they have fired it may be different As to wheele off by division placing themselues in the front of
of pikes and there place themselues againe even in ranke with the last ranke of pikes This done the rest of the ranks successively give fire and do the like every Ranke taking his place after the ranke which fired last before them the other ranks moving one ranke forwarder The Muskettiers having given fire once over and falling off according to this direction they will be reduced to the flanks againe as they were at the first The firing may be continued or the pikes may charge at discretion of the Commander CHAP. XCII A firing tripartite doing execution to the front reere and right flanke FIgures and formes of Battell may bee infinite according to the judgements of the Commanders and the various workings of the divers motions no arte nor science yeelding more content unto the studious practitioners none more honourable and beneficiall for the good of our Countrie none more neglected and lesse countenanced then the Practisers of the Art militarie nor none more screwed up in the places of their abiding then those men this way affected The rich cubb'd gowne men holding it as a maxime that Souldiers though never so poore yet they must be taxed in the parish bookes like Gentlemen Thus much incouragement we have for spending our money and our time for our Countries good and this in good time I hope will be amended but of this no more The next firing being a firing Tripartite doth execution to the front reere and right flanke at one and the same time For the use I shall referre it to the judgement of the Iudicious for the instruction how it is to be made the words of Command and direction shew it which are as followeth Halfe rankes of the left double your right flanke by division For the direction looke backe to the 27. Chapter which treats of this doubling Onely remember to face the divisions that way which you intend they shall give fire For the manner of the firing it is ordinary the foremost Ranke of Muskettiers on each part having fired they wheele off to the right or to the right and left according as directions shall be given placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions the next ranks 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 successively doing the like This firing may be continued aâ— pleasure of the Commander The Pikemen as advantage may be given in the interim either porting charging or sending their fatall showers amongst the thickest of their enemies Lastly for reducement face them all to their front proper then Command halfe rankes that doubled to face to the left and so to march into their places For further directions turne backe to the 27. Chapter which shewes the reducement of the aforegoing Figure c. CHAP. XCIII Of the Sconce Battell THe Sconce Battell is a Figure most properly fit for a whole Regiment at least for a larger pro portion of number then is here exprest it neither being good nor safe to divide a smal Company into so many divisions and Maniples And yet to give satisfaction unto some I have placed it here amongst my Figures yea and shewne the way how to make it with a private Company For the manner or way how to fire upon it may be divers The Muskettiers being so placed that they may give fire to the front and reere to the right and left or to all foure together at the discretion of the Commander If your Muskettiers give fire to the front and reare every ranke making good his leaders ground then the Figure will still continue the same If they give fire without advancing into their leaders ground then the Muskettiers will ranke even againe with their Pikes and the Figure will become an hollow crosse the Muskettiers making the Angles The words of Command and direction which produce the Figure are as followeth Halfe files of Muskettiers face to the Reere That being done Command all the Muskettiers to march to the Angles of their Pikes Next cause The two first and two last rankes of Pikes to stand The rest to face to the right and left and march untill they are cleere of the other pikes then stand Lastly Command The two first and last rankes of Pikes which did not move to double their Files to the right These words of Command and direction being executed perfect the Figure as followeth Many and severall are the firings which with some little alteration may be drawne from this Figure Neverthelesse not to spin out time with discourse the firing now intended to be shewne is to be performed to the front and reere To which purpose the one halfe both of Muskettiers and Pikes are to face about to the right there presenting and giving fire those of the right flanke wheeling off to the right the left flank to the left and placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions The next ranke still moving forwards into their leaders ground the other rankes successively doing the like After this manner the firing may be continued and the Figure still preserved For reducement First face them all after their proper file-leaders Secondly cause the front and reere divisions of Pikes to double their rankes to the left Thirdly command the Pikes of the flankes to face in opposition close their divisions and then to face after their leaders Next coÌ„mand the Muskettiers of the front division to face to the reere Lastly command the Muskettiers both of front and reere to close their divisions And then being faced to their leader they are perfectly reduced as at first CHAP. XCIIII Of firing by three files at once two of them standing oblique the other direct WHen I began the formes and figures of Battell I noted all fâ—rings to be either oblique or direct and now for satisfaction to the curious I shall insert two or three oblique formes amongst the rest The first whereof shall be a Firing to the Front by drawing forth the outermost file on each flank obliquely or the innermost as shall seeme best to the Commander untill the bringers up of the files stand even with the right and left angle-men over the front of pikes They may also beadâ— a file of Muskettiers crosse the front of pikes when having placed and faced them as they ought for execution they will stand in manner of this following figure The two files of Muskettiers which were led forth having obliquely presented inwards and the file drawn crosse the front of pikes being presented direct Rank-wise upon the first Command they are all to give fire together and then to face after their bringers up who leade their files directly into their places This done they face to their proper front againe the other files in the meane time leading forth after the same manner These having done their execution are to returne into their places being led off by their bringers up as is aforesaid The
would still preserve the Figure then let every ranke before they give fire march up into their leaders ground Having either marched or skirmished upon this Figure or both and then would come to reducement First face all the whole body to the proper front and cause the Pikes that are flankers to face inwards and to close their divisions This being done cause the Muskettiers which are in the middle part of the Battaile to double their files to the right Secondly let them face inward and close their division Next let them face all to their leader and wheele front and reere into the right flanke which being done and they faced again to the front proper they will be reduced into the ordinary square the Pikes being flanked with the Muskettiers as at first CHAP. CIII Of the Hollow Square girdled with shot THe Hollow Square Girdled with shot is a Figure to be used at such times of necessity as the Commander shall see occasion who well knowing that hee shall be enforced to fight having found some commodious advantage or ground drawes forth his battell into this forme and array The use whereof is that within the hollow parts of it he may convey such of his carriage or whatsoever else may not prove usefull for the strengthening of some part of the battell Having drawne his men speedily into this forme lest that the enemy should take the advantage to breake their order by entring at any of the Angles they are speedily to cast up a Rampart of earth in each of those parts of the Angles Or if they have not time or that the ground be not fit they may supply that defect by placing some of their Wagons Carts or other of their Carriage so orderly that it may be sufficient to fortifie those parts which are the weakest This Figure may be as well made with the Pikes foremost but because that the Musketiers may more commodiously fight before their Pikes and with lesse danger to their owne body therefore I conceive it fittest at first to place them in front of their Pikes And if the enemy shall too hotly presse them with his horse then at the discretion of the Commander they may safely retreate behinde their Pikes the Pikemen making good the ground of the Muskettiers For better satisfaction observe the direction to make the following Figure First command a Serjeant to draw forth all the odde files of the right flank both Muskettiers and Pikes and wheele them to the left crosse the front That being done command the odde files of the left flanke as well Muskettiers as Pikes to face to the reere and let them in like manner be wheeled to the left crosse the reere following their Bringers up For the rest of the body that remaines undrawne forth let them close to the right and left outward untill the Reere-Angles of each division stand diagonally opposite to each other Then let them be all commanded to face to the Center or midst of the hollow square where the Commander is to give them such incouragement directiōs as shal be meet Lastly let all face about to the right and present For the manner of firing upon this Figure it is as followeth The first ranke of Muskettiers to each front having presented and given fire they are to wheele all off to the right And because that eight or tenne men are too many to wheele downe one Intervalle for that they will bee so long before they can cleere the front therefore you may cause Intervalles to be made betweene the midst of each division as you may perceive in the Figure The first ranke having fired and wheeled off the next ranks are to move forwards into their ground they which wheeled off in the meane time placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions of Muskettiers The next ranke of Muskettiers having fired in like manner are to wheele off and to place themselves as aforesaid the rest of the rankes of Muskettiers successively are to doe the like untill they have all given fire once or oftner over that way according to the occasion And in this interim may the Bow-pikemen be bountifull in bestowing their showers of arrowes amongst the thickest of their enemies If the horse prevaile so much that the Muskettiers may not endure to beare the brunt of them then let the Muskettiers after they have fired wheele off and place themselues in the reere of their following divisions of pikes they moving forwards and maintaining the Muskettiers ground charging with their pikes as they see occasion for securing the Muskettiers in the midst This notwithstanding if the enemies horse shall still presse forwards and with their shot shall continue to annoy the body the pikes on this figure being especially defensive then cause the Pikemen to charge at the foot and your Muskettiers to give fire over them according to former directions on the Convex halfe-moone After this manner the battell may be continued to the last ranke When you have given fire in this order your Muskettiers being all in the reere of your pikes and that you be minded to reduce them into the first orderly square this is one way for it Passe through your Muskettiers before your front of pikes as they were before the firing that being done let the Commander face the whole body to the left Angle of the front-division by which meanes he shall there finde the halfe of his file-leaders This being performed let them march and so even their ranks and straiten their files the reere division of Muskettiers and Pikes orderly following after the front division of the like Armes After this let the halfe-files which then are which indeed are the residue of the file-leaders double their ranks forwards to the left which being performed the men are reduced as at first If you would reduce them some other way without passing through your Muskettiers as I have formerly said then first let the whole body face to the left Angle of the front-division and march evening their ranks and files as aforesaid Which being done cause the halfe-files which then are to double their front to the left which being in like manner performed all your Muskettiers are still in the midst Your next worke is to cause your Muskettiers to face to the right and left outward and your pikes contrariwise to face inward and so to passe through and interchange ground Thus being faced to their front proper they will be reduced as at first If any will be practising of this forme of battell with a smaller number of men as with 64. or fewer whereby they will be constrained to double their halfe-files then they will be reduced the same way onely they shall not need to double their halfe-files againe in their reducement as they must needs do were the number larger CHAP. CIIII. Of the Sollid Square with Muskettiers in Center and Angles The way to make the figure with a private Companie how to fire upon it and to
you may cause them to give fire with forlorne files marching forth twenty paces or thereabouts before the front Having all fired over that way they may give fire once over by advancing two rankes together ten paces before the front Then let them give fire even with the front and then with the halfe-files the Pikes porting or charging according to discretion The Pikes being advanced and the Muskettiers marched up even with their front you may either face about wheele about or Countermarch and so give fire in the reere Your Pikes then being shouldered and your Muskettiers having fired over in the reere you may if you please wheele your flankes into the front and so charge Pikes to the reere Which done wheele your front into the midst passe into your place and face them to you Then if you will you may passe your Muskettiers of the left flanke through betweene the rankes of Pikes and place them next to the right flanke of Pikes opening the right flanke of Muskettiers to give them way Then let the Pikes shoulder and Muskettiers give fire to the right upon a march their leaders leading them up betweene the Pikes and their owne divisions of Muskettiers Having fired once over in this way let them continue their firing to the right each leader leading up his file on the outside of the left flanke of Pikes Then let the Pikes advance even whilest the last file is giving of fire and so soon as the Pikes are cleere of the Muskettiers let them face all to the right and charge Having advanced your Pikes and faced your body againe to the left you may then wheele your Battell about to the right and then facing the whole body to the left the Muskettiers will be all in front Then let your Muskettiers give fire and either wheele all off to the right thereby making an Intervalle for the left flanke or else let them wheele off by division placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions of Muskettiers Having given fire once or oftner over that way let them give fire againe and wheele off by division ranking even with their Pikes That being done cause the Pikes to charge the Muskettiers giving fire once over on that Figure The Pikes being advanced face the whole body to the right and cause the Muskettiers to stand and the Pikes to open to the right and left and so to make the hollow square Then you may if you please command the Ensigne to display his Colours in the midst of the hollow in signe of triumph the body either standing or marching After which command the Pikes to close their divisions Which being performed command the reere division of Muskettiers to double their front of Pikes by division and then they will stand in forme of Captaine Wallers Triple firing Let them give fire upon that Figure and fall off againe according to the directions upon that Figure Which being performed and the Pikes charged and readvanced the body will be absolutely reduced as at the first it was before you began your firings These firings may with the motions be sufficient for the first daies Exercise Wherefore for this time we will lodge our Colours untill by the summons of the Drum we are called forth to the second daies practise CHAP. CVI. The second dayes Exercise HAving brought your Souldiers the second time into the field the body being drawne up into the ordinary square and every Officer vigilant in his place the Captaine commandeth silence with some other generall termes of observation both for the leaders and right hand men Having thus commanded them as before to even their rankes and to straiten their files he proceeds to shew as formerly the distances the facings the doublings the Countermarches and the wheelings therewithall instructing them either in all or so many of them as the time will permit and he thinkes convenient Ever by the way observing that in the Proverbe A thing once well done is twice done That Commander that exerciseth his Souldiers with good language and with sollid reasons shall make them better proficients then he that shall use rigid termes and rough hands After the postures distances and severall motions that which next followes for this daies exercise are firings and figures of battell So soone therefore as the Drum begins to beat a preparative the Muskettiers are to begin to make ready And first you may cause them to give fire on the Horne Battell still marching up into their leaders ground by that meanes preserving their Figure Secondly let the Muskettiers close their diuisions before their Pikes and then give fire upon the demie-Hearse-Battell falling off presently either all to the right the one halfe passing downe an Intervalle or to the right and left by division and placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions of Muskettiers The third time of their firing let them wheele off by division and flanke their Pikes and when they have fired over that way let the Pikes charge For the fourth firing let them give fire even with the front of Pikes wheeling off to the right and left and placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions Then let them fire even with the halfe-files wheeling off by division and placing themselves in the reere of the Pikes The Pikes you are to understand ought to charge all the time of the last firing who being advanced you are to wheele your Battell about to the right or left Then your Muskettiers being in the reere of your Pikes let your sixt firing be to the reere the Muskettiers wheeling off by division and placing themselves before the front of their owne divisions of Muskettiers and next behinde the reere of Pikes Having fired once over that way let them give fire ouer againe and flanke their Pikes which being in like manner performed Command them to wheele their flankes into the front and then face to the reere and charge pikes at the inside of the right foot with their swords drawne in their right hands Let the seventh firing be discharged over their pikemen wheeling either all off to the right through Intervals or else by division and placing themselues in the reere of their owne files Otherwise for want of room the first ranke of Muskettiers having given fire let them kneel or crouch low upon the ground and make ready againe the second ranke in like manner firing and kneeling and so for the rest Having all fired once over in that manner let the Pikes advance and put up their swords the Muskettiers in like manner are to rise then to even their ranks and streighten their files For the eighth firing you may face the body to the reere or if you will continue your firing the same way then wheele your battell about and having opened your Intervals your forme will be the broad fronted Phalange or broad fronted Battell Let these give fire the first time falling
Muskettiers and next to the outside of Pikes For the fourth firing cause your Muskettiers to ranke to the right and left into the front and so the whole body of Muskettiers give fire at once which being performed let them face to the right and left inward and so march into their places They may if you please open the files of Muskettiers to double distance and so cause the files to ranke to the right into the front by Conversion giving fire after that manner which if it be done will make the fift firing After this let them fall backe into their places and having made ready againe before you close their distance cause the halfe-files to face about and then let the files ranke into the front and reere and so give fire which will make the siâ—t firing Having thus fired and being fallen backe into their places let the halfe files face againe to their leader and the files of Muskettiers close againe to their order For the seventh firing let the rankes of Muskettiers open backe to their double distance and the Muskettiers wheele to the right and left by Conversion and so give fire to both flankes The men being returned to their places and having againe closed their rankes to their order after some little pause by marching or otherwise the Muskettiers being all againe ready command your files of Pikes to open to the right and left to their double distance Then command rankes both of Muskets and Pikes to open backward to their double distance Which being done command the Muskets to invert to the right and left outward and then to face outward and present and let the halfe-files of Pikes face about Then cause your files of Pikes to ranke to the front and reere by conversion and let the Muskettiers give fire and the Pikes charge This figure will take up a great quantity of ground because that all the Muskettiers are now become two rankes that is to say to each flanke one all the Pikes being likewise brought into two rankes one to the front and the other to the reere This being performed the body will stand in form of a great hollow square The Muskettiers hauing fired the Pikes being advaneed and each Souldier returned to his place and all faced to their leader let them close their rankes and files to their order Then cause the ninth firing to be performed to both flankes upon a stand facing the whole body to the right and left there firing and wheeling off by division and flanking their Pikes Whilest the two last rankes are giving fire let the Pikes port and when the Muskettiers have fired and wheeled off let them charge Having advanced their Pikes face the whole body to that part where you shall finde your file-leaders of Muskettiers then will all your Muskettiers be in front and reere Next command your halfe-files that then are to double your front to the left entire which being done let them face to the right and left the Muskettiers giving fire and wheeling off to the left and placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions The Pikes may also port and charge at discretion The Pikes being advanced and the whole Company faced to their former front command the halfe-rankes of the right both Muskettiers and Pikes to march and the halfe-rankes of the left flanke to follow in the reere Having given them some time of breathing then for the eleventh firing cause the halfe-files that then are Muskettiers and Pikes to face to the reere Which being done let the Muskettiers give fire to the front and reere upon a stand wheeling off by division and placing themselves in the reere of their Pikes they moving forwards and maintaining the Muskettiers ground The Pikes are then to charge when they are cleered of their Muskettiers Which being done and they againe advanced face them all to their former front For the twelfth firing command halfe-files to double the front inward intire To which purpose open the front halfe-files both Muskettiers and Pikes to the right and left for receiving the halfe-files of both Armes within them which being executed each Armes will stand in three divisions Then command the front halfe-files to face about to the reere and to present The Reere halfe-files keeping still faced to the front and there in like manner presenting and both giving fire together The first time of their firing over they may fall in the Reere of their owne divisions of Muskettiers wheeling off to the right and left The second time of giving fire upon this figure let them wheele off as before and place themselues in the Reere of their following divisions of Pikes Which being in like manner performed let the Pikes charge Being againe advanced face the body to the former front and command halfe-files that doubled to face to the Reere and march into their places The halfe-files being faced about and marched cleare off then are the front halfe-files to close their divisions Thus being all rightly faced the Muskettiers will be in the front and reere For the thirteenth firing make the horned battell to the front and reere For the which cause the halfe-files of Muskettiers and Pikes to face to the reere Then cause the Muskettiers to open to the right and left both in front and reere and so to give fire wheeling off by division and flanking their Pikes The Pikes may also charge Having advanced let them all face to their leader at the proper front Lastly for the fourteenth firing make the Sconce Battell For further directions wherein turne backe to the 93. Chapter where you may finde instructions as well for the making giving of fire and reducing thereof And if you please your Ensigne may display his Colours in the hollow part of the midst of the Pikes Supposing now that by this time the night hath almost overtaken us we will prepare to lodge our Colours with our accustomed Bene-vale and herewith we will conclude this our fifth dayes Exercise suffering our Souldiers to depart to their severall habitations There leaving them to clense their arms and to refresh their bodies untill the morrows clamouring Drum doth invite us forth to our sixth dayes Exercise CHAP. CX The sixt dayes Exercise HAving the sixth time brought your Souldiers into the Field according to the accustomed manner let each File-leader exercise his File in the Postures of such Armes as they carry Which being performed and the Files againe rejoyned into one body the Ensigne being at the head of the Pikes and the rest of the Officers in their severall places The Captaine having commanded silence attention and obeaience three especiall vertues most necessarily requisite to every common Souldier hee proceeds to the severall distances instructing them in the uses of each of them Next after the distances he teaches them the Facings the Doublings the Countermarches and the Wheelings with severall Observations upon each of the Motions After which having so commanded The Drums bcat and the Muskettiers make ready