may at one and the same time charge either in the Front or Reer in Front and Reer also in Front Reer and Flank and of these I shall demonstrate some that I at first learnt and some amongst others that are most convenient to be learnt Now that the Souldier might be expert in his firings against the Enemy let him be often exercised with firings only in the pan falling off and on as shall be Commanded All which being well performed by the Musquetteers is a full accomplishment of what hath been before taught him by which the Commander shall be credited and the Souldier preferred to his merit Of firing by forlorne files 1. That which is to be used in our modern exercise is two manner of wayes the two outmost files of each flank of Musquetteers to march with two Serjeants so far as shall be commanded and there to stand and the foremost ranks are to give fire and to fall into the Reer of themselves either by wheeling off to the right or to the right and left Then let the remaining do the like and fall into their places Those that have fired are to fall off on the inside of the Musquetteers between them and the Pikes and as they are thus trooping back after firing to their places the rest are in like manner to move away and fire and fall in next the Pikes 2. Accordingly as you draw out two files so you may draw out more files to the number of Musquetteers and so to fire and fall into the Reer of themselves and places c. 3. You may move them all clear of the Pikes and let them open from the midst leaving sufficient Intervals for their wheelings in the Reer of themselves and then to place themselves even with their Pikes the second having fired as before place themselves in the Reer of the first division c. 4. Advance the two outmost files by the Serjeants who are to lead them to the place for execution as by order received Commanding 1. Files to rank inward to present and give fire all together 2. You may rank inward two Files or more and fire as before And having fired are to wheel off to the right and left by their respective file leaders placing themselves next the Pikes I proceed to a second way of firing and that is by Ranks First By advancing before the Front Secondly firing even with the Front Thirdly firing even with the half files Advancing before the Front may be performed by advancing of single ranks and so firing in the Front or by advancing of both flanks into the Front before the Pikes and so to fire by single ranks Which is performed by Commanding Demyhearse 5. Pikes stand Musquetteers move forward and place your selves before in the Front of your Pikes and close your Divisions I mention nothing to tye up the hand of the ingenious to any stinted form whose ablities may command his figures at pleasure Observe that when the forlorn files or Ranks march out they are to give fire as upon a retreit that is to stand and fire and wheel off that their followers may do the like unless the Enemy give ground And when the two last ranks were presented the next two ranks must be ready to march forward being fixed to present and give fire also Thus having fired in the Front by one single Rank or more they are by wheeling off to place themselves in the Reer of their own divisions before the Pikes the rest doing the like until they have all fired round A second way of firing by this figure shall be a reducement to it First The Frontiers having performed their firing are to wheel off by division until they come down so low as to be even to the first ranks of Pikes and so to rank even a breast All the Musquetteers are so to do successively and flank themselves even with the Pikes 6. Ranks advancing from the Front of a standing Battalia A Serjeant from each Flank leading up the two formost Ranks according to order the first Rank is to give fire wheel off and place themselves in the Reer of their own divisions the second in order is to execute the same with speed being not above three foot distance from the first being ready with his Musquett palm'd his Cock bent and Muzzel mounted so to Present and give fire and so to wheel off and place themselves as their Leaders had done before them 7. Ranks firing even with the Front The first Rank having fired and wheeled off placing themselves in the Reer of their Divisions the next ranks are to move forwards at three motions into their places making good their leaders ground and there to present and give fire wheeling off and placing themselves as by the former directions By the way you must observe if the body be upon a march the Pikes must be shouldered and when they come to charge they are to close forward at their close order It is presupposed ere one firing or two be performed or past over the bodies are almost close Then the Pikes are to be at their Port and at length to be at their absolute Charge and push home and being so near they may do great execution with their Musquets firing upon the half files of Pikes as if they were even with the Front Which brings me to 8. Ranks firing even with the half files When the Pikes are charging then the musquetteers may perform this who are to advance no further than the half files of Pikes and there you may either fire one Rank or more at the discretion of the Commander and as soon as every Rank hath fired successively they are to wheel off and place themselves in the Reer of their own leaders When the firing is ended and each Souldier in his proper place the Musquetteers marching up even in breast with the Front of Pikes they are reduced But in this firing the Musquetteers are to make good their leaders ground except it be upon a retreit then they are to fire upon the same ground and to wheel off that their followers may doe the like unless the Enemy give ground Horn. Bat. 9. Command Pikes stand Musquetteers march until the bringers up rank even with the Front You may in this as with some of the former fire two Ranks ten paces advanced before the Front and so whel off and place themselves in the Reer of their own files OR Secondly let the first Rank of Musquetteers present and give fire and wheel off to the right and left placing themselves in the Reer of their own files then the second Rank firing are to advance into their leaders place firing and wheeling off in the same manner and so they are all successively to do the like Then Thirdly when they have all given fire let them begin again and the file leaders having fired they are to wheel off to the right and left flank themselves even with the Pikes the second Rank
now is to fire upon the same ground he stands and must not at all advance into his leaders ground as before and having once fired all over they are reduced OR You may reduce themby Commanding the Musquetteers to face about to the right and march down into their respective places OR Command the Pikes to march up and even the Front with the file leaders of Musquetteers A triple firing 10. Front half files of Musquetteers double your Front of Pikes by division 2. Reer half files of Musquetteers open to the right and left and Rank even with the Pikes To perform this direct the Front half files to advance clear of the body of Pikes then face them to the right and left inwards and so close their divisions before the Pikes You are to observe in this firing that the Musquetteers of the Front and both flanks are to present and give fire together the Musquetteers of the Front division after firing are to wheel off to the right and left between their intervals and place themselves even in Rank in the Reer of the Reer divisions of Musquetteers Then the Musquetteers that fired in the flanks march directly down and place themselves even in breast with the Reer of Pikes Thus they are reduced Or else you may continue firing at your pleasure and arging of your Pikes 11. Wheel your flanks by division into the Front When they have fired let them march or pass down through the intervals and place them in the Reer of their own divisions And then upon an other firing they may place themselves in the Reer of the Pikes The Pikes here may charge either at hand or foot the Musquetteers may also fire over them To reduce them if it be upon the first Command firing and falling off in the Reer of their own divisions let the Body close their Divisions and wheel their flanks into the Reer and face to their Leader But if you fire a second time and wheel off your Musquetteers into the Reer of the Pikes Command the masquetteers by division to double their Front intire and then wheel both flanks into the Reer and face them to their Leader as before 12. Command Musquetteers Poyze your Musquetts and march until til they be clear of the Body of Pikes Then Front half files face to the right and left inward close your divisions and face to your leader Reer half files open to the right and left Front half files of Pikes face to the right and left outwards and march even to flank the Having fired let them wheel off to the right and left the Front Divisions falling in the Reer of themselves and the flanks either in the Reer of themselves or else in the Reer of their Pikes the Pikes moving forward and maintaining the Musquetteers ground To reduce this Command Front half files of Musquetteers face to the right and left outwards and march even in flank with the Reer half files of Pikes Then wheel your flanks into the Reer Front half files of Pikes face in opposiition and march into your places Musquetteers face about to the right and march closing of your divisions face all to your leader 13. Command Musquetteers march all until your half files be even with the Front of Pikes Front half files march three paces forward and stand Reer half files of Musquetteers face to the right and left outward and march clear of the Front half files Reer half files of Pikes open to the right and left outward and march clear of the Front Division of Pikes The first Ranks of all divisions having fired they may in the first place fall in the Reer of their own divisions And for a second firing so soon as the first ranks have fired in the Front they are to wheel off to the right and left and flank the Pikes as they were then the Reer division of Musquetteers after firing fall off to the right and left and place themselves even abreast with the Reer division of Pikes Then Reer half files of Pikes face to the right and left inwards and march into your places By this they are Reduced 14. Command Musquetteers march until your two last Ranks are equal with the two first Ranks of Pikes The two second Ranks of Pikes face to the right and march into the Reer of the right flank of Musquetteers The two last Ranks of Pikes face to the left and march into the Reer of the left flank of Musquetteers Having fired let them whel off to the right and left falling in the Reer of themselves and so having fired once or twice over they may fall in the Reer of their own Pikes every Musqueteer as he fireth to advance unto his leaders place and the Pikes to advance also who are to be ported and when the two last Ranks are firing they are to charge at the discretion of the Commander which Figure I have here set down because from it the fourteenth shall be reduced The Reducement The two ranks of Pikes upon the right flank face to the left and march c. then march the four ranks direct The two Ranks on the left flank face to the right and place your selves as you were facing them to their Leader the Musquetteers to advance and flank the Pikes they are reduced 15 Command Front half files of Musquetteers and the two first Ranks of Pikes march three foot The four Ranks of Pikes wheel your flanks into the front by division and face to the right and left and march even in the Reer of the Front Division of Musquetteers Then the Reer half files of Musquetteers face to the right and left and march them clear of the division of Pikes facing them to their Leader and march up even with the flanks of Pikes Having fired and wheeled off in the Reer of their own divisions of Musquetteers then for a second firing let the Front divisions of Musquetteers fire and wheel into the Reer of Pikes the pikes porting and charge as in the figure and retreit and upon the retreit the Pikes to fall all even in breast And the front division of Musquetteers to sleeve up even in breast with the Reer division of Musquetteers Then the Pikes to charge on again and the reer division of Musquetteers to fire wheeling off to the right and left and fall into the Reer of the front division of Musquetteers who will then stand after this form To reduce them Command The Pikes to advance and march all to a convenient distance then march the middle division of Pikes six foot then the two divisions of pikes upon the flanks to face in opposition and close their divisions Then Wheel their flanks into the Reer and face them to their leader which being done the Pikes are reduced The Musquetteers are to march up and flank the Pikes Many firings the ingenious might invent to the Front more than what I have demonstrated I shall only mention the Introductive and Extraductive firings I must
than for publick Service 5. Command Give fire to the right and place your selves even in Front with the Pikes marching up between the midst of the Pikes Observe in the performance hereof the Pikes as they march are to open to the right and left and the fired Musquetteers are to be lead up according to Command To reduce this Command 1. Pikes to face inwards 2. Musquetteers face to the right and left outwards 3. Pass all through and interchange Ground 4. Face to your Leader 6. Command Musquetteers give fire to the right placing your selves on the outside of the left Flank of Pikes If you will reduce this without any firing you may Command the right half Ranks to pass through your Ranks of Pikes The Ingenious may find many ways for the Reducement Or when all the Musquetteers are on the left flank you may fire them over again and they are reduced 7. Command Musquetteers give fire to the right and to the Reer placing your selves between the Pikes and your own Divisions Having placed your left flank of Musquetteers in the Reer A useful firing then Command The outmost file upon the right flank are to face to the right and the last rank of Musquetteers in the Reer are to face about and both are to present and give fire together and having fired the outermost file upon the right hand faceth to the left and marcheth after their Leader in the interval between the Musquets and the Pikes They are to march a reasonable pace and the rank fired in the Reer is to wheel to the right placing it self in the Reer of Pikes c. This is easily reduced by commanding the Musquetteers to draw off into the left flank again Observe that flank that is farthest from the Enemy ought to be drawn into the Reer 8. Command Musquetteers give fire to both Flanks marching and place your selves between the Pikes and your own Divisions To perform this the outermost file of each flank presents outward 9. Command The Body standing Advance your Pikes Musquetteers and Pikes face to the right and left Musquetteers present and give fire to both flanks and flank your Pikes The outermost file upon the right and left flank presents and fires wheeling off by Division ranking or flanking the Pikes as they stand faced leaving such a distance as the rest may securely follow them every rank is to fire upon the same Ground and wheel off by Division after the same manner From this Figure as they will stand after firing there may be produced a great many brave Figures but now I must leave them to the skilful Artist To reduce this Command The Musquetteers to march all until they are clear of the Pikes then face them to the right and left inwards and close their Divisions and face them to their Leader 10. Command Because it may easily be produced from the precedent Figure it shall be from the first Figure of firing in the Front and Reer Chap. 19. the Body being faced to the right and left will be a firing to both Flanks 11. Command Shall be a firing to right Flank and to the Front and Reer Left half Ranks double your right Flank by Division You may face the Divisions any way which you intend for their firing After firing they are to wheel off into their own Divisions every Rank moving into his Leaders Ground To reduce them face them to their proper Front then Command half Ranks that doubled face to the left and so march into your places See the doubling of Flanks Figure 17. CHAP. XXI Of several Divisional Firings I Might here make mention of a great many Figures for firings some serviceable and others not but all left to the judicious for censure and to make use of the best yet none useless for delight or Garden Exercises The Figures cannot be perfect because I am tied to the exercise but of twelve Files four of them Pikes and eight Musquetteers it being a Number that our Western Commanders can make use of and no more yet any who may be capable to perform them will be able to invent others and command the production of such like in geater Numbers and with better delight 1. Command The two outmost Files upon each Flank stand the two inmost half Ranks of the Reer face about to the right the two inmost half Ranks both of Front and Reer march until you are clear of the Body of Pikes then half Files rank to the right and left inwards by wheeling into the Front For the Pikes open them to the right and left from the midst then Command the right and left hand File of Pikes to stand the Reer half Files of the remainder face about to the right then both half Files rank to the right and left inward into the Front and Reer This Figure in great Bodies must be performed otherways and may be very serviceable against the Horse the Pikes may advance into the Front of Musquetteers to secure them against the Horses fury if occasion shall serve After their first firing and wheeling off to the right and left in the Reer of their own Divisions then when the Pikes are defending them from the Horse let them fire over the Pikes This being done pass through the Musquetteers before the several Fronts of Pikes as they were before any firing To reduce them Command Face the Front and Reer to the right and left inwards The Front and Reer Ranks of Pikes file to the right and left inwards the right and left hand files of Pikes close to the right and left inwards and close all to the midst Then Command the Front and Reer Ranks of Musquetteers file to the right and left inward face in opposition and march into your places closing the whole Body to their close Order and open them again to their Order Evening of their Ranks and streightning of their Files they are reduced 2. Command and Direction Musquetteers open six foot to the right and left Front half Files of the right Flank of Musquetteers Advance intire into the Front of Pikes The Reer Division of the left Flank of Musquetteers face about to the right and double intire the Reer of the Pikes The Front Division of Musquetteers of the left face about to the right and march even in breast with the Reer half Files of Pikes The Front half Files of Pikes face to the right and left outwards and march until you are clear c. Face them to their Leader To reduce them The Front Division of Musquetteers face to the right and march into your places Reer Division of Musquetteers face to the left and march forth into your places Front half Files of Pikes face in opposition and close your Divisions The left flank of Musquetteers advance even with the Front of Pikes Musquetteers close to the right and left inward and face them to their Leader And they are reduced 3. Command Front half Files face to the right and left
his fortune yet what is the common voice of the Country which heat and fury as it riseth suddainly so may it be cooled quickly again But that which increaseth and confirmeth courage best and maketh men resolute and constant indeed is when they shall see themselves accompanied with numbers able to resist instructed with knowledge how to use their armes and weapons and fortified with order to be able to withstand and repel an Enemy This is it which will make a coward valiant For as one saith the fierce and disordered men are much weaker than the fearful and ordered for that order expelleth fear from men and in the end disorder abateth fierceness so then it is not fury that prevaileth in War but good discipline and order The chief scope is to perswade a restraint of the violent and disorderly running down of the Country to the Sea side to fight and give Battel to the Enemy at his landing after the old custome shewing the danger and inconvenience that may follow And for the other part it is granted by all that it is perilous for a defendant Prince to hazzard his Crown at a Battel and more dangerous for men untrained to encounter expert disciplin'd Souldiers Put the case that Battel be given and loss received then if we have no strong Towns adjacent to give the Enemy stop to make head and rally again it will prove most perilous to us Therefore moderately it may be concluded dangerous unless advantage might be obtain'd for any Prince to give an invading Enemy Battel And here by the way occasion being offered to speak of strong Towns some there be of that opinion that a Country well peopled that hath no or few strong Towns is in less danger of conquest than that Realm that hath many because say they an Enemy cannot any way nestle himself but that you may at all times force him to Battel at your pleasure To that may be answered that a Battel being the thing that an invadour is most desirous of and which a defendant ought to shun your strong Towns in that case are most available for the defendant Prince in his own Country against an Invador because he may onely with one strong Town weary an Invadours Army and consume it especially if he be but able with a small force to encamp near his Town besieged for the Invador is thereby restrained from assaulting the same for fear the defendants Camp should assail him in the mean time The which worketh all for the defendant in winning of time to the weakning and ruin of his Enemies Army the date whereof as by daily experience is found is not above twelve or thirteen weeks continuance so as your strong Towns avail wholly for the defendant In our late Wars and are dangerous only in Civil and Intestine Wars for that such Towns revolting work the like contrary effect against their Lord and Master as they did before for him for examples presidents of this you may behold what the strong holds of France and the Low Countries and England it self did against their Lords and Soveraignes Insomuch as we may truly say of them They are a dangerous good Wherefore I think it matter of Joy to all loyal hearts that our most Gracious Soveraign hath a Kingdom so well replenished with a warlike people whereby to be enabled at all times to front and give a stop to an Enemy Invadour And as touching a rebellious number I hope we shall never doubt or fear them as long as they shall want skillful leaders and Governours to direct them pay armour Munition and other necessaries to uphold them wherewith His now most Royal Majesty is plentifully furnished the want whereof shall force Rebels in a few dayes to disperse themselves who being once broken may presently be followed in gross in such sort as they shall never be able to assemble and make head again And what leader of skill and judgement will undertake such an enterprize in these dayes and not forecast that a power and force assembled cannot long stand without rich and strong Towns to supply their wants or at leastwise without so much as is requisite to retain and keep an Army together in due order and obedience without which there can grow nothing but confusion and ruin be their numbers never so great THE CONTENTS For the service of the Horse Chapt. 1 Introductive Collections for the exercise of the young Souldier in the Art Military folio 1 Chap. 2. Of the Souldier and Officers in general 4 Chap. 3. Of Arming the Cavalry 7 Chap. 4. Of Military signs 9 Chap. 5. Of marching and drawing up of a Troop of Horse 10 Chap. 6. Of exercising a Troop as armed with Carabine and Pistol 13 Chap. 7. Of Distance 15 Chap. 8. Of Motions 16 Chap. 9. Of firings 21 Chap. 10. The conlusion for the Horse Service 23 For the service of the Foot Chap. 1. By way of introduction 33 Chap. 2. Of the postures of the Pike and of the Musquet 34 37 Chap. 3. Of places and dignities both of files and ranks Some Objections answered in dignities c. 40 43 Chap. 4. Of the Drum 45 Chap. 5. Of distances ibid Read Chap. 7. for the Horse Service Chap. 6. Of Marching and drawing up of a Company Decyphering their Dignities in place 48 49 Chap. 6. Of Facings 50 Chap 7. Of doublings 53 How the Front is strengthned 1. By intire doublings of Ranks 54 2. By Bringers up 57 3. By half files 58 4. By divisional wheelings 61 Chap. 8. Shewing that several Commands produce one and the same figure 63 Chap. 9. How the Reer may be strengthned 65 Chap. 10. How the Flanks are to be strengthened 1. By Files 67 2. By half ranks 72 3. By divisional doublings 77 4. By Wheelings 78 Chap. 11. Shewing how that several Commands produce one and the same figure 81 Chap. 12. Treating of Inversion 1. Of files filing 84 2. Of Ranks filing 90 Chap. 13. Of Conversion c. 93 Chap. 14. Shewing also their several commands producing one and the same figure 106 Chap. 15. Of Countermarches 110 1. Of maintaining ground 111 2. Of losing ground 115 3. Of gaining ground 122 Chap. 16. Of Wheelings 127 Chap. 17. Of file leaders to be made successively six deep 136 Chap. 18. Of firings and firing in the Front 137 Chap. 19. Of firing in the Front and Reer and Reer alone 151 Chap. 20. Of firings in the flanks 153 Chap. 21. Of divisional firings 160 Chap. 22. An excuse for not proceeding farther 169 Chap. 23. Shewing the Necessity of exercise of arms with their Antiquity ibid. Chap. 24. The Conclusion 174 Chap. 1. The Original and being of Ensigns and Colours 175 Chap. 2. The definition of Ensignes 177 Chap. 3. Of Horse and Horse Colours 179 Chap. 4. Of the dignity of Ensignes 180 Chap. 5. The disgraces to the Ensigne 182 Chap. 6. The use of the Ensigne with the postures and flourishes 184 Sir Francis
Military Observations FOR THE EXERCISE OF THE FOOT CHAP. I. By way of Introduction HAving passed some few Collectives to the service of the Horse I was desired to do the like for the foot figuring out each Command or platforme after the proportion of Six in File which is according to our late Mode of discipline There have been many Books writ of this Military Art in the Exercise of the Foot both ancient and Moderne but of our later writers I referr our new commission'd Gentlemen to the perusal of Bingham Hexham Barrife and Ward I would not have Elton although a Parliament Officer wholly to be laid aside for I have received informations of the great Worth and parts of the Gentleman To them whose experience have been their masterpiece I am silent desiring with all submission rather to learn from such than presume to direct Those Gentlemen are to be commended that will bestow time in reading of this Art but especially such as put in practice what they read which is the readiest way to make men fit for the service of their King and Country For what maketh a man more confidently Couragious than knowledge There are many Gentlemen that are greater Readers of the Wars than Practitioners of the same who have had some cavelling disputes about the discipline thereof not considering the great change that time hath made and experience hath found out in Martial affaires In the reading of the Roman and Grecian Orders Discipline and Government of their Armies I had thought to have given you a tast thereof but deserving a better Pen than mine to set forth the Gallantry of them I shall be silent And yet if it were possible to renew them it would never work the like effect as it did against their Enemies One great cause thereof is supposed that they made better pay-men in those dayes Vice was severely punished Vertue most bountifully rewarded and when the Wars were ended such as deserved well were both regarded and rewarded or else remained inrolled in pensionary pay so by that meanes the Exercise of Armes continued It is to be observed that where Payment and Reward cease there Discipline and good Order ceaseth also As for the Exercise of Armes belonging to the Infantry it is the part of the young Souldier to learn and practise in the first place the Postures and well handling of Armes Which I may term to be the single Accidence of this Art before he enters his Syntaxis and it must be done by endeavouring to set some time apart for the exercise thereof There have been many that have not only disputed but have writ against the many Postures now used but being shamefully confuted by our Moderne Writers I shall be silent and proceede to those Postures belonging to such Armes that are now in use in the Country which are far short of what is compleat in Exercise in the Cities of London and Westminster and therein of those Honourable Societies of the Artillery and Military Gardens and also now of late The Criple with out Criplegate CHAP. II. Of the postures of the Pike and Musquet BEfore I give you the postures of them both I shall give you a brief definition of a Posture A Posture is a mode or Garb that we are fixed unto in the well handling of our Armes In which there are motions attendant unto the same for the better grace Presupposing your company to be in the Field and drawn up in a ready way for Exercise then the best way is to Exercise them apart by drawing of the body of Pikes from their Musquets that each may be Exercised in their particular Postures by themselves Only there are some Postures of the Pike and Musquet which are answerable to each other by conformity which ought to be performed in a Body or upon a March as occasion serveth as for Example In Marching All are to be shouldred In Trooping or in any other Motion the Pikes are to be advanced and the Musquets poysed In Porting of the Pike the Musquet to be rested In Trailing of the Pike the Musquet to be reversed which is the Funeral Posture When the Pike is Cheek'd the Musquet is to be rested at the Sentinel Posture when the Musquet is presented to fire the Pike is to be charged And when the Pike is Ordered most commonly especially in a stand or for Exercise the butt end of the Musquet is to be set to the Ground c. 〈◊〉 is most proper for the Captain to Exercise the Pikes himself I do not deny but he may Exercise both as he ought sometimes to do and the Ensign and Lieutenant are not to be negligent herein when they are commanded or in the absence of their superior Officer The next for the Exercise of the Pike in point of Antiquity and Honour the Gentleman of the Pikes craveth the precedency I have declared in the Exercise of the Horse what an excellent Vertue Silence is which ought in the first place to be commanded and most diligently observed The Body of Pikes from their March and standing all shouldered Command as followeth 1. Order your Pikes to your 1. open 2. close order This ought to be made use of always upon a stand And in the daytime it may serve for a Sentinel Posture And for the abatement of the fury of the Horse having the butt end of the Pike on the inside of the right foot Charge then to the Horse drawing your swords over your left arm having your Pike in your left hand you may then receive them by Commanding either to Charge to the Front Right Left Reere 1. Order your Pikes 2. Put up your swords This is only useful upon a stand of Pikes and by some able Souldiers it is not thought to be the securest charging against the Horse or of strength to make the greatest resistance in their full Career Therefore it hath been thought fit to be most convenient to close your files to your close Order and Ranks closing forward and being thus semented as it were will be the better able to ward any resistance From your Order Advance Shoulder Port Comport Cheeke Traile your Pikes Order as you were From your Order charge to the Front Right Left Reere Order as you were 2. Advance your Pikes This is useful upon all occasions when the Drum shall beat a Troop It is also useful in all motions of Doublings c. Only remember when they are reduced they put themselves or be commanded into the same Posture the standing Party was in From your Advance Shoulder Port Comport Cheeke Trail your Pikes Advance as you were From your Advance charge to the Front Right Left Reer Advance as you were 3. Shoulder your Pike This is useful and most proper upon a March It is useful in time of fight provided the Pikes be upon a stand for it doth not only preserve the Pikes from shattering but the Souldier also From your shoulder Port Comport Cheeke Trail your Pikes Shoulder as
move down to the Reer even in breast with the last Rank If this be for service you may face them all to the Reer If only for Exercise you may reduce them as they now stand by Commanding Front half files face about to the right and advance forwards until they are clear of the standing part then face them to the right and left inwards and close your Divisions 4. Command Front half files double your Reer to the 1. Right 2. Left by Countermarch To performe this If the Command given for the left face the standing half files to the Reer and the rest Countermarch to the left and lose ground But if it be only for Exercise you need not face the standing part to the Reer at all To reduce this as being only for Exercise Command Front half files face about to the left and march forth into your places But if it be upon service that they are all faced to the Reer then all upon the Reducement are to face about to the left and the front half files to march into their places Object But Some may object here and say that this is a countermarch and no doubling and so ought not to be demonstrated in this place Answ To which I answer that what is done by the Front half files in short is a Lacedemonian Countermarch of losing ground but if it were a direct countermarch they ought not to stand mixed with any other part of the body by passing through to the Reer but only to Countermarch into the midst and there remain so that now passing through into the Reer makes it an absolute doubling What I have mentioned in the beginning of this Chapter may be sufficient to the ingenious Artist having concluded what I intended for the strengthening of the Reer I thought to have inserted here a strengthening of the Front and Reer but being in the Chapter of Wheelings Command the tenth the inquisitive may be better satisfied CHAP. VI. Which is the last in order to shew how a Battalia may be strengthened in both Flanks THe Flanks are doubled by 1. Files 2. Half ranks 3. Division 4. Wheelings 1. First by Files 1. Command Files to the Right or Left double If to the left to perform this Command Every even ranks from the left move with three steps into the odd To reduce this Command Ranks to the right double OR Files as you were In all motions observe to move that leg first to which the Command guideth 2. Command Files to the 1. Right or 2. Left double advancing To perform this if to the right Command Every even file from the right advance three steps forward and double the odd To reduce this Command Ranks to the left double OR Files as you were 3. Command Files to the right and left double outward In doubling outward the outmost File of each Flank stands and the even File each flank doubles the odd To reduce this Command Double your Ranks to the right and left inwards OR Ranks as you were 4. Command Files to the right and left double Inward To reduce this Command Double your Ranks to the right and left outwards OR Ranks as you were 5. Command Double your Ranks to the 1. Right 2. Left 1. Outwards advancing 2. Inwards This will be performed as in the third and fourth Command only instead of falling behind their right or left hand men here they are to advance before them as in the second Command 6. Command Double your Files to the 1. Right or 2. Left intire advancing To performe this to the right The even files from the right advance so far until they be clear and double the odd files to the right To reduce this Command Files that doubled face about to the left and march forth into your places OR Front half Files double your Reer to the left OR Half Files double your Front to the right 7. Command Double your files to the 1. Right or 2. Left Intire advancing every man placing himself before his leader To perfom this to the right The reducement Command Front half Files face about to the left and march forth into your places OR Front half files turn off by countermarch and double your Re ex to the right Face all to your leader 8. Command Files double your depth to the right intire To perform this Command Even files from the right face about to the right and march until they are clear of the Reer placing themselves after their bringers up then face them to their leader To reduce this Command Half files double your Front to the left OR Front half files double your Reer to the right 9. Command Files double your depth to the right placing your selves behind your bringers up To perform this Command Every even File from the right face about to the right and double the remaining files behind their bringers up To reduce this Command Bringers up double your Front to the left OR Half files double your Front to the left each placing themselves before their half file Leaders There is but a small difference between the Figures of some of the precedent Commands as some may at first sight guess them to be yet if you would but well observe them the words of Command are several and in the Battalia there is difference in the Dignity of place but not in quantity or number Secondly How the flanks are doubled by half ranks 10. Comand Half ranks of the left double your right flank to the 1. Right or 2. Left To perform this to the right Left half ranks face to the right and move to the right forward and double your right flank To reduce this Command Face to the left and march forth into your places OR Double your Ranks to the left intire You may face them at discretion I shall demonstrate another Figure to the left shewing how it may be performed without mixture of Arms c. 11. Command Half Ranks of the right double your left flank to the right To perform this Command Half ranks of the right face to the right turn off to the right and double your left flank To reduce the 11. Command Ranks double to the right intire every man placing himself on the outside of his right hand man 12. Command Half ranks double your right flank to the right and left 1. Outward 2. Inward 1. To perform this Outward Face all to the right then the left half ranks move to the right and left outwards doubling your right flank face to your Leader To reduce this Command 1. Front and Reer half files double your ranks intire to the left flank OR Half ranks that doubled face about to the right and march forth into your places OR Half ranks face about to the right and the even ranks from the midst move forth and double your left ranks intire to the left flank face to your Leader 2. To perform the 12. Command inward Face all to the right then the left
the depth of the standing files intire to the right and left inwards 2. If you face them to their proper Front then to reduce them Command The three first and the three last Ranks double your left flank intire That is The three last Ranks face about and wheel to the right and the three first Ranks wheel about to the left all moving and meet in opposition in the midst of the left flank then face them to their Leader I have ended those Doublings whose Battalia's are strengthened in the Front Reer and both Flanks Although they may not be useful at all times in the field service yet it is not amiss for every Commander to be well grounded in the knowledge of them that by his experience therein he may not be silent when occasion serveth nor the Souldier seeking what to do when he may be commanded They are so necessary that some are delightful in private Exercises and most of them profitable in Field or Garrison I am sure the Ingenious if once experienced herein will confess them to be of such absolute necessity as not in the least to be slighted by any And further it is adjudged to be most convenient for all the Chief Officers to bend their thoughts before the time of Service to make their Commands as short as possible may be in order to which see Chapt. 8. and 11. I do declare that I have heard some of our late young Eltonists to be too tedious in their Commands and Reducements I shall advise the young Souldier to follow the Rules of Barriffe Ward Bingham and Hexham for there is in them enough to direct for most Services and then they may peruse Elton at last whose worth as I have been informed is not to be laid in the dust without the due respects belonging to a Souldier and I hope now a Loyal Subject CHAP. XI YOu may perceive in those several Commands for the strengthening of the Flanks and their Figures being produced and have closed some of their Files as occasion may offer it self they are one and the same in Number but not in Place As in the 8. Chapter I have also in this set down the several Commands that produce one and the same Figure yet the Commands are distinct and several all which if the Officer please to endeavour the remembring of How that such and such Commands will produce such a Figure he may in the hottest disputes take the shortest Commands to expedite his motions having respect to his Ground for the execution of them 1. Files to the right double Command 1. Produceth one and the same Figure Files to the right double advancing Comm. 2. Files to the right and left double 1. Outward 2. Inward Comm. 3. and 4. Double your Ranks to the right and left 1. Outward advancing 2. Inward advancing Comm. 5. Double your Files to the right intire advancing Comm. 6. Double your Files to the right intire advancing every man placing himself before his Leader Comm. 7. Files double your depth to the right intire Comm. 8. Files double your depth to the right placing your selves behind your Bringers-up Comm. 9. Double your Files to the right and left by Division Com. 17. 2. Half Ranks of the left double your right flank to the right Com. 11. Produceth one and the same Figure Half Ranks double your right flank to the right and left outwards  3. Half Ranks double your right flank by turning off to the right Com. 11. Produceth one and the same Figure Pag. Command 16. Half Ranks to the right by countermarch double your left flank Com. 13. Left half flanks double your right flank to the right and left by countermarch 1. Outward 2. Inward Com. 14. Left half Ranks wheel and double your right flank to the right intire Com. 18. Left half Ranks wheel off to the right and left and double your right flank by Division Com. 20. Left half Ranks double your right flank intire advancing Com. 15. These Figures are much alike only the change of Ground Left half Ranks double intire the depth of your right flank Com. 16. A very good Figure is produced by the. Com. 17.  Wheeling Front and Reer into the right flank Com. 19. This being an accidental Front is the same Figure with the 5.10 and 15. Command for the strengthening of the proper Front by the doubling of Ranks CHAP. XII I Shall now treat of that which is called in a more particular manner Inversion and Conversion shewing you what is meant by them And the nature and use of those several Commands most in practice belonging to each of them 1. Inversion produceth a File or Files That is either by Files filing or Ranks filing 2. Conversion produceth a Rank or Ranks That is either By increase of File ranking by Even or Vneven Parts Of Ranks ranking to the Right or Left Of Ranks wheeling to the Right or Left Flank Observe That in the performance of most of these Works there must be either a double or twice double distance of Ground But it must be the Commanders care so to open his Ranks or Files at such distances as the quantity of Ground will give leave I shall not demonstrate the Commands in the same method as I have the Doublings for the strengthening of the Front but shall insist in that method already set down because I find the reception hereof to be somewhat of difficulty with some of our Rural Officers First Inversion of files or tiles filing in sequence Secondly Files filing by countermarch 1. Command Files file to the 1. Right 2. Left To perform this to the right Command The right hand file to march away single clear of the body then the File leader of the next File is to fall in after the bringer up of the first File and so all the rest until the whole Body become one single file To reduce this Command File leaders lead up you Files to to the left OR Files file six to the left 2. Command Files file to the Right or Left intire advancing To perform this to the right The right hand file stand the second from the right advanceth into the Front of the first the third into the Front of the second and the rest successively into the Front of each other until they may be made one direct file To reduce this Command Face all about to the right Files file six to the right into the Reer OR As they stand without facing Command File six to the right gathering towards the Front 3. Command Files file inward into the right Flank To perform this Command Half files face about then file leader and bringer up of the left flank advance forward and each file of the half files from the left are to fall successively into the Reer of each file until they have made one intire then face them to their leader To reduce them Command Reer half files face about to the left Front half files file three
to the left and the Reer half files file three to the right Face all to your leader and close your divisions 4. Command Files file to the right and left by Division To perform this Command The file leaders of each flank march away with your files until they are clear of the Body then the next file leaders from the right and left are to fall in after the bringers up of the first moveants until the Body become two files upon each wing To reduce them Command File leaders lead up your files to the right and left OR Files file six to the right and left 5. Command Files file inward into the right and left flank by Division Figure 5. You may the better understand this by the directions for the third Command But To perform this Command Half files face about then file leaders and bringers up of each file both from the right and left and fall successively into the reer of each other until they have made two intire files on each flank Face to your leader To reduce this Command Reer half files face about to the right Front and Reer half files file three to the right and left inwards Face to your leader and close your Divisions 6. Command Files by countermarch file to the right every man placing himself in the reer of the right hand file Figure 6. To perform this Command The right hand file stand the rest of the Body face about to the left then every particular file march forward to the left and place themselves behind the bringers up of the right hand file To reduce this Command Files file fix to the left each placeing themselves before their leader 7. Command Files by countermarch file to the right by division each placing himself before his leader and bringer up To perform this Command Reer half files face about the right hand file is to keep his ground the rest moving forwards to the right placing themselves before their File leaders and Bringers up To reduce this Command Front half file â—â—ce about and file three to the right every man placing himself before his bringer up And the Reer half files file three to the left placing your selves before your leaders I have with as much brevity as conveniently I could set forth by demonstration the first part of Inversion which is of Files filing I proceed to the second part of Inversion which is of Ranks siling For the performance of which observe that in all these motions your files are to be at their Order or otherwise as may be thought most convenient and their Ranks to be opened either forwards or backwards at the discretion of the Commander but at twice double distance or more as may be required to his number of men The distances being set let every rank move according to Command 8. Command Ranks file to the right placing your selves before your right hand man To perform this Command The right hand man of each rank is to stand the rest are to move forwards with their right leg and so place themselves before their right hand men 8. Figure Te reduce them Command Files rank twelve to the left OR Ranks as you were Observe Ranks filing are sooner executed in the commands and reducements than files filing For they will sooner be in readiness to receive any opposition with a suteable resistance in the Front for in files filing it will be some long time before the file leaders will be able to do it 9. Command Ranks file to the right placing your selves behind your right hand men To perform this Direct If they be upon a stand they may open backwards to their distance for the work as by example But if they be upon a march then the right hand man marcheth first and all his rank so facing as to march to the right file-wise after their leader The right hand man of the second rank is so to do and fall in the reer of the left hand man of the first Rank To reduce this Command Files rank twelve to the left OR Ranks as you were Aelian Tact. Ch. 30. p. 6. 10. Command Ranks file to the right and left by Division The two former are directions enough for this And may also be performed with the two former either before their right hand men or otherwise To reduce this Command Files convert into Ranks as you were OR Files Rank to the right and left inward as you were OR Files rank twelve to the right and left inward This Figure as by the Notes of Captain Bingham hath been of great use amongst the Graecians and judged by our ingenious Artists not to be slighted by us for the avoydance of the great Ordinance or showers of small shot In Cities I have seen it often used for lodging of the Colours It is also a large Interval for the reception of any Honourable Person Some may dislike in this last Inversion of Ranks filing because there is a promiscuous mixture of Arms This may be easily prevented by bringing both Divisions of Musquetteers into the Front of Pikes or otherwise upon a march at the discretion of the Commander There yet remain divers words of Command of Ranks filing Vide Conversion By wheeling your Ranks into the right Flank or into both Flanks c. But the prolixity of them have made me to abbreviate and being more out of curiosity than of necessity I have shewed what is meant by Inversion both in Files and Ranks and have demonstrated them by their Figures so many as I conceive may be sufficient for the knowledge thereof Many I have heard to use the word Inversion to some of the precedent Commands but I think it very convenient to be left out in the Exercisings of our Rural Militia's It is a word not suitable to a Rustick capacity and a word that may be spared CHAP. XIII Of Conversion and the several Parts thereof COnversion I have declared to consist of a Rank or Ranks And that is performed either by 1. Increase of Files ranking by Even or Vneven Parts 2. Increase or decrease of Files ranking by uneven Parts 3. Files ranking intire into the Front and wheeling into the same 4. Ranks ranking to the right or left 5. Wheeling into both Flanks And of these I shall declare unto you as briefly as I may that your delight in the true understanding of them may not be neglected by the least obscurity Now the reason that I have demonstrated most with Figures is that the young Souldier may see how many Commands produce one and the same Figure their difference being only in quality and not in quantity 1. I shall begin with Files ranking by even parts that is when they rank two three or four keeping the same number in Rank all being in an equal proportion and if more what is wanting to make up the Ranks in the Command must be made good by the next Rank 1. Command Files rank three to the right Observe
             1 2 3 4 5 6. 6 5 4 3 2 1  6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 To make the If upon a single File Command 5 6 5 2 1 2  5 6 1 6 1 2 5 6 1 6 1 2 4 3 1 6 4 3  4 3 2 5 4 3 4 3 2 5 4 3 3 4 6 1 3 4  3 4 3 2 3 4 3 4 5 2 3 4  2 1 2 5 6 5  2 1 6 1 6 5 2 1 6 1 6 5  1 2 3 4 5 6  1 2 5 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6   6 5 4 3 2  1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2 This I saw July 1671. Reducement File Leaders stand the rest pass through and place your selves before your Leaders Ranks to the right double and Files to the right double Ranks to the left double and Files double your depth to the left File-Leaders stand the rest pass through to the right and place themselves before their Leaders Half double your Front to the right and Files to the right double Ranks to the left double and Files to the left double If more Files than one Command Reducement File rank to the left into the Front Rank file fix to the left File rank two to the right and Files to the right double Bringers-up double your Front to the left and double your Files to the right intire advancing Bringers-up double your Front to the right and double your Files to the left intire advancing Half double your Front to the right Files double your depth to the left File rank two to the left Files to the left double Reducement Bringer-up stand the rest pass through to the left and place your selves behind your Bringer-up Rank two to the left and Files to the left double Half file double your Front to the right and Files double your depth to the right File rank six to the left then Rank file six to the left Front half file double your depth to the left File-Leader with the odd men from the Front face about to the right and interchange Ground   6 5 4 3 2   6 5 4 3 2  6 5 4 3 2 The front and standing of each file as they come to be leaders in their respective dignities Dignity             The dignity of a file  1 6 4 3 5 2 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1  6 5 4 3 2 1 1. a 5. e 4. d 3. c 6. f 2. b 1 2 6 5 5 6 2 4 5 6 6 5  2 4 5 6 6 5 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 3 1 2 3 4  1 3 1 2 3 4 4 3 2 1 1 3 3 1 3 4 1 3  3 1 3 4 1 3 2 1 5 6 6 5 4 2 6 5 5 6  4 2 6 5 5 6   5 6 3 4 4 2 5 6 2 1 4 2  5 6 2 1 4 2 Dignity  I much quastion the dignity of this how ever I have incerted it 6 5 4 3 2 1 Dignity 6 5 4 3 2 1  f e d c b a f e d c b a  Reducement Files rank two to the left files to the left double Bringer up double your Front to the left Files double your depth to the left every man falling behind his bringer up Half files double your Front to the right Files double to the left intire advancing Files rank two to the right Files to the left double Bringer up double your Front to the right and files double your depth to the right every man placing himself before his leader Front half files double the Reer to the left Files double to the left in tire advancing every man placing himself before his leader Half files double your Front to the left Files double to the right intire advancing every man placing himself before his leader Reducement Ranks to the left double files to the left double then half files double your Front to the right then Bringers up face about to the right and march forth into your places File leaders stand the rest pass through to the left and place your selves before your leaders Ranks to the right double Files to the right double Front and Reer half files interchange ground File leaders half file leaders stand the rest pass through to the left place your selves before your leaders Bringers up double your front to the right and files double your depth to the right  Reducement Rank two to the left and files to the left double then Front half files double your Reer to the left intire advancing every one placing himself behind his leader Face about into the right and Countermarch your Reer into the Front Ranks to the right double and Files to the right double Front half files double your Reer to the right intire advancing Bringers up double your Front to the right files to the right double advancing placing your selves before your leaders Countermarch front and Reer into the midst Front and Reer half files interchange ground    N. 6. N. 5. N. 4. N. 3. N. 2.  N. 6. N. 5. N 4. N. 3. N. 2.   N. 6. N. 5. N. 4. N. 3. N. 2.  CHAP. XV. Of Countermarches WE read in the Tacticks of Aelian of three kinds of Countermarches used amongst the Graecians and Persians And are termed the 1. Chorean 2. Lacedemonian 3. Macedonian Countermarches There is another Countermarch that is of use in our modern exercises and is termed the Bastard Countermarch and so called because it participates some times of one and some times of another but always of two and may in many respects be more useful than the former Most Authors place this amongst the other Countermarches therefore I shall not now alter it although in my opinion it may be very well ranked amongst the doublings I thought to have been large in demonstrating the several natures of Countermarches but being conceived of all motions in this art the least beneficial to our latest mode of discipline I shall not be tedious to your Patience But if the skilful Souldier will put them into practice especially the Bastard Countermarch he will not only find some of them serviceable but all delightful in private Exercises Observe the Chorean Lacedemonian Macedonian is 1. Maintaining 2. Losing 3. Gaining Ground First The maintaining of Ground is a Countermarch commanded without any addition to it and is termed the Chorean or Cretan Countermarch Secondly The losing ground is a Countermarch commanded when the Souldier is to take his ground from the Reer and this is termed the Lacedemonian Countermarch Thirdly The gaining of ground that is a Countermarch taking of ground next before the front and forsaking the ground it first stood upon and this is
termed a Macedonian Countermarch In all which there is Countermarchings of Files Ranks The Front The Reer half files Half Ranks And these may all be performed by intire or divisional Countermarches 1. The Countermarchings of Files is when every Souldier followeth his leader 2. The Countermarchings of Ranks is when every Souldier followeth his side man 3. The Front and Reer half Files Countermarchings is when the Souldier shall follow their File leaders or Bringers up 4. The Countermarchings of half Ranks is when the Souldier shall follow their outside men I shall in the first place shew how Intire and Divisional Countermarches are performed by files and Ranks 1. Observe That in the execution hereof your distance is to be at six foot in rank and file 2. When you are to Countermarch to the right the file leaders are to step forward with their right legs and face about to the right passing down to the Reer with their respective File following them keeping even a breast with their right handmen and to be sure not to turn before they be advanced to the ground of their File leaders 3. All Intire Countermarches of Files or ranks may be reduced by contrary Countermarches If the Command be to the right reduce them to the left And so for Contermarchings of the Front Reer or flanks into the midst reduce them back from the midst It shall be my endeavour to demonstrate how all Intire and divisional Countermarches shall lye under these three heads Of Mantaining Losing and Gaining of ground First of Countermarches maintaining Ground In the second precedent rule it will not be amiss to cast your eye back for your better direction by which you 'l be able to pass these Countermarches with greater delight and Order 1. Command Files to the 1. Right or 2. Left hand Countermarch To perform this Let the file leaders step forward with their right legs and march even in Rank to the Reer and none to turn off until he come to his File leaders Ground To reduce this Command Files to the left hand Countermarch 2. Command Ranks to the 1. Right or 2. Left hand Countermarch To perform this Face them to the Right and the right hand file is to turn off to the right and to march even to the Ground of the left hand file You may reduce this by Ranks Countermarching to the left 3. Command Countermarch your Front and Reer into the midst To perform this Command Half files face about and turn to off the left Front half files turn off to the right and face to your leader You may reduce this figure by doing the same over again Or else by any other divisional Countermarch 4. Command Front and Reer half files countermarch to the 1. Right or 2. Left You may reduce this Figure by doing the same over again OR By Countermarching Front and Reer into the midst 5. Command Countermarch your Front and Reer half files to right and left from the midst To perform this Command Front half files face about and turn off to the right and Reer half files turn off to your left then face to your leader To reduce this Command To Countermarch from the midst into the Front and Reer The three last figures by command are several but the figures are still one and the same in quantity but not in quality or motion as you may perceive c. 6. Command Countermarch your flanks into the midst To perform this Command them to face to the right and left outwards the right flank turn off to the right and left flank turn off to the left until they meet in the midst To reduce them Command Countermarch from the midst to the right and left into both flanks 7. Command Right and left half Ranks interchange your ground To perform this Face to the right and left inward and march all and interchange your ground This is of no great use except it be when the right or left flank hath fought that then the reserved flank may come into service also You may reduce them by interchanging of them back again OR Divisionally to Countermarch their flanks into the midst of the Battel Secondly Countermarches lofing ground 1. Command Files to the Right or Left hand Countermarch placing your selves before your bringers up To performe this Command The bringers up to face about to the right then the file leaders with the rest successively to turn off upon the same ground he stands And on the same hand the Command is given so to place themselves accordingly You may easily reduce them by any other Countermarch of files 2. Command The last Rank stand the rest pass through to the 1. Right or 2. Left placing your selves behind your bringers up To perform this As the last Rank is to stand and keep their first aspect let all the rest face about to the right and march all turning successively behind their bringers up To reduce them you may pass them through or else Countermarch by file into their places 3. Command Front and Reer half files Countermarch to the 1. Right or 2. Left From the midst every man placing himself before his leader and bringer up To perform this Command The first rank of the front half files to stand the rest to face about and turn off to the right half file leaders face about and turn off to the left and both to march clear of the Front and Reer following their half file leaders and bringers up of the front half files To reduce this by an other Countermarch 4. Command Ranks to the 1. Right or 2. Left hand Countermarch losing ground To perform this to the right As in maintaining ground upon their turning off the rest march into the same place or ground and turn off also as in figure 2. Now this of losing ground altereth only in this the outmost file is to face to the right about until he hath directly faced the left flank and so to gain so much ground upon the left flank as they have lost upon the right OR That they have placed themselves on the outside or before of their left hand men 5. Command Ranks to the right hand Countermarch each following his right hand man and place himself on the outside of his left hand man To perform this Command The left hand file to stand the out most file to the right turn about to the right as to make his aspect or face to the left then move forward until he be clear of the second file losing the ground he stood upon and gain it again on the outside of the left flank To reduce this figure may be done by a contrary Countermarch 6. Command The right and left hand file upon each flank face to the right and left outwards the rest pass through placing your selves before your outmost files Observe files become ranks by their faceing To performe this Command The right hand file to face to the right and the left hand file to
motion And if you place them behind their right hand men then let the right hand men face about to the left and the rest pass through and fall behind them Figure 9. A Counter word of Command will reduce them c. There are many Countermarches that produce one and the same Figure provided you close your Divisions and face them to their proper Front only they differ in place First therefore you may briefly observe that in those Countermarches that Maintain their Ground the first second third fourth and fifth Commands then in losing of ground the first second third fourth fifth tenth and eleventh Commands and in gaining of Ground the first second third fourth fifth sixth and seventh do and will produce one and the same Figure Secondly Also for maintaining of Ground the sixth and seventh and in losing of Ground the sixth seventh and eighth and also in gaining of Ground the ninth Commands produce one and the same Figures Oserve For the Countermarchings of half Ranks see in the doublings of the Flanks thirteenth and fourteenth Commands they producing the same Figures as the eleventh and twelfth Figures by all which you will the better understand the one for the other Although Countermarches are of great Antiquity and used amongst the Graecians yet it is not much of use in our present Mode of Discipline Therefore to conclude though knowledge of them be no burthen yet to be exercised in the face of an Enemy may prove prejudicial and the best expert in this Art allow that they may be best spared of any motions whatever CHAP. XVI Of Wheelings I Am to treat of Wheelings and the several uses of them as to the strengthening of the Front Reer and both Flanks Before you enter upon them take these four Observations 1. That you close your Ranks and Files to your Order 3. Foot 2. That in all your Wheelings you keep a due distance to your Leader 3. That in all Commands for Wheelings such moderation is to be used in their motions that they on the contrary flank be not forced by running to disorder themselves 4. That your Arms be at such Postures as may be equivalent to each other This is If the Musquets be poysed the Pikes are to be advanced which are the Postures best to be used in these Motions There are two sorts of Wheelings First Angular Wheelings Secondly Wheelings on the midst or Center I shall not use the word Center for it is more proper to a Circular body than to a square These in their Motions or Actions are termed either Intire or Divisional 1. Intire Wheelings are for the gaining of ground upon the Enemy or to fight him with your best men as occasion serveth turning the first Aspect wholly to the Command given 2. Divisional Wheelings being performed extend the Battle either in length or depth And may for the most part of them be called Doublings I have in the exercise of Doublings demonstrated some of them by Figures and shall not recite them here again but quote them by their several numbers of Commands First I shall begin with Angular Wheelings And they so called because the corner man to which the Aspect is commanded is the main hinge of the motion Observe the Wheelings to the right and to the left To the right and left about are termed Angular And for the Wheelings to the right and left and to the right and left about on the same Ground are Wheelings on the midst of the Front all which are Intire the other Divisional Center 1. Command Wheel your Body all or your Battle to the 1. Right Intire Angular Wheelings or 2. Left This Wheeling moves the main Body from the Ground whereon it first stood and placeth it on the right Flank causing the Aspects of the proper Front to be upon the same Observe that the right hand man is to move to the right hand with a very small Motion and every man else to remember that the farther off he is from the Right Angle the swifter must his motion be To reduce them Wheel to the left But this will not transfer them to the same Ground But to reduce them to their first Aspect on the same Ground you must face them all to the right then wheel them to the left and facing them to the left it is compleâ—ted 2. Command Wheel your Body all or your Battle to the 1. Right or 2. Left about This turneth the Aspect towards the Reer Now by reason the motion is twice as much as the former there ought to be the greater care had in the performance of it observing so much the motion of the right hand man that they fail not of being even in Rank with him To reduce them to their first Ground face to the right wheel to the left about then face them to the left Although to the left about may reduce them but not on the same Ground You may observe that Wheelings are the most facil for their Reducements as for Example Wheel your Flanks into the Front is reduced by wheeling your Flanks into the Reer OR To wheel your Front and Reer into both Flanks is reduced by Wheeling both Flanks into your Front and Reer c. Secondly I proceed to Wheelings on the midst or Center of the Front which are Intire and Divisional and are quicker in their motions and performed on less Ground 1. Command Wheel your battle to the 1. Right 2. Left on the same ground Intire This is termed Grove Van Nawsaw's Wheeling But it is a wonder to me why our Antient and Modern Writers call these Commands Wheelings on the same Ground when I am sure there will be ground lost in the motion from the first they stood upon In a direct square this may be better performed and less loss of Ground To perform this Command The left Flank advance forward still wheeling to the right and the right flank contrarywise facing to the left and keep falling backwards even in Reer with the left half ranks and so still moving unto the place commanded face all to the right flank You may wheel to the left also To reduce this Wheel your Battle to the left on the same Ground 2. Command Wheel your Body to the 1. Right or 2. Left about on the same Ground The direction to the former will serve for the performance of this only the motion is double as much and their faces are turned from the first Front toward the Reer To reduce this wheel your Battle to the left about on the same Ground Divisional Wheelings Bingham 2. part Tactic pag. 92. 3. Command Wheel to the right and left from the Front OR Wheel off your Front by Division Or if you will not go so far then wheel your Front into the Flanks by Division This wheeling your Front into the Flanks by Division produceth the same Figure with Figure â— If upon occasion Musquetteers be on the Front of the Pikes by
fitting of the Souldier for field services and others at their pleasure what their fancy may guide them unto And thus I have passed over the Grounds of Discipline for the Foot I expect Censures by the Ingenuous I submit to a correction but for the Carper let him remain in his own mud he shall never be complemented to a cleared fountain by me CHAP. XVII Of making file leaders successively both in number and place in a file six in depth and so for a whole body THe Souldiers having passed thus many dayes exercise in these principles of Art Military and now each Souldier is loving to his Comrade every file leader to the rest of his file being willing that their files should successively demonstrate some experiences as they have attained unto in the exercise thereof which will prove a great incouragement to the Ingenious Also it is profitable to a Commander to bring what Ranks he pleaseth into the Front and to exchange them and to reduce them to their proper file leaders A File to be made file leaders successively according to Number or by commanding as followeth Commanding by the file leader 1 File leaders  Rank two to the left and file to the left double 2 2 Ranks to the left double and Files to the left double  Countermarch Front and reer into the midst and face to that part which was the Reer 3 1 3 Half files double your front to the right and files to the right double   Face about to the right 4 4 2 4 File leaders stand the rest pass through to the right and place themselves before their leaders     Countermarch from the Reer into the midst and and face to that which was the Reer 5 3 6 5 5 Ranks to the left double and Files double your depth to the left     Files Rank two to the right and file to the right double face them about and it will reduce them 6 6 1 1 6 6 Ranks to the right double and Files to the right double  To Reduce  5 5 6 3 5 1. File leaders stand the rest pass through and place your selves before your Leader           4 2 4 4            3 1 3               2 2                1  A File to be made file leaders successively according to their Dignity 1. File leader 1       The second man from the Front 5 2 Bringers up double your Front to the right and files double your depth to the right Bringer up to the Front half file 4 6 3 File leaders and half file leaders stand the rest pass through to the left and place your selves before your leaders 3. Half file leader 3 3 6 4 Front and Reer half files interchange your ground The second man from the Reer 6 1 2 5 5 Ranks to the right double files to the right double 2. Bringer up 2 5 4 1 4 6 File leaders stand the rest pass through to the left and place your selves before your leader   4 5 3 3 2 To reduce them    1 6 1 1 1. Ranks to the left double and files to the left double     2 2 3 2. Half files double your front to the right      6 4 3. Bringers up face about to the right and march forth into your places       5  CHAP. XVIII Of certain firings in the Front HAving passed over the grounds of this Art Military I am now come to the executive part of the Tacticks and shall not here exceed the exercise of a single Company shewing the Souldier the use of some few Firings that they may the better perform their respective duties when they shall be commanded thereunto None can positively say this or that figure shall be or serve this day time or place c. because of the diversity of formes occasioned by situation of ground he number of men the order of the Enemy with many other observable Stratagems for the obtaining both of Wind and Sun I shall therefore according to my allotment of twelve files demonstrate by figure some Firings which being well understood may enable such for higher preferment as time and place may fortune them unto By way of digression I am sure it is a trouble to most ingenious spirits to see some Gentlemen chosen Captains in the Militia that are but prisoners to their own reasons and instead of being experienced in this Art have been wholly Ignorant of the least part thereof It is no wonder then if his Majesty may lose his expectation of a well disciplined Militia and the Souldier in hazzard of his life and Country too How easily might this be remedied if our Commanding power would but authorize the Commission officers to meet once in a moneth to exercise each other by their respective turns c. where they may also discourse and consult about Military affairs and then for these private Commanders by their affable and heroick perswasions to get some of their souldiers as may be for their conveniencie to meet with their armes and to exercise them this would not only be delightful but profitable both for King and Country And on the contrary the neglect hereof and also of the full number of men and Armes in the Militia hath made it to be ill spoken of and so little feared especially by those of our own inbred Enemies to the Royal Government these things will be better looked into hereafter If they will not be drawn to love and to be obedient to Royal Prerogatives they must be made to dread it And I humbly conceive there is no better way to effect the former than by having a choice Militia of such whose spirits should account it a baseness to abuse the Country and make not their Musters pass times for debauchery and that their Companies be not only well disciplined but well Armed also I proceed to the drawing up of files again into a body and preparing them for skirmish A Company of Foot being thus drawn up for service and the Colours flying in the head of the Company and there they are to remain until all forlorne firings are ended But so soon as the Drumm shall beat his further preparatives for a close skirmish the Ensign is to furle his Colours and retreit to the half files of Pikes Observe That all firings are either direct or oblique and the manner how they are to be performed are either Advancing Receiving or Retreiting otherwhiles there may be firing in the Reer marching from the Enemy or in the flank marching by an Enemy and also at several places for an Enemy
the bore and dividing it into two equal parts then with a Plumb line hanging over the mouth of the Piece being guided by the divided stick you shall have good aim where to set your Dispart this being done go to the Base Ring if the Piece be true bored then find which is the highest part and middle of that Ring but if the Piece be not true bored then find which part of the Base Ring is just over the Cylender and take that for your true line when you have found out the dispart and placed it and also found what point in the Base Ring is to answer to it then make some very small mark on the Base Ring in that place hold your head about two foot from the Base Ring and there you may best observe as the Piece is traversing when you are in a direct line with the mark this done give one of your men order to raise and fall the Piece with his Hand-spike as you shall appoint him until you can holding your head two foot from the Britch of the Piece with your eye perceive the mark at the Base Ring and the top of the dispart in a direct line with the mark you must shoot at at that instant stop the motion of the Piece with a Coyn that it may remain as you have directed it then Prime your Piece and give fire Before you place your Dispart you are to take notice whether the ground be Level whereon the Wheels of the Gun stand or if they be not one higher than the other and if the Trunions stand just over the Axeltree of the Wheels or no whether one Trunion lye higher on the Carriage than the other whether the Gun be truely placed in the Carriage or not that is that it be not nearer one side than the other whether the Carriage be truly made according to the direction we have already prescribed in the first part whether the Axeltree be placed just cross the Carriage or not CHAP. XVII How if a Shot do carry to the right or to the left under or over the mark by reason of some known fault to amend it in making the next Shot AFter you have made one Shot and find the Piece carry just over the mark then do all that has been taught again and when your Piece lyes directly against the mark observe how much the last stroak of the Shot is above the mark so much longer make your dispart that the top of it may be just seen from the Britch of the Piece in a direct line with the stroke of the Shot when it is of this length then level your Piece with this new dispart to the assigned mark Give fire and without doubt it will strike the same If the first Shot strike under the mark then bring the Piece in all points as before to pass mark how much of the dispart is over the stroke of the Shot and cut it just so short as being at the Britch you may discern the top of it with the mark on the Base Ring and stroke of the Shot in a just right line and when you perceive it is of such a length level the Piece to the assigned mark as at the first then Prime and Give fire If the first Shot strike on the right hand of the mark to mend it you must level the Piece as formerly you standing behind the Britch of the Piece observe the stroke of the Shot over the dispart and that part of the Base Ring as you at that instant look over in a right line towards the dispart and the stroke of the Shot set up in that place a Pin with a little soft Wax on the Base Ring so this Pin will be in a right line with the dispart and stroke of the Shot This being done level your Piece to the mark assigned by this Pin and the dispart and without question you will make a fair Shot for when you level by the Metal of the Base Ring where the Pin is placed and the mark of the Piece standing at that direction look over the top of the dispart from the notch in the Base Ring and you shall find it to lye just so much to the left as the former Shot struck to the right from the assigned mark which should in all likelyhood now strike the mark But if a Shot be both too wide and too low then you must use both the directions above taught to make the next Shot first regulate the dispart by cutting it shorter according as the Shots mark is lower than the assigned mark when this is done then proceed to my directions to mend shooting wide and these things performed with care and diligence cannot choose but mend a bad Shot CHAP. XVIII Of shooting at Random at a Mark beyond the right line of the Pieces reach or right Range of a Shot and the way of framing a Table of Randoms by help of the Gunners Quadrant FOr the effecting of this matter we must have a Quadrant with a Thread and Plummet which is described in the first Chapter of this second Section to one side of this Quadrant so that one end of the Ruler may go into the Cavity of the Piece and let a Piece of Lead be fastned to the end of the Rule to make it lye close to the bottom of the Metal within the Quadrant hanging without and the Plumb-line swaying or hanging down from the Center of the Quadrant perpendicular to the Horizontal line for the Quadrant being thus placed you may mount a Piece to what degree you shall find fit to shoot by Now every one that will learn to shoot at Random must draw his Piece on a level ground where first shooting level he must observe that distance in feet or paces then mount his Piece to one degree and mark where that shall graze thus finding the distance of every degree from the level to the tenth degree by these distances make a Table to which annex the degrees against the distance by which Table you may using the Art of Proportions find how far another Piece will convey her Shot from degree to degree and in Loading your Piece for this work you must have your Powder exactly weighed and likewise the Wad and let the Piece cool of it self and this you must do every time and if the Piece be mounted there needs no Wad after the Shot also you must have a special care of the strength of the Powder and let the Powder equally and with the same force and strength be pressed home as near as possible you may CHAP. XIX An effectual way to make a Shot out of a Piece of Ordnance at Random HE that intends to be expert at these things ought principally to endeavour at one time or another to obtain so much liberty of his Superior Commanders as to make two three or more Shot with the Piece he chooseth or intends for most Service then must he measure the distance from the Platform
so close as they can stick one by the other put a little small corned powder on the top of them to run between them and put another tyre of Stars upon that and in like manner a third tyre upon them till you come to the top of the Rocket-case there put a paper over the head of it and tye it close about the top that none of the powder come from under or between the Stars How to prepare the Cotton-week to prime the first sort of Stars Take Cotton-week such as the Chandlers use for Candles double it six or seven times double and wet it thoroughly in Salt-peter water or Aqua-vitae wherein some Camphire hath been dissolved or for want of either in fair water cut it in divers pieces roul it in mealed powder dry it in the Sun and it is done CHAP. VII How to make silver and golden Rain and how to use them NOw I shew you the order of making golden Rain which is after this manner you must provide store of Goose-quills which being provided you must cut them off so long as they are hollow the composition to fill these must be made thus two ounces of cole-dust to one pound of powder well mixed having filled many of these quills you shall place them in the same place as I taught you to put the powder and Stars first putting a small quantity of Pistol powder under them to blow them out when the Rocket is spent upon this put your quills as many as will fill the top of the case with the open end downwards so soon as the Rocket is spent you shall see appear a golden showre which by some is called golden Rain The like way you may make silver Rain filling the quills with the Composition for white Stars CHAP. VIII How to make Fisgigs which some call by the name of Serpents and to use them YOu must provide a small rouling pin about one quarter of an inch in thickness upon which roul seven or eight thicknesses of paper fill them four inches with powder dust sometimes putting between the filling a little of the Composition for Rockets of 10 ounces and at the end of four inches choak him fill two inches more with Pistol powder then choak the end up at the other end put in a little of the mixture for Stars and choak between that and the composition and you have done put divers of these with the Starry end downwards upon the head of a Rocket as you did the quills with powder to blow them out when the Rocket is spent they will first appear like so many Stars when the Stars are spent taking hold of the powder dust they will run wrigling to and fro like Serpents and when that Composition is spent they will end with every one a report which will give great content I shall have occasion to speak of these Fisgigs in other Fire-works CHAP. IX How to make Girondels or as some call them Fire-Wheels A Fire-Wheel is often required in great Works for pleasure and therefore I have thought fit and necessary to set down their description as well as of all other sorts of Fire-works First you must make a Wheel of Wood so big as you please to make Girondels and unto these bind Rockets very fast of a mean bigness with the mouth of one towards the tail of another thus continuing until you have filled your Wheel quite round which done cover them with paper pasted very curiously that one taking fire they may not take fire all together and daub Sope upon them quite round leaving the mouth of one of them open to give fire thereto for the first Rocket having burned will give fire to the next keeping the Wheel in continual motion until they be all spent there may be bound fire Lances to these Girondels either upright or neer overthwart which will make to appear diversity of fiery Circles Your care must be to place the Girondels at a convenient distance from other Fire-Works lest they should cause confusion and spoil all your Work CHAP. X. How to represent divers sorts of Figures in the Air with Rockets I Have taught you to make a report upon the head of a Rocket and also to place golden or silver Hair or Rain or Stars or Fisgigs which when you have divers Rockets to make for a great Fire-work let one be with a report the next with Stars another with Gold Hair or Rain one with Silver Hair or Rain for standing just under the Rocket it appeareth like Rain but being aside hand like Golden or Silver Hair and upon the head of another Rocket place the Fisgigs which when the Rocket is spent will first appear like so many Stars after they are ended they will shew like Serpents wrigling to and fro and lastly give every one his report It is a rare thing to represent a Tree or Fountain in the air which is made by putting many little Rockets upon one great one passing all the rods of the little ones thorow wires made on purpose upon the sides of the great one or some other way as your industry will discover now if the little ones take fire while the great one is mounting up they will represent a Tree but if they take fire as the great one is descending or turning down again towards the ground then they will be like a fountain of fire if there be two or three little Rockets amongst others that have no rods they will make divers motions contrary to the rest very pleasing If before you put the Fisgigs upon the head of a great Rocket you with a small string tye them together a foot of line between when they are on fire in the Air you will see very great variety of Figures because as they wriggle to and fro they will pull one another after them to the speculators great content it will be pleasant if you tye them not altogether but three or four which will in the firing of them be distinguished from the rest with great variety CHAP. XI How to make a Rocket which firing it out of your hand shall continually be in agitation either on the earth or in the air HAving prepared a Rocket with a report in the head such as I taught you first to make tye it to a bladder so that the end of the Rocket may come to the mouth of the said bladder and bind it over very strongly then firing it out of your hand cast it away from you it matters not which way so it will come to the ground there by reason of the bladder it cannot stay but presently rebounds upwards moving to and fro until all be spent there is another sort and that is a small rocket put into a bladder and so blown up round about it and tyed about the neck thereof which will have delightful motions CHAP. XII Of the many defects in Fuzees how they may be avoided and of such things as ought to be observed in their good Construction