Selected quad for the lemma: ground_n

Word A Word B Word C Word D Occurrence Frequency Band MI MI Band Prominent
ground_n hand_n left_a pike_n 1,809 5 13.5121 5 false
View all documents for the selected quad

Text snippets containing the quad

ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A07628 Monro his expedition vvith the vvorthy Scots Regiment (called Mac-Keyes Regiment) levied in August 1626. by Sr. Donald Mac-Key Lord Rhees, colonell for his Majesties service of Denmark, and reduced after the Battaile of Nerling, to one company in September 1634. at Wormes in the Paltz Discharged in severall duties and observations of service; first under the magnanimous King of Denmark, during his warres against the Emperour; afterward, under the invincible King of Sweden, during his Majesties life time; and since, under the Directour Generall, the Rex-chancellor Oxensterne and his generalls. Collected and gathered together at spare-houres, by Colonell Robert Monro ... for the use of all worthie cavaliers favouring the laudable profession of armes. To which is annexed the abridgement of exercise, and divers practicall observations, for the younger officer his consideration; ending with the souldiers meditations going on service.; Monro, his expedition with the ... Scots Regiment Monro, Robert. 1637 (1637) STC 18022; ESTC S114933 372,373 362

There are 9 snippets containing the selected quad. | View lemmatised text

then halted againe till his Majestie had commanded out some commanded Horsemen on the wings of the Armie a large distance from the body to scoure the fields of the Crabbats we marched againe in order of Battaile with Trumpets sounding Drummes beating and Colours advanced and flying till we came within reach of Cannon to our enemies Armie then the magnifick and magnanimous Gustavus the Invincible leads up the Briggads of horse one after another to their ground with their Plottons of shot to attend them As also he led up the Briggads of foote one after another to their ground during which time we were drawne up according to our former plot the enemy was thundering amongst us with the noise and roaring whisling and flying of Cannon-Bullets where you may imagine the hurt was great the sound of such musick being scarce worth the hearing though martiall I confesse yet if you can have so much patience with farre lesse danger to reade this dutie to an end you shall finde the musicke well paide but with such Coyne that the players would not stay for a world to receive the last of it being over-joyed in their flying By twelve of the Clock on wednesday the seventh of September in despight of the fury of the enemies Cannon and of his advantages taken they were drawne up in even front with the enemy and then our Cannon begun to roare great and small paying the enemy with the like coyne which thundering continued alike on both sides for two houres and an halfe during which time our Battailes of horse and foote stood firme like a wall the Cannon now and then making great breaches amongst us which was diligently looked unto on all hands by the diligence of Officers in filling up the voide parts and in setting aside of the wounded towards Chirurgians every Officer standing firme over-seeing their Commands in their owne stations succeeding one another as occasion offered By halfe three our Cannon a little ceasing the Horsemen on both wings charged furiously one another our Horsemen with a resolution abiding unloosing a Pistoll till the enemy had discharged first and then at a neere distance our Musketiers meeting them with a Salve then our horsemen discharged their Pistolls and then charged through them with swords and at their returne the Musketiers were ready againe to give the second Salve of Musket amongst them the enemy thus valiantly resisted by our Horsemen and cruelly plagued by our Plottons of Musketiers you may imagine how soone he would be discouraged after charging twice in this manner and repulsed Our Horsemen of the right wing of Finnes and Haggapells led by the valourous Feltmarshall Horne finding the enemies Horsemen out of Order with resolution he charged the enemies left wing forcing them to retire disorderly on their battailes of foote which caused disorder among the foote who were forced then to fall to the right hand our Horsemen retiring his Majestie seeing the enemy in disorder played with Ordnance amongst them during which time the force of the enemies Battailes falls on the Duke of Saxon charging with Horse first in the middest of the Battailes and then the foote giving two Salves of Musket amongst them they were put to the Rout horse and foote and the enemy following them cryed Victoria as if the day had beene wonne triumphing before the victory But our Horsemen charging the remnant of their horse and foote where their Generall stood they were made to retire in disorder to the other hand towards Leipsigh our Armie of foote standing firme not having loosed one Musket the smoake being great by the rising of the dust for a long time we were not able to see about us but being cleared up we did see on the left hand of our reserve two great Battailes of foote which we imagined to have beene Saxons that were forced to give ground having heard the service though not seene it we found they were enemies being a great deale neerer than the Saxons were His Majestie having sent Baron Tyvell to know the certaintie coming before our Briggad I certified him they were enemies and he returning towards his Majestie was shot dead his Majestie coming by gave direction to Colonell Hepburne to cause the Briggads on his right and left wing to wheele and then to charge the enemy the Orders given his Majestie retired promising to bring succours unto us The enemies Battaile standing firme looking on us at a neere distance and seeing the other Briggads and ours wheeleing about making front unto them they were prepared with a firme resolution to receive us with a salve of Cannon and Muskets but our small Ordinance being twice discharged amongst them and before we stirred we charged them with a salve of muskets which was repaied and incontinent our Briggad advancing unto them with push of pike putting one of their battailes in disorder fell on the execution so that they were put to the route I having commanded the right wing of our musketiers being my Lord of Rhees and Lumsdells we advanced on the other body of the enemies which defended their Cannon and beating them from their Cannon we were masters of their Cannon and consequently of the field but the smoake being great the dust being raised we were as in a darke cloude not seeing the halfe of our actions much lesse discerning either the way of our enemies or yet the rest of our Briggads whereupon having a drummer by me I caused him beate the Scots march till it cleered up which recollected our friends unto us and dispersed our enemies being overcome so that the Briggad coming together such as were alive missed their dead and hurt Camerades Colonell Lumsdell was hurt at the first and Lievetenant Colonell Musten also with divers o●her Ensignes were hurt and killed and sundry Colours were missing for that night which were found the next day The enemy thus fled our horsemen were pursuing hard till it was darke and the blew Briggad and the commanded musketiers were sent by his Majesty to helpe us but before their coming the victory and the credit of the day as being last ingaged was ascribed to our Briggad being the reserve were thanked by his Majesty for their service in publique audience and in view of the whole Army we were promised to be rewarded The Battaile thus happily wonne his Majesty did principally under God ascribe the glory of the victory to the Sweds and Fynnes horsemen who were led by the valorous Felt-marshall Gustavus Horne For though the Dutch horsemen did behave themselves valorously divers times that day yet it was not their fortune to have done the charge which did put the enemy to flight and though there were brave Briggads of Sweds and Dutch in the field yet it was the Scots Briggads fortune to have gotten the praise for the foote service and not without cause having behaved themselves well being led and conducted by an expert Cavalier and fortunat the valiant Hepburne being followed by Colonell Lumsdell Lievetenant
above all things you are to command them to keepe silence not babling one to another neither in their motions to suffer their Armes to rattle one against another alwayes to take heede to their Leaders that goe before them and to follow them orderly without disturbance keeping and observing their due distance either of Ranckes or Files which may be easily done if they but duely follow their Leaders and have an eye on their right and left fellow Camerades for keeping their Ranckes even in a like Front Likewise they are to observe when they are commanded to turne any where whether it be by Rancks or Files that their faces may by turned to the hand they are commanded to before they sturre to march and then to march alike and when ever they ●ouble Rancks or Files or counter-march they must ever observe to retire to the contrary hand they were commanded to double on if they doubled to the right when they fall off they retire turning to the left hand et contra for avoiding of disorder or hinderance that their Armes would make if they retired to the same hand they were commanded to double or march to In their counter-marches it is also requisit in time of exercise that neither Officer nor Souldier doe presume to command direct or finde fault with the errour but he that commands in chiefe whether he be superiour or inferiour Officer for the time since it is said when many speake few heare Therefore he must command alone suffering no rivall for avoiding of disorder Order therefore of distance being a chiefe point observed in exercising is three fold to wit Open order of Rancks or Files is six foote of distance being betwixt Rancks and Files both alike only requisit to be observed in mustering or while as they stand in danger of Cannon not being in battaile where in battaile order the distance to be observed betwixt Rancks or Files should be three foote where Elbow to Elbow of the side Camerades may joyne where in the open order aforesaid hand to hand can but joyne But in close order used most in conversion or wheeling is shoulder to shoulder and foote to foote firme keeping themselves together for feare to be put asunder by the force of their enemies and then to disorder which is ever to be looked unto chiefely before an enemy Your speech thus ended for your generall directions you begin againe to command silence and to take heed what is commanded to be done saying Height your Musketiers dresse your Rancks and Files to your open order of six foote and take heede To the right hand turne as you were To the left hand turne as you were To the right hand about turne as you were To the left hand about turne as you were To the right hand double your Rancks as you were To the left hand double your Rancks as you were The even Rancks or Files double ever unto the odde and the fourth Rancke is the middle Rancke of six To the right hand double your Files as you were To the left hand double your Files as you were Middle-men or fourth Rancke to the right hand double your Front To the left hand retire as you were Middle-men to the left hand double your Front To the right hand as you were Nota. The sixth Rancke is called bringers up or reare or under Rot-masters Bringers up to the right hand double your Front To the left hand as you were Bringers up to the left hand double your Front To the right hand as you were All that doubled turne first about and then they retire falling behinde those were their Leaders before in the same place or distance This doubling of the bringers up or of middle-men is very requisit in giving a generall salve of Musket and as it is to be observed in rancks that the best men are placed in front reare and middle even so in files every Corporalship being foure files of Musketiers the likeliest are put ever in the right and left files of the foure being also of best experience The doubling of rancks being done and all remitted in good order and to their first distance of open order you are to command and exercise Souldiers in three severall wayes of counter-marching requisit in some respects but in my opinion to be used but seldome except it be in necessity in such parts as the ground will not permit otherwise therefore to avoide disorder Souldiers ought not to be ignorant of any of the three sorts of counter-marching First having commanded the Souldiers to dresse their rancks and files and to carry their Muskets handsomly keeping silence say To the right hand the counter-march without noise or losing of ground To the left hand retire againe to the former ground Then command againe to dresse rancks and files and to right their Armes keeping silence taking heede to what is to be commanded and say To the right hand turne Then the Flancke before being now the Front command To the right hand counter-march and lose no ground To the left hand as you were This is used ordinarily to change one wing of Battaile in place of the other then that the Front may be as it was first before they Countermarcht To the left hand turne dresse your Rankes and Files and be silent Another sort of Countermarch is the Slavonian countermarch where you lose ground the Front being changed also then you command the first Ranke to turne about to the right hand then you say to the rest Countermarch and through to your former distance after your Leaders Then say Leaders as you were and to the rest To the left hand countermarch as you were to your first ground The third sort of countermarch I esteeme most of to be practised being rather a conversion very requisit to be well knowne to all Souldiers in all Armies chiefly to be used before an enemy for as it is most sudden so in my opinion it breeds least disorder and disturbance the Souldiers once used to it of themselves they will willingly doe it on any occasion the body being before in open order or Battaile order say Close the Ranks and Files to your closse order without encumbering one of another every man following right his owne Leader keeping closse to his side man then say To the right hand the quarter turne halfe or whole as the occasion and the ground doth permit and then say Dresse your Armes and follow your Leaders and open againe to your Battaile order Lastly the body of your Musketiers exercised perfectly after this manner for the better bringing of them in exercise and breath that in case any disorder may happen amongst them they may the better afterward be acquainted one with another say to your open order of six foote distances Open both Rankes and Files and set downe your Armes handsomely where you stand then command your Sergeant to goe an hundred paces from the body of your Musketiers and sticke in his Holbert in the ground then
hot sundry were killed of us but three for one of the enemy which finding himselfe resisted with valour being relieved by a fresh supply of another thousand men set on more furiously then before where sundry of our Officers were shot as Lievetenant Beaton Ensigne Dumbarre Lievetenant Arburthnot quarter Mr. Bruntfield my selfe divers others were killed as Sergeant Mac-kenyee Sergeant Young Mōsieur Gordon Monsieur Stewart Monsieur Tullough all gentlemen of my Colonells company with divers more and Captaine Mac-kenyee was also shot favourably a thwart the Belly and I being wearied and growne stiffe with my wounds being helpt off did meete a fresh reliefe coming to us led by Lievetenant Andrew Stewart a valorous gentleman and of good conduct Brother to the noble Earle of Traquare I did exhort them en passant to carry themselves well they answered me cheerefully as became resolute Souldiers who were desirous to vindicate their camerades bloud against their enemies the reliefe being come the service went on a fr●sh on both sides the enemy storming againe with the third reliefe which continued so long till a number of our Officers more were killed and hurt as Lievetenant Stewart Ensigne Seaton Ensigne Ennis Captaine Armes Andrew Monro and divers more were hurt During this time our Lievetenant Colonell was busied within the Towne in commanding the reliefes and in sending orders to the other Poasts to looke unto themselves who would not misse one man to succour or helpe us in our greatest neede Notwithstanding that the whole force of the enemies was imployed against us alone The second reliefe that came to our Poast was led by Colonell Frettz newly come to Towne with some Swedens who though not admitted to Command out of his generositie being accompanied with his Lievetenant Colonell Mac-Dougall and his Major called Semple with fourescore Musketiers voluntarily did come to succour and helpe our Nation who at his first coming received deaths wounds whereof he died shortly after His Lievetenant Colonell also was taken prisoner and was missing for six mon●ths we not knowing whither he was dead or alive The Major also was killed instantly at his first coming to service so that the last time and on the last storme by the breake of day the enemy was once entred our workes and was beate backe againe with great losse with swords and pikes and butts of Muskets so that the day cleering the enemy was forced to retire having lost above a thousand men and we neare two hundred besides those who were hurt He that was on this nights service from the beginning to the ending being in action might avouch he did escape danger The enemy forsaking our workes unconquered the gras●e filled with their dead bodies equall to the bancks the workes ruin'd in the day time could not be repair'd which caused the next nights watch to be the more dangerous The seventeenth Observation THE Emperour Alexander Severe had reason to say that Military Discipline did conserve and maintaine the Estate And so might the magnanimous King of Denmarke say of this service and the Towne of Trailsound the Citizens of it before this time being sluggish dissolute cowards spend-thrifts and voluptuous are now by this Discipline made active menagers valiant sparing and honest the thankes whereof they owe unto our Nation whose bones lie in their ground and to our Country-man who since hath beene their Governour for the reward of his vertue was appointed by his Majestie of Sweden of worthy memory and set to Command over them and their Citie And it is most sure that the observance of good discipline is the maintaining of Kingdomes Cities and Common-wealths making them to flourish where discipline is well kept as it was here during our beleagering for then we had no thought of gathering of money but of gaining of credit here were no Novices but expert Souldiers to resist both the craft and valour of their enemies who did feele the smart of their valourous resistance in heaping their dead bodies one upon another in the graffe During the time of this hot conflict none that was whole went off at the coming of the reliefe but continued in the fight assisting their Camerades so long as their strength served ever esteeming more of their credit than of their safetie through the desire they had to be revenged of the losses sustained by their Camerades On the other part it was reported of Walestine that he was so eager to get in the Towne that his Officers retiring off servce being hurt he caused to shoot them dead calling them Cowards for retiring with so small hurt Here also I purpose to speake somewhat of the Emperialists custome entring on service shouting like Turkes as if crying would terrifie resolute Souldiers No truely we were more encouraged having long expected for their coming being all of us well resolved for the Combat we were greedie of honour and therefore we longed to try our enemies valour Seeing we were more overjoyed of their coming than any wise terrified and we received them with Volees of Cannon and Musket in their teeth which faire and well come was hard of digestion unto some of them and it might be well said of them as the Proverbe is amongst the Bactrians that the dogges did barke more than they did bite especially the Fleete Curres for true courage consists not in words neither ought we to looke for much courage where we heare many boysterous words But on the contrary true valour doth consist in the greatnesse of courage and in the strength of the valiant Arme and not in the Tongue and the first people that did practise this lowde crying of martiall resolution and of rejoycing in battell were the Israelites who in the most part of their fighting used those cryes as testimonies of their faith and of their earnest calling for the helpe of the Almightie And a Lord of Africke being to fight against the Portugalls his Troopes ready to fight he said unto them they should not cry but strike hard for saith he those men whom you see are not accustomed to be afraide with words nor voyce for it is not in cryes but in valour that men should establish the hope of Victory Neverthelesse we reade in Histories that the Romanes and other warlike Nations were wont in Battells as to this day in approaches even as in fields to cry alowd and therefore we say among our selves at home that he is to be pittied that is surprized with the cry of his Enemies We reade also of the Savages whom the French doe call Tokniambous that before they come within halfe a mile they cry like Devills at the first sight of their enemies redoubling their cryes coming neare hand sounding their hornes lifting their Armes here and there in a boasting manner fighting so long as they are able to move hand or foote never giving ground or turning backe till they die Tacitus reports that the Germanes of old did sing going to fight and wee reade of Cato the
on shoulder to shoulder Colonell Lumsdell and I fortunately without hurt enter the Port where at our entry some I know received their rest and the enemy forced to retire in confusion being astonished at our entry they had neither wit nor courage as to let downe the Portcullis of the great Port behinde them so that we entering the streets at their heeles we made a stand till the body of our Pikes were drawne up orderly and fla●cked with Musketiers and then wee advanced our Pikes charged and our Musketiers giving fire on the flancks till the enemy was put in disorder After us entred Generall Banier with a fresh body of Musketiers he following the enemy in one street and Lumsdell and I in another having rancountred the enemy againe they being well beaten our Officers tooke nine Colours of theirs which were to be presented to his Majestie and the most part of the Souldiers were cut off in revenge of their crueltie used at New Brandenburg but some of their Officers got quarters such as they had given to ours This Regiment defeated wee directed an Officer with a strong partie to possesse the bridge and that to hinder their escape their passage being cut off they were also cut downe themselves till the streets were full of dead bodies and that the most part of our Souldiers and Officers disbanded to make bootie leaving me and a few number of honest Souldiers to guard my Colours which disorder I confesse stood not in my power to remedie Thus farre for Lumsdells part and mine which I dare maintaine to be truth And as I have spoken truth of our owne Actions without ostentation which no man can controlle that is friend to vertue I will now relate other mens Actions so farre as I know to be truth by relation of my honest Camerades Lievetenant Colonell Musten being appointed to command the Musketiers of Lumsdells Regiment and of my Colonells then under my command he seeing us entred did follow after us and commanded those he led on execution apart giving no better Qua●ters than we did The Dutch also remembring the enemies crueltie used at Brandenburg they gave but slight Quarters Major Iohn Sinclaire as I was credibly informed being accompanied with Lievenant George Heatly being both resolute and stout were the first that came over the walles with ladders who at their first entry having but a few Musketiers with them they were charged on the streets by the enemi●s Curassiers or best horsemen where they were forced to stand close their backs to the wall where they entred and to give severall Salves of Muskets upon the enemy till they were made to retire Likewise after we were entred the yellow and the blew Briggads being esteemed of all the Army both resolute and couragious in all their exploits they were to enter on the Irish quarter where they were twice with great losse furiously beaten off and were cruelly spoyled with fire-workes throwne by the Irish amongst them But at last they having entred no●withstanding the inequality of their strength the Irish though weake stood to it and fought with sword and pikes within workes a long time till the most part of the Souldiers fell to ground where ●hey stoode fighting so that in the end Lievetenant Colonell Walter Butler who commanded the Irish being shot in the arme and pierced with a pike through the thigh was taken prisoner so that the next day it was to be seene on the poast where the best service was done and truely had all the rest stood so well to it as the Irish did we had returned with great losse and without victory The fury past the whole streete being full of Coaches and rusty waggons richly furnished withall sorts of riches as Plate Iewells Gold Money Clothes Mulets and horses for saddle coach and waggons whereof all men that were carel●sse of their dueties were too carefull in making of boo●y that I did never see Officers lesse obeyed and respected than here for a time till the hight of the market was past and well I know some Regiments had not one man with their Colours till the fury was past and some Colours were lost the whole night till they were restored the next day such disorder was amongst us all occasioned through covetousnesse the roote of all evill and dishonesty At last the execution past his Majesty entred himselfe being guarded with the Rhine-Grave and his horsem●n who immediatly were commanded to crosse the bridge and to follow the enemy at their heeles being on slight towards Glogoe where the Felt-marshall Tuffenbacke the Count of Schonberg and Mounte De Cuculé had retired with such as escaped His Majesty having but scarce quartered in the Towne the fire beginning to burne the City accidentally Orders were given with stroake of Drume with a Bancke beaten in all streetes that all Officers and Souldiers under paine of death should repaire presently to their Colours on the other side of the Oder in the outer workes where Sr. Iohn Hepburne was ordained to command within the workes except such as were appointed to guard the Po●●es of the Towne his Majesties quarter and the Generalls lodging on the market place where a strong guard was kept to suppresse plundering and the insolency of Souldiers Neverthelesse these orders proclaimed and published many disobeyed remaining in the Towne for plundering In this conflict the enemy lost neere three thousand men besides the Officers that were killed viz. foure Colonells Herbenstine Heydo Walestine and Ioure and above thirty six Officers were killed Likewise there were taken prisoners Colonell Sparre with five Lievetenant Colonell of Dutch and one Irish Cavalier that behaved himselfe both honourably and well Colours also they did lose as I did see the next day made Counte of before Generall Bannier forty one and Cornets of horse nine On our side were lost also at least eight hundred men whereof the blew and yellow for their parts lost five hundred His Majesty also did get here a great deale of provision for the Army as Corne Amunition and eighteene peeces of Ordinance The next day his Majesty appointed Generall Major Lesly as Governor over the Towne giving him orders to repaire the ruinous workes and walles as also orders were given for burying of the dead which were not buried fully in six dayes in th' end they were cast by heapes in great ditches above a hundred in every Grave The next day we were ordained to assemble our Regiments and to bring them together in Armes that they might be provided of what they wanted of Armes having lost many in their disorder The eighth Observation HIS Majesty going to rancounter his enemy before his rising from his Royall Leager at Swede did wisely dispose of his Army in making it into Briggads that coming unto the action he should not neede to thinke on the Theorie when it were time to practise as many young Commanders are forced to doe beginning to learne of others that which is defective in themselves
Colonell Musten Major Monypenney Major Sinclaire and Lievetenant Colonell Iohn Monro with divers others Cavaliers of valour experience and of conduct who thereafter were suddainely advanced unto higher charges The victory being ours we incamped over night on the place of Battaile the living merry and rejoycing though without drinke at the night-wake of their dead Camerades and friends lying then on the ground in the bed of honour being glad the Lord had prolonged their dayes for to discharge the last honourable duty in burying of their Camerades Our bone-fiers were made of the enemies Amunition waggons and Pikes left for want of good fellowes to use them and all this night our brave Camerades the Saxons were making use of their heeles in flying thinking all was lost they made booty of our waggons and goods too good a recompence for Cullions that had left their Duke betrayed their country and the good cause when as strangers were hazarding their lives for their freedomes Our losse this day with the Saxons did not exceede three thousand men which for the most part were killed by the enemies Cannon of principall Officers we lost a number and chiefely our horsemen as Colonell Collenbagh Colonell Hall and Addergest and of the foote Colonells the Barron Tivell being all of them brave and valorous gentlemen we lost also foure Lievetenant Colonells together with a number of Rutmasters Captaines Lievetenants and Ensignes Of the Saxons were lost five Colonells three Lievetenant Colonells with divers Rut-masters and Captaines and of inferiours Officers many To the enemy were lost on the field neere eight thousand besides Officers of note such as the Felt-marshall Fustenberg the Duke of Holsten the Count of Shomeberg old Generall Tillie hurt and almost taken a number of other Officers of the Field were killed and taken prisoners They lost also thirty two peeces of Cannon with three score waggons of Amunition and their Generall and Papingham were chased towards Hall and from thence were forced with a small convoy to take their flight for refuge to Hamell on the Waser The sixteenth Observation FIrst then we see here the goodnesse that followes on that laudable and Christian custome used by those that doe first begin the workes of their calling with their true humiliation to God by prayers in acknowledging their sinnes and unworthinesse and in renouncing trust or confidence in any thing but in God alone knowing their owne wisdome strength and valour to be of no moment without the speciall aide and assistance of the Almighty and powerfull God who alone can teach our fingers to fight giving victory with few as with many And therefore it was that this Magnanimous and religious warriour with his whole Army publiquely did call on the Lord praying for his assistance against his enemies and for a happy event of the day before he begun to set his Army to worke against their enemies the enemies of God and the true Catholique and Apostolique faith which they had endeavoured to subvert with the professors of the truth to hold up and maintaine the man of sinne and his erronious doctrine by the power of the house of Austria and of the Catholique League We see then this duty being religiously and piously discharged by his Majesty and his Army the fruite was answerable to their desire having obtained victory over our enemies by the good command of his Majesty and the ready obedience dexterity and valour of his Majesties supreme Officers of the field who in all charges did direct those under them to the ready discharge of their duties every one of the whole united body of the Army following the example of their head and Leader the magnifick and Magnanimous King for to abate and lay downe the pride of the house of Austria and for to teare and strip naked that old proud and Ambitious Generall Tillie of his former glory and honour for having bragged and vainely gloried he had conquered two Kings before here now the Captaine of Kings and King of Captaines doth victoriously Triumph having robbed him of glory and clipped the wings of the Empire with his little Royall Army Likewise next unto God a second helpe unto this glorious victory was the great execution made by his Majesties Cannon and though ever before Tillie did pride himselfe all his life time in the course of the warres in his dexterity of his great Cannon here from a Master he was turned againe unto a prentice being cunningly over shot with Cannon so that his Cannon and three score waggons belonging thereto were taken from him by Gustavus the first and most valiant Captaine of the world with the helpe of the nation which was never conquered by any forraine enemy the invincible Scots whose prayers to God were more effectuall through Christ then theirs through the intercession of Saints The third cause of this glorious victory was his Majesties good discipline houlden over the Army horse and foote not suffering them without great and extraordinary punishment to oppresse the poore which made them cry for a blessing to his Majesty and his Army The enemy on the contrary provoked the wrath of God against themselves and their Army for their cruelty used in torturing the poore and forceing their monies from them did further their punishment and his Majesties glorious victory The fourth helpe to this victory was the plottons of Musketiers his Majesty had very wisely ordained to attend the horsemen being a great safety for them and a great prejudice to the enemy the Musket ball carrying and piercing farther then the Pistolet As also the great celerity used in charging and discharging of our small cannon brought the enemies battai●e in disorder to the furtherance of this victory As also the extraordina●● care and diligence that was used by his Majesty and his Officers in seeing and foreseeing of the defects and disorders amongst our selves which being suddenly remedied was also a helpe to this victory And last of all the invincible courage and resolution both of Officers and souldiers in standing firme Notwithstanding of the fury of their enemies and which was more they were no wayes dismayed or discouraged at the flight of the Saxons but thought it their greatest glory to be victorious without them standing resolutly till they saw the backe of their enemies the undoubted tokens of their glorious victory His Majesties Army on this service as at all times might be called truely valorous for those are called valorous Captaines and holden for such that when their Camerades are flying they notably with hands voice and wounds if wounded sustaine the fight doing at once the duty of Souldiers and of Captaines by those meanes bringing backe and restoring the suspected losse unto victory for their credits For as ignorance doth easily precipitate men into danger even so to a generous heart nothing can seeme difficult or fearefull being once resolved to fall on though towards the mouth of the cannon but before resolution flesh and blood have their owne disturbances
were sent with a Convoy unto Ausburg to be kept there till the monies were paied His Majesty then fearing that Walestine lately made Generalissimus to the Emperours whole Army was coming with a strong Army out of Bohemia and his Majesty thinking he was to fall with those Forces into the Duke of Saxons country and seeing the Duke of Bavier had his Army ready at Rhinsberg and the passe open he might joyne with Walestine when he pleased and therefore his Majesty resolved suddenly to breake up with his Army from Munchen giving orders all should be in readinesse against the twenty sixth of May to march towards Donavert and from thence in haste to Nurenberg The thirty-one Observation WISE Generalls must resolve in time to rule their affaires according to the occurrences happening in the course of warres for the Duke of Bavier finding himselfe after Tillies death and his losse sustained at Rhine on the Leacke not bastant to rancounter his Majesties Army in the fields he very wisely resolved to make a defensive warre betaking himselfe with his Army within his Strengths and Passes collecting his Forces together at those two places of Engolstat and Rhinsberg which his Majesty perceiving thought againe it was not time for him to enter in beleaguering of such strengths being so strongly beset and so well provided especially seeing his enemies were drawing strong to the fields from all parts The Spaniard forcing his troopes on the Rhine within the Palatinat Generall Major Ossa coming behinde him with an Army in Schwabland the Duke of Bavier lying strong with his Army betwixt him and Nurenburg on the passes of Engolstat and Rhinsberg Walestine also drawing neere to the Duke of Saxon with a strong Army to fall into his country betwixt his Majesty and home and Papenhaim then dominiering in the nether Saxon Creitches in consideration whereof his Majesty very wisely resolved to hang the little Townes Cloisters and Abbacies belonging to the Papists in Bavaria by the Purse taking of them on the sudden all the monies they were able to give him and pledges for the rest promising unto them unlesse they would duely pay their promised contribution unto his Commissaries the next time he would burne their Dorpes and houses and put all to the sword whereas then he had used clemency in hope they would give the like obedience unto him as unto the Duke their Master For his Majesty did see the enemy forced him by a diversion And therefore he used his time while he was in Bavaria that they might not forget he had bin there but rather tooke tokens with him as men mony Armes rare monuments of antiquity and rich Iewells and which was worse wherein his Majesty had neither hand nor direction many of their houses Dorpes and Castles were burnt to the ground by evill and wicked instruments that repaied burning with burning using the Papists at home as they used Protestants abroade being neere the Baltique coast they never dreamed that the Protestants would come so farre up as to repay them under the foote of the Alpes And had Gustavus lived we had gone neere to warme them within Rome for their by-past cruelties where we see that God the righteous judge punisheth sinne with sinne and man by his owne iniquity His Majesty leaving no Garrison in Bavaria to keepe the country the better in awe and obedience he tooke Hostages and pledges of speciall men from them along with him to make them the readier to pay the summes they had promised As also their contribution and to make them the loather to rise againe in Armes against his Majesties Garrisons which lay adjacen● unto them The Duke of Baviers forces being retired within their strengths passes finding themselves not Bastant to offend his Majesties Army they fall out on the other side of the Danube towards the upper Paltz making their incursions there and take in Wisenburg where they used both Burgers and Souldiers more unhumanly then became Christians to doe In like manner we see here the diligence and celerity used by his Majesty according to the occasions that happened in going so suddenly towards Ossa and in returning againe at the Poast with a convoy of Dragoniers towards Munchen to breake up with his Army having left Duke Barnard of Wymar with Generall Major Ruthven to attend on Ossa his Army on the borders of Tyroll towards Landaw and the Boden sea till businesse were pacified Here then we see that his Majesties diligence and experience in warlike actions was so great that his enemies never plotted that enterprize but how soone it came once to his knowledge he presently with celerity and quicknesse of judgment could finde out the contrary remedy ever to make himselfe appeare in effect the most fortunate Commander that ever we read of For his great experience in warlike actions did confirme his judgment and his courage for he was not affraid to doe what he did learne and practise before and like a wise Generall he did ever watch against all unlooked for stroakes for nothing could come wrong unto him because he was alike for all having had the whole compend of wit in his braines he could well and wisely governe the Common-wealth to fight battailes was his delight in the m●king of Leaguers he excelled all other Generalls as Tilly did know Engines to devise to passe over Rivers or Fossies or walles was his master-peece as Tillies death can witnesse at the Leacke to plante batteries or to change therein he was profound witnesse also his crossing the Leacke if lines or approaches were to be altered his judgment then behooved to be used in a word he was the Master of Military discipline being risen from a prentise to the great professor of Arts in this eminent and high calling of a Souldier where it is requisit that as a man is valorous and judicious so he ought to be constant in keeping his word and truth inviolable as this King did to all his confederats and to his enemies also And therefore as a most pretious Iewell his remarkable example of vertue is to be followed by those who would prove Heroicke and Magnificent as he was And therefore I was serious to prie so deepe into his actions as that those whom I wish to succeede him in his vertues may follow his practises used in the conquest of a great part of Germany for his spirit alone and skill in warres was better then thousands of Armed men The like gifts I heartily wish to my Noble Patron his Highnesse the Prince Elector Palatine whom I wish to succeede him not only in his vertues but in his conquest also Seing then the greatest part of humane happinesse doth consist in vertue who ever then would be wise let him fix his eyes and his minde to judge other mens actions thereby to correct his owne looking unto all that was and is to th' end that through their example he may learne to better himselfe for so long he shall florish as
Lyon of the North the invincible Gustavus who in glory and dignity did farre surpasse all his enemies as is cleered by his former wisdome in Governing his victories and hereby his great care and diligence in preserving his friends from the fury of their enemies exercising his Army within a close Leaguer to handle their Armes well after his owne new discipline being taught to keepe their faces to their enemies in retiring as in advancing never turning backs on their enemies as of old It is also to be admired the great provision this City was provided with being no Sea-towne as of victualls and Amunition where it was reported that they had oates which was distributed to the Army that had bin kept above a hundred yeares and this City was ever from the beginning renowned for their wisdome and policy in counsell more then for their force in Armes from whence did come the Dutch Proverbe that he who had the wit of Nurenberg the money of Vlme the pride of Ausburg with the power of Venice might doe much in this world Here then at Nurenberg as at a safe bay his Majesty like unto a wise Master of a ship perceiving the storme coming on casts out his best Anckers riding out the storme till it blowes over and then finding the Gale to favour him he lanches forth to looke for his enemies For his Majesty knew well when it was time to give a blow as he did know the surest way to ward and hold off a blow and we see here his Majesties counsell was of much worth to the good of the City as his power in Armes so that his very enemies did not only praise his wisdome but oftimes did admire it and as the enemy did strive to starve us his Majesty knew well that such a strong Army as they were in the dogge-dayes lying in the Leaguer in time of so great infection betime would become neere as weake as we were As also his Majesty knowing the evill that is incident to all Armies through idlenesse he pressed to keepe us still in handling and exercising our Armes for he knew well mans nature was like Iron that did rust when it was not used and on the contrary he knew that well exercised Souldiers as he had would desire to fight when Novices as his enemies had would be afraid to stirre out of their Leaguers for oftimes it is not the multitude doth the turne but it is Art begets victory Having spoken in the discharge of this duty of the actions of some worthy personages I minde here to observe somewhat in commemoration of the persons worths that did leade them First then we see that the Spaniard divers times was forced with little credit to retire out of the Paltz and that in respect he never 〈◊〉 faces about in making use of ground Cannon Pike or Musket which proves his retreates to have bin dishonourable and the Leaders to have bin no Souldiers For we presuppose in foure dayes retreat the defender could once have made choise of ground where making use of his Cannon his enemies would be glad they had not advanced so 〈◊〉 but rather that they had suffered them to passe but an enemy once feared never fights well except extremity make him desperate and then it is not safe to deale with him Likewise we see here as they were not all Spaniards that ●●ed so they were not all Swedens that followed so that we finde there are some good of all Nations but it is certaine that at such times the worth and valour of a Leader is best knowne not only in fighting examplary to others but specially in directing others We see here that the turbulent insurrection of the Boores in Schwabland is soone stilled when they want a head to leade them where we see the giddy-headed multitude doth ever wagge like the bush for though sometimes they grow pale for feare they are so impudent that they never blush at their faults though oftimes they are well corrected for their errors Here also we see the valour and policy of Duke Barnard much to be commended as a prudent Commander in all his enterprizes overcoming more by wit and policy then by dint of Armes For though resolution never failes yet by stratagems he overcomes more then by killing and being victorious he did shew his clemency that another time his enemies might yeeld the sooner unto him seeing he had used these well whom formerly he had subdued and this Cavalier being noble according to his birth he knew that the strength of victory consisteth in the using of it well which made hime ever give the better quarters for as he was noble to make him the more noble he was indued with reason so that he conjoined Nobility with Vertue which made his worth much esteemed of and though he was descended of noble Progenitors yet his minde raised him above his condition he being fit to command Armies and his birth did beget the greatest obedience next unto his Majesty over the whole Army being resolute noble and prudent withall In the former discourse had of the acts of that noble and worthy Cavalier though our enemy Papenhaim his name merits to be inregistred for his valorous courage extraordinary diligence in his expeditions and the fortunate successe that did accompany his valorous conduct at divers times even unto his death This noble Cavalier was so generous that nothing seemed difficult unto him fearing nothing not death it selfe once resolved and as he was valiant so he was most diligent in all his expeditions for while he lived those Armies next unto him were never suffered to sleepe sound which made his Majesty of Sweden esteeme more of him alone then of all the Generalls that served the Emperour wishing one day he might rancounter with him to try his valour whom he honoured so much though his enemy This valorous Captaine after the Battaile of Leipsigh was the first that adventured with a single Convoy to passe through his Majes●ies Armies unto the neather Saxon Creitz to put life in the cause being come againe betwixt his Majesty of Sweden and home desirous to gaine credit he delaied no time but on the contrary used all diligence till he got an Army of old Souldiers together out of the Garrisons and then began to take advantage of his enemies catching them unawares like a valiant Captaine and Chieftaine he suffered no grasse to grow where his Army did tread but traversed from one place to another adding and augmenting still to his owne credit but diminishing and substracting from the reputation of other Generalls till he obtained the name and fame of the most valiant and most vigilant Generall that served the Emperour being in effect more furious sometimes in his conduct then requisit for a Generall fearing nothing but the indignation of his Superiour whom he served valianty and truely This kinde of bouldnesse though haply it doth prosper for a time yet sometimes in others it may overwhelme all the
admonish your Souldiers that at the tucke of your Drumme they runne from their Armes about the Holbert and to stay there till the Drumme recall them againe to their Armes which being done it makes the Souldiers able in breath to know one anothers place in case they should be brought at any time in disorder to recover themselves the better Thus much for the training of Souldiers in changing of place as you will have them without giving of fire When you have gotten your Souldiers thus experimented in their motions then are you to acquaint them with shot in giving of fire to make them fix against their enemies which is easily done having once apart and singularly used their Muskets after the order of the severall postures belonging thereto as was commanded their inferiour Officers and Leaders to teach them before they were exercised Therefore before you come to the particular formes of giving fire you shall first give some generall directions to be observed by all for avoiding the hurting of themselves or of their Camerades as also how they can best offend their enemies and to this effect you shall admonish in love all brave Musketiers first to have their Muskets cleere and hansome and above all fix in the worke especially every Souldier would be well knowne with his owne Musket and cocke to cocke aright then to hold the mouth or Cannon of his Musket ever high up either being on his shoulder or in priming or guarding of his panne but in giving fire never higher or lower than levell with the enemies middle then your Musketiers being in readinesse your Muskets charged they may be commanded to give fire in skirmish disbandoned as their Officers doe direct them to advance or retire as the occasion offers also to give fire by Ranckes Files Divisions or in Salves as the Officer pleaseth to command to the effect they may be fixed Omni mod● though in my opinion one way is the best yet there are severall wayes of giving fire in advancing to an enemy as retiring from an enemy or in standing firme before an enemy either by Rancks or by Files made to Rancks Advancing to an enemy not being disbandoned but in one bodie they give fire by Rancks to Rancks having made readie alike they advance ten paces before the bodie being led up by an Officer that stands in even Front with them the Cannon or mouth of their Muskets of both Rancks being past his bodie The second Rancke being close to the backe of the foremost both gives fire alike priming and casting about their Muskets they charge againe where they stand till the other two Rancks advance before them and give fire after the same manner till the whole Troope hath discharged and so to beginne againe as before after the order of the through-countermarch ever advancing to an enemie never turning backe without death or victorie And this is the forme that I esteeme to be the best as for the rest they are not to be much used but this order can be used winning ground advancing or losing ground in a Retreate When you would command the body of your Musketiers to give fire in a Salve as is ordinarie in Battell before an enemy joyne or against Horsemen then you command the bringers up or Reare to double the Front to the right hand and to make readie having the match cocked and their pannes well guarded having closed the three Rancks though not the Files the Officers standing in equall Front with the foremost Rancke betwixt two Divisions he commands to give fire one Salve two or three and having charged againe and shouldered their Armes they retire to the left hand againe every man falling behinde his owne Leader Being on retiring from the enemie the whole bodie having made readie as they march off in order a qualified Officer being in the Reare and qualified Officers in the Van to order them that fall up the last two Rancks in the Reare turne faces about and the whole body with them and the two Rancks having given fire they march through the body to the Van and order themselves as they were before and so successively the whole bodie gives fire ever by two Rancks and falls off till such time as they have made their Retreate sure Thus much of fire-giving by Rancks on two or three as you please at once and no more Now a little for the exercising of the Squadron of Pikes in generall for the generall motion certaine directions are to be observed concerning Pikes that the Souldiers keepe their Pikes cleane and cleere and never to be suffered to cut off the lengths of their Pikes as often is seene upon marches being very uncomely to see a Squadron of Pikes not of one length likewise in all motions with the Pike the hand and foote ought to goe alike and the Souldier would be expert in giving the right pousse with the Pike backwards and forwards Your Squadron of Pikes as they ought to march with the Drumme so they ought to obey the Drumme beating a Troope a Charge a Call a Retreate As also to traile their Pikes to make reverence with the Pike being shouldred and your Squadron of Pikes being but six deepe in Rancke your Files may be so many as can well heare your voyce in Command providing there be no odde File and thus well ordered at their open order of six foote distance command to mount their Pikes then calling for a Drumme beside you let him beate a march then they are to shoulder their Pikes flat or slaunt carried and then to march a little let your Drumme againe beate a Troope then they mount their Pikes and troope away fast or slow as your passe leades them stopping or advancing as you doe then let your Drumme beate a Charge then they charge their Pikes and advance fast or slow as you lead them and retire also backwards their Pikes charged as you will have them then troope againe and they mount their Pikes march and shoulder and haulting let the Drumme beate againe and they order their Pikes on the ground as first being at their distance and trooping againe they mount their Pikes so that you can command them to Battell order or closse order for Wheeling or Counter-marching at your owne pleasure In repayring to their Colours or comming from watch they should ever walke with their Pikes mounted as also they may use this posture on Centrie and your Pikes mounted and at your open order you can use all doublings that your Musketiers used as also to present to Front Reare right or left hand the curiositie of the turnes to the right or left hand in Van or Reare the Pike being shouldred you can also teach them as you will though not much to be used in exercise and the Pikes thus well exercised having seene frequent danger can doe good service against Horsemen and against foote to foote either in battell entering a Towne or breach or retiring or advancing to choake an
enemie on walls within Townes or Forts they are very commodious for service providing they resolve to fight well and to abide by their Officers and in my opinion being well led they may beate Musketiers accidently off the Feild and being well lined with shot they are a safeguard against Horsemen having the least advantage of ground Thus much in briefe for the use of the Pike the most honourable of all weapons and my choice in day of battell and leaping a storme or entering a breach with a light brest-plate and a good head-piece being seconded with good fellowes I would choose a good halfe-Pike to enter with CERTAINE OBSERVATIONS VVORTHY THE YOVNGER Officer his consideration being short and practicall for his Highnesse speciall use I. THIS life is a Comedy or a Play wherein every one doth his part we should presse to passe it over with moderate affections that the end be not cruell or dolefull as in Tragedies but full of mirth like a Comedy II. Vnto the Victor the life is sweete and happy but to those that are overcome nothing is more bitter then to put their hopes in their Enemies mercy III. As unto Champions of old lots gave fellowes and not election with whom they should fight so every one of us hath destin●s in our times where with to strive IIII. As he who goeth a journy doth reckon the miles so he that hath entred the way of this life shall not determine of his yeares For as from the spring flow the Rivers from the roote the branch so from the first education cometh the rest of mans life And if thou wouldst live truely thou must presse to profit thy country to defend the Common-wealth and to live well without liberty thou must preferre death before ignominious shame or slavery For as this life is Rosie so it hath flowers mixed with thornes the one to be plucked up the other to be eschewed so farre as we may V. It is a part of victory to trouble the enemy before we fight and as it is laudable to overcome an enemy it is no lesse praise worthy to have pitty on the miserable For as courage doth merit infinite glory so the love of all and the good will of all merits mercy and meekenesse VI. The feeble and weake minded man is ever pridfull in prosperity for he thinkes his vertues are such as can maintaine the Fortunes which he hath gotten and thinks still he is able to attaine and acquire more and more but when the tempest of adversity doth arise then is he so farre afraid that he becomes voide of all hopes and this oftentimes is the cause of the suddaine change of his fortunes VII Nothing doth diminish more the publishing of praise then when one continually casteth up his owne successe in actions of warre and oftimes striving to get abundance of honour men show their riches of swelling pride for disdaining his former friends he misknowes his acquaintance pressing to goe before he is greevous or displeasing to all his familiars Our care then should be to want this arrogancy ostentation or pride and pray for humility being more acceptable unto God then detestable pride which is an unprofitable evill a secret poyson a hidden pest the ingenier of deceipt the mother of hypocrisie the parent of envy the beginner of vice the moth of holinesse the blinder of hearts breeding sicknesse out of remedies and begetting langour out of medicine VIII There is ever some fatality incident unto those that desire vaine-glory or ostentation and those that are proud rejecting the prayers of the humble with disdaine they often incurre the indignation of God and fall oft into calamity except they take heede unto themselves IX These spirits are bentest on ambition that are of great and sharpe wits and of high minds being ready to thinke on great matters and to undertake them but Heroicke spirits on the contrary considering the worthy acts of others are stirr'd up unto vertue while as others with glory of succession becoming more insolent and negligent make Tragicall ends being oppressed with small things they die unworthily X. The duty of a good man is to reserve himselfe for the well and use of his country and friends being wary lest he should be lost rashly as my deere and only Brother was who did not neglect his duty neither in word nor deede but to his death served God in his calling though his death was sudden being the condition of mortall men that are still subject unto such changes that oftimes in their greatest prosperity comes adversity and from their adversity their prosperity againe God hiding the cause of both from us It were better then to prevent a wound then out of time to seeke remedy for in the middest of evill is not the time to be merry and those hurts are most which we receive unlooked for Therefore it were much better to prevent then to suffer and it were much better to enter in danger being guarded then out of time to grow pale Vaine then are the counsells of mortall men when we see no humane happinesse to be permanent since the Roots are taken up before they come to maturity except they be confirmed by the divine providence And chiefely in warres as being most uncertaine as we see by the untimely death spoken of but no man can forbid Gods decree Neverthelesse men that through age and long experience have obtained wisdome before they enter in a businesse they should looke unto the event and unto that which by all expectation may happen for it is ever the greatest wisdome to use the present time best we ought then on all occasions we are employed on to strengthen our minds with vertue that we may be safe overcoming all incumbrances that once we have condemned in the judgment seate of wisdome which alwayes is accompanied with praise and glory when we not only equall our selves with those that excelled in vertue but also presse to goe before them XI Wisdome goeth before all other things in esteeme as the most pretious Iewell we can possesse being spread she is gathered given away shee returneth being published groweth greater by her the Noble treasure of conscience is spread unto the secrets of the minde the fruit of inward joy by her is attained unto this is the Sunne wherewith the light of the minde doth shew it selfe and appeare in darknesse being the eye of the heart the delightfull Paradise of the soule the Heaven upon Earth immortall changing man into God through knowledge deifying him this fellow is invincible against all strokes he stirres not a foote for poverty griefe ignominy paine he is afraid of nothing and is ever full of joy merry pleasant and untouched living like a God Who desireth then to be wise and partake of this goodnesse that is so excellent they must not use themselves to vanity but they must thinke on that which is most profitable for them being not forbidden to use bodily exercise moderatly they may