3. For Counter-marches which is but the reducement of File-Leaders into the place of bringers up or one flank into the place of another which is more proper for the foot service than useful in the exercise of the Horse yet because some have used it in their exercise therefore I shall demonstrate one Counter-march by Figure in his place 4. For Wheelings They are of most excellent use in the service of the Horse and ought to be very carefully exercised by every Commander they serve in some respect to execute what is to be performed by Counter-marches which is to bring the Frontiers who are always supposed to consist of the ablest men thereby to be ready to receive the Charge of the Enemy in either Flank or Reer which by Counter-marches you cannot do Accordingly the Motions shall follow that the untutoured Souldier may the better apprehend them It shall be represented by the Letter h. All Motions are to be done intirely at one and the same time for in our Military Exercises they are the very life of an Army and the only means being truly performed that giveth Victory without which all preparations of Forces are in vain and avail nothing in the field to the end for which they were levied And this among experienced Souldiers is of inestimable reputation 1. To the Right Hand Note That in all Motions before a second be commanded I mean in all single Motions the body must be reduced to his first proper form To Reduce them command To the left or To your Leader or As you were 2. To the Left Hand To reduce them command To the Right or To your Leader or As you were 3. To the right hand about 4. To the left hand about This is by turning to the left hand until their Faces front the Reer The proper Front To reduce them To the right hand about 5. Ranks open forward to your double distance 6. Files to the right double 7. Files to the left double It is most convenient for the Horse to move from the right hand To reduce them Ranks to the right double or Files rank as you were 8. Files to the right hand Counter-march 9. Files to the left hand Counter-march Foot pa. 60. To perform this Direct That all the file Leaders move their Horses intirely a little forwards and so likewise turning off to the left hand they march even in rank down to the Reer and none of the rest to turn off until he come to his Leaders ground To Reduce them Counter-march to the left As this is for the maintaining of the same Ground so there may be a Counter-march for the gaining of Ground but I conceive them wholly useless but where you have not ground to make your Wheels Therefore not knowing what necessity may force us unto it is convenient the Souldier should be sometimes exercised therein Note That in your Counter-marches for gaining of ground the Souldier is to turn off the ground his Horse stands upon and so passing through each is to follow his Leader 10. Ranks close forwards 11. Files close to the left 12. Files close to the left to your close Order Observe in closing to the left the left File is to stand fixt the next are to move to the left 13. Ranks close forward to your close Order In performance of this Command the first Rank is to stand the second moving and taking its distance stands likewise and so the third It cannot be expected that any Wheeling of the Horse should be so exactly performed in so little a compass as is taken by the foot therefore every Commander ought discreetly to take larger room for the compass of his motion so that all his Wheelings may be performed intirely without distraction Note That Wheeling to the left for the Horse is the readiest way except you are prevented by some hinderances c. 14. Wheel to the left hand In this motion the whole body moveth to the left upon the left hand file-leader as the center And so you may keep wheeling until you have brought them to their proper front So if you wheel them to the left about the Reer then will be their accidental Front 15. Wheel to the right and left by Division The Wheelings of the accidental Fronts upon both Wings into the proper Front and close their Divisions will reduce them 16. Trot large and wheel to the left Wheeling to the right will Reduce them or by a circular Wheeling of them until they are brought into their proper form 17. Trot and wheel to the left about This bringeth the ablest men to be in the Reer for any speedy On-set and Wheeling to the right about will reduce them c. The word Alt doth signifie to make a stand and is derived from the Dutch word Halt which is as we say hold c. Observe that in all motions you make an Alt that the Souldery may settle themselves in their places both in Rank and File before you put any fresh Command upon them 18. Gallop and wheel to the left 19. Gallop and wheel to the left about To reduce both these is by wheeling to the contrary All these being performed to reduce them to their first form Open first your Ranks and then your Files and in opening of your Ranks the best way is to open them forwards CHAP. IX Of Firings I Had thoughts to have treated of Encampments and Embattelings but that being not my work at present I shall pass them by because it is my business to treat only of the exercise of a single Troop In the first place I shall set out one firing of Walhausens When your Enemy chargeth you in a full career Cruso fol. â—9 you are suddainly to open to the right and left facing inwards and charge them in the flanks and when the Enemy is past your body you are to wheel to the right and left inward and so charge him with a full career in the Reer but here you must observe their files to be six and eight in depth and so his Figure is represented as followeth This he commends very much for whilst the Enemy is upon his Career you are but upon your Trot and then opening to the right and left This he speaks of Cuirasiers either he must run through and do but little execution or else Alt in his career and so disorders himself which is advantageous to you But I am of another opinion as to our Mode of fighting being but three in depth we must rather sink than suffer any Voluntary Breach The same Author would have our Harquebuziers to give fire by Files either right or left advancing before the Body in a full career towards the Enemy but many do wholly reject it as being dangerous in Field service But now for the private exercise of a single Troop which may be necessary to bring the Souldier to a more ready and complete use of his Arms I shall demonstrate of Files firing
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
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
the left and then the rest of the body to turn their aspects accordingly place themseves before their right left hand men To reduce them Command them to Countermarch to the right and left into the midst of the Battel OR Command If they be faced to the proper Front The two inmost files to stand the rest pass through to the right and left inward and close their divisions 8. Command The two outmost files of each flank face to the right and left inward the rest pass through to the right and left and place yourselves behind your outside men To perform this Command The right and left hand file of each flank face inward and the rest of the Body are to face to the right and left outwards then all are to move forwards and to place themselves behind their right and left hand men Else the motion is the same as the former To reduce this Command The two innermost files face to the right and left outwards and the rest pass through to the right and left inwards placing themselves behind their right and left hand men Then face them to their leaders Now if it be the Commanders pleasure to reduce them by any other word of Command it may be done by the precedent words of Command or of the next following or of any other divisional Countermarch except interchanging of ground 8. Command The outmost file of each flank stand the rest pass through to the right and left and place your selves on the outside of your right and left hand men The ninth figure is the same as this if faced to their leader To perform this The outmost files of each flank stands the rest of the body faceth to the right and left outward and so passing forwards through the intervalls into each flank place themselves on the outside of their right and left hand men To reduce this may be performed by any of the foregoing Countermarches of ranks Or else being faced to any of the flanks then the Ranks become files and by divisional Countermarches of files you may reduce divisional Countermarches of Ranks OR By Ranks files only some facings must be observed For the proper Reducement Command The two inmost Ranks to stand the rest to face to the right and left inward and so march into their places 9. Command The right and lelft hand files upon each flank stand the rest pass through to the right and left and place your selves on the outside of your right and left hand men following your inmost files Observe in the performance of this the two inmost-files are to be first in motion But first Command The two outmost files of each flank to stand and the rest of the Body to face to their right and left outwards so moving away first from the midst until they have successively placed themselves on the outside of their right and left hand men you may close their files into the midst to open Order The reducement of the eight figure will reduce this also 10. Command Front and Reer half files Countermarch to the 1. Right or 2. Left hand interchanging ground To perform this Command Half files to face about and turn off to the right front half files doing the like move forwards until they be clear one of an other six foot then face to their leader if you please and close their divisions A Countermarch interchanging of ground will reduce them and then close c. 11. Command Front and Reer half files to the right hand interchange ground You may reduce this interchanging of ground as they were or by some other word of Command Thirdly Countermarches to gain ground 1. Command The file leaders stand the rest pass through to the 1. Right or 2. Left and place your selves before your leaders The Command is so plain that there needeth no directions Only if your command be to place your selves behind your leaders then the file leaders are to face about and the rest are to execute it as the former only in placing themselves they are to turn their aspect behind their leaders And then Commanding them to place themselves before their leaders will reduce them 2. Command File leaders face about to the right and stand Bringers up with the rest following them pass through to the right and place your selves behind your leaders Face to your leaders To reduce this you may do it by the same Command or by the first Command 3. Command File leaders stand and the rest pass through to the 1. Right or 2. Left placing your selves before your file leaders following your Bringers up This is the same with the second figure only in their work they are to keep their aspect to the Front And the reducement the same also 4. Command File leaders and half file leaders stand the rest pass through to the right and place your selves before your file leaders and half file leaders You may reduce this by the same Countermarch or any other Divisional Countermarch 5. Command File-leaders and half file-leaders stand the rest pass through to the right and place your selves behind your Leaders and half file-leaders following your Bringers-up The file-leaders and half file-leaders are only to face about to the right and to stand the motion is the same with the fourth Figure but in taking their places they are to face to the Reer The Reducement as the former 6. Command File-leaders and half file-leaders stand the rest pass through to the right and left and place your selves behind your Leaders and half file-leaders c. I need not demonstrate this it being the same with the fifth and sixth only in the motion they are to pass to the right and left outwards And is reduced as the former 7. Command File-leaders to face about the rest pass through to the right and place your selves behind your Leaders and Bringers up To perform this Command The first Rank is to face about and stand then the two last Ranks from the Reer i. e. the fourth and fifth Ranks are to face to the Reer and move all c. The former Directions upon any Divisional Countermarch will reduce this 8. Command The outmost File of the right face to the right the rest pass through to the Right or Left and place your selves Before or Behind your right hand men If your Command be behind your right hand men then the right hand file is but to face to the left I shall not trouble you with them conceiving them of no great use You may reduce these by a contrary Countermarch 9. Command The outmost File of the right hand stand and the right hand File of the left half Rank stand and the rest pass through and place your selves on the outside of your right hand men Face to your Leader The same is done on the left hand And if you place them before their left hand men then face them all to the right and so let them pass through observing the
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
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
2. White signifieth Innocencie or purity of conscience Truth and upright integrity without blemish 3. Black signifieth Wisdome and sobriety together with a severe correction of too much Ambition being mixed with Yellow or with too much belief or lenity being mixed with White 4. Blew signifieth Faith Constancy or Truth in affection 5. Red signifieth Justice or Noble worthy Anger in defence of Religion or the oppressed 6. Green signifieth good hope or the accomplishment of holy and honourable actions 7. Purple signifieth fortitude with discretion or a most true discharge of any Trust reposed 8. Tunnis or Tuâ—â—y signifieth merit or desert and a foe to Ingratitude 9. Ermine which is only a rich Furr with curious spots signifieth Religion or holiness and that all aimes are not divine objects Now from these colours and their mixtures are derived many bastard and dishonourable colours as Carnation Orenge tawny Popengie c. which signifie Craft Pride and wantonness So that all Commanders are left at their own pleasure for their mixtures but with these considerations As 1. Not to put in his Ensign his full Coat-Armour 2. Not to bear one black spot and no more in his Ensign for it sheweth some blemish in the owner if the spot be round square or of equal proportion 3. If the spot be unequal it signifieth a Funeral or deadly revenge 4. Not to carry words in his Colours without a Device nor a Device without words but Device with words and the words not to exceed four in number for if there be more it sheweth imperfection 5. Not to carry more Colours than two except it be for some special note or the Ensign of several Kingdoms it is a Surcharge and esteemed folly 2. Having shewed the true Colours and the disgraces that may arise in the composure of them as mentioned by Mr. Markham I come to the next disgraces which proceed from Negligence in Government as in carrying his Colours furl'd or folded up when they should be flying or to let his Colours fly when they should be folded up or to display or flourish them when they should be carried without any hand motion or to carry them without motion when they should be displayed or to vaile them when they should be advanced or to advance them when they should be vailed To lodge or dislodge Colours without a Guard or to suffer any man to handle them that hath not a lawful authority Now the avoydance hereof is sufficient to keep any man from gross errors 3. The last disgrace as to the dignity of the Ensign is 1. From the rashness and unadvisedness of Actions when he is in safety out of a phantastical bravado to thrust himself into danger as to charge the Enemy when he should stand still It is not only a disgrace but the offence hath been adjudged worthy of death although he may obtain victory by that forward action 2. If in a March Battalia or setting of the Parade or upon any other Military imployments he shall misplace himself it is a disgrace 3. If in a battel skirmish or fight where the Ensign is put to retreit his Colours shall be surled or folded up or shouldred and not flying and held forth and extended with the left arm and his Sword advanced in his right hand his Colours are disgraced and such retreit is base and unworthy 4. If the Ensign-Bearer shall happen either in battel or skirmish to be slain and so the Colours fall to the ground if those or some of them next adjoyning threreunto do not recover and advance them up it is not only a disgrace to the Ensign but an utter dishonour to the whole Company as I have declared that if the Colours be lost there must be a severe accompt given for them And indeed a greater act of Cowardice cannot be found than to suffer the Colours to be lost There is an antient president but fresh in memory that in great defeats when Armies have been overthrown scattered and dispersed so that particular safety hath made men forget general observations even then the Ensign being wounded to death and desperate of all relief hath stript his Ensign from the staff and wrapt or folded it about his body and so perished with it This Ensign cannot be said to be lost because the honour thereof was carried with his freed Soul into Heaven to the possession of the eternal fort for ever Now in this particular the Enemy cannot boast of any Triumph if then purchased more than every Sexton may do when he robs the dead of his winding sheet Thus it hath been reported that Sebastian King of Portugal dyed at the battel of Alcazar And I have read of many of our brave English that thus dyed at the renowned Battel at Newport and have heard that many have so done in the Army of our late Soveraign of ever blessed memory 5. And lastly If any man shall recover the lost Ensign and bring it away flying c. no matter how low in condition the man is if the Captain upon any after considerations bestow those Colours upon some other man it is a disgrace both to the Captain and his Ensign for he doth injury to Vertue and discourage Valour Obj. But some may object that upon composition with the party deserving the Captain may dispose of his Colours where he pleaseth I confess it true but if this composition be forced it is injurious And if it come by a voluntary consent of the party it is base and most unworthy in him also CHAP. VI. Of the right use and ordering of the Ensign or Colours with the Postures and Flourishes thereunto belonging AS to my best Remembrance I have given you a Catalogue of the Disgraces so I shall here insert as to my knowledge the true use of the Ensign whereby those injuries may be avoyded 1. And first you shall understand that in all extended Marches and not drawn into a Body as when they march either into a Friends or Enemies Country or otherwise are conducted to some remote Randesvouz here the Ensign or Colours ought to be half furl'd or folded up and half flying shall be shouldred and born a little cross the Ensign-bearers neck with his hand extended a good distance from his body and his left hand upon his side or hilt of his sword this is termed a marching in State 2. If he shall enter into any City or great Town then he shall unfold or open his Colours and let them fly at full length and carry them in his right hand close under the hose with a lofty hand and extended arm This is a marching in Triumph but if the wind blow stiff or there is a weakness or wearisomness in the Ensign-bearer then he may set the butt end against his waste and not otherwise and is to have but one hand upon his staff in any march whatever 3. In all Troopings the Ensign shall ever be furl'd and carried in the same Postures as the Pikes ought
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
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
them wheresoever they shall be lodged stand or be and not to depart or stragle from them until they have received orders 3. The Ensign hath another dignity that whensoever he shall enter into City Town Garrison Campe or other Randesvouze of aboad he is to be first lodged before any other Officer or Souldier And not in any mean place but the best and most spacious for the drawng up of the Souldiers upon any Alarme and his Quarter ought to be the most secure from danger 4. The Ensign hath Dignity of place according to the Antiquity of his 〈◊〉 But in one particular case it hath been judged to be greater than his Captain 〈◊〉 lendeth place to him as thus no Captain can receive his antiquity from his inrollment but from the first hour in which his Colours flew for if two be inrolled upon one day and the latter marcheth before the face of his Enemy with his Colours flying in this case the first hath lost his priority and the latter for ever after shall preceed him I have read of another resolve Three Captains or more as occasion happeneth were all inrolled upon a day and all their Colours flying presently upon a Truce Composition or other occasion there is some small cessation of Armes and these new inrolled Captains are Casheer'd or dismist for the present service Now the two first that had priority of place not only by inrollment but by flying of their Ensignes because they would not be out of action to a Souldier the tast of gain is pleasant took upon them the Commands as Lieutenants of two Colonels Companies c. which are Captains places in courtesie retaining those titles and in some Courts of War have had their Voyces Now the third all this time taketh upon him no place but remaineth in Statu quo prius And in revolution of time all these three Captains aforesaid are again Commissionated for three new Companies of their own the Question was whose Ensigne should fly first and which of these three shall have the priority of place It was thus answered and adjudged by the old Earle of Essex and Sir Francis Vere c. that the two first who had taken upon them Lieutenancies had utterly lost their Superiorities and the third whose Honour slept but diminished not had precedencie of place and his Ensign flew before the other ever after 5. The Ensigne hath this Dignity to have a Guard ever about it which no other Officer hath neither is it to be disimbogued or unlodged without a special Guard attending upon it both of Musquetteers and Pikes And so for a Cornet with his own Squadron of Horse Also in the field if it be in particular Discipline or otherwise upon an Alt or stand at such time as the Army or Company are to refresh themselves with victuals or other rest in this case the Ensigne shall by no means lay his Colours upon the ground or put them in unworthy or base hands but he shall first furle and fold them up and set the butt end on the ground supported with the Serjeants Holbearts and the Ensign himself shall not go from the view thereof unless he shall leave a sufficient guard for them 6. An other dignity of an Ensign is If a Noblemen or an Esquire will take upon him the Command of a private Company and have no other superiour place in an Army and a mean Gentleman hath the like equal Command but a great deal more antient although there ought to be a respect if they should happen in company unto the worth and quality of the person yet the meaner Gentlemans Colours shall fly before the other As this hath been the antient practise in the Wars how then do those Captains debase themselves and their Ensigns to suffer young Captains to step in either by greatness in quality or favour to fly their Colours before them c. 7. Every Ensign hath his Dignity although he is wholly to be at the Captains Command yet in justice no Captain nor other Officer can command the Ensign-bearer from his Colours for they are as man and wife and ought not to indure a separation nor can he be commanded with his Ensign to any base dishonourable place or Action And hence it is that to this day this place and mark of Honour is held in such a venerable worthy estimation amongst the Spaniards and Italians that they will not allow of any second between him and the Captain as the name of a Lieutenant to be amongst them thinking it to be a superfluous charge and command because it is in their judgments a lessening and a bateing of the Ensignes Honour But in this although we esteem an Ensign very honourable we in England differ from them owning the place of a Lieutenant to be honourable and necessary who ought to be a man of most approved experience for he takes from the Captain those heavy burdens which otherwise would make the Captains trouble insupportable nor can the Ensign discharge them unless he neglects his care and duty to his Colours 8. As for the dignity of the Ensign in England not medling with the Standard Royal to a Regimental dignity The Colonels Colours in the first place is of a pure and clean colour without any mixture The Lieutenant Colonels only with Saint Georges Armes in the upper corner next the staff The Majors the same but in the lower and outmost corner with a little stream Blazant And every Captain with Saint Georges Armes alone but with so many spots or several Devices as pertain to the dignity of their respective places But with us in England placing and displacing is left to the Generalissimo c. and so to his substitutes or deputies It is to me a ridle that any person who cannot be stained with the least blemish should lose his advancing honour But kissing goes by favour CHAP. V. Of Disgraces to the Ensign THere are as many disgraces that belong to the Ensign as dignities I shall for brevity sake mention but some few all which must proceed from mistakes in one of these three Vnskilful composure Negligent government or Rash actions 1. Touching Vnskilful composure either in false making or bearing of Ensignes and that you may be informed for the composures thereof I cannot better it than to declare to you Markhams own words out of his Souldiers Accidence pag. 31. He saith There must be in Military honour nine several faces or complexions that is to say two which be called Mettals as Yellow and White figuring gold and Silver and seven which are called proper colours as Black Blew Red Green Purple Tunnis and Ermine And here it is to be noted that no mettal is to be carried upon mettal And for the signification of those colours you shall understand that 1. Yellow betokeneth honour or height of Spirit which being never separated from Vertue of all things is most jealous of disgrace and may not indure the least shaddow of imputation
◠inch Diameter its weight in Iron is 32 l. the Diameter at bore is 6 ½ inch requireth for her charge in Powder 17 ½ pounds The lowest Demi-Cannon whose weight of Metal is 5400 l. being in length sometime 10 and sometimes 12 foot it carries a Shot of 6 inches the weight of that Shot in Iron is 30 l. the Diameter of the bore is 6 ¼ inch it requireth for charge in Powder 14 l. Culverin of the largest size weighs about 4800 l. being in length 10 or 12. foot it carries a Shot of 5 ◠◠inch Diameter the weight of that Shot in Iron is 20 l. the Diameter of the bore is 6 ¼ inch it requireth for charge in Powder 12 l. 8 z. Ordinary whole Culverin weighs about 4500 l. being in length about 12 foot it carries a Shot of 5 inches Diameter the weight of that Shot of Iron is about 17 l. Diameter at bore is 5 ¼ inch it requireth for charge in Powder 11 l. 6 z. Culverin of the least size weighs about 4000 l. being in length about 12 foot it carries a Shot of 4 ¾ inch Diameter the weight of that Shot of Iron is 15 l. Diameter at bore is 5 inch charge of Powder is 10 l. Demi-Culverin of the greatest size weighs about 3000 l. being in length 10 or 12 foot carries a Shot of 4 ½ inch Diameter the weight of that Shot of Iron is 12 l. 11 z. Diameter of the bore 4 ¾ inch charge of Powder is 8 l. 12 z. Demi-Culverin ordinary weighs about 2700 l. being in length 10 or 12 foot carries a Shot of 4 ¼ inch Diameter weight of that Shot of Iron is 10 l. 12 z. Diameter of the bore 4 ½ inch charge of Powder is 7 l. 4 z. Demi-Culverin lower than ordinary weighs about 2000 l. being in length 9 or 10 foot carries a Shot of 4 inches Diameter weight of that Shot 9 l. Diameter of the bore 4 ¼ inch charge of Powder is 6 l. 4 z. Saker of the oldest sort of 1800 l. weight being in length 9 or 10 foot carries a Shot of 3 ¾ inch weight of that Shot 7 l. 5 z. Diameter at the bore 4 inches charge of Powder 5 l. Saker ordinary of 1500 l. weight in length about 9 foot carries a Shot of 3 1 8 inch Diameter weight of that Shot 6 l. 0 z. Diameter at the bore 3 ¾ inches charge of Powder 4 l. Saker of the lowest size of 1400 l. weight in length about 8 foot carries a Shot of 3 ¼ inch weight of that Shot 4 l. 12 z. Diameter at the bore 3 inches and a half charge of Powder 3 l. 6 z. Minion of the largest size of 800 or 1000 l. length 8 foot height of the Shot 3 inches weight of the Shot 3 l. 2 z. height of the bore 3 inches and one quarter the charge of Powder if of 800 l. two pounds and a half if of 1000 l. three pounds and a quarter The ordinary Minion of 750 l. in length 7 foot height of the Shot 3 ¼ inch weight of the Shot 3 l. 4 z. height of the bore 3 inches charge of Powder 2 ½ pounds Faucons of 750 l. length 7 foot height of the Shot 2 ½ inch weight 2 ½ pounds height of the bore 2 ¾ inch charge in Powder 2 ½ pounds Fauconet of 400 l. in length 6 foot height of the Shot 2 1 8 inch weight 1 l. 5 z. height of the bore 2 ¼ inch charge 1 l. 4 z. of Powder Rabnet of 300 l. length 5 foot height of the Shot 1 1 3 inch weight 8 ounces of Iron height of the bore 1 ½ inch charge of Powder 12 ounces Base of 200 l. length 4 foot height of Shot 1 ½ inch weight 5 ounces height of the bore 1 ¼ inch charge of Powder 8 ounces There are other Pieces in use in our Nation which are called Bastard Pieces of which you shall have a particular account in its proper place CHAP. IV. The Names of the Principal parts of a piece of Ordnance IT is necessary for him that intends to be a Gunner to understand after the knowledg of the Piece in general to know and learn every part and member of a Piece of Ordnance for well understanding the same take these Instructions following All the outside of the Piece round about is called the superficial part of the same or Surface of the Piece the Inner part is called the concave Cylinder and Soul of the Piece The full length is called the Chase of the Piece so much of the Cylinder or concave of the Piece as contains the powder and Shot is called the Chamber or charged Cylinder the remaining part to the small end of the Gun is called the vacant Cylinder The Spindle standing out or Ears by which the Piece must hang in the Carriage is called the Trunions the space between the Trunions the gravity of the Center The Pumel or Button at her Coyl or Britch-end is called the Casacabel or her Deck the little hole the Touch-hole all the metal behind the touch-hole the Breach or Coyl the greatest ring at her touch-hole the Base Ring the next ring or circle the reinforced Ring the next the Trunion Rings the next before the Trunions is called the Cornish Ring the foremost next the Muzzle is called the Muzzle Ring Lastly all the rings Circles Eminencies at her Muzzle and so those behind the base Ring are Prizes Let the Piece with its several names be placed by this Chapter Fig. 1. CHAP. V. The Mounting of a Piece of Ordnance in its Carriage THe Gunners upon Land-Service for the conveniency of mounting a piece of Ordnance that is by any means whatsoever dismounted have for their principal Services a Screw and a Ghynne and their appurtenances which you will find in their proper place by whose help they are able to mount a Piece and place him in his Carriage whereby he may be able to perform the work intended Which to perform artificially observe these Rules Before you endeavour to mount your Piece above all things have a great and diligent care that the Ghynne be very firmly set so that it may not slip any way but so placed that the Pully or Truckle coming down from the head fall just between the Trunions or gravity of the Piece whereof to be assured you may let fall down from the head of the Ghynne a Plummet with a Line or for want of a Plummet any stone made fast to a Line and so moving the Ghynne until the said Plummet fall just upon the Center of Gravity which is between the Ears of the Piece that the metal may fall near equal or that an easie hand may poize it and this care must be the more if the Ground whereon the Ghynne stands be sandy or loose Ground or the Earth be boggy soft so that the feet may fail or sink in or give way according to the greatness of the weight For sometimes it may
the Distance any place is from the top of a Castle or Work THis Work is Performed as the former in the 2d Chap. only here with a Plummet and Line we take the heighth or depth from the top of the Castle A to the foot of the Castle B and suppose that to be equal to the distance there taken and the distance B C equal to the height and then work by the Rules there given and you will find the distance C B. This is so plain there needs no Example CHAP. VII To get the Length or Distance of any place or Mark in sight be it never so far without Instrument AMongst many practices I find this the onliest way to obtain our desire without the help of an Instrument yet in this is necessarily required to have ground enough at liberty on one side Then begin thus at the beginning of your Length set up a staff or mark that may be seen afar off then go from it Orthogonal or Square-wise on which side you will 200 foot the more ground the better Put up there a staff also now convey your self to the first staff or mark going back from it 300 foot more or less at your pleasure set up there a third staff so that the first mark or staff and it agree all in a streight Line from your sight to the farthest part of your length by the judgment of your eye now go side-wise from thence as far in a right Angle until the second mark offer it self aright between the extream part of your length and sight and there put the fourth staff All this performed seek out the distance between the first staff and the Second and that name your first distance then the distance between the first and third name your second distance Again the distance between the third and fourth staff is the third distance Deduct your first distance from the third so remaineth the Divisor then multiply your third distance by your second and the product divide by your Divisor the quotient sheweth the true length from the third staff to the fortress or mark desired for plainness behold the figure Example Here this Letter A represents the Castle being the distance to be measured B is your first staff C the second staff differing from B the first Orthogonal 100 foot D the third staff being distant back from the first in a Right line with the mark A 133 foot E is the fourth staff running sidewise Orthogonally or in a Square from the third until the farthest part of your length A is perceived in a right Line with the second staff at C and this distance D E let be 120 foot Now by Substraction take 100 from 120 there remaineth for a Divisor 20 then multiply 133 by 120 so riseth 15960 which divided by 20 and there cometh 798 foot the true distance between D and A from which if you abate A B 133 there remaineth B A your propounded distance But forasmuch as this conclusion is to be done without Instrument and here Orthogonal motions sidewise is required it shall be requisite also to declare how an Orthogonal or Right angle is upon a sudden to be made ye shall therefore according to Pythagoras's Invention mentioned among the Definitions at the beginning of this Book take 3 Staves Cords or such like making the one 4 such parts as the other is 3 and the third 5 This done conjoyn their ends together and the angle subtended of the longest staff is a right which first placed at B and after at D directing one of his comprehending sides to A the other shall guide you to C and E or if you desire with more expedition to dispatch and not to tarry the proportioning of Cords or such like to this Pythogarick Rule take any 3 Staves Sticks or Threads and conjoyn them making a Triangle it matters not of what form or fashion they be then placing one angle thereof at B turning one side to A direct your self sidewise to the other alwayes remembring to place the same angle at D and departing sidewise again in like manner in all the rest do as before is declared Thus using any mean diligence yuo shall most exactly measure any distance CHAP. VIII With Halbeards Pikes or any Staves having no other Instrument you may measure the Distance between any two Towers Castles or other Marks lying in a right line from you not coming near any of them YOu must first as we have declared in the last Chapter prepare a Triangle with joyning any three Staves or such like together which you must at your standing place in such sort that one of the sides containing the Angles may lye directly toward the Mark Then setting up a Staff Pike or other Mark there depart sidewise as the other side of your Angle shall direct you so far as you list the more ground the better and there set up your second Staff or Mark then go directly back from your first Staff alwayes keeping it exactly between your sight and the Mark as many score again or Pike lengths as you list setting up a third staff this done you shall place the same Angle you used at your first Staff now again at your third staff in all points as it was before the one side of the Angle lying directly toward the first Staff the other side will shew you whither you shall go to place your fourth Staff for passing still in a right line with that side of your Angle you shall at the last find the second justly scituated between you and the farthest Mark and there set up the fourth Staff then remove your Angle again to the second Staff and placing there as before the one side even with the first Staff pass on in a right line with the other until you come directly between your nearest Mark and the fourth Staff and there pitch up the fifth Now you must measure how many Paces Halbeards or Pikes length are between your first and second Staff deducting that from the distance between the third and fourth and this Remainder shall serve you for a Divisor then multiply your distance between the second and fifth Staff by the distance between the third and fourth the product divide by your reserved Divisor and it yieldeth in the Quotient the true distance between these two Marks See the foregoing Figure Example Let A B be the two Marks whose distance I would measure my standing place where I set up my first Staff I in the middle my Triangle made of three Staves Halberds Bills or any such like things K L M the Staves or Halberds of which I make my Triangle N which I first place at C secondly at D thirdly at E and note at C and D the scituation of the Triangle is all one but at E it somewhat differeth as you may behold in this Figure which I would have you note lest haply you be deceived in your practice C E the distance between the first and third
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