and fore finger of his right hand and with his middle finger to measure at what length to cocke the same to fall with a proportioned length into the pan The which being done let him retire his right foote somwhat backe and stand firme vpon the same and holding fast both the musket and rest with his left hand to raise the but end of his musket from his thigh vnto his breast and to fasten the same firme and close vnto his right shoulder and brest holding fast the sayd hinder part of the stocke betwixt his right thombe and fore finger drawing downe the serre with the other three fingers and so taking due leuell to discharge Hauing performed the which let him vncocke his match clap his musket vpon his shoulder with a halfe turne and so retire trailing his rest or forke by the stringe and giuing place to others go charge again finally for other armes a reasonable short sword a meane dagger with no morion but a faire hat and feather Gent. Thus I perceiue your fiery shot haue many busie skils without knowledge of all the which it is hard to become a perfect shot Capt. True and therefore often to be practised But here let the muster-maister and trayning Captaine be well aduised not to suffer their shot to cary any bullet about them in time of their trainings and fained skirmishes for feare of danger that might thereby ensue among themselues But now and then after their training to take euery shot single and to see him charge his peece orderly with pouder and bullet as aforesaid and hauing a great but erected to that purpose the which ought to be in euery hundred or Baily-wicke to cause them to leuell and discharge at the blancke thereof orderly one after another encouraging those which do make the fairest shot Now for the Pike which the Spaniards do tearme SenÌ„ora y Reyna de las armas the Queene and mistresse of weapons The souldier which carieth the same is to bee well armed with a good corslet furnished with his gorget Morion tasses pouldrons vambraces and gauntlets also to be armed as he ought to be whatsoeuer opinion other men may hold to the contrary supposing a bare payre of Cuyrasses onely sufficient but I am of opinion that the armed Picquier ought to bee armed in all points as I haue said for defence and then to offend to be weaponed with a good Pike of ground Ashe of seuenteen or eighteen foote long at the least well and strongly headed with the cheekes three foote long or there about and for other weapon to weare a good short sword and dagger for the dagger is a weapon of great aduantage in Pell mell And if it be replied that the souldier so heauie armed is not for any great march or speedy execution I say that among well ordered Regiments there are also yet some vnarmed pikes that is without any corslet or at the most the bare cuyrats onely and morion the which the Italians do call Picche secche Now these are reserued imployed in such peeces of light seruice And the Picquier either armed or vnarmed is to be shewed and taught the carriage and vse of his pike as first to tertiar or carry the same orderly vpon his shoulder holding the same with his foure fingers vpon the vpper part of the staffe his thombe vnder the staffe neare vnto his shoulder basing downe the blunt end thereof to aduaunce the point and poizing the pike with an equall poize vpon his thombe and shoulder alwayes in march keeping the lower end of his pike on the one side of his foremans legge still aduertising that in march the pike is to be carried vpon the right shoulder of euery souldier throughout euery file sauing the vtmost file on the left side of the arrayes or ordinances which are to carry their pikes vpon their left shoulders onely alwayes regarding how those of the foremost rankes doe carry their weapon the rest to do the same throughout euery ranke and file following for order and forme do require the same Next hee is to be taught how to plant his pike on the ground at any stand or Alto then how to arbolare or aduaunce his pike that is to reare his pike vpright against his right shoulder and with his right hand stretched downe vnto his thigh to hold the same neare vnto the but-end betwixt his foure fingers and his thombe stretching his forefinger downeward vnto the but-end of his pike and so aduaunce the same vpright high against his right shoulder resting and staying the same with his right hand against his right thigh and knee as before is sayd Now this is to be done at such times as being brought into a Ring and serreyng close shoulder to shoulder then to aduaunce their piks in this sort at the enclosing thereof so to continue vntill they fall out of the ring againe into a larger march Also the same is vsed by some at their arriuing vnto the corps de guard at the setting of the watch before their chief Commander or officer euen as the first ranke shall arriue into the corps de guard some ten or twelue pases from the place of their stand to arbolare their pikes and so rancke after ranck carrying them in the same order vntill they come vnto their place of station there to make Alto and to plant their pikes vpon the ground as the squadron is formed But principally the souldiers marching in squadron and vpon point to come to the push of the pike with their foote enemy then are they first to aduaunce their pikes as is said bearing the same orderly with the right hand against the right thigh and the left hand aboue neare about the shoulder and so to charge vpon the left hand and push standing firme and sure vpon the left foote But if the squadron be charged with any troupes of the enemies horse then must the Picquiers cowch their pikes fast vnder the right foote holding the same 〈…〉 the left hand and bow downe the point thereof against the breast of the horâ—e hauing his right hand ready to draw his sword if occasion shall be offered Now how necessary and auayleable this continuall vse and practise is may easily be gathered from the sundry victories of the auncient Romanes Who both in their Campes and Garrisons had their Tesserarios which were as our Sergeant Maiors to ensigne and teach their people of warre the vse and managing of their armes at all idle and vacant times The old souldier sometimes once in a day and the Tirones which we terme Bisognios or new souldiers twise in the day or as occasion serued so were their people alwayes ready and perfect And againe they did not onely practise them in the knowledge of their weapons but many times also did conduct their Companies for their recreation
battell of pikes A better order to diuide your shot into troupes To girdle the staÌ„d of pikes with shot The shot in small troupes one to second an other The armed pikes once ouerthrowen the battell stands in hazard The girdling shot to discharge at 20 pasesâ—ff and not farther A particular decâ—aration of the former battell in figure The battell or body of pikes Impaled with armed pikes The sortement of the weapons Girdled with muskets Shot in troupes Halbardes and short weapons The remaines of the pikes where placed To draw some pikes out of the center of the battell Men at armes Launciers Hargulutiers Great ordinance The number of each The broad square battell bring the most hands at once to fight in front The square of ground A care to be had to the situation of ground Venturous to set al our fortune vpoÌ„ the brunt of one sole battell So is it dangerous for vnexpert men to fight in sundry battallions Men come not often to hand blowes as in old time the shot so imployeth the field Hard to ascertaine any course of fight before the enemies order be knowen seene Occurrants of warre be manifold and strange The shot on horse backe coÌ„monly begâ—n the first skirmishes At the field ordinance doe commonly begin the first puzzeling The forlorne hope to disband and hauing skirmished to retire to the flankes One troupe of shot to second an ether The squadrons of muskets when to discharge The couching of the pikes A square of pikes handled by resolute men not easie to be broken by horse Against foote to charge ouerhand Valour and skill is second meanes of victorie but God the chiefe first The duties of diligent officers in time of battell The iust square of men best allowed out of the which all other proportions may be reduced The quadrat of ground Sundry ancient formes of battels now out of vse The daunger of raw men The Diamant battell The framing thereof out of the graund square A more stronger framin of the Diamant battell Out of 2 iust squares of men is framed 2 triangles Of 2 triangles is framed a Diamant An other order yet to frame their battels A Sergeant maior ought not to be ignorant of any formes of embattailing as well ancient as moderne To what purpose these termes were first deuised The crosse battell and order thereof A declaration of these Crosse battels SpeculatioÌ„ without practise but halfe the Arte. To deuide a small power into many parts dangerous What to be a sufficient armie Into three battels Into twelue battallions Vantgard Battell Reareward Many considerations in bringing men to fight A consideration A declaration of the 9 battallions The voide spaces to what purpose Sundry charges and fresh heads A declaration of the 12 battallions The shot parted into sundry troupes The cauallery The quantity of ground for each souldiers station What commander and officers to be mounted The Generall his place The Colonels Another order to deuide an army into sundry small squadrons The maner The order An army may be framed of sundry small squadrons Of tables to be framed Euen To march an army thorough straightes Drawne into Maniples The Ensigne to be contained in the middle Maniple The shot in troupes most seruiceable The one to second another If the enemy coÌ„straine to fight in the straight them to quarter your Army To quarter the battell into sundry battallions Not to enter vnaduisedly into any straighâ—s The chiefe Commaunders of an Armie Deuided into Regiments The officers of the Regiment Deuided into Companies The officers of a Companie Sergeant Maior of a Regiment A Sergeant Maior generall A Sergeant Maior is the generall Minister of a whole Regiment His office consists in marching in imbattailing encamping The Sergeant Maior of higher degree then any ordinarie Captaine Great regard to be had in the election of this officer Skill and naturall instinct His actions are handled for the most in the view and face of the enemie The partes to be required in a Sergeant Maior To espie aduantages Not to let slip good occasions offred To kâ—â—w to frame his squadron to march with the same to bring theÌ„ to fight A squadroÌ„ what it is To be victorious or inuincible The armie bâ—st ordered and disciplined is like to be Lord of the victorie Vegetius his reasons The aduantage of practise and good discipline It is necessarie to haue â—n writing the iust number of euery companie and their sortmeÌ„t of weapons To haue alwayes an Idea in the head of sundrie formes of battels To be skilfull in Arithmetike A battell framed of sundrie Tertios by the Duke de Alua at Lisbona The Tertios of Naples Sicilia Lombardie Spanish Tertios The Sergeant Maior by want of skill much puzzeled Our warres now a dayes do consist more in surprises assaults and batteries then in main fight The difference to be iudged by the situation of the ground and occasions to fight Iust square of men â—attell in broad front What is meaÌ„t by bastard square broad square base square The rankes euen or odde importeth litle The braue conduction of the Commaunders and the resolute valour of the souldiers is the firmenesse of the battell A politicke order to be obserued in setting a battell when the souldiers be vnruly No souldier to come with his armour by peece-meale or broken An order to frame a squadroÌ„ of vnruly soulâ—iers vpon the Alarme giuen or suddenly A fine checke of vnruly souldiers The dâ—e naturall girdling with shot When and how to discharge their vollie Shot in sundrie small troupes trouping round about the battell Euery troupe to be led forth to skirmish by their Caporall Squadrons of muskets at the angles of the battell A braue retraict of Don Aluaro de Sandy made in Barbary with 4000. foote against 20000. horse An order for the safegard of shot in open campania where the enemy aboundeth in horse Declaration of the figure Great skill and care in the marching of an Army The disorders of souldiers do many times grow through remisnesse and negligence of officers What the Sergeant Maior is to do being in the open field with the army Vantgard battell and reareward To know the wayes most salliâ—bâ—e for the souldiers to march Great noise and rumor in remouing of a campe To be skilfull in the countrey where they are to march Sundry considerations To what end Examples of the Romaines at Furcas Caudinas To procure faithfull and trusty guides Hannibal deceiued To cause the drum maior to sound the recoâ—a or remouing The Captaines of footmen To assemble the companies in the place of armes and there to frame his squadrons The Sergeants of bandes what to doe To deuide the battell into Maniples if the passage be narrow The order in marching of vantgards battell and rea reward The ensignes where to be placed fittâ—st Hauing passed the straight to march vp pouldron to pouldron againe In all our actions to incline to perfection Considerations
renowne and fame Gent. If in fight the Ensigne be broken and the Enemie do carie away a part thereof doth the Ensigne-bearer lose thereby his reputation Capt. No not a iot so that hee keepeth the verie trunke of the staffe in his hand When the Companie doth march the Ensigne-bearer may carie his Colours resting vpon his shoulder eyther open or folded vp but making a stand or Alto he is bound by dutie to aduance the Ensigne and not to campear it or pitch it on the ground for that is the tricke of a Bisognio and doth repugne the authoritie and grauitie of his office In fights in encounters in musters and in presence of the Lord Generall he must cary his Colours displayed passing by him he must aduance it only bowing the point somewhat downward without any more ceremonies but if he passe by the king or Prince he shall withall bow somewhat one of his knees as a difference from the Generall In Ordinances or framed battels alwayes the Ensignes do march in one large or long ranke iointly in the middest of the Squadron the most place of honour is the left and right out-sides the Ensigne on the right hand carying the preheminence who giueth direction and order to the rest in this sort if hee beareth his Ensigne on his shoulder loose so are all the rest to carie theirs and if fardled vp all they are to do in the like order and so imitating him in all other maners and shewes and if he deliuereth his vnto his Abanderado and take the Halberd the rest are to do the like and the selfe same orders are to be obserued by the Auanderados for it is an vnseemly shew to see in a ranke of Ensignes different orders one from another The Abanderados are vsed to be souldiers and some do set their owne seruants to that office These ought to go well apparelled and well armed for I haue seene sometimes amongst the Spaniards the Alferes themselues to passe into other ranks to fight leauing the Ensigne with the Abanderado but I like it not for it is not lawfull for the Ensigne-bearer to leaue his Colours neither to fight but with the same in his hand and that vpon such occasions as before I haue declared no though it were to shew his valour and prowesse In the lodging the Ensigne shold be accompanied with a Corps de garde although it be in place of quiet and out of all suspition as well for the authoritie and reputation of the same as to auoyd manie inconueniences which happen to succeed through mutinies brawles and frayes It is also conuenient that the Ensigne-bearer haue alwayes with him a Drum to call his companie together and for such occasions as shall be offered for the Ensignes should be of such veneration and haue bene so respected of the Souldiers that there hath seldome bene seene any one flying to the sanctuarie thereof auoyding the Souldiers furie to bee pursued or hurt esteeming their Ensigne a thing inuiolable as it fell out in Brescia when the mutinous souldiers wold haue slain the Lord Lewes Yearts their Generall who flying to the Ensigne it was enough to cause them to leaue off so shamefull and so abhominable attempt When the Souldiers do enter into any Corps de gard either in Castle towne fortresse or campe they ought not to disarme themselues vntil they see their Alferes first vnarmed vpon whom they should haue their eyes fixed to imitate as they haue vpon the Ensigne he beareth to follow wherefore the Ensigne-bearer is not to disarme vntil the gates of the Fort or place of defence wherein they are be first shut if it be in campe or field when it seemeth that he may safely do it not otherwise to the end that the souldiers take not example from him of vnsoldiarie negligence and slouth but rather of all vigilancy care and paine Gent. You haue largely set downe the aduertisements touching this Officer wherein you haue notified many martiall points vnknowne to vs therfore I pray proceed to the Lieutenants office and dutie Capt. This Officer amongst the Spanish companies is not vsed but amongst vs the Italians French therfore I will touch somewhat of him by the way The Lieutenant his office and duty He therefore that is chosen to this office ought to be a man of great experience fidelity and valour who in the absence of his Captaine carieth his roome charge and command vnto whom the souldiers and vnder-officers are to obey for the time as vnto the Captaine himselfe notwithstanding he must vse it with such discretion and moderation that he arrogate not too much vnto himselfe but at his Captaines returne he shall with all loue truth and dutie enforme him of all things and matters passed If any questions and ciuill debates do arise amongst the souldiers of his band he is to pacifie iudge and determine the same with grauity and good speeches whereby he shall binde them more firmely vnto him in obedience and loue and when as he cannot concert and agree them he is to referre them ouer vnto his Captaine but the most faultie and offenders hee may cause to be apprehended and send them to the Colonell or Marshall It is his charge and office to see that the Company be prouided of all necessaries aduertising the Caporals to see well to their charges and aduising the Sergeant to be diligent carefull and ready in his office wherein he shall ayd help assist him both in ordering the company and in setting the watch the which he is precisely bound to perform himself in the Sergeāts absence or time of infirmity He is to passe with the Companie vnto the Corps de garde to see the watch and Sentinels set and often times to visite and reuisite the same and to perswade the souldiers to respect with obedience their Sergeant and Caporals wherefore it importeth him to be well spoken discreet and wise to moue perswade them with sound reasons to the obseruation and obedience of Militarie discipline disburdening thereby his Captaine of manie and sundrie toiles It toucheth him also to see the souldiers appointed to their lodgings giuing order for the same vnto the Harbenger and how he shall distribute the baggage and cariage amongst the particular souldiers and the sicke men carefullie to bee looked vnto not suffering these Harbengers or Furriers to rob purloine and filch as they are wont to do whereby great scandals do arise as at the rising of the Vlishingers and in sundrie other places hath appeared His place of march his Captaine being present is in the Rere-ward of all the company but after any fight or skirmish in retiring marching out of the field he is to passe before and the Captaine in the rere-ward Now for as much as by that as shall be declared in the ordinarie Captaines office may easily bee vnderstood the dutie of this officer hauing the whole
some most conuenient place together then and there to be instructed in the orders how to march how to encampe and how to fight deuiding them into so many parts or battaillions as vnto their chiefe Officer shall seeme good Gent. What course would you wish the Captaine of a single companie to obserue in the trayning of his souldiers Capt. First hauing his companie leauied and chosen of the better sort of people as is said let your rawe Captaine for so I terme those which neuer were in action prouide himselfe if possible he may of a good Lieutenant and a sufficient Sergeant and a skilfull Drummer Then let his people be suted with such sort of weapon as is appointed The which I would wish to be as I haue said before to euery hundred of men 25. muskets 25. Calliuers and 40. or more of pikes and corslets and the rest short weapon as halberds swordes and targets and such like Now hauing suted euery man with a conuenient weapon I would wish your Muster-maister if your Captaine haue not the skil for your Muster-master ought to be a man of experience first to declare vnto them the partes that ought to be in a souldier in generall as before is declared then to ensigne them the right carriage of their armes and weapon then to knowe the seuerall soundes of the Drumme next to learne to keepe his ranke and file orderly and so to march eyther swift or slowe step by step with the sound of the Drumme then how to keep their array being cast into a ring or any other forme with the comming out againe and returning into a counter-ring and out of the same into a march and counter-march then how to make their Alto or stand and how to double their rankes vntill they bring themselues into a iust square of men if their numbers will permit it and how to double their â—â—les eyther vpon the left or right hand and so to fall off againe both from file and ranke and being in squadron how to turne their faces on either or any part making front on any flank or traine as occasion shall be offered Then the perfect vse and managing of euerie weapon in his due nature and kind and so by a continuall vse they may by good instructers become soone to be ready souldiers Gent. Here be manie good parts vnder a few words but they are too briefe for me to vnderstand wherefore I pray dilate more at large thereof and first what meane you by the cariage of his weapon Cap. To discourse vpoÌ„ al these points particularly it wold be ouer long might better be shewed in act theÌ„ in words yet to satisfie you somewhat herein I will speak of the particulars here there as I shal be occasioned shal cal theÌ„ to memory First therfore the soldier that is appointed to cary a calliuer is first to be ensigned how to cary his peece vpon his left shoulder with his flaske at his girdle or haÌ„ging by at Port-flask or Flask-leather vpoÌ„ the right thigh vpoÌ„ the left side of his girdle to haue his touchboxe fastened by the string hanging downe somwhat long by the strings sufficient to be taken and to prime his peece with touch-powder and on his right side a Bullet bagge or purse of canuas or leather for bullets Also some three or foure yards of match in seuerall peeces hanging at his girdle with one peece of match of a yard long in his left hand holden fast by the third finger of the same hand hauing the one or both the endes of the same lighted or fired Also to be prouided of a priming iron or wyer of a steele and flint stone to strike fire vpon any suddaine occasion either to spare the burning of match or to fire their matches if the same do chance to go out Then how to charge his peece either with his flask or bandelier theÌ„ to let slip the bullet down into the barrell after the powder and to ramme the same with paper tow or such like thrusting the same downe with the scouring stick if time will permit or else a more readier way thus After that the bullet is slipped downe vnto the powder to put after the same some two or three cornes of powder which will wedge fast the bullet This being done let him hold his Calliuer with his left hand as in his charging hee ought to do the like griping the same by the stocke somewhat neare vnder the cock betwixt his thombe and foure fingers then holding the nose of his peece somwhat vpward for not to endaÌ„ger his fellows to take the one end of his lighted match with his forefinger midle finger thoÌ„be of his right haÌ„d so to cock the same hauing a regard that it may fall due within the pan finally if it be a crooked stock peece to set the same vnto the left side of his breast retiring his right foot some halfe step behind the left or aduancing the left foot some halfe pace before the right and so to take his due leuel holding the hindermost part of the stocke betwixt the thombe and fore-finger of his right hand with the other three fingers to draw to the serre so to discharge his peece with agility hauing done the which to retire souldier-like and charge againe giuing place to his next fellow or seconder But being a straight stocked peece the which I hold for the better he is to place the same vpon the right side of his breast fast against his shoulder leuelling and discharging as aforesaid And for other armes he is to be fitted with a short sword and meane dagger and a Spanish morion Now the musketier is to cary his musket vpon his left or right shoulder for it importeth not much on whether so they obserue the order of the first rancke with his Forke or rest in his left hand fastned about his hand wrest or little finger by a string hauing his flask and touchbox fitted as before is sayd or hauing a bandalier the same to be ouer the left shoulder and vnder the right arme Now to charge the same he must hold his musket with his left hand hauing his rest trayling by the string and put the but end of the stocke vpon the ground then with his flaske or bandalier to charge his peece with powder slipping downe the bullet into the barrell after the same and to fasten it with two or three cornes of powder as is aforesayd then to clappe the musket into his forke planting the lower end or pike of the rest into the ground neare vnto his left foote and resting the but ende of the stocke vpon his left thigh then to prime his pan with touch powder And hauing his match ready as before is sayd to take the peece of match that hangeth by the midle or third finger of his left hand betwixt the thombe
the front and so bee ready with double hands either to receiue or giue the charge For those battels of square of ground or battels of double fronts do bring many hands to fight at once being verie aduantagious for footmen against footmen as reason and experience proueth and sheweth And againe if you draw or diuide your battell or battallions into maniples to march through straights or narrow passages this order of doubling the files is verie ready and auaileable as thus If your battel or squadron be of 5184 pikes whose square roote is 72 now your passage will permit but 8 men to march in front then must you diuide your square root 72 by 8 so commeth it to be 9 maniples of 8 men in rank or breadth And say yet againe that the straight or passage doth fall yet more narrow or straighten lesse then to containe 8 men in front thē cause euery maniple at the verie entring of the straight to double their files and so of 8 you shall make 4 files per maniple the which being shouldred vp close together will containe no more roome in breadth then the 8 did before And hauing passed the straight cause them to fall into their former proportion and so maniple after maniple in passing the straight Gen. But if the squadron or maniple were of od nūbers it wold not so fal out Capt. That importeth not for the od file or rank which resteth vndoubled may in passing of the straight close vp shoulder to shoulder vnto the rest obseruing their proper stations in files and if the passage will not permit that then to fall backe after the traine of their maniple hauing passed the straight to sleeue vp in file pouldron to pouldron of their fellowes and so to fall into their former proportion The like of any other od numbers may be done with very great facility Now for as much as I entend to frame both figures and tables of sundry sorts of battels and battallions in our discourse following I will at this instant bee the more briefe supposing this at this present to suffice For he which conceiueth and vnderstandeth this well may do the like with any other numbers great or small Gent. And what course do you appoint the shot belonging to those numbers of pikes to obserue in these alterations of proportion Capt. The shot appertaining vnto euerie such number may be practised in the like or semblable sort either alone by themselues or placed in two grand sleeues along by the flanks of their squadron or battallions As for example If vnto the former number of 100 pikes there were proportioned suted 100 shot calliuer and musket these would I draw out into 5 per rank which would make 20 ranks Those 20 ranks would I cut off or deuide in the middest so should I haue 10 ranks for to sleeue the one flanke of the battallion and 10 ranks for the other flanke at 5 men per ranke or 5 files in euery ranke which is all one These 2 sleeues being placed may be doubled with the pikes by ranke or file for practise sake only But if you were engaged to fight with the enemie I would wish all great sleeues of shot to be deuided into many small troupes the one still to second another as hereafter shall be declared shewed And lo here another order the 2 grand sleeues being al musketiers as the battell or battalliō doth aduance march on toward the enemy comming once within reach of the musket then the first ranks of these sleeues of muskets many discharge in marching in this sort The first ranks stepping some two or three paces forward there those of the right sleeue to step one halfe pace toward the right hād those of the left sleeue one half pase toward the left hand hauing in the meane space made themselues ready and cocked their matches then with readinesse expedition all those of thē first ranks their muskets being vpon their rests or forks to discharge at once and keep their station charge againe permitting other rankes to proceed before them Then presently those of the second ranke to step vp iust before the first rank as the battell or battallion marcheth and so to discharge as their former fellowes had done before then the 3. rank before the 2. the 4. before the 3. and so all the other ranks consequently with this kind of double march and at the traine of the last rank those of the first to follow vp againe and so consequently the rest But if it chance their squadron of pikes to be distressed forced to retire they are to discharge at the enemy retiring backe vpon a countermarch as these figures following shal plainlie denote vnto you the maner and order The First Figure The second Figure with the Muskets discharging in marchings The third Figure vpon the retrait the shot discharging vpon a Counter-march There is yet another order of discharging of troupes of Muskets in vollie the which I haue seene vsed by the Italian and Spaniard thus Your Musketiers being deuided into sundrie troupes of 30 40 or 50 in a troupe the one to second the other then the two first troupes standing vpon the two angles of your squadron or battell may bee drawne vp by two officers by three foure or fiue at the most in a ranke and the said officers being at a sufficient distance to discharge shall cause the Musketiers to close somewhat neere shoulder to shoulder and so wheeling them about in figure of a halfe Moone shall at their due semi-circle or halfe compasse cause the Musketiers to make Alto and clapping their muskets on their rests close one by an others shoulder and each one hauing a care to his forefellowes they shall at one instant discharge altogether at one vollie vpon the enemy and so retire giuing place to other troupes the maner and forme whereof shall by these figures following appeare Troupes or squadras of muskets at 50. per troupe 5. in ranke Gent. Your calliuers or small shot would you haue them to discharge in these maners and orders before spoken of and figured Capt. No but I would with the calliuers or small shot to be deuided into sundry small troupes of 20 30 40 or 50 in a troupe and by their seuerall officers to be led vp and to skirmish in single file discharging readily one after another in file and so wheeling about vpon the left hand to retire giuing place vnto others to second them and to fall into their forme of troupe againe and then recharging aduisedly to be ready to come vp to second others as their turne commeth of which maner of small troupes shall often in our discourses following be denoted and shewed Now to conclude these orders of training I will set downe one point more to be obserued by one single company or two or three companies ioyntly comming into the Corps de
of the leafe The imbattailing of 5200 pikes armed and vnarmed short weapon 1300 muskets 3250 calliuers 3250. And of 〈◊〉 armes 400 and Launces 1000 and 600 hargulutiers with 14 field peeces In the before figured battell I haue placed and set downe the shot and short weapons belonging vnto the proportion of the said battell as here following shall particularly be declared First the battell or bodie of pikes armed vnarmed containing in number 4968 as in the figure before appeareth I haue framed in proportion of inequalitie being 2⅓ times more in breadth then in length in number of men called commonly a broad square which is in proportion as 7 to 3 which proportion couereth the due quadrate of ground as before I haue at large recited being impaled round about with 7 rankes of armed pikes at 108 men per ranke in front and 46 rankes in flanke For the furnishing of which battell with shot and short weapon in due proportion to the same I haue presupposed this course and order following after the rate to euery 100 men 40 pikes 10 halberds and short weapon 25 Muskets 25 Calliuers Which battell conteineth pikes 5200 whereof is within the body of the battell 4968 pikes halberds and short weapon 1300 Muskets 3250 Calliuers 3250 being in all 13000 men sorted and suted with weapons as appeareth and seuerally placed to fight as I suppose to most aduantage thus First the body of the battell containeth pikes 4968 armed and vnarmed being 108 in front and 46 rankes in flanke the which body is inuironed or girdled with Muskets at 5 in ranke round 1640 4 Squadrōs of Muskets at the angles of the battel at 50 per squadron 0200 30 Troupes of shot on the one flanke at 30 in a troupe amounteth 0900 30 Troupes of shot on the other flanke at 30 in a troupe amounteth 0900 17 Troupes of shot in the forlorne hope at 30 in a troupe amounteth 0510 46 Troupes of shot in the reareguarde at 30 in a troupe amounteth 1380 Summe totall of the shot bestowed about the battell 5530 More shot is bestowed about the guarde of one part of the artilliarie 0350 More shot placed in guarde of the other part of the artilliarie 0350 Finally there is shot left to guarde the munition summe 0270 Thus you see the whole number bestowed amounts 6500 Halbards and short weapon 1300 bestowed as followeth 06 Troupes short weapō mingled with the shot on the one flank at 30. 0180 06 Troupes short weapon mingled with shot on the other flanke at 30. 0180 05 Troups short weapō mingled the forlorne hope shot at 30 in tr 0. 0150 08 Troups short weapō mingled with the shot in the reareguard at 30. 0240 More short weapon with the one part of the artillerie to guard 0200 More short weapon with the other part of the artillerie 0200 Finally the rest of halbardes and short weapon are with the munition 0150 Thus also is bestowed the whole number of short weapon 1300 Finally there remained 232 pikes the which are placed in two squadrons with the rest of the halbardes and short weapon containing in each squadron 116 pikes and 200 short weapon as in their seuerall figures may appeare Aduertising moreouer that out of the body of the battell may be drawen some small number of pikes to be employed with the other pikes and halbardes at the guarde of the artillerie and munition which roome shall serue for Drummes Phiphes Chirurgians and hurt men where also is the place of the Generall if he thinke good But with this prouiso that you draw not so many pikes frō the heart of your battell that you leaue the same heartlesse To conclude The said battell is winged with 2 squadrons of men at armes at 200 in each squadron with 2 troupes of Launciers at 500 in euery troupe and with 2 troupes of hargulutiers and other shot on horsebacke at 300 horse in euery troupe And before them againe is placed 14 peeces of field ordinaunce in two parts hauing by them their guardes of shot and pikes as appeareth Thus haue you here seene in figure the embattailling and bestowing of 5200 pikes 6500 shot and 1300 short weapon and of 400 men at armes and 1000 Launciers and 600 hargoletiers imbattailled and placed and ready engaged to fight as particularly aboue appeareth Gent. Truly for mine owne part I haue litle skill to iudge but in mine opinion this seemeth wonderfull strong for one battell but me thinkes you haue framed your battell of more men in breadth then in length Capt. So it is For I haue set 108 men in breadth and 46 rankes in length the reasons thereof I shewed you before for by this meanes there commeth more hands at once to fight in front and the flankes notwithstanding sufficient strong especially hauing any aduantage by the seat which battell commeth to be an equall square of ground and a broad square of men in proportion of inequalitie as 7 is to 3 that is two times and a third of men more broad then long But for these formes of battels as they bring most hands to fight at once so are they not equally strong on each side as is the iust square of men wherefore it behoueth the leaders thereof to haue a care to the situation of the ground and to procure as neere as they can that the enemie may charge but in the front so shall they be wonderfull strong either against horse or foote And to encounter any foote enemie for no great force of enemies horse may be brought into one Ile I suppose no forme more strong then this for one onely battell Gent. Why are there vsed more battels then one in one fight Capt. Yea truly and with great reason and aduauntage were men experte and skilfull For as it is venturous to set ones fortune vpon the brunt of one sole battell so is it daungerous to frame many batallions except men be very skilfull and well practised therein by reason of the difficultie in seconding one another And againe it is rarely seene in our dayes that men come often to hand-blowes as in old time they did For now in this age the shot so employeth and busieth the field being well backed with a resolute stand of pikes that the most valiantest and skilfullest therein do commonly import the victorie or the best at the least wise before men come to many hand-blowes Gent. But your battell thus framed and engaged to fight what order take you therein then Capt. It is hard for any man to giue any direct course before the enemie bee knowen and seene For the occurants of warre bee so manifold and strange that sometimes vpon a moment the first resolutions and courses taken are to be altered as was well to be seene in our actions with the Spanyardes in anno 1588 at sea Where our first determinations and appointed orders were
would haue the Sergeant Maior to be skilled and seene although the conduction of our warres now a dayes doth consist more in surprises assaults and batteries then open field fight and although the best now in vse are but two or three viz. the first square of men and the square of ground and their diuision into battallions of that kind according to the weapons wherewithall we now fight Gent. Which of these do you hold for most assured and strong Capt. I hold them all for sufficient strong but the difference which may happen is to be iudged according to the situation and disposition of the ground and occasions to fight and by the order that the campe shall obserue For in some occasions the square of men would be best as in open field without aduantage of hedge ditch water marish or wood or where the enemie is strong in horse to charge on euerie side the which iust square of men in euerie part is found to be equally strong and apt euery way to receiue the charge the which could not be so were the battell ouerlong afront narrow in flank as is the bastard broad or base square but yet in other occasions where these aduantages are to be found it were better to fight in broad front for that thereby many hands do come to fight at once together in the vantguard and with more difficultie to be compassed by the enemie hauing any of the aduantages before spoken of to friend but most cōmonly if necessitie occasion or situation do not constraine otherwise the quadrat of ground is best and most vsed as best proportioned with equall strength in vantguard and reareward especially against footemen and also flanked sufficiently strong and which of all other doth occupie least quantitie of ground Gent. What meane you by Bastard square Broad square and Base square Capt. The Bastard square is the battell which conteineth almost twise so many men in front as in flanke in proportion as 1 ¾ is to 1 the Broad square is the battell which conteineth more or as much as twise so many men in front as in flank as is 2 to 1 or 2 ⅓ which is as 7 to 3 and the Base square is the battell which containeth almost thrise or 3 times more in breadth then in depth which proportion is as 8 to 2 or 3 to 1 or such other proportions of inequalitie as fol. 51. Gent. You haue before declared at large the maner how to frame all these sorts of battels therfore it is needelesse to demaund it againe whereby I perceiue how necessary it is for the Sergeant Maior to be both learned and skilfull in Arithmeticke but doth it import any thing whether the ranks be of euē number or odde Capt. No truly but a custome vsed amongst vs without any ground for battels are to be set according to the number of men and the same to be framed as the situation of the ground will permit therfore the number of Par or Impar doth litle import to the strengthening of the battell but the due proportioning thereof according to the quantitie of your men to be accommodated to the ground or situation and aboue all the braue conduction of the Commaunders and the resolute valour of the souldiers is the strength and firmenesse of the battell Gent. What order is to be taken in setting of battels with speede and facilitie that the confusion of the souldiers disturbe not the same especially where men be vnruly euery one thrusting himselfe into the first rankes of the foreward in such disorder many times that neither the Sergeant Maior nor Colonels themselues shall be able to frame a battell in good sort Capt. The care to redresse this inconuenience toucheth the Sergeant Maior and therefore he ought to giue aduise and warning vnto euery companie before they come to this point that they beware of such confusion disorder and disobedience notifying vnto them that the Ensigne or Ensignes which were of the ward that day should frame the first rankes of the vantgard and the Ensignes or Companies that had the ward last before should successiuely follow and those which were afterward to haue the ward to succeede them againe and then next such as first were gathered to the squadrons Moreouer giuing aduisement to the officers that they suffer none of the souldiers of their bande to come without their armour by peece-meale and vnfurnisht for by such faults although that by the aforesaid reasons the vantguard appertaineth vnto them yet they loose their preheminence for comming so ill armed and iustly may others better armed be placed in their roomes Gent. And if perhappes vpon the Alarme giuen as commonly it falleth out all the Companies in Armes doe ioyne and gather together vnto the Corps de guarde or place of assemblie in such a case what is the Sergeant Maior to do Capt. He shall frame together that confused and disordered body placing the Captaines before and shall draw his battell from out one of the flankes or out of the rereward as he shall finde it most commodious the which he shall doe with great facilitie and thereby shall defraude those that were cause of such confusion and it shall serue vnto two good effectes the one he shall frame his battell with speede and the other he shall by this meanes chasten the vnruly and disobedient by leauing them in the rereward who seeing this order taken by the Sergeant Maior will euer afterwardes be more obedient and tractable to be set in order Gent. But the battell or squadron of pikes being set in what order is the same garnished with shot and how many and great shall the sleeues thereof be and how farre distant placed from the pikes for I haue heard different opinions therein whereof although you haue sayd somwhat already yet I pray let vs heare something more of the same Capt. No souldier is ignorant that the squadron of pikes being set is to be impaled or girdled with shot as many rankes of shot as pikes But the due and naturall girdling indeede ought to be no more shot in ranke then that the pike may well couer and defend especially where the enemie doth abound in Cauallerie And so vnder the defence and fauour of the pike there cannot conueniently stand aboue one ranke of three shot at the most and so many in mine opinion should the girdling conteine the which girdling shot kneeling vpon one knee vnder the couert of the couched pikes should at the charging of the horsemen discharge their vollie in their face and bosome which would bee no small galling vnto them But when this daunger of horse is not to be feared then the impalement may be made of more shot in a ranke at the discretion of the Sergeant Maior according to the quantitie of shot contained in his companies and the rest of the shot to be deuided into sundry small troupes as I sayd before
grauity and knowledge sith so many things do concerne him to direct gouerne and administer and principally the allodgeing or encamping of the Army the which seemeth to be a matter of great importance and skill Capt. No greater matter of charge that I know of in the warre for besides that it requireth great practise and experience to discerne what part is fittest for the Cauallerie and what place for the Infanterie and in what quarters the Artillery ought to be planted in what parts the Corps de guard scouts Sentinels yet without comparison it behoueth him much more to haue the reason iudgemēt skill to discerne whether the situatiō hath the parts and cōmodities to be required whether it be pitcht in a place fit conuenient to defend thē frō the attempts of the enemy that the prouisions victuals may safely passe come vnto the campe with a number of such other points to effect the which it is very important and necessary that he be wel skilled and practised in the country where he warreth that he be very wel seene skilfull in the Geography thereof hauing the same perfectly drawne in plats and Mappes with their Cities Townes villages forts fortresses farmes and Countrie houses and the distance frō one to our instructions for God knoweth what world may fall out yet ere we dye Capt. Well Gentlemen sith you do still egge and draw me on with your curious demaundes I will shew you the best I can the orders obserued by the best Italian and Spanish Encampers You know that I haue shewed you before of the generall and particular parts of a souldier their seuerall offices euen frō the Caporall vnto his Camp-maister generall the number of a band their due sortment difference of weapons and their seuerall vses the orders of training marching and embattailling in sundry manners now most in vse the seuerall parts and dutie of euery officer in degree with a number of other points which now I remember not Now lastly to your demaund touching the marching and allodgement of a campe I say That when an Armie marcheth neare vnto the enemies Army it is needfull that there be had many and great considerations as first when the one Armie is not of equall force vnto the other or when one is not disposed to come to the fact of battell for not to put by one onely battell into the hands of fortune all a mans habilitie whole rest in fine as many misaduised men haue done therefore to prolong time and to shunne the doubtfull fact of armes it were needfull to make choise to march if possible you may through mountaine groundes and hillie and with such aduantage of seate and ground that the enemy may not with any reason of aduantage assault you But when this may not be yet eschued at the least it is to bee procured to be done to the best aduantages and as it were with a certaine hope of victory the which may partly bee performed when you know how to profit your selfe with the aduantage that the situation will affoord And in your marching I would wish you to send some part of your light horse so neare vnto the enemy as continually you haue notice of all their orders and courses True it is that when you are in a countrey where this aduantage of hils is not to be found and must of necessitie march through plaines and champaine fields and haue the enemy neare at hand it were then very hard to shunne and auoide battell the which I would rather wish to be done then otherwise especially if your Army do surmount your enemy in Cauallerie for in such cases the battell is not to be refused your strength consisting most in horse the which by good conduction giueth a great part to the victory This manner of marching vpon grounds of aduantage we reade antiquitie to haue vsed as did Fabius Maximus when he encamped a long time with the Romane Armie against the conquerour Hanniball in our time as did Charles the fift in Germanie against the Protestants Army both the which by reason of the situations and seates did many times encampe and lodge with their armies not distant one from the other aboue a Culuerine shot the which might possible be by reason of the hilles and mountaine seates abounding in them places But this is seldome seene in the plaines and champain grounds in the which it is needfull for him that shunneth the battell to march and passe at the least eight or ten myles distant from the enemy and must thinke to fortifie at euery allodgement in such sort and manner that neither horse nor foote in any array of battell may not but with great difficultie charge or enter vpon you the which is sufficient with a campall fortification or running campe as some terme it and chiefly because it ought to be done with great speede and diligence the which encamping when it shall seeme you good to continue may bee reduced into such strength as might seeme sufficient And in the marching which the armie shall make through plaines and champain fieldes when it commeth to passe to haue either any litle riuer wood or groue to couer one flanke of the campe all diligence is to bee vsed to gaine such sayd aduantage for it will be a matter of great importance Alwayes hauing a regard that the artillerie munition and other impediments doe alwayes passe on the contrary side from the enemy and also that the squadrons of men at armes Lanciers do flanke the arrayes and battallions next toward the enemy in sort and maner conuenient And moreouer a laudable custome it is to deuide the campe into three squadrons or battels that is in vantguard battell and rereward and euery day to change the point making the vantguard battell and the battell rereward and the rereward vantguard and that euery one of these partes may haue their due proportions and numbers of Cauallerie and shot distinguished in their conuenient places aduertising with great diligence and care that there bee not mingled any vnprofitable people among the Ordinances and squadrons of the Infanterie and that euery battell be placed in their due appointed places and distances vnder their Ensignes and colours in such sort that all the troupes of Cauallerie be quite cleared of vnprofitable horses and other impediments wherein the Germaines horsemen do keepe great order care and diligence very necessarie to be imitated It is a very good custome besides that part of the light horse be continually abroad at discouery scout and to watch after euery action that the enemies Armie doth that you may bee alwayes aduertised thereof so that if occasion bee you may haue time space and commoditie to prepare to the encounter and battell Touching the order of marching the campe there can bee no particular rules set downe more then I haue before spoken
of in the third and fourth booke where I haue entreated of the framing of squadrons marching an Armie and of deuiding the same into Maniples comming vnto any straight passage or narrow wayes because it must be accommodated according to the situation and qualitie of the countrey wherein you march Let vs now therefore passe on to speake of the allodgement of a campe and of the seates and the forme and of the greatnesse and of the commodities and of the fortifying the same and of the orders to be therein obserued And first touching the situation I say that being in a plaine or champain field farre distant from mounts and hilles it is then necessary to haue either riuers or such quātitie of waters as may commodiously serue the whole campe both horse foote with aduisement that there may be had from the next adioyning woods timber of all sortes for the vse and needes of the campe the like consideration is also to bee had for forrage for the horses as things not to be carried alwayes after a campe and to do it when these commodities may bee had with such sure fortifications that the enemy may not annoy you The circuite greatnesse of the campe ought not to be such that might hinder in any occasion offered to succour keepe and defend the same as is conuenient and needfull neither yet that it be of such straightnesse and narrownesse that the Armie cannot haue all his commodities eases and places necessarie to frame their squadrons and set themselues in battell ray and common places for victuallers pioners and others following the campe And touching the forme it shall be such and in such order as shall appeare by the plats and draughtes accommodating the same vnto the situations and groundes as moreouer shall be seene euery quarter with their places and streets to issue forth and with the place of the Generals lodging And all these things shall be set downe in the most plainest and best order that we can And when in like sort it shall happen and occurre to encampe vpon any mountaine situation or hill or may be variably set as in a valley neare broken rockes riuers woodes or hollow wayes and such like if the Camp-maister Generall be a skilfull man of warre as he ought to be and perfect in encamping an Army he may aduantage himselfe greatly therewith and shall with litle arte most strongly fortifie his campe or allodgement But aboue all he must be well aduised that hee encampe not in any place subiect vnto any hill or mount or any alture that may ouerlooke the campe and so from thence batter the Curtines of the rampiers for being so occupied by the enemy the Generall should bee forced to dislodge and happely constrained to fight to his great disaduantage as it was like to fall out vnto Frauncis the French king when hee was encamped at Cambresie vpon the borders of Picardie for leauing a litle hill vnpossest vpon the one side of his encampement the which discouered ouer all his campe and lay right ouer against the Curtines thereof and the Emperour Charles comming thither with his Armie the sayd place being espied and reknowledged by his Captaines was by them encouraged that although the houre were late and his people much wearied with long marching yet were it not good to lose and let slippe the occasion to gaine so aduantagious a seate But this profitable prudent aduise was by some others of great authoritie contradicted saying that the morning ensuing the same might bee better performed The which fell not so out for the king being aduised of this errour sent that night his Italian Infanterie to take and fortifie the same hill which did frustrate the Emperours desseignes There are many and sundry aduertisements to be yet giuen touching the marching and encamping of an Armie but for not to be tedious I passe them ouer onely aduertising that the Cauallerie in their quarters and allodgement would be defended and shadowed by the Infanterie as much as reasonably might be for that vpon any sudden alarme giuen the horse are farre more vnready then the foote and do require a longer time in arming and ordering and of the footemen the shot to be sooner ready then the pikes and therefore in the encamping the due consideration of each of these is to be had as I haue in my plat of encamping in fol. 157. set downe THE FOVRTH DIALOGVE VVherein is set downe the forme order and Arithmeticall rules for an encampement both horse and foote with the quantitie of ground for euery man and horse his roome and station and the plats to the same c. Captaine NOw for the better declaration of these allodgements and encamping we will giue an example with his figure To encampe therefore an Armie in Campania with his due measures well proportioned according vnto the seate and place it is necessarie to know the superficies or face of the quarters of the Cauallerie and Infanterie with their due places and streets and other things necessary to the seruice of the campe And for example Let vs suppose to make an encampement of 36000 fighting men that is to say 1000 men at armes 3000 Lanciers and 2000 light horse and Hargulutiers and of footemen 15000 shot 12000 pikes and 3000 short weapons Vnto euery man at Armes we will allow 8 lodgings and vnto euery Lancier and Hargulutier we will allow 4 lodgings and vnto euery roome or lodging as well of Lanciers and light horse as men at Armes we will giue 50 superficiall foote of ground which shalbe 5 foot in breadth and 10 foote in length as in this figure may appeare And vnto euery foote souldier with his furniture we will allow 64 superficiall foote of ground for his lodging which shall be 8 foote in length and 8 foote in breadth as appeareth by this figure This being knowne you shall then in the most commodious place about the middest of the ground where you meane to encampe set vp the Generals standerd and about the same stake out a square plat of ground of fiftie or threescore pases square for the Generals pauillion and place Then shall be lined out two straight streetes which shall come to cut or crosse one another at right angles in the middest of the Generals place the which are called the principall streets or Captaine wayes extending East and West and North and South or as the seate and region will permit At the head of euerie one of the which shall be a guard and watch toward the enemie and an issuing out of the Campe. The which two long streetes crossed at right angles as is aforesaid commeth to quarter your encamping ground into foure equall parts the center whereof shall be the Generals pauillion and place and the other allodgements and quarters to be distinguished as in the Plat following shall at large and particularly appeare The