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A39331 The compleat body of the art military ... divided into three books, the first containing the postures of the pike and musket ... the second comprehending twelve exercises ... the third setting forth the drawing up and exercising of regiments ... illustrated with varietie of figures of battail ... / by Richard Elton. Elton, Richard, fl. 1650. 1650 (1650) Wing E653; ESTC R24314 241,863 247

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12. Jer. l. 42. Esay v. 28. lXVI 19. XXII 6. Ezec. XXVI 8. XXIII 24. 1 Chro. XII 8 24. VIII 40. X. 3. 11 Chro. XIIII 8. Zech. IX 13. Psal lXXVIII 9. Amos 11. 15. of Bow Arrow Buckler Launce Spear Sheild (a) Neh. VII 7. Ezech. XXXII 2. Jer. XXXVI 1. 13. 11 King IX 17. Watches and Wards (b) Deut. XXXIII 17. Numb XXXI 14. 1 Sam. VIII 12. Exod. XVIII 21. Armies of Myriads Reg'ments of Thousands Bands of Hundereds Fifties Files of tens (c) 11 Chron. XIII 3. 1 King XX. 14. Closeing Hosts for fight And what I have not roome to write PTRPRY THE COMPLEAT BODY OF THE ART MILITARY The First Book CHAP. I. A discourse of the Postures and the handling of Arms. HE that will be a compleat Souldier must first begin to learn the use of his Arms laying that down in his thoughts for his first foundation But this hath beene the neglect of many in our times who have strived to know high thoughts in the Art Military before they can well performe their Postures Therefore my advice shall be unto all such that desire to thrive in this Art that they will not soar too high but first learn the A B C thereof after which they may proceed by degrees to pronounce to the Souldier with boldnesse their proficiencie therein He therefore that with safety ease and delight desireth to handle his Arms must set ti●es apart frequently to practise himselfe therein And here I cannot but much blame the Officers of our Trained Bands in London of two great neglect the first in making men File-leaders either out of respect or favour they bear unto them or else because one man hath a better Buf-coat than another I speake not this to encourage any man to come slovenly habited when he shall march forth with his Captain but rather advise all Souldiers to fit themselves with the best array they can and could wish all the Serjeants in drawing up their Files to pitch upon such Gentlemen to be File-leaders as may take charge of his File and shall be able willing and ready upon all convenient times to instruct and teach his File in all their Postures and neat handling of their Arms which if carefully observed they would reap the benefit of much ease to themselves and the private Souldiers readinesse in the performance of the Postures would much redound ro the honour of the Captain that shall lead them But for the farther satisfaction of the ingenious Souldier that shall enquire what Posture is I shall briefly resolve them thus Posture as I conceive is a garbe or figure that a man stands in in the handling of his What Posture is Arms which he useth for the better grace and becomming of them There are severall motions belonging to each Posture which some call Postures but they much deceive themselves as shall appear clearly unto them by the survey as they shall be set down in order And first we will begin to set down the Postures of the Pike CHAP. II. Severall reasons why the Pike is the more honourable Arms. FIrst I shall begin to set down the postures of the Pike before the postures of the Musket for these reasons following as conceiving First They are the more honourable Arms in respect the Colours flying upon the head of them and upon the drawing up of the Company there is the most properest place for the Captain to be either upon a Stand or upon a March provided he have ground sufficient to March them all a brest If upon a Stand the Captain shall have occasion to engage against an Enemy thither his Officers may repair unto him upon the head of the Pikes there to receive directions And if the Captain shall cause the Serjeants to draw off part or all the Muskettiers from the Body of Pikes to fire against the enemy the Gentlemen of the Pikes in the mean time stands undauntedly to undergoe all the cruell shot of the Cannon from the contrary part for to preserve their Colours who are likewise a place of Randezvous for the Muskettiers to repair unto when they shall retreat from fight Farther it hath been the ambition of many Gentlemen both in Holland France and in these our late unhappy Wars in England to trail Pikes with severall Commanders whom they shall thinke fit And lastly to conclude all that the Pike is the more honourable Arms it is so in respect of its antiquity for there hath been the use of the Pike and Spear many hundred years before there was any knowledge of the Musket as in many Histories you shall finde And so for present I wil conclude this discourse of the Pike desiring the Muskettiers to have a favourable censure of me for I intend not by it to perswade all Souldiers to the handling of the Pike and none to be Muskettiers for that cannot be I should rather advise all Captains that have occasion to raise their Companies to have two thirds of Muskettiers and but one of Pikes that is to say if they should have 18 Files to cause twelve of them to carry Muskets and the other six Files Pikes And in my judgement they shall performe the better service unto any Nation where they shall be employ'd and I shall farther desire the Souldiers especially those that be of low stature to handle and take delight in the use of the Musket for it is an exceeding great honour to him so to handle his Musket as that he doth it with ease and in a comely manner and he that shall become expert therein I have often observed this commendation to follow him by the report of others Such a one is a good Muskettier and an able Souldier concluding thereby he that will take the pains to be a good Muskettier certainly cannot be idle but hath gained somthing more to make him capable of such praise To conclude I shall desire the Gentlemen of the Pikes and the Gentlemen of the Muskettiers to goe hand in hand in love like dear brothers and neither of them to envie each other and in so doing God will give a blessing to all their undertakings But now fearing I have dwelt too long upon this discourse of the Arms I shall next proceed to set down first the postures of the Pike then the postures of the Musket with all the words of command tending to their Motions after collect them in order in a brief way and then set forth unto you the equality of number that the one Arms hath with the other in the postures as followeth CHAP. III. The Postures of the Pike THE Pike lying on the ground the first word of command will be stand to your Arms. Handle your Pike Raise up your Pike to your Open Order Order Close Order Charge with the But end of the Pike at the inside of the right foot your Pike in the left hand drawing your Sword over your left arm Charge to the Front Right Flank Left
Flank Reer Order your Pikes and put up your Swords This way of charging to the Horse I have set down as being practised somtimes amongst us in our private meetings but I conceive it to be of little use to receive a desperate charge of the Horse for by these charges the Souldiers are in so lame and weake a posture that the Horse cannot choose if they come on with a full career but beare the Pikes and Pike-men down to the ground Therefore in my opinion the best way of opposing the Horse charge is that which we learned of our ever honoured Captain Major Henry Tillier in the Military Garden which was Files closing to the midst to their closest Order insomuch that there was not above half a foot intervall of ground between File and File the Pikes Porting and after closing their Ranks forwards so close that they locked themselves one within another and then charged on Which in my judgement is so secure a way from routing that it is impossible for any Body of Horse to enter therein and farther to my best remembrance I never could meet with any Souldier that hath been abroad upon any service that ever saw any charging of the Pikes at the Foot therefore I will further proceed From Order Advance Your Pike Shoulder Your Pike Port Your Pike Comport Your Pike Cheek Your Pike Trail Your Pike Order as you were From your Order charge to the Front Right Left Reere Order as you were Advance your Pike Shoulder Your Pike Port Your Pike Comport Your Pike Cheek Your Pike Trail Your Pike Advance as you were From your Advance charge to the Front Right Left Reer Advance as you were Shoulder your Pike Port Your Pike Comport Your Pike Cheek Your Pike Trail Your Pike Shoulder as you were From the Shoulder charge to the Front Right Left Reere Shoulder as you were Port your Pikes Comport your Pikes Cheek your Pikes Trail your Pikes Comport as you were From the Comport Charge to the Front Right Left Reer Comport as you were Cheek your Pikes Trail your Pikes Cheek as you were From the Cheek charge to the Front Right Left Reer Cheek as you were Trail your Pikes from your Trail charge to the Front Right Left Reer Trail as you were Order your Pikes Lay down your Pikes Here is to be observed by this Method an endeavouring to performe all the postures of the Pike from each particular posture only shortning it by degrees leaving out what was before commanded untill we come unto the Trail Yet notwithstanding I spared not the charges but have shewn them from every posture in their due order Next followeth the postures of the Musket wherein in answerablenesse to the Pike I shall lay them down in full and afterwards contract them in a shorter way CHAP. IV. The Postures of the Musket THE Musket lying on the ground the first word of command will be as to the Pike Stand to your Arms Take up your Bandiliers Put on your B●ndilieres Take up your Rest Put the string of your Rest about your left wrist Take up your Match Place your Match Take up your Musket Rest your Musket Here the Souldier may perform the Saluting Posture if he shall finde any occasion so to doe for the honouring of his friend or any Gentleman of worth Poyse your Musket Shoulder your Musket Un-shoulder your Musket and Poyse Joyne your Rest to the outside of your Musket Open your pan Cleer your pan Prime your pan Shut your pan Cast off your loose Corns Blow off your loose corns and bring about your Musket to the left side Trail your Rest Ballance your Musket in your left hand Finde out your Charge Open your Charge Charge with powder Draw forth your Scouring-stick Turn and shorten him to an Inch. Charge with Bullet Put your Scouring-stick into your Musket Ram home your Charge Withdraw your Scouring-stick Turn and shorten him to a handfull Return your Scouring-stick Bring forward your Musket and Rest Poyse your Musket recover your Rest Joyn your Rest to the outside of your Musket Draw forth your Match Blow your Cole Cock Your Match Fit Your Match Guard your Pan Blow the ashes from your Cole Open your Pan Present upon your Rest Give fire brest high Dismount your Musket joyning the Rest to the outside of your Musket Un-cock and return your Match Cleere your Pan Shut your Pan. Poyse your Musket Rest your Musket Take your Musket off the Rest and set the Butt end to the ground Lay down your Musket Lay down your Match Take your Rest into your right hand cleering the string from your left wrist Lay down your Rest Take off your Bandiliers Lay down your Bandiliers Here endeth the Postures of the Musket from the taking of them up from the ground to make ready and the proceeding in them to the laying of them down again Now if the Souldier will take his Rest into his right hand for to be a support and help to him in his march he must observe the following words of command Lay your right hand upon the Butt end of your Musket Lay your left arme over your Musket The Musket being shouldered you may proceed in these words of command to recover the Rest into the right hand Shift your match between the fingers of your right hand Take your Rest into your right hand cleering the string from your left wrist Return your match and take your Rest into your right hand 't will cause you to be in a fit capacity for to march CHAP. V. The Postures and charges of the Pike to be performed in a shorter way all things acted in order and nothing done twice THE Pike lying on the ground the first word of Command will be Stand to your Arms Handle your Arms. Raise up your Pikes to your open Order Raise up your Pikes to your Order Raise up your Pikes to your close Order From your close Order charge to the Horse Front Right Left Reer Recover your Pikes and put up your Swords Advance your Pikes Port your Pikes Charge to the Front Shoulder your Pikes Charge to the right Comport your Pikes Charge to the left Cheeke your Pikes Trail your Pikes Charge to the Reer After lay the narrow end of the Pike to the ground face about to the left to your first Front and move forward with the Butt end of your Pike on your right side in your Funerall Posture After face about to the right raise up your Pike face then again to your first Front you may lay down the Pike to the ground and march from your Arms having ended all the Postures and Charges in their due courses And here Fellow Souldier whoever thou art thou maist perceive that there are no more then eight Postures of the Pike and foure Charges that is to say to the Front Reer and both Flanks There are some would fain have another Posture added to these which they call the Lazie Posture which somtimes I have
notice of and to be informed of placing of man of worth and desert in both Armes that is to say in the Body of Pikes and of the Muskettiers which underneath by figures I shall set forth for farther satisfaction therein Here I have set down the manner how the Serjeants should draw up their Files in each armes a part by themselves and have figured forth unto them the foure chiefe places of honour in both arms It concerns them therefore very much to minde and have regard to these particular places and to order such men of worth there which may be well deserving of the same and those Gentlemen whom they shall thinke fit after to be worthy of File-leaders places they are to draw them up between the figure 1 and the figure 4 and between the figure 3 and the figure 2 and that rule to observe in both armes and to be carefull to place good Souldiers in the Reere and such who may be able Souldiers for Halfe-file-leaders because there may be much occasion by doublings to bring them up for to assist the Front Thus much I do confesse may be sufficient forthe present to give directions to the Serjeants for drawing up the Files and joyning them together Next after I have shewn how to flank their Pikes with Muskettiers I will set forth unto them and the Drums where their places are upon a stand and where to be upon a march Next followeth to flank the stand of Pikes with the Muskettiers command the Gentlemen of the Pikes to face to the right and left half-ranks of Muskettiers to Face to the left and then to march and interchange ground facing after to their leaders and closing Files inward to order they will stand as underneath is set forth If it should happen as somtimes it doth for a Company to be very large as in a Collonels why then they may have just cause to have foure Serjeants as I have thus placed them But here again it will be expected of diverse Souldiers to shew some reasons for the placing of the Serjeants being thus drawn up and upon a stand which I shall endeavour fully for to doe after I have set down where their places are upon the march Now before we shall come to treat of the Company upon their long march the Captain perceiving for his most conveniencie of marching in the street or in a lane that it will be convenient to divide his Muskettiers into equall divisions for their march and therefore according to this number here set down they may be divided into foure divisions that is to say two to march in the Van and two in the Reer and two divisions of Pikes But before they are moving it is the Serjeants duty to come unto the Captain to be informed from him where their proper places are to march and what divisions each of them shall lead and likewise so the Drums to know their places where to beat upon the march To answer to them all in the first place the Captain ought to give directions to his youngest Serjeant to lead the second division of Muskettiers in the Van the first division of Pikes being led by the ●nsigne he commands the second for to be led by his second Serjeant and after orders or appoints the eldest Serjeant to lead the first division of Muskettiers of the Reer-guard and the third Serjeant to lead the last division of Muskettiers the Lieutenant bringing up the Reer and Drums commanded to fall in behinde the two first Ranks of each division and to beat between the second Rank and fourth Having thus stated to them all their proper places next it will be convenient for the Captain to command them to shoulder their Arms both Pikes and Muskettiers and the Officers and Drums taking all their places as before directed they may begin to move and draw forth into a long March as followeth CHAP. XXIII Severall reasons given for the placing of the Serjeants after this manner WHen a Body is drawn up in manner as before expressed the Captain being Commander in chiefe his discretion is to ballance the Officers as neer as he can with equall dignity and worth his Front proportionally with the Reer To which purpose he takes unto himselfe the youngest Serjeant and places him on the right Angle in the Front whereby he may be there ready to march down into the Body or elswhere according unto the discretion of the Captain to fulfill his commands as also to stand there as a Spectator of the Captains actions and an assistant which may be much improvement to him And in like manner he commands the third Serjeant to the left Angle in the Reer as being the second youngest and may be a help unto his Lieutenant there as the fourth is to him in the Front The eldest Serjeant he orders to the left Angle in the Front as being the most honourable place for him being there ready to lead upon a march the Van of the Reer-Guard the second Serjeant he is appointed to stand on the right Angle of the Reer to make them equall in dignity unto the Front Now if you please to examine the dignity of the Serjeants in the first place as the first Serjeant and the fourth making the number 5 and after take a view of the second place or Reer and there you shall observe that the second Serjeant and third may every way ballance themselves to be equivalent in the worth with the first and fourth carrying with them a like the same number So that it is cleerly evident that the Serjeants are rightly stated in number and dignity the Front proportionably with the Reer in the judgement of any knowing Souldier Something more may be spoken of the second Serjeants place which you may take notice in his March to lead the second Division of Pikes which is the most honourablest place of leading that is appointed forth unto the Serjeants the first only excepted and upon a Stand when they shall lead up their Divisions every Serjeant is to be take him unto his place as they were at first placed and to continue there untill such time they shall receive further order from their Captain Thus much I conceive may give satisfaction unto the discreet Souldier in these perticulers leaving them liberty to judge according unto their own best thoughts while we endeavour to draw up our Divisions all a Brest again and to make some description of a Body The Captain upon his March having attained some convenient place to draw up his Company makes Alt and commands the Serjeants to lead up their Divisions upon the left and causes the Muskettiers to open from the Pikes making sufficient intervalls for the Drums to beat two a Brest even with the Front the first two between the right hand File leader of Pikes and the Muskettiers upon the right the second two Drums doing the like upon the left And always the Captain ought to march his Company after this manner all a Brest provide he have ground sufficient
perceived upon a stand that then the Pike-man le ts slip his Pike from the shoulder untill the Butt end rest upon the ground then laying his right arme over it he stands in an il-favour'd lazit way Such Postures as these are not fit to be ranged among the former but rather to be condemned in regard the Souldier will be apt enough to finde out such Postures as these of himselfe if not prevented by the discretion of the carefull Officers for upon a stand the Souldiers properest Posture is to Order his Pike And thus much in briefe concerning the Postures of the Pike CHAP. VI. The Postures of the Musket collected in a briefe way ACcording to my former promise I shall endeavour to give the best satisfaction I can to the Muskettiers as well as to the Pikes that there is an answerablenesse of number in the proper Postures of the Musket to them of the Pike and they are eight as I conceive and may be proceeded on in order from the taking up to the laying down of the Musket and nothing acted twice the words of command for the Postures followeth The Musket lying on the ground the words of command will be as afore Stand to your Arms Handle your Arms. Now you are to take notice that in taking up the Bandiliers putting them on taking up the Rest putting the string about the left wrist the taking up of the Match placing of it the taking up of the Musket these or the like are no Postures but motions to the first Posture Therefore I will proceed upon them all in order as they lie leaving out the words of command tending to the Motions 1 Order your Musket 2 Rest your Musket 3 Poyse your Musket 4 Shoulder your Musket 5 Ballance your Musket and Rest on the right with the barrell upwards 6 Trail your Rest and ballance your Musket on the left side with the barrell downwards 7 Recover your Musket and performe your Sentinell Posture 8 Frō this perform your Funerall Posture This being ended a man may recover his Musket and Rest that knows how to perform this last Posture without bringing him again upon the Rest and may lay down his Armes again observing the former Rule where the Pestures of the Musket are set down at large CHAP. VII There is also a conformity of Posture with the Musket to those of the Pike and Words of Command to be given as may in many things be received by both Arms. THe Musket and Pike lying on the ground these words of Command may properly be imployed to both That is to say Stand to your Arms. Handle your Arms. The But-end of the Musket standing or resting on the ground at the out side of the right foot is conformable to the Pike ordered The Musket poysed to the Pike advanced The Musket shouldered to the Pike shouldered The Musket porting to the Pike porting The Musket reverst as in the Funerall Posture to the Pike trailing The Musket rested to the Pike cheeked which is his proper Sentinell Posture The Musket presented to the Pike charged As for the Motions of Posture which conduce to the lading and priming of the Musket as to cast about trail recover and the like they are all included in that generall Word of Command properly to the Muskettiers belonging which is to make ready Now me thinks I hear some ingenious Souldier begin to aske me what are the the use of these Postures so fully laid down by you To whom I shall be so courteous as to satisfie them according to my former Method beginning with the Pike as followeth CHAP. VIII The use of the Postures of the Pike THe Pike being ordered is the proper Posture of a Souldier upon a stand which he The use of Ordering the Pike ought ever to minde upon any such occasion so to make use of it And I have likewise seen in many places in the day time this Posture to be used by the Souldier standing Sentinell The Pike advanced is usefull for the Souldier upon a Troop when they are to march The use of advancing the Pike swiftly either for the relieving of some Court of Guard or to repair to their place of Randezvous or upon some suddain approaching to an Enemy to make a Charge for then he will be in a fit capacity to clap down quickly his Pike upon the breast of the Enemy It is likewise very usefull in the time of excercise to the half-files and bringers up upon any doubling to the Front for then they are alwayes to be advanced in respect of a longer march in their doublings then those that double Ranks and Files but having doubled they must always conforme in Posture to the part doubled The use of Porting was invented for the ease of the Reare half-Files upon a Charge for the Front half-Files are only for to charge the Rear haf Files in the mean time are to The use of Porting port It is likewise very usefull at such times when the Souldiers are marching through a Gate or Sally-Port from whence I conceive it doth derive its name porting The use of shouldering the Pike is only properest upon the March and in some kinde very usefull upon a Stand in time of Fight provided they are at convenient distance from The use of Shouldering the Enemy For it much preserveth the Pikes and Pikemen from the danger of the shot the bullets then gliding off from their Arms which if they stood at such times either ordered or advanced the bullets would make such a clattering amongst the Pikes that what with breaking of them and the shivers flying from them may much endanger the Souldiers which shall carry them The comporting of the Pike is only usefull to the Souldier marching up a hill for if then The use of Comporting he should be shoudered the But-end of the Pike would always be touching of the ground to hinder him in his March and much endanger his fellow-souldiers that shall come after him Neither can he march advanced for if there should be any winde it would be ready to blow him down Therefore as above that which is most commodious for the Souldiers marching up a hill is to comport his Pike The trailing of the Pike is seldome used but when the Souldier shall march straight The use of Trailing forward through a Wood the File-leader before he enters in trails his Pike and consequently all the rest in his File then stooping down they take up the But-end of their Leaders Pikes which they may easily gripe with their own in their right hands and after march forward through the busling leaves in a straight line every file single by himselfe but as neare each other as possible they can march for more securitie sake that when they are cleare they may finde each other and be in a condition to rally up againe as occasion shall require The trailing of the Pike may also be of excellent use in a Trench that at
So that an expert Leader may venter so far in them as to continue his Exercise without reducing almost for an hour and not to expresse himself twice in any one word of Command they affording such plenty and variety in them that with pleasure using but four words of Command he may bring each Souldier into his proper place again observing these directions following As first to look down in the Body where his File-leaders are and where his Bringers-up and likewise making the severall places of his halfe File-leaders and the Bringers-up of his Front half-files together with his Flankers and his middle Files this speciall care being taken he may begin and proceed to their Reducement after this manner If by some former Counter-marches his File-leaders are in the place of his halfe File-leaders and that his Bringers-up are in the room of the Bringers-up of the Front half-files then he may proceed in this or the like kind commanding them to counter-march their Front and Reer into the midst which being performed they will stand in some pretty way of reducing after facing them to the Front where he meets with his Bringers-up in stead of his File-leaders which by one Counter-march will bring them up again into the Front Yet perhaps the Flankers have inter-changed ground with the middle File-leaders if so then counter-march their Flanks into the midst and face them to the Front and if it happen that the right Flank is become the left and the left the right then counter-march their Ranks to any hand and after face them to the first Front they are reduced And farther take this for a generall rule that when Files Ranks or Counter-march to any stand command them to counter-march to the contrary and it will reduce them or counter-marching your Front and Reer into the midst counter-marching of them back again from the midst will bring each man into his proper place again the same rule being observed reduceth the flankers or Front and Reer half-files counter-marching of them from the midst Counter-marches rightly considered branch themselves forth into these three particulars The Macedonian Lacedemonian Chorean The Macedonian is a Counter-march of gaining ground for that it leaveth the ground it formerly stood upon and in lieu thereof taketh the ground before the front and turneth their aspects unto the reer The Lacedemonian is a Counter-march of losing ground for that it leaveth the ground it first stood upon and in room thereof taketh the ground which is behind the reer thither likewise altering the Souldiers aspects The Chorean is a Counter-march maintaining ground keeping the ground the Battalia formerly stood upon every Souldier taking anothers place it likewise turns the Aspect towards the reere Thus you see for all their great varietie which latter ages have invented they consist but of three sorts or kinds either maintaining gaining or losing of ground and may bee performed as I said before either by intire or divisionall Counter-marches It may now be expected that I declare unto the Souldier the meaning of each particular Counter-march briefly therefore thus Files counter-marching is when every Souldier followeth his Leader ranks counter-marching is when every Souldier followeth his side man whether it be to the right-hand or to the left Front and reer half-files counter-marching is sometimes when every particular Souldier followeth his Leader or his Bringer up or else when they follow their half-file leaders or their Bringers-up of the Front half-files or the like Right and left half-ranks counter-marching is when every Souldier in the ranke followeth the outmost men upon the right and left or when they shall follow their inside right and left hand men or the like What hath hitherto been spoken may be sufficient both for the instruction and direction of any discreet souldier I come in the next place to set them all before them as they lie in Order CHAP. LI. Intire Counter-marching of Files Command FIles to the Right Hand Counter-march maintaining ground Left Direction File-leaders turn off upon the ground you stand the rest moving up successively into the file-leaders place turning off untill the bringers up come up into the Front after face to your Leader Command File-leaders stand the rest passe through to the right or left and place your selves before your Leaders Command File-leaders face about the rest passe through to the right or left and place your selves behind your Leaders face to your Leader Command File-leaders face to the reer the rest passe through to the right or left following your bringers-up and placing your selves behind your Leaders face all to your Leader Command File-leaders stand the rest passe through to the right or left and place your selves before your Leaders following your bringers-up Command Files to the right or left counter-march losing ground placing your selves before your bringers up Direction Every file-leader turn off upon the ground he stands on the rest successively doing the same untill they come to the last ranke who need doe no more then face about after face all to their Leader Command The last rank stand the rest passe through to the right or left placing your selves behind your bringers-up every man following his Leader Direction File-leaders turn off to the right or left the rest following successively untill they are all cleer of the reer then face to their Leader Command Bringers-up stand the rest face about passe through to the right or left and place your selves behind your bringers up Command Bringers-up face about the rest passe through to the right or left and place your selves before your Bringers-up Direction Face all to the Reer and begin the Motion with the second Rank from the Reer moving forward every man placing himself before his Bringer-up to your Leader Command Counter-march your Front and Reer into the midst Direction Half-files face about and turn off to the left Front half-files turn off to the right to your Leader Command Front and Reer half files counter-march to the right or left Direction This is to be done distinctly the Front half-files turning off to the right by themselves the Reer half files turning off in like manner face to your Leader Command File-leaders and half file-leaders stand the rest passe through to the right or left and place your selves before your Leaders and half file-leaders Command Counter-march your Front Reer half-files to the right left from the midst Direction Front half files face about and turn off to the right Reer half-files turn off to the left to your Leader Command File-leaders and half file-leaders face about the rest passe through to the right or left and place your selves behinde your Leaders and your half file-leaders to your Leaders Command File-leaders and half file-leaders stand the rest passe through to the right or left place your selves before your Leaders and half file-leaders every man following his Bringer-up and the Bringers-up of the Front half-files Command File-leaders and halfe file-leaders face about the
rest passe through to the right or left and place your selves behinde your Leaders and halfe file-leaders following your Bringers up Direction The File-leaders and the halfe file-leaders being first faced are to stand and the Bringers-up of the Front and Reer half-files are to move forwards untill they be cleer of the standing part after they are to face to the Reer which being ended they are again to face to the Front CHAP. LII Divisionall Counter-marching of Files Command FIle-leaders and Bringers-up stand the rest passe through to the right or left and place your selves before your Leaders and your Bringers-up Direction Half-files face about the Counter-march being ended command them to move forwards and close their Divisions Command File-leade●s face about the rest passe through to the right or left and place your selves behinde your Leaders and your Bringers-up Direction The two last Ranks from the Reer face about and then they are to begin the Motion together which being ended face them to the front and the half-files are to move forward and to close their Divisions Command File-leaders and Bringers-up stand the rest passe through to the right or left and place your selves before your Leaders and your Bringers-up following the halfe file-leaders and the Bringers-up of the Front half-files Direction Half-files face about this Motion is begun by the Bringers-up of each Division which being ended they are to face to their Leader the half files moving forwards closing their Divisions Command File-leaders face about the rest passe through to the right or left and place your selves behinde your Leaders and your Bringers-up following the halfe file-leaders and the Bringers-up of the front half-files Direction The two last Ranks from the Reer face about this Motion is begun by the Bringers-up of each Division who are to lead away the rest following untill they be cleer of the Front and Reer and after to face about placing themselves behinde their halfe file-leaders and the Bringers-up of the front half-files then facing to the front the half-files moving forwards closing their Divisions Command Counter-march to the right and left your Front and Reer half-files from the midst losing ground every man placing himse●● before his Leader and his Bringer-up Direction Front half-files face about and turn off to the right and the half-file leaders turn off to the left and march cleer of the front and reer and after the file-leaders the bringers up are but to face about and the Counter-march will be ended then face the half-files to the front let them move forward and close their divisions Command Front and reer half-files interchange ground to the right or left marching cleer each from other Direction Front half-files face about and passe through to your own right hands untill you be cleer six foot of each other then face to the Front the half-files moving forwards and closing their Divisions Command Front and Reer half-files counter-march to the right and inter-change ground Direction Half-files face about and turn off to the right and front half-files at the same time doing the like moving forward untill they be cleer one of another six foot then facing to their Leader close their Divisions CHAP. LIII Intire Counter-marches of Ranks Command RAnks to the right-hand counter-marching maintaining ground Direction Face to the right the right-hand file that was turn off to the right the rest moving up into the same ground turning off likewise to your Leader Command The out-most file upon the right face to the right the rest passe through to the right or left and place your selves before your right-hand men Direction Face to the right and passe through as before exprest to your Leader Cmmand The right-hand file face to the left the rest passe through to the right or left and place your selves hehinde your right-hand men Direction Face to the right and move forwards and place your selves behinde your right-hand men to your Leader Command Ranks to the left-hand counter-march losing ground Direction The out-most is to turn off to the left about untill he hath brought his aspect unto the right flank and so consequently all the rest moving still forwards untill they have gained upon the out-side of the right flank so much ground as they have lost or that they have placed themselves before their right-hand men by following their left-hand men face to your Leader Command The right-hand file face to the left the rest passe through to the right following your left-hand men and placing your selves behinde your right-hand File Direction The out-most File upon the left face to the right and march through the Intervalls towards the right flank and when he is moved away the rest upon the left are successively to do the same untill they have in lieu of that ground they formerly stood gained so much upon the out-side of the right flank then facing about toward the left flank after face to your Leader Command Ranks to the left-hand counter-march maintaining ground Direction Face to the left and the left-hand File that was turn off to the left on the same ground he stands the rest moving up successively doing the same to your Leader Command The left-hand File stand the rest face to the left passe through and place your selves on the out-side of your left-hand men Direction The left-hand File face to the left the rest passe through to the left and place your selves before your left-hand men to your Leader Command The left-hand File face to the right the rest face to the left passe through to the left and place yourselves behinde your left-hand men Command The left-hand File face to the left the rest passe through to the left and place your selves before your left-hand men following your right-hand men Direction Face all to the left and the out-most Files upon the right move forward upon the left the rest successively doing the same untill you have all placed your selves before your left-hand men to your Leader Command The left-hand File face to the right the rest face to the left passe through to the left and place your selves behind ●●ur left-hand men following your right-hand men Direction The right-hand file that was is to begin this motion the rest are consequently to follow untill they have gained as much ground on the out-side of the left-flank as before they lost after face about to the right and after to their Leader Command Ranks to the right-hand counter-march every man placing himselfe on the out-side of his left-hand man by following his right-hand man Direction The left-hand file stand the out-most file upon the right is to turne about to the right untill he hath brought his aspect to the left-flanke then moving forward untill he he be cleer of the second file after the rest are to doe the like forsaking the ground they stood upon and in lieu thereof to gain so much upon the out-side of the left-flanke placing themselves on the out-side of their left-hand men
are reduced being faced to their Leader CHAP. LXVI Twelve severall Counter-marches with their reducements Command FIles to the right hand counter-march losing ground Command Ranks to the right hand counter-march losing ground Direction Face all to the right Command Front and Reer half-files inter-change ground Direction Front half-files face about to the left Command Right and left half-ranks inter-change ground Direction Face inward Command File-leaders face about the rest passe through to the right and place your selves behinde your Leaders face to the Front Command Counter-march your Front and Reer into the midst Command Counter-march your flanks into the midst Face out-ward Command File-leaders and half-file-leaders stand the rest passe through to the right and place your selves before your Leaders and halfe file-leaders Direction The second rank from the front and from the halfe file-leaders are to begin the Motion placing themselves as before commanded Command The out-most file upon the right and the second file from the left stand the rest passe through to the right and place your selves on the out-side of your right-hand men Command Files to the left-hand counter-march losing ground Command Front and Reer half-files counter-march to the right Direction Front and Reer half-files turn off distinctly by your selves on the ground you stand face to your Leader Command Right and left half-ranks counter-march to the right Direction Face to the right and right and left half-ranks turn off distinctly to the right face to your Leader they are reduced CHAP. X. Twelve severall Wheelings with their reducements Command WHeel your Reer half-files inward into the midst and double the Front inward intire Direction Right and left half-ranks open from the midst to double distance Reer half-files face about and wheel your Reer inward into the midst moving forward doubling the front inward intire Command Wheel off your right half-ranks and double your left flank to the left intire Direction Face outward right half-ranks wheel about to the right and double your left flank to the left to your Leader Command Right and left half-ranks double the Length of your Battail by wheeling outward to the front Direction Face outward and right half-ranks wheel to the left and left half-ranks wheel to the right and after close files into the midst to order Command Wheel off your right half-ranks and double your left flank by Division Direction Face outward right half-ranks wheel about to the right and left outward moving forward and doubling the left flank to the right and left outward Command Wheel your left half-ranks inward into the right flank Direction Face outward and open from the midst to double distance the front and Reer half-files and after the left half-ranks may wheel inward and double the right flank inward intire Command Wheel off your Reer half-files and double your front to the left intire Half-files face about Command Wheel your right half-ranks inward into the midst and double the left flank inward intire Direction Face outward and Front and Reer half-files that were are to open from the midst to double distance and right half-ranks wheel inward and move forward into the left flank Command Wheel off your Reer half-files and double your front to the right intire Half-files face about Command Wheel off your left half-ranks and double your right flank by Division Command Wheel off your Front half-files and double your Reer to the right intire Half-files face about Command Double the Depth of the Battail by wheeling front and reer into the midst of each Division Direction Front half-files move forward four paces then the last rank of each Division face about and wheel into the midst of Front and Reer of each Division face to your Leader Command Wheel off your Front half-files and double your Reer to the left intire Half-files face about Command Wheel your Battail off by Division from the Reer Direction Face all about and right half-ranks wheel about to the right and left outward to the front and closing files into the midst to order they will be reduced as at first and stand as underneath is set forth CHAP. XI Severall plain Firings upon this Exercise of 24 men with Figures of Battail belonging to the same A Commander having thus passed over the Motions may next prepare for Firings and calling up his Serjeants he may give them order how the Muskettiers shall fire in front and reer but before he begin his Firings it will be expedient that he double his Front to the right and left inward by the Bringers-up which being ended he may proceed as followeth The first firing Let them fire by Divisions drawn forth ten paces before the front of Pikes and fall in the Reer of themselves The second firing Let them fire again and fall off to the right and left moving down before the front of Pikes and closing their Divisions The third firing Let the first rank kneel down the next stoop and the last stand upright and give fire altogether the Pikes in the mean time are to advance their Arms and open to the right and left charge on to the front untill they be cleer of the Muskettiers and then face inwards and close their Divisions then facing all about they may give fire to the Reer marching The fourth firing Let the last rank face about to the left and give fire and fall off to the right and left placing themselves before their Leaders of their own Divisions of Muskettiers The fifth firing Let them face about to the left again give fire fall off to the right and left and flank their Pikes the Pikes at the same instant facing about and charge on cleer of the Muskettiers the Muskettiers after facing inward and close their Divisions the Pikes may charge to the Horse and the Muskettiers may give fire over their heads after this manner The sixth firing Let the first rank stoop and the other two stand upright and give fire altogether after recovering of their Arms they may all face to the front commanding the Pikes to double the front inward intire and afterwards files to double their Depth to the right and left outward every man falling behinde his Bringer-up closing files into the midst to order and wheeling about into the first front he may proceed as followeth Command Front half-files advance forwards three paces the middle rank of each Division face outward and move cleer of the standing part face to your Leader The first firing Let the in-most Divisions of Muskettiers in the Front fire and fall off in the Reer of themselves after facing about move down and inter-change ground with them in the Reer they at the same instant moving up firing and in like manner inter-changing ground with them in the Reer and at the same time the out-most men are to move up and fire to the front and to fall off to the right and left into the place of them in the Reer they at the same time moving up and firing in
front divisions of Pikes Reer divisions of Muskettiers move forward and range inward even a brest with the front divisions files close into the midst to order front and reer half-files open from the midst to double distance the four in most files of front reer half-files face inward and interchange ground then let each two files of Pikes close outward to order and after to double there divisions to the right filewise and to close files to the left to order the two outmost files of Muskettiers upon the right double ranks inward and lead them away before the left half-ranks of Muskettiers the next two files doubler ranks outward and lead them away behind the reer by first facing them about Pikes face to the left and move streight before the Muskettiers and then double the reer inward intire and after files to double their depth to the right every man falling behind his Bringer-up they are reduced CHAP. XVIII The sixth Exercise with four Files eight deep THe Souldiers being met at the place appointed and their files being drawn forth according to the usuall custome the Leaders begin to shew each Souldiers how to handle and use his Arms and after leads up their files and joyns them into a Body where the Commander having sent for his Colours stands at the head of them commanding their silence and attention unto the words of Command Now having in his former Exercise spent most of the time upon plain Doublings he may in this shew unto them the great variety of Doublings by Counter-marches and although they are very difficult yet they will afford much delight and content unto the Souldiers CHAP. XIX Thirty Doublings by Counter-marches with their reducement Command BRingers-up double your Front to the left Command Double your files to the left intire advancing every man placing himselfe before his Leader Command Front half-files double your Reer to the right and left outward following your Leaders Command Double your files outward intire advancing every man placing himselfe before his Leader Command Bringers-up double your Front to the right and left inward Command Double your files inward intire advancing every man placing himselfe before his Leader Command Front half-files double your Reer to the right and left inwards following your Leaders Command Files double your Depth to the right and left outward following your Bringers-up Command Double your files to the right by Division every man placing himselfe before his Leader and his Bringer-up Direction Half-files of the even files from the right face about even files advance forward and double the odd according to command to your Leader Command The four first and the four last ranks double the eight middle-most ranks to the right and left inward following your Leaders and your Bringers-up Direction The four first and the four last ranks advance your Arms and the file-leaders and the bringers-up begin the Motion the rest are to follow after order their Arms and face to their Leader Command Double your files to the left by Division every man placing himselfe before his Leader and his Bringer-up Direction The eight middle ranks double your Front and Reer to the right and left outward following the half-file-leaders and the Bringers-up of the Front half-files Direction The four last ranks of the Front and Reer half-files face about the middle-ranks are to begin this Motion and to advance their Arms and to turn off to the right and left every rank following them untill they have doubled the Front and Reer then face all to the Front order their Arms and close their Divisions forward to open order Command Double your files inward by Division every man placing himselfe before his Leader and his Bringer-up Direction Half-files of the out-most files face about the out-most files advance your Arms and move forward placing your selves before your Leaders and your Bringers-up face to your Leader and order your Armes Command The four first and the four last ranks double the eight middle-most ranks to the right and left outward following your Leaders and your Bringers-up Direction The four first and the four last ranks advance your Arms and move away to the right and left and double the eight middle-most ranks to your Leader Command Front half-files double your Reer to the right following your Leaders Command Files double your Depth to the right every man placing himself behinde his Bringer-up Command Right half-ranks double your left flank to the right following your right-hand men Direction Face outward and right half-ranks turn off to the left and double the left-flank to the right to your Leader Command Double your ranks to the right intire every man placing himselfe on the out-side of his right-hand man Command Left half-ranks double your right flank to the left following your left-hand men Command Double your ranks to the left intire every man placing himselfe on the out-side of his left-hand man Command Double your ranks by Division every man placing himself on the out-side of his right and left-hand man Command The in-most files double the out-most files placing your selves on the out-side of your right and left-hand men Derection The in-most files advance your Arms face outward and move forward and double the out-most files placing your selves on the out-side of your right and left-hand men order your Arms and close files into the midst to open order Command Double your ranks by Division into the Reer Command The two out-most files double the four in-most by following of your out-side men Direction The in-most files face inward the rest face outward and turn off to the right and left towards the Reer and double the four in-most files to your Leader Command Double your ranks by Division into Front Reer and Midst every man placing himself on the out-side of his right and left-hand man Direction The two last ranks of the Front and Reer half-files face about even ranks from the Front Reer and Midst advance your Arms and face outward and move forth and double the Front Reer and Midst of ranks placing your selves on the out-side of your right and left-hand men face to your Leader and close ranks forward to open order Command Double your two out-most files to the right and left outward and Midst following of the in-most files Direction The two out-most files face outward the rest face inward and Front and Reer half-files distinctly turn off to the right and left and double the out-most files to the right and left outward and midst following of the in-most files to your Leader files close into the midst to order Command Double your files to the right intire advancing every man placing himselfe before his Leader Command Bringers-up double your Front to the right Command File-leaders double your Reer to the left Command Double your files to the left intire into the Reer every man placing himselfe before his Bringer-up Direction Face to the Reer and even files from the left advance your Arms and move
double their depth intire to the right they are reduced Then the Leader may appoint one of the Serjeants to draw off the Muskettiers and file them away to the right and left outward either by ranks filing or files filing and every Muskettier to poyse his Musket then the Pikes may advance their arms and the Drum beat a troop and the Commander may lead them away and lodg his Colours CHAP. XXVI The ninth Exercise consisting of 64 men eight files eight deep IN this Exercise a Commander may in matter of motions present unto the Souldiers f●rther varietie to delight them withall in bringing up each man into the Front to be a File-leader according unto succession and dignity by proper words of Command by doublings with their Reducement Therefore to avoid any further circumstance wee will pass over the Postures and fetching of the Colours and suppose the Souldiers standing in a condition to be exercised begin first to make them all File-leaders by succession as followeth Command Ranks to the left double Command Files to the left double Command Half-files double your front to the right Command Double your files to the right intire advancing every man placing himself before his leader Command Ranks to the right double Command Files to the right double Command Front half-files double the reer to the right Command Double your files to the left intire advancing Command Double your ranks to the right into the reer face all about Command Double your files to the left advancing Direction Every even file from the left move forward to the left and by three steps double the odde advancing Command Half-files double your front to the left Command Double your files to the left intire advancing every man placing himself before his leader Command Double your ranks to the left into the reer face all about Command Double your files to the right advancing Reducement Files rank to the right into the front Rank file eight to the right reduceth them Next followeth to make every man file-leader according unto dignity with their Reducement Command Bringers-up double your front to the left Command Double your files to the right intire advancing Command Half-files double your front to the left Command Double your files to the left intire advancing every man placing himself before his leader Command Bringers-up double your front to the right Command Files double your depth to the right Command Ranks to the right double Command Front half-files double your reer to the right following your leaders Command Double your files to the right by division every man placing himself before his leader and his bringer-up Command Front half-files double your reer to the left following your leaders Command Double your files to the left by division every man placing himself before his leader and his bringer-up Command The two first and the two last ranks double the four middle-most ranks to the right following your leaders and your bringers-up Direction The four middle ranks stand the file-leaders are to turn off to the right and the next rank is to follow them untill the leaders rank even with the bringers-up of the front half-files and at the same instant of time the bringers-up are to move forward to the right the rest following untill the bringers-up range even a brest with the half-file-leaders to your leader Command Files double your depth to the left Reducement Half-files double your front to the right Bringers-up double your front to the right Then divide every four files distinctly apart making five divisions Files double to the right and left inward in each division and close files into the midst to order Files double to the left intire advancing reduceth CHAP. XXVIII Eight severall Counter-marches with their Reducement Command FIles to the right hand counter-march maintaining ground Command Ranks to the left hand counter-march losing ground Command Counter-march your front and reer half-files into the midst of ranks Direction Half-files face about and turn off to the left and front half-files turn off to the right untill they meet the front and reer into the midst to your leader Command Right and left half-ranks counter-march into the midst of files Direction Face outward right half-ranks turn off to the right left half-ranks turn off to the left to your leader Command Files to the left hand counter-march losing ground by following your leaders Command Ranks to the right hand counter-march mayntaining ground Command Counter-march your front and reer half-files to the right and left following the half-file-leaders and the bringers-up of the front half-files Direction Half-files face about the bringers-up of the front half-files and the half-file-leaders are to begin the motion the rest are to follow untill they have gained so much ground beyond the front and reer as they formerly possest in the midst to your leader and close your divisions Command Counter-march your half ranks to the right and left by following of the inmost files Direction Face outward the inmost files are to begin the motion moving forward the rest following untill they have gained so much ground beyond the flanks as they formerly possessed in the inmost files to your leader and close files into the midst to order they are reduced CHAP. XXIX Ten severall Wheelings with their Reducement Command WHeel the battail off by division from the front Command Wheel the body off by division from the right flank face to the right Command Wheel the battail off by division from the reer face about Command Wheel the body off by division from the left flank Command Wheel your battail inward to the reer from the front Direction Open outward to convenient distance to your leader Command Wheel your battail inward to the left flank from the right Direction Face to the right and open to convenient distance to your leader Command Wheel your battail inward to the front from the reer Direction Face about and open to convenient distance and wheel inward into the front Close ranks forward to close order and files into the midst to close order Command Wheel your battail inward to the right flank from the left Command Wheel the outward angles of front and reer to the right and left about into the center face to the outward angles Command Wheel the inward angles to the right and left about from the center CHAP. XXX Plain firings and figures of Battail IN the next place I wil proceed to some plain firings wherefore first double your ranks forward to the left by half-files and fire even with the front of pikes fal in the reer of themselves then fire and fall between the Pikes then move forth after this manner one rank drawn forth to the right and another to the left fire fal in again as before Then command the first rank to stand and the rest to move forth both Pikes and Muskettiers to the right and left untill each rank be cleer of other then let the Pikes charge and Muskettiers give
up even with the Front Reer divisions of Muskettiers face outward and move untill they stand streight with the out-most divisions of Muskettiers then face to their Leader and close ranks forward to order and march up and make an even Front and close files into the midst to order they are reduced CHAP. XXXVI The eleventh Exercise with 24 Files six deep THe Souldiers being met unto the place appointed and the Officers being vigilant and carefull in their severall places in drawing forth the files and joyning them into a Body the Leader without any farther delay may crave their silence and close their ranks and files to order and after some distances and facings shewn unto them drawn forth from the former rule he may proceed to this following doubling making every man a file-leader according to succession and after reduce them again Command Ranks to the left double Command Files to the left double Command Half-files double your front to the left Command Files double your depth to the left Command Bringers-up double your front to the right Command Double your files to the left intire advancing Command Bringers-up double your front to the left Command Double your files to the right intire advancing Command Ranks to the right double Command Files to the right double Reducement Files rank to the left into the front Rank file six to the left they are reduced CHAP. XXXVII Eight Counter-marches with their Reducement Command BRingers-up stand to the rest pass thorough to the right and place your selves behind your Bringers-up The rest face about Command File-leaders and Bringers-up stand the rest pass thorough to the right and place your selves before your Leaders and Bringers-up half-files face about Command Ranks to the left hand counter-march maintaining ground face to the left Command Right and left half-ranks counter-march from the midst of files maintaining ground face inward Command File-leaders face about the rest pass thorough to the right and place your selves behind your leader to your leader Command Counter-march your front and reer half-files from the midst of ranks losing ground front half-files face about Command Ranks to the right hand counter-march losing ground Command Counter-march your right and left half-ranks every man placing himself one the outside of his right and left hand-man they are reduced CHAP. XXXVIII Eight severall Wheelings with their Reducement Command WHeel your right and left half-ranks inward to the midst of files Face outward Command Wheel the battail off by division from the reer Command Wheel the battail inward to the right flank from left Face to the left Command Wheel front and reer half-files inward to the midst of ranks Half-files face about Command Wheel off your right and left half-ranks by division from the midst of files Face inward Command Wheel off your front and reer half-files by division from the midst of ranks front half-files face about Command Wheel off your front by division Command Wheel your battail inward to the left flank from the right face to the right CHAP. XXXIX Plain Firings and Figures of Battail The first firing LEt them give fire to the front by introduction where first command them to open their files outward to open order and then let the first rank give fire on the ground they stand then let the next rank move forward and place themselves before the first ranke and give fire likewise and stand and so successively every rank is to move forward and place themselves before the rank that fired untill all have given fire this being twice performed reduc●th them and is tearm'd a firing of gaining ground The second firing Let them fire by files inward to order and fire on the ground they stand and fall off to the right and left into the reer of themselves The third firing Let them close their files ranking outward into one intire rank into the front all at one and the same time and to file again as they were The fourth firing Let the Muskettiers double ranks to the right and left outward and give fire three ranks together the first kneeling the second stooping the third standing upright and after to double files to the right and left inward The fifth firing Let them fire again and fall off to the right and left and flank the Pikes who may after charge on and after retreat back again into their places The sixt firing Let them face outward and give fire to both flanks on the ground they stand and fall in the reer of themselves The seventh firing Let the half-files of Muskettiers face outward and move cleer of the standing part then let every division give fire again and fall in the reer of themselves and then close their divisions The eight firing Let them give fire eight ranks together viz. two kneel down two stooping two standing upright the last two to be drawn forth so fire them altogether The ninth firing Let the four first ranks upon each flank fire again and fall off to the to the right and left and flank the Pikes and let those Muskettiers face to front and reer and draw forth the last rank of Muskettiers upon the flanks to the right and left outward and place them in the midst of those intervalls upon the angles the Pikes being impaled then fire them to front reer and both flanks and four angles and fall in the reer of themselves This firing may be continued as long as a leader shall think fit then face about those files standing at the angles and move them into the reer of those divisions of Muskettiers upon the flanks from whence they were first drawn forth then let them face all to their leader The tenth firing Let the Muskettiers in front reer face outward and march cleer of the standing part then let them face to front reer and give fire fall in the reer of themselves then let the reer divisions of Mukettiers face to the front and the outmost divisions of Muskettiers in the front face to the reer then let the outmost divisions move and close ranks forward to order and let the Pikes charge on and being retreated back again into their places face all to the front and proceed to figures of battail according to the next direction Command Half-files of Pikes face about half-files of the four outmost Files of Muskettiers face to the reer the four outmost files and the body of Pikes move forward cleer of the standing part to your leader then let them face outward and move two paces then face to front and reer and move the like face all to your leader and close ranks forward and files inward in each division they will stand as followeth The first firing Let the reer divisions face about then let the first divisions give fire and fall in the reer of themselves then wheel off to the right and left and fall in the room or place of the next divisions and they at the same time are to move up
Muskettiers march all 12 paces and stand to your Leader The two middle divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers in the Reer next the Flanks face about outmost divsions of Pikes and Muskettiers in Front and Reer face outward march all four places and stand Again let the outmost divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers face about to the right then march all three paces then stand and face to their leader it produceth the first figure Each of the former divisions conteining five files a piece excepting the outmost division of Pikes upon the right in Front and Reer and they contein six files in each of them Command Divisions of Muskettiers face outward Pikes face about to the right march all untill the Pikes range even with the Reer then face to their Leader occasioneth the next Command The four last divisions of each arms in the midst face about the six outmost divions of each arms face outward the two middle divisions of Pikes in the front face about march all four paces and stand then face the six outmost divisions about to the right and the four middle divisions of Pikes about to the left then march all four paces and face to their Leader Command The two next divisions of Pikes in the midst from the Reer face about middle divisions of Pikes move forward six foot before the Front and Reer to your Leader Reducement The 12 last divisions face about then let every division march forward untill they range even abrest with the Front and Reer and face to their Leader then let the Reer divisions move forward within 18 foot of the Front divisions and they will be in two grand divisions the one in the Reer of the other as at first when they began their facings Having past over part of the distances and facings the next which in order falls to be handled is Doublings and having by command gained 18 foot distance betwixt every five files if in their former motions they should chance to lose it you may then proceed to Doublings by way of divisions as shall be in the next place set down CHAP. IX Doublings belonging to a Regiment Command DIvisions double to the right file-wise Direction Every even division from the Front face to the right and march down cleer untill you stand streight with the next intervall then face to the left and move in and double those Divisions on the right sile-wise to your Leader Command Divisions double to the right rank-wise Direction Every even Division from the Front face to the right and march forward six paces then face to the Front and move forward and double your divisions to the right Command Divisions double the Length of the Battail to the right and left outward Direction The 12 last divisions face outward and march cleer of the standing part face to your Leader move up all even a brest and double according to command Command The 12 in-most divisions double the six out-most to the right and left outward advancing Direction The 12 middle divisions advance forward untill you be six foot cleer of the standing part then face outward and march untill you stand streight before the six out-most face to your Leader and after face inward and move forward untill they stand again unto 18 foot distance from each other to your Leader Command Divisions double the depth of the Battail to the right Direction Every even division from the right face about to the right and move down 18 foot cleer of the Reer face to the left and move untill you stand streight with those divisions on the right which you are to double to your Leader Command The 12 last divisions in the Reer double the Front to the right Direction The 12 last divisions face to the right and move six paces then face to the left march forward and double the Front to the right and they will be reduced CHAP. X. Four severall Wheelings with their Reducement Command DIvisions wheel about to the right and move down into the Reer Direction Front divisions wheel about to the right and move down into the Reer the rest march up into the same ground wheeling to the right hand and following successively after face to your Leader Command Divisions wheel about to the right to the left flank Direction Face to the right and the out-most divisions wheel about to the right and march away unto the place of the left Flank the rest moving up into the same ground wheeling about to the right and following accordingly to your Leader Command Divisions wheel about to the right from the Reer into the Front Direction Face to the Reer and let the first divisions wheel about to the right and move up into the Front the rest marching forward into their ground wheeling off and following in like maner Command Divisions wheel about to the right to the right flank Direction Face all to the left and let the out-most divisions wheel about to the right and move forward to the right flank the rest marching up into their ground following after in the same kinde reduceth them CHAP. XI Counter-marches not fit to be used in the exercising of Regiments IT might be expected after Doublings that I should shew some kinds of Counter-marches amongst the Military Motions in the exercising of a Regiment but being of very little use or practise amongst Commanders in these times especially in such great Bodies for my own part I fancy them not therefore have passed them over pitcht upon such wheelings which by some are accounted counter-marches Whose judgements my desire is better to informe by these severall reasons following wherein and in what kinde they differ from them As thus by these wheelings they keep their distance in rank and file unto order and wheeling intire unto any hand down to the Reer cannot be performed but by gaining in the Motion before the Front and unto all places as they move so much ground as is the Length of their perticuler Divisions and in the execution thereof they still preserve the honour of the right and left-hand Tile-leaders and all others as are concerned in their perticuler Divisions unto any accidentall Front which they shal be brought unto Now concerning counter-marches they are to be performed either by single files ranks half-files or half-ranks and at their distance of open order their words of command having relation to all these perticulers Their counter-marching of Files to the Reer gaineth no ground before the Front in the Motion but onely the room of one perticuler File upon the right it preserveth not the honour of the right and left-hand File-leader at one time by any one word of command unto any of their Motions to such accidentall Fronts they shall make but ever loseth it to some and gaineth it to others And therefore it may appear cleerly unto any ingenious capacity that the former wheelings cannot be accounted or given in their Motions in that kind to the Souldiers for counter-marches
Guards which shall relate unto these severall Camps both in regard of the severall and most convenient places for securing the Camp by Sentinels and Per-dues they are to be primarily appointed and ordered according the discretion and command of the Masters of the Field whether Generals or Majors of Brigades and afterwards the Serjeant Majors and Captains of Regiments according to their commands and relieved order are to designe them for the aforesaid place The enlarge the severall Arguments and Disputes that might further arise in point of Field-duties relating hereunto would be too tedious and to little purpose in regard that whosoever shall but diligently observe what hath before been set down concerning the duty of Watches in Garrisons and Fortresses may sufficiently be able to apprehend and performe all manner of duties that shall concern this Field Service provided that he be carefull to adhere to the directions of the Field-Officers in all points and diligent to observe the manner of managing of all things according to their instructions And therefore to avoid prolixity and fruitlesse disputes I referre the Reader to what hath been above related CHAP. XXV The ordering of a private Company unto a Funerall Occasion WHen any Commander or Souldier of worth shall be deceased a private Captain that would shew respect and honour by marching a long with his Company attending the Corps to the place of buriall must order his Souldiers after this manner They being summon'd by beat of the Drum to meet at their usually place of Randezvous they may be drawn up according to the usuall manner having a Van-guard Battail and Reer-guard being thus ordered and each of the Souldiers having either in his hat a black feather or ribbin the Captain may draw them off and order them to their long-march moving them away in an orderly manner unto the place of him that is deceased and there make Alt. After which he may command the Muskettiers in the Van to open to the right and left outward to such convenient distance as the Pikes may move up between them and take possession of their first ground and those Muskettiers may face about and move down cleer of the Pikes and after close their files inward to order and face to their Leader Now being in two divisions let them so continue with their Arms ordered untill such time as they shall perceive the Corps to be brought forth into the Street then the Captain may face them all about and move them some three Pikes length before the Corps after which he may command his Muskettiers to performe their Funerall Posture which is to have their Muskets under their left arme with the But-end upward their Rests likewise on that side trailing After which the Pikes are to face again to their first Front and to lay the narrow end of their Pikes down upon the ground after facing about to the left and and bringing up the But-end of their Pikes on their right side conforming themselves with the Muskettiers in their Funerall Postures In the next place the Ensigne strips his colours off from his Staffe and ties them about his right Wast putting a black Ribbon towards the very end of his Staffe he after faceth to the Body of Pikes standing in the Reer of them and trailing his Staffe in the same Posture next followeth the Captain having in his hand a half-pike or leading-staffe conforming himselfe likewise to his Funerall Posture Thus being all ready to march and rightly faced toward that place where the Corps are to be interred are after this manner following to lead and to bring up The first division of Muskettiers which was the Reer-guard is led by the Lieutenant the next division of Muskettiers that was formerly the Van-guard is led by the second Serjeant the Body of Pikes is led by the eldest Serjeant he trailing a half-pike upon the head of them the Ensigne bringing it up and the Captain 12 foot short of him bringing up the Reer of the whole Company And after him the Ministers marching just before the coffin and in the Reer and next unto it the neerest kindred and after them those that are invited to the Funeral Having thus stated the manner and order of the Military Part with all others belonging thereunto for any ordinary Funerall Occasion I shall in the next place proceed to shew their order upon the March and how each Arms ought to be disposed before the Corps enter into the Church with the rest of the Train All persons being ordered as before expressed the Drums being covered with black-bays and placed betwixt the second and third ranks in each division and all being ready to move the Drums may begin to beat their Funerall March and the Lieutenant leading them away with the But-end of his Pattison upward and comported the rest following and marching in a leasurable and slow way a long together untill they come within a hundred foot of the Church-doore or place where the Corps are to be interred there making Alt. After which let the Muskettiers in their ranks file to the right and left not advancing ground and face in opposition making a Guard for the rest to passe through and resting their Muskets or putting the But-end thereof to the ground with the barrel towards them which is a conformity to the Pikes being ordered In the mean time let the Pikes advance their Arms and immediately after move forward betwixt the Guard of Muskettiers and let their ranks afterward file to the right and left making also a Guard their Pikes being ordered and they as the rest facing in opposition Then let the Captain who bring up the Reer of all his whole Body move forward with the rest to the Church-doore then falling off in respect of ordering his Company the rest of the Train marching into the Church After which the Captain may cause them all to face to the Church or to their Leader he standing then before the Church-doore commanding them to rank again as they were After every Leader may draw off his file and set their Arms a part in each file by themselves and go in to hear part of the Sermon if there should be any such order before-hand from their Captain placing Sentinels to look to their Arms. And when Sermon is almost done they ought to go forth of the Church and draw forth the files by some little warning of the Drums to be in readinesse to answer such directions as they shall receive from their Captain Who may if he have conveniency of room draw all his Muskettiers into a Ring and the Pikes in like manner on the out-side of them and as soon as the Souldiers have notice being all ready and presented that the Body is laid down in the grave they may upon warning of the Drum give one volley of shot altogether and after make ready again performing the same twice over more After which the Ensigne may put his colours upon his staffe and furle them up
the Front or Reer and nimbly stepping to them to stay them if disorderly they swerve awry from what he first intended He must likewise order all his Words of Command so as that they may be proper and cleerly pronounced forth unto the Souldier without any faltering And in every one of these to see the Souldier leasurely and easily perform the same in a compleat manner He must not be two quick in his Words of Command but carefully see what before commanded well done and then he may proceed unto the next In time of his Exercise he must seriously mind what he is to do and not to have his thoughts extravigantly carried away upon any other Subject for fear he be out but if any such thing should happen through forgetfulnesse he ought not to be daunted but to pull up the Spirit of a Souldier as well as he can and endeavour to reduce them again For it is a rare thing to be found for a Leader to be so exquisite in his Exercising as not to be somtimes out and in my observation of most at one time or another I have found them so to be His discretion also ought to be such as to cull out and chuse those things that be chiefest as flowers out of a Garden to fit and compleat up his Exercise in a Souldier-like way which may be most properest for service and use which will bring to him far more commendations and praise in the judgement of every knowing Souldier then to spend his time upon unnecessary ●oyes but yet somtimes to please the fancie of the curious at their private meetings he may use some things for delight to support and uphold their private Exercises which have nurst up here in London many able Souldiers and Commanders who have been serviceable to our Nation It is a very necessary thing likewise that a Leader somtimes do acquaint the Souldiers of the use of their severall Distances Facings Doublings Coun-marches and wheelings and of all things else he shall command but in such a manner that he dwell not too long upon any thing he shall declare unto them for dulling of the Souldiers who rather would be pleased with more actings then by too much talkings which spins out the time as somtimes ordered to very little purpose He must be very carefull of every Word of Command he gives that the Souldiers be ordered in their due Distance sutable to the same of what kind soever it be and if it shall be lost in their movings or marchings he must endeavour to bring them to it again He is likewise to acquaint the Souldiers when they are drawn up to look about them and to minde their severall places how they stand in the Body whether they be in even Ranks from the Front or odd if even and upon any doubling of Ranks they are the men to double the odd if half File-leaders that they be commanded to double the Front they must advance their Arms and are Leaders of that Motion to come up to double the Front if Bringers-up commanded to double they are a like to do the same if Bringers-up of the Front half-Files and that they be commanded to double the Reer they likewise are to advance their Arms to face about and are to begin to lead them down to the Reer They should likewise take notice how they stand in their Files whether even from the right or no if even and there be any command to double Files to the right they all are to move and to double the odd if commanded to double to the left they then stand odd and the others are to move and double them They likewise are to mind their places who are upon the Flanks for a doubling either to Front or Reer by the half-Files they first begin to march and how they stand there as right and left-hand men in even Ranks for by any doublings of Ranks entire or by Division they likewise are the Leaders of the Motion There ought also advice be given to the middle File-leaders to know their places for if there should be any doublings of the half-Ranks they then are first to move and to begin the Motion This caution being somtimes quickly run over in advising of the Souldiers that they should ever minde when they are first drawn up into a body these particular places they would not stand so carelesly and so ignorantly in a Body as many times they doe not knowing which way to move without a great deale of pains and directions from their Leader for there being so many occasions of doublings of these kinds that it is a necessary thing for every Souldiers to be acquainted with the same Yet it is not only sufficient that the Souldiers doe minde their places as they stand in a body according to the direction of their Leader as before set forth unto them but that they be likewise in the time of their Exercise very silent in the body and helpfull unto their fellow-Souldiers by pointing out unto them with signes with the hand where they should march to performe what was before commanded and to be very civill and orderly in their carriage to each other and to minde their Exercise so as a matter of great weight and high consideration in the well regarding of the same And if a word of command as somtimes may happen slip out of order as by the mistaking of a hand or the like yet neverthelesse it should be their modest care if not prevented by him to be ready to execute what they conceive he intended and walking along in this civill and respective way unto him that shall lead them it will not only be a great encouragement unto him but they will also reap much benefit unto themselves And thus much briefly may be spoken in way of advice unto every Leader before his beginning of his Exercise and unto each particular Souldier as shall by him be exercised CHAP. XXVII Of Facings of their severall kindes and of their use with the words of command for performance of the same FAcing is the altering or turning of the Aspect to either hand upon the ground they stand according to the words of command whether it be to the right lef● Front or Reer or to the midst of Files or Ranks or to any of the outward or inward Angles or to the Center The manner of execution of the same it is a particular turning of every Souldiers countenance unto each of those hands or places as above exprest and to be performed after this manner The left foot is alwayes to be kept fixed like the hinge of a door and unto what hand or part they shall be commanded to face every particular Souldier is immediately to turn his body upon the ball or center of his left foot by wheeling untill he hath brought his Aspest unto the place commanded Facings is one of the most necessary and usefullest motions amongst all the rest for when the body shall be in
such a streight that they cannot bring their faces against an enemy by a Counter march or by a Wheeling to bring their best Souldiers there to fight and likewise being debarred of room that they cannot double it neverthelesse facings are of such excellent use that they may with ease although standing at close Order turn every particular face to charge upon that part where they shall be assaulted by an enemy and farther this motion is performed with more facility then all the rest of the motions For in the others they alter the forme of the Battail or changeth the place but in this they preserve both and it is ready for any attempt of an enemy if they should be charged all at once in Front Reer Right and Left Flanks they may be commanded so to face as to answer them all in every one of their charges Facings likewise are so necessary that they can hardly be spared in any other of the motions having relation in one kinde or other to them all for to be used There is likewise farther to be understood that there are entire facings and divisionall Entire facings are when they turn their Aspects all one way Divisionall facings are when they diver or turn their faces severall ways as to the Front Reer and both Flanks all at one instant of time as shall be commanded There are likewise facings to the front and reer Angles that is to say of their outward and inward Angles Outward Angles are when they are commanded to face to the right Angle or to the left or both facing to the inward Angles as when they are commanded so as to face to the inward Angles towards the midst of files There is likewise facing to the inward Angles towards the midst of Ranks as to the Center where note when there is any use of these facings unto the inward Angles it is occasioned by some former words of command that hath made some large intervalls in the midst of Ranks or Files and therefore they may give them such commands as these for to open or stand so that they may march and close again as at first This facing to the Center I do conceive to be very usefull when the Captain or Leader hath any thing of importance to speake unto the Company they standing at close order he may sidewise move down into the midst of the Ranks and Files and command them to face all to the Center they standing all round about him so close cannot choose but hear and know what his pleasure and command will be and in obedience thereunto be very ready in performance for the execution of the same But before I come to set down the words of command for facings I shall desire all Leaders not to tie themselves up so as not to begin in their Exercise to command facings untill they have brought the souldiers to stand at open order both in Rank and File as if it were not proper for them to command them to face till then Therefore rather for the reasons before set forth command them to choose upon such close Distances to face that they may know the true use of them and at such times when they want ground that the other motions cannot be performed CHAP. XXVIII The words of command for Facings Face to the RIght As you were or to your Leader Left To both Flanks Right about Left about To Front and Reer Midst of Files Midst of Ranks Right Angle Left Angle Outward Angles in the Front Inward Angles in the Front Right Angle in the Reer Left Angle in the Reer Outward Angles in the Reer Inward Angles in the Reer Inward Angles of the right Flank Inward Angles of the left Flank Outward Angles both of Front and Reer Inward Angles both of Front and Reer Inward Angles of both the Fanks to the Center Front Reer and both Flanks from the Center To the outward Angles of Front and Reer from the Center Having concluded the words of command for performing of plain Facings there must be notice taken when any word of command shall be given to face to any of the Reer Angles they must be first faced to the Reer and they will make more easier performance of the same and likewise if any word of command be given to face to the inward Angles upon the Flanks they must face them there likewise first and it will be easier fulfilled and likewise if any command be given to face to the foure Angles or to Front Reer and Midst from the Center care must be first had that they may be first faced to the Center I might have proceeded a great deal farther in this place upon this Subject of ●acings to have shewn severall figures of Battail that might be produced and drawn forth affording much variety of formes and number and with much ease to be performed upon their severall marchings according as they are ordered to face which might be very u●efull for service and affording much matter for any perticuler Exercise to use severall firings upon the same But I shall have occasion in another place to make use of divers of them and setting them forth unto the view when I shall begin to set down in any perticuler Leadings of my own which I have performed in our private meetings at Town-Ditch in London every Thursday morning for the satisfaction of those loving Gentlemen who still do exercise there and to such which shall come after CHAP. XXIX The many variety of Doublings with their parts and uses set forth for the practise of any Commander to make use of according unto his own description SInce there is in the true account no other dimension of a Battail but the Length and Depth so likewise it is to be understood that the Length of the B●ttail is doubled by the doublings of ●anks and half-files and the Depth of the Battail is doubled by the doubling of Files and of the half Ranks Now there are severall Words of Command for the performance of each of these as to double Ranks and Files which do consist either of the doubling of number of men and persons and not of place or else the doubling both of number and place as for example command either the Ranks the half-files or Bringers-up to double the Front to the right here only is the doubling of number of men and not of place for it adds but one man more to that hand whereunto they were commanded and gains but his perticuler place Again Double Ranks to any hand intire or double the Front by the half-files to the right intire it will be not only a doubling of the number of men but a doubling of the place and the Length of the Battail The use of doubling the Length of the Battail may be for two reasons the one to over wing an Enemy the other to avoid over winging our selves Yet there must be care taken that in doubling of the Length that we faile not or be too weak in our
wheeling six to the right and six to the left untill they have brought their aspects unto both the flanks after face to their Leader Reducement Files rank 12 to the right and left inward into the Reer face all to the right and left about inward and begin the Motion from each file to rank six to the right and six to the left making up 12 a Brest in the Reer the rest following untill they have made six ranks in a Brest face to your Leader Command Ranks wheel to the right and left towards the reer Direction Face all about the out-side men are the hinges of this Motion who are to wheel from the reer to the right and left untill they have brought their aspects unto both the flanks face to your Leader Reducement Files rank 12 to the right and left inward the right-hand file is to begin to rank six to the left the left-hand file is to rank six to the right making up even a Brest 12 in number the rest doing the same Command Front and reer half-files wheel your ranks outward into both flanks Direction Half-files face about and front and reer half-files wheel outward into both flanks untill you have brought your aspects unto the right and left face to your Leader Reducement Front and reer half-files rank 12 to the right and left inward towards the midst of ranks front half-files face about and begin the Motion from the Bringers-up of the front half-files and the half-file-leaders ranking six to the right and left from each file making 12 a Brest face to your Leader Command Front and reer half-files wheel your ranks inward into both flanks Direction Half-files face about and march all untill you be at twice double distance in the midst then face all about to the right and wheel to the right and left untill you have brought your aspects unto both flanks by wheeling inward to them face to your Leader Reducement Files rank 12 to the right and left inward into front and reer half-file face about and rank in front and reer six to the right and six to the left making 12 a Brest after face to your Leader CHAP. XLVIII Of Ranks wheeling to the midst of Files Command FRont and reer half-files wheel your ranks inward to the midst of files Direction Half-files face about and front and reer half-files wheel your ranks to the right and left inward untill they face in opposition to your Leader Reducement Files rank six to the right and left outward unto the midst of ranks front half-files face about and rank six to the right and left outward reer half-files do the same to your Leader Command Front and reer half-files wheel your ranks inward into the midst of files Direction Half-files face about front and reer half-files march untill you have atteined twice double distance in the midst of ranks face all about to the right and wheele to the right and left inward into the midst of files to your Leader Reducement Files rank six to the right and left outward into front and reer half-files face about and front and reer half-files rank six to the right and left outward as before commanded to your Leader move forward and close your Divisions to your double distance CHAP. XLIX Of Ranks wheeling to both Flanks and into the midst at one and the same time Command FRont and reer half-files wheel your ranks to the right and left into They ought to be at more then open order in Ranks and at order in Files both flanks and the midst of files Direction Half-files face about to the right and the middle files and the out-most files upon each flank are the hinges of this Motion the rest are to wheel their ranks to the right and left towards both the flanks and to the midst of files face to your Leader Reducement Files rank six to the right and left inward to the midst of ranks and between the flankers and the middle files front half-files face about and rank six to the right and left inward towards the midst of ranks and between the flankers and the middle files the reer half-files doing the same face to your Leader Command Front and reer half-files wheel your ranks inward into both flanks and into the midst of files Direction Half-files face about and front and reer half-files march untill you be at double distance in the midst after face all about to the right and wheel your ranks to the right left inward into both Flanks and into the midst of files face to your Leader Reducement Files rank six to the right and left inward into Front and Reer between the flankers and the middle files half-files face about and rank six to the right and left inward to the reer between the flankers and the middle files the front half-files doing the same to the front after facing to their Leader and half-files move forwards closing their Divisions to the distance of the former ranks Having dwelt thus long upon this Subject of Inversion and Conversion occasioned thereunto by their great variety and difficulty in the performance of them I hold it convenient to give a breathing space unto the wearied Souldier whilest I in the mean time prepare further matter for his longing desire Yet before I enter in any other discourse of the Art Military I hold it requisite to give some admonitions to those that shall venture upon them For being very difficult they are not easily understood by every punie my advice therefore is to wave such things in time of Exercise which the Souldiers are unacquainted with providing for them such matter as is both plain and easie and being frequently practised in such he may after drill them on to harder till by degrees he hath brought them unto such perfection knowledge that they shall be able to perform and execute what is commanded not gazing upon one another as I have often observed neither knowing their Leaders meaning or if they did they are altogether ignorant how to fullfill his commands Frequent practise therefore makes the Souldier expert witnesse our gallant Souldiers and Citizens of London who are most of them so well grounded by frequent practise that their Lenders can scarce give a word of Command which is not easily apprehended by them they being in their Exercises so often inured to such difficult expressions as these of Inversion and Conversion CHAP. L. Of Counter-marches with their severall sorts and kinds affording much variety in time of Exercise THose which have a longing desire to be throughly knowing in this part or branch of Military Discipline must take notice of these foure sorts viz. Counter-marching of Files next of Ranks after the Front and Reer half-files and lastly of right and left half-ranks all which are performed either by intire or divisionall Counter-marches or else by the intire changing of ground and that by many ways the Front half-files with the Reer the right half-ranks with the left
their Aspects being to the Front Or you may command the out-most file upon the right to face to the left and so begin to lead untill he be cleer of the second file the rest doing the same untill they have all placed themselves on the out-side of their left-hand men their Aspects being to the Front which I conceive to be the easier way Command Counter-march your Flanks into the midst Direction Face to the right and left outward right-flank turn off to the right left-flank turn off to the left untill they meet in the midst to your Leader Command Right and left half-ranks counter-march to the right or left Direction Face all to the right the right half-ranks are to turne off to the right by themselves and the left half-ranks in like manner to your Leader Command The out-most File upon the right and the right-hand file of the left half-ranke stand the rest face to the right passe through and place your selves on the out-side of your right-hand men face to your Leader Command The out-most file upon the right and the right-hand file of the left half-rank face to the right and stand the rest passe through to the right and place your selves before your right-hand men face all to the right and the motion being ended face to your Leader Command The out-most file upon the right and the right-hand file of the left half-rank face to the left and stand the rest face to the right passe through and place your selves behind your right-hand men to your Leader Direction For these three last Counter-marches is for the moving part to begin to Countermarch who are the next files of the standing part and so to follow successively until they have performed the command and after to face to their Leader Command The right-hand file of the left half-rank and the out-most file upon the right stand the rest passe through to the right and place your selves on the out-side of your right hand men following your out-most files Direction The out-most files are to face to the right and to lead away untill they bee cleer of the next who likewise are to follow successively Command The out-most file upon the right and the right-hand file of the left half-rank face to the right and stand the rest passe through to the right and place your selves before your right-hand men Direction Face all to the right and the out-most files that were are to begin the motion placing themselves before their right-hand men the rest following successively to your Leader Command The outmost file upon the right and the right-hand file of the left half-rank face to the left and stand the rest passe through to the right and place your selves behind your right-hand men Direction The out-most files are to turn about untill they have brought their aspects unto the right-flanke then move away untill they be cleer of the second file and in like manner they are to turn off doing the same untill they have placed themselves behind their right hand men then facing to the left-about and after to their Leader to even their ranks and straighten their files Command Counter-march your right and left half-ranks from the midst Direction Face inward right half-ranks turn off to the right left half-ranks turn off to the left to your Leader CHAP. LIV. Divisionall Counter-marches of the right and left half-ranks Command THe outmost file upon each flanke stand the rest passe through to the right and left and place your selves on the out-side of your right and left-hand men Direction The rest face outward and begin the motion by the next files the others following in order and after to close their files into the midst to open order Command The out-most file upon each flanke face outward and stand the rest passe through to the right and left and place your selves before your out-side men Direction The rest are to face outward and the next files unto them that first faced are to begin the motion placing themselves before their out-side men after face to their leader and close files into the midst to order Command The out-most file upon each flanke face inward the rest passe through and place your selves behind your out-side men Direction The rest are to face outward and to passe through to the right and left placing themselves behind their right and left-hand men and after to move forward and close their divisions and face to their Leader Command The out-most file upon each flanke stand the rest passe through to the right and left and place your selves on the out-side of your right and left-hand men following your in-most files Direction The in-most files are to begin the motion moving away to the right and left untill they be cleer of their second files and then they are to move away successively untill they have all placed themselves on the out-side of their right and left-hand men and then close files into the midst to open order Command The out-most files upon each flanke face outward the rest passe through to the right and left placing your selves before your right and left-hand men following your in most files Direction The rest are likewise to face outward and the inmost files are to begin the motion the rest following in order untill they have placed themselves before their out-side men after face to the Front and close files into the the midst to open order Command The out-most file upon each flanke face inward the rest passe through to the right and left and place your selves behinde your out-side men following the inmost Files Direction The rest are to face outward the in-most files begin to move forward to the right and left the rest consequently doe the same untill they all stand behind their out-side men then facing to the right and left about closing their divisions by moving forward after face to the Front Command Counter-march your right and left half-ranks from the midst losing ground and placing your selves before your out-side men Direction Face inward right half-ranks turn off to the right and left half-ranks turn off to the left and move forward untill you have placed your selves before your out-side men after face to your Leader and close files into the midst to open order Command Right and left half-ranks interchange ground Direction Face inward and passe through to your own right-hand untill you bee cleer six foot each of other after face to your Leader and close files into the midst to open order Command Right and left half-ranks counter-march to the right and left and interchange ground Direction Face outward right half-ranks turn off to the right left half-ranks turn off to the left and march cleer each of the other after face to the front and close files inward to open order Thus much may suffice to be spoken of all the several sorts and kinds of Counter-marches which if any shall conceive my pains fruitlesse in culling out such plentie and varietie there being
so few of them practised among able and knowing Souldiers my best apologie will be the high and venerable esteem had of Antiquity necessitated me thereunto as also to give full satisfaction to the Leaders of our private Meetings who of late have laboured to inure their Souldiers in the full practise thereof made me the willinger rather to undergo the censure of some then to incurre the displeasure of many Yet by the way give me leave fully to declare my selfe concerning the use of them for my opinion is that of all the Motions tending to Martiall Discipline these may the best be spared as being of little use and not so much as practised abroad upon service and therefore the fewer of them any Leader shall use in his Exercise in my judgement he doth the better not spending time in needlesse speeches telling of his Souldiers that this is the Macedorian this is the Lacedemonian or Ocean Countermarch not to lie under the censure my selfe of mispending time I come therefore briefly in the next place to treat of Wheelings being a subject more profitable for the intelligible Souldier CHAP. LV. Of Wheelings with their severall uses HAving proceeded thus far in shewing all the severall sorts and kinds of Military Motions it will now in the next place be expected that I speak somwhat of Wheelings and as formerly so now to set before the Souldier their severall kinds and uses Wherefore take notice of two sorts Wheelings angular and Wheelings on the Center which latter is commonly called the Prince of Orange his wheeling being acted or performed by the Souldier two severall ways that is to say Intire or Divisionall Intire Wheelings to the Angles are when the Souldiers turn their Aspects from the front proper to either of the Flanks or Reer whereby they may give the winde or Sun or some like advantage bringing their best Souldiers thither for to encounter an Enemy For the better performance of this Motion it will be convenient to close Ranks and Files into the midst to order and to keep their due distance both in rank and file observing in their Ranks their right and left-hand men and following their Leaders always conforming themselves in their Motion to the most commendable Posture which is Pikes advanced and Muskets poysed Wheeling the Battail on the Center is when they are so straightened with ground that they have not room to wheel to the right or left as in the former which gaineth as much more ground before the front as formerly they stood on this wheeling brings their best Souldiers to either of the flanks or Reer I could wish that this wheeling were more oftner practised amongst us for by it the Souldiers are better kept together in their Motion being not so apt to flie out as in the former Divisionall Wheelings provided they have sufficient number of men are of singular good use to encounter severall Enemies at one and the same time which the front of our Battalia bringing our best Souldiers for to skirmish with them It is likewise usefull to bring either Arms into Front Reer or both the flanks for suppose the Muskettiers to be upon the flanks and fearing a desperate charge of the Horse to fall upon them by a Divisionall Wheeling the Pikes are thither brought to receive their on-set and in the mean space the Muskettiers have time to recruit their Bandiliers again much more might be spoken but my intent is not to fill my Book with impertinent discourses knowing what is already spoken is sufficient for the intelligible Souldier CHAP. LVI Intire Wheelings Command WHeel your Battail to the Right WHeel your Battail to the Left WHeel your Battail to the Right about WHeel your Battail to the Left about Direction The right or the left-hand men in the front are the hinges of these Motions the rest have a greater compasse to march then they to bring their Aspects unto the place commanded following their Leaders Command Wheel your Battail on the same ground to the Right Wheel your Battail on the same ground to the Left Wheel your Battail on the same ground to the Right about Wheel your Battail on the same ground to the Left about Direction The left half-ranks moveth forwards wheeling to the right and the right half-ranks contrariwise faceth to the left side-wise falling backward moving still unto the place commanded CHAP. LVII Divisionall Wheelings Command WHeel the Battail off by Division from the Front Direction Turn off to the right and left Command Wheel the Battail off by Division from the Reer Direction Face to the Reer and turn off to the right and left Command Wheel the Battail inward to the Reer Direction Open from the midst to convenient distance and turn off to the right and left Command Wheel the Battail inward to the Front from the Reer Direction Face to the Reer open from the midst and wheel inward to the front Command Wheel off the Body by Division from the right flank Direction Face to the right Command Wheel off the Body by Division from the left flank Direction Face to the left Command Wheel the Body inward to the left flank from the right Direction Face to the right and open outward to convenient distance to wheel inward to the left flank Command Wheel the Body inward to the right flank from the left Direction Face to the left and open outward to convenient distance to wheel inward to the right flank Command Wheel off your Front and Reer half-files by Division Direction Half-files face about and Front and Reer half-files turn off by Division Command Wheel your Front and Reer half-files inward to the midst of Ranks Direction Half-files face about and Front and Reer half-files open outward to convenient distance to wheel inward to the midst of Ranks Command Wheel off your Front and Reer half-files by Division from the midst of Rank Direction Front half-files face about and Front and Reer half-files wheel off to the right and left by Division Command Wheel Front and Reer half-files inward both to the Front and Reer from the midst of Ranks Direction Front half-files face about and Front and Reer half-files open from the midst to convenient distance and wheel inward into Front and Reer Command Wheel off your right and left half-ranks by Division Direction Face outward and wheel off to the right and left by Division Command Wheel your right and left half-ranks inward to the midst of files Direction Face outward and open to the right and left to convenient distance to wheel inward to the midst of files Command Wheel off your right and left half-ranks by Division from the midst of files Direction Face inward and cause them to move backward to convenient distance to wheel off by Division from the midst of files Command Wheel your right and left half-ranks inward to both flanks from the midst of files Direction Face inward and open to the right and left to convenient distance to wheel inward
their leader they are reduced Which being performed the leader may lodge his colours having finished his ninth Exercise CHAP. XXXI The tenth Exercise consisting of 24 Files being six deep according to the first drawing up of a private Company THere being a greater number appearing upon this days Exercise then in the former it concerns a Leader more especially to give speciall charge to the inferiour officers to be carefull in the drawing forth the files that they make no man a file-leader bringer-up half-file-leader or bringer-up of the front half-files but such able souldier as may be deserving of the same whose diligence and care upon all motions is principally required being as it were the hinges of the Leaders severall words of command Wherefore supposing them to be drawnup in battalia and the colours being brought to the head of the Company the four Serjeants ready at hand attending their Captains commands and the body being closed in ranks and files to their distance of order and silence craved at the Company he that shall exercise them may begin after distances and facings shewen with this or the like doubling following CHAP. XXXII Eight entire severall Doublings with their Reducement Command FRont half-files double your reer inward intire Command The twelve inmost files double intire the depth of the six out-most files In-most files face about Command Half-files double your front to the right Command Double your files to the right intire advancing Command Half-files double your front inward intire Command The six outmost files upon each flank double intire advancing the twelve middle files Command Half-files double your front to the right intire Command Right half-ranks double your left flank intire advancing which being performed they are reduced CHAP. XXXIII Eight severall Counter-marches with their Reducement Command FIle-leaders stand the rest passe thorough to the right and place your selves before your leaders Command The right hand file stand the rest passe thorough to the right and place your selves on the out-side of your right hand men Command Counter-march your front and reer into the midst of ranks Direction Half-files face about and turn off to the left front half-files turn off to the right to your leader Command Counter-march your flanks into the midst of files face outward Command Files to the right hand counter-march maintayning ground Command Ranks to the left hand counter-march losing ground Command Counter-march your front and reer half-files from the midst of ranks maintaining ground Direction Front half-files face about and turn off to the left the rest turn off to the right every man moving up into his leaders ground to your leader Command Counter-march your right and left half-ranks from the midst of files losing ground Direction Face inward and turn off every rank on the ground they stand face to your leader and close files into the midst to open order they are reduced CHAP. XXXIV Eight entire Doublings by Wheelings with their Reducement Command WHeel off your reer half-files and double your front to the right intire Half-files face about Command Wheel off your left half-ranks and double your right flank intire to the left Face outward Command Wheel off your reer half-files and double your front to the left intire Half-files face about Command Wheel off your right half-ranks and double your left flank to the left intire Face outward Command Wheel off your front half-files and double the reer to the right intire Half-files face about Command Wheel off your right half-ranks and double the left flank to the right intire Face outward Command Wheel off your front half-files and double the reer to the left intire Half-files face about Command Wheeel off your left half-ranks and double your right flank to the right intire Face outward CHAP. XXXV Plain Firings and Figures of Battail The first firing LEt the two outmost files of Muskettiers upon each flank advance ten paces before the front give fire and fall in the reer of themselves after face about and move down into their places again then face to their leader Then let the next two files upon each flank move away in like manner and fire as the former did and move down into their places again After let the other remaining files be led forth by the other two Serjeants and give fire as before and fall back again into their places The second firing Let two Serjeants draw four files upon each flank and move them away 10 or 20 paces before the front and give fire and fall in the reer of themselves and after face about move down into their places And whilest they are moving down let the other two Serjeants draw forth the remayning four files upon each flank and fire as the former did and after return again into their places The third firing Let all the Muskettiers move forth cleer of the Pikes and let them open from the midst untill they stand in four divisions leaving sufficient intervalls for their wheeling into the reer of themselves first let them fire in each division falling in the reer of themselves untill they have all fired over two or three times after this kind The fourth firing Let them close their files before the front of ●ikes into the midst to order then let the two first ranks kneel down the next two stoop and the last two stand upright and give fire six ranks altogether then let the left half-ranks of Muskettiers be wheeled about to the left into the reer of the Pikes and the right half-ranks move to the left untill they stand streight before the front of Pikes The fifth firing Let the half-files face about and let them give fire to front and reer after this manner by two ranks drawn off ten paces before the front and reer and fall off to the right and left into the reer of themselves then facing about let them open outward and give way for the next two ran●s to come forward into their places who are to fire and fall off as the former did the other two ranks doing the same this firing may be continued as long as the Leader pleaseth The sixt firing Let them give fre on the ground they stand and fall off to the right and left into the reer of themselves The seventh firing Let them rank outward into front and reer and give fire altogether and rank again as they were The eight firing Let them give fire on the ground they stand and flank the Pikes those in the front flanking the Pikes on the right they in the reer flanking them on the left after let the Pikes charge on and being retreated into their places let them face all to their leader and in the next place proceed to figures of batt●●● Command Files open outward to open order ranks open backward to your open order then let every four files close outward to order and ranks close to front and reer to order they will stand in twelve divisions as followeth Command The two inmost