now is to fire upon the same ground he stands and must not at all advance into his leaders ground as before and having once fired all over they are reduced OR You may reduce themby Commanding the Musquetteers to face about to the right and march down into their respective places OR Command the Pikes to march up and even the Front with the file leaders of Musquetteers A triple firing 10. Front half files of Musquetteers double your Front of Pikes by division 2. Reer half files of Musquetteers open to the right and left and Rank even with the Pikes To perform this direct the Front half files to advance clear of the body of Pikes then face them to the right and left inwards and so close their divisions before the Pikes You are to observe in this firing that the Musquetteers of the Front and both flanks are to present and give fire together the Musquetteers of the Front division after firing are to wheel off to the right and left between their intervals and place themselves even in Rank in the Reer of the Reer divisions of Musquetteers Then the Musquetteers that fired in the flanks march directly down and place themselves even in breast with the Reer of Pikes Thus they are reduced Or else you may continue firing at your pleasure and arging of your Pikes 11. Wheel your flanks by division into the Front When they have fired let them march or pass down through the intervals and place them in the Reer of their own divisions And then upon an other firing they may place themselves in the Reer of the Pikes The Pikes here may charge either at hand or foot the Musquetteers may also fire over them To reduce them if it be upon the first Command firing and falling off in the Reer of their own divisions let the Body close their Divisions and wheel their flanks into the Reer and face to their Leader But if you fire a second time and wheel off your Musquetteers into the Reer of the Pikes Command the masquetteers by division to double their Front intire and then wheel both flanks into the Reer and face them to their Leader as before 12. Command Musquetteers Poyze your Musquetts and march until til they be clear of the Body of Pikes Then Front half files face to the right and left inward close your divisions and face to your leader Reer half files open to the right and left Front half files of Pikes face to the right and left outwards and march even to flank the Having fired let them wheel off to the right and left the Front Divisions falling in the Reer of themselves and the flanks either in the Reer of themselves or else in the Reer of their Pikes the Pikes moving forward and maintaining the Musquetteers ground To reduce this Command Front half files of Musquetteers face to the right and left outwards and march even in flank with the Reer half files of Pikes Then wheel your flanks into the Reer Front half files of Pikes face in opposiition and march into your places Musquetteers face about to the right and march closing of your divisions face all to your leader 13. Command Musquetteers march all until your half files be even with the Front of Pikes Front half files march three paces forward and stand Reer half files of Musquetteers face to the right and left outward and march clear of the Front half files Reer half files of Pikes open to the right and left outward and march clear of the Front Division of Pikes The first Ranks of all divisions having fired they may in the first place fall in the Reer of their own divisions And for a second firing so soon as the first ranks have fired in the Front they are to wheel off to the right and left and flank the Pikes as they were then the Reer division of Musquetteers after firing fall off to the right and left and place themselves even abreast with the Reer division of Pikes Then Reer half files of Pikes face to the right and left inwards and march into your places By this they are Reduced 14. Command Musquetteers march until your two last Ranks are equal with the two first Ranks of Pikes The two second Ranks of Pikes face to the right and march into the Reer of the right flank of Musquetteers The two last Ranks of Pikes face to the left and march into the Reer of the left flank of Musquetteers Having fired let them whel off to the right and left falling in the Reer of themselves and so having fired once or twice over they may fall in the Reer of their own Pikes every Musqueteer as he fireth to advance unto his leaders place and the Pikes to advance also who are to be ported and when the two last Ranks are firing they are to charge at the discretion of the Commander which Figure I have here set down because from it the fourteenth shall be reduced The Reducement The two ranks of Pikes upon the right flank face to the left and march c. then march the four ranks direct The two Ranks on the left flank face to the right and place your selves as you were facing them to their Leader the Musquetteers to advance and flank the Pikes they are reduced 15 Command Front half files of Musquetteers and the two first Ranks of Pikes march three foot The four Ranks of Pikes wheel your flanks into the front by division and face to the right and left and march even in the Reer of the Front Division of Musquetteers Then the Reer half files of Musquetteers face to the right and left and march them clear of the division of Pikes facing them to their Leader and march up even with the flanks of Pikes Having fired and wheeled off in the Reer of their own divisions of Musquetteers then for a second firing let the Front divisions of Musquetteers fire and wheel into the Reer of Pikes the pikes porting and charge as in the figure and retreit and upon the retreit the Pikes to fall all even in breast And the front division of Musquetteers to sleeve up even in breast with the Reer division of Musquetteers Then the Pikes to charge on again and the reer division of Musquetteers to fire wheeling off to the right and left and fall into the Reer of the front division of Musquetteers who will then stand after this form To reduce them Command The Pikes to advance and march all to a convenient distance then march the middle division of Pikes six foot then the two divisions of pikes upon the flanks to face in opposition and close their divisions Then Wheel their flanks into the Reer and face them to their leader which being done the Pikes are reduced The Musquetteers are to march up and flank the Pikes Many firings the ingenious might invent to the Front more than what I have demonstrated I shall only mention the Introductive and Extraductive firings I must
to the left and the Reer half files file three to the right Face all to your leader and close your divisions 4. Command Files file to the right and left by Division To perform this Command The file leaders of each flank march away with your files until they are clear of the Body then the next file leaders from the right and left are to fall in after the bringers up of the first moveants until the Body become two files upon each wing To reduce them Command File leaders lead up your files to the right and left OR Files file six to the right and left 5. Command Files file inward into the right and left flank by Division Figure 5. You may the better understand this by the directions for the third Command But To perform this Command Half files face about then file leaders and bringers up of each file both from the right and left and fall successively into the reer of each other until they have made two intire files on each flank Face to your leader To reduce this Command Reer half files face about to the right Front and Reer half files file three to the right and left inwards Face to your leader and close your Divisions 6. Command Files by countermarch file to the right every man placing himself in the reer of the right hand file Figure 6. To perform this Command The right hand file stand the rest of the Body face about to the left then every particular file march forward to the left and place themselves behind the bringers up of the right hand file To reduce this Command Files file fix to the left each placeing themselves before their leader 7. Command Files by countermarch file to the right by division each placing himself before his leader and bringer up To perform this Command Reer half files face about the right hand file is to keep his ground the rest moving forwards to the right placing themselves before their File leaders and Bringers up To reduce this Command Front half file â—â—ce about and file three to the right every man placing himself before his bringer up And the Reer half files file three to the left placing your selves before your leaders I have with as much brevity as conveniently I could set forth by demonstration the first part of Inversion which is of Files filing I proceed to the second part of Inversion which is of Ranks siling For the performance of which observe that in all these motions your files are to be at their Order or otherwise as may be thought most convenient and their Ranks to be opened either forwards or backwards at the discretion of the Commander but at twice double distance or more as may be required to his number of men The distances being set let every rank move according to Command 8. Command Ranks file to the right placing your selves before your right hand man To perform this Command The right hand man of each rank is to stand the rest are to move forwards with their right leg and so place themselves before their right hand men 8. Figure Te reduce them Command Files rank twelve to the left OR Ranks as you were Observe Ranks filing are sooner executed in the commands and reducements than files filing For they will sooner be in readiness to receive any opposition with a suteable resistance in the Front for in files filing it will be some long time before the file leaders will be able to do it 9. Command Ranks file to the right placing your selves behind your right hand men To perform this Direct If they be upon a stand they may open backwards to their distance for the work as by example But if they be upon a march then the right hand man marcheth first and all his rank so facing as to march to the right file-wise after their leader The right hand man of the second rank is so to do and fall in the reer of the left hand man of the first Rank To reduce this Command Files rank twelve to the left OR Ranks as you were Aelian Tact. Ch. 30. p. 6. 10. Command Ranks file to the right and left by Division The two former are directions enough for this And may also be performed with the two former either before their right hand men or otherwise To reduce this Command Files convert into Ranks as you were OR Files Rank to the right and left inward as you were OR Files rank twelve to the right and left inward This Figure as by the Notes of Captain Bingham hath been of great use amongst the Graecians and judged by our ingenious Artists not to be slighted by us for the avoydance of the great Ordinance or showers of small shot In Cities I have seen it often used for lodging of the Colours It is also a large Interval for the reception of any Honourable Person Some may dislike in this last Inversion of Ranks filing because there is a promiscuous mixture of Arms This may be easily prevented by bringing both Divisions of Musquetteers into the Front of Pikes or otherwise upon a march at the discretion of the Commander There yet remain divers words of Command of Ranks filing Vide Conversion By wheeling your Ranks into the right Flank or into both Flanks c. But the prolixity of them have made me to abbreviate and being more out of curiosity than of necessity I have shewed what is meant by Inversion both in Files and Ranks and have demonstrated them by their Figures so many as I conceive may be sufficient for the knowledge thereof Many I have heard to use the word Inversion to some of the precedent Commands but I think it very convenient to be left out in the Exercisings of our Rural Militia's It is a word not suitable to a Rustick capacity and a word that may be spared CHAP. XIII Of Conversion and the several Parts thereof COnversion I have declared to consist of a Rank or Ranks And that is performed either by 1. Increase of Files ranking by Even or Vneven Parts 2. Increase or decrease of Files ranking by uneven Parts 3. Files ranking intire into the Front and wheeling into the same 4. Ranks ranking to the right or left 5. Wheeling into both Flanks And of these I shall declare unto you as briefly as I may that your delight in the true understanding of them may not be neglected by the least obscurity Now the reason that I have demonstrated most with Figures is that the young Souldier may see how many Commands produce one and the same Figure their difference being only in quality and not in quantity 1. I shall begin with Files ranking by even parts that is when they rank two three or four keeping the same number in Rank all being in an equal proportion and if more what is wanting to make up the Ranks in the Command must be made good by the next Rank 1. Command Files rank three to the right Observe
termed a Macedonian Countermarch In all which there is Countermarchings of Files Ranks The Front The Reer half files Half Ranks And these may all be performed by intire or divisional Countermarches 1. The Countermarchings of Files is when every Souldier followeth his leader 2. The Countermarchings of Ranks is when every Souldier followeth his side man 3. The Front and Reer half Files Countermarchings is when the Souldier shall follow their File leaders or Bringers up 4. The Countermarchings of half Ranks is when the Souldier shall follow their outside men I shall in the first place shew how Intire and Divisional Countermarches are performed by files and Ranks 1. Observe That in the execution hereof your distance is to be at six foot in rank and file 2. When you are to Countermarch to the right the file leaders are to step forward with their right legs and face about to the right passing down to the Reer with their respective File following them keeping even a breast with their right handmen and to be sure not to turn before they be advanced to the ground of their File leaders 3. All Intire Countermarches of Files or ranks may be reduced by contrary Countermarches If the Command be to the right reduce them to the left And so for Contermarchings of the Front Reer or flanks into the midst reduce them back from the midst It shall be my endeavour to demonstrate how all Intire and divisional Countermarches shall lye under these three heads Of Mantaining Losing and Gaining of ground First of Countermarches maintaining Ground In the second precedent rule it will not be amiss to cast your eye back for your better direction by which you 'l be able to pass these Countermarches with greater delight and Order 1. Command Files to the 1. Right or 2. Left hand Countermarch To perform this Let the file leaders step forward with their right legs and march even in Rank to the Reer and none to turn off until he come to his File leaders Ground To reduce this Command Files to the left hand Countermarch 2. Command Ranks to the 1. Right or 2. Left hand Countermarch To perform this Face them to the Right and the right hand file is to turn off to the right and to march even to the Ground of the left hand file You may reduce this by Ranks Countermarching to the left 3. Command Countermarch your Front and Reer into the midst To perform this Command Half files face about and turn to off the left Front half files turn off to the right and face to your leader You may reduce this figure by doing the same over again Or else by any other divisional Countermarch 4. Command Front and Reer half files countermarch to the 1. Right or 2. Left You may reduce this Figure by doing the same over again OR By Countermarching Front and Reer into the midst 5. Command Countermarch your Front and Reer half files to right and left from the midst To perform this Command Front half files face about and turn off to the right and Reer half files turn off to your left then face to your leader To reduce this Command To Countermarch from the midst into the Front and Reer The three last figures by command are several but the figures are still one and the same in quantity but not in quality or motion as you may perceive c. 6. Command Countermarch your flanks into the midst To perform this Command them to face to the right and left outwards the right flank turn off to the right and left flank turn off to the left until they meet in the midst To reduce them Command Countermarch from the midst to the right and left into both flanks 7. Command Right and left half Ranks interchange your ground To perform this Face to the right and left inward and march all and interchange your ground This is of no great use except it be when the right or left flank hath fought that then the reserved flank may come into service also You may reduce them by interchanging of them back again OR Divisionally to Countermarch their flanks into the midst of the Battel Secondly Countermarches lofing ground 1. Command Files to the Right or Left hand Countermarch placing your selves before your bringers up To performe this Command The bringers up to face about to the right then the file leaders with the rest successively to turn off upon the same ground he stands And on the same hand the Command is given so to place themselves accordingly You may easily reduce them by any other Countermarch of files 2. Command The last Rank stand the rest pass through to the 1. Right or 2. Left placing your selves behind your bringers up To perform this As the last Rank is to stand and keep their first aspect let all the rest face about to the right and march all turning successively behind their bringers up To reduce them you may pass them through or else Countermarch by file into their places 3. Command Front and Reer half files Countermarch to the 1. Right or 2. Left From the midst every man placing himself before his leader and bringer up To perform this Command The first rank of the front half files to stand the rest to face about and turn off to the right half file leaders face about and turn off to the left and both to march clear of the Front and Reer following their half file leaders and bringers up of the front half files To reduce this by an other Countermarch 4. Command Ranks to the 1. Right or 2. Left hand Countermarch losing ground To perform this to the right As in maintaining ground upon their turning off the rest march into the same place or ground and turn off also as in figure 2. Now this of losing ground altereth only in this the outmost file is to face to the right about until he hath directly faced the left flank and so to gain so much ground upon the left flank as they have lost upon the right OR That they have placed themselves on the outside or before of their left hand men 5. Command Ranks to the right hand Countermarch each following his right hand man and place himself on the outside of his left hand man To perform this Command The left hand file to stand the out most file to the right turn about to the right as to make his aspect or face to the left then move forward until he be clear of the second file losing the ground he stood upon and gain it again on the outside of the left flank To reduce this figure may be done by a contrary Countermarch 6. Command The right and left hand file upon each flank face to the right and left outwards the rest pass through placing your selves before your outmost files Observe files become ranks by their faceing To performe this Command The right hand file to face to the right and the left hand file to
motion And if you place them behind their right hand men then let the right hand men face about to the left and the rest pass through and fall behind them Figure 9. A Counter word of Command will reduce them c. There are many Countermarches that produce one and the same Figure provided you close your Divisions and face them to their proper Front only they differ in place First therefore you may briefly observe that in those Countermarches that Maintain their Ground the first second third fourth and fifth Commands then in losing of ground the first second third fourth fifth tenth and eleventh Commands and in gaining of Ground the first second third fourth fifth sixth and seventh do and will produce one and the same Figure Secondly Also for maintaining of Ground the sixth and seventh and in losing of Ground the sixth seventh and eighth and also in gaining of Ground the ninth Commands produce one and the same Figures Oserve For the Countermarchings of half Ranks see in the doublings of the Flanks thirteenth and fourteenth Commands they producing the same Figures as the eleventh and twelfth Figures by all which you will the better understand the one for the other Although Countermarches are of great Antiquity and used amongst the Graecians yet it is not much of use in our present Mode of Discipline Therefore to conclude though knowledge of them be no burthen yet to be exercised in the face of an Enemy may prove prejudicial and the best expert in this Art allow that they may be best spared of any motions whatever CHAP. XVI Of Wheelings I Am to treat of Wheelings and the several uses of them as to the strengthening of the Front Reer and both Flanks Before you enter upon them take these four Observations 1. That you close your Ranks and Files to your Order 3. Foot 2. That in all your Wheelings you keep a due distance to your Leader 3. That in all Commands for Wheelings such moderation is to be used in their motions that they on the contrary flank be not forced by running to disorder themselves 4. That your Arms be at such Postures as may be equivalent to each other This is If the Musquets be poysed the Pikes are to be advanced which are the Postures best to be used in these Motions There are two sorts of Wheelings First Angular Wheelings Secondly Wheelings on the midst or Center I shall not use the word Center for it is more proper to a Circular body than to a square These in their Motions or Actions are termed either Intire or Divisional 1. Intire Wheelings are for the gaining of ground upon the Enemy or to fight him with your best men as occasion serveth turning the first Aspect wholly to the Command given 2. Divisional Wheelings being performed extend the Battle either in length or depth And may for the most part of them be called Doublings I have in the exercise of Doublings demonstrated some of them by Figures and shall not recite them here again but quote them by their several numbers of Commands First I shall begin with Angular Wheelings And they so called because the corner man to which the Aspect is commanded is the main hinge of the motion Observe the Wheelings to the right and to the left To the right and left about are termed Angular And for the Wheelings to the right and left and to the right and left about on the same Ground are Wheelings on the midst of the Front all which are Intire the other Divisional Center 1. Command Wheel your Body all or your Battle to the 1. Right Intire Angular Wheelings or 2. Left This Wheeling moves the main Body from the Ground whereon it first stood and placeth it on the right Flank causing the Aspects of the proper Front to be upon the same Observe that the right hand man is to move to the right hand with a very small Motion and every man else to remember that the farther off he is from the Right Angle the swifter must his motion be To reduce them Wheel to the left But this will not transfer them to the same Ground But to reduce them to their first Aspect on the same Ground you must face them all to the right then wheel them to the left and facing them to the left it is compleâ—ted 2. Command Wheel your Body all or your Battle to the 1. Right or 2. Left about This turneth the Aspect towards the Reer Now by reason the motion is twice as much as the former there ought to be the greater care had in the performance of it observing so much the motion of the right hand man that they fail not of being even in Rank with him To reduce them to their first Ground face to the right wheel to the left about then face them to the left Although to the left about may reduce them but not on the same Ground You may observe that Wheelings are the most facil for their Reducements as for Example Wheel your Flanks into the Front is reduced by wheeling your Flanks into the Reer OR To wheel your Front and Reer into both Flanks is reduced by Wheeling both Flanks into your Front and Reer c. Secondly I proceed to Wheelings on the midst or Center of the Front which are Intire and Divisional and are quicker in their motions and performed on less Ground 1. Command Wheel your battle to the 1. Right 2. Left on the same ground Intire This is termed Grove Van Nawsaw's Wheeling But it is a wonder to me why our Antient and Modern Writers call these Commands Wheelings on the same Ground when I am sure there will be ground lost in the motion from the first they stood upon In a direct square this may be better performed and less loss of Ground To perform this Command The left Flank advance forward still wheeling to the right and the right flank contrarywise facing to the left and keep falling backwards even in Reer with the left half ranks and so still moving unto the place commanded face all to the right flank You may wheel to the left also To reduce this Wheel your Battle to the left on the same Ground 2. Command Wheel your Body to the 1. Right or 2. Left about on the same Ground The direction to the former will serve for the performance of this only the motion is double as much and their faces are turned from the first Front toward the Reer To reduce this wheel your Battle to the left about on the same Ground Divisional Wheelings Bingham 2. part Tactic pag. 92. 3. Command Wheel to the right and left from the Front OR Wheel off your Front by Division Or if you will not go so far then wheel your Front into the Flanks by Division This wheeling your Front into the Flanks by Division produceth the same Figure with Figure â— If upon occasion Musquetteers be on the Front of the Pikes by
may at one and the same time charge either in the Front or Reer in Front and Reer also in Front Reer and Flank and of these I shall demonstrate some that I at first learnt and some amongst others that are most convenient to be learnt Now that the Souldier might be expert in his firings against the Enemy let him be often exercised with firings only in the pan falling off and on as shall be Commanded All which being well performed by the Musquetteers is a full accomplishment of what hath been before taught him by which the Commander shall be credited and the Souldier preferred to his merit Of firing by forlorne files 1. That which is to be used in our modern exercise is two manner of wayes the two outmost files of each flank of Musquetteers to march with two Serjeants so far as shall be commanded and there to stand and the foremost ranks are to give fire and to fall into the Reer of themselves either by wheeling off to the right or to the right and left Then let the remaining do the like and fall into their places Those that have fired are to fall off on the inside of the Musquetteers between them and the Pikes and as they are thus trooping back after firing to their places the rest are in like manner to move away and fire and fall in next the Pikes 2. Accordingly as you draw out two files so you may draw out more files to the number of Musquetteers and so to fire and fall into the Reer of themselves and places c. 3. You may move them all clear of the Pikes and let them open from the midst leaving sufficient Intervals for their wheelings in the Reer of themselves and then to place themselves even with their Pikes the second having fired as before place themselves in the Reer of the first division c. 4. Advance the two outmost files by the Serjeants who are to lead them to the place for execution as by order received Commanding 1. Files to rank inward to present and give fire all together 2. You may rank inward two Files or more and fire as before And having fired are to wheel off to the right and left by their respective file leaders placing themselves next the Pikes I proceed to a second way of firing and that is by Ranks First By advancing before the Front Secondly firing even with the Front Thirdly firing even with the half files Advancing before the Front may be performed by advancing of single ranks and so firing in the Front or by advancing of both flanks into the Front before the Pikes and so to fire by single ranks Which is performed by Commanding Demyhearse 5. Pikes stand Musquetteers move forward and place your selves before in the Front of your Pikes and close your Divisions I mention nothing to tye up the hand of the ingenious to any stinted form whose ablities may command his figures at pleasure Observe that when the forlorn files or Ranks march out they are to give fire as upon a retreit that is to stand and fire and wheel off that their followers may do the like unless the Enemy give ground And when the two last ranks were presented the next two ranks must be ready to march forward being fixed to present and give fire also Thus having fired in the Front by one single Rank or more they are by wheeling off to place themselves in the Reer of their own divisions before the Pikes the rest doing the like until they have all fired round A second way of firing by this figure shall be a reducement to it First The Frontiers having performed their firing are to wheel off by division until they come down so low as to be even to the first ranks of Pikes and so to rank even a breast All the Musquetteers are so to do successively and flank themselves even with the Pikes 6. Ranks advancing from the Front of a standing Battalia A Serjeant from each Flank leading up the two formost Ranks according to order the first Rank is to give fire wheel off and place themselves in the Reer of their own divisions the second in order is to execute the same with speed being not above three foot distance from the first being ready with his Musquett palm'd his Cock bent and Muzzel mounted so to Present and give fire and so to wheel off and place themselves as their Leaders had done before them 7. Ranks firing even with the Front The first Rank having fired and wheeled off placing themselves in the Reer of their Divisions the next ranks are to move forwards at three motions into their places making good their leaders ground and there to present and give fire wheeling off and placing themselves as by the former directions By the way you must observe if the body be upon a march the Pikes must be shouldered and when they come to charge they are to close forward at their close order It is presupposed ere one firing or two be performed or past over the bodies are almost close Then the Pikes are to be at their Port and at length to be at their absolute Charge and push home and being so near they may do great execution with their Musquets firing upon the half files of Pikes as if they were even with the Front Which brings me to 8. Ranks firing even with the half files When the Pikes are charging then the musquetteers may perform this who are to advance no further than the half files of Pikes and there you may either fire one Rank or more at the discretion of the Commander and as soon as every Rank hath fired successively they are to wheel off and place themselves in the Reer of their own leaders When the firing is ended and each Souldier in his proper place the Musquetteers marching up even in breast with the Front of Pikes they are reduced But in this firing the Musquetteers are to make good their leaders ground except it be upon a retreit then they are to fire upon the same ground and to wheel off that their followers may doe the like unless the Enemy give ground Horn. Bat. 9. Command Pikes stand Musquetteers march until the bringers up rank even with the Front You may in this as with some of the former fire two Ranks ten paces advanced before the Front and so whel off and place themselves in the Reer of their own files OR Secondly let the first Rank of Musquetteers present and give fire and wheel off to the right and left placing themselves in the Reer of their own files then the second Rank firing are to advance into their leaders place firing and wheeling off in the same manner and so they are all successively to do the like Then Thirdly when they have all given fire let them begin again and the file leaders having fired they are to wheel off to the right and left flank themselves even with the Pikes the second Rank
you were From your shoulder charge to the Front Right Left Reer Shoulder as you were 4. Port your Pikes This is useful when the Souldiers are to enter either Gate or Sally-port and it is an ease for the Reer half Files to Port their Pikes when the Front is at their Charge From your Port Comport Cheeke Trail your Pikes Port as you were From your Port charge to the Front Right Left Reer Port as you were 5. Comport your Pikes This is necessary for a Souldier upon his March up a Hill to have his Pike Comported From your Comport Cheek Trail your Pike From your Comport charge to the Front Right Left Reer Comport as you were 6. Cheeke your Pikes This is useful for the Sentinel Posture From your Cheeke Trail your Pikes Cheeke as you were From your Cheeke charge to the Front Right Left Reer Cheeke as you were 7. Trail your Pikes This is useful in a Trench to move for security of any breach undiscovered and is seldom used else but marching through a Wood c. From your Trail charge to the Front Right Left Reer Trail as you were From your Trail Order your Pikes 8 Lay down your Pikes Oberve that if your Pikes be laid down when you begin your exercise then your Command must be 1. Handle 2. Raise your Pike to your Open order Order Close order c. You may observe that the Postures of the Pike some are for conveniency and ease to the Souldier as to expedition either in Marchings or other services commanded and the several charges serve either for defence or offence none ought to slight any of these Commands but to put them into practice for at some one time or other they may be useful Here followeth the Postures of the Musquet or Calliver In which I do affirm that the word of Command generally used Make ready is no Posture but a word for brevity presupposing the Souldier to be expert in all and doth include those postures precedent to that Present your Musquet and so from the Presenting of your Musquets the other postures following unto that Give fire which is the completement of all the rest of the Commands given Therefore for the better handling of Arms no Judicious Practitioner in this Art but will confess it is better to be Instructed from Posture to Posture for more comely and swifter execution thereof The Musquetteer being shouldered Command Snap-haunce Sloop your Musquets Let slip your Musquets 1. Vnshoulder your Musquet and Poyse 2. Palm or rest your Musquet 3. Set the Butt end of your Musquet to the ground 4. Lay down your Musquet 5. Take off your Bandeliers 6. Lay down your Bandeliers 7. Face about to the left march 8. Face about to the right and march to your Arms or stand to your Arms. 9. Take up your Bandeliers 10. Put on your Bandeliers 11. Take up your Musquet 12. Rest or Palm your musquet 13. Secure or Guard your cock 14. Draw back your hammer or steel 15. Clear your pan 16. Prime your pan 17. Put down your steel or hammer 18. Blow or cast off your loose corn 19. Bring or cast your musquet about to your left side Handle your Charger Open your Charger 20. Charge with Powder 21. Draw forth your scowring stick 22. Shorten your scowring stick 23. Charge with Bullet 24. Put your scouring stick into your Musquet 25. Rain home your charge 26. Withdraw your scouring stick 27. Shorten your scouring stick 28. Return your scouring stick 29. Bring forward your Musquet and poise 30. Palm or rest your Musquet 31. Fit your hammer or steel 32. Free your cock 33. Bend your cock 34. Present your Musquet 35. Give fire 36. Palm or rest your Musquet 37. Clear your Pan. 38. Shut your Pan. 39. Poyse your Musquet 40. Shoulder your Musquet Match-lock I need not here insert every Command but only add such as are used for the Match-lock wholly laying aside the rest Take your Match from between the fingers of your left hand Lay down your Match Take up your Match with your right hand Return or place your Match into your left hand Open your Pan. Clear your Pan. Prime your Pan. Shut your Pan. Draw forth your Match Blow your Coal Cock your Match Fit your Match Guard your Pan. Blow the ash from your Coal Open your Pan. Uncock and return your Match So you are ready for a March or in the Posture upon the first motion That which is called the Saluting Posture is to be performed from the resting or palming of the Musquet when he shall have an occasion as a Souldier to salute his Friend or to the honouring of any other person deserving And the Sentinel Posture is for the Musquet to be in the Palm of the left hand at his Resting posture But his Musquet to be charged with Powder and Bullet his Cock freed and to be secured with his Thumb so to be ready to execute his charge and commands given c. There is indeed a word of Command sometimes used Reverse your Musquet which is the marching Funeral Posture That is to put the butt end of your Musquet upwards under your left arm holding it in your left hand about the lock of your Musquet Thus I have finished the Postures of the Musquet or Caliver with a Snap-hance and with a Match-lock without a Rest for your further inquiry if there need be I refer you to Lieutenant Barriffe or Captain Ward If I should forget to say something of the excellency as to the use of the Half-Pike and Musquet that is now of use in the Artillery Garden Half-Pike first invented by Lieutenant Barriffe and Mr John Davis of London whatsoever is performed in the exercise thereof it is with greater ease than the Rest and Musquet is And knowing how far it hath been the care of many Souldiers by invention to make the Musquetteers as well defensive as offensive but none amongst many of their Projects was received like this all falling to the ground and this standing as the best being of most excellent service for it serveth as a Rest as a Pallisado to defend the Musquetteer from the Horse When the shot is all spent they may with that Weapon fall in among the Enemy and in the pursuit of an Enemy by reason of the lightness thereof and their nimbleness in Action may do great execution and in Trenches they are good seconds for the Souldiers preservation Those Souldiers that are thus Armed are the best to be commanded out upon any Party because they are the best able to defend themselves and offend their Enemies And when any hedges are to be lin'd with shot West Country that the Musquetteers by their forced service become silent and the ways deep and narrow then the Half-Pike will be of singular service And last of all the Souldâ—er so marching with his Half-Pike and Musquet It is not only a Grace to the Souldier but a Terrour to the Enemy Besides this hath
move down to the Reer even in breast with the last Rank If this be for service you may face them all to the Reer If only for Exercise you may reduce them as they now stand by Commanding Front half files face about to the right and advance forwards until they are clear of the standing part then face them to the right and left inwards and close your Divisions 4. Command Front half files double your Reer to the 1. Right 2. Left by Countermarch To performe this If the Command given for the left face the standing half files to the Reer and the rest Countermarch to the left and lose ground But if it be only for Exercise you need not face the standing part to the Reer at all To reduce this as being only for Exercise Command Front half files face about to the left and march forth into your places But if it be upon service that they are all faced to the Reer then all upon the Reducement are to face about to the left and the front half files to march into their places Object But Some may object here and say that this is a countermarch and no doubling and so ought not to be demonstrated in this place Answ To which I answer that what is done by the Front half files in short is a Lacedemonian Countermarch of losing ground but if it were a direct countermarch they ought not to stand mixed with any other part of the body by passing through to the Reer but only to Countermarch into the midst and there remain so that now passing through into the Reer makes it an absolute doubling What I have mentioned in the beginning of this Chapter may be sufficient to the ingenious Artist having concluded what I intended for the strengthening of the Reer I thought to have inserted here a strengthening of the Front and Reer but being in the Chapter of Wheelings Command the tenth the inquisitive may be better satisfied CHAP. VI. Which is the last in order to shew how a Battalia may be strengthened in both Flanks THe Flanks are doubled by 1. Files 2. Half ranks 3. Division 4. Wheelings 1. First by Files 1. Command Files to the Right or Left double If to the left to perform this Command Every even ranks from the left move with three steps into the odd To reduce this Command Ranks to the right double OR Files as you were In all motions observe to move that leg first to which the Command guideth 2. Command Files to the 1. Right or 2. Left double advancing To perform this if to the right Command Every even file from the right advance three steps forward and double the odd To reduce this Command Ranks to the left double OR Files as you were 3. Command Files to the right and left double outward In doubling outward the outmost File of each Flank stands and the even File each flank doubles the odd To reduce this Command Double your Ranks to the right and left inwards OR Ranks as you were 4. Command Files to the right and left double Inward To reduce this Command Double your Ranks to the right and left outwards OR Ranks as you were 5. Command Double your Ranks to the 1. Right 2. Left 1. Outwards advancing 2. Inwards This will be performed as in the third and fourth Command only instead of falling behind their right or left hand men here they are to advance before them as in the second Command 6. Command Double your Files to the 1. Right or 2. Left intire advancing To performe this to the right The even files from the right advance so far until they be clear and double the odd files to the right To reduce this Command Files that doubled face about to the left and march forth into your places OR Front half Files double your Reer to the left OR Half Files double your Front to the right 7. Command Double your files to the 1. Right or 2. Left Intire advancing every man placing himself before his leader To perfom this to the right The reducement Command Front half Files face about to the left and march forth into your places OR Front half files turn off by countermarch and double your Re ex to the right Face all to your leader 8. Command Files double your depth to the right intire To perform this Command Even files from the right face about to the right and march until they are clear of the Reer placing themselves after their bringers up then face them to their leader To reduce this Command Half files double your Front to the left OR Front half files double your Reer to the right 9. Command Files double your depth to the right placing your selves behind your bringers up To perform this Command Every even File from the right face about to the right and double the remaining files behind their bringers up To reduce this Command Bringers up double your Front to the left OR Half files double your Front to the left each placing themselves before their half file Leaders There is but a small difference between the Figures of some of the precedent Commands as some may at first sight guess them to be yet if you would but well observe them the words of Command are several and in the Battalia there is difference in the Dignity of place but not in quantity or number Secondly How the flanks are doubled by half ranks 10. Comand Half ranks of the left double your right flank to the 1. Right or 2. Left To perform this to the right Left half ranks face to the right and move to the right forward and double your right flank To reduce this Command Face to the left and march forth into your places OR Double your Ranks to the left intire You may face them at discretion I shall demonstrate another Figure to the left shewing how it may be performed without mixture of Arms c. 11. Command Half Ranks of the right double your left flank to the right To perform this Command Half ranks of the right face to the right turn off to the right and double your left flank To reduce the 11. Command Ranks double to the right intire every man placing himself on the outside of his right hand man 12. Command Half ranks double your right flank to the right and left 1. Outward 2. Inward 1. To perform this Outward Face all to the right then the left half ranks move to the right and left outwards doubling your right flank face to your Leader To reduce this Command 1. Front and Reer half files double your ranks intire to the left flank OR Half ranks that doubled face about to the right and march forth into your places OR Half ranks face about to the right and the even ranks from the midst move forth and double your left ranks intire to the left flank face to your Leader 2. To perform the 12. Command inward Face all to the right then the left
the depth of the standing files intire to the right and left inwards 2. If you face them to their proper Front then to reduce them Command The three first and the three last Ranks double your left flank intire That is The three last Ranks face about and wheel to the right and the three first Ranks wheel about to the left all moving and meet in opposition in the midst of the left flank then face them to their Leader I have ended those Doublings whose Battalia's are strengthened in the Front Reer and both Flanks Although they may not be useful at all times in the field service yet it is not amiss for every Commander to be well grounded in the knowledge of them that by his experience therein he may not be silent when occasion serveth nor the Souldier seeking what to do when he may be commanded They are so necessary that some are delightful in private Exercises and most of them profitable in Field or Garrison I am sure the Ingenious if once experienced herein will confess them to be of such absolute necessity as not in the least to be slighted by any And further it is adjudged to be most convenient for all the Chief Officers to bend their thoughts before the time of Service to make their Commands as short as possible may be in order to which see Chapt. 8. and 11. I do declare that I have heard some of our late young Eltonists to be too tedious in their Commands and Reducements I shall advise the young Souldier to follow the Rules of Barriffe Ward Bingham and Hexham for there is in them enough to direct for most Services and then they may peruse Elton at last whose worth as I have been informed is not to be laid in the dust without the due respects belonging to a Souldier and I hope now a Loyal Subject CHAP. XI YOu may perceive in those several Commands for the strengthening of the Flanks and their Figures being produced and have closed some of their Files as occasion may offer it self they are one and the same in Number but not in Place As in the 8. Chapter I have also in this set down the several Commands that produce one and the same Figure yet the Commands are distinct and several all which if the Officer please to endeavour the remembring of How that such and such Commands will produce such a Figure he may in the hottest disputes take the shortest Commands to expedite his motions having respect to his Ground for the execution of them 1. Files to the right double Command 1. Produceth one and the same Figure Files to the right double advancing Comm. 2. Files to the right and left double 1. Outward 2. Inward Comm. 3. and 4. Double your Ranks to the right and left 1. Outward advancing 2. Inward advancing Comm. 5. Double your Files to the right intire advancing Comm. 6. Double your Files to the right intire advancing every man placing himself before his Leader Comm. 7. Files double your depth to the right intire Comm. 8. Files double your depth to the right placing your selves behind your Bringers-up Comm. 9. Double your Files to the right and left by Division Com. 17. 2. Half Ranks of the left double your right flank to the right Com. 11. Produceth one and the same Figure Half Ranks double your right flank to the right and left outwards  3. Half Ranks double your right flank by turning off to the right Com. 11. Produceth one and the same Figure Pag. Command 16. Half Ranks to the right by countermarch double your left flank Com. 13. Left half flanks double your right flank to the right and left by countermarch 1. Outward 2. Inward Com. 14. Left half Ranks wheel and double your right flank to the right intire Com. 18. Left half Ranks wheel off to the right and left and double your right flank by Division Com. 20. Left half Ranks double your right flank intire advancing Com. 15. These Figures are much alike only the change of Ground Left half Ranks double intire the depth of your right flank Com. 16. A very good Figure is produced by the. Com. 17.  Wheeling Front and Reer into the right flank Com. 19. This being an accidental Front is the same Figure with the 5.10 and 15. Command for the strengthening of the proper Front by the doubling of Ranks CHAP. XII I Shall now treat of that which is called in a more particular manner Inversion and Conversion shewing you what is meant by them And the nature and use of those several Commands most in practice belonging to each of them 1. Inversion produceth a File or Files That is either by Files filing or Ranks filing 2. Conversion produceth a Rank or Ranks That is either By increase of File ranking by Even or Vneven Parts Of Ranks ranking to the Right or Left Of Ranks wheeling to the Right or Left Flank Observe That in the performance of most of these Works there must be either a double or twice double distance of Ground But it must be the Commanders care so to open his Ranks or Files at such distances as the quantity of Ground will give leave I shall not demonstrate the Commands in the same method as I have the Doublings for the strengthening of the Front but shall insist in that method already set down because I find the reception hereof to be somewhat of difficulty with some of our Rural Officers First Inversion of files or tiles filing in sequence Secondly Files filing by countermarch 1. Command Files file to the 1. Right 2. Left To perform this to the right Command The right hand file to march away single clear of the body then the File leader of the next File is to fall in after the bringer up of the first File and so all the rest until the whole Body become one single file To reduce this Command File leaders lead up you Files to to the left OR Files file six to the left 2. Command Files file to the Right or Left intire advancing To perform this to the right The right hand file stand the second from the right advanceth into the Front of the first the third into the Front of the second and the rest successively into the Front of each other until they may be made one direct file To reduce this Command Face all about to the right Files file six to the right into the Reer OR As they stand without facing Command File six to the right gathering towards the Front 3. Command Files file inward into the right Flank To perform this Command Half files face about then file leader and bringer up of the left flank advance forward and each file of the half files from the left are to fall successively into the Reer of each file until they have made one intire then face them to their leader To reduce them Command Reer half files face about to the left Front half files file three
             1 2 3 4 5 6. 6 5 4 3 2 1  6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1 To make the If upon a single File Command 5 6 5 2 1 2  5 6 1 6 1 2 5 6 1 6 1 2 4 3 1 6 4 3  4 3 2 5 4 3 4 3 2 5 4 3 3 4 6 1 3 4  3 4 3 2 3 4 3 4 5 2 3 4  2 1 2 5 6 5  2 1 6 1 6 5 2 1 6 1 6 5  1 2 3 4 5 6  1 2 5 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5 6   6 5 4 3 2  1 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2 This I saw July 1671. Reducement File Leaders stand the rest pass through and place your selves before your Leaders Ranks to the right double and Files to the right double Ranks to the left double and Files double your depth to the left File-Leaders stand the rest pass through to the right and place themselves before their Leaders Half double your Front to the right and Files to the right double Ranks to the left double and Files to the left double If more Files than one Command Reducement File rank to the left into the Front Rank file fix to the left File rank two to the right and Files to the right double Bringers-up double your Front to the left and double your Files to the right intire advancing Bringers-up double your Front to the right and double your Files to the left intire advancing Half double your Front to the right Files double your depth to the left File rank two to the left Files to the left double Reducement Bringer-up stand the rest pass through to the left and place your selves behind your Bringer-up Rank two to the left and Files to the left double Half file double your Front to the right and Files double your depth to the right File rank six to the left then Rank file six to the left Front half file double your depth to the left File-Leader with the odd men from the Front face about to the right and interchange Ground   6 5 4 3 2   6 5 4 3 2  6 5 4 3 2 The front and standing of each file as they come to be leaders in their respective dignities Dignity             The dignity of a file  1 6 4 3 5 2 6 5 4 3 2 1 6 5 4 3 2 1  6 5 4 3 2 1 1. a 5. e 4. d 3. c 6. f 2. b 1 2 6 5 5 6 2 4 5 6 6 5  2 4 5 6 6 5 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 3 1 2 3 4  1 3 1 2 3 4 4 3 2 1 1 3 3 1 3 4 1 3  3 1 3 4 1 3 2 1 5 6 6 5 4 2 6 5 5 6  4 2 6 5 5 6   5 6 3 4 4 2 5 6 2 1 4 2  5 6 2 1 4 2 Dignity  I much quastion the dignity of this how ever I have incerted it 6 5 4 3 2 1 Dignity 6 5 4 3 2 1  f e d c b a f e d c b a  Reducement Files rank two to the left files to the left double Bringer up double your Front to the left Files double your depth to the left every man falling behind his bringer up Half files double your Front to the right Files double to the left intire advancing Files rank two to the right Files to the left double Bringer up double your Front to the right and files double your depth to the right every man placing himself before his leader Front half files double the Reer to the left Files double to the left in tire advancing every man placing himself before his leader Half files double your Front to the left Files double to the right intire advancing every man placing himself before his leader Reducement Ranks to the left double files to the left double then half files double your Front to the right then Bringers up face about to the right and march forth into your places File leaders stand the rest pass through to the left and place your selves before your leaders Ranks to the right double Files to the right double Front and Reer half files interchange ground File leaders half file leaders stand the rest pass through to the left place your selves before your leaders Bringers up double your front to the right and files double your depth to the right  Reducement Rank two to the left and files to the left double then Front half files double your Reer to the left intire advancing every one placing himself behind his leader Face about into the right and Countermarch your Reer into the Front Ranks to the right double and Files to the right double Front half files double your Reer to the right intire advancing Bringers up double your Front to the right files to the right double advancing placing your selves before your leaders Countermarch front and Reer into the midst Front and Reer half files interchange ground    N. 6. N. 5. N. 4. N. 3. N. 2.  N. 6. N. 5. N 4. N. 3. N. 2.   N. 6. N. 5. N. 4. N. 3. N. 2.  CHAP. XV. Of Countermarches WE read in the Tacticks of Aelian of three kinds of Countermarches used amongst the Graecians and Persians And are termed the 1. Chorean 2. Lacedemonian 3. Macedonian Countermarches There is another Countermarch that is of use in our modern exercises and is termed the Bastard Countermarch and so called because it participates some times of one and some times of another but always of two and may in many respects be more useful than the former Most Authors place this amongst the other Countermarches therefore I shall not now alter it although in my opinion it may be very well ranked amongst the doublings I thought to have been large in demonstrating the several natures of Countermarches but being conceived of all motions in this art the least beneficial to our latest mode of discipline I shall not be tedious to your Patience But if the skilful Souldier will put them into practice especially the Bastard Countermarch he will not only find some of them serviceable but all delightful in private Exercises Observe the Chorean Lacedemonian Macedonian is 1. Maintaining 2. Losing 3. Gaining Ground First The maintaining of Ground is a Countermarch commanded without any addition to it and is termed the Chorean or Cretan Countermarch Secondly The losing ground is a Countermarch commanded when the Souldier is to take his ground from the Reer and this is termed the Lacedemonian Countermarch Thirdly The gaining of ground that is a Countermarch taking of ground next before the front and forsaking the ground it first stood upon and this is
fitting of the Souldier for field services and others at their pleasure what their fancy may guide them unto And thus I have passed over the Grounds of Discipline for the Foot I expect Censures by the Ingenuous I submit to a correction but for the Carper let him remain in his own mud he shall never be complemented to a cleared fountain by me CHAP. XVII Of making file leaders successively both in number and place in a file six in depth and so for a whole body THe Souldiers having passed thus many dayes exercise in these principles of Art Military and now each Souldier is loving to his Comrade every file leader to the rest of his file being willing that their files should successively demonstrate some experiences as they have attained unto in the exercise thereof which will prove a great incouragement to the Ingenious Also it is profitable to a Commander to bring what Ranks he pleaseth into the Front and to exchange them and to reduce them to their proper file leaders A File to be made file leaders successively according to Number or by commanding as followeth Commanding by the file leader 1 File leaders  Rank two to the left and file to the left double 2 2 Ranks to the left double and Files to the left double  Countermarch Front and reer into the midst and face to that part which was the Reer 3 1 3 Half files double your front to the right and files to the right double   Face about to the right 4 4 2 4 File leaders stand the rest pass through to the right and place themselves before their leaders     Countermarch from the Reer into the midst and and face to that which was the Reer 5 3 6 5 5 Ranks to the left double and Files double your depth to the left     Files Rank two to the right and file to the right double face them about and it will reduce them 6 6 1 1 6 6 Ranks to the right double and Files to the right double  To Reduce  5 5 6 3 5 1. File leaders stand the rest pass through and place your selves before your Leader           4 2 4 4            3 1 3               2 2                1  A File to be made file leaders successively according to their Dignity 1. File leader 1       The second man from the Front 5 2 Bringers up double your Front to the right and files double your depth to the right Bringer up to the Front half file 4 6 3 File leaders and half file leaders stand the rest pass through to the left and place your selves before your leaders 3. Half file leader 3 3 6 4 Front and Reer half files interchange your ground The second man from the Reer 6 1 2 5 5 Ranks to the right double files to the right double 2. Bringer up 2 5 4 1 4 6 File leaders stand the rest pass through to the left and place your selves before your leader   4 5 3 3 2 To reduce them    1 6 1 1 1. Ranks to the left double and files to the left double     2 2 3 2. Half files double your front to the right      6 4 3. Bringers up face about to the right and march forth into your places       5  CHAP. XVIII Of certain firings in the Front HAving passed over the grounds of this Art Military I am now come to the executive part of the Tacticks and shall not here exceed the exercise of a single Company shewing the Souldier the use of some few Firings that they may the better perform their respective duties when they shall be commanded thereunto None can positively say this or that figure shall be or serve this day time or place c. because of the diversity of formes occasioned by situation of ground he number of men the order of the Enemy with many other observable Stratagems for the obtaining both of Wind and Sun I shall therefore according to my allotment of twelve files demonstrate by figure some Firings which being well understood may enable such for higher preferment as time and place may fortune them unto By way of digression I am sure it is a trouble to most ingenious spirits to see some Gentlemen chosen Captains in the Militia that are but prisoners to their own reasons and instead of being experienced in this Art have been wholly Ignorant of the least part thereof It is no wonder then if his Majesty may lose his expectation of a well disciplined Militia and the Souldier in hazzard of his life and Country too How easily might this be remedied if our Commanding power would but authorize the Commission officers to meet once in a moneth to exercise each other by their respective turns c. where they may also discourse and consult about Military affairs and then for these private Commanders by their affable and heroick perswasions to get some of their souldiers as may be for their conveniencie to meet with their armes and to exercise them this would not only be delightful but profitable both for King and Country And on the contrary the neglect hereof and also of the full number of men and Armes in the Militia hath made it to be ill spoken of and so little feared especially by those of our own inbred Enemies to the Royal Government these things will be better looked into hereafter If they will not be drawn to love and to be obedient to Royal Prerogatives they must be made to dread it And I humbly conceive there is no better way to effect the former than by having a choice Militia of such whose spirits should account it a baseness to abuse the Country and make not their Musters pass times for debauchery and that their Companies be not only well disciplined but well Armed also I proceed to the drawing up of files again into a body and preparing them for skirmish A Company of Foot being thus drawn up for service and the Colours flying in the head of the Company and there they are to remain until all forlorne firings are ended But so soon as the Drumm shall beat his further preparatives for a close skirmish the Ensign is to furle his Colours and retreit to the half files of Pikes Observe That all firings are either direct or oblique and the manner how they are to be performed are either Advancing Receiving or Retreiting otherwhiles there may be firing in the Reer marching from the Enemy or in the flank marching by an Enemy and also at several places for an Enemy
his fortune yet what is the common voice of the Country which heat and fury as it riseth suddainly so may it be cooled quickly again But that which increaseth and confirmeth courage best and maketh men resolute and constant indeed is when they shall see themselves accompanied with numbers able to resist instructed with knowledge how to use their armes and weapons and fortified with order to be able to withstand and repel an Enemy This is it which will make a coward valiant For as one saith the fierce and disordered men are much weaker than the fearful and ordered for that order expelleth fear from men and in the end disorder abateth fierceness so then it is not fury that prevaileth in War but good discipline and order The chief scope is to perswade a restraint of the violent and disorderly running down of the Country to the Sea side to fight and give Battel to the Enemy at his landing after the old custome shewing the danger and inconvenience that may follow And for the other part it is granted by all that it is perilous for a defendant Prince to hazzard his Crown at a Battel and more dangerous for men untrained to encounter expert disciplin'd Souldiers Put the case that Battel be given and loss received then if we have no strong Towns adjacent to give the Enemy stop to make head and rally again it will prove most perilous to us Therefore moderately it may be concluded dangerous unless advantage might be obtain'd for any Prince to give an invading Enemy Battel And here by the way occasion being offered to speak of strong Towns some there be of that opinion that a Country well peopled that hath no or few strong Towns is in less danger of conquest than that Realm that hath many because say they an Enemy cannot any way nestle himself but that you may at all times force him to Battel at your pleasure To that may be answered that a Battel being the thing that an invadour is most desirous of and which a defendant ought to shun your strong Towns in that case are most available for the defendant Prince in his own Country against an Invador because he may onely with one strong Town weary an Invadours Army and consume it especially if he be but able with a small force to encamp near his Town besieged for the Invador is thereby restrained from assaulting the same for fear the defendants Camp should assail him in the mean time The which worketh all for the defendant in winning of time to the weakning and ruin of his Enemies Army the date whereof as by daily experience is found is not above twelve or thirteen weeks continuance so as your strong Towns avail wholly for the defendant In our late Wars and are dangerous only in Civil and Intestine Wars for that such Towns revolting work the like contrary effect against their Lord and Master as they did before for him for examples presidents of this you may behold what the strong holds of France and the Low Countries and England it self did against their Lords and Soveraignes Insomuch as we may truly say of them They are a dangerous good Wherefore I think it matter of Joy to all loyal hearts that our most Gracious Soveraign hath a Kingdom so well replenished with a warlike people whereby to be enabled at all times to front and give a stop to an Enemy Invadour And as touching a rebellious number I hope we shall never doubt or fear them as long as they shall want skillful leaders and Governours to direct them pay armour Munition and other necessaries to uphold them wherewith His now most Royal Majesty is plentifully furnished the want whereof shall force Rebels in a few dayes to disperse themselves who being once broken may presently be followed in gross in such sort as they shall never be able to assemble and make head again And what leader of skill and judgement will undertake such an enterprize in these dayes and not forecast that a power and force assembled cannot long stand without rich and strong Towns to supply their wants or at leastwise without so much as is requisite to retain and keep an Army together in due order and obedience without which there can grow nothing but confusion and ruin be their numbers never so great THE CONTENTS For the service of the Horse Chapt. 1 Introductive Collections for the exercise of the young Souldier in the Art Military folio 1 Chap. 2. Of the Souldier and Officers in general 4 Chap. 3. Of Arming the Cavalry 7 Chap. 4. Of Military signs 9 Chap. 5. Of marching and drawing up of a Troop of Horse 10 Chap. 6. Of exercising a Troop as armed with Carabine and Pistol 13 Chap. 7. Of Distance 15 Chap. 8. Of Motions 16 Chap. 9. Of firings 21 Chap. 10. The conlusion for the Horse Service 23 For the service of the Foot Chap. 1. By way of introduction 33 Chap. 2. Of the postures of the Pike and of the Musquet 34 37 Chap. 3. Of places and dignities both of files and ranks Some Objections answered in dignities c. 40 43 Chap. 4. Of the Drum 45 Chap. 5. Of distances ibid Read Chap. 7. for the Horse Service Chap. 6. Of Marching and drawing up of a Company Decyphering their Dignities in place 48 49 Chap. 6. Of Facings 50 Chap 7. Of doublings 53 How the Front is strengthned 1. By intire doublings of Ranks 54 2. By Bringers up 57 3. By half files 58 4. By divisional wheelings 61 Chap. 8. Shewing that several Commands produce one and the same figure 63 Chap. 9. How the Reer may be strengthned 65 Chap. 10. How the Flanks are to be strengthened 1. By Files 67 2. By half ranks 72 3. By divisional doublings 77 4. By Wheelings 78 Chap. 11. Shewing how that several Commands produce one and the same figure 81 Chap. 12. Treating of Inversion 1. Of files filing 84 2. Of Ranks filing 90 Chap. 13. Of Conversion c. 93 Chap. 14. Shewing also their several commands producing one and the same figure 106 Chap. 15. Of Countermarches 110 1. Of maintaining ground 111 2. Of losing ground 115 3. Of gaining ground 122 Chap. 16. Of Wheelings 127 Chap. 17. Of file leaders to be made successively six deep 136 Chap. 18. Of firings and firing in the Front 137 Chap. 19. Of firing in the Front and Reer and Reer alone 151 Chap. 20. Of firings in the flanks 153 Chap. 21. Of divisional firings 160 Chap. 22. An excuse for not proceeding farther 169 Chap. 23. Shewing the Necessity of exercise of arms with their Antiquity ibid. Chap. 24. The Conclusion 174 Chap. 1. The Original and being of Ensigns and Colours 175 Chap. 2. The definition of Ensignes 177 Chap. 3. Of Horse and Horse Colours 179 Chap. 4. Of the dignity of Ensignes 180 Chap. 5. The disgraces to the Ensigne 182 Chap. 6. The use of the Ensigne with the postures and flourishes 184 Sir Francis
Its Delineation Since 't is most an end the part of some Regular Fortification let the Engineer look what Fortification is fittest for the place of the Polygon that is to be incompassed which when he hath found let him delineate so many Bulworks of that Fortification which is built on the observ'd Polygon as the place requires only this let him observe that the Angles of the half Bulwork be not less than sixty nor more than ninety degrees Its Bulworks are wont sometimes to be less than those of the main Work But let us expound more especially the construction of a Crown-work having one whole Bulwork The whole description is made after this manner Let the Capital of the Bulwork be produced infinitely or if the Crown is to be set before the Courtine from the middle point of the Courtine raise an Infinite perpendicular on the Capital produced set off from B to D forty Rhynland Perches on the perpendicular of the Courtine you may reckon sixty or seventy for so the sides of the Crown-work will be yet within the shot of a Musquet coming from the Bulworks of the main Fort. Then at the point of D of the right line B D make the Angle B D I half of some Multangle or Polygon and on the other side the Angle B D K then in the sides of these Angles from D to I and K reckon 40 or 50 perches at most 60 and laying a Ruler by the point I to the flanque of the Bulwork F as also from the point K to the other flanque E draw strait lines till they meet with the Out-brestwork in M and L so will the sides of the Crown-work be determin'd by the Out-brestwork But if the sides M I L K exceed 60 perches that is a Musquet-Shot the Angles B D I B D K must be made less Yet so that the whole I D K may remain bigger than a right Angle or certainly which is thought best the Line B D must be shortned Then see what Regular Figure 's Angle is equal or comes near to the Angle K D I say for Example an Heptagon or seven-angled figure therefore make within K D I one whole Bulwork and two half Bulworks of an Heptagon by the help of your Tables If you would place more whole Bulworks in the middle let the sides of the Horn-work be drawn forth so that they do not exceed Musquet-Shot and within these build part of a Regular Fortification as hath been said above General Rules concerning Out-works 1. Let them be within Musquet-shot of the main work 2. Let not their height be more than what may conveniently serve to scowr the ground possest by the Enemy 3. Let the Remotest be lower than the nearest 4. Let a dry graft have no out-works unless Horn-works if you see occasion let the wet one have Ravelins and Horn-works but it will hardly admit of Half-moons without Dammage THE SECOND PART OF Irregular Fortifications SInce most Cities are of an Irregular figure 't is evident what great use or rather necessity there is like to be of this Part I shall comprehend all the matter briefly in the following Chapters CHAP. XIV The Parts of Irregular Fortification THese works following serve for the fortifying Irregular places Ordinary Bulworks double and Triple Bulworks Forked Bulworks Plain Bulworks Half Bulworks Ravelins Half moons Horn-works Crown-works Tonges External Angles Angular Tonges Plain Moles half plain Moles the middle Defence or toothed Retrenchments Some of these viz. those that are wont to be used in strengthening Regular Fortifications we have already expounded And although their manner of building there delivered be proper to Regular Fortifications yet out of this 't is easily understood how they are to be fitted to an Irregular place Now these that are over and above are to be explain'd in this Chapter 1. The Double or Triple Bulwork is a Moat or Bulk of Earth composed of several Bulworks placed one above another 't is shewn in the 15th figure and is built commonly in steep places such as the sides of Hills that when the Enemy coming up can be no longer touched from the lowest he might be hot from the second and lastly from the third these are seldome used 2. Forked or cut Bulworks I call those whose Angle E is cut off and chang'd into an external Angle F K G after this manner in the 16th figure is the Mole or Bulk A C FK G D B they are of use when the Angle of the Bulwork is too acute 3. Half-Bulworks you have in the Horn-work fig. 10. and in the Crown-work fig. 14. They are not only to be used in Horn-works and Crown-works but also in many other places as we shall say afterwards Observe that the Angle of these be not too acute and take care that their plain side be not destitute of defence 4. The external Angle Fig. 17. is that which is made by two lines running inwards towards the Center of the place called in French angle retire on the contrary the Inward Angle is that which is made by the sides running forth towards the field from the Center of the place called in French angle Avance In the 17th figure the outward Angles are A L C E G c. The inward B D F c. The outward Angle if it be not too obtuse seems strong enough since its sides do mutually scowr one another and from this is had the defence of the Tonges and Forked Bulworks We have above showed its defect Some people extoll this so as to think a place surrounded with outward and inward Angles to be equal in strength to one that is fortified with Bulworks but they are not to be heard 1. For first it always happens that when a place is inclosed with External and internal Angles set alternately some of the outward will be too blunt or obtuse as A L and some of the inward too acute either of which is very hurtful The last in this that its Angle is liable to be cut off by the Enemies Canon The other in that it looses so much the more of its scowring defence the nearer it comes to a strait line 2. The outward Angles likewise have this Essential inconvenience that the Enemie drawing near the Angle it self cannot be hot within a notable space as we have shewn above which fault the Bulworks are without 3. These External Angles do lessen the Area of the place and increase the circumference both which is faulty 5. Angular Tonges are wont to be used in fortifying an acute external Angle Fig. 18 19. or a right one but not so conveniently an obtuse one with help of these you may mend the second fault spoken of above you must build it after this manner Produce A B E B the sides of the Angle 8 or 10 paces to K and N and joyn K N then draw K E N G parallel to B A B E likewise C E D G parallel to B E and B A which
end of the Ladle be thrust up to the Britch end of the Piece then must you turn the Ladle gently and softly and let it lie within the Chamber of the piece drawing out your Ladle almost to the Muzzle of the Piece put it back again to take up the loose corns which were spilt by the way and to bring them up to the Charge of powder this done the Gunner must draw out this Ladle and take out of the Budg-barrel a second Ladle full by our former Rules given he must know the quantity of powder that his Piece will require and so putting it in the Piece up to the former Ladle-full then you may draw it out and do as you did before that no loose corns may lie in the bottom of the Piece and in drawing out his Ladle he must have a care that he let not fall any powder upon the ground for it is a thing uncomly in a Gunner to trample powder under feet Then take a wisp of Straw Hay or any other thing and put it hard in at the mouth of the Piece then turn your Ladle end for end to come to the Rammer thrust it into the Piece after the wisp and drive it up with it and it will carry all the loose corns which possibly may be scattered in the Mold of the Piece having driven the wad up to the powder give it two or three gentle shoves to make it lie close only but drive it not too hard least you break your powder too much which would hinder its force The wisp or wad being close to the powder draw out the Rammer and put in the Bullet which rowle gently in the Piece up to the wad that was before put in to keep up the powder the Shot being in put in a second wad after the Bullet and thrust it also home to the Bullet Always remembring whilst the powder is putting in and wadding up one be ready at the touch hole and keep it stopt with his thumb that no powder fly out at the touch hole but that it be likewise filled with powder which may be supplyed out of his powder-horn The Gunner that Loads a Piece is to be very careful and indeavour always not to stand before the muzzle of his Piece whilst he is loading the Piece but on one side of the same least a danger or mischief might happen to him And thus the Piece having its due Charge of Powder and Bullet he must cover the touch-hole with an Apron made of Lead or for want of that with dryed Sheep-skin then let him level his piece and set away the Budg-barrel of powder with the rest of his things in some hollow place under the ground covered over safe he must then attend the Gentleman of the Ordnance or other chief Commander their Order or Command before he give fire Touching the Charges of Pieces I have given full instructions necessary thereunto with the weight of powder and Shot for any piece But to say something here touching the quantity of powder proper for a Load we do find some difference amongst Authors Some whereof do maintain that there ought to be allowed to every Piece for its Charge so much powder as half the weight of the Bullet others are of the opinion that the more powder is put into a Piece the swifter and farther the Bullet will flye urging many reasons to prove it But experience the Mistress of this Art instructeth us better for if a Piece be loaden with two thirds of the weight of her Shot in powder it sends the Bullet or Shot going more swiftly and will carry it farther which hath been very many and often times tryed so that at this time 't is without contradiction Again others do maintain that if one should forcibly Ramme the Bullet then the powder might take fire before it cast forth the Bullet and then would cause the Bullet to flye farther than otherwise it would do but you must consider in so doing you either endanger the breaking of the piece or else the making it crooked and unserviceable because your ordinary Pieces will not bear so great a Charge of powder This hath been tryed by the Sea side before his Excellency Prince Maurice of famous memory where first one and the same Piece was Loaden with ten pound of fine powder to see how far She would carry the Bullet the place being marked where the Bullet rested The Piece was loaden again with nine pounds of powder which shot as far as when the Piece was Loaden with ten pounds of powder But last of all this piece of Ordnance being Loaden or Charged with 7 pounds of the same powder it carried her Bullet further than the two former Shots whence one may observe that a piece of Ordnance may be over-Charged and therefore a good Gunner ought to have a singular care to give unto his Piece her due measure and Charge CHAP. XXXI Of the Office and Duty of a Gunner with all his Properties Endowments and qualifications HE that intends to be a Master Gunner and would not abuse himself nor others of the same profession must be qualified according to our Instructions following viz. He ought to be well skilled in Arithmetick and to understand the Extraction of the Square and Cube Roots and to have knowledge in Geometry according to our Instructions in the second part whereby he may be able to take heights depths breadths and lengths and to draw the plot of any piece of ground to make Mines and Countermines Rampars Baskets of earth and such like things used in time of war as well offensive as defensive He ought most chiefly upon Land-Service to be well skilled in the making Plat-formers with Defences Troniers Gabbions Loops Parapets of Earth and Faggots of 23 or 24 foot high two foot high of Earth bed upon bed unto eleven foot high and after three foot Terra plene to raise the Tronniers and Loops so that for the Cannon it be three foot wide in the Barbe and within twelve foot wide without the lower part thereof to descend Scarp-wise the better to discover the Enemies avenues and offend them more freely for avoiding the blast and Smoak and ruine it would else make for Culverin two foot and a half within and nine foot without will serve and for less Pieces the less measure If the Battery be to be made with Gabbions they being filled with Earth without Stones moistned and Rammed 7 foot in Diameter three Ranks between two Pieces if the place will permit or two at least and three Rows also one before the other setting one between two so that if one Rank will have three the second will have two and the third one but it will be hard to make a safe Battery with Gabbions Cannon or Culverin proof Concerning Plat-forms Let the platform for a Cannon have thirty foot for reverse and 27 foot for a Demy-Cannon and he ought to see that his plat-forms be even or rising one foot