shall be the leader of the right-hand File of Pikes and who shall be the left For these four being such remarkable places of Honour unto the knowing souldier that special care must be had in placing deserving men to be there Now it is or ought to be the discretion of every Lieutenant and Ensign as being Commission-Officers to resolve the Serjeants herein that they may with more alacrity go on to draw the rest up between and so to order unto each of them their particular duties as to carry equal pains in drawing forth the Files Therefore in respect that for the most part in every Company they have three Serjeants two of them ought to take charge in drawing forth the Muskettiers being helpt by the advice of their Lieutenant and the other to draw forth the Files of Pikes being assisted in counsel by their Ensign for at such times the Officers ought not to be idle and to stand gazing upon each other but every one according to his particular place and relation should be very active and assisting to each other In the drawing up the Company the properest way will be then as you may understand in perfecting up a Company to draw them forth into Files and to make them fix deep as being our custome here in England and farther to have care in choosing able souldiers to be File-leaders who having spent some time and pains in their Files in shewing them their Postures they may be called to joyn into a body For farther direction herein unto the Serjeants whose proper place it doth belong unto to observe this order in drawing up their Files that they may ingrosse the Pikes into one body by themselves and the Muskettiers into another and not to flank the Pikes until such time they shall perceive that in both Arms they are compleat There are likewise several places of honour that the Serjeants ought to take notice of and to be informed of placing of men of worth and desert in both Arms 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 Arms apart by themselves and have figured forth unto them the four chief places of honour in both Arms. It concerns them therefore very much to mind 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 think 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 Arms and to be careful to place good souldiers in the Reer and such who may be able souldiers for half-File-leaders because there may be much occasion by Doublings to bring them up for to assist the Front Thus much I do confess may be sufficient for the present to give directions to the Serjeants for the 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 put 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-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 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 here you see CHAP. XXIII Several 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 chief his discretion is to ballance the Officers as near as he can with equal dignity and worth his Front proportionally with the Reer To which purpose he takes unto himself 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 elsewhere according unto the discretion of the Captain to fulfil 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 and the second Serjeant he is appointed to stand on the right Angle of the Reer to make them equal 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 alike the same number So that it is clearly 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 betake him unto his place as they were at first placed and to continue there until such time they shall receive further order from their Captain Thus much I conceive may give satisfaction unto the discreet Souldier in these particulars leaving them liberty to judge according unto their own best thoughts while we endeavour to draw up our Divisions all abrest 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 intervals for the Drums to beat two abrest 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
right and left about Ranks ranking downward to the Reer and ranking as they were 10 Fire losing ground falling off to the right and left about just before the Front of Pikes 11 Now if the Enemy pursue eagerly and that you cannot make a safe retreat marching face all about and fire upon them by way of Extraduction or by half-half-ranks divided as formerly hath been shewen And thus much likewise briefly concerning Firings to the Reer Firings to the Flanks marching in the next place I shall shew some Firings to the Flanks for performance whereof it will be expedient to bring all the Muskettiers upon one of the Flanks but for order sake I will begin with the Firings from the right Flank 1 Fire to the right and gather up your Files it is to be performed after this manner The outmost File upon the right is to face to the right and to give fire and after to face to the Front and stand until the next File have fired in like manner and then the first File gathers up unto him upon the right even abrest and standing until the third File have faced to the right and fired in like manner and after facing to the Front the other Files moving up in the like way as before and following successively this rule until all have given fire and then to march up and even the Front of Pikes the Muskettiers will stand as at first when they were brought upon the right Flank 2 Fire to the right File-leaders leading up their Files next to the Pikes 3 Fire to the right Bringers-up leading away next the Pikes which being twice done reduceth them 4 Fire to the right leading up on the contrary Flank either by the File-leaders or Bringers-up 5 Fire to the right and leading up by Bringers-up between the Pikes and passing through to their places again doing the same reduceth them 6 Fire to the right and leading up between the Pikes by the Leaders and passing through the Pikes again to the right they will be as at first the like may be done to the left or in some kind to both Flanks at one and the same time 7 Fire to the right by Ranks wheeling and Ranks to rank as they were to the right upon their marching reduceth them 8. Fire to the right by Ranks inverting or filing and upon the March the Souldiers ranking reduceth them 9. Fire to the right Files filing and gathering up their Files to the left reduceth them These Firings being performed marching the next shall be upon a Stand where note you must cast all your Muskettiers upon that Flank where you conceive the Enemy will fall on whether right left or both but for order sake we usually begin with the right wherefore face to the right and proceed as followeth Firings to the right Flank upon a Stand. 1. Fire and fall in the Reer of your selves 2. Fire and flank the Pikes 3. Fire even with the Pikes and fall in the Reer of themselves 4. Fire even with the Reer moving forth to the right and left by Ranks falling in the Reer of themselves 5. Fire by extraduction by half-ranks drawn forth and falling Rank after Rank in the Reer of the Pikes after to reduce them as at first cause them to double their Front by Division These Firings may as well be performed to both Flanks as to one the Body being faced accordingly which would make many Firings more but these already set down may be sufficient for any ingenious capacity to work upon for the present observing this rule that in every Firing he shall make use of in time of his Exercise he may reduce them by another which will be more pleasing to the Souldier by reason of the great variety it affords unto them Now now in the last place I know it will be expected that I should speak something of the use of Firings wherefore briefly thus Firings to the Front marching or moving when we either pursue after or approach to an Enemy Firings to the Front maintaining ground when two Bodies encounter one another Firings to the Front losing ground when either we are forced thereunto by necessity or that we do it out of policy to draw the Enemy into a train or snare Firings to the Reer marching when we are pursued by an Enemy yet would continue our March until we have gained some place of importance or advantage Firings to the Reer upon a Stand when we are compelled thereunto by the violent pursuit of an Enemy or else when we have gained a place of advantage of ground or have recovered the Wind or Sun whereby we are the better able to encounter with them Firings to the Flank or Flanks marching when we are assaulted by some Ambuscado secretly placed to hinder our passage or supposing two Armies are marching to one and the same place a River being betwixt them Firings to Flank or Flanks standing when the Enemy chargeth on with a resolution to cut off or divide part of the Army from the other Having thus briefly set down several Firings to Front Reer and both Flanks with their uses either marching or standing I hold it convenient in the next place to give some short directions in time Battail both to the Officers and their Souldiers First that the Drummers have a vigilant eye upon their Commanders whose voices are drown'd by the loud thundring of the Cannon or Muskettiers as also by the neighing of Horses or the lamentable cries of the maim'd and wounded Souldiers at which time the Leaders Staff Half-pike or what else he carries in his hand may be sufficient for to instruct them to continue their charge retreat or else to charge home Secondly that the Serjeants be careful in time of Battail that their Souldiers be at their due distance of order both in Rank and File and that upon their Firings whether they be Forlorns either of Files or Ranks drawn forth or otherwise by Divisions they see them neatly and handsomely perform'd by cocking their Matches and presenting something lower then brest-high and after Uncocking and returning them wheeling off either to the right left or both falling in the Reer of themselves or elsewhere as shall be appointed in an orderly manner whereby they may decently come up again to Fire against the Enemy Thirdly that the Souldiers present and give fire upon their Rests not using that slovenly posture of popping their Matches into the Pan their Muskets being on their left sides which is not onely hurtful unto themselves but much endangers their Fellow-souldiers and by so doing they scarce or ever do any execution against an Enemy But here I meet with an objection framed by the Souldiers after this manner Our Rests are of little or no use unto us in time of skirmishing fit they are we confess in the Military Gardens but in time of Battail both troublesome and cumbersome unto us To whom I reply what if they be a little cumbersome at first must
further trouble or to a half-facing to the right by taking it from the Reer if from that place they shall be opened and so likewise it were a great deal better in the closing of Ranks to close them forwards in respect it is for the more conveniency of their closing then to the Reer For then again they must perform a half facing which is not only unhandsome but troublesome to the souldier All that can be said to maintain it as I conceive in opening Ranks forwards is because they have not room in the Reer which seldome happens so in any exercise if discreetly ordered by him that leads them As for closing of the Ranks backwards I cannot conceive any solid reasons to confirm the same and therefore will pass over it and come to close our Ranks and Files to such Distance from whence they first were opened Files close to the right and left inward to Double Distance Ranks close forwards to Double Distance Files close to the right to your Open Order Ranks close forwards to your Open Order Files close into the midst to your Order Ranks close forwards to your Order Files close to the left to your Close Order Ranks close forwards to your Close Order Files close to the right to your Closest Order Ranks close forwards to your Closest Order Concerning the words of Command for Distances in the openings and closings of Ranks and Files what before is set down may be sufficient for any souldier to use in time of his exercise But now it will be expected to give some reasons for every one of these to shew them in their proper uses CHAP. XXI The use of each particular Distance and at what time to be used WHerefore first note that your distance of closest Order is of chiefest use unto the Pike in these particulars as first Charging against the Horse for that the Ranks then clapping in their left legs behind their Leaders right locking themselves so firm and stedfast one within another which 't were impossible for any Body of Horse to enter in amongst them Secondly it is of excellent use for to maintain a breach and to keep out an enemy Thirdly it is very useful to both Arms at such time when a Commander hath any thing of consequence to discover unto his Company which he may have many occasions so to do as before his Exercise to advise them to silence to observe their words of command and their directions and when they are to fight against an Enemy to perswade and keep them off from fear by assuring them good reasons of hopes of overcoming These or such-like speeches many times a Captain may have just occasion to express himself unto his Company and being at so close a Distance they may more aptly hear his words and obey his Commands But here now by the way too much preaching upon the head of a Company concerning matters of Exercise is too much a dulling of the souldier who rather would fall into action then so to be confounded with much talking Close Order may be of very good use also for most things which have been spoken of the closest Order only here the souldier hath a little more liberty in the handling of his arms by being at a wider distance This distance also is of good use before wheelings because many times upon their moving they are apt to flie out to their proper distance of Order which they alwayes should be at in their wheelings where note if first they were at Order they would flie out to wider distance Order is the distance which the souldier doth fight upon and is to be used skirmishing against an enemy it is also useful at such a time when the Drum shall beat a Troop and that the souldiers are marching to relieve some Court of Guard or making some expedition against an enemy for then they are in a fit capacity of distance for to fight It is also very useful and to be observed upon facings for all intire doublings and for wheelings Order likewise in File and open Order in Rank is to be used at such time when the Drum shall beat a March and the Body upon the moving or marching Open Order is the distance proper for all doublings of Ranks and Files by the half-files or by the bringers-up wherein they have interval of ground sufficient to move in It is also a very proper distance for facings and ever to be observed in time of Counter-marches It is the properest distance for the Ranks to be in upon a march but the Files are then to be at Order as is before exprest The use of double Distance is to be observed at such times when the souldiers shall stand or happen to be in some eminent danger of the Cannon-shot from the Enemy for standing then so thin they may be much preserved from danger it is likewise very good for Inversion and Conversion You may take notice of these brief directions in openings of Ranks and Files when the Files are commanded to Open to the right the left-hand File stands and all the Files take their distance from the left observing alwayes in the motions of Files their Leaders and to move altogether along with them If it be an opening of Files to the left then contrary-wise the right-hand File stands and they take their distance from the right So likewise for closings unto what hand soever they be commanded to close the out-most File is to stand the rest are to move and close to that In opening or closing of Ranks the first Rank is alwayes to stand the rest are to move either opening or closing according as is commanded alwayes observing in their motions their right-hand-men and moving altogether CHAP. XXII Directions of the way and manner of drawing up a private Company THe Postures being formerly described forth the dignity of places in a File and words of Command made known unto the souldier for their several distances It next followeth to shew the joyning of Files and drawing up a Company where first pray mind at such times when the Drums are beating about the Quarters and in several places make Proclamation as by order from their Captain for all Gentlemen Souldiers that are under his Command to repair unto his Randezvous unto such a place and at such an hour then it must be the immediate care of every Officer under his Command punctually at that hour and place thither to repair for the more incouraging of the souldiers as they shall come in and not to stir themselves from thence without some order from their Captain for fear of giving bad examples unto others And when they shall perceive some considerable number of men to come in the Serjeants then may take advice with their Lieutenant and Ensign which of them they will appoint out to draw forth the Muskettiers and which the Pikes and whom they shall make the right-hand File-leader of the Muskettiers and who shall be the left and again who
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 clearly 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 too 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 extravagantly carried away upon any other Subject for fear he be out but if any such thing should happen through forgetfulness 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 sometimes 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 toyes but yet sometimes to please the fancy 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 sometimes do acquaint the Souldiers of the use of their several Distances Facings Doublings Counter-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 sometimes ordered to very little purpose He must be very careful 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 mind their several 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 alike 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 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 sometimes quickly run over in advising of the Souldiers that they should ever mind when they are first drawn up into a body these particular places they would not stand so carelessy and so ignorantly in a Body as many times they do not knowing which way to move without a great deal 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 Souldier to be acquainted with the same Yet it is not only sufficient that the Souldiers do mind 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 helpful unto their fellow-Souldiers by pointing out unto them with signs with the hand where they should march to perform what was before commanded and to be very civil and orderly in their carriage to each other and to mind 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 sometimes may happen slip out of order as by the mistaking of a hand or the like yet nevertheless it should be their modest care if not prevented by their Leader to be ready to execute what they conceive he intended and walking along in this civil 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 several kinds 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 left 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 always 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 Centre of his left foot by wheeling until he hath brought his Aspect 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
first and the three last Ranks double the three middlemost Ranks to the left the three first Ranks face about and march down by your own right hands into the midst of Ranks and the three last Ranks move forwards to the midst to your own left hands face to your Leader Command Double your Files to the right by Division every man placing himself before his Leader and his Bringer-up Direction Half-files of the even Files from the right face to the Reer the even Files march and double the odd every man placing himself before his Leader and Bringer-up face to your Leader Reducement The three first and the three last Ranks double the six middlemost Ranks to the left every man placing himself before his Leader and his Bringer-up the three first Ranks face about to the left and move down to the midst of Rrnks by your own right hands placing your selves before your Bringers-up and the three last Ranks march forwards unto the midst placing your selves before your Leaders to your Leader Command Left half-Ranks double your right Flank by Division Direction Half-files of the left half-Ranks face about to the right the left half-Ranks move clear of the standing part after face all to the right-Flank the left half-Ranks moving forward until they have ranged even abrest with the right-Flank face to your Leader Reducement The three first and the three last Ranks double the six middlemost Ranks entire to the left-Flank the three first and the three last Ranks face to the left-Flank and move clear of the standing part after face inward march and close your Division face to your Leader CHAP. XXXVI Entire Doublings to right Flank by Wheeling Command WHeel off your left half-Ranks and double your right Flank entire to the right Direction Face outward and left half-Ranks wheel about to the left and move forward until you have doubled the right Flank entire to the right face to your Leader Reducement Wheel off your Reer half-Files and double your Front to the left entire half-Files face to the Reer and wheel about to the right and march forwards until you have ranged your selves even with the Front Command Wheel off your left half-Ranks and double your right Flank entire to the left Direction Face outward left half-Ranks wheel about to the right move forward until you have doubled the right flank entire to the left face to your Leader Reducement Wheel off your Front half-Files and double your Reer to the right entire half-Files face about and Front half-Files wheel about to the left move down and double the Reer to the right face to your Leader Command Wheel the left half-Ranks inward into the midst and double your right Flank inward entire Direction Half-files of the right half-Ranks face about right half-Ranks move clear of the standing part then face to the right and the left half-Ranks face to the left and wheeling inward into the midst moving forward until they have doubled the right Flank inward entire to your Leader Reducement In wheeling the six middle Ranks from the right Flank they must have ground sufficient for them to wheel about Wheel off from the right Flank the six middlemost Ranks and double your Front and Reer entire to the left Flank the six middle-middle-Ranks face to the right and wheel about to the right and left moving forward until they are clear of the standing part and after facing to the Front and Reer they move again and double the Front and Reer toward the left Flank face all to your Leader march forwards and close your Divisions Or if they continue their Aspect to the right Flank then command the six middlemost Files to wheel off to the right and left and to double entire the depth of the outmost Files then face to their Leader and close their Divisions CHAP. XXXVII A Divisional Doubling to the right Flank by Wheeling Command WHeel off your left half-Ranks and double your right Flank by Division Direction Face outward and left half-Ranks wheel off to the right and left about and move forward until you have ranged even and doubled the right Flank to your Leader Reducement Wheel off the three first and the three last Ranks and double the six middlemost Ranks entire to the left Flank the three last Ranks face about and wheel to the right about moving up towards the midst of the left-Flank and the three first Ranks at the same time wheel about to the left and move down to the midst of the left Flank face to your Leader Or if they continue their aspect to the right Flank then command the outmost Files too that doubled to wheel about to the right and left inward and double entire the Depth of the inmost Files to your Leader Here endeth all the plain Doublings to the right Flank performed by several Counter-marches and Wheelings which to any ingenious Souldier are sufficient directions to know how to double the left Flank only altering the hand by the words of Command And here fellow-Souldier endeth all the several kinds of Doublings which if any shall seem hard or difficult unto thee either in their Commands Directions or Reducements thou mayst care being taken with much ease and delight perform the same And here the Captain is to take special notice when he comes to the point of Doublings that his properest way will be first to double the Front as being the most honourable part of the Body and next the Reer and after either to the right or left Flank leaving it to his discretion to use as many of them as he shall think fitting and convenient for his Exercise And although I have somewhat varied from the practise of former times in using more plenty of words of Command the ripeness and curiosity of Wits in these our days enforced me unto it for they having much refined the Military Discipline will not be pleased with ordinary stuff as to say As you were which I confess would save the Captain a great deal of pains and be more easie to the apprehension and capacity of every private Souldier for his returning back unto his place again Yet if Command should be given to double any part of the Body that Leader would quickly lie under a hard censure and be judged in most mens opinions insufficient that could not find out some other words of Command to reduce them again Endeavouring therefore to give full satisfaction to both parties I have taken the pains to set down other words of Command for Reducement whereby those which shall profess themselves curious may cull out such plenty as may best please their genius advising them withal not to presume in the exercising of their private Companies before themselves be first well verst and truly knowing in all and every of the several Commands Directions and Reducements before mentioned which being obtained they may confidently and boldly proceed so to inure their Souldiers in the practise thereof that their own knowledge in
whereby they may fire upon the Enemy as he marcheth by Or approaching against any Fort or place of danger they may daringly make a large Front and firing upon them after filing to the right or left making large Intervals they much preserve themselves from the danger of the great shot proceeding from the Enemy Again Ranks ranking either in equal or unequal parts is of singular good use upon a narrow passage where they can march but two three four or six abrest the Commander notwithstanding they marched before twenty abrest may by it bring them to such small numbers whereby he may much preserve them in time of imminent danger and peril To dwell no longer upon this discourse Inversion and Conversion many times require larger distance then any other of the Motions as sometimes double distance or twice double distance wherefore being so many occasions for the use of them both I hold it requisite for a Leader frequently to practise his Souldiers in them no part of the Art Military affording more commendations to the Souldiers that shall readily and handsomly perform the same Briefly therefore passing over what might be more spoken concerning them I shall in the next place set them all forth in their full view leaving every discreet Souldier to his own liberty to make use of as many of them as he shall think fit and to use them after what manner he pleaseth CHAP. XXXIX The words of Command for Ranks ranking and Files ranking to the Front they being twelve abrest and six deep Command RAnks rank to the right 2 3 4 or 6 as occasion shall require Direction If to two the two outmost men upon the right are to move away the next two to fall behind them until the first Rank hath made six Ranks and the rest doing the like until the first six Ranks are become thirty six Reducement Ranks rank twelve to the left the first Rank is to stand the rest are to move away two and two until they have made up twelve in one Rank and the rest are to do the like until they are made up all again as at first or command Ranks rank as you were The same rule is to be observed if you rank to any of the other numbers to divide them accordingly Command Ranks rank three to the left Direction The first three men upon the left are to move away the next three are to fall in behind toward the left until the first Rank have made four Ranks the rest are to do the like until they have made them 24 Ranks Reducement Ranks rank 12 to the right the first Rank is to stand the rest are to move forth by three and three until they have made twelve in one Rank the rest are to do the like until they be as they were at first or Ranks rank as you were Command Ranks rank three to the right and left outward Direction The three outmost men of the first Rank upon the right and the three outmost men upon the left move away the next three of each hand in the same Rank are to do the like and every Rank throughout to follow successively dividing themselves three to one hand and three to the other until they have made twelve Ranks in each Division and falling in the Reer successively to each hand of the first Rank Reducement Ranks rank 12 to the right and left inward or Ranks rank as you were Command Ranks rank intire to the right into the Front Direction The first Rank stand the rest face to the right and move away every Rank placing it self successively to the right until they stand all in one Rank in the Front Reducement Ranks rank 12 to the left the first 12 men upon the left are to stand the next 12 are to face to the left and to move and fall in the Reer of the first and so consequently all the rest or else to command Ranks rank as you were Command Ranks rank intire to the left into the Front Direction The first Rank stand the rest face to the left and move until they have successively placed themselves and made one intire Rank into the Front Reducement Ranks rank 12 to the right the 12 outmost men upon the right stand the rest face to the right and move making 12 in every Rank or Ranks rank as you were Command Ranks rank outward into the Front Direction The first Rank stand the rest face outward and place your selves successively into the Front facing after to your Leader Reducement Ranks rank 12 to the right and left inward the 12 middlemost men stand the rest face inward and move ranking 12 successively behind the first Rank and after facing to their Leader and to even their Ranks Command Ranks rank inward into the Front Direction The first Rank is to move away to the right and left the next Rank moving up into his ground doing the like and consequently so all the rest until the last Rank be come up intire into the Front Reducement Ranks rank six to the right and left outward the first six upon the right and the first six upon the left stand the rest move outward falling in the Reer of the first Rank ranking six to the right and left and after closing their Divisions Command Files rank to the right into the Front Direction Files open to the left to your double Distance and Ranks close forwards to Close Order and move up to the right into the Front Reducement Ranks file six to the left the first six upon the left are to fall into a File the rest doing the like until you have made 12 Files as at first or command Ranks file as you were Command Files rank to the left into the Front Direction Every man is to move forward to the left into the Front beginning from the Leader of the Files and moving up successively making one intire Rank Reducement Ranks file six to the right the six outmost men upon the right are to fall into a File the rest in like manner are to do the same or Ranks file as you were Command Files rank outward into the Front Direction Right and left Half-ranks close into the midst to Close order after move to the right and left outward until they be come up into the Front Reducement Ranks file six to the right and left inward the middle men are to stand the rest are to move side-ways to the right and left inward and to file as before commanded or Ranks file as you were Command Files rank inward into the Front Direction Right and left Half-ranks open from the midst to twice double distance and Files move up to the right and left entire into the Front Reducement Ranks file six to the right and left outward the outmost men stand the rest move to the right and left outward filing according to Command and after to close their Divisions CHAP. XL. Ranks ranking into the Front by Countermarch Command RAnks rank entire into
to their Order Ranks ranking by Countermarch Command Ranks rank outward into the Front Reer and Midst every man placing himself on the outside of his right and left-hand-man Direction The two last Ranks face about the first and last Rank and the third Rank from the Front stand the rest move forth to the right and left ranking into Front Reer and Midst placing themselves on the outside of their right and left-hand-men face to your Leader Reducement Ranks rank twelve to the right and left inward placing your selves on the inside of your right and left-hand-men the last Rank face about the twelve middlemost men in each Rank are to stand and the outmost six men in each Rank are to move to the right and left inward placing themselves in the Reer of the former Ranks and on the inside of their right and left-hand-men facing to their Leader Command Ranks rank inward into the Front Reer and Midst every man placing himself on the inside of his right and left-hand-man Direction Right and left half-Ranks open from the midst to twice double distance standing then at Order in each division in Rank and File the two last Ranks face about and the first last and third Rank from the Front stand the rest move inward placing themselves on the inside of their right and left-hand-men after the last Rank may face about and move forward to open Order Reducement Ranks rank six to the right and left outward every man placing himself on the outside of his right and left-hand-man the last Rank face about the six outmost men of each Rank stand and the twelve middlemost men in each Rank are to divide themselves six to the right and six to the left falling in the Reer of the outmost men placing themselves on the outside of their right and left-hand-men after face to the Front and Ranks and Files close to the midst to Order Of Files ranking into Front Reer and Midst Command FIles rank outward into Front Reer and Midst Direction The two last Ranks face about the first last and third Rank from the Front stand the rest move to the right and left after the manner of doubling of Ranks and rank to Front Reer and Midst as before commanded and after the last Rank face to the Front closing forward to Order Reducement Ranks file six to the right and left inward the last Rank face about and the even men from the midst of Files are to fall in behind the odd after the manner of doubling Files to the right and left inward and after the two last Ranks are to face to the Front Command Files rank inward into Front Reer and Midst Direction They standing at the distance of Order in Rank and File command right and left Half-ranks to open from the Midst something more then to open Order after the two last Ranks are to face about and the first last and third Rank from the Front are to stand the rest are to move to the right and left inward after the manner of doubling Ranks to the right and left inward after the last Rank is to face to the Front and to close forwards to open Order Reducement Ranks file six to the right and left outward the last Rank face about and every man from the Flanks is to move outward after the manner of doubling Files to the right and left outward then the two last Ranks are to face to the Front and the whole Body may close their Ranks and Files into the Midst to Order CHAP. XLIII Of Files ranking by Wheeling Command FIles rank outward into Front Reer and Midst The Ranks must be at Close Order and the Files at Open Order for these three words of Command following and it would be better to divide them into three Divisions that is to say between every two Ranks to have some six foot of ground interval that they may more distinctly perform the same by Wheeling Direction The two last Ranks face about after face all outward and wheel to the right and left by two and two until they be ranked into Front Reer and Midst the last Rank may after move forwards unto the same distance the former stands at being first faced to their Leader Reducement Ranks file six to the right and left inward by wheeling the first two Ranks face about and then every particular Rank to wheel by two and two towards the midst of Files until they have made twelve Files as at first and after face all to the Front Command Files rank inward into the Front Reer and Midst by wheeling Direction Right and left Half-ranks open from the midst something more then to open Order the two last Ranks of each Division face about after face all inward and wheel by two and two to the right and left until they have ranked into Front and Reer and Midst to the right and left inward the last Rank is after to face to the Front taking his distance conformable to the rest Reducement Ranks file six to the right and left outward by wheeling the two first Ranks face about and each particular Rank is to wheel by two's towards the Flanks until they have made twelve Files as at first after facing all to the Front and closing their Ranks and Files into the midst to Order Command Files rank inward into the midst by wheeling Direction Right and left Half-ranks open from the midst to twice double distance after face inward and let them know that the Bringers-up of the Front Half-files and the Half-file-Leaders are the hinges of the Motion after face them to the Front and they will be in two Ranks Reducement Ranks file six to the right and left outward by wheeling the last Rank face about and both Ranks wheel to the right and left by threes until they have made twelve Files as at first after face all to the Front and close Files into the midst to Order Command Files rank outward into the Front and Reer by wheeling Direction Right and left Half-ranks close into the midst to Order after face outward and wheel to the right and left the Bringers-up and the Leaders are the hinges of the Motion and when they are brought into two Ranks one in the Front and the other in the Reer face them to the Front Reducement Ranks file six to the right and left inward by wheeling the first Rank face about and both Ranks are to wheel by threes towards the midst of Files until they have filed according unto Command after facing to their Leader evening their Ranks and straightning their Files And thus much of Conversion or Ranks ranking or Files ranking they having more variety in them then many times can be useful except it be to present unto the Souldiers some things that are new in the Motions which many times they love to see I could upon this Subject have much more enlarged my self but conceiving what is already set down may be sufficient for
Files this special care being taken he may begin and proceed to the Reducement after this manner If by some former Counter-marches his File-leaders are in the place of his Half-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 kinde commanding them to countermarch 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 general rule that when Files or Ranks Counter-march to any hand command them to Counter-march to the contrary and it will reduce them or countermarching 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 Reer Thus you see for all their great variety which latter ages have invented they consist but of three sorts or kinds either maintaining gaining or losing of ground and may be performed as I said before either by intire or divisional 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 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 Rank 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 Left Hand Counter-march maintaining ground Direction File-leaders turn off upon the ground you stand the rest moving up successively into the File-leaders place turning off until the Bringers-up come up into the Front after face to your Leader Command File-leaders stand the rest pass through to the right or left and place your selves before your Leaders Command File-leaders face about the rest pass 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 pass 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 pass through to the right or left and place your selves before your Leaders following your Bringers up Command Files to the right and 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 until they come to the last Rank who need do no more then face about after face all to their Leader Command The last Rank stand the rest pass 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 until they are all clear of the Reer then face to their Leader Command Bringers-up stand the rest face about pass through to the right or left and place your selves behind your Bringers-up Command Bringers-up face about the rest pass 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 pass through to the right or left and place your selves before your Leaders and half-file-leaders Command Counter-march your Front and Reer half-files to the right and 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 pass through to the right or left and place your selves behind your Leaders and your half-file-leaders to your Leaders Command File-leaders and half-file-leaders stand the rest pass through to the right or left and 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 half-file-leaders face about the rest pass through to the right or left and place your selves behind your Leaders and half-file-leaders following your Bringers-up Direction The File-leaders and the Half-file-leaders being first faced are to stand and the Bringers-up of the Front and Reer-half-files are to move forwards until 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 Divisional Counter-marching of Files Command FIle-leaders and Bringers-up stand the rest pass 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 and faced again to the Front command them to
move forwards and close their Divisions Command File-leaders face about the rest pass through to the right or left and place your selves behind 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 pass through to the right or left and place your selves before your Leaders and your Bringers-up following the Half-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 pass through to the right or left and place your selves behind your Leaders and your Bringers-up following the Half-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 until they be clear of the Front and Reer and after to face about placing themselves behind their Half-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 himself 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 pass through to your own right hands until 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 interchange ground Direction Half-files face about and turn off to the right and Front-half-files at the same time doing the like moving forwards until 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 outmost File upon the right face to the right the rest pass through to the right or left and place your selves before your Right-hand-men Direction Face to the right and pass through as before exprest to your Leader Command The Right-hand-file face to the left the rest pass through to the right or left and place your selves behind your right-hand-men Direction Face to the right and move forwards and place your selves behind your right-hand-men to your Leader Command Ranks to the left-hand counter-march losing ground Direction The outmost is to turn off to the left about until he hath brought his Aspect unto the right Flank and so consequently all the rest moving still forwards until they have gained upon the outside 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 pass through to the right following your left-hand-men and placing your selves behind your Right-hand-file Direction The outmost File upon the left face to the right and march through the Intervals towards the right Flank and when he is moved away the rest upon the left are successively to do the same until they have in lieu of that ground they formerly stood gained so much upon the out-file 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 pass through and place your selves on the outside of your left-hand-men Direction The left-hand-File face to the left the rest pass 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 pass through to the left and place your selves behind your left-hand-men Command The left-hand-File face to the left the rest pass 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 outmost Files upon the right move forward upon the left the rest successively doing the same until 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 pass through to the left and place your selves behind your 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 until they have gained as much ground on the outside 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 himself on the outside of his left-hand-man by following his right-hand-man Direction The left-hand-file stand the outmost File upon the right is to turn about to the right until he hath brought his aspect to the left Flank then moving forward until he be clear of the second File after the rest are to do the like forsaking the ground they stood upon and in lieu thereof to gain so much upon the outside of the left Flank placing themselves on the outside of their left-hand-men their aspects being to the Front Or you may command the outmost File upon the right to face to the left and so begin to lead until he be clear of the second File the rest doing the same until they have all placed themselves on the outside 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 until 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 turn off to the right by themselves and the left Half-ranks in l ke manner to your Leader Command The outmost File upon
the right and the right-hand-file of the left Half-rank stand the rest face to the right pass through and place your selves on the outside of your right-hand-men face to your Leader Command The outmost File upon the right and the right-hand-file of the left Half-rank face to the right and stand the rest pass 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 outmost 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 pass 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 Counter-march 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 outmost File upon the right stand the rest pass through to the right and place your selves on the out side of your right-hand-men following your outmost Files Direction The outmost Files are to face to the right and to lead away until they be clear of the next who likewise are to follow successively Command The outmost File upon the right and the right-hand-file of the left Half-rank face to the right and stand the rest pass through to the right and place your selves before your right-hand-men Direction Face all to the right and the outmost 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 pass through to the right and place your selves behind your right-hand-men Direction The outmost Files are to turn about until they have brought their aspects unto the right Flank then move away until they be clear of the second File and in like manner they are to turn off doing the same until 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. Divisional Counter-marches of the right and left Half-ranks Command THe outmost File upon each Flank stand the rest pass through to the right and left and place your selves on the outside of your right and left-hand-men Direction The rest face outward and begin the motion by the next Files the others following in order after to close their Files into the Midst to open Order Command The outmost File upon each Flank face outward and stand the rest pass through to the right and left and place your selves before your outside 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 outside men after face to their Leader and close Files into the midst to Order Command The outmost File upon each Flank face inward the rest pass through and place your selves behind your outside men Direction The rest are to face outward and to pass 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 outmost File upon each Flank stand the rest pass through to the right and left and place your selves on the outside of your right and left-hand-men following your inmost Files Direction The inmost Files are to begin the motion moving away to the right and left until they be clear of their second Files and then they are to move away successively until they have all placed themselves on the outside of their right and left-hand-men and then close files into the midst to open Order Command The outmost Files upon each Flank face outward the rest pass through to the right and left placing your selves before your right and left-hand-men following your inmost Files Direction The rest are likewise to face outward and the inmost Files are to begin the motion the rest following in order until they have placed themselves before their outside men after face to the Front and close Files into the midst to open Order Command The outmost File upon each Flank face inward the rest pass through to the right and left and place your selves behind your outside-men following the inmost Files Direction The rest are to face outward the inmost Files begin to move forward to the right and left the rest consequently do the same until they all stand behind their outside-men then facing to the right and left about closing their Divisions by moving forwards 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 outside-men Direction Face inward right-half-Right-half-ranks turn off to the right and left-half-Left-half-ranks turn off to the left and move forwards until you have placed your selves before your outside-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 pass through to your own right-hand until you be 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-half-ranks Counter-march to the right and left and interchange ground Direction Face outward right-half-Right-half-ranks turn off to the right left-half-Left-half-ranks turn off to the left and march clear 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 fruitless in culling out such plenty and variety there being so few of them practised among able and knowing Souldiers my best apology will be The high and venerable esteem I 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 practice thereof made me the willinger rather to undergo the censure of some then to incur the displeasure of many Yet by the way give me leave fully to declare my self concerning the use of them for my opinion is that of all the Motions tending to Martial 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 needless speeches telling of his Souldiers that this is the Macedonian this is the Lacedemonian or Chorean Counter-march Not to
lie under the censure my self 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 several uses HAving proceeded thus far in shewing all the several sorts and kinds of Military Motions it will now in the next place be expected that I speak somewhat of Wheelings and as formerly so now to set before the Souldier their several kinds and uses Wherefore take notice of two sorts Wheelings Angular and VVheelings on the Center which latter is commonly called the Prince of Orange his VVheeling being acted or performed by the Souldier two several ways that is to say Intire or Divisional Intire VVheelings to the Angles are when the Souldiers turn their Aspects from the Front proper to either of the Flanks or Reer whereby they may gain the VVind 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 following their Leaders always conforming themselves in their Motion to the most commendable Posture which is Pikes advanced 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 often 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 Divisional Wheelings provided they have sufficient number of men are of singular good use to encounter several 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 useful 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 Division of 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 Left Right Left about Direction The right or the left-hand-men in the Front are the hinges of these Motions the rest have a greater compass 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 Left Right Left about Direction The left-half-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 Divisional 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 VVheel 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 VVheel off your Front and Reer-half-files by Division Direction Half-files face about Front 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 Ranks 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 to both Flanks Command Wheel the outward Angles to the right and left about to the Center Direction Face to the outward Angles and close Ranks and Files to close order and the Angles on the right turn off to the right the Angles on the left turn off to the left Command Wheel the inward Angles to the right and left about inward from the Center Direction Face to the inward Angles or to the Center and wheel about to the right and left inward from the Center These are all the intire and divisional Wheelings that have hitherto been practised by any according to my best observation there are other Wheelings which may properly be term'd Doublings which I have placed amongst the Doublings where they more properly belong Now if any shall demand of me a reason why I have omitted the Reducements to each particular Command my answer thereunto is easie for as in the Counter-marches so in these they may be reduced by three or four words of Command except a Commander shall of set purpose keep them off from the same to make some experiment After any wheeling is performed face them after to the first Front and command them to even their Ranks and straighten their Files they will
placing your selves before your Leaders Command Half-files double your Front to the right they are reduced CHAP. IV. Eight several Counter-marches with their Reducement Command FIle-leaders stand the rest pass through to the right and place your selves before your Leaders Command The Right-hand-file stand the rest pass through to the right and place your selves on the outside of your right-hand-men Command File-leaders and Bringers-up stand the rest pass through to the right and place your selves before your Leaders and your Bringers-up Command The outmost File upon each Flank stand the rest pass through to the right and left placing your selves before your outside-men Direction Face outward and pass through to the right and left placing your selves before the outmost Files to your Leader and close your Divisions to open Order Command Bringers-up stand the rest pass through to the right and place your selves behind your Bringers-up Direction The five first Ranks are to face about the next Rank to the Reer is first to begin the Motion the rest are successively to follow until the Leaders are become the Bringers-up Command The Left-hand-file stand the rest pass through to the left and place your selves on the out side of your left-hand-men Command File-leaders and Bringers-up stand the rest pass through to the right and place your selves behind your Leaders and Bringers-up Direction The first and the two next Ranks from the Reer face about the two first Ranks from the Front and the two last Ranks from the Reer move forwards placing your selves behind your Leaders and your Bringers-up face to to your Leader and close your Divisions Command The outmost File upon each File face inward the rest pass through to the right and left placing your selves behind your right and left-hand-men CHAP. V. Ten several Wheelings with their Reducement Command WHeel the Front-half-files inward into the midst and double your Reer inward intire Direction Half-files face outward and march cleer of the standing part after face to the Reer Front-half-files open from the midst to open Order after Wheeling to the right and left inward into the Reer to your Leader Command Right and Left-half-ranks double the depth of the Battail by Wheeling into the Front Direction Right-half-ranks wheel to the left and Left-half-ranks wheel to the right to your Leader Command Wheel off the Front-half-files and double the Reer by division Direction Half-files face about and Front-half-files wheel off by Division moving down even with the Reer to your Leader Command Wheel off your right Half-ranks and double your left Flank to the right intire Direction Face outward and Right-half-ranks wheel about to the left and move away and double the left Flank to the right to your Leader Command Front and Reer-half-files double the Depth of the Battail by wheeling into the Front and Reer Direction Half-files face to the Reer and Front and Reer-half-files wheel to the right and left inward face to your Leader and close your Divisions Command Wheel off your Left-half-ranks and double your right Flank by Division Direction Face outward and Left-half-ranks wheel off by Division and move even with the right Flank to your Leader Command Wheel off your Reer-half-files and double the Front to the right intire Direction Half-files face about and wheel to the left until you have ranged even with the Front Command Wheel your Battail off by Division from the Front Direction Right-half-ranks wheel about to the right and left Half-ranks wheel about to the left and move down to the Reer face to your Leader and close into the midst to order Command Wheel off your Left-half-ranks and double your right Flank to the left intire Direction Face outward Left-half-ranks wheel about to the right and move forward and double the right Flank to the left intire to your Leader Command Wheel off your Front-Half-files and double the Reer to the left intire Direction Half-files face about and Front-half-files wheel about to the right move down and range even with the Reer face to your Leader reduceth them CHAP. VI. Six Figures of Battail with several Firings thereunto belonging Command RAnks and Files close to order they will stand us underneath is set forth from which we will draw our Figures after we have fired upon this Platform three or four times Command Double your Files inward intire advancing The first firing Let the first two Ranks advance forward ten paces give Fire and fall in the Reer of themselves after wheeling off to the right and left placing themselves before the Front of Pikes the next two Ranks and so the rest successively doing the like until they have Fired once over which reduceth them The second firing Let the first Rank advance three paces give Fire and fall in the Reer of themselves the rest doing the like until all have Fired once over as before The third firing Let them give Fire on the ground they stand and fall off to the right and left and Flank the Pikes The fourth firing Let them Fire even with the Front and fall in with the Reer of the Pikes which being ended let the Pikes charge on Reducement Muskettiers double your Front by Division Command The first two Ranks stand the rest face outward and move cleer of the standing part to your Leader the two last Ranks move outward side-ways two paces The first firing Let every Division give Fire on the same ground they stand and fall in the Reer of themselves The second firing Let them advance forwards until they be cleer of the Pikes give Fire and fall in the Reer of themselves after moving down into their places Command Front-division advance forward three paces the two next Divisions move outward one pace Pikes in each Division face about and move two paces to your Leader Divisions of Muskettiers in the Reer advance forwards and range even in Front and Reer with the Middle-divisions of Pikes the first Rank of Pikes in the Front-division move three foot cleer of the standing part The first firing Let them give Fire to the Front and fall in the Reer of themselves The second firing Let them give Fire to Front Reer and both Flanks altogether Direction Reer-divisions face outward the last Rank of Pikes and Muskettiers of the Front-division face to the Reer the last Rank of Muskettiers move down cleer of the Reer and close inward to order then last the Pikes port and after the Muskettiers have Fired charge on then retreating into their places again Command The first and the last Rank of Pikes face about and move down cleer of the Reer and close Ranks forwards to order outmost Divisions of Muskettiers face about move down and flank your own divisions of Pikes The first Division of Pikes move forward and range even abrest with your own Division of Muskettiers the Front-division of Muskettiers closing into the midst to order The first firing Let the Front-division give Fire and fall in the Reer of themselves after wheeling off to the right
and left move down and Flank the Reer-division of Pikes The second firing Let the Front-division of Muskettiers Fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then face about and move down upon the inside of the next division of Pikes and after face to their Leader The third firing Let the Muskettiers upon the Flanks move up into the room of the former and Fire falling in the Reer of themselves and after face about and move down into their places again the Muskettiers on the inside moving up into their places again The fourth firing Let the Reer-division face about then let them Fire to Front and Reer and fall in the Reer of themselves let the Pikes charge and after ordering their Arms their Reer-division facing to their Leader the Muskettiers thereof may move up into their places again Command The outmost divisions face outward and move two paces face to your Leader move up until you range even abrest with the second divisions next the Front Reer-division move streight forward two paces The first firing Let them all give Fire and fall in the Reer of themselves The second firing Let the Muskettiers advance forwards until they be cleer of the Front-division and then rank outward and Fire altogether after filing inward as they were move down again into their places the Pikes at the same time charging and after order their Arms. Command Front-division advance forward three paces the outmost division upon the Flanks move up and range even with the Front The first firing Direction for the same let them all face to the Reer and the middle-division of Muskettiers move forwards and flank the Reer-division of Pikes after let all the Muskettiers advance forwards three foot cleer of their own divisions of Pikes and give Fire falling in the Reer of themselves and after facing about move into their places again The second firing Let them Fire as they stand and fall in the Reer of themselves and the Pikes in the Reer may charge on and after facing to their Leader Command The outmost divisions face inward march three paces and the next two divisions face outward and move two paces to your Leader Reer-division move outward until you stand streight with the Front-divisions The first firing Let the Front-Division of Muskettiers give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves and after moving down in the room of them in the Reer they at the same time moving up into the Front firing in like manner moving down and exchanging places with them in the Reer The second firing Let the Muskettiers upon the Flanks move forward even with the Front give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves and after move down into their places again and face to their Leader The third firing Let them face to the Front reer and both Flanks and let the Pikes port and the Muskettiers give fire The fourth firing Let them give fire on the ground they stand and fall in the Reer of the Pikes the Pikes charging whilest the Muskettiers make ready again The fifth firing Let the Pikes charge at foot and the Muskettiers give fire over their heads then recovering their Arms face to their Leader Reducement Front-Divisions face about Front and Reer-Divisions march and interchange ground to your Leader The out-most Divisions face inward and close your Divisions to your Leader even your Ranks and streighten your Files and close to Order they are reduced The Captain may now command the Muskettiers to poyse their Arms and file away to the right and left making as it were a Street or Gallery for him to troop away the Pikes and lodge his Colours CHAP. VII The second Exercise with four Files six deep THe Souldiers being the second time summoned to appear at their place of Rendezvous the Sergeants having drawn forth the Files may give liberty to the Leaders thereof to exercise them in their several Postures which being ended their Captain or other Officers may command them to lead up their Files and to joyn them into a Body after which he may shew unto them their Distances and Facings with their several kinds following the former rule and after proceed to these or the like Doublings following CHAP. VIII Eighteen several Doublings with their reducements Command HAlf-files double your Front to the left Command Double your files to the right intire advancing Command Front half-files double your Reer to the right intire Command Left half-ranks double your right Flank to the left Direction Face all to the right and left-half-ranks move forward and double your right Flank to the left to your Leader Command Double your Ranks to the left intire Command Right half-ranks double your left Flank intire advancing Command Left half-ranks double your right Flank inward intire Direction Half-files of the right half-ranks face about right half-ranks move cleer of the standing part face all to the right left half-ranks move forwards into the right Flank to your Leader Command The three first and the three last Ranks double the six middle-most intire to the left Flank Direction The three first and the three last face to the left march cleer of the standing part face inward move and close your Divisions to your Leader Command Right half-ranks double your left Flank to the right Direction Face all to the left and right half-ranks move forwards and double your left Flank to the right to your Leader Command Double your Ranks to the right intire Command Right half-ranks double your left Flank inward intire Command The three first and the three last Ranks double the six middle-most Ranks intire to the right Flank Command Left half-ranks double your right Flank intire advancing Command Front half-files double your Reer to the left intire Command Half-files double your Front to the right Command Double your Files to the left intire advancing every man placing himself before his Leader Command Front half-files double your Reer to the right following your Leaders Direction Half-files face about File-leaders turn off to the left and move down upon the right of the Reer the rest following successively to your Leader Command Files double your Depth to the left intire they are reduced being faced to their Leader CHAP. IX Twelve several Counter-marches with their reducements Command FIles to the right hand countermarch 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-half-ranks inter-change ground Direction Face inward Command File-leaders face about the rest pass through to the right a 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 pass through to the right and place your selves before your Leaders and Half-file-leaders Direction The second Rank from the Front and from the
Half-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 stand the rest pass 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-Half-ranks counter-march to the right Direction Face to the right and right and left half-Half-ranks turn off distinctly to the right face to your Leader they are reduced CHAP. X. Twelve several 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 doubling the left Flank to the right 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 Wheele off your Reer Half-files and double your Front to the left entire Half-files face about Command Wheel your right Half-ranks inward into the midst and double the left Flank inward entire 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 entire 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 entire 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 entire 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 Several 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 until they be clear 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 and fall off to the right and left and flank their Pikes the Pikes at the same instant facing about and charge on clear 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 entire and afterwards Files to double their Depth to the right and left outward every man falling behind 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 clear of the standing part face to your Leader The first Firing Let the inmost Divisions of Muskettiers in the Front fire and fall off in the Reer of themselves after facing about move down and interchange ground with them in the Reer they at the same instant moving up firing and in like manner interchanging ground with them in the Reer and at the same time the outmost 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 like manner this firing may be continued twice over The second Firing Let them face to both the Flanks and let the Divisions of Pikes in the midst open outward until they be clear of the standing part then Porting let the Muskettiers give fire on the same ground they stand and the Pikes after may charge on until the Muskettiers make ready again and then retreating into their places again the Muskettiers may give fire as before is mentioned the Pikes in like manner charging on then retreating to their places face all to their Leader Command Inmost Divisions of Pikes move to the left one pace and double to the right File-wise and face to Front and Reer and march three paces middle File of Front and Reer-Divisions open from the midst to double Distance face to your Leader The first firing Face to Front and
charge The third firing Let the Muskettiers double inward File-wise the Pikes keep their Aspects to the four Angles the Musketttiers as before may give Fire to Front Reer and both Flanks and fall in the reer of those Pikes next their right hand and having their Aspects unto the same Angles they may fire there if they please by way of Extraduction and move forth to the left into their places again then let the Pikes face to the Front and Muskettiers upon the wings face about to the right and Muskettiers move forward three paces face to your Leader forms the following Figure The first firing Let the first Division give fire together and wheel off into the Reer the next two Divisions moving forward into their ground giving fire all together and wheeling off to the right and left into the Reer the rest still moving forward until the Reer-division is likewise come up into the Front and gives fire in like manner and falling off to the right into his first place again this firing may be continued twice The second firing Let them give fire all together to the Front after this manner let the middle Divisions move forth to the right and left clear of the Pikes the Reer-division at the same time moving forward upon the outside of those in the Front and give fire and move into their places again making ready whilest the Pikes close forward and charge on five or six paces they may retreat again into their places The third firing Let them face all to the Reer and fire after this manner the first Division kneel down the middle Divisions move forth clear of the Pikes the Front-division marching down into the Reer may give fire all together the outmost Division and the Front-division over the heads of them in the Reer and move in and back again into their places then face to their Leader Command The outmost Division of Muskettiers upon the left in the midst and the three last Divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers face about march all three paces and stand Middle Divisions face to the left and move two paces face all to your Leader Divisions of Pikes face inward Front-division of Muskettiers and the second from the Reer face about and move little and close your Divisions to your Leader The first firing Let the first Division give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then wheel down into the Reer the other Divisions successively moving up into the Front and firing in like manner this firing may be continued twice over The second firing Let the Divisions of Muskettiers double their Ranks to the right and left outward and give fire in single Ranks as they did before until all have fired twice over The third firing Let them double their Files to the right and left inward and the Reer Divisions to face about then let them give fire both to Front and Reer falling first in the Reer of themselves after to wheel off into the midst and facing to Front and Reer the middle Divisions may move forth into their ground firing in like manner the Pikes may after charge whilest the Muskettiers make ready again and after retreating into their places they may continue their firing as formerly the Pikes charging on as before The fourth firing Let each Division of Muskettiers double Ranks outward and fire to Front and Reer and to wheel off in one single rank to the right and left and rank again in the midst and after double inward File-wise and face to their Leader Command The four last Divisions face to the left the four first Divisions face to the right march all until you be clear one of another then face to the right and move until you be even abrest in Front and Reer to your Leader The first firing Let the first Divisions give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves after wheeling off to the right and left into the Reer they at the same time moving forwards into their places firing and falling off in like manner they may perform the same firing to the Reer being thither faced The second firing Let the Reer-Divisions move to the right and left outward clear of the standing part then face to the Front move up even abrest with the Front-Divisions and let every Division fire to the Front and fall in the Reer of themselves the Pikes may charge and after both they and the outmost Divisions may move down into their places Command The inmost Divisions of Pikes advance forward three foot before the Front the rest face inward and move two paces to your Leader Upon this Figure let the first Ranks of the Front-Division fire and fall behind the Front-Divisions of Pikes the next rank may fire and fall behind the first then let the Reer-division move up and give fire and fall in the reer of themselves and after wheel about to the right and left inward moving down clear of the reer and facing again unto their Leader then they may fire a second time in the same way the Front-divisions moving forth and firing first and falling behind the Pikes the reer-divisions coming up into their places firing and falling off again by wheeling about inward until they be clear three foot of the reer then facing to their Leader they will stand as followeth where the Ensign may display his Colours if the Leader pleaseth to march upon it Having now spent much time in these particular Firings it will be convenient to give the Souldiers some respit to refresh their almost tired spirits that they may more chearfully appear upon the next summons of the Drum and therefore we will conclude this Exercise and prepare for the lodging of the Colours Reducement Reer-Divisions of Pikes move straight forward until you range even abrest with the Front-Divisions of Pikes Reer-Divisions of Muskettiers move forward and range inward even abrest 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 inmost Files of Front and Reer half-files face inward and interchange ground then let each two Files of Pikes close outward to Order and after to double their Divisions to the right File-wise 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 double Ranks outward and lead them away behind the Reer by first facing them about Pikes face to the left and move straight before the Muskettiers and then double the Reer inward entire 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 usual custom the Leaders being to shew each Souldier how to handle and use his Arms and after leads up their Files and
his File into some convenient place apart to exercise them in their several Postures and Charges and after what manner they may fire whether it be to Front Reer or both Flanks Which being performed they are called up to joyn into a Body and commanded to close their Ranks and Files to their distance of Order and the Front doubled to the right and left inward by the half-files distance beforehand being prepared for their moving up The Leader appoints one of the Serjeants to fetch the Colours which being brought up to the head of the Company the Leader for variety sake may spend the chiefest of his time in Firings as followeth The first firing Let the Muskettiers move forward until their Bringers-up range even with the Front of Pikes after let the two outmost Files of Muskettiers move forward until their Bringers-up range even abrest with the Front of the two inmost Files Let the Front or foremost Divisions give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then let them face about and move down into their places where they were last then let the two inmost Files of Muskettiers of each Division advance forwards until their Bringers-up range even with the Front of the two outmost Files and then let them give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves and after face about and march down into their places again where they were last drawn off The second firing Let them give fire on the ground they stand in each Division falling off to the right and left in the Reer of themselves The third firing Let the first Rank in each Division fire as they stand and after move inward in a straight line before the Front of Pikes which gives way for the next Rank to fire in each Division and after to move inward into the Reer of the first Rank and so consequently all the rest to fire in like manner until they have all fired and stand straight before the Pikes The fourth firing Let their Ranks rank outward into the Front and then give fire all entire in one Rank and ranking again as they were The fifth firing Let the half-files of Muskettiers double the Front by Division and give fire by two Ranks together and after to move back again into their places The sixth firing Let the two first Ranks kneel down the other two stand upright and give fire four Ranks together The seventh firing Let the half-files or Pikes to face about and move three paces to your Leader and then Files to double their Depth to the right and left outward of each Arms then let them give fire eight Ranks together after this manner two kneel down two kneeling two stand upright and the two last to be drawn off to the right and left and so to fire all together which being ended command the Pikes by their Files to rank outward into the Front and then open outward to the right and left and charge on in the Front and file again as they were The eigth firing Let the Pikes open their Files from the midst to double distance then command the Muskettiers to face about and move down into the midst of the Pikes then let the half-files face about and let the Muskettiers be at open Order in their Files and the Pikes at Order and then let them give fire first to Front and Reer by Intraduction after this manner Let the first Rank in Front and Reer present and give fire on the ground they stand and presently make ready again the next Ranks may move forward and place themselves three foot before them and fire in like manner and after stand the other Ranks still moving forward into the next Rank until the first have fired and then immediately to clap before them and fire in like manner until all have fired twice over The ninth firing Let them close their Files into the midst to Order and fire on the same ground they stand and fall in the Reer of themselves The tenth firing Let them fire and fall off to the right and left into the midst of Pikes again then let the Pikes charge on to Front and Reer and when they are clear of the Muskettiers let them close to the right and left inward to Order The eleventh firing Let the Pikes port and let the Muskettiers be drawn forth one whole Rank to the right and another to the left both to Front and Reer give fire and fall into their places again then let the other four be drawn forth in like manner and fire and fall into their places again the Pikes if occasion shall require may again charge on The twelfth firing Let the Muskettiers range to the right and left outward and fire even abrest with the Reer of each Division and move in again into their places The thirteenth firing Let the Muskettiers rank outward and move even abrest with the Front and Reer and there present and give fire and whilest the Pikes are charging on they may rank again as they were and fall in the Reer of the Pikes and make ready again The fourteenth firing The Pikes being retreated into their first ground you may open them to the right and left and then the Muskettiers may move forward and fire two Ranks kneeling down and the other two standing upright then the Pikes may continue their charge till the Muskettiers make ready again and after they may retreat and fall in the Reer of the Muskettiers and close their Divisions inward to Order These firings being all upon a stand and the Muskettiers being now in Front and Reer they may be moved away and may give fire upon the march to Front and Reer after this manner The fifteenth firing Let the first Rank in the Front nimbly advance forward ten paces then present and give fire in which interim the rest will be moved up unto them the others having fallen off to the right and left in the Reer of their own Divisions of Muskettiers the next Rank may give fire in like manner until all have fired thus once over the Reer are to fire at the same time with the Front facing about the last Rank who are to fall off and to place themselves before their own Divisions of Muskettiers The sixteenth firing Let them fire as before and the first Rank of the Front-division to fall off and flank the Pikes to the right the rest of that Division falling off and placing themselves in the Reer of them and likewise the first Rank of the Reer-Division when they have fired let them fall off and range even abrest with the half-files of Pikes and still preserving themselves in their places to be right-hand-men to those which were at first and the rest to give fire and fall in the Reer of them The seventeenth firing Now the Muskettiers being all upon the right Flank let the outmost File face to the right and fire and lead away the Bringers-up between the Muskettiers and the outmost File of Pikes let this be
continued in the same manner until all have fired The eighteenth firing The Body still marching let them fire again after the same manner as before The nineteenth firing Let them fire by Ranks wheeling to the right Flank and after to rank to the right so many abrest as they were at first marching along with the Body The twentieth firing Let them fire and fall off on the contrary Flank The one and twentieth firing Let them give fire upon the gathering firing after this manner let the outmost File upon the left face to the left give fire and then face to the Front and stand until the rest be clear and then the next File to face to the left and fire and after face to the Front and then the first File may gather up even abrest upon the left of the second File then the third File may face to the left and give fire after face to the Front and stand until the other two march up on the left and joyn even abrest with him and consequently so all the rest until every File have fired and that they be all moved up even abrest with the Pikes The two and twentieth firing Let them wheel Ranks to the left and fire and after rank four to the left as they were at first and march even abrest with the Pikes The three and twentieth firing Let them fire to the left Flank Ranks inverting and after face to the Front and to rank again as they were The four and twentieth firing Let them fire by Files filing to the right and facing after to the left and fire to the left Flank and then facing to their first Front and to lead up their Files to the left again as they were The five and twentieth firing Let them fire by the outmost Files to the left Flank and lead away by the Leader up between or in the middle of Pikes The six and twentieth firing Let them face outward and fire upon a stand after this manner by Ranks dividing moving forth to the right and left and fire and fall in again into their places the Pikes may after charge on and retreat again into their places The seven and twentieth firing Let them fire by Ranks ranking outward into both the Flanks and moving forward and firing even abrest and ranking again as they were but not returning again into the midst of Pikes from whence they were drawn forth but fire to both Flanks and fall in the Reer of themselves The eight and twentieth firing Let them fire again and fall in the Reer or midst of Pikes The nine and twentieth firing Let the Pikes port and let the Muskettiers fire by Extraduction to both Flanks and return again into their places The thirtieth firing Let the Pikes open to the right and the Muskettiers move up into the midst and the first Rank give fire and slieve up to the right and left and place themselves before the Pikes the next Rank moving forward into his ground and slieving away in the Reer of them until all have fired The one and thirtieth firing Let them close their Divisions and fire and fall in the Reer of themselves The two and thirtieth firing Let them fire by Files ranking outward and filing again as they were The three and thirtieth firing Let them fire by Ranks wheeling outward into both Flanks towards Front and Reer the half-files are to face about the left half-ranks are to wheel to the right the right half-ranks to the left the Front-half-files doing the like may give fire facing after to the right and left inward ranking as they were into the midst of Ranks and facing again to the Flanks The four and thirtieth firing Let them fire two Ranks together and slieving presently away and flank the Pikes The five and thirtieth firing Let them face to Front and Reer and after move outward and facing to the outward Angles of Front and Reer and let them fire and fall in the Reer of themselves The six and thirtieth firing Let them close Files into the midst to Order and fire again and let them fall off to the right and left and flank the Pikes then face all to their first Front they are reduced Having spent all this time in the plain Firings we will in the next place proceed to Firings upon such Figures of Battail as followeth CHAP. XXV Several Figures of Battail Command HAlf-files double your Front to the left Muskettiers double your Pikes entire advancing Files open from the midst to double distance the two outmost Files close outward to open Order and the two inmost Files close outward to the same distance half-files of each Division double the Front inward entire Ranks and Files close to Order the four outmost Files upon each Flank stand the four inmost Files upon the left face to the Reer then let the four inmost Files upon the left and the four inmost Files upon the right move forward three foot before the Front and Reer and then face to the left and move two paces then face all to the Front and move straight in their Divisions both Rank-wise and File-wise they will stand as followeth The first firing Let the Front-division of Muskettiers move forward until they be cleer of the standing part then give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves and then closing their Files into the midst to Order before the Front of Pikes the Reer-division of Muskettiers may move forward unto the Front of the first division of Pikes and there rank outward and give fire altogether and file again as they were and after face about and move down again into their places the two outmost divisions of Muskettiers may next move forward some six paces there stand and rank inward and fire face about and file again as they were and move forward to the Front of their own divisions of Pikes face to their Leader The second firing Let the Front-division of Muskettiers fire and fall off to the right and left and flank their Pikes and at the same time let the Reer-division of Muskettiers move forward as they did before and fire even abrest with the first divisions of Pikes fall in the Reer of themselves then face about and move down into their places and face to their Leader then let the two outmost divisions upon the Flanks give fire on the ground they stand and fall off to the right and left and flank the Pikes they may fire to the Reer in the same manner being thither faced The third firing Let them face to Front Reer and both Flanks and fire the first Rank of each division and fall off to the right and left in the Reer of the Pikes and the last Rank at the same time move forth and give fire and fall into their places again but before they thus fire the Front and Reer-divisions are to be wheeled to the left and then let them fire by * Move forth those Muskettiers into their former places before they
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 Ranks 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 middlemost 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 until 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 until the Bringers-up range even abrest 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 several 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 until 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 maintaining 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 until 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-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 until 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 several 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 VVheel the Battail off by Division from the Reer face about Command VVheel the body off by division from the left Flank Command VVheel your Battail inward to the Reer from the Front Close Ranks forward to close Orderr and Files into the midst to close Order Direction Open outward to convenient distance to your Leader Command VVheel your battail inward to the left Flank from the right Direction Face to the right and open to convenient distance to your Leader Command VVheel your battail inward to the Front from the Reer Direction Face about and open to convenient distance and wheel inward into the Front Command VVheel your battail inward to the right Flank from the left Command VVheel the outward Angles of Front and Reer to the right and left about into the Center face to the outward Angles Command VVheel 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 will 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 and fall 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 and fall 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 until each Rank be cleer of other then let the Pikes charge and Muskettiers give fire altogether and after fall behind each Rank of Pikes then let the Pikes charge at Foot and let the Muskettiers give fire over their heads after let Pikes port and let the Muskettiers come forth again and give fire by extraduction and after command the Ranks to face to the right and left inward and to close their Divisions then let the Muskettiers move forth again into their first places and Flank their Pikes And having passed over some half a dozen firings after this manner then command Half-files to double their depth to the right intire and proceed to Figures of battail and firings which comes in the next place to view for a Leader to spend his time further in the exercising of his Souldiers therein Command Half-files face to the Reer and march six paces to your Leader Half-files of Muskettiers of each Division face to the Reer Muskettiers march all until you be cleer of the Pikes to your Leader The two middlemost Ranks of Pikes of each division face outward and move cleer of the Muskettiers to your Leader The first and third Ranks of Pikes in the body face to the Reer and close Ranks into the midst to Order the following Figure will appear The first firing Let the Front-divisions give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves the rest of the Divisions moving up into their ground and fire wheeling off to the right and left having all fired over once they will be reduced The second firing Let the four inmost Divisions of Muskettiers face outward and move cleer of the Pikes then face to their Leader then let the eight last divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers face to the Reer then let them fire to Front and Reer falling in the Reer of themselves there being intervals for the Pikes to move forward upon
place your selves before your Leaders Command The right-hand-file stand the rest pass through to the right and place your selves on the outside of your right-hand-men Command Countermarch 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 Countermarch your Flanks into the midst of Files face outward Command Files to the right hand Countermarch maintaining ground Command Ranks to the left hand Countermarch losing ground Command Countermarch 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 Countermarch your right and left half-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 entire Half-files face about Command Wheel off your left half-ranks and double your right Flank entire to the left Face outward Command Wheel off your Reer half-files and double your Front to the left entire Half-files face about Command Wheel off your right half-ranks and double your left Flank to the left entire Face outward Command Wheel off your Front-half-files and double the Reer to the right entire Half-files face about Command Wheel off your right half-ranks and double the left Flank to the right entire Face outward Command Wheel off your Front-half-files and double the Reer to the left entire Half-files face about Command Wheel off your left half-ranks and double your right Flank to the right entire 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 and move down into their places And whilest they are moving down let the other two Serjeants draw forth the remaining 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 until they stand in four Divisions leaving sufficient intervals for their wheeling into the Reer of themselves first let them fire in each Division falling in the Reer of themselves until they have all fired over two or three times after this kind The fourth firing Let them close their Files before the Front of Pikes 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 all together 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 until they stand straight 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 Ranks 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 sixth firing Let them give fire 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 all together and rank again as they were The eighth 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 Battail 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 Divisions of Muskettiers in the Reer face about inmost Divisions of Muskettiers in Front and Reer move forward clear of the standing part and stand Pikes face outward Muskettiers upon the Flanks face inward the rest face about to the right move all two paces to your Leader The first firing Let the Front-divisions of Muskettiers give fire and fall in the reer of themselves then wheel off to the right left into the room of them in the reer they at the same time moving up into their ground firing falling off in like manner as before Then let the Front-divisions upon the Flank fire fall in the reer of themselves and after wheel off to the right and left into the ground of those divisions that stand in the reer of them they at the same time relieving them firing and falling off as before then let the Pikes charge on and after retreat into their places The second firing Let them face to Front and Reer and let the first Divisions give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then wheeling off to the right and left and interchange ground with the next Divisions who are at the same instant of time to move up into their places and to give fire in like manner and to fall off and return where they were before then let the Pikes charge on to Front and Reer and after retreat into their places and face all to their Leader Command The four last Divisions next to the Reer both of Pikes and Muskettiers face about move down and range even abrest with the Reer Reer-divisions of Muskettiers that are faced to the Front move forward and place your selves three foot short of the next Divisions that stands before you to your Leader Upon this Figure let the Front-divisions give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then wheel off to the right and left and range
even abrest with the next divisions yet keeping themselves distinctly from the other divisions Then let those divisions of Muskettiers that stood in the Reer of them move forward into their ground and give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves after face about and move down again into their first places then let those that first fired move up again into their ground and let the outmost divisions begin to fire after this manner let the first divisions fire and fall in the Reer of themselves and after fall off to the right and left and place themselves in the room of the Reer-divisions who are likewise to move up into their ground and there to fire and fall off as before the Pikes may after charge on and retreat back again into their places The same firings may be performed to the Reer they being thither faced but to let that pass we will fall upon the next Figure wherefore Command Divisions of Pikes move forward until your Reer-divisions range even abrest with the outmost divisions of Muskettiers Reer-divisions of Muskettiers face inward and move streight in the Reer of the Reer-divisions of Pikes to your Leader The first firing Let the two last divisions of Muskettiers face about and the other divisions of Muskettiers to face to the right and left outward and let them give fire on the ground they stand and fall in the Reer of themselves the Pikes may charge on whilst the Muskettiers make ready again The second firing Let them face all to the Reer and let the Reer-divisions move forth to the right and left outward and give fire altogether and fall in the Reer of themselves The third firing Let the four first divisions of Muskettiers and the two first disions of Pikes face to the Front and let them give fire to Front and Reer and fall in the Reer of themselves then face all to the Front and proceed farther Command The Front and Reer-divisions to move outward two paces Reer-division of Pikes upon the left face about Reer-divisions of Pikes move three foot before the Front and Reer to your Leader divisions that moved outward close inward to your first ground then they will stand as followeth The first firing Let the first divisions of Muskettiers give fire to the Front and fall in the Reer of themselves then face outward and march cleer of the standing part then face to their Leader then let every division of Muskettiers come successively into that ground fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then face about and move down into their places then let the Front-divisions of Pikes charge on and after retreat back into their places The second firing Let them face all to the Reer and let every division give fire on the ground they stand and fall in the Reer of themselves The third firing Let half the Muskettiers and three divisions of Pikes face about to the right and give fire to Front and Reer on the ground they stand and fall in the Reer of themselves then let the Pikes charge on and after retreat back into their places face all to their Leader Command The outmost divisions of Muskettiers face outward and move two paces to your Leader the other divisions both Pikes and Muskettiers open your Files outward to open Order the five first divisions face about the five first and the five last divisions move streight forward and interchange ground and after face to their Leader and close Files inward again to Order then lead up the two outmost divisions of Muskettiers to stand even abrest against the middle-divisions of Pikes face all to your Leader then move the two outmost divisions to the right and left inward to stand streight in the middle of the Front and Reer-divisions of Muskettiers Upon this Figure several firings might be performed to Front Reer both Flanks and four Angles all at one and the same time but being so easie to the view I shall leave them unto the discretion of those which shall be pleased to make use of them and in the next place endeavour to reduce them Reducement Middle-divisions of Muskettiers upon the Flanks face outward and move cleer of the standing part to your Leader the five first Divisions face about the five first and the five last Divisions open Files outward to open Order and move forward and interchange ground and close Files inward again to Order outmost Divisions face about and move down again into your first places face all to your Leader Here the Captain if he please may command the Ensign to display his Colours which being ended he may proceed commanding Reer-divisions of Pikes to move forward and to place themselves in the Reer of the outmost division of Pikes upon the left in the Front then let the Front-division of Pikes move down and place themselves in the Reer of the second division of Pikes upon the right then close Pikes into the midst to Order Inmost divisions of Muskettiers move forward to Order and march up even with the Front Reer-division of Muskettiers face outward and move until they stand streight with the outmost 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 at the place appointed and the Officers being vigilant and careful in their several 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 through 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 through 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-Left-half-ranks Counter-march from the midst of Files maintaining ground face inward Command File-leaders face about to the rest pass through 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 Countermarch losing ground Command Counter-march your right and left-half-left-half-ranks every man placing himself on the outside of his right and left-hand-man they are reduced CHAP. XXXVIII Eight several 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 the 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 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 Rank and give fire likewise and stand and so successively every Rank is to move forward and place themselves before the Rank that fired until all have given fire this being twice performed reduceth 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 sixth 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 eighth firing Let them give fire eight Ranks together viz two kneel down two stooping two standing upright and the last two to be drawn forth and so fire them altogether The ninth firing Let the four first Ranks upon each Flank fire again and fall off 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 intervals 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 in 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 and Reer face outward and march cleer of the standing part then let them face to Front and Reer and give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then let the Reer-divisions of Muskettiers 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 into their ground giving fire and falling off in like manner The second firing Let them give fire on the ground they stand in each division and fall in the Reer of themselves then let the Pikes charge on whilst the Muskettiers make ready again The third firing Let the Reer-divisions of Muskettiers move up and range even abrest with the first division then let them fire altogether and fall in the Reer of themselves then let those that formerly moved up face about and march down again into their places then let the Pikes charge on again as before and being retreated let them face all to both Flanks and give fire in form and manner as they did to Front and Reer The fourth firing Let the middle-divisions of Muskettiers advance forward until they be cleer of the standing part then let them all fire and fall in the Reer of themselves and the middle-divisions to move back again into their places then face to their Leader and move the inmost division of Muskettiers upon the right in the Reer to the left three paces then proceed Command Inmost divisions of Muskettiers in the Reer double to the right file-wise and after that division that doubled to face about and pass through the intervals of Pikes and place themselves three foot behind the Reer and the other division that was doubled to advance forward through the interval of Pikes and place themselves three foot before the Front then face to their Leader Let the second division of Muskettiers from the Front stand and all the rest move forward three paces then move the second divisions of Muskettiers to the right and left inward until they stand streight between the Front and Reer-divisions of Pikes Front-division of Muskettiers face about and let them and the Reer-division move forward and inward three paces and after face to their Leader The first firing Let the Front-division of Muskettiers fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then wheel off to the right by the outmost divisions of Muskettiers and come down into
Hereupon it is to be supposed the Relievers are advanced toward the Main-Guard where the relieved are to be drawn off and to make a stand expecting till the Relievers shall come up which being done the relieved then are to troop homeward and after that they have attended and seen their Colours lodged they are to disband and not before And now further to satisfie the expectation of the Lovers of the Art Military it shall not seem unseasonable here to declare somewhat concerning the manner of Field-Watches or Vigils de Campe denoted unto us by the Expert and Ancients under these three Notions The first are Castra temporanea aleager ad placitum pitcht onely for the present and may perhaps alter and change it's Station in a day or an hour according to the pleasure and judgement of the General and Commanders in chief Secondly there are Castra a select or constant Camp so called because of their intentions of continuance in the besieging of a Castle or Town c. until they shall have taken the same or by some other necessity or further advantage forced to raise their Seige The third and last called Castra Such a Camp as is pitcht before or neer some Rivers side to oppose and frustrate the Incursions of the Enemy who otherwise might this way break in for the infesting or taking of a Country Now concerning such Watches or Guards which shall relate unto several Camps both in regard of the several and most convenient places for securing the Camps by Sentinels and Perdues they are to be primarily appointed and ordered according to the discretion command of the Masters of the Field whether Generals or Majors of Brigades afterwards the Serjeant-Majors Captains of Regiments according to their commands and relieved order are to design them for the aforesaid place To enlarge the several Arguments and Disputes that might further arise in-point of Field-duties relating thereunto 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 Garrison and Fortresses may sufficiently be able to apprehend and perform all manner of Duties that shall concern this Field-service provided that he be careful 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 fruitless disputes I refer the Reader to what hath been above related CHAP. XXV The ordering of a private Company unto a Funeral-occasion WHen any Commander or Souldier of worth shall be deceased a private Captain that would shew respect and honour by marching along with his Company attending the Corps to the place of burial must order his Souldiers after this manner They being summon'd by beat of the Drum to meet at their usual place of Rendezvous they may be drawn up according to the usual 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 until 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 perform their Funeral-Posture which is to have their Muskets under their left Arm 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 bringing up the But-end of their Pikes on their right side conforming themselves with the Muskettiers in their Funeral-Postures In the next place the Ensign strips his Colours off from the Staff and ties them about his right Wast putting a black Ribbon towards the very end of his Staff he after faceth to the Body of Pikes standing in the Reer of them and trailing his Staff in the same Posture Next followeth the Captain having in his hand a Half-pike or Leading-staff conforming himself likewise to his Funeral-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 Ensign bringing it up and the Captain twelve foot short of him bringing up the Reer of the whole Company And after him the Ministers marching just before the Coffin in the Reer 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 Funeral-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 Funeral-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 along together until they come within a hundred foot of the Church-door 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 pass 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 brings up the
content themselves to learn of such who are of higher abilities And on this account the Art would be more highly prized and not only bring more Honour to the Professors thereof but even the Learners themselves would become more capable of good preferment abroad and our Military Gardens and Meetings would much more flourish and be beheld with more delight and satisfaction not only by the Souldiers themselves but all other Spectators whatsoever I do not desire to be mis-understood by this Discourse that herein I should go about to startle any ingenious Souldier or disswade him from any thing that shall be new to his Invention which is proper I shall rather incourage him and be glad to understand of him what Reason he can give for every thing he doth and of what use it may be unto the Publick and then it will admit of no controulment But vacant seasons may be used for variety and delight in making experiments of wit fancy and ingenuity provided they do not dwell too much upon them But the substantial and solid things of War are above all things to be precisely regarded without which an Army though of the most valiant men will be exposed to the greatest dangers and fall into a most certain Ruine I should here humbly offer my Advice to the most eminent Meetings in the Artillery and Military Gardens in the latter of which I was heretofore a Member and still am a true Lover and honourer both of that and all other places like unto it My advice is that on their days of publick Meeting they would have chiefly before their eyes the main Grounds and Principles in the Art of War which through permission I am perswaded would cause greater appearances and make their Ground to flourish more then ever to the Honour of our Nation and the increase of experienced and able Commanders if ever this Commonwealth should stand in further need of them And because the Ambition of some doth strive to aim at higher things in their thoughts then what is practised abroad I have thought good to set down the plain way of exercising a Company as usually it is practised in the Army our Companies consisting of one hundred men two parts being Muskettiers and a third Pikes the depth of our Files being always six deep in the Armies of England Scotland and Ireland the Company being drawn up abrest the Exercise is as followeth they standing in their closest Order in Ranks and Files First Command Open Ranks backwards to Order Command Files open to the Right to your Order Command Ranks open backward to open Order Command Files open to the left to open Order Command Ranks open backward to double Distance Command Files open outward to double Distance Command Ranks close forward to open Order Command Files close inward to open Order Command Ranks close forward to your Order Command Files close to the left to your Order Command Face to the Right as you were Command Face to the Left as you were Command Face to the Rear as you were Command Face to the Front as you were Command Face to the Center as you were Command Face to Front and Rear as you were Command Face to the Right and Left outward as you were Command Face to the Right and left inward as you were Ranks and Files being at Open Order Ranks to the Right Double Files to the Left Double Ranks to the Left Double Files to the Right Double Command Half-files Double your Front to the Right Command Files Double your Depth to the Left Command Half-files Double your Front to the Left Command Files Double your Depth to the Right Command Bringers-up Double your Front to the Right Command Files Double your Depth to the Left every man falling behind his Bringer-up Direction Bringers-up Double your Front to the Left Files double your Depth to the Right every man placing himself behind his Bringer-up Command Double your Ranks to the Right or Left intire as you were Command Half-files double your Front to the Right intire Command Right Half-ranks double intire the depth of your left Half-ranks Command Half-files double your Front to the Left intire Command Left Half-ranks double intire the depth of your Right half-ranks Direction The same may be done to the Rear Command Files to the Right hand Counter-march and maintain Ground Command Files to the Left hand Counter-march and maintain Ground Direction The same may be done in Ranks as also both in Ranks and Files either maintaining gaining or losing ground of these in the Army we use but little Command Wheel your Battle to the Right Command Wheel your Battle to the Left Command Wheel your Battle to the Right about Command Wheel your Battle to the Left about Command Files file to the Right or Left Command Ranks file to the Right and Left First The Muskettiers being on both flanks first firing let the first Rank stand and fire every Rank passing through before his Leader after standing and fire till all have fired over twice or four times the Pikes moving slowly in the mean time they will upon a stand be reduced as at first Secondly Bring all the Muskettiers before the Pikes then let them fire in the Front falling off and flank the Pikes upon the Right Fire upon the right flank the body marching and the Muskettiers to pass on the left flank after the Pikes may charge to the right the body moving again Let the Muskettiers fire on the left flank and fall in the Reer of the Pikes who may after charge their Pikes on the left The body marching the Muskettiers may fire in the Reer and fall off to the Right and Left and flank the Pikes as at the first the body facing about the Pikes may charge to the Reer We usually fire in the Front sometimes two ranks standing the rest passing by turns then standing after they have gained the ground before their Leaders do fire till all have fired twice other times three Ranks fire together the first kneels down the second stoops the third stands upright then falling down the three last Ranks pass through and do the like This being done twice reduces them all as at first the Pikes moving slowly this being the usual way of exercising our Companies in the Army Rich. Elton Lieut. Col. FINIS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE COMPLEAT BODY OF The Art Military THE PUBLISHER To the READER HAving now an opportunity of reprinting the preceding Treatise of Military Discipline written by Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Elton containing the Discipline and Exercise of Foot-companies Regiments Brigades c. I thought it not convenient to let the Infantry March into the Field of the World any more without the Cavalry nor they without their Train of Artillery I have therefore endeavoured to make good the words of the Title namely The Compleat Body of the Art Military by adding the following Treatises wherefore to the Infantry here is added Cavalry and Instructions for them both in Posture
a Lieutenant In the Captains absence he commands the Troop He must be diligent to see the Souldiers do their duties and see that their Horses and Arms be in good case He is to bring up the Reer of the Troop and see the Souldiers keep Rank File and Distance orderly after the Captain and Cornet and to permit none to depart from the Body or Troop In fight he is to be still in the Reer with his Sword drawn encouraging the Souldiers and cutting if not killing such as shall presume to flinch He is to keep a List of the names and sirnames of the Souldiers in his Troop and know the sufficiency of each Souldier that he may make use of them accordingly The Troop being to go to Guard when neer the Lieutenant is to go before to the Lieutenant that is to be relieved and take notice of the Corps-du-guard and receive information from him when and where the Sentinels are to be placed what ways to clear and all other things necessary and he must visit the Sentinels often both by night and day he first himself having placed them If the Troop be lodged in a Village the Billets must be signed by the Quartermaster of the Troop and distributed to the Souldiers before the Cornets lodging where the Alto is made to attend the said Billets so that in case of an Allarm the Souldiers may know whither to repair If they stay longer then a day in one place the Lieutenant is to visit the houses to see that the Souldiers keep good orders and being to go away to bid them be careful to put out their Fires If they go to be lodged in a Town or Fort and there to keep Garrison the Lieutenant is to accommodate their Lodgings according to their degrees and deserts and wheresoever they lodge longer then a day he must write the name of the Souldiers upon the said Billets that if the Souldier commit any Misdemeanor he may be the readier discovered and punished When the Troop is to March and the Trumpets sound to Horse he must be first mounted and see the Souldiers do the same with all speed and finding any lingering either out of idleness or an intent to Plunder severely to chastise them He ought to have knowledge of the ways And if the Troop be charged by the Enemy himself with some of the most experienced Souldiers and best mounted in the Troop are to stay behind VII Of the Cornet IN the absence of the Captain and Lieutenant the Cornet is to command the Troops but in the Captains presence upon a March his place is in the Front before the first Rank but behind the Captain in his charging of an Enemy he is to charge with the Captain and endeavour to break his Standard upon the Enemy and being broken and falling to the ground he is not to regard taking it up again his honour lying much in the breaking of his Standard in chase either of Horse or Foot But if the Enemy should take the Cornets Standard unbroken it were to him a great disgrace And this is contrary to the practice of an Ensign in the Infantry the preserving of whose Colours is ever esteemed his greatest glory as is evident in the Example of one Jaques Martaeus who when most of his Souldiers had forsaken him he fought so long as he could and finding himself over-powred wound himself up in his Colours and dyed The Cornet of Cuirassiers in march hath his place at the head of the Troop and presenteth himself in the Alarm-place but in fight in the midst of the Troop having two third parts of the Souldiers behind him And this is the place of his marching in these times which does most agree with the manner of marching of the Infantry where the Ensign marches before the division of Pikes The Souldiers in the Front-division of the Troop must be those best armed and the most couragious He must keep a List of the Troop and send so many to the Guard as the Captain or Lieutenant shall appoint Once every day he is at the Lord-Generals passing by the Troop to do obeysance to him by inclining his body and Cornet towards the ground VIII Of the particular Quarter-Masters THe Quarter-Masters duty is when all the Troops are lodged together to accompany the Quarter-Master-General in his laying out of the general Quarters but if they are to be lodged in several places some of the particular Quarter-masters accompany the Lieutenant-General others the Commissary-General and if a Captain command the Quarters then the particular Quarter-Master maketh the Quarter There is much trust reposed in him as the distributing of the Word and the Billets and therefore ought to be honest and true to his charge When he goes with the Quarter-Master-General to make the Quarters or Lodgings he must be very diligent taking with him two or three of his Souldiers which are to return to their Troop as guides to conduct the rest to their Quarters IX Of the Corporals THe Corporal is to assist his Lieutenant in placing the Sentinels the Harquebusiers are to discover and scoure the ways and to officiate as forerunners or Scouts under the charge of one of their Corporals who must be an experienced person in respect of the ways If any place of importance be to be guarded a Corporal with his Squadron is sent thither he must be capable of good literature for that he must keep a particular List of his Squadron X. Of the Trumpeters A Trumpeter ought to be a politick discreet and cunning person for that the delivery of Embassies to and from the Enemy are by him performed In going upon any such he ought to have a vigilant eye upon their Works Sentinels and other things that lye in his passage and privately conceal them till his return And in his discourse with his adversary very cautious and catching or circumventing him by trapping him in his parley Besides this he must sound all the sounds of the Trumpet as the Bontezelle that is Set on the Saddle the Cheval which is Mount on Horse-back the Standard that is Repair to your Colours One Trumpet must always lodge with the Cornet for which the Captain must give allowance and he must always have his Trumpet about him upon a sudden Alarm XI Of the Auditor THe Auditor ought to be a man of great integrity and understanding in the Law In the absence of the Auditor-General he heareth and judgeth the causes of the Cavalry and maketh report thereof to his General or in his absence to the Lieutenant-General without whose order he cannot execute any of his sentences He is to keep neer the person of the General or Lieutenant-General who are to see him respected He is to take notice of the prizes of Victuals brought to the Quarters of Horse that they be sold at reasonable rates and to see that the Victuals suffer no extortion by the Provost-Marshal or his Officers In the States Army and at this time
ARMA PACIS FVLCRA Printed for T. Basset and H Brome 1668 sculpsit THE COMPLEAT BODY OF The Art Military In THREE BOOKS I. The Postures of the Pike and Musket with their Conformities and the Dignities of Ranks and Files their manner of joyning to the compleating of a Body their several Distances Facings Doublings Counter-marches Wheelings and Firings II. Twelve Exercises viz. Three with 24 three with 32 three with 64 and three with 144 Men. III. The Drawing up and Exercising of Regiments after the manner of Private Companies with the forming Brigades and Armies and the placing of Cannon and Artillery according to the practice of several Nations ALSO The Duties of all Souldiers and Officers Of Military Watches and the ordering of Regiments and Private Companies to Funeral-Occasions With the Postures of the Musket performed without the Rest By RICHARD ELTON Lieutenant-Col To which is added A SUPPLEMENT Comprehending these Particulars 1. The Duties and Qualifications of all Officers belonging to an Army 2. The Enrolling Arming and Exercising of the CAVALRY both in Posture and Motion 3. The Marching of an Army both Horse and Foot with Train of Artillery c. 4. The Designing and laying out of the QUARTERS for the Encamping of an Army both Horse and Foot with the Train of Artillery c. 5. The manner of securing the Quarters by Intrenchments and FORTIFICATION 6. Some of the practick part of the Art of GUNNERY Formerly written by Capt. Tho. Rudd chief Engineer to K. Charls the First LONDON Printed for W. L. and are to be sold by Henry Brome at the Star in Little-Britain and Thomas Basset under St. Dunstans Church in Fleet-street 1668. TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE Sir John Robinson Knight and Baronet PRESIDENT Sir Joseph Sheldon Knight VICE-PRESIDENT Colonel John Mew TREASURER And the rest of the COURT of ASSISTANTS Of the Ancient and Honorable ARTILLERY-COMPANY OF LONDON THE COMPLEAT BODY OF The Art Military The First BOOK CHAP. I. A discourse of the Postures and 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 been the neglect of many in our times who have strived to know high thoughts in the Art Military before they can well perform 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 boldness their proficiency therein He therefore that with safety ease and delight desireth to handle his Arms must set times apart frequently to practise himself therein And here I cannot but much blame the Officers of our Trained Bands in London of two great neglects 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 Buff-coat than another I speak 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 readiness in the performance of the Postures would much redound to 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 Arms which he useth for the better grace and becoming of them There are several 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. Several 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 abrest 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 stand undauntedly to undergo the cruel 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 several Commanders whom they shall think fit And lastly to conclude all that the Pike is the more honourable Arms it is so in respect of 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 find And so for present I will 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 judgment they shall perform 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
Left Reer Recover your Pikes and put up your Swords Advance your Pikes Charge to the Front Port your Pikes Charge to the Front Shoulder your Pikes Charge to the right Comport your Pikes Charge to the left Cheeke your Pikes Charge to the Reer 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 Funeral 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 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 four 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 perceived upon a Stand that then the Pike-man le ts slip his Pike from the shoulder until the butt-end rest upon the ground then laying his right arm over it he stands in an ill-favour'd lazie 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 find out such postures as these of himself if not prevented by the discretion of the careful Officers for upon a Stand the Souldiers properest posture is to Order his Pike And thus much in brief concerning the postures of the Pike CHAP. VI. The Postures of the Musket collected in a brief 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 answerableness 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 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 side with the barrel upwards 6 Trail your Rest and ballance your musket on the left side with the barrel downwards 7 Recover your musket and perform your Sentinel-posture 8 From this perform your funeral-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 Arms again observing the former Rule where the postures 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 Armes The butt-end of the musket standing or resting on the ground at the outside of 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 funeral-posture to the Pike trailing The musket rested to the pike cheeked which is his proper sentinel-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 general word of Command properly to the muskettiers belonging which is to make ready Now methinks I hear some ingenious Souldier begin to ask me What are 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 use of Ordering the Pike THe Pike being ordered is the proper posture of a Souldier upon a stand which he ought ever to mind 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 sentinel The use of Advanceing the Pike The Pike advanced is useful for the Souldier upon a Troop when they are to march swiftly either for the relieving of some Court of Guard or to repair to their place of Randezvous or upon some sudden 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 useful in the time of exercise to the half-files and bringers up upon any doubling to the Front for then they are always 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 conform in posture to the part doubled The use of Porting The use of Porting was invented for the ease of the reer half-files upon a charge for the front half-files are only for to charge the reer half-files in the mean time are to port It is likewise very useful 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 use of shouldering the pike is only properest upon the march in some kind very useful upon a stand in time of Fight provided they are at convenient distance from the Enemy For it much preserveth the pikes and pike-men 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 carry them The use of Comporting The comporting of the Pike is only useful to the souldier marching up a hill for if then he should be shouldered the butt-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
last Rank wheel six to the right and six to the left inward to both the Flanks face to your Leader and close Files to the midst to order Command Files file three to the right and left outward into Front and Reer Direction Half-files face about the three first and the three last Ranks are to stand the rest are to move by threes filing to Front and Reer to the right and left outward and after face to the Front and close their Ranks forwards to order Command Files file to the midst by Division Direction Half-files of the outmost Files face about and the outmost Files move forwards and file by Division unto the midst of Files face to your Leader Command Files rank inward into the Front Direction Files open from the midst to twice double distance and move forward to the right and left inward into the Front Command Ranks file six to the right and left outward Direction The outmost men are to stand the rest are to move side-ways to the right and left making six in a File and then the next outside men in like manner are to stand the rest successively are to file as before CHAP. XIV Next followeth several Figures of Battail with Firings upon the same for the performance whereof Command BRingers-up to double their Front to the right and left inward and Ranks and Files to open to open order and Muskettiers to close outward to close order the inmost Files of Pikes close outward to the same distance and they will stand in four Divisions after let the Middle-rank in each Division open outward to open order they will produce the first Figure The first firing Let the first Rank give Fire and wheel off to the right and left and place themselves in the room of them in the Reer and they at the same time moving forwards in their places and give Fire as the first after wheel off into their places again The second firing Let the Middle-ranks advance three foot before the Front and give Fire face about and move down into their places again Command The last Rank in each Division move to the left one pace and double to the right File-wise and then advance forward until their first men exceed two foot the Front of each Division then let the first Rank open outward to open order and the last Rank close inward to the same distance The first firing Let the middle File give Fire to the Front and fall in the Reer of themselves The second firing Let the first Rank give fire on the ground they stand and after fall off to the right and left into the room of them in the Reer they at the same time moving forward into their ground and give fire in like manner and fall off into their places again and then the Pikes may charge on whilest the Muskettiers make ready again Command Face all about middle File move forward three foot clear of the Reer the first Rank close inward to Order the last Rank open outward something more then to open Order Upon this Figure let the first man in each division kneel down and then to give fire altogether over one anothers heads the Pikes at the same time charging brest-high to the Horse then face all to their first Front Command The last men in the Reer double to the left Rank-wise Files close into the midst to Order Muskettiers double your Pikes inward entire advancing and move forward three paces Files double your depth to the right and left outward of each Arms every man falling behind his Bringer-up Front Half-files double your Reer entire into the midst Files double to the right and left outward Files file to the right entire advancing which being done wheel them to the right about into a Ring in form as followeth Upon this Figure let the Pikes charge round and the Muskettiers give fire all together which being ended let the Commander go to the place where the File-Leader stands and wheel them off again to the left until he hath brought them into one straight File and then proceed Command Half-files double your Front to the right Ranks double to the right and left inward Files double outward entire advancing Half-files of each Arms double your Ranks forwards to the left Front Half-files double the Reer to the left Files file to the left entire advancing and wheel about into a Ring then face all to the Center and close Files of each Arms to the right and left inward to close Order Command Middle-men in each Division move backward and place your selves two foot behind your right and left-hand-men face all about to the right and close Ranks inward to Order Upon this Figure let them Fire by circumduction after this manner let the odd men of Pikes port and then the odd Muskettier where the first Front was is to give Fire and to move away to the left and the next odd man of Muskettiers upon the right immediately comes stooping underneath the Pikes into the first mans place Firing in like manner moving away into the next odd mans place of the Muskettiers upon the left the rest doing the same until the Muskettier come into his place again Command Face all to the Center odd men move forwards and place your selves two foot before the right and left-hand-men after face all to the right about Upon this Figure you may Fire likewise by way of circumduction the Pikes porting all round and having performed one Firing in this manner in the next place let the odd Muskettiers and Pikes move forth again and kneel down the odd Pike-men charging at foot the Muskettiers may give Fire altogether then let them face to the Center and let the odd men move forwards and place themselves between the right and left-hand-men then moving and closing their ring let them face all about to the right Then let the Captain go where the Leader of the File stands and wheel him about to the left the rest following until they be all brought again into one streight File Command Files file three to the left into the Front Files double to the right intire advancing Front-half-files move forwards three paces Files double your depth to the right of each Division Half-files double your Front intire into the midst The two first and the two last men of Pikes upon each Flank face inward the two Middle-ranks face outward the two last Ranks of Muskettiers face about march all three paces to your Leader To pass by the Firings which may be performed upon this Figure I shall proceed from hence to draw another Command The outmost divisions of Muskettiers close inward to order Front and Reer Divisions of Pikes open outward to double distance Pikes double inward Rank-wise and they will stand as followeth Upon this Figure Fire to the Front in their several Divisions one after another and fall in the Reer of themselves then wheel off to the right into the Reer the rest of the Divisions
the place or room of them in the Reer and they at the same time are to move streight forward up into the Front and to give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then to wheel off to the right as the Front-divisions did until they come into their places again Then let the first outmost divisions give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves and after wheel off to the right and left into the ground of the Reer-divisions who at the same time are to move forward into their places and give fire and fall off as the former did The same firings may be perform'd to the Reer they being thither faced The second firing Let them face to both Flanks and give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves in each division then let the Pikes charge on to both Flanks and being retreated back again into their places let the Reer-divisions of Muskettiers move forth cleer of the standing part then let them double Ranks to the right in each division and give fire altogether after let them double Files to the left and fire again four Ranks together two kneel down and two stand upright then let the Pikes charge on and being retreated you may farther proceed Command Front-divisions of Muskettiers face about and march into your first places face all to your Leader middle-divisions of Muskettiers face outward and move cleer of the standing part Front-divisions of Muskettiers face about Front-division and Reer-division of Muskettiers move forward until you be cleer of the next divisions of Pikes that stand before you face all to your Leader and they will stand as followeth The first firing Let them face all to the right Flank and let the Front-division give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then let them wheel down into the Reer they at the same time moving up into their ground firing and falling off and moving down accordingly into their first places then let the other six divisions fire after this manner First the Front-divisions and fall in the Reer of themselves then wheel off to the right and left into the Reer of their own range and the next division may move forwards into their ground give fire and fall off in like manner and so successively let every division move up into their first ground relieving each other until they have fired two or three times over in this manner The second firing Let them face to both Flanks and let the inmost divisions of Muskettiers move forth to the right and left until they be cleer of the Pikes who are to port then the Muskettiers in each division may give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then the Pikes may charge on whilst the Muskettiers make ready again and being retreated into their places again you may proceed to another Firing The third firing Let the outmost divisions of Muskettiers face to the Front and Reer and the Pikes to the four Angles then let them give fire to Front Reer and both Flanks on the ground they stand in each division and fall in the Reer of themselves then let the Pikes charge on to the four Angles and being retreated into their places move in the outmost divisions of Muskettiers into their places again and then face all to their Leader Command Outmost divisions of Muskettiers face to the right and left inward and march until you range in the midst of Front and Reer-divisions of Pikes to your Leader Upon the former Figure let the Front-divisions of Muskettiers upon the Flanks move even with the Front of Pikes then let them fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then wheel about to the right and left into the place of the Reer-divisions who are to move forward into their ground and to fire and fall off accordingly Then let the middle-divisions of Muskettiers in the Front move forward likewise until they range even abrest with the Front give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves and then move cleer forth and wheel off to the right about into the ground of the reer-division of Muskettiers standing behind them they at the same time to move up into the Front and to give fire in like manner and to fall off accordingly until they have attained their first places Then let the three last divisions of Muskettiers and the Reer-divisions of Pikes face about and let the two middle-divisions of Muskettiers face outward and move cleer of the standing part then let the Muskettiers in Front and Reer move forward cleer of the Pikes and let them fire to Front Reer and both Flanks and fall in the Reer of themselves then the Pikes may charge on to Front and Reer and being retreated back into their places the Muskettiers in Front and Reer may face about and move down again into their first ground and the Muskettiers upon the Flanks are to face inward and to move into their places where formerly they stood then face them all to their Leader and proceed Command Reer-division of Muskettiers in the midst face about middle-divisions of Muskettiers move forward three foot before the Front and Reer Division of Muskettiers in the midst upon the right face to the left Angles and move until you stand even and straight in the next range of Muskettiers the next division of Muskettiers in the midst upon the left face about and then likwise face to the left Angle and move down into the next range of Muskettiers to them and to stand streight in the Reer of the Reer-division face all to your Leader produceth the next Upon the former Figure let the six last divisions face about and let the first divisions give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then wheel them about to the right and interchange ground with them that stand in the Reer who just upon their wheeling about are to move up cleer of the Pikes to make them room to fall down through the middle interval into their places who also are immediately to give fire and fall off accordingly Then let the outmost divisions give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then let the Pikes charge on to Front and Reer face them after to the Front at such time when the Pikes have retreated back into their places again Now if you will fire them to the Front the Muskettiers stand in such good order that you may fire them by divisions by their several turns as long as you please they relieving each other After you may fire them to Front Reer and both Flanks the Muskettiers standing in fit condition for the same But fearing to keep the Souldiers too long in Exercise debarring them thereby of their wonted refreshment I will hasten to the Reducement and for present lodge the Colours and conclude the eleventh Exercise Reducement Outmost Divisions of Muskettiers face outward and move six paces to your Leader The two first Divisions of Muskettiers in the midst face to the right and move clear of the Pikes then
Order and to joyn with the outmost Files when their aspects being to the outward Angles of Front and Reer let the Pikes port and Muskettiers give fire to the four Angles and fall in the Reer of themselves then let the Pikes charge on whilst the Muskettiers make ready again and after retreat back into their places again The ninth firing Let them give fire again the first rank in each Division and wheel about to the right and move down into their first places where before they were drawn forth and every rank consequently fall in the reer of them then let the Pikes close into the midst to Order and face all to their Leader Command Muskettiers face to the right and left outward and move twelve paces then face to the reer and move likewise twelve paces after face to their Leader Front-half-files of each Division move forward three paces right and left half-ranks of each Division move outward two paces Front-Divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers stand reer-divisions of both Arms move to the right and left outward until you be clear of the Front-divisions then close ranks and files in each Division to Order and face to their Leader they will stand in the first Figure The first firing Let the Front-divisions of Muskettiers move forward and range even abrest with the Front of Pikes give fire and fall in the reer of themselves then face about and move down into their own ground again and face to their Leader then let the outmost Divisions of Muskettiers move in like manner as the former did and give fire and fall off in like manner and down again into their places Let the Muskettiers in the next place face outward and move three paces and after face to the Front then let the reer-divisions of Muskettiers advance forward until they range even abrest with the Front-divisions then let them give fire all together in each Division and fall in the Reer of themselves and after let the outmost divisions that moved up move down again into their places then let the Pikes charge on and after retreat into their places The second firing Let the outmost Divisions of Muskettiers in the Front move forward before the Front of Pikes and the inmost Divisions of Muskettiers in the Front let them likewise move at the same time before the Reer-divisions of Pikes then let the Pikes port and Muskettiers in each Division give fire on the ground they stand and after fall in the Reer of themselves and those Muskettiers that formerly moved forth from their places let the Serjeants wheel them off to the right and left into their first ground and face to their Leader Command Inmost Divisions of Muskettiers in the Front face to the Reer Divisions of Pikes upon the left in the Front face about to the right Divisions that are thus faced move down three foot clear of the Reer of each Arms. Front-divisions both of Pikes and Muskettiers and those that last moved face to the left and move two paces face all to your Leader and Muskettiers move forward until your middle Divisions range even abrest with the Reer-divisions of Pikes and they will stand as followeth Upon this Figure let the Front-divisions give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves and then wheel off to the right and left into the ground of the Reer-divisions and they at the same time are to move up into their places and to give fire and fall off accordingly into their first places Then let the middle Divisions move forward until they range even with the Front of Pikes and let them give fire and fall first in the Reer of themselves and after face about and move down into their places again and face to their Leader then let the Pikes charge on and after retreat back again into their places They may fire to the Reer after the same manner as they did to the Front they being thither faced and after they have all fired face again to their Leader Command Let the four Divisions of Muskettiers upon the right move away and let the Divisions of Pikes fall in the Reer of them and the four Divisions of Muskettiers on the left to fall in the Reer of the Pikes then standing straight in their Divisions both Rank-wise and File-wise and they will stand as followeth Upon this Figure let the Reer Divisions face about to the right and let the first Divisions give fire to Front and Reer and fall in the Reer of themselves then let them advance forward three paces and after wheel about to the right and interchange ground with the Reer-divisions and they at the same time are to move up and give fire and fall off accordingly Then let the other Divisions move forward until they range even abrest with Front and Reer give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves after face about and move down into their places then face all to their Leader Command The four first divisions stand the rest face to the left and march cleer of the standing part then let the Pikes face to the Front and march up even abrest with the Muskettiers Reer-divisions of Muskettiers face to the Front and move up likewise Muskettiers face inward move all three or four paces until they stand in form of the second Figure face all to your Leader Reer-division of Pikes face about and move down three foot clear of the Reer to your Leader which produceth the last Figure Upon this Figure let the Reer-division of Pikes face about and Muskettiers face outward then let Pikes port and let the first Divisions of Muskettiers give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then face about and interchange ground with the Reer-divisions and face again to Front and Reer and let those that came up into their room give fire in like manner and fall off and down again into their places Then let the next Divisions give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves and let the Pikes charge on and being retreated back again into their places command the two middle Divisions of Muskettiers to face to the Reer and move down and range even with the Reer then let every Division of Muskettiers give fire on the ground they stand to both flanks and Reer and fall in the Reer of themselves the Pikes may charge on again and those Muskettiers that moved down into the Reer may face about and move back again into their places and face all to the Front Reducement Reer-division of Pikes advance forward to the left into the Front the two inmost Divisions of Muskettiers face about and march clear of the Reer then face to the right and left outward and place themselves behind the Reer-divisions of Muskettiers outmost divisions of Muskettiers face inward and move straight in the Reer of the Front-divisions and let the Pikes fall in the Reer of their Front-divisions and face all to their Leader Half-files of Muskettiers double your front to the right and left inward and after
commanding all the Muskettiers to stand and the Pikes to advance their Arms and move forward ten or twelve paces and then to stand and close their Files outward to Order three of their Colours moving with their Pikes to the right hand the other three moving away to the left After he may command Muskettiers to close their Files outward to Order and they will stand in four Divisions two of Pikes and in the Reer of them two of Muskettiers as underneath is set forth the Captains being all upon the head of the Pikes with their Ensigns and the Lieutenants in the Reer the Serjeants attending upon the Flanks of each division This being done command each division of Muskettiers and Pikes to face outward and to move to such convenient distance that being faced to the Front there may be room sufficient upon the subdividing of each division of Muskettiers for their moving up and flanking each body of Pikes After which the Major may assign unto every Captain and Lieutenant his due place of honour as they stand all abrest and that they may also naturally fall into their proper places upon the march which shall be set forth in the next Figure standing in two grand Divisions the one in the Reer of the other which may happen sometimes for want of ground but provided they have ground enough they ought to stand in one even range as in folio 5. The Major after they are thus drawn up in one even range will finde three Files of Muskettiers more in the second grand Division and two of the Pikes then is in the first therefore he must take from thence one File of each Company and add them to nine Files in the Reer which maketh them twelve and then he will have ballanced the divisions equal taking off one File of Pikes and placing it amonst the eldest Captains Pikes CHAP. III. The Reasons follow for the placing of the Captains their Colours and their Lieutenants after the manner before set down WHat hath formerly been declared concerning a Rank or File six abrest or six deep may be satisfactory in some kind unto this point which takes his rule from hence For all private Companies smaller Bodies or single Files must or ought to be as neer as they can conformable to greater Bodies as to Regiments and consequently they to Brigades Therefore take notice that this rule ought ever to be observed in the drawing of Regiments that the right Flank as neer as may be ought to be suitable with the left both in strength number and dignity and likewise to be so when they are drawn forth upon a long march the Front equal with the Reer Now suppose these two grand divisions stood even abrest we will begin to examine the first worth which is the Colonels and the fourth worth which is the eldest Captains and placed upon the right and left of the first grand division with the second and third worth who are the Lieutenant-Colonel and Major drawn up upon the right and left of the second grand division and you shall finde they are every way equivalent in number worth and dignity with that of the first In the next place there are no more to place but the fifth and sixth worth who are the second and third Captains and therefore since it is the first place of honour among the Captains in a Regiment to lead the first Body or Stand of Pikes it must then consequently follow that the second place of honour must be to lead the second grand division of Pikes and therefore the fifth worth is brought into and placed between the second and third that he may stand there to lead the second Body of Pikes wherein the Lieutenant-Colonel the Major and his own Colours are placed so that there remains no more but the sixth worth or youngest Captain to place who is to be drawn up between the Colonel and eldest Captain Now if we shall further proceed to ballance it more cleerly consider them by dividing them by two's in their places as first we will begin with the Colonel the first worth who hath joyned to him the youngest Captain which is the sixth worth and they two make the number 7 then compare the Lieutenant-Colonel who is the second worth unto the second Captain joyn'd with him which is the fifth worth and they make alike the same number after that compare the Major and elder Captain who are drawn up into the midst of the Regiment whose places carry the third and fourth worth and their number is suitable with the rest And thus much may be spoken in general now I shall come more particularly to give further satisfaction both for them and for all the rest and therefore I will give reasons for the placing of the Officers of the first grand division and cleering that the second will quickly be laid open to the view CHAP. IV. More particular Reasons for the placing of the Captains and Lieutenants of the first grand Division IN this grand Division there is the Colonel the eldest Captain and the youngest drawn up into the midst and they having each of them Lieutenants take notice therefore of these reasons for their placing thus That always upon such small Bodies as these the first honour is ever placed upon the right and the second upon the left and that which remains must of necessity be drawn up into the midst they standing all abrest These three Companies being ordered into a right and left Flank and one Stand of Pikes or Van-guard Reer-ward or Main-battail as they may be term'd the reasons follow for the thus standing of the Officers whether marching all even abrest or upon a stand it is the Colonels proper place to be on the head or midst of his grand division which is his chiefest place of security and where he ought to fight for standing there the other may more conveniently repair unto him for their orders as occasion shall require Now the Colonel being a Field-Officer is not absolutely tyed to any one place to fight as the rest are many occasions calling him from thence the eldest Captain therefore is appointed to take charge of the Body of Pikes whether it be upon a March to lead them or upon a Stand to fight them he ought never to forsake them but upon special command from his Colonel or other Field-Officers Now the reason why the first Body of Pikes is the most honourablest place to lead is as I conceive because the Colonels Colours are there flying and besides being the more ancienter Arms far more honour it is to lead them for most commonly the gallantest men of the Infantry desire rather to trail Pikes then to carry Muskets Moreover it hath been a constant practise in most places that the eldest Captain should have that place to lead on foot although many times his Colonel being on horse-back may be a little before him Having spoken of these two it remains to speak something of the youngest Captain
set forth to your view in Folio 147. Before the Major shall begin his Exercise he shall do well to appoint unto each Division the Captains and their Ensigns whose Colours in the mean time may be stuck in the ground or given to any of the File-leaders of Pikes to hold during the time of Exercise to take charge of them to order them according unto every word of command and the Lieutenant and Serjeants to each Division of Muskettiers that after silence is craved throughout the whole Regiment the Major by stretching out his voice in every word of Command the rest as his Eccho are immediately to give it out along the whole Front and from thence unto the Reer and every Officer to lead his men accordingly The Major having stated all things according to the former directions may if he please either face double counter-march or wheel to Front Reer or both Flanks in every particular Division And may after fire them by way of Divisions drawn off ten or twenty paces before the Front firing them 7 or 8 times over relieving them by other supplies marching up into their ground And may after face the Reer-divisions about and fire them to Front and Reer on the same ground they stand there being sufficient intervalls for their wheeling off in the Reer of themselves And after several firings in this kinde the Pikes may charge on but before they begin their firings the Pikes must close into the midst to order and Muskettiers to close their Pikes to open order and every Division to preserve so much ground betwixt each other for their conveniencie that after firing they may wheel off Now if you will fire or skirmish the one with the other then draw off the Reer or second grand Division and move them away and draw them up in opposition 100 foot distance of ground betwixt each Front and let the Lieutenant-Colonels Company be drawn up upon the right and the Majors upon the left of that grand Division that it may carry some answerableness with that of the Colonels The Muskettiers having six foot interval of ground betwixt each other before they begin to fire they may continue their firings of this nature as long as they please and the Pikes may after charge on to such convenient distance as that they come not within three Pikes length one of another for avoiding doing hurt the one to the other the Muskettiers still continuing their firing and falling in the Reer of themselves and when they come within distance not to present above knee-height for the above-named reasons Now the Souldiers being almost tired and all their Powder spent and retreating from each other that side which falls out to be strongest as being the Colonels grand Division or party may beat a parley to invite the weaker to come in to mercy offering them all fair Quarter provided they timely and presently receive it and that they will cheerfully and willingly go along with them and never any more revolt but be on their side to fight with them upon all just occasions as shall be required After which the Lieutenant-Colonel yeilding they may wheel about and march into the same ground from whence they were first drawn forth and be reduced to the same order and condition as they were before they began to skirmish And thus much shall suffice concerning the ordinary plain way of exercising of Regiments but those that shall desire a little more curiosity they may observe such Exercises as in the next place shall be set forth unto them CHAP. VIII A second way of exercising Regiments of the same number of men THe first grand Division being in the Front and clear of the second 12 paces every five Files being 18 foot of ground a part from each other and at their distance of order both in Rank and File in their own particular divisions as was mention'd in Folio 146. comes in this place to be set forth to their view And having past over some of the distances to bring them to this Station in standing in 24 Maniples or Divisions the next thing that I shall shew for Exercise shall be four several Figures of Battail branched from thence by proper words of Command with their reducement Command Divisions of Muskettiers face outward Pikes and Muskettiers march all twelve paces and stand to your Leader The two middle Divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers in the Reer next the Flanks face about outmost Divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers in Front and Reer face outward march all four paces 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 containing five Files apiece excepting the outmost Division of Pikes upon the right in Front and Reer and they contain six Files in each of them Command Divisions of Muskettiers face outward Pikes face about to the right march all until 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 Divisions 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 twelve last Divisions face about then set every Division march forward until they range even abrest with the Front and Reer and face to their Leader then let the Reer-divisions move forward within eighteen 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 eighteen 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 clear until you stand straight with the next Interval then face to the left and move in and double those Divisions on the right File-wise to your Leader Command Divisions double to the right Rankwise 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 clear of the standing part face to your Leader move up all even abrest and double according to command Command The 12 inmost Divisions double the six outmost to the right and left outward advancing Direction The 12 middle Divisions advance forward until you be six foot clear of the standing part then face outward and march until you stand straight before the six outmost face to your Leader and after face inward and move forward until they stand again unto eighteen 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 eighteen foot clear of the Reer face to the left and move until you stand straight 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 several 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 outmost 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 manner Command Divisions wheel about to the right to the right Flank Direction Face all to the left and let the outmost 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 kind reduceth them CHAP. XI Countermarches not fit to be used in the Exercising of Regiments IT might be expected after Doublings that I should shew some kinds of Countermarches amongst the Military Motions in the exercise of a Regiment but being of very little use or practise amongst Commanders in these times especially in such great Bodies and for my own part I fancy them not therefore have passed them over and pitcht upon such wheelings which by some are accounted Countermarches Whose judgements my desire is better to inform by these several reasons following wherein and in what kind they differ from them As thus by these wheelings they keep their distance in Rank and File unto Order and wheeling entire 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 particular Divisions and in the execution thereof they still preserve the honour of the right and left-hand-file-leaders and all others as are concerned in their particular Divisions unto any accidental Front which they shall be brought unto Now concerning Countermarches 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 particulars Their Countermarching of Files to the Reer gaineth no ground before the Front in the Motion but only the room of one particular 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 accidental Fronts they shall make but ever loseth it to some and giveth 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 kinde to the Souldiers for Counter-marches but by such terms as in their place are set down In the next place I shall speak something of the great benefit or use that may be made of these sorts of Wheelings as first a Commander may use them in the Motions of Doublings to Front Reer right-flank or left or double either the length or depth of the Battail unto all needful places as occasion shall require which I shall forbear to set down but leave them to the discretion of the ingenious Souldiers practise when time and opportunity shall serve him to make use of them In the next place they are very necessary to draw off any part and to bring them unto such needful places for Service as are in eminent danger Therefore passing over for present what might be more spoken of in this kinde I come in the next place to shew one Figure of Battail to fire upon and then conclude my Exercise upon this Regiment and go on unto the rest Command Pikes close Files to the right to Order then let them in the Reer double their Front to the left intire Muskettiers advance forward until your Front-divisions exceed six foot the Front of Pikes the two inmost Divisions of Muskettiers in the Front move forward 20 paces and close inward to open Order the two inmost Divisions of Muskettiers in the Reer face about and move down six paces and close inward to open Order to your Leader Muskettiers upon the Flanks close to the Body of Pikes to open Order Middle-divisions of Muskettiers in the Reer by each Flank face about Middle-divisions of Muskettiers by each Flank move forward six foot cleer of the standing part face to your Leader and it will set forth the Figure as it stands in Folio 151. CHAP. XII Several Firings to be performed upon the former Figure and how to be managed by the several Officers THe Regiment being drawn up into the former Figure they may proceed to Firings upon it first let the Forlorns fire five or six times over being commanded by the eldest Captains Lieutenant who is to be assisted by a couple of able Serjeants after let him wheel them off to the right and left and bring them down in the Reer of the Pikes Then let the second Captains Lieutenant being assisted by two Serjeants lead up the reserves by the outside of the Pikes at such time when the Forlorns begin to come off for the better securing of them from danger upon their retreat then let them move forward to their ground and give fire in like manner falling in the Reer of themselves and after wheel them off to the right and left and bring them down in the Reer of those Muskettiers that are behind the Pikes
Then let the Front and Reer-divisions of Muskettiers next the Flanks advance forward 12 paces the Muskettiers upon the right to be led away by the Captain-Lieutenant and those upon the left by the third Captain being assisted by four Serjeants apiece let them fire the first Divisions some six or eight times over falling in the Reer of themselves then wheel them off to the right and left into the ground of those Divisions that follow them and facing again to their Front then let the Reer-divisions advance forward into their places and give fire in like manner to the former which being ended let those four divisions be led down into their first places Then let the next eight Divisions by the Pikes advance forward until they be cleer of the standing part those four Divisions upon the right are to be led away by the Majors Lieutenant and the Captain-Lieutenants Bringer-up and those four Divisions upon the left by the Lieutenant-Colonels Lieutenant and the third Captains Lieutenant assisted by 12 Serjeants then let them fire some half a score times the Front-divisions falling in the Reer of themselves after wheeling off to the right and left into the ground of their Reer-divisions they then moving up into their places may fire after the same manner and having ended they may be led down all again into their first places Then Command the first Divisions of Muskettiers to face about to the right and let them and the two last Divisions move forward and range even abrest with those that stand before them and after face all to the Front then let the Muskettiers face outward and move 12 paces and after face again to the Front then move up those divisions that were the Forlorn-hope to the right and left into the Front unto their first places and those that were the Reserves up even abrest with the Reer from whence they were taken after let them fire in and even Front altogether some half a score times over and fall in the Reer of themselves then let the Colonels eldest and second Captains move forward the Pikes and charge on if they please the Colours falling in the second Rank being furled up and after let all order their Arms and reduce them into Companies again Reducement Left-half-ranks of Pikes face about and move down until you range even with the Reer-divisions of Muskettiers face to your Leader Right-half-ranks of Pikes advance forward and range even abrest with the Front-divisions of Muskettiers Files close to the left to Order of each grand Division then they will stand in two grand Divisions as at first the one in the Reer of the other then draw up the second grand Division provided there be room upon the left of the first Then let a Serjeant of each particular Company draw off those thirteen Files which before were taken off to ballance the Divisions into equal number and were appointed for the guard of the Ammunition or Baggage and bring them to joyn with their own Arms where their Captains Companies stands Which being done let every Captain draw off his own men being assisted by his Lieutenants and Serjeants and compleating them up into a Body as at first his Pikes to be flanked with Muskettiers they may after march away in single Companies after such manner unto their several Quarters as shall be appointed to them by the Major And here I shall conclude concerning a Regiment of six Companies CHAP. XIII The manner of drawing up a Regiment consisting of seven Companies conteining in the four Captains twelve Files of Muskettiers and six of Pikes in each of their particular Companies and in the three Field-Officers sixteen Files apiece of Muskettiers and eight of Pikes which amounts to the number of 864 men IT hath been my observation in the City of London and the Suburbs thereof there being eighteen Regiments nine of the Trained Bands and nine of the Auxiliaries that their Regiments in some have but six Companies others and that for the most part seven and again in some and but a few to have eight Companies I shall therefore for the better satisfaction of such as remain unskill'd herein go through them all partly to shew the practise of this our City in their several drawings up with the reasons to confirm the same And having passed over as much as is convenient to satisfie any ingenious Souldier concerning the drawing up of six Companies in a Regimental-way with the confirmation and reasons of every particular Officer as he there stands it may in many things give full light to this that follows of seven Companies Yet nevertheless for more fuller satisfaction herein I shall shew the true manner hereof that I may not be wanting to any Souldiers benefit that he shall receive thereby Where note for better Order herein that I have pitcht upon a particular number of men although it may many times fall out so that the Captains Companies and the Field-Officers cannot be so full as I have here set down Or again it may chance to fall out as in our Trained Bands of London that they be a great deal fuller as sometimes they are for I have led a particular Company my self upon a general day being drawn into the Filed consisting of above 300 men Yet nevertheless whether the Companies be great or small observe this general Rule make two grand Divisions and ballance their number equal in both Arms and make no more Sub-divisions then what you have Captains to lead and Lieutenants to bring up and let the Serjeants march by the Flanks and not presume either to lead or bring up any divisions being conceived by most to be very improper And again if you fight the Regiment let your Muskettiers as neer as you can be equal alike in their Sub-divisions as they may most conveniently fall out whether four five or six abrest it makes no great matter always leaving in time of fight between such numbers of Files six foot of ground interval for to wheel off their Ranks after they have fired Now suppose the whole Regiment were marching to their general place of Randezvous the Major being there beforehand attending the Companies coming in he Orders to the Colonels Company the most convenient place for their drawing up and next to him the fourth Captains Company upon the left and next to him the third Captain and after him the eldest or first Captain which makes the first grand Division In the next place he orders the Lieutenant-Colonels Company to be on the left of the whole Regiment standing in even Front with the Colonel upon the right of him the second Captain is placed and after him the Majors own Company which make up the second grand Division Having thus far proceeded let the Major command the Pikes and Colours to advance forward ten paces before the Front of Muskettiers then let him close the Pikes of the first four Companies to the right to Order and the Pikes of the last to the left to
by the way laying of them secretly in some Ambushments Which being truely considered of care may be taken accordingly of Supplies in other remote places free from the danger of the Enemy To conclude a Quarter-Master ought to carry himself honestly and carefully in his place and to be well skill'd in the Art of Mathematicks that he may the better give Directions for fortifying and measuring of ground quartering of his whole Regiment and in hutting of the particular Souldiers The duty of a Serjeant HE that is a Serjeant to a Company ought to be well skill'd in the Postures and all Military Motions whereby in the first place he may endeavour to correct the errours of such who handle not the Arms in a handsome or a serviceable way And secondly that he may be helpful to his Captain or other Superiour Officer In time of his Exercise his duty is to draw forth the Files according to such depths as shall be appointed unto him by his Captain or other Superiour Officer and to order them in the drawing up and joyning together the Souldiers unto such places of honour as they shall direct him unto In a single Company he leadeth oftentimes a Division but ought not always there to march in respect he is concerned to see that the Souldiers march even in their Ranks at their distance of Order in File and open Order in Rank To which purpose he ought many times to be upon the Flanks and perceiving any Souldier out of order he may cast in his Halbert between their Ranks to cause him to march even abrest with his right and left-hand-men He is likewise either in Field or Garrison to lead his Squadron to their Guard and to carry to prison such Offendours as his Captain or other Superiour Officer shall commit to the Provost-Martial He is to see that the Muskettiers in time of skirmishing present all even abrest with their Matches all cockt giving fire all together in good Order and to direct them how to fall off and rally again in the Reer of their own Divisions His duty likewise is to fetch Ammunition Powder Match and all other Materials for the Company He is moreover every particular evening to attend at the place of Parade or at the Majors Lodging to fetch the Word and carry it to his Captain Lieutenant Ensign and Corporals and likewise as soon as he is come unto his Guard he must direct the Corporals where to set out the Perdues and Sentinels and how to order his Watch. He must likewise make Rounds and if he finde a Sentinel asleep in the Field he is to commit him to the hand of Justice And thus much concerning the duty of a Serjeant Of an Ensign AN Ensign being a Commission-Officer in the absence of his Captain and Lieutenant is Commander in chief of the Company and ought to march upon the head of the same leading them with a Half-pike His Captain and Lieutenant being present and upon a Stand his Colours ought to rest upon his side being held by his right or left-hand and unfurled upon the March his Colours ought to be shouldered taking up the corner-end of them in his right-hand and to let them be half flying the Pikes and Muskets all conforming unto the same Posture Marching through a City for the more grace his Colours may be wholly flying being advanced and held up by his right-hand or resting upon his right side He ought to be a proper man grave valiant and discreet and to be well skill'd in the Postures of the Pike in respect he leads them and they expect from him to be taught the Postures thereof He ought to be well skill'd in all the lofty Figures of the displaying of the Colours above the head and to make use of them according to discretion and command which is not onely a healthfull exercise to his body but also most becoming to him or any other Gentleman or Commander whatsoever that shall sometimes make use of the same although condemned through sloth and ignorance by others who will not take the pains to learn it An Ensign upon a Troop lodging he Colours or in time of skirmishing may fold them up and retreat into the second Rank for the securing of his Colours which he ought to stick by and not to stir from them at such a time although he hazardeth his last drop of blood or makes them his winding-sheet When the General shall pass by or any such man of worth he ought a little to vail his Colours inclining the head or narrow end thereof a little downward but not to bow his knee or uncover his head He may sometimes for his ease or recreation upon the March request some Gentleman of knowing trust of the Pikes to carry his Colours for him until such time as he shall come again for to take them In the absence of his Lieutenant when his Captain shall exercise the Company he may stick his Colours in the ground or deliver them to some Gentleman of the Pikes and fall down himself in the Reer with a Half-pike or Cane there to be an assistant to his Captain in supplying the Lieutenants place except his Captain should command him to the contrary He ought to have a Guard along with him as well to the lodging of his Colours as to any other place He ought to perform all courteous offices for the Souldiers unto his Captain which will gain him both love and reputation amongst them they thereby better respecting him and more couragiously following of him Of a Lieutenant HE that is a Lieutenant to a Company ought to be a good and able Souldier and well to understand the Duty of a Captain in respect that in his absence he is as Captain and Commander in chief over them He is likewise to receive all Orders Charges and Commissions from his Captain assuming no authority unto himself but in the absence of his Captain he is to see all such Orders he hath received duly executed for the better ease unto him He is likewise at such times frequently to exercise the Company in all their Military Motions Skirmishings and False-firings in the pan He is to hold the Serjeants and Corporals strictly to their duty causing them to provide all things necessary for the Company and to be assistants unto him where he shall see cause He is to teach and instruct the Souldiers in the use of their Arms and sometime for their ease he may command every File-leader to draw forth his File and to shew them their postures By which means he shall do such good service to his Captain that when he shall exercise them himself he may find them more apter and readier to fulfil his Commands at which time the Lieutenant ought to be in the Reer and to see all things there truly executed according to the Captains commands He is in time of danger and great importance to advise with his Captain about the welfare of the Company for knowing
would say Command To the left hand Direction It is done by turning towards the left hand until their faces front to that place which was before the Reer To reduce them to their first form as that must be observed the word is Command To the right hand about as you were Command To the left hand about Command Ranks to the right double The use hereof hath been shewed before but to perform it this is the Direction Every other Rank that is every even Rank is to pass into the odd upon the right hand of his Leader the second Rank into the first and so successively To reduce them the Word is Command Ranks as you were Direction It is best done by causing those Ranks which doubled to stand and those that stood to advance Command Ranks to the left double Direction The difference of this Motion from the former is nothing but that here they which double do it to the left hand of their Leaders which before they did to their right hands as the Figure maketh it plain This done they must be reduced by commanding Command Ranks as you were Command Files to the Right Double Direction Let the second File pass into the First every man behinde his side-man accounting from the right hand the fourth into the third and so the rest which must be done through the whole Company at one instant But because the first Rank of the Troop is as the edge and the Files are for the most part appointed but five deep there seemeth no great necessity of doubling Files To reduce them the Word is Command Files to the left as you were Command Files to the left double Direction The Difference between this and the former Motion is the difference of hands only And by this means those Files which stood before must move now and they which moved before now stand as appears by the Figure They are reduced by commanding Command Files as you were or Ranks to the Right double Command Half Files to the Right hand double the Front Direction Middle Men double the first Rank on the right hand the other three Ranks double the threee following Ranks To reduce them the Word is Command Half files as you were But it is better to cause them that doubled to stand and the first Division to advance Command Half-Files to the Left hand double the Front Direction This Motion differs from the former in the hand only There is also doubling of Ranks by the Half Files entire to the right or left or both by Division but because the Files especially of Guirassiers are seldome above five deep the doubling of Ranks Half-files c. is little used The reducing of them is shewed in the former Motion Command Bringers-up to the right hand double the Front Direction The last Rank must pass into the first and so successively every one by the right hand of his Leader as in the figure It is of goood use but troublesome for the Horse to perform especially in the reducing so it may be used or omitted as shall be thought fit To reduce them Command Bringers-up as you were Command Files to the Left hand Countermarch Though it were fit to begin with the right hand yet for the convenient turning of the Horse to the left I think it not amiss to prefer the left Direction The Figure sufficiently represents the manner of the Motion which represents the Choraean manner there be also Countermarches after the Macedonian and Lacedemonian ways which for brevity are here omitted Command Files close to the right and left to your close Order Direction Being about to wheel the Troop they must be closed first the Files and then the Ranks And being to open them again the Ranks are first to be opened and then the Files All the Files close to the right and left towards the middle of the Body Command Ranks close forward to your close Order Direction All the Ranks move forward saving the first which stand The second Rank having their distance stand and so all the rest The Horse being to wheel it must be conceived that it cannot be performed by them in so exact a manner nor in so strait a room as the Foot therefore the Commander is to ride a reasonable compass that so the Horse may do it with convenience Command To the left hand Wheel Certain Authors as Melzo and Basta would have the Horse in all their Wheelings to do it by the left which is the readier way unless the ground or other hinderace will not permit it the Wheeling to the Right is here omitted which should in order go first Direction All the Body must move to the left upon the left File-leader who is the Center or Hinge upon which the whole Body turneth To reduce them Command Wheel as you were There is also Wheeling to the Right or Left about Wheeling Wings into the Front c. To reduce them into their first Order Direction First the Ranks are to be opened then the Files which bringeth them to their first form In opening of Ranks the only way is to do it by opening forward These and such like Motions are directed and commanded by the Voice of the Commander but because the Voice cannot at all times be heard especially in gross bodies by reason of the clashing of Armor trampling and neighing of Horses tumultuous sounds and noise of the Multitude and that especially in fight Antiquity hath invented helps making three kinds of Military Signs or Directions 1. Vocal which is by the Commanders Voice pronounced by the inferior Officers to the Ear. 2. Semivocal by Drum Trumpet or other Warlike instrument to the Ear. 3. Mute By Signs to the Eye as by the Ensign Standard c. The Cavalry therefore must be taught distinctly to know the Sounds of the Trumpet as when to clap on their Saddles when to mount when to repair to their Cornet when to Troop away when to give a Charge when to retreat when to attend the Watch and the like All which being the louder Voice of the Commander they must perfectly observe and obey Notwithstanding I have here propounded a Troop of 64 Horse to be exercised in their Motions and those of eight in File yet the general opinion is that a Troop ought not to be deeper then five in File though the Troop do consist of 100 Horse Every Troop must be furnished with A Captain A Lieutenant A Cornet A Quartermaster Three Corporals Two Trumpetters A Clerk A Sadler A Ghyrurgeon A Farrier When the Troop is to March they are to be divided into three equal parts according to the number of Corporals which parts are called Squadrons and distinguished by these Names The Captains Lieutenants and Cornets Squadron The first Squadron is to be led by the Captain the second by the Cornet the third by the eldest Corporal the Lieutenant and Quartermaster are to march in the Reer The manner how a Troop of 60 Horse besides Officers should March