foot between ranke and ranke distance for motion sixe foot both in ranke and file distance for wheelings and skirmish three foot in ranke and file Onely if you were to receive a charge from the horse it is necessary for your files of Pite-men to be at close order Wherefore we will rehearse all the ordinary wayes for the opening and closing both of files and rankes But in the first place command them to even their Rankes and streighten their Files to be silent attend to their words of command and direction c. Rankes and files to your close order Files open to the right to your order Rankes open forward Files open to the right to your open order Rankes open forward Files open to the right to your double distance Rankes open forward Files close to the right to your open order Rankes close forward Files close to the right to your order Rankes close forward Files close to the right to your close order Rankes close forward Files open to the left to your order Rankes open backward Files open to the left to your open order Rankes open backward Files open to the left to your double distance Ranks open backwards Files close to the left to your open order Ranks close backward Files close to the left to your order Ranks close backward Files close to the left to your close order Ranks close backward Files open right and left to your order Ranks to the front reere Files open right and left to your open order Ranks to the front and reere Files open right and left to your double distance Ranks to the front and reere Files close right and left inward to your open order Ranks to the middest Note that when Files open to the right the left-hand file must stand fast every file taking his distance from the file next his left hand And when they open to the left then the right hand file stands every file taking his distance from the file next his right hand Obserue also that when Ranks open forwards then the last ranke stands every Ranke taking his distance from the Ranke next behinde him And when they open backwards then the first Ranke is to stand every Rank to take his distance from the Ranke next before him You are likewise to take notice in the action that you are either to face to the right or to the right about Note also that in closing of Files if it be to the Right then contrary to the opening the right hand file stands the rest closing to the Right taking their distance from their next right hand file If you close to the left then the left hand file stands the rest of the files closing to the left taking their distance in like manner When Files close to the right and left then they close inward taking their distance from the files within them neerer to the middest of the bodie Also note that when Files are commanded to open to the right and left or by division it must be outward If Ranks close to Front and Reere then the first and last Ranke stand the others taking their distances from them If they close Ranks towards the center or midst then they close towards their two middlemost Ranks It is not required that every Captaine or other Officer that shall exercise a Company shall use all these several openings and closings which are here exprest but rather that he shall make use of so many of them as he shall thinke fit for his present occasion or exercise Although they all may be usefull at some time or other I may spare examples for it must needs be apparant to the meanest capacities CHAP. VII Of marching the Company in Divisions at length the order and places of the Officers and againe drawing them into forme of Battell NOw that our Souldiers are somewhat expert in their distances we will next draw them forth into a long March Wherefore note that our files must be at order and our Ranks at open order The Muskettiers of the right flanke are to make the Van and to march next after the Captaine The Pikes are to make the battell and to march after the Ensigne either in one or two divisions according to their number The Muskettiers of the left flanke sometimes called the second division of Muskets make the Reere Guard which is led commonly by the second Serjeant How beit if there be but one division of Pikes then the eldest or chiefest Serjeant leads the second division of Muskettiers If the Company be but small then it is best to make but two Divisions one of the Muskettiers another of the Pikes For the placing of the rest of the Officers you may perceive by the figure in the margent Wherefore note that M. stands for Muskets p. for Pikes D. for Drummes S. for Serjeants E. for Ensigne L. for Lieutenant and C. for Captaine Note if you have but three Drummes then let the Drumme in the second division of Pikes be wanting If onely two then upon a March the first betweene the third and fourth ranke of the front division of Muskettiers The second betweene the third and fourth ranke of the second division of Pikes Note that betweene each Division in March there ought to be 12. foot distance 6. foot betweene the Officer and 6. foot behinde him CHAP. VIII Of drawing the divisions up into a square WHen you would bring your body againe into Battalia command your front division to make Alt or Stand then give order to your Ensigne either by a Serjeant or by some signe to leade up the first division of pikes on the left of the first division of Muskettiers with his colours flying and the Pikes to continue shouldered so long as the Drumme beats a March But if it beat a Troope then the Pikes are to advance and close their Ranks forward to their order and so the Ensigne to troop them up with his colours fierld The eldest Serjeant is to leadeup the second division of Pikes The second Serjeant in like manner is to leade up the second or reere Division of Muskettiers each division still marching up to the left of that division next before it The manner you may plainly see in the figure where the front division is marked in the Reere with the letter A. The first Division of Pikes with the letter B. The second Division of pikes with C. The second Division of Muskettiers hath in the Reere the letter D. The other figure on the other leafe in form of a square shewes their standing after the Divisions are led up All the file-leaders standing even in front together making one Ranke The discipline of the Art Militarie may rightly be divided into these five generall heads viz. Distance Facings Doublings Countermarches and Wheelings which have beene not unaptly compared to the five vowels For as without one or more of the vowels no word can be spelled so without one or more of these neither
Pikes   From the Treile Charge to the Front Treile as you were Right Left Reere Order your Pikes Lay down I shall undergo the censure of some for that they will finde more Postures of the Pike here then formerly they knew of and so by their conclusion more then there is any need of for now-a-dayes there are such that will limit discipline to the verge of their owne knowledge and whatsoever else they shall see either acted or written by others that is without the lists of their kenning they will peremptorily conclude for superfluous and improper howsoever I shall alwayes referre my selfe to the judgment of the more judicious The charges of the Pike are twofold either for defense or offence Charges underhand or over-hand but divers and different they are from their severall wayes and Postures from which they are or may be done although they are not all alwayes usefull yet at sometimes they may be usefull and therefore very requisite to be known to all such as either are or at lest would be accounted for good Souldiers As I have set down the Postures themselves both of Musket and Pike so it were not much amisse if that the Motions of Posture were likewise here exprest But because they will take up too much time fill too much paper and the Subject it selfe not pleasing unto many I will spare my labour and my booke the lines rather suffering the censure of curtail'd brevity then tedious prolixity CHAP. III. Of the Drum OVr Souldiers being sufficiently instructed in the Postures of such Armes as they carry or are appointed to use the next thing they are to learn is the knowledge of the severall beats of the Drum which is as requisite to be learnt of the Souldier as any thing else in this way For the Drum is the voice of the Commander the spurre of the valiant the heart of the coward and by it they must receive their directions when the roring Canon the clashing of armes the neighing of horses and other confused noise causeth that neither Captaine nor other Officer can be heard Wherefore it will be most necessary for him to learne these sixe severall Beats viz. 1 A Call 2 A Troope 3 A March. 4 A Preparative 5 A Battaile 6 A Retreit 1 By a Call you must understand to prepare to heare-present Proclamation or else to repaire to your Ensigne 2 By a Troope understand to shoulder your Muskets to advance your Pikes to close your Rankes and Files to their order and to troope along with or follow your Officer to the place of Randesvous or elsewhere 3 By a March you are to understand to take your open order in ranke to shoulder both Muskets and Pikes and to direct your March either quicker or slower according to the beat of the Drum 4 By a Preparative you are to understand to close to your due distance for skirmish both for ranke and file and to make ready that so you may execute upon the first command 5 By the Battaile or charge understand the continuation or pressing forward in order of battaile without lagging behind rather boldly stepping forward into the place of him that fals dead or wounded before thee 6 By a Retreit understand an orderly retiring backward either for reliefe for advantage of ground or for some other politicall end as to draw the enemy into some ambushment or such like Much more might be written concerning the Drum but this may suffice for the present CHAP. IV. Of Rankes and Files their places and dignities NOw that our Souldiers are somewhat skilfull in managing of their armes and no lesse capable of the severall beats of the Drum it is high time for them to know the difference between a Ranke and a File Wherefore know that a Ranke is a row of men sometimes more sometimes fewer standing moving or marching even a breast or as some write pouldron to pouldron or shoulder to shoulder A File is a sequence of men standing one behinde another backe to belly in a straight line from Front to Reere consisting sometimes of 6. 8. or 10. men on some occasions the Spaniards make them 12. deepe But when any one would shew much variety of exercise then 8. will be the more pliant and dividual number yet for service in the field where men are not altogether so expert as I could wish our Country-men were 10. men is the fittest number not onely for the cause aforesaid but also because that 10. is the square root of a 100. and is a better number to draw Companies into grosser bodies And now I thinke it would not be much amisse if I should here insert the severall places of digninity and precedency in Ranke as also in File Wherfore because that Files are first to be drawn forth and that by adding or joyning of Files together Rankes are made we will begin first with Files Wherefore conceive their honour according to the figures or numbers hereunder placed first in File then of Rank lastly of both cōjoyned It will not be of it selfe sufficient that I have both marked and figured the places and dignities to each particular man in his File and Ranke but it will be looked for of some that I should backe my opinions either with sound and good reasons of mine owne or at the least with the opinions of some others as for such as have employed themselves upon this subject they have been as divers in their judgements as their number each man having a fancie to his owne way And if it were much materiall I might have here demonstrated unto you the severall opinions of Leo Robertellus Count Mansfield Sir Thomas Kellie and many others whose workes being extant I will spare the labour But above all the rest that ever I read Captaine Iohn Bingham hath in my judgement best delivered himselfe in this particular which although he have exprest by way of Tetarchies and Mirrarchies yet the same may be understood as well by Rankes and Files His words are these Every Tetarch is over foure Files in all which the Commander that hath the right hath the first place he that hath the point of the left the second place he that standeth on the right hand next to him the third place The last place is his that standeth next to the Commander of the right point on the left hand He demonstrates it by way of figure thus CHAP. V. Reasons for precedency of dignity in Rankes and Files I Shall now endevour to give some reasons for these severall places of dignitie in Ranke and File And first for that Geometricall proportion gives both life and being to orderly discipline consider that all parts of the body ought to be answerable Wherefore seeing that the joyning of Files and Rankes produceth greater Bodies it is necessary that a true proportion should be kept from the beginning and that in drawing forth of Files they observe to make the Reere halfe files answerable in
may by this figure easily apprehend what the other would be CHAP. XIII Of doublings of Files IN this doubling of Files you may perceive that each of the even files doubleth into the odde files beginning from the hand named as in this doubling of files to the left the left hand file stands fast the second file doubleth into it the fourth file into the third and so for the rest If your command be to double your files to the right then contrariwise the right hand file stands fast the rest of the even files doubling into the odde accounting from the right as before from the left Thus much may suffice for the doubling of files onely take this by way of admonition that as in doubling of ranks any way you are to observe your right hand leader so in doubling of files you are to observe your file-leader so that as neere as possibly may be you may either in ranke or file be altogether in one motion If you please further to observe with me that this doubling is a doubling of number and not of place the depth of the battell not being thereby extended for further satisfaction observe this figure Files to the left double Files as you were CHAP. XIV Of doublings by bringers-up THis doubling which next followeth shall be a doubling by Bringers-up of which sort one figure will be sufficient which I hold most necessary to demonstrate in manner of motion The figure followeth This doubling of Ranks by Bringers up differeth from the other doubling of ranks first done both in quantity and quality In quantity it differeth in regard the other leaves a large distance betweene Ranke and Ranke being double the distance they formerly stood at this contrariwise continuing and preserving the same distance they formerly stood at betweene each Ranke In quality it also differeth in regard that it brings the best and second sort of Souldiers together into the Front The manner of this doubling you may plainely perceive by the figure where it is performed as followeth The eight or last ranke which are the bringers up passe forwards even in ranke through or betweene the intervales to the right of them that stand before them until they come even in ranke with the Front The seventh rank following those which marched from behinde them placing themselves in the second Rank the sixth in the third the fifth ranke or halfe file in the fourth or reere of the front halfe file This doubling maketh a very able Front in bringing all the best Souldiers together And although it hath diminished the number in regard of the depth yet it hath doubled the number in the length This doubling is in quantity of number not of ground When you march into your places remember this that the Rank which last tooke his place in the execution of this motion must first march into his place in the way of reducement For as they are led forth by their Bringers up contrariwise they are led off by their halfe file leaders In the doubling of the Front to the left by Bringers up it is the same onely differing in this that whereas before it was to the Right this is to the Left Wherefore let this suffice for doublings by Bringers up CHAP. XV. Doublings of Files outward and inward THe next doubling is a doubling of Files outward which workes the same effect as to double Files to the right and left For the right flanke is to double to the right the left flanke to the left As you may plainely perceive by the following Figure This doubling of Files to the right and left outward strengthneth both the Flanks at once by doubling their numbers in depth But it weakneth the Inward part where it taketh two Files cleane away leaving a large Interuale in the midst Some say it is good when a Commander will grace any to bring them through the center or midst of the Battalia But you must note if you have an odde File you cannot so punctually performe it as when the number of your Files be even The manner of the doubling you may perceive by the Figure The motion by the little lines drawen from the Pricks The performance is as followeth The outmost File of each Flanke stands The second Files double into them The third File from each Flanke stands The fourth File double into the third The sixt into the fift and so likewise for the rest If you would double Files to the right and left inward it is to be done the contrary way For whereas in this Figure of doubling last performed the outmost Files stand the other doubling outward into them Contrarywise the two inmost Files should stand the rest doubling to them inward And whereas in this there is a larger distance in the midst then is in any other part The other part Contra would bee closest in that part Some men doe not approove of either of these doublings I leave every man to his owne choice The practise of it makes perfection and he that can doe much may doe lesse when he liâ—teth CHAP. XVI Of doubling by Halfe-files THe next doubling is a doubling by Halfe-files whereby the length of the Battaile is extended to double the former proportion of number the depth being extenuated both in number and place This Figure will demonstrate unto you the manner of the motion which is as followeth This doubling our Rankes forward by our Halfe-files is a MorioÌ„ generally approved of by all for serviceable if it be done with conveniencie It differeth from the other doubling by Bringers up in quality not in quantity for therein they keepe one proportion In quality it differeth thus The doubling by Bringers up brought the best and second sort of souldiers together into the Front The fourth and third sort into the Reere So that the Reere was 4 7 worse then the Front This doubling by Halfe-files brings the best and the third together into the Front and leaves the second and fourth in the Reere So that the Front is made more able then the Reere by â…“ It differeth likewise in Motion thus For whereas in the other doubling by Bringers up the Motion was begun by the last Ranke every Ranke following the Ranke which came from behind him This contrarywise is directly led foorth by the fift Ranke from the Front if they be but eight deepe and so is executed more surely and suddenly the fift Ranke passing into the first the sixth Ranke into the second the seventh into the third and so for the rest For the reducement when they are commanded to face about to the left and march forth into their places Then as the Motion was led on by the Halfe-file-leaders so in the reducement they are led off by the Bringers up Doubling of halfe-files to the left produceth the same effect onely the contrary hand CHAP. XVII Of doubling the Reere by Front Halfe-files THe doubling of the Reere by Front halfe-files is differing
Muskettiers will be together and the Pikes likewise by themselves The Reducement wil be after the same manner But for instruction for the Motion by this figure intended according to the command formerly given The left Flanke stands the right Flanke marcheth forth right untill the Reere of the right Flanke be advanced before the Front of the left Flanke as a foresaid Then face them to the left and cause them to march untill the Pikes are even in Ranke with the Muskettiers which perfects the doubling For the Reducement let the halfe Rankes that doubled face about to the left and march until they are cleere of the left Flanke or standing part of the Battaile then cause them to face to the right and to march strait downe into their places Then the Leader being at his first From faceth them all to him which reduceth them as at first The right Flanke may also double the left Flanke to the left intire And then as the right Flank in this doubling came crosse the Front of the left contrariwise they will come crosse the Reere The left Flanke may double the right Flanke intire to gether hand in like manner But by this that hath already been shown the others may be understood Wherefore I spare the Figures CHAP. XXVII Of doubling of Flankes by Division THis next doubling is a doubling of flanks by division and without question a serviceable doubling and very usefull for some occasions For if you note the figure and conceive rightly what it will produce the motion being ended it makes a strong forme of battaile to give fire three severall wayes at once The figure followeth The motion of this doubling is thus to be performed The Reere-half-files of the left Flanke face about to the right and then both the front half-files and Reere-half-files march forth-right untill they are cleere of that part of the body that stands Then each division faceth that way which they are to double which the Front half-files must doe to the right the Reere half-files to the left And so march forth-right untill the doubling be performed For the Reducement you are to conceive it may bee diversly performed If the Leader be at the right flanke which is the part that was doubled Then the Reducement is as followeth The half-rankes that doubled face about inward and march forth-right untill they are cleere of the right flank which stands Then the Front half-files face to the left the Reere-half-files to the right and then close their division The Leader going to his first front and facing the whole body to him they are reduced as at first If that the right flanke would double the left Flanke by division The matter is the same differing onely in the hand CHAP. XXVIII Of doubling Rankes intire DOubling of ranks to the right intire is a doubling both of number and place and in some sort worketh the same effect as the doubling of half-â—les to the right intire But differeth first in regard of the partias which are the doublers and secondly in the distance left after the doubling For the first which is matter of dignitie The fift and first in honour are ranked together in the front the second and sixt in dignity make the last ranke in the Reere So that the Front precedes the Reere ¼ in worth whereas in the doubling by half-files the Front exceeded the Reere by â…“ Secondly it differeth for the distance by leaving open order at the left betweene all the ranks For further satisfaction observe this figure following The motion of this doubling ought to be performed as followeth namely if the doubling be to the right as is above expressed by this figure Every even ranke faceth to the right The right hand man of each ranke becomming the leader of his ranke file-wise leading them forth and in their march or moving forwards a little bending to the left that when the left hand man of each ranke which are the bringers-up of the motion are cleere of the standing part of the body by onely facing to the front they may stand even in ranke with the rest of the company For reducement of this doubling it may be as followeth Command the ranks that doubled to face to the left and march forth-right into their places Or for variety command halfe-ranks of the right to face to the left and double the left flanke Both which as the company now stand worke one and the same effect The left hand men of each ranke being the leaders of the motion in the reducement To double rankes to the left intire is to be done after the same manner onely observing the difference of the hand This doubling may also be done by division But I spare the figures CHAP. XXIX Of doubling Files intire advancing DOubling of files to the right intire advancing is also a doubling both of number and place for it increaseth the depth to double their former proportion of number as from eight to sixteene from ten to twenty c. It also gaineth so much more ground before the front as formerly the Battell did containe by transferring the even files of the body into the ground before the front of the odde files but this doubling diminisheth the number of the length of your battell although it preserves their place I spare to speake further of it onely thus Let the antiquity of this doubling plead for it's excellencie and if that may hold for a rule then this may be ranked amongst the best For further directions observe the following Figure The motion of this doubling ought to be performed after this manner The odde files are to stand beginning your account from the outmost sile to the hand named The Musketticrs and Pikes of the even files are to advance their Armes and follow their file-leaders every file-leader leading his file forth right before his next file to the right untill the bringers up of the even files are orderly placed before the leaders of the odde files as you may perceive by the Figure For reducement let the files that doubled face about to the left the bringers up of each file leading them forth right downe the Intervales which are on the left hand untill they are come even with the Reere and then stand and face to their leader and they are reduced as at first The doubling of files to the left intire advancing is after the same manner It onely differeth in the hand wherefore I spare the figure They that love to be curious may likewise double files by division advancing CHAP. XXX Of Files doubling their depth THis next doubling is a doubling of the depth to the right intire and is likewise a doubling of files as the other last shewen in the precedent Chapter Being alike both for number and place notwithstanding it differeth from the other both in manner of executing and in some sort of the matter executed For whereas the other doubling by advancing of files did transferre all the
over some But marvell not the cause I do not show them It is not much materiall for to know them Those that are Skilfull in the Art of Warre And take delight to exercise their men Shall find more pleasure in these doublings farre If that they intermixe them now and then And so contrive their doublings in these cases That lastly one word brings them to their places Why in our Country do we Captains chuse That have no skill nor artfull inclination They do themselves and Country much abuse Thus to deceive them in their expectation I thinke the Cause of this fault in our Nation Is that our Gentry holds it not in fashion But some perhaps will say I am too bold There 's no such need for Captains to have skill The Muster-masters have enough some hold The Captains and the Counties for to fill So whilest the Muster-master doth the labour The Officers may play upon a Tabour But stay me thinks one puls me by the sleeve And tels me that I have my selfe forgot Wherefore of doublings here I take my leave Intreating those that read mistake me not Let Muster-masters take their money then But let the Captains exercise their men CHAP. XXXIX Of Countermarches Their Antiquity and words of direction THe next branch of Discipline which offers it selfe to your perusall are Countermarches which are of three kinds To wit Chorean Lacedamonian Macedonian which is Maintaining Loosing and Gaining Each of them are to be performed two manner of waies One by File the other by Ranke There are also Counter-marches Intire and Divisionall But divers men are divers for their opinions concerning the Macedonian and Lacedamonian Counter-marches Some will have the Macedonian A Counter-march of gaining of ground because that it transfers the Battalia into the ground before the Front Others will have it A Counter-march of losse of ground because say they the Enemy being in the Reere it makes a semblance of flying Some will have the Lacedamonian A Counter-march of gaining of ground because the Enemy appearing in the Reere it makes a semblance of Charging or falling on Others call it A Countermarch of losse of ground because it looseth all that ground the Battalia stood upon taking in stead thereof the ground behind the Reere There are others of opinion That there are Counter-marches of losse and gaine in either of them All these are furnished with reasons to backe their opinions But if I should stand to shew their many and severall reasons I might well be thought to be without reason my selfe My opinion is That taking the ground before the Front is gaining ground and that to leave the ground we stood on to take the ground next behind the Reere is losse of ground And yet to take either whereby there is advantage gotten must needs be gaining But where the matter it selfe is so indifferent it were fondnesse to spend longer time about it Wherefore note That Countermarches were of ancient use amongst the Greekes many hundred of yeeres since from them learned and practised by many other Nations and so still continued unto this day But as the Snow-ball by much rowling becomes the greater So in like manner these Counter-marches have received addition in all ages So that the three originall ones are now become more then thirty accounting those divisionall And yet are all of them fathered upon one or other of the three kinds Though some of them will scarcely be owned or acknowledged as you shall perceive when I come to shew them in their severall places But amongst all the Motions this might be the best spared as being least beneficiall to this our moderne Discipline But because that knowledge is no burthen and that at some times they may be usefull Therefore first take the words of command or direction which are as followeth Intire Countermarches by file Files to the right left hand countermarch Files to the light left countermarch every man turning on the ground he stands File-leaders face about to the right left the rest passe through to the right left and place your selues behind your Leaders File-leaders stand the rest passe through to the your Leaders right left placing your selues before File-leaders stand the rest passe through to the right left placing your selues before your Leaders following your Bringers up Bringers up face about to the right left the rest passe through to the right left and place your selues before your bringers up Bringers up stand the rest of the Body passe through to the right left placing your selues behinde your bringers up Intire Countermarches by Ranks Ranks to the right left Countermarch Ranks to the right left countermarch every man turning on the ground he stands This right hand file face to the left the rest passe Macedonian through to the right placing your selues behind your right hand men This left hand file may face to the right and do as much This light left hand file stand the rest passe through to the right left placing your selues on the our side of your right left hand men This right left hand file face to the right left the rest passe through to the right left placing your selues before your right left hand men Divisionall Countermarches by Files Countermarch front and â—e cre into the midst File-leaders and halfe-file-leaders stand the rest passe through to the right and place your selues before your Leaders File-leaders and Bringers up stand the rest passe through to the right and place your selues before your Leaders and Bringers up File-leaders face about Bringers up stand the rest passe through to the Right and place your selues behinde your Leaders and Bringers up Front-halfe-files interchange ground with the Reere Divisionall Countermarches by ranks Countermarch your wings or Flanks into the middest or Center The out-most-file of each Flanke face outward the rest passe through to the right and left placing your selues behinde your out-side men The out-most file of each Flanke face inward the rest passe through to the right and left placing your selues behinde your outside men The out-most file of each flanke stand the rest passe through to the right and left and place your selues on the outside of your outside men Interchange your Flanks Note what is done by the out most files may be reduced by converting the command to the innermost files but must be done before they have closed their divisions c. CHAP. XL. Of the Chorean Countermarch and the way to performe it I Could willingly have prickt a Figure for each of these severall countermarches but that they will take up too much roome And therefore I will onely pricke some few of the hardest of them and for the rest I will endeavour by words to make them as facile as I may that so they may be apprehended by the meanest capacitie And first I will begin with the Persian
stands the Reere-halfe-files face about and so the front-division passe forwards and place themselues behind the file-leaders the reere-halfe-files behinde their Bringers up The manner you may perceive the plainer if you note the figures of number which are placed on the flanks of the figure their number shewing the places they had from the front before the motion began This figure may be reduced either by the same word of command which produced it or else by any of the foregoing divisionall countermarches Our next shall be a countermarch of exchange of ground The words for command or direction are as followeth CHAP. LI. Of Interchanging Ground The Command is Front-halfe-files interchange ground with the Reere passing through to the Right Bast Countermarch In Motion This Bastard Countermarch may not rightly be said to be derived from any one of the particular grounds of Countermarch but rather participating of them all And yet considering it as it is to be it is different from them all for whereas the other countermarches of files in division although they bring the Front and Reere into the middest yet the front-halfe-files continue still on the same part and the Reere-halfe-files do not alter into the places of the other But this contrary to any other of the divisionall countermarches transferres the front-halfe-files into the ground or place of the Reere-halfe-files and them into the contrary part bringing the file-leaders and bringers up together into the midst The way to performe this Motion is as followeth The front-halfe-files face about passing forwards to the right being led by the bringers up of the front-halfe-files betweene the Intervalles towards the reere The Reere-halfe-files at the same instant in like manner marching forwards betweene the Intervalles on their right hands into the Front untill the Front-division have attained the places of the Reere and they contrariwise the places of the Front For the reducement of this countermarch do as much backe againe Or if you would reduce it some other way you may first make an intirc countermarch of files and then countermarch front and reere into the midst for under two countermarches it will not be reduced Now I will passe to shew divisionall countermarches of Ranks or Flanks The first shall be Chorean as in the Chapter following CHAP. LII Of counter-marching the flanks or wings into the midst of the Battell The Command is Countermarch your flanks into the midst THis Chorean counter-march of the flanks into the midst is of ordinary use when the Commander would have the outermost files to become the innermost the motion to bee performed on the same ground and is as followeth The command being given the whole body faceth to the right and left by division the outermost files by this facing becomming rankes every man in the right hand file being a leader in his halfe ranke file-wise and so likewise in the left hand file the same then they countermarch the right flanke to the right the left flank to the left which you must alwaies observe to doe and your flanquers will meet just in the midst of your Battalia Lastly having faced them to their first front the counter-march is ended To reduce them they may either use the same Counter-march againe or any of these following divisionall countermarches of flankes unlesse it bee that of interchanging of ground The next shall be Lacedemonian the Command or words of direction are as in the Chapter following CHAP. LIII Of Countermarching to take the ground before the flanks The Command is The outermost file of each flanke face outward the rest passe through to the right and left placing your selves before your out-side men THis Lacedemonian Countermarch of halfe ranks or flanks makes 〈◊〉 of charging on upon both flanks but leaves a wast distance of ground unoccupied betweene the two outmost-files or midst of the battell The way to performe this Motion is as followeth The right-hand-file faceth to the right the left-hand-file to the left the rest of the body faceth to the right and left the right-flanke passing through to the right and placing themselues before their right-hand-men The second file from the right begins the Motion on the right-flanke the left-flanke in like manner passing through to the left and placing themselues before their left-hand-men the second file accounting from the left begins the Motion on the left-flanke But you must note that the files become ranks with the facing For the reducement of this figure if you will first face them to their proper front you may then command the two inmost-files stand the rest passe through to the right and left inward and take their places Or if you please make use either of a Chorean or a Macedonian Countermarch of Ranks by division and with a facing and closing their divisions they will be perfectly reduced CHAP. LIV. Of Countermarching to take the ground on the outside of the Flanks and to direct their Aspects inwards The Command is The outmost file of each Flanke face inward the rest passe through to the Right and Left placing your selues behinde your outside men THis Macedonian Countermarch differeth nothing from that last shewed but onely in the turning of the aspect inwards whereas the other directed their aspect outwards The Motion is thus performed The outermost-files of each Flanke face inward the rest of the body face to the right and left outward those of the right flanke passing through to the right and placing them selues behinde their right-hand-men Those of the left flanke passing through to the left and placing themselues behinde their left-hand-men The Motion is begun by the second file from each flank I might here shew these Countermarches beginning their Motion from their middlemost-files But I am willingly silent hoping that these may suffice to the courteous not much forcing my selfe to give satisfaction to the curious For the reducement of this Countermarch having faced them to their first front you may if you please command the two innermost files to face outward the rest passe through to the right and left inward placing themselues behinde their right and left-hand-men which being done the whole body will stand faced to the right and left outward Then being faced to their Leader they are reduced If you would reduce it by some other way you may make use either of the Countermarch which is next before or of that which next followeth Or of any other divisionall Countermarch of Ranks which doth not interchange ground Our next two which follow will be Bastard Countermarches with the which we will conclude this our fourth branch of Discipline CHAP. LV. Of taking the ground on the outside of the flanks not altering the Aspects The Command is The outmost-file of each Flanke stand the rest passe through to the right and left and place your selues on the outside of your right and left-hand-men THis Divisionall bastard countermarch produceth the same effect which the other two next before it wrought
Battalia and your Pikes on the out side or flankes If any question the depth of the number of this figure I have doubled files to make the figure more perfect The way to perform this motion is easie for all the file-leaders of the right flanke wheele about to the right the rest of each file following their leaders the file-leaders also of the left flanke wheeling about to the left in the same manner and then joyne or close their divisions This being done if you would then reduce them wheele them off againe by division after the same manner and they will be as before But if you would doe it some other way make use of this wheeling next following which will also bring them as they were The word of Command or direction followeth as in the next Chapter CHAP. LXI Of wheeling the Front inward towards the Reere The Command is Wheele your Front inward to the Reere THis divisionall wheeling of your front inwards to the reere is here placed as a reducement unto the other foregoing wheelings and so it brings the Muskettiers to the flankes againe But if you will doe it the Company being first reduced then it brings the Pikes to the flankes Some say it may be good if you be annoyd with horse in the Reere upon a march and that you have gained some side of a hill or other place of advantage then to wheele your front inward to the Reere to the enemy will make shew of disbandoning or flight But contrariwise you march toward him with a settled and orderly body your Muskettiers being all in the midst and so firing upon their enemy the Pikes being their flankers thereby defending the shot from the fury of the horse This motion will hardly be well done if your body hold too large an extension of length But at what depth soever it is easie The motion is to be performed as followeth The right hand file-leader with all the leaders of the right flanke advance forwards and so wheele about to the left every file still keeping close to their right hand file The left hand file-leader likewise with all the leaders of the left flanke advance forwards and wheele about to the right every file of the left flanke closing close to the left Thus the outmost files of each flanke will meete and become the innermost the front falling perpendicularly to the reere For the reducement of this figure you may if you please either wheele them off to the right and left by division or else wheele your front inward againe to the reere These two last wheelings have beene demonstrated with their files doubled whereby the figures might be the â—ore perfect but with men it would have beene needlesse wherefore double rankes to the contrary hand and they will be as at the first CHAP. LXII Of bringing the Flanks into the Front of the Battell The Command is Wheele your Flanks into the Front Wheele your Flanks into the Front Wings Front Front Battell Front Midst Front Center Reere Flanks THis divisionall wheeling of the Flanks into the Front is properly a doubling performed by wheeling It brings all your Muskettiers from the flankes into the front So that whereas this bodie before could do execution but with 8. Muskettiers at once by this Motion they may powre on 16. shot together If they were deeper before the Motion began then it would bring the more hands to imployment If upon some passe you should be chased in the Reere by horse by this motion of wheeling your flanks into the front you not onely secure your Muskettiers but also barricado up the passe with your pikes if it be not above fifty foot over Some call this a wheeling on the center because they wheele about the middle-men of the front But I rather conceive it an angular because upon the first Motion of dividing every division wheeleth about his owne angle untill the outmost-file-leaders of each flanke meet together in the midst You may perceive how by the figures of number where the figure 1. meets the number 16 2 with 15 3 with 14. and so for all the rest Then being faced to their leader every two files that met being now joyned make one ranke There must be the like order and decorum kept in the motion of wheeling each flanke as I shewed in the instruction of intire angular wheelings For reducement of this Motion wheele your flanks into the Reere Or else foure times the same as I have seene some do although somewhat the further way about Divers men are diversly opinionated concerning the best word of Command or direction for this Motion These I have known used which I have placed in the Margent by the figure And if any man like one better then the other be it at his owne choice either to use or refuse while I passe to shew the next wheeling CHAP. LXIII Of wheeling the Reere into the midst of the Battell The Command is Wheele your Flanks into the Reere The Direction is Face all about to the Right Wheele yâ—â—r Flâ—â—kâ— into the Reere Wing Reere Reere Battell Reere Midst Reere Center Front â—lanks THis divisionall wheeling of the Flanks into the Reere is also a doubling and performed as the other And whatsoever might be said in the behalfe of the wheeling of the front into the middest the same may be also spoken concerning the wheeling of the Reere into the middest For this wheeling brings your two outmost-files to be the first ranke the Bringers up of the right and left-hand-files meeting together the bringers up of the left flanke meeting face to face with the Bringers up of the left-flanke And so being faced to their leader they which before were complete files are now become halfe-ranks either to the right or left But you must note that before you begin to wheele you must face your body about to the Reere and then the action will be all one as if you wheeled your flanks into the front Wherefore I shall not need further to explaine it having spoken fully to it in the precedent Chapter For the reducement of this wheeling the Commander being at his Front accidentall may command them to wheele their wings into the Reere and so passe through to that part where his proper file-leaders are and then face them to him and they are reduced Or else when he hath past through to the reere and faced his Company to him then his pikes being formost let him wheele his flanks into the front who being faced to their leader they are reduced For this motion there are also divers and severall words of Command And because it may be that some will better approve of some of the other words of Command then of this that I have made use of therefore I have placed others in in the margent That so any that will may take their choice while I passe to shew the next wheeling Whose word of Command and direction you shall finde over the figure of
he useth in the handling of his Armes consisting of severall Motions for atchieving of each Posture The Motion being the working part the Posture the alteration or act either in circumstance or matter As to rest your Musket being one Posture to shoulder your Musket another so likewise for the rest howbeit some perchance will object as formerly hath bin to one of Athens making a long Oration in the praise of Hercules his valour who ever doubted of it So to me who ever questioned these for Postures yet I have known them not only questioned but written against peremptorily concluding that there are but three Postures to be used for the Musket whose errours I shal easily confute But more of this after the Postures of the Musket Wherefore for the more orderly proceeding conceive their Armes to lie before them on the ground and then the first command will be to stand to their Armes The Postures of the Musket TAke up your Bandeliers Put on your Bandeliers Take up your Match Place your Match Take up your Musket and Rest Rest your Musket Now if you please you may performe your saluting Posture Poyse your Musket Shoulder your Musket Take your Rest into your right hand and you are armed ready to March Now to begin to make ready which may be done either standing or marching Take your Match between the fingers of your right hand Put your Rest string about your left Wrist and carry your Rest in your left hand Return your Match between the fingers of your left hand Unshoulder your Musket and Poyse Ioyn your Rest to the outside of your Musket Open your Pan. Cleer Prime Shut Cast off your loose Corns Blow off your loose Corns and bring about your Musket to the left side Treile your Rest ballance your Musket in your left hand Charge with Powder Bullet Draw forth your Scowring stick Shorten Put your scowring stick into your Musket Ram home your Charge Withdraw your scowring stick Shorten Return Bring forward your Musket and Rest Poyse your Musket and recover your Rest Ioyn your Rest to the outside of your Musket Draw forth your Match Blow your Coale Cock your Match Fit Guard your Pan. Blow the Ash from your Coale Open your Pan. Present upon your Rest Give fire brest high Dismount your Musket joyning your Rest to the outside of your Musket Uncock and return your Match Cleer your Pan Shut Poise your Musket Shoulder Take your Match between the fingers of the right hand Take your Rest into your right hand cleering your string from your wrist Return your Rest into the left hand the string loose Return your Match into your left hand Unshoulder your Musket and Poyse Rest your Musket Set the But-end of your Musket on the ground Lay down your Musket and Rest Match Take off your Bandeliers Lay down March from your Armes There is likewise the Sentinell Posture which is The Muskettier having his Musket charged with Bullet his Match cockt his Pan guarded stands with his Musket rested to performe such duty as shall be commanded or given him in charge Some have likewise taught to make ready on or from the Sentinell Posture But note that as none comes to stand Sentinell but comes ready charged So if any occasion happen that he must give fire in the time of his standing Sentinel it causeth a generall Alarme So that he will have no fit time to make ready upon his Rest Wherefore I conceive it superfluous but will ever conforme to better judgement We have also the Funerall Posture which from the Rest is to be performed at 3. Motions which cannot so well be exprest in writing as it will expresse it selfe in Action Wherefore seeing that it is rather an Ornament to Obsequies than truly necessary for Armies I will not spend more time about it but come to the Postures of the Pike Yet before I passe upon them give me leave to answer some which out of a Criticall humour will alwayes be carping at others condemning these Postures saying There are more by halfe then are either good or usefull and that there are no more Postures to be used but Make ready Present Give fire The which wee will not deny that in Service there are any other usefull notwithstanding I would have them to know that Make ready is no Posture but a word of Command including all Postures from the first Arming of the Souldier to the present or if the Muskettier be charged shouldered or both then the word Make ready commands the prosecution of the rest of your Postures which are between the Posture you then immediatly are at when the word is given and the other Posture Present for which reason when wee teach Muskettiers at first it is most necessary to instruct them punctually from Posture to Posture Which being once attained he manageth his Armes more surely more comely with more celerity and with better execution and at the first may as easily be taught the best way But if he have got an habit of doing ill there wil be as much or more pains spent in reclayming his errours as at first to teach him the best safest and readiest way CHAP. II. Of the Postures of the Pike THat which followeth next of course is the Posture of the Pike Wherefore that we may observe order in our proceeding we will likewise conceive their Pikes to lie in like manner before them on the ground And then as before the first Command will be To stand to their Armes Handle your Pikes Order To your open Order close Charge with the But-end of your Pike at the inside of your right Foot your Pike in the left hand drawing your Sword over the left Arme. Charge to the Right Left Reere Order your Pikes and put up your Swords Note that these Charges at the Foot are to receive a desperate Enemy on Horse upon a stand in some strait or other place of advantage the Muskettiers to give fire over the Pikemens heads or else-where at the discretion of the Commander Port your Pikes Comport Cheeke Treile Order Charge to the Front Order as you were Right Left Reere  Shoulder your Pikes Advance your Pikes Port Comport Cheeke Treile your Pikes  Advance as you were Charge to the Front Right Left Reere Shoulder your Pikes Port Comport Cheeke Treile Shoulder your Pikes  Shoulder as you were Charge to the Front Right Left Reere From Comport Cheeke or Treile the Pikeman may at the discretion of the Commander charge either to the Front Reere or both Flanks as shall be necessary or thought expedient Wherfore we shall not need to do it but once over for the Charges will be all alike whether you Comport from Order from Advance or Shoulder And so likewise for Cheek and Treile c. From Comport Charge to the Front Comport as you were Right Left Reere Cheek your Pikes   From the Cheek Charge to the Front Cheek as you were Right Left Reere Treile your
XXIII Of hale-files doubling the Front by division THis doubling hath beene very well approved of by Count Mansfield Sir Thomas Kelly Captaine Bingham and divers other souldiers of good esteeme who preferre these sorts of doublings before any other because these doublings may be used in time of fight without disturbance to the other part of the Battell The Figure stands as it is in motion The way to performe this motion is as followeth the halfe-files are to face to the right and left and to march untill rhey are cleere of the Reere part of the Front division then they face to their Leader and march up untill they be come even in ranke with the Front and so stand which perfects this doubling The way to reduce them is as followeth The halfe-files are to face about to the Reere and to march forth-right untill they are cleere of the Front halfe-files and then they are to face to the right and left inward and so to march and close their division Then being faced to their Leader they are reduced as at first CHAP. XXIV Of doubling the Reere by Division THis next doubling shall be a doubling of the Reere by the Front halfe-files which will worke the same effect to the Reere as the last doubling by division did to the Front It may be usefull in the passing of a River when the enemy chargeth or persueth in the reere The Front-division either opening as you may perceive by the Figure next following and suffering the Reere halfe-files to passe through them they maintaining the Skirmish untill the other have attained the further banke of the River Or else the Front-halfe-files being opened to the Right and Left and Faced upon the Enemy March gallantly Vp and receive the Charge whilest the others provide for themselves This Motion may also be usefull when you have gained some place of aduantage For then by this Doubling of the Reere your Battaile will bee both Lengthened and Strengthened And so by the suddaine bringing of these Supplies into the Reere you may not onely relieve your owne but happily overfront your Enemy The Figure followeth For the manner or way of this Motion it may be thus performed The Front halfe-files Face to the Right and Left and march untill they are cleere of the other halfe-files of the Reere Then they Face to the Reere and March on untill they have attained to bee Even in Ranke with them whom they had Command to Double which perfects the Doubling The way to Reduce them is as followeth If you keepe your place of the first Front Then let your Halfe-files Face about according to former directions and March untill they are cleere of the Reere Halfe-files which stand Then Face to the Right and Left inward and close their Divisions And being Eaced all to their Leader they are Reduced Sundry and divers ways there are for Reducement both of this and most other Figures Neuerthelesse I conceive if I give one Reducement to each Figure it may suffice to those that know little As for such which know better they know more wayes to the Wood then one And surely should I inlarge my selfe but halfe so much as I might and indeed in some things no more then were needfull I should then bring my Volume into too great a Bulke and by the price hinder some of the profit But I am willingly silent in some things whereby others may be the better encouraged by my weaknesses to take notice of their owne worths which may induce them to put Pen to paper and thereby produce some worthy worke which may tend to their Credits and their Countreys good CHAP. XXV Of Doubling the Reere intire by the Front-halfe-files THis next doubling shall be a doubling of the Reere to the Right intire by the Eront halfe-files which I intend not fully to expresse But to deliver the Figure as the Body stands in Motion For I conceive it better to shew some Figures in the manner of the Motion then to shew them as they would appeare The Motion being perfected for the way of the working gives a great deale more light to the Learner then to shew the thing absolutely wrought Neither would I have any thinke although I shew these varieties of Doublings and acknowledge them to be of singular good use for the extension of the Length or Depth of any Battaile but that the wise conduct and skill of the Commander must so order them that the extending of the Length doe not too much weaken the Depth nor that the strengthening of the Depth be not too great a weakening to the Front or Length of your Battaile I might give examples how divers great Cōmanders either by good foresight or ill oversight have gained to themselues and their Countreys Honor and Victory or losse and slavery But others have beene very plentifull in examples of this nature which makes me the more sparing For my intent is not to write a History of the actions of others but rather to shew to such as are not so skilfull The Bostures Motions and some few Formes or Figures of Battaile with their severall Reducements The Figure of this present Doubling followeth The manner of this motion or doubling is thus to be performed The Front-halfe-files Face to the Left and March untill they are cleere of the Reere-halfe-files Then Face againe to the Left which is the Reere and March outright untill they Ranke even with the last ranke of the Reere-division which gives conclusion to the Doubling For the reducement Let your Front-halfe-files Face about to the Left and March right foorth untill they 〈…〉 cleere of the Reere-halfe-files Then Face them to the Right and let them March into their places Then if the Commander goe to his first Front and Face them all to him they are reduced as at first To double the Reere to the Left intire may be done after the same manner onely differing in the hand CHAP. XXVI Of doublings by Halfe-rankes intire HAving shewed the Particle doublings and the Doublings of Front and Reere intire and by division I will next shew the doublings of Flankes after the same manner and will first begin with a doubling of the left Flanke by advancing the right Flanke and placing it before the Leaders of the left Flanke which is a doubling both of Number and Place and may serve to singular good use for the strengthening of any flank where it may be needfull For it makes the Battaile defensible on every part The Figure as it is in Motion followeth If you would have 〈…〉 Muskettiers to double even with the Muskettiers of the contrary Flanke Then it is no more but thus cause the halfe Ranks of the right Flanke to march forth-right as you may perceive by the Figure untill the Reere Ranke of the right Flanke be advanced about three foot before the Front of the left Flanke and then cause that Flanke so advanced to Countermarch their Rankes to the right And then also your
that hath already been shewen will be sufficient at least in some small measure to give satisfaction to those which as yet have not knowne what is meant by Inversion Yet I could wish that such as exercise the Companies of the Trained-Bands of this Kingdome would rather make use of the plainer word of demonstration which is Rankes file or Files file and leave out the word Inversion as a word not sutable with the Capacity of divers of our Souldiers of the Trained-Bands Especially of this City where Porters Colliars Water-bearers and Broomemen are thrust into the roomes of men of better quality as though they themselves were too good to doe the King and Country service CHAP. XXXV Of the severall parts of Conversion and how they-are to be understood THe next branch of Discipline which I offer to your view shall be of Conversion and of its severall parts wherein if there be any that thinke me tedious let them turne it over and settle on some other part which may be to them more delectable whilest I in the meane time shall endeavour to give content to all neither stuffing out my booke with needlesse discourses nor yet too much abbreviating the matter whereby to render it too obscure unto the commonest capacity Wherefore take their parts as they hereafter follow Conversion consists of these parts viz. Of Ranks ranking in equall parts 1 in unequall parts 2 intire into the Front 3 by division into the Front 4 by wheeling to the Flanks 5 Files ranking by equall parts 6 by unequall parts 7 intire into the Front 8 First of ranks ranking in even or equall parts Which is to be understood when there are twelve or twenty more or lesse marching abreast and the Commander either for the narrownesle of a passage or for some other intent causeth his rankes to ranke three or sixe abreast or five ten or any other number either according to the place or occasion every ranke holding equality of number Secondly rankes then ranke by unequall parts when they ranke by increase or decrease As when the first ranke shall be three the next five then seven nine c. which is commonly used for the making of Diamond and Triangular figures Thirdly ranks then ranke intire into the front when the first ranke stands the second ranke placeth it selfe on the right or left of the first the third by the second the fourth by the third and so forward for all the rest untill all the rankes either to the right or left according to direction are become one ranke in the front Fourthly rankes then ranke by division into the front when the second ranke and all the rest of the rankes behinde open to the right and left the one part going to the right the other to the left ranking even with the first as before and all together making one ranke Fiftly Ranks then ranke to the flanke or flankes when either the right hand man of each ranke or the left hand man or both together are as it were the Hindge of the motion the rest of each ranke wheeling about them to the right or left or each hand by division untill that every ranke be brought into the distance which was before the ranke betweene the right hand-man of the ranke next before and the right hand-man of the same ranke you stand in If it be to the left then they wheele into the distance between the left-hand-leaders of each ranke If it be by division then halfe the ranke wheeleth to the right the other halfe to the left and produceth two rankes Sixthly Files then rankes by equall parts when they rank three foure or five abrest more or lesse still keeping the number of men in ranke of due proportion If you ranke three abrest either to the right or left and your files be but eight deepe then the first sixe men make two rankes the third ranke must be made up by the leader of the second file And so for all the rest If you ranke foure and the files be eight deepe then every file makes two rankes If you ranke five the files being 8 deep then the first five men make a ranke and the first two men of the second file from the hand named make up the second ranke Five of the other sixe make up the third ranke And so forward for the rest If the depth of the file were ten men then it would make two even rankes Seventhly Files then ranke by unequall parts when they either ranke by progressionall increase or by decrease As when every ranke exceeds the ranke before it by two three or foure be it more or lesse Or else that each ranke decreaseth after the same manner Eightly Files then ranke intire into the front when there is so much distance betweene file and file as will containe each file ranke-wise every man in the file marching forwards to the right or left as shall be commanded untill he stand even in ranke with the leader of his file which brings the body into one ranke CHAP. XXXVI Of Rankes wheeling by Conversion IF I would strive to bee curious I should need no other subject to lengthen my discourse but onely this of Inversion and Conversion which of it selfe would yeeld matter sufficient to make a Booke of But I have taken a large taske And therefore like the Artists in Geography who sometimes by a spot present a Town and by a wrinckled line a large River so must I crave of the favourable Reader that in this small Treatise of Discipline he will not expect that I should inlarge my selfe so amply as I might upon every part For then my booke would grow beyond his bounds and I beyond my promise but lest I be taxed for digression this that hath already beene shewne may suffice for Conversion But because it may be expected that I should shew Conversion in Figure as well as the other Motions therefore to gratifie such I shall demonstrate two Figures unto them which may serve for all the rest The one shall be of rankes wheeling by Conversion the other of files ranking foure to the left The word of command for the first stands placed right over the figure This foregoing figure of Conversion is of Rankes wheeling to the right and left or ranks ranking to each flanke by wheeling It differeth from ranks filing both in manner and matter In the manner thus Whereas in ranks filing to the right and left the right and left-hand file-leaders preserve and continue their places and with that their honours In this wheeling by Conversion to the right and left contrariwise the innermost file-leaders become the outmost men in that pure where the front stood the other file-leaders ranking even within them Some men have called this Rankes filing by Conversion to the right and left but corruptly For conversion alwaies produceth rankes as I formerly said and inversion files But their mistake groweth from this that when rankes wheele to the right or right and
Cretan or Chorean Countermarch The word of Command or Direction is Files to the Right hand Countermarch This Chorean Countermarch is by some called the Moderne Countermarch I conceive their reason to be because that it is more in use than any of the other Or else for antiquitie it might claime many ages It is a Countermarch for maintaining of ground for it worketh its effect on the same ground it stands neither loosing nor gaining But it transferres the file-leaders into the place of the bringers up and the bringers up into the place of the file-leaders withall turning the aspect of the body or battalia to the Reere The way to performe this motion is as followeth Assoone as the word of command is given if it be to the right then all the file-leaders step forwards with their right legges and face about to the right every file-leader with his file following him passing downe towards the Reere through the intervall on his right hand still observing to keepe even in ranke with his right hand man But by the way note that no man must turne untill he come to the ground where at first his file-leader began the Countermarch This motion is then performed when the bringers up have attained unto the place where before their file-leaders stood being faced right after them Files countermarch to the left To countermarch to the left worketh the same effect and is done after the same manner onely differing in the hand For reducement if you countermarch to the right do as much to the left and they will be as they were For any intire countermarch of files will be reduced of what kinde soever by making another intire countermarch to what hand soever CHAP. XLI Of Countermarching to loose Ground The Command is Files to the Right Countermarch every man turning after his Leader on the Ground he stands THis Lacedemonian countermarch is a Countermarch of losse of ground for that it leaves all the ground the Battalia formerly did conteine and in lieu or place thereof taketh the ground behinde the Reere This Countermarch is to be performed when the Bodie is upon a stand And as the Chorean turnes the Aspect towards the Reere The Greekes were wont with this Countermarch to bring their file-leaders to oppose any enemie appearing in the Reere thereby gallantly bearding their enemies in the teeth neither politickly making shew of flight whereby to bring the enemie into disarray nor over providently carefull of the advantage of ground The motion of this Countermarch is to be performed as followeth The file-leaders of each file are to step side wayes to the right and therewithall to face about to the reere and so march even in ranke together downe betweene the Intervalls no man advancing a foot forwards but turning in like manner after their leaders when they are past by them still observing to keep their due distance And so a whole ranke together still turning off to the right each Ranke successively doing the like untill the Countermarch be fully performed Any intire countermarch of files will reduce this But for order sake take one of the same sort to the contrary hand which is Files to the left Countermarch every man turning after his Leader on the ground he stands I shall not need to speake further concerning this Countermarch of losse of ground to the left seeing that it differs from the other onely in the alteration of the hand The substance and effect of both being one and the same onely I will now speake to a second fort of Countermarch which is of the same kinde The Command is Bringers up face about to the Right the rest passe through to the Reere and place your selues before your Bringers up This Lacedemonian Countermarch doth also loose the ground whereon it formerly stood and takes the ground behinde the Reere the manner of the motion is as followeth The last ranke or Bringers up face to the Reere and stand the rest of the Body facing about in like manner and passing through or betweene their bringers up and placing themselues even in ranke before them The motion is begun by the ranke next the bringers up and so continued successively by the rest untill the Countermarch be ended It may be reduced by doing the same to the contrary hand Neverthelesse for brevity sake I will make use of a sprigge from the same bough and reduce this Lacedemon countermarch by another of the same kinde The Command is Bringers up stand the rest passe through to the Right and place your selues behind your Bringers up This Lacedemonian countermarch is thus to be performed the last ranke or bringers up are to stand and the rest of the body to face to the Reere and passe through to the Right and place themselues behinde their bringers up contrary to the countermarch last showne where they placed themselues before The motion is also begun by the second ranke from the reere the rest following successively untill the file-leaders are become the Bringers up Then face them about after their proper file-leaders and they are reduced CHAP. XLII Of Countermarches to gaine ground or the Macedonian Counter-march The Command is File-leader face about to the right the rest passe through to the right and place your selves behinde your Leaders THis Macedonian Counter-march is for gaining ground for that it leaues the ground the Battalia formerly stood upon taking in lieu thereof the ground next before the front It also turnes the aspect towards the reere The motion of this Counter-march is from the reere to the front contrary to the Lacedemon whose motion is from the front to the reere This Macedonian Counter-march makes semblance in the reere of flight but presently produceth an orderly settled front when perhaps the enemy with a too early pursuit hath broken the order of their array The way to performe this Counter-march according to the directions formerly given is as followeth The file-leaders or first ranke face about to the right the rest of the body passe through betweene the Intervalles or distance of files to the left and place themselves behinde their leaders every ranke beginning with that next the file leaders passing through successively and taking their places untill the Counter-march be fully executed It may be reduced as the rest by doing the same to the contrary hand or as I have formerly said by any intire counter-march of file and therefore I will reduce it by another Macedonian counter-march The command is as followeth File-leaders face to the Reere the rest of the body passe through to the left following your bringers up placing your selves behinde your leaders This Macedonian counter-march is rather remembred for its antiquity then excellencie as some more of them be neverthelesse if any will be curious to observe the motion it may be performed as followeth The first ranke or file-leaders face to the reere then the last ranke begin the counter-march passing
forwarde betweene the Intervalls the seventh ranke following the eighth the sixt following the seventh and so likewise the rest untill the whole body be transferred into the ground before the front and then joyntly together facing to the right about after their leaders the counter marche is ended For reducement observe this for all that any intire countermarch of file may be reduced by another intire counter-march by file of what kinde or to what hand soever These three last Chapters of counter-marches are the originall grounds of all the rest yet I shall shew one in the insuing Chapter which time hath begotten out of the latter two which takes part with either being absolute in neither CHAP. XLIII Of the Bastard counter-march The Command is File-leaders stand the rest passe through to the right and place your selves before your Leader THis passing through or bastard counter-march is partly Macedonian and partly Lacedemonian for first with the Macedon it takes the ground before the front the motion being from the reere forward it is partly Lacedemonian for that they passe through and place themselves before their Leaders and for that it makes semblance of falling on or charging the enemy neverthelesse the Macedonian disclaimes it for that it alters not his aspect The Lacedemonian refuseth it for that it takes the ground before the front and not that behinde the reere or with the Chorean it holds affinitie And many there be that will not allow it for a countermarch for indeed the word it selfe will not beare it notwithstanding seeing that it hath beene long ranged amongst them I will not be he that shall displace it but will passe forwards to shew the manner of the motion which is to be performed as followeth The file-leaders stand according to the former direction the rest of the body advance their armes the second ranke first passing through to the right and placing themselves before the first ranke the third ranke before the second the fourth before the third and so forwards for the rest untill the last ranke or bringers up are become the foremost which perfects the motion It may be severally usefull as to skirmish against an enemy advancing by way of introduction or upon occasion to bring the reere men to march in front and such like For the reducement you may doe as much to the contrary hand onely for order sake I will reduce it by another like it selfe The Command is File-leaders stand the rest passe through to the right placing your selves before your Leaders following your bringers up This motion may be done either to the right or left and is nothing differing from that last shewne but that whereas the other began with the second ranke this contrariwise begins with the last ranke or bringers up every ranke successively following the ranke which came from behinde them untill they which were the leaders are become the last in the reere If this countermarch be first done it may be reduced by any of those formerly shewn c. CHAP. XLIV Of countermarching ranks to maintaine ground The Command is Ranks to the right hand countermarch THis Chorean counter-march of rankes is an altering or changing of one flanke for the other the Battalia still keeping the same ground onely the right flanke becomes the left and the left becomes the right The way to performe this motion is as followeth the command being given then the whole body faceth to the hand named and every man in the outmost file to the right files by this facing being become rankes turnes down through the Intervalle or distance betweene ranke and ranke marching forth right unto the part which was the left flanke with their rankes file-wise following them being come unto their ground they face as before and the counter-march is performed for the reducement let rankes countermarch to the left after the same manner differing onely in the hand and they are as at first CHAP. XLV Of Countermarching Rankes to lose Ground The Command is Rankes to the right-hand Countermarch every man turning after his right-hand-man on the ground he stands THis Lacedemonian-Countermarch of Rankes is a falling on upon the left Flanke the Motion being begun by the right It leaves all the ground the Battalia stood on and takes in place therof the ground beside the left Flanke turning the Aspect to the left The manner or way to performe this Motion is as followeth The whole Bodie faceth to the right and then the right-hand-file being faced becomes a Ranke begins the Countermarch turning downe the Intervals of the Ranks which by this facing is made the distance between the Files and so marcheth forth-right beyond the left Flanke every man following him that was his right-hand-man but not stepping forwards one foot of ground untill the Countermarch be performed For the reducement of this Countermarch do as much to the left and they will he as at first Or if you please take another of the same kind The word of Command or direction is Right-hand-file face to the right the rest passe through to the right and place your selves before your right-hand-men THis Lacedemonian Countermarch of ranks makes a falling on upon the right Flanke the Motion being from the left Flanke to the right leaving all the ground whereon the Battalia stood and taking in lieu thereof the ground beside the right Flanke In those dayes when Countermarches were more usefull for their Discipline then now they are for ours the Lacedemonian Countermarches were of chiefe repute aswell amongst the Macedonians as the Spartans and others the way to performe this Motion is as followeth The right-hand-file faceth to the right and passeth through the Intervals or spaces to the right placing themselves before their right-hand-men untill the left-hand-file become the foremost ranke If you doe this Countermarch by it selfe then for reducement first face them to their Front proper then let the left-hand-files face to the left and do as much to the left and then they will be as at first CHAP. XLVI Of the Macedonian Countermarch by Ranke The Command is Right-hand-file face to the left the rest passe through to the right placing your selves behind your right-hand-men THis Macedonian Countermarch of ranks contrary to the Spartan dismarcheth from the enemy upon that Flanke where hee appeares and presents the contrary Flanke to receive the Charge It is performed after this manner The out-most-file to the right faceth to the left The rest of the body or Battalia faceth to the right every man passing thorough to the right and placing themselves behind their right-hand-men For the reducement of this Countermarch as all the rest there are divers and severall wayes but performe as much to the left as you have done to the right and they will be at first Or if you please this following Bastard Countermand will do the same The word of Command or direction is Right-hand-file stand the rest passe through to the right
placing your selves on the outside of your Right-hand-men THis passing thorough or Bastard Countermarch of Ranks doth alter both ground and flanke still reserving the Aspect without alteration It is to be performed as followeth The out-most or right-hand-file stands the rest of the body facing to the right passe thorough to the right every man placing himselfe on the right side of his right-hand-man and so standing euen in Ranke the Motion still continuing untill the left-hand-file is become the right the right the contrary If this Countermarch be done alone for the reducement let the left-hand-file stand and do as much to the left as before to the right and they will be as at first CHAP. XLVII Of Countermarching Front and Reere to the middest FOr the Intire Countermarches I have indeavoured to expresse them as well as I could in words but for the divisionall Countermarches I intend to expresse both in word and figure whereby they may be the more easily apprehended by such as shall be desirous to know them notwithstanding before I enter upon the divisionall Countermarches I would willingly cleere one thing which by some will be carped at which is the using of the word Middest insteed of the word Center The word Center I confesse hath been the more usuall word amongst us and yet it is not altogether so proper to our use as the other wherefore give me leave without offence to use those words which are not only more proper but more significant The Midst of the Battaile is to be understood either from the Front Reere or from both Flanks or wings If between Front and Reere the Midst must be betweene the half-file-leaders and the Reere ranke of the Front half-files extending it selfe from Flanke to Flanke The Midst betweene the Flankes is betweene the two innermost files continuing the whole depth from Front to Reere Our first Countermarch shall be Chorean the word of command or direction is This divisionall chorean countermarch brings our File-leaders and Bringers up together in the midst and the ranks that were in the midst in the Front Reere It is a countermarch mayntayning ground for every man marcheth up into his leaders ground before he faceth about to countermarch The way to performe the Motion is as followeth The command being given to countermarch either let the commander or some other of the Officers command the half-files to face about then the file-leaders stepping forwards with the right legge and face about to the right passing downe the Intervals on the right hand the rest of the Front-halfe-files following their Leaders and not turning untill they come to the ground where their Leaders turned down before them The bringers up with the Reere-half-files at the same instant turning downe their Intervales on the left hand the rest of their division following them untill the file-leaders and bringers up meet together in the midst of the Battaile and then having faced all to their Leader the Motion is performed For the reducement of this figure doing the same thing over againe will reduce it Or any other divisionall countermarch of File CHAP. XLVIII Of bringing Front and Reere together into the midst by the Bastard Countermarch The Command is File-leaders and half-fileaders stand the rest passe thorough to the right and place your selves before your Leaders THis Bastard Countermarch doth bring the Leaders and bringers up together into the midst and saves two facings and is quicklier performed then the other last done or any other in the precedent Chapters The way to performe the Motion is as followeth The first ranke stands and the half-file-leaders stand then those of the Front-half-files passe thorough their Intervals to the right placing themselves before their File-leaders The second ranke before the first the third before the second the fourth before the third The Reere-half-files at the same instant doing the like and placing themselves before their half-file-leaders as the other did before their File-leaders This Motion may be either reduced by doing the same over againe to the contrary hand or else by countermarching front and Reere into the midst or by any other of the divisionall countermarches of files The next shal be a Lacedemonian countermarch the word of command or direction is as shall be exprest in the ensuing Chapter CHAP. XLIX Of Countermarching to make a large Intervale between the first and last Ranks The Command is File-leaders and Bringers up stand the rest passe thorough to the right and place your selves before your Leaders and Bringers up Lacedemonian THis divisionall Lacedemonian Countermarch makes semblance of falling on or charging both to the Front and Reere and leaves all the ground which was occupied by the Souldiers which stood betweene the front and reere transferring them into the ground before the front and behinde the reere the ground or place of their former standing being vacant onely demonstrated in this figure by the pricks The Motion may be thus performed The Reere-halfe-files are commanded to face to the Reere and then the front-halfe-files passe through to the right placing themselves before their Leaders The second Ranke before the first the third before the second the fourth before the third the Reere-halfe-files at the same instant passing through to the Reere after the same manner and placing themselues before their Bringers-up You may perceive by the figures of Number placed on the Flanks of the figure of battell both how the men stood before the Motion began as also how and in what place they stand the Motion being ended For the reducement if you have not closed their distance you may face them about and so let them passe againe into their places Or else by doing the same Countermarch over againe or to the contrary hand or any such like way will reduce them This next following Countermarch will also reduce them or this will reduce that The word for the Command or direction is as you shall finde it placed over the front of the figure CHAP. L. Of making a large Intervalle betweene the first and last ranks by the Macedonian Countermarch THis divisionall Macedonian Countermarch is little different from that next before it onely the other turned the Aspect outward to the front and Reere this Countermarch turnes the Aspect inwards towards the midst It may be usefull if the Commander would shew or publish ought before his best Souldiers for that it not onely leaves a large distance but that it brings the best Souldiers into the midst with their Aspects directed inwards It may also serue to conduct any great personage crosse the length of your battell whereby to shew them the braverie of your Souldiers c. The figure followeth The Command is File-leaders face about Bringers up stand the rest passe through to the Right and place your selues behinde your file-leaders and Bringers up This motion may be thus performed The first ranke or file-leaders face about the last ranke
inward to the Reere   Front and Reere into the Right flanke Left your flankes into the Front  Reere  both flankes into the front and reere   your front and reere into both flanks   Observe that the first foure wheelings are angular the next foure are wheelings on the center or more properly on the midst of the front But all the first eight be intire the latter eight are all divisionall You may also observe that every following wheeling is a reducement unto that which is placed next before it and the wheeling next before may reduce that next following as to wheele your flankes into the front if you wheele your flanks into the reere it is reduced or to wheele front and reere into both flankes if you wheele both flankes into the front and reere they are likewise reduced as before For the last eight wheelings which are divisionall I will pricke for each of them his figure As for the first eight which are intire I conceive them so easie to be understood that I may spare the labour yet I will endeavour to expresse them as well as I can in words and first I will beginne with the wheelings anguler and then with the rest according to their places and therefore note that when you are Commanded to wheele to the right or left c. and no other command added it is to be understood an anguler wheeling and so to be performed CHAP. LVIII Of wheelings Anguler The Command is Wheele your battell to the right THis is an angular wheeling which transferres the aspect or countenance of the front proper into that part which was the right flanke It also removes the Battalia from the ground wheron formerly it stood and placeth it on that part before the front the hindge or Axell tree of the motion is the right corner man or right hand file-leader who with a small motion moveth to the right every man the more his place is remote from the right Angle the more swift must be his motion because his arch-quadrant or semi-circle is larger in proportion wherefore it must be the discretion of the Officers so to instruct their Souldiers that when they wheele to any hand they may so moderate their motion that they on the contrary flanke be not forced to runne but so orderly to containe themselves that they may still preserve an orderly and even front For the reducement wheele your Battaile to the left in the like manner as it was wheeled to the right neverthelesse you must then note that it will not bring you backe into the same ground you formerly stood on for it hath advanced you the length of your Battalia before the place of your first front But if you would be reduced into the same place or plot you first stood on then face your Battaile to the right and being so faced wheele your Battaile to the left which being performed face to the left and then they are compleatly reduced both for aspect and place The next Command is Wheele your Battaile to the right about This is also an anguler wheeling and transferres the aspect of the front proper towards the reere It is to be performed in the same manner as the wheeling to the right was onely the motion is twice so much Wherefore there ought to be the more care had that so the motion may be orderly performed by so much as every man is nearer or further off from the right corner man by so much the more swifier or slower must he continue his motion that so he may be sure to keepe still even in ranke with his right hand man This motion being thus performed your Battaile will be removed from its former station taking in lieu thereof the ground Diagonally opposite in the right Angle To reduce these to their former aspect wheele your Battell to the left about notwithstanding the ground you formerly did possesse will be twice the length of your Battaile to the left of your left flanke if you would reduce them as well to their first ground as their first aspect face them to the right and then wheele them to the left about which being done face them to the left and they are perfectly reduced as at first CHAP. LIX Of wheeling on the Center The Command is Wheele your Battell to the right on the same ground THis wheeling is by some called a wheeling on the Center by others a wheeling on the same ground I cannot absolutely maintain it to be either for that it onely wheeles about the midst of the first ranke Neither may it rightly bee termed a wheeling on the same ground because it loseth ¾ of the ground it formerly stood upon This wheeling is quicker performed then the anguler wheelings and may be done in farre lesse ground For the left flanke advanceth forward still wheeling to the right the right flanke contrariwise facing to the left and so falling backward If you have an odde file then the middle file-leader must be the center or axelltree of the motion if you have an even number of files then the middlemost file-leader from the left But if your wheeling be to the left then the contrary This by some is called the Prince of Oranges wheeling For the reducement wheele your Battell to the left on the same ground and they are reduced as at first Our next Command is to Wheele your Battaile to the right about on the same ground This wheeling is also a wheeling on the center or midst of the front and transfers the aspect of the front proper towards the reere removing the Battaile from the ground whereon it formerly stood and placing it on the ground before the front It is performed after the same manner as the last onely the motion is double so much as the other In this motion on the left flanke every man is to observe his right hand man and the right flanke must keepe even and straight after their left hand man which become their leaders file-wise untill they have attained their ground after which they face as before making an even front For the reducement wheele your Battaile to the left about upon the same ground and they will be reduced as at first I will next shew the divisionall wheelings and intend to giue to each of them his figure whereby they may appeare the more easie to such as doe not yet rightly understand them The first shall be a wheeling off by division as in the next Chapter CHAP. LX. Of wheeling off by division The Command is Wheele off your front by division THis wheeling off by division in greater bodies may be usefull to meete severall enemies at one and the same time with the front of your Battalia and so consequently with your best Souldiers But if you will wheele off your Battaile by division and ioyne them againe when they be in the reere then it brings all your Muskettiers from the flankes to the midst of your
make him that was the eighth man leade the file-ranks to the left double and files to the left double and the file will stand like that led by the figure of 8. For to reduce them cause the first ranke to stand the rest to advance forwards to the right placing themselves before their leaders CHAP. LXIX Of making men file-leaders successively the files being but sixe deepe SOme will be inquisitive to know for what use the making of leaders by succession serveth or whether it be not a meere Curiosity to which I thus answer That it is not only pleasant but profitable Pleasant to the leader of a file who having sufficiently exercised his file in Postures to give some time of respite or delectation for the recreating of their almost tyred spirits brings each man successively to leade the file by proper words of Command And lastly reduceth each man to his former standing It must needs be profitable and much availeable in discipline when the skilfull Commander can thereby with much ease change and interchange bring what rankes he pleaseth to lead in front and exchange them afterwards for others yea and lastly at his owne pleasure bring the proper file-leaders againe into their places This following table shewes each mans severall place as they stand still being altered according to their various Leaders By the figures of number which are placed over the heads of those Columes wherein are writ the words of Command understand that those words under the figure of 2. are to make the second man file-leader Those words under the figure of 3. make the third man leader And so forward for the rest The front of each file as they come to be Leaders 1 2 3 4 5 6 2 1 2 5 6 5 3 4 6 1 3 4 4 3 1 6 4 3 5 6 5 2 1 2 6 5 4 3 2 1 The words of Command which produce each severall Leader  Files 2 Ranks to the left double 3 Half-files double your Front to the right Files to the right double 4 Facc to the Reere or let the first ranke stand the rest passe thorough c. 5 Ranks to the right double Files double your depth to the right  Files 6 Ranks to the left double 7 Face to the Reere and they are reduced The first man is the leader of the file For to make the second man leader Command file ranke two to the left If there be more files then one ranks to the left double and files to the left double which makes the second man leader every man in the file being disposed as you may perceive by that file led by the figure of 2. For to make him that was the third man leader command halfe files double the front to the right and files to the right double by which meanes the file will stand like that led by the figure of 3. For to make him that was the fourth man leader Face to the reere and then hee leads But if you will keepe the same front command the first ranke to stand the rest to passe through to the left placing your selves before your leaders Thus will the file stand like that led by the figure of 4. For to make the fift man leader command rankes to the right double and files to double their depth to the right intire by which meanes the file will stand like that led by the figure of 5. For to make the sixt man file-leader cause rankes to the left double and files to the left double and then the file wil stand like that led by the figure of 6. For to reduce them there needs no more but face to the reere notwithstanding if you would have the front the same way the Command is the first rank stand the rest passe forwards to the right placing your selves before your leaders For to make sixe men successively leaders by sixe words of Command besides Facings The first is leader for the second file Ranke 2 to the left and files to the left double For the third Countermarch front and reere into the midst and face to that part which was the reere For the fourth face about to the right For the fift countermarch front and reere into the midst and face to that which was the reere For the sixt ranke two to the right and files to the right double face them about and they are reduced CHAP. LXX Of drawing the Files againe into a Body and preparing them for a skirmish BY this time me thinkes I heare the Drums beat a Call which summons each file-leader to his place every man observing his order both in ranke and file The Officers having taken their due places the Captaine and Ensigne in the front of Pikes the Lievetenant in the reere the Serjeant on the flanks the Drums on the front and reere Angle s of the Pikes as you may perceive by the square figure next following Now the Drums beat a march the Ensigne flying at the head of the Pikes the Pikes and Muskets shouldered marching at their distance of order in file at open order in ranke presently by a signe from the Captaine the Drums beat a preparative the Ensigne furl-up retiring into the midst betweene the Pikes the Pikes advance the rankes close forwards to their order the Muskettiers makes ready and every man prepares himselfe for Battell or Skirmish And here the Eyes of the Drum must be very vigilant to observe his Captaine or Commander that by the least signe either of his hand leading-stafâ—e or whatsoever else he carries hee may either continue his charge retreat or else charge home and every Souldier ought to be so well trayned and practised that in the time of Battell he may receive ample instructions from the sound of the Drum The Body drawne into a square with the Officers in their places Thus many Officers may serue for a larger Company if the souldiers be expert and skilfull and to the contrary they are all too few if they be raw and unexperienced I have seene some Companies which have been so absolutely ignorant that each man would have needed an Officer to have kept him orderly in his place Neverthelesse I make no doubt but that by the carefull oversight of the Lord Lieutenants the good assistance of their Deputies and the diligence of the Captains and their Officers this fault will quickly be amended And this might easily enough be done if that those which are owners of Armes would but meet one houre or two in a fortnight at their best leisures and practise the postures of the Pike Musket first and the motions and firings when they are more expert If any shall object That how ever this may be done in Townes and Cities yet it cannot be in the Countrey Villages I answer That if they meete not above foure sixe or eight in a place although they have no Officer to instruct them yet by conferring and trying and often practising they will begin to carry their Armes with
and gâ—â—tifie 〈◊〉 by applying each motion figure and forme to his right use and true intention I will now shew how the figure is to be made which is as followâ—th If yoâ—â— Battell be in forme of an Hearse then 〈◊〉 them to the right or left about untill they have atteined this figure But if in a square then observe these following words which will produce the figure Wheele your Flanks into the Front then face the Body to one of the Flanks and wheele your Battell into a Convex Halfe Moone The Convex Halfe Moone Having brought your Souldiers into this Convex forme you may face them all inward for speech or outward for fight Then let the Officers make Intervals for the Muskettiers and let the outermost Arc or first ranke of each division present and give fire those of the right flanke wheeling off to the right the left-flanke to the left placing themselues in the Reere of their owne divisions of Muskettiers still making good their leaders ground The rest of the ranks are to do the same untill they have all given fire Neverthelesse if your enemy be too potent for you by reason of his horse your Bow-pike-men need not stand idle although they stand behinde their Muskettiers for that they may plie them faster with their shafts then the others can with their shot But if the horse be so violent that the Muskettiers may not abide them then let them give fire and wheele off by division as before passing quite through their Intervals and placing themselues in the Reere of their pikes every ranke making good their leaders ground Thus also are the rest of the Muskettiers to give fire placing themselues in the concave part of the Body as aforesaid following the pikes which now make good the Muskettiers ground If need be the pikes may charge over-hand or if occasion serves at the foot drawing forth their swords over their left armes and couching downe their heads by which meanes the Muskettiers may give fire over their shoulders For the first ranke having fired may kneele downe on the ground and charge againe and so the second ranke may give fire and kneele in like manner making ready againe And so in like manner for all the rest all giving fire and kneeling on the ground that so the next ranke behinde may give fire over them Thus continning the firing untill all the Muskettiers have given fire Neverthelesse if need be the first ranke may rise with the rest and give fire over again as before And so the Battell may be continued the Pikes still keeping off the horse For the reducement of this figure to bring every man to his place let your Muskettiers either firing or passing through be brought into the places they were in before they first gave fire Then face the whole Body to one of the flankes and march them untill they have evened their rankes and straitned their files This done then if all your Pikes be on the right flanke wheele your right flanke into the midst if on the left flank wheele front and reere into the left flanke This being done let the Commander passe to his proper file-leaders and face the whole Body to him and they are reduced as at first CHAP. LXXVIII Of Extraduction the severall uses firings and Reducements THe next Firing which I shall take upon me to demonstrate shall be by way of Extraduction which is also a firing in Front It may be to singular good use in a strait or passage sage where your Wings and Reere may be secured your enemy being supposed to be too powerfull for you either in Horse or Foot or both Having gotten into some strait there fill the mouth of the passage with your Pikes and if the length of your Company be not sufficient to do it then double your ranks as in this following figure and let yâ—ur pikes either order advance port or charge according to the occasion your Muskettiers being in the Reere may march up into the Front and fire But before I shew the firing observe these following directions which produce the Figure Pikes stand Muskettiers face to the Reere and March uâ—till you are cleere of your body of Pikes Then face inward and close your division that being done face to your Leader and double your Rankes This being performed the Pikes are all in front the Muskettiers in Reere A firing by Extraduction Having ordered your baâ—tell in this manner let the first rankâ—â—f Muskettiers which are those that follow next after the Pikes face to the right and march forth file-wise to close by the right flanke of Pikes untill he that is the leader of them be come into the front of Pikes then hee is to leade them quite crosse the front of Pikes untill he have attained the further part of the front to the left which being done they are all to stand present and give fire You must note withall in this firing that hee which was the right hand man of the Ranke and was the leader of the â—â—tion now becomes the left hand man when he gives fire and that having fired they are to wheele off to the left close to the left flanke of Pikes and so to fall in the reere of the Muskettiers In the interim whilest that the ranke which first fired is wheeling away the second rank is marching into their places to give fire And in this manner they may maintaine their Battaile so long as they please the Pikes either porting or charging all the whiles The Muskettiers in the time of their crossing the front are to couch or stoope under their Pikes that so they may be no impediment to the Pikes in their charge There is another way of firing â—y Extraduction which is that the right hand leader of Muskettiers placeth himselfe before the right fileâ—eader of Pikes the rest all falling beyond him neverthelesse because I conceive it not to be so good a way as that already shewne I will not trouble you with it but come immediately to the â—educement of this which is as followeth Comâ—and your Pikes to stand and your Muskets to double their front by division but if you want room to doe it then first double your files 〈◊〉 the contrary hand of that which you doubled your rankes and so hauing doubled by division as aforesaid they will be reduced as at fiâ—st CHAP. LXXIX Of the Broad-fronted Battell with the wayes of firing upon it THe broad-fronted battell must needs be of speciall use for many occasions either offensive or defensive Which because it is so apparant to all I shall not need to stand to reason with any rather desiring to shew the manner of making and reducing it which is â—s followeth Cause your Pikes to stand and your Muskettiers to march untill the reere ranke of Muskettiers be advanced a little before the first ranke of Pikes then let the Muskettiers face inward or in opposition and close their divisions and then face to their leader And if
you would bring more hands to fight double rankes to any hand and the body for forme and number will stand like the figure here next following But the speediest way and I thinke the best I am sure with expert Souldiers is to wheele both â—lanks into the front which is the way intended by this Figure For the manner of the firing it selfe you may partly perceive that there are intervalles made for each division to wheele off to the right that so they may either fall in the reer of the Muskettiers there continue the firing or else fall in the reer of the pikes be therby secured from the horse It may be done one or both wayes according to the occasion or discretion of the Commander Neverthelesse before I shew the firing observe these words of Command which produce the Figure Wheele your flanks into the front Face to your leader The broad â—â—onted Battell The first ranke having presented and given fire let them wheele off to the right all passing down the Interualâ—es to the right and placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions of Muskettiers The Muskettiers making good their leaders ground and the next ranâ—es firing wheeling off and placing themselves as before Having fired once or twice over this way a second way may be to place themselves in the reere of their Pikes either standing or advancing the Pikemen in the meane time clouding the cleere skie with their ayrie Armorie The Muskettiers having all given fire and placed themselves in the reere if need bee the Pikes may close their divisions and charge over hand and if the enemy shall still presse forwards the Pikes may charge at the foot the Muskettiers giving fire over them c. For reducement there are divers waies by firings but because I would make every thing so plaine and easie that those that reade for instruction may receive benefit it hath caused me to reduce each figure by it selfe and not to multiply one upon another whereby to make them too ambiguous And therefore if you make this Figure by wheeling your flankes into the front and then fire as aforesaid the reducement may be either to fire them over againe and so to fall into their former places and then to wheele your flankes into the front againe and lastly face about to the right and they will be as before Or else if you would reduce them without giving fire over againe then command your Muskettiers to double your front by division that done wheele both flankes into the reere then face to your leader and command your Muskettiers to double your front by division againe and they are as at first If I should proceed to shew the many and sundry wayes of firings which may be done in front my Booke had need to have as many leaves as lines and yet all too little But that I may keepe my selfe to my promise and my Booke to its compasse I will next come to shew some firings in the reere and amongst my divisionall firings I shall insert some other sorts of front firings which here I have omitted CHAP. LXXX Of dismarching or firing in the Reere the severall wayes and how they ought to be performed HAving so long maintained Battaile in the front I will now face them about and see how they will behave themselves upon their firings in the reere Which kinde of firings may be very beneficiall and serviceable many wayes For by keeping an orderly march and firing in the reere the eager enemy by a too hasty pursuit may be disordered Or if it so happen as many timesit doth that you have a disadvantagious place to imbattell on by this firing you may march away still preserving your order and array untill you have brought your adversary into some ambushment or such like inconvenience For the manner of comming of the firing it must either be by facing about wheeling about or countermarching the Pikes are to be shouldered The figure followeth A firing in the Reere The Bodie being upon a march if the enemy appeare in the Reere let the last ranke of Muskettiers face about and give fire wheeling off by division file-wise marching up toward the Front and there placing themselues before the foremost ranke of Muskettiers the outmost man of each ranke being the leader up of those which have fired where first taking their places on the outside the rest wheeling about them and ranking even with them on the inside ever observing that they ranke even with the second ranke of pikes The rest of the Muskettiers also doing the like and in this manner to continue the firing as occasion shall require Neverthelesse of all the figures and firings that ever I have seene this hath beene the worst performed in all places which might easily be amended if the Souldiers would observe this following order in their execution namely when the last ranke of Muskettiers have presented to the Reere and are giving of fire the ranke which marched next before them do then blow open and present at three motions still keeping along even with the Body untill that lastly they present to the Reere by which time the ranke that last fired will be wheeled away The next ranke so soone as the other hath presented is likewise at 3. motions to do the same and so successively for all the rest every ranke observing upon each ranks firing to loose one and to march one ranke neerer to the reere of the Battell that so that part may still be kept absolute This giving of fire towards the reere for service is to be continued according to the qualitie of the place the occasion for fight and the discretion of the Commander In exercise we commonly do it but once over and then if you please you may make Alte and face your Bodie about giving fire over againe and charging your pikes upon it if need so requireth Notwithstanding if the horse shall still continue to pursue you in the reere you having gained some strait or place of advantage may wheele your flanks into the Front then face to the reere and with your charged pikes defend your Muskettiers which the body being so wheeled will be in the reere The body standing in this forme the Muskettiers may sleeve up by way of Extraduction The manner you may perceive in the Chapter which treats of that figure If the horse still presse forwards cause the pikes to charge at the foot the Muskettiers giving fire â—ver them as in the Convex halfe Moone Lastly to reduce them having thus fired command them to wheele their flanks into the fron and to face about after their proper file-leaders and they are reduced Sometimes we give fire in the reere having all our Muskettiers marching in the reere of the pikes For the manner of the motion it is as before but for placing of the men after they have fired it may be different As to wheele off by division placing themselues in the front of