every particular doublings pointing at one of these although there be sundry and divers waies for the doing of them each of them being to very good purpose for some consideration or other Doublings of Ranks from what forme soever it be done doth make the number double so much as was before and sometimes doth extend the length of the battell to double the proportion of ground as well as well as number Doublings of files or flankes doe also double the number in depth and sometimes becomes a doubling both of number and place Wherefore for the better understanding of the doublings observe with me these sixe usuall waies following The severall parts or branches of Doublings Doublings of 1 Ranks 2 Halfe-files 3 Bringers-up 4 The Reere 5 Files 6 Halfe-rankes The first is the doubling of rankes and is when every even ranke doubleth into the odde the second is when the halfe-files double their ranks forwards into the Front the third when the Bringers-up double their ranks forwards into the Front The fourth when the Front-halfe files doubleth the Reere These first foure being doublings of ranks the length of the battell being by them extended either simply in number or both in number and place The next two are doublings of flanks the first whereof is the ordinary doublings of files every one of the even files being inserted into the odde files accounting from the hand named The next is the doubling of halfe-rankes which is to be understood when one flanke doubleth the other either by passing through countermarch doubling intire or divisionall You are to note in this motion of doubling that as there is one part of the body stands so the other part moves the standing part is to be doubled the part moving are those that double as you may perceive by the figures which shew the manner of each doubling That which next followes are the words of command and direction for doublings with their severall reducements following next after them The words of command for Doublings Ranks to the right double  left  Rankes as you were Files to the right double  left  Files as you were Bringers up double your ranks forward to the right Bringers up face about to the left march forth into your places Bringers up double your ranks forward to the left Bringers up face about to the right march forth into your places Files to the right and left double outward Files as you were  inward  Halfe files double your rankes forward to the right Halfe files face about to the left march forth into your places Halfe files double your ranks forward to the left Halfe files face about to the right march forth into your places Front halfe files face about to the left and double the reere to the right march forth into your places Front halfe files face about to the right and double the reere to the left march forth into your places Front halfe-files double the reere to the right by counter-march Front halfe-files face about to the left march forth into your places Front halfe-files double the reere to the left by counter-march Front halfe-files face about to the right march forth into your places Halfe-rankes to the right by counter-march double your left flanke Halfe-rankes that doubled face to the right march forth into your places Halfe-rankes to the left by counter-march double your right flanke Halfe ranks that doubled face to the left march forth into your places Halfe-ranks of the right double your left flank Halfe-ranks that doubled face to the right march forth into your places Halfe-ranks of the left double your right flank Halfe-ranks that doubled face to the left march forth into your right places Halfe-files double your front to the right intire Halfe-files face about to the left march forth into your places Halfe-files double your front to the left intire Halfe-files face about to the right march forth into your places Halfe-files double your front inward intire Halfe-files face about to the right march forth into your places Halfe-files double your front by diuision Halfe-files face about to the right and left march forth into your places Front halfe-files double your reere by division Front halfe-files face about to the right and left inward march forth into your places Front halfe-files double your reere to the right intire Front halfe-files face about to the left march forth into your places Front halfe-files double your reer to the left intire Front halfe-files face about to the right march forth into your places Halfe-ranks of the right double your left flank intire to the right Halfe-rankes that doubled face about to the left march forth into your places Halfe-ranks of the left double your right flanke intire to the left Halfe-ranks that doubled face about to the right march into your places Halfe-ranks of the right double your left flanke by division Halfe-rankes that doubled face about the right and left inward march forth into your places Double your ranks to the right intire Ranks that doubled face to the left march forth into your places Double your ranks to the left intire Ranks that doubled face to the right march forth into your places Double your ranks by division Ranks that doubled face to the right and left inward march forth into your places Double your files to the right intire advancing Files that doubled face about to the left march forth into your places Double your files to the left intire advancing Files that doubled face about to the right march forth into your places Files double your depth intire to the right files that doubled as you were left Files double your depth to the right every man falling behinde his bringer-up Files that doubled as you were CHAP. XII Of inversion and conversion and of doubling Ranks THere is yet another doubling of the depth which is called Inversion But because some out of their ignorance make little or no difference betwixt Inversion and conversion Give me leave for the clearing of the doubt to place Conversion and Inversion together that by their contrary effects the difference may be the more perspicuous to such as shall be desirous to know it Yet before I either enter upon figure or command for Inversion or Conversion I hold it necessary to shew some of the figures of those doublings for which I have already given the words of command and reducements And then next after them I will place both the words of Command and the figures belonging to Inversion and Conversion This figure next following is a doubling of rankes to the right where you may perceive how the even rankes are inserted into the odde rankes the pricks denotating the places they stood in before the doubling began the little line or stroke drawne from the pricks shewing the manner of the doubling I thinke it would be needlesse to make another figure to shew the doubling of rankes to the left for the meanest judgement
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
from the doubling last shewen more in maner then matter Both concurring in substance although differing in circumstance To say more of it were more then needed only peruse the Figure which presents it selfe unto you as it is in motion as followeth This doubling of the Reere by the Front halfe-files is to bee performed after this manner The command being first given the Front halfe-files face about to the left the Pikes being all aduanced the Muskets all either poysed or shouldred and so being led by the Halfe-file-leaders to the Reere which are those that hold the fourth place of honour they march directly forwards to the Right of the other part of the Body which stood faced in opposition untill the leaders of the doubling have ranked even in Ranke with the Bringers up the rest ranking even with the other standing Rankes according to their places If it be for service that this doubling is used then the whole body is to face about to the Reere being the part to be doubled If onely for exercise then the Commander may if he please keepe his place and the doubling being performed and the whole Body faced to the Leader command for the reducement Files to the Right double intire advancing every man falling before his leader which reduceth each man to his first place CHAP. XVIII Of doubling the Reere by Countermarch THere is another manner of doubling of the Reere by the Front halfe-files contrary to that shewen in the precedent Chapter which is done by the way of the Lacedemon Countermarch which some would ranke amongst the Countermarches Because say they the Motion is a Countermarch But the act intended or thing wrought is a doubling and if it were to have the denomination of a Countermarch then it ought not to mixe with any other part of the Body onely to Countermarch the Front into the midst and there to stand without passing forwards to the Reere which makes it a doubling and then it might be accounted for a part-Countermarch But as it is here commanded and performed it is a doubling Obserue the Figure following This Figure of doubling the Reere by Countermarch produceth the same effect to the Reere as doubling the Front by Bringers up doth unto the Front The Countermarch by which it is performed is a Countermarch of losse of ground We will speake more of it amongst the Countermarches The command to reduce it is if the Commander stand at the head of that part that is doubled Front halfe-files face about to the Right march forth into your places If he keepe his first stand having faced them to him Then Front halfe-files march forth into your places To double the Reere to the Left by Countermarch is the same differing onely in the hand I will next shew a doubling of the left Flanke by way of Countermarch CHAP. XIX Of Doubling Flankes by way of Countermarch HAlfe-rankes or flankes are then said to be doubled when the depth of your Battalia is increased to double their former proportion of Number or Place or both which may be done divers wayes But this Chà pter and Figure is onely to demonstrate unto you the doubling of the left Flanke by way of Countermarch The Figure followeth and stands as the doubling is in Motion This doubling of Halfe-rankes by Countermarch is a doubling of Number not of Place for the depth still retaines the same proportion onely augmented by one man the length of your Battalia being diminished both in Number and Place The right Flanke being wholly inserted into the left Flanke as you may perceive by the Figure The Motion is to be performed on this manner The halfe-rankes of the Right Face to the Right and then Even in ranke together Countermarch betweene the Intervales untill the outmost file to the Right which is marked with the figure 1 be come into the outmost File of the left Flanke which is marked with the number 16 The second into the fifteenth the third into the foureteenth The fourth into the thirteenth and the rest in like manner The use of this doubling is to strengthen one of the Flankes by bringing more hands to doe present execution the other Flanke being in more surety The way for the Reducement of this Motion is after this manner The halfe-halfe-ranks last doubled being faced to the Right then they which were the last which tooke their places in the Motion now are the first which take their places in the Reducement orderly marching in Ranke together untill they come to their places Then facing to their Leader they become Files againe The left flanke may in like manner double the Right by Countermarch The difference is this The right Flanke stands the left Flanke is inserted into the Right as before the Right was into the Left To shew another Figure for it would be altogether needlesse CHAP. XX. Doubling halfe files to the right intire to accomodate the doubling of halfe Rankes I Should now come to shew another manner of doubling of flanks by inserting the one flanke into the other a different way from that last shewen But if I should performe it as the body stands in the ordinary square flanked with Muskettiers then it would produce a mixture of Armes To avoid which before you enter upon this doubling of passing in through or betweene your halfe rankes Cause your halfe files to double the Front to the right intire which being performed you may then proceed to the doubling of your flanks any way without mixture of Armes If I should have shewen this motion with Pikes or Muskettiers alone this first doubling of halfe files intire might have beene spared but I desire not to leave any thing obscure or difficult but to render it as easie and apparant as I may to the capacity of the meanest reader and if any place in this small Treatise of mine shall seem ambiguous I shall intreate the courteous to impute it to my lacke of language to expresse my selfe rather than any will in me to conceale or obnubilate the sense whereby to deprive them of the true meaning of any thing in this Booke contained But left by doubling of words I prove tardy in my worke I will forbeare further circumstance and come to the prosecution of the matter which in the first place will be a doubling of halfe files to the right intire whereby the next doubling may be the more commodiously accomplished The figure followeth This doubling of halfe files to the right intire I have fully exprest in the figure as the body stands the motion being ended because we are to adde another doubling before wee reduce them This figure next following will be best shewen in the motion or action not fully performed that thereby the manner may be the more easily discerned But by the way observe that this doubling of halfe files is a doubling both of number and place for the length of the Battalia is not only double so many a breast as they were before
but they also have extended ther length to double their proportion of ground which formerly they did occupie I forbeare to speake more of this doubling untill we come to shew it in motion and now proceed to the next doubling upon this The command is as followeth This doubling of halfe rankes is a more speedy and sure doubling then the doubling of halfe ranks by countermarch but is most commonly used when the body consists but of one sort of Armes being either all Muskettiers or all Pikes But because in my figures I have as well Muskettiers as Pikes I have made use of a Doubling intire and from that have doubled my left flanke to prevent the mixture of Armes However mixture of Armes upon some occasion may be necessary The manner to performe the motion is this The left flanke stands the halfe ranks of the right face to the left and then the inmost file of the right flanke all the files of the right flanke being by this facing become ranks is the leader of this motion marching forth right to their left hands between the intervales of the rankes of the left flank untill that the sixteenth file which now is become a ranke have placed themselves orderly in the two and thirtieth file which is the outmost file of the left flanke The fifteenth in the one and thirtieth the fourteenth in the thirtieth the thirteenth in the nine and twentieth and so likewise of all the rest The places may be perceived by the figure The doubling is of number and not of place For reducement to both these doublings first cause the halfe rankes which last doubled to face to the right and so to march into their places They that last tooke their places in the motion are the first that take their places in the reducement The doubling of halfe ranks being thus reduced next for the reducing of the halfe files which were doubled before for the accomodating of the doubling of halfe-ranks command the halfe files to face about to the left and to march forth into their places Wherewith I will conclude these sort of doublings which require open order in Ranke and File and come next to shew intire doublings which claime a closer distance for their true performance And therfore conceive them closed to their order both in Ranke and File CHAP. XXI The difference betweene intire and divisionall doublings and of doubling halfe-files intire HAving closed our Souldiers to their due distance I will next proceed to shew doublings intire But me thinkes I heare some already inquiring what is meant by intire doublings and therefore without offence to the curious give me leave to be so courteous to the Ignorant to tell them that all Doublings are either intire or divisionall Intire Doublings being these or such like as when the files or halfe-files rankes or halfe-rankes according as the command may be doe march forth joyntly together without division or dissipation to double the part commanded Particle and divisionall Doublings being such as I have formerly shewn as when the files or halfe-files rankes or halfe-rankes are disranked and divided into more parts or places than one This may serve for way of distinction I will now shew intire doublings as they are in action and first beginne with doubling halfe-files The Figure followeth This doubling of halfe-files intire hath beene held a better doubling then either the ordinary doubling of Ranks or the usuall way of doubling by halfe-files or Bringers up some of the causes are these First it makes no disturbance to the other part of the Battalia but that it may either be executed in time of motion exercise or skirmish Secondly it appeares another solid body to the great disheartening of any enemy Thirdly it is very apt for over-fronting being a doubling both of number and place The way to performe the motion is this The halfe-files face to the left and march till they are quite cleere of that part of the body which stands then they face to their Leader and so march up untill they are become even in ranke with those which stand upon the right flanke and then the Figure will be perfect For the reducement the word of command is Halfe Files face about to the right march forth into your places having faced about they march straight forth untill they be cleere of the front halfe-files then they face to the left and march straight forth untill every man hath his right place and then face right after their Leaders The doubling of halfe-files to the right intire is performed after the same manner onely differing in the hand CHAP. XXII Of doubling the Front inward intire DOubling of the Front inward intire hath beene a doubling as usefull as ancient notwithstanding most commonly used by greater bodies as when one Regiment Division or Maniple moveth forward betweene two others thereby seconding or relieving them whereby the Front of all the three divisions become ranged in an even line but I have onely taken upon me to shew the motion in a private Company The Figure whereof followeth as it is in the execution It hath beene the custome amongst ancient Souldiers and great Commanders that in the matter of Exercise they shew some things which are most apt for a private Company some for a Regiment other some most usefull for compleat arms so in like manner it must be the discretion of every Reader whether hereade for apprehension or reprehension to suit and fit each motion to his true end purpose with the wise man rather reade twise than judge once and then perhaps when the intent of the Author is perceived his opinions may be received yet what need I or any other apologize ought in the behalfe of this Figure or any other such like sith they are but the expressions of the various figures which proceed of the words of command used almost by every ordinary Exerciser of a foot Company Neverthelesse if Aesops long ear'd beast passing by should peepe into this Druggists shop and quarrell with the Compounds I shall not studie for a further answer then That the excellent and skilfull Physitian can convert that into an Antidote which the unlearned foole will make his poyson But lest I be taxt for digression the motion of this doubling is thus performed The halfe files of the Front faceth to the right and left and march till they have left a distance between them sufficient to receive the halfe files of the Reere and then stand and face to their Leader Then the halfe files march up and even their Front For the reducement of this Figure there are as there are for all the rest divers waies But because that it is necessary to shew one let the halfe files face about to the Reere and march untill they are cleere of the Front halfe files then stand and face to their Leader then the other halfe files of the Front close their division and they are reduced CHAP.
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-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
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
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-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
the Horne-battell how to make it and to reduce it by firing p. 195 74 Of the Demie-hearse Battell The use of the figure how to make it and to reduce it by firing p. 198 75 Of giving fire advancing by way of Introduction with the beneficiall use of the Bow and Pike page 201 76 The way to make the Diamond Battell severall wayes to fire upon it with divers other figures and firings which are thereby produced p. 204 77 Of the Convex Halfe Moone The use of the Figure and of severall wayes of firing upon it p. 211 78 Of Extraduction the severall uses firings and Reducements p. 215 79 Of the Broad fronted Battell with the wayes of firing upon it p. 218 80 Of dismarching or firing in the Reere the severall wayes and how they ought to be performed p. 221 81 Of firings in flanke in generall and more particularly of the gathering firing p. 226 82 The second manner of giving fire to the flanke p. 229 Chap. 83 A firing in flanke led off by the Bringers up page p. 131 84 The difference betweene Firings in Flanke marching and of bringing the Muskettiers on the outside of the Pikes p. 234 85 Of Firing in Flanke aud placing the Muskettiers in the midst of the Battell of Pikes with other firings from thence proceeding p. 237 86 Of firing to the front and reere upon a march p. 242 87 A second way of firing to the front and reere p. 245 88 A firing to the reere and right flanke marching p. 247 89 Of firing to both flanks marching p. 249 90 A firing to both Flanks standing p. 251 91 Captaine Wallers Triple firing to the Front p. 254 92 A firing tripartite doing execution to the front reere and right flanke p. 257 93 Of the Sconce Battell p. 259 94 Of firing by three files at once two of them standing oblique the other direct p. 262 95 A firing oblique by foure files together in forme of a W. p. 264 96 Of the Fort Battell the way to make and to reduce it p. 266 97 Of the crosse Battell the way to make it with a private Company How to fire upon it and to reduce it p. 268 98 Of the hollow-fronted Crosse Battell how to make it with a private Company and the way to fire upon it c. p. 272 99 Of firing upon the square Battell flanked with Pikes p. 274 100 Of the Plinthium or fouá¹™e-fronted-battell by us called the Crosse of Muskets flanked with Pikes p. 276 101 Of the Hollow Square for march p. 280 102 Of the hollow Hearse and the Crosse p. 283 103 Of the Hollow Square 〈◊〉 dled with shot p. 286 104 Of the Sollid Square with Muskettiers in Center and Angles The way to make the figure with a private Companiâ— how to fire upon it and to reduce it p. 291 105 The first dayes Exercise p. 297 106 The second dayes Exercise p. 299 107 The third Dayes Exercise p. 304 108 The fourth dayes Exercise p. 308 109 The fifth dayes Exercise p. 313 110 The sixth dayes Exercise p. 320 FINIS Faults escaped in the Printing PAge 17. line 5. for and reade ad p. 25. l. 32. r. before p. 34. first line of the 11. Chap. 〈◊〉 p. 36. in the margent r. particle p. 64 l. 13. r. armies p 74. l. 9. 4. all 〈◊〉 â—8 l. 8. r. least p. 86 l. 6. r. or p. 86. l. 19 r. to p. 87. l. 8. r. without p. 87. l 2◠〈◊〉 drawne a figure p 89. l 6. r. left p. 89. l. 17. r. file-wise p. 97. l. the last r. 〈◊〉 p. 106. l. 3. r. one p. 108. l. 9. r. in p. 112. l. 5. r. before p. 117. l. 4. r. 〈◊〉 leaders p. 119. l. 19. 20. r. and with the Chorean it holds no affinity p. â—24 the last line r. be as at first p. 127. the 2 m m which stand for the ouâ—â—ost file-leaders to the right stand quite contrary p. 137. l. 5. r. to p. 140. â—he figure seâ— wrong p 152 l. 8. r. â—oo p. 1â—6 l. 11. r. flanks p. 173. l. 13. r. oâ—â—rmost p. 176. l. 32. r. figured p. â—07 l. 14. r. commanded p. 217. l 4. r. uâ— p. 250. l. 8. r. firing p. 269. l 18. r. them p. 271. l. 11. r. armes p 292. l. 13. r. flanks p. 293. the title of the figure r. Plesium p. 296. l. 6. r. to her severall c. p. 297. the marginall note opposite to the aâ— line r. instead of one file and close One file of Muskettiers to give fire and close p. 302 l. the 9. for hâ—â—swise r herswise p. 306. l. 27. for Leader r. Leaders p 311. l. 17 for overhead r. overhand Charge to the Reere is to be understood alwayes to the left about because it is 3. times a nearer way then charging to the right about What is a Ranke What is a File * In the Tacticks of Aeâ—an lib. 1. the Notes of the 10. Chapter In motion of Files you are to observe your Leader In motion of Rankes you are to observe your right hand man In the exercise of the motion of facings you are to be at open order in Ranke and File When you face to any hand in the Reducement you are to returne by the contrary When your Souldiers begin any motion let them advance their Armes When they come to a stand and have performed their motion let them order their Armes Intire Divisionall Angular The distance for particular and divisionall doublings is open order in Ranke and File Note that the ordinary doublings of Rankes and Files is or ought to be performed by three steps first stepping forth with that foot which is next unto the place named and in the reducement to returne by the contrary hand Note that in these doublings of ranks and files if you double rankes to either hand doubling of files to the contrary reduceth them Or in doubling of files to any hand doubling of ranks to the contrary will reduce them Note that upon all motions of doublings that they that are to double before they move from their places are to advance their Armes When they have performed their doubling they are to conforme to the Posture of those whom they double whether it be Order Advance or Shoulder Note that all entire doublings are to be performed at Order both in Ranke and File Note that in the doubling of Ranks the even Ranks are to double into the odde beginning alwaies to reckon from the first Rank In doubling of Files note if the doubling be to the left as in this Figure then every man of the even Files steps behinde his left hand man at three steps every even File doubling into the odde files beginning your account with the outmost File to the hand named as I have formerly said * In this doubling of Ranks by Bringers up as likewise in all other of like nature they that are to move are to adxance their Armes But if the Commander please
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
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
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
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
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
thereby I may expresse farre more matter in fewer lines and shorter time CHAP. LXXXVI Of firing to the front and reere upon a march THe Muskettiers being all placed in the front and reere according to the directions in the last Chapter I will now shew the manner of firing to the front and reere upon a march Which however that it may bee rare and seldome usefull in service yet it must needs be excellent for practise For by the often using it the Souldier may be made capable of any firing The Pikes you are to understand are to be shouldered The Command for the firing is Muskettiers give fire to the front and reere and flanke your Pikes The Command being given as above said to give fire to the front and reere the first ranke presents the last ranke faceth about to the reere and doth the like and so both giving fire together wheele off by division The one halfe of the ranke following after the right hand man of the same ranke the other halfe after the left hand man who leads them close downe by the side or flanke of the Muskettiers untill they come to the Pikes The first ranke of Muskettiers now ranking even with the first rank of Pikes the last ranke of Muskets with the last ranke of Pikes leaving a sufficient intervalle betwixt them and their Pikes for the other Muskettiers to march betweene And here you must note that he that was outermost when they gave fire must likewise be outermost when they have taken their places on the flanke The first and last rankes having fired and wheeled off the next rankes the body marching on three or foure steps are in like manner to present and give fire wheeling off by division and passing betweene the divisions there placing themselves they of the front division behinde those which fired last before them and they of the reere division before them which fired last behinde them And so they may continue to give fire after the same manner untill they have all given fire once over Then may the body make a stand and the Pikes charge to the front and reere if need be Or if the Commander would continue his firing to the front and reere still upon the same figure Then let the Muskettiers of the front place themselves after they have given fire behinde the Muskettiers of their owne division those of the reere division placing themselves betwixt the reere of Pikes and the Muskets of their owne division and so the body moving but flowly forwards they may continue the firing Having given fire to the front and reere and flanked their Pikes if the occasion offer or the Commander please they may give fire to the front and reere upon that Figure which indeed I hold the better as you may perceive in the ensuing Chapter CHAP. LXXXVII A second way of firing to the front and reere THis second way of firing to the front and reere upon a march may easily be performed if the Souldiers bee well and often instructed Without which all matters in the Art militarie will seeme difficult and by which all things will be made facile and easie I could instance in divers motions and figures by some reputed superfiuous niceties which were the true uses knowne to the Commander and the way to execute to the Souldier would be found to be of singular good service Neverthelesse because to the ignorant nothing beyond their capacities may seeme excellent many good and serviceable motions are slighted and not accounted fit for service But I could well wish that some good course might be taken that the Souldiers of our trayned Bands might have a little oftener practise that so they might be able at least in some reasonable way to understand and exercise what shall bee commanded them But I have strayed from the matter And therefore take these words of Command and direction which being orderly executed produce this following firing Muskettiers give fire to the front and reere placing your selves betweene your Divisions The way to performe this firing is as followeth the Command being given the first ranke presents to the front the last ranke of Muskettiers facing about and doing the like towards the reere This done they both give fire wheeling off by division and place themselves betweene the Muskettiers of their divisions Those namely which were of the front halfe files falling into the reere of their owne division those of the reere halfe files contrariwise falling before their halfe file leaders and ranking even with the halfe file leaders of Pikes the next rankes successively firing and wheeling off after the same manner Having fired once over they are reduced every man to his place These two last firings to be performed upon a march would seeme very difficult to unexperienced Souldiers but by often exercising they may be made capable of these or of any other CHAP. LXXXVIII A firing to the Reere and right flanke marching HAving shewed firings in front reere and flanke some marching some standing I will shew one firing to the reere and right flanke upon a march which without question must needs be very serviceable at such times as the enemy shall skirmish with the body to annoy them in their passage in flanke and reere at one time I shall not need with arguments to inforce the usefulnesse of the firing for none that knowes any thing in the Art military but will ingeniously confesse that for some services it must needs be necessary You may if you please give fire to the flanke and reere your Muskettiers being in their ordinary places on the flankes of their Pikes Neverthelesse a securer way for the Pikes will be to draw the Muskettiers from that flanke which is in least danger crosse the reere of Pike-men And this shall be the way I will observe in this firing The words of Command and direction for this firing are as followeth Muskettiers give fire to the right and reere placing your selves betweene the Pikes and your owne divisions The Command being given to fire to the reere and right flanke the outermost file of Muskettiers presents to the right and the last rank of Muskettiers presents to the reere and so both give fire The rest of the Body in the meane time marching a reasonable pace The right hand file and last ranke having fired the file faceth to the left after their file-leader and so marcheth up between the Muskettiers of the same division and the Pikes the ranke wheeling off to the right and placing it selfe next after the reere of Pikes and before the first rank of Muskettiers of the same division If you please you may make an Intervalle betweene the Muskettiers that so part may wheele off to the right on the out side and the other part wheele off to the right and march up betweene the Intervalle into their places The first file and ranke that presented having given fire and wheeled cleere off the body the next file and ranke present and give fire
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
even-files into the ground before the Front Contrariwise this doubling doth transferre them into the ground next behind the Reer And as in the other doubling you may perceive halfe the file-leaders to remaine in the Front the other halfe to be halfe-file leaders This doubling hath halfe the file-leaders in the front the other halfe being the last ranke of the Reere Those which were the former Bringers up being become the two innermost or middlemost ranks The figure followeth being demonstrated as the body stands the motion being ended The manner of the motion for this doubling is as followeth The command being given files double your depth to the right intire every man falling behinde his bringer up then the even files accounting from the hand named immediately face about to the right and the bringers up of each of the even files turne behinde the Bringers up of the odde files that stand And so every man as he commeth down to the Reere turneth to the left behinde him that marcheth downe the next before him untill those that were the leaders of the even files are become the bringers up to those which were the odde files The reducement is as followeth Bringers up that now are double your ranks forward to the left Which being performed they are as at the first If you would be instructed in the manner turne backe and see it where the bringers up double their ranks forward into the front It is the fourteenth Chapter I have willingly past over another doubling of the depth because it is much after the manner of that which is done by advancing file upon file which is the doubling of the last Chapter It differeth onely thus In the last figure the even files marched forth placing themselves before the odde files And in this which I have omitted the even files are to face about and march forth right towards the reere untill the file-leaders of the even files have placed themselves just behinde the bringers up of the odde files and then every man to face to his leader Some have a doubling of the depth by countermarch Which I conceive scarce worth penning yet willing to leave every man to his owne liking as I do nothing in it so I 'le say nothing of it There are others that have written concerning doublings of place nevertheles because they are nothing but the opening of ranks files wherby length or depth of your battell is extended and so doubled in place and not in number I forbeare to write further of them desiring not to treate of such things which are more curious then necessary CHAP. XXXI Of Conversion and Inversion with their words of Command and Reducements ACcording to my promise I will next shew the difference betweene Inversion and Conversion the very names whereof is such a puzzling unto many that they are more troubled with the words then the worke Some are of opinion that they are both one differing in letter not in matter Others would have a difference if they could tell how or where But generally they are so chopt and changed one for the other that the Souldier cannot in truth tell which is either But that you may not be deceived take this for a rule that Inversion doth alwaies produce file or files and Conversion ranke or rankes Inversion consists of the files filing or of rankes filing Conversion of ranks ranking to the right or left Or by increase of files ranking by even or uneven parts and of ranks wheeling to the right or left I shall speake further of them in their severall places But by the way you are to observe that Inversion and Conversion require larger distances of Ground then any other Motions which must be the Officers care to open the ranks or files to such distance as shall be necessary to containe the rankes or files so to be Inverted or Converted whether it be double-distance or twice double-distance for any other lesser or larger quantity of ground The words of Command with their severall Reducements are as followeth Inversion Files file one to the Right File-leaders lead up your files as you were Left Files file to the right and left by division Ranks file to the Right Files ranke as you were Left Right left Conversion Ranks ranke 3 5 7 or 9 to the right Ranks ranke as you were 4 6 8 or 10 to the left by increase 2. 4. 6. 8. c. to the right by increase 1. 3. 5. 7. c. to the left intire to the right into the front intire into the left into the front by division into the front Ranks wheele to the Right Left Right and Left Files rank 3 5 7 or 9. to the right Ranks file as you were 4 6 8 or 10. to the left by increase to the right 1 3 5 7 c. by increase to the left 2 4 6 8 c. to the right into the front to the left To avoid the words of Inversion and Conversion I have delivered the directions with once naming either of them Onely I have exprest the six first words of Command to be Inversion and these last sixteen to be Conversion For I conceive it not to be so necessary to adde to every word of Command Inversion or Conversion For by so doing the unlearned and ignorant Souldier will be so transported with the strangnesse of the word that he will scarce by any meanes be made capable of the matter For my own part I have ever held this opinion that the easiest expressions are ever to be preferred in the way of instruction to young Souldiers I might have much inlarged my self in the words of direction concerning this subject but these being perfectly attained others by practice wil be gained I at the first intēded to have drawn figure for every one of these words of Command but I have better considered that some of them will require so much roome and againe are so easie to be understood without their figures that I conceive I may both spare the pains and cost and onely deliver the figures of some few of them which will be the most necessary And for the others I will expresse in words what they will produce in figure CHAP. XXXII Of Files filing in sequence The Command is Files file on to the right TO performe this word of Command or Direction The right hand file marcheth away single The second file from the right falleth into the Reere of the first The third behind the second The fourth behind the third And so consequently all the rest of the files fall into the Reere of their next right-hand-files untill all the whole Company become one file It may bee usefull to passe some narrow bridge or thicket or else-where where but one at once can passe the Commander being willing to preserve his files intire and whole The way for the Reducement may be after this manner The place being convenient every file-leader is to lead up his file to the
left of him that marcheth before him untill all the file-leaders are even in ranke together their files orderly following them The word for the Reducement is File-leaders Lead up your files as you were For files to file on in sequence to the left may be performed after the same manner but differeth in the hand Yet works the same effect only the right-hand-file-leader led the other and the elft-hand-file fell last of all into the Reere This contrariwise ' is led forth by the left-hand-file and the right-hand-file is the last that taketh place in the Reere of the extended file Files file to the Right and Left by Division This files filing by division is wrought after the same manner but differeth in this That the right-hand-file of the Company and the left-hand-file of the same begin to lead forth at one and the same time in their severall places The files of the right flanke falling likewise behind the Right-hand-file the files of the left flanke falling in like manner behind the left-hand-file So that if the body be flankt with Muskettiers then this filing by division bringeth all the Muskettiers into the front-division and the Pikes in the Reere of them If there be an odde file it most commonly falleth to the right The word for Reducement is File-leaders lead up your files as you were This sort of Inversion is called filing in sequence I will now shew another sort of Inversion which is by Ranks filing The which I will demonstrate unto you by two figures which will be sufficient to instruct the desirous CHAP. XXXIII Of inverting Rankes or Rankes filing THis following figure of Inversion is of Ranks filing to the right where all the Ranks are to be inverted into the out-most-file to the right For the doing whereof let all your files be closed to their order or close order as shall bee thought most necessary the ranks opened either forward or backward to double-distāce or twice double-distance more or lesse as the Commander shall see most convenient according to his number Having closed your files and opened your ranks unto their due distance then let every ranke move after his right-hand-man untill every ranke stand right in file after the right-hand-leader of his rank In this figure I have onely opened the foure first ranks to their distance and inverted but two of the foure By which it may easily be perceived both the manner of the worke and the matter which is to be wrought But if the Commander will performe it upon a March then they shall not need to open to any distance but to take their distance in the executions which is the easiest way and will be thus performed The right-hand-man of the first ranke marcheth forth right all his ranke facing to the right and marching file-wise after him The right-hand-man of the Second ranke falling immediately after the left hand-man of the First ranke all his ranke in like manner following of him The right-hand-man of the Third ranke after the left-hand-man of the Second his ranke likewise following of him And so for all the rest untill they are all become one file Place this Figure in Chapter 33. betweene folio 90 and 91. This Rankes fileing is sooner performed and reduced then Files fileing and in the Reducement will presently be ready to make resistance against any opposition in the Front Whereas if Files file it will be a great while before the File-leaders will be able to make good the Front The manner of the Reducement of this figure is as followeth If they were Eight men before in ranke then the first Eight men ranke to the Left into the front The next Eight men ranke next after them which makes the second ranke The third Eight men ranking to the left make the third ranke And so forward for the rest untill they are reduced as at the first But it may be that some will object That in this figure there is mixture of Armes which if they will avoyd they may either March forwards their Muskettiers of each division and close them before the Pikes and invert them first Or they may March forwards their Pikes first and leave their Muskettiers to come in the Reere Or if they please they may upon a long March first invert the front-division of Muskettiers then their Pikes and last the Reere-division of Muskettiers which way so ever it be done The Word for the reducement will be Files ranke as you were Rankes file to the Left is performed after the same manner It differeth from this last done but onely in the hand And whereas the Right-hand-file-Leader was the Leader of the last this would be led by the left-hand-file-Leader The left-hand-Leader of each ranke leading forth his ranke file-wise as before it was performed but to the contrary hand I spare the figure CHAP. XXXIIII Of Rankes filing by division and how vsefull THis next figure of Inversion is Rankes filing by division is a doubling of the depth by unequall proportion For whereas in most of all other doublings the Number of the Length or Depth is augmented but to double their former proportion of Number this doubling of Inversion makes their Depth so many times more in number as there are files to double Or halfe so many times if it be done by Division as in the next following figure It hath beene of ancient use amongst the old Grecians and in these our latter times it hath beene held of speciall use to avoyd the shot of the great Ordnance when of necessity we are to march against any Battery It hath also been held good to prevent the eminent danger of some great shower of small shot likely to be powred out upon the Front of your Battalia It may also serue for an Honourable passage large interualle street or gallery as some call it for any great Personage or Commander to passe through It is also of common use for the lodging of the Colours or Ensigne And many other such like Place this Figure in Chapter 34. betweene folio 92 and 93. For instruction how to performe this Motion It is the same with the last figure differing onely in this That as in the other figure all the whole rankes turned to the right behind their right-hand-men In this Motion the left-flanke or halfe-rankes to the left fall into the outmost file to the left The halfe-rankes to the right behind their severall right-hand-men as you may perceive in part by the figure I have shewen the figure in the manner of the action not fully performed The pricks ranke-wise denoting the places from whence they came The Quarter-circles shewing the way of the Motion The prickes file-wise directing or shewing their Places they are going too For reducement to the figure it is no more then this The Rankes which before inverted into files now againe convert into rankes as they were The word of Command for it is Files ranke to the right and left inward as you were I hope this
left then say they they by wheeling become file or files which is a palpable mistake For when we have any command for wheeling it is a maxime for us to wheele our aspects unto the hand or part named By which doing we either become ranke or rankes and not files as some have sought formerly to maintaine One use among many for this motion is It is the speediest way for a great body if they have their due distance to give fire to one or both flanks that as yet I know of The way to performe this motion is as followeth The right and left-hand-men of every ranke became the Hindges of the motion the rest of each ranke wheeling by equall division to the right and left about and above their right and left-hand Leaders untill they become ranks to the flanks As you may perceive by the Figure where the pricks denote unto you the places they stood in before the motion the quarter circles shewing the way of their motion themselves being converted into two ranks sheweth the motion executed I have onely converted three of the rankes for it would have taken too much roome to have wheeled all the ranks And it is easie by this that is shewne to conceive the rest If you would avoid mixture of Armes then place all your Muskettiers either in Front or Reere or else wheele onely your Muskettiers and leave your Pikes standing Or else it may be done the body marching at length the Muskettiers being in the front and reere Divisions The word for the reducement is rankes ranke as you were The easiest way for the reducement will be first for to face to the reere and then to wheele backe into their places Then face to their leader and they will be reduced as at first Now we will come to shew the next figure of Conversion which is of files converted into ranks by equall proportion CHAP. XXXVII Of Files ranking in equall parts IN this Chapter I intend to shew the manner of files ranking by Conversion in equall parts which Motion I have seene used by some Commanders at such times as their Companies have been but small having not had above two or three files of Muskettiers upon a flanke and being willing to march forth their Companies in divisions And this because that two a brest would be somwhat improper unlesse it were upon necessity in some narrow passage and that three a brest is also somewhat with the thinnest Therefore to augment the front of their march they have shartned somewhat of their depths in each division by causing their files to ranke foure or five according as their depth may be when the Command shall be given This Motion of Conversion may also be usefull for larger bodies For if upon a March you are to passe thorough some streight where not above foure or five can march a brest and that being past thorough you are to direct your course to the right or left If your way be to the right then cause your files to ranke to the left If to the left then let the files ranke to the contrary hand For by so doing having past the streight and faced your body that way which you intend your March by commanding the File-leaders to march and the half-files to stand and take their places your body will be led again by their proper file-leaders all a brest the Musketiers becomming again the Flankers which in the passage of the streight were in the Front and Reere For the better understanding the manner of the Motion observe the following figure The way to performe this Motion is as followeth The Command being first given as abovesaid the right-hand-file-leader leadeth forth his file the three next men behind him move forwards to the left of each other untill they ranke even a brest with their file-leader The next foure in like manner ranking to the left make the second ranke The file-leader of the second file placeth himselfe next after him that was the half-file-leader of the first which now is become the right-hand-man of the second ranke the three next men behind him making up of his rank in like manner And so forward for all the rest untill the Motion be fully perfected This converts each file into two ranks and brings all the proper file-leaders and half-file-leaders to make the outmost file to the right the Bringers-up both of the Front and Reere-half-files make the outermost file to the left The figures of Number which are on the left flanke of the figure in which the word file added to each of them demonstrate places of the first second third and fourth file and so consequently for all the rest according to their former standing and the places they now occupy being converted into ranks The letters f and h which are placed on the right flanke shewes the places of those which were the file-leaders and half-file-leaders each of the propex file-leaders having now his half-file-leader next after him I have showne this figure partly performed partly performing and partly standing as before the Motion began For reducement of this Motion of files ranking foure to the left One way is to cause your ranks to file or invert to the right which being done Command every File-leader to lead up his file to the left and so every man will have his place For another way Face the whole body to the right and command the File-leaders to march and half-files to stand and take their places and then they are all reduced onely the file-leaders of the right-flanke are on the left and the file-leaders of the left-flanke are on the right which is reduced by any entire Countermarch of ranke or file CHAP. XXXVIII The conclusion of doublings THere are yet another sort of Doublings both of length and depth which are performed by divisionall wheelings Which because they have ever been accounted for wheelings I will not displace them but stil rank them in their former places although in truth they are doublings The working part indeed is wheeling but the intent or thing wrought is Doubling I will speake further of them when I come to shew them in their severall places And here I mean to set a Period to our Doublings Concluding that those Souldiers who can put every one of these to his right use as also give to each his right reducement must needs be skilfull and expert in this part of the Art Military And contrariwise they that are ignorant in these Doublings can never truly attain to the right managing of a Foot-company either for exercise or service For doublings indeed are the only Motions for varicty and alteration of figures or formes of battaile No other Motions doing the like And therefore Doublings must needs be accounted the most excellent amongst all the Motions You that have eyes to read and skill to judge And have perus'd these doublings I have done Though I have tedious been yet do not grudge For you know well I have skipt
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
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
reduce it INfinite are the formes and figures of Battell which may be made yet all differing either in circumstances or in matter Some of them are Sollid others Hollow some of them again being Trines Squares Hearses Cirtes Crosses Diamonds Plinthiums Plesiums Paramekes and infinite others Some of them taking their denomination from the nature of their numbers Others according to the placing of each Armes A third sort taking their names from things they most resemble all of them being necessarie to be knowne to such which would be accounted skilfull Serjeant-Majors that with all numbers upon all occasions they may readily bring their Souldiers into any forme or figure of battell according as the time the number and place will give them leave for opposition of horse foot or both together But to returne backe to our single Company the worke of this Chapter being to shew the Plesium or long square In which the Muskettiers are halfe in the midst of the Pikes and the other halfe equally divided and placed on the 4. Angles of the battell the pikes making 4. divisions as being placed upon the front reere and flanke Yet not to hold you with longer circumstance take these words of command and direction which produce the following figure Halfe-files double your front to the left entire Onely do not close them to make one Body That being done your Body will be but 4. deepe Next command the 2. outmost flanks of each Body to double inward by division For better satisfaction observe these directions First see the halfe-ranks of the outmost flanks faced to the front and reere and that they march untill they are cleare of the standing part of the battell Secondly cause the halfe-ranks of the right-flank and the halfe-ranks of the left-flanke to face in opposition and to close their divisions the two first ranks of each flanke moving crosse the front of the standing part of the body and the two last ranks of each flanke moving crosse the reere Then the whole body facing to the front they will stand as in this figure If you would give fire upon this figure it may be performed either to the front and reere to the right and left or to all foure together But which way soever the firing be let the Aspect of the Muskettiers in the midst be turned the same way and cause the pikes which stand before them to charge at the foot and the Muskettiers in the Center to gâ—ve fire over them The first ranke having fired let them kneele or crouch low upon the ground making ready againe whilest the next ranks behinde them give fire and do the like and so forwards for the rest Having all fired once over this way let them rise up and if need be give fire over againe after the same manner The Muskettiers on the Angles in the interim giving fire after the ordinary way wheeling off and falling in the reere of the Muskettiers of their own divisions the others in the meane time moving forwards and making good their leaders ground This being done and the pikes having charged the figure will stil continue to be the same without alteration And that as well in men as matter if so be the firing be performed according to the former direction For reducement command the two first ranks and two last ranks to face to the right and left all marching forth untill they are cleere of the standing part of the bodie Next command them to stand then face them to the right and left and close their divisions This being done let them face all to their leader Lastly by commanding the halfe-files to face about to the right and to march forth into their places you shall see them fully to be reduced I might have further enlarged my selfe upon this subject of firings and figures of Battell yea and shewed varieties enow of Trine Battels round battels the crosse and round in one the sollid-square impaled besides infinite other kindes But I have already advanced further then I at first intended though well I hope no further then will be freely and lovingly accepted Which if it be I shall conceive my selfe to have received a gratefull and most ample satisfaction The hope whereof doth somewhat encourage me to proceed a little further And as I have already shewed divers and severall Motions with their formes and figures of Battell yea and in all or the most part of them as I have not onely given the words of command and direction to produce them from the ordinary square but also together with the demonstration of the figure and direction for the firing I have in like manner given direction for the reducements againe into the ordinary square So now for the satisfaction of some of the quainter sort of Souldiers give me leave to multiply one figure upon another untill that by firings I reduce firings For the performance whereof that I may observe some method I will digest them into the way of Exercise c. CHAP. CV The first daies Exercise HAving brought your Company into a place convenient where you intend to exercise them if you have time enough you may cause the file leaders Corporals oâ— Serieants to instruct them in the Postures and true using of their Armes Wherein having spent some time to the benefit of the Company upon the first summons of the Drum each file-leader with his file is to march into his place The Captaine or other Commander being at the head of his Company commands them to even their rankes and to straiten their Pikes and stand in their order both in ranke and file If your Ensigne be not already in the field but in some place neere at hand then cause your two innermost files of pikes to advance commanding a Serjeant with a Drum to troop them along to the place of ReÌ„dezvouz there to fetch their Colours If the place be not nigh at hand take as many files of Muskettiers Having brought the Ensigne to the head of the Pikes each file returnes into his place the Officers likewise withdrawing their severall stations Silence being commanded the Captain or other Commander begins first to instruct the Souldiers in the severall distances betwixt ranke and file with the waies to open and close to them And if hee thinke fit to instruct them in the severall uses of each distance Next after distance they are to be instructed in the †facings then in the doublings next in the Countermarches and lastly in the wheeling In each of which they are to be instructed according to the opportunity of the time and place but especially is the capacity of the Souldier to be observed Wherein the Captaine may doe very well in each of the motions to lay downe some speciall rules and observations by which the Souldier may the better understand what he is to doe and how the best way to performe it After the motions ended let them prepare for skirmish And first
you may cause them to give fire with forlorne files marching forth twenty paces or thereabouts before the front Having all fired over that way they may give fire once over by advancing two rankes together ten paces before the front Then let them give fire even with the front and then with the halfe-files the Pikes porting or charging according to discretion The Pikes being advanced and the Muskettiers marched up even with their front you may either face about wheele about or Countermarch and so give fire in the reere Your Pikes then being shouldered and your Muskettiers having fired over in the reere you may if you please wheele your flankes into the front and so charge Pikes to the reere Which done wheele your front into the midst passe into your place and face them to you Then if you will you may passe your Muskettiers of the left flanke through betweene the rankes of Pikes and place them next to the right flanke of Pikes opening the right flanke of Muskettiers to give them way Then let the Pikes shoulder and Muskettiers give fire to the right upon a march their leaders leading them up betweene the Pikes and their owne divisions of Muskettiers Having fired once over in this way let them continue their firing to the right each leader leading up his file on the outside of the left flanke of Pikes Then let the Pikes advance even whilest the last file is giving of fire and so soon as the Pikes are cleere of the Muskettiers let them face all to the right and charge Having advanced your Pikes and faced your body againe to the left you may then wheele your Battell about to the right and then facing the whole body to the left the Muskettiers will be all in front Then let your Muskettiers give fire and either wheele all off to the right thereby making an Intervalle for the left flanke or else let them wheele off by division placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions of Muskettiers Having given fire once or oftner over that way let them give fire againe and wheele off by division ranking even with their Pikes That being done cause the Pikes to charge the Muskettiers giving fire once over on that Figure The Pikes being advanced face the whole body to the right and cause the Muskettiers to stand and the Pikes to open to the right and left and so to make the hollow square Then you may if you please command the Ensigne to display his Colours in the midst of the hollow in signe of triumph the body either standing or marching After which command the Pikes to close their divisions Which being performed command the reere division of Muskettiers to double their front of Pikes by division and then they will stand in forme of Captaine Wallers Triple firing Let them give fire upon that Figure and fall off againe according to the directions upon that Figure Which being performed and the Pikes charged and readvanced the body will be absolutely reduced as at the first it was before you began your firings These firings may with the motions be sufficient for the first daies Exercise Wherefore for this time we will lodge our Colours untill by the summons of the Drum we are called forth to the second daies practise CHAP. CVI. The second dayes Exercise HAving brought your Souldiers the second time into the field the body being drawne up into the ordinary square and every Officer vigilant in his place the Captaine commandeth silence with some other generall termes of observation both for the leaders and right hand men Having thus commanded them as before to even their rankes and to straiten their files he proceeds to shew as formerly the distances the facings the doublings the Countermarches and the wheelings therewithall instructing them either in all or so many of them as the time will permit and he thinkes convenient Ever by the way observing that in the Proverbe A thing once well done is twice done That Commander that exerciseth his Souldiers with good language and with sollid reasons shall make them better proficients then he that shall use rigid termes and rough hands After the postures distances and severall motions that which next followes for this daies exercise are firings and figures of battell So soone therefore as the Drum begins to beat a preparative the Muskettiers are to begin to make ready And first you may cause them to give fire on the Horne Battell still marching up into their leaders ground by that meanes preserving their Figure Secondly let the Muskettiers close their diuisions before their Pikes and then give fire upon the demie-Hearse-Battell falling off presently either all to the right the one halfe passing downe an Intervalle or to the right and left by division and placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions of Muskettiers The third time of their firing let them wheele off by division and flanke their Pikes and when they have fired over that way let the Pikes charge For the fourth firing let them give fire even with the front of Pikes wheeling off to the right and left and placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions Then let them fire even with the halfe-files wheeling off by division and placing themselves in the reere of the Pikes The Pikes you are to understand ought to charge all the time of the last firing who being advanced you are to wheele your Battell about to the right or left Then your Muskettiers being in the reere of your Pikes let your sixt firing be to the reere the Muskettiers wheeling off by division and placing themselves before the front of their owne divisions of Muskettiers and next behinde the reere of Pikes Having fired once over that way let them give fire ouer againe and flanke their Pikes which being in like manner performed Command them to wheele their flankes into the front and then face to the reere and charge pikes at the inside of the right foot with their swords drawne in their right hands Let the seventh firing be discharged over their pikemen wheeling either all off to the right through Intervals or else by division and placing themselues in the reere of their owne files Otherwise for want of room the first ranke of Muskettiers having given fire let them kneel or crouch low upon the ground and make ready againe the second ranke in like manner firing and kneeling and so for the rest Having all fired once over in that manner let the Pikes advance and put up their swords the Muskettiers in like manner are to rise then to even their ranks and streighten their files For the eighth firing you may face the body to the reere or if you will continue your firing the same way then wheele your battell about and having opened your Intervals your forme will be the broad fronted Phalange or broad fronted Battell Let these give fire the first time falling
for Skirmish Then if you please you may cause three or foure of the first firings to be performed by light Skirmishing before the Front and that with loose Ranks or Files or both either some of those or such like as I have formerly spoken off in the preceding Exercises After which for your next firing cause your Half-files to open to the right and left by equall division untill the Reere Divisions of Pikes stands right after the Muskettiers of the Front-division Now the Muskettiers standing in foure Divisions let them all present and give fire to the Front wheeling all off to the right and placing themselves in the Reere of their own divisions of like Armes each Ranke still making good the Leaders ground Having given fire once or twice over on this Figure For the second firing cause the Front-division to give fire to the Front and the two Reere divisions to each Flanke in a March The Front-division with fires in Ranke wheele all off to the right placing themselves in the Reere of their ownc Divisions of Muskettiers the other Divisions with fire in flanke leading up their files betweene their owne divisions of Muskettiers and the Pikes Having given fire once or oftner over according to discretion this way let the third firing be performed upon a stand For the which cause your reere-divisions to facc to the right and left outward the front-division still to continue the same aspect Then let the Muskettiers give fire those of the right flanke wheeling off to the right and the contrary flanke to the contrary hand the Muskettiers of the front division placing themselues in the reere of their owne divisions of Muskets the Muskettiers of the reere divisions placing themselues in the reere of the reere divisions of Pikes each ranke of Muskettiers still making good his leaders ground When they have fired all over let the Pikes charge to front and both flanks Having advanced your Pikes againe and faced your body to the front proper each Armes still standeth in three divisions Then let the fourth firing be to the reere and both flanks upon a march And to that end open your front-divisions of Muskettiers to the right and left untill they are cleere of the reere-divisions of Pikes that so they be not troublesome unto them in their march Then let your pikes shoulder and the Muskettiers give fire the front divisions of Muskettiers firing in flanke and leading up on the inside of their owne divisions The Muskettiers of the reere division giving fire in the reere in ranke wheeling off by division and placing themselves in the front of their owne divisions of Muskettiers Having fired once over and the Pikes charged let your fifth firing be to the Reere and both flankes upon a stand In the which let the half-files both Muskettiers and Pikes face to the Reere the Front-division to the right and left and so give fire one each part those that fire to the flankes wheeling off and placing themselves in the Reere of their divisions of Pikes and the Muskets of the Reere divisions wheeling off to the right and left and placing themselves in the Reere of their owne divisions of Musketties each Ranke moving forward into their Leaders ground Having fired over let the Pikes charge The Pikes being againe advanced face the whole body to the proper front and then all the Muskettiers will be in the midst and the Pikemen on the flankes For the sixth firing cause your half-rankes of the left double your right flanke by division For further directions looke back to the tripartite firing which you shall find Chap. 92. Having fired over that way charged and re-advanced your pikes face the whole body to their former front For your seventh firing cause the front and reere divisions of Muskettiers and Pikes to face to the right the rest of the body both Muskets and Pikes to the left Let the Muskettiers give fire and wheele all off either to the right or left and place themselves in the reere of their following divisions of Pikes each ranke still moving up into their leaders ground When there rest but two rankes of each division to fire let the Pikes port Having all fircd and wheeled away let the Pikes charge Then face the whole body to their first front and command the first and last foure rankes to face to the left and to march untill they are cleere of the standing part of the Body Then cause the front halfe-files to face to the left the reere halfe-files to the right and so to close their divisions and after that to face towards their leader For the eight firing make the sollid Square girdled with Muskettiers For the which draw halfe the files of the right flanke of Muskettiers crosse the front and halfe the files of Muskettiers of the left flanke crosse the reere Then face the whole body both Muskets and Pikes to the front reere and flankes This done let the Muskettiers give fire and wheele off by division placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions of Muskettiers All the time of this firing the Pikemen being in the middle of the Muskettiers have good opportunity if the enemy be neere to gall them with their thicke showers of feathered shot The Muskettiers in the meane time having fired once twice or oftner over on this Figure draw your files of Muskettiers backe againe into their places Then having faced the whole body to the proper front let your ninth firing be Captaine Wallers double firing to the front and reere after this manner First wheele front and reere into the right flanke then face them all the same way they were before which done cause the halfe-files to face to the reere and command the Muskettiers which are in the reere of each division of Pikes to double their front of Pikes by division Then let them face about and close their divisions and so having refaced them as they were let them give fire wheele off and charge according to directions on Captaine Wallers Figure For the tenth firing let them face to the right and left and give fire to both flankes upon a stand wheeling off by division and flanking their Pikes When the Pikes have charged and are againe advanced let the Captaine passe to the front accidentall of the left flanke and face the rest of the body to him and in the next place wheele their flanks into the front and so all the Muskettiers will be in the front and by facing the whole body to the left all the Muskettiers will be on the right flanke Let the eleventh figure be the Diamond Battell Having given fire two or three severall wayes according to the directions upon that figure charged Pikes and reduced them againe into the Square face the body about to the right and passe the Muskettiers which belong to the right flanke betweene the ranks of pikes into their places Then the Muskettiers of the left flanke being closed to their Pikes the Body will stand