would say Command To the left hand Direction It is done by turning towards the left hand until their faces front to that place which was before the Reer To reduce them to their first form as that must be observed the word is Command To the right hand about as you were Command To the left hand about Command Ranks to the right double The use hereof hath been shewed before but to perform it this is the Direction Every other Rank that is every even Rank is to pass into the odd upon the right hand of his Leader the second Rank into the first and so successively To reduce them the Word is Command Ranks as you were Direction It is best done by causing those Ranks which doubled to stand and those that stood to advance Command Ranks to the left double Direction The difference of this Motion from the former is nothing but that here they which double do it to the left hand of their Leaders which before they did to their right hands as the Figure maketh it plain This done they must be reduced by commanding Command Ranks as you were Command Files to the Right Double Direction Let the second File pass into the First every man behinde his side-man accounting from the right hand the fourth into the third and so the rest which must be done through the whole Company at one instant But because the first Rank of the Troop is as the edge and the Files are for the most part appointed but five deep there seemeth no great necessity of doubling Files To reduce them the Word is Command Files to the left as you were Command Files to the left double Direction The Difference between this and the former Motion is the difference of hands only And by this means those Files which stood before must move now and they which moved before now stand as appears by the Figure They are reduced by commanding Command Files as you were or Ranks to the Right double Command Half Files to the Right hand double the Front Direction Middle Men double the first Rank on the right hand the other three Ranks double the threee following Ranks To reduce them the Word is Command Half files as you were But it is better to cause them that doubled to stand and the first Division to advance Command half-Half-Files to the Left hand double the Front Direction This Motion differs from the former in the hand only There is also doubling of Ranks by the Half Files entire to the right or left or both by Division but because the Files especially of Guirassiers are seldome above five deep the doubling of Ranks half-Half-files c. is little used The reducing of them is shewed in the former Motion Command Bringers-up to the right hand double the Front Direction The last Rank must pass into the first and so successively every one by the right hand of his Leader as in the figure It is of goood use but troublesome for the Horse to perform especially in the reducing so it may be used or omitted as shall be thought fit To reduce them Command Bringers-up as you were Command Files to the Left hand Countermarch Though it were fit to begin with the right hand yet for the convenient turning of the Horse to the left I think it not amiss to prefer the left Direction The Figure sufficiently represents the manner of the Motion which represents the Choraean manner there be also Countermarches after the Macedonian and Lacedemonian ways which for brevity are here omitted Command Files close to the right and left to your close Order Direction Being about to wheel the Troop they must be closed first the Files and then the Ranks And being to open them again the Ranks are first to be opened and then the Files All the Files close to the right and left towards the middle of the Body Command Ranks close forward to your close Order Direction All the Ranks move forward saving the first which stand The second Rank having their distance stand and so all the rest The Horse being to wheel it must be conceived that it cannot be performed by them in so exact a manner nor in so strait a room as the Foot therefore the Commander is to ride a reasonable compass that so the Horse may do it with convenience Command To the left hand Wheel Certain Authors as Melzo and Basta would have the Horse in all their Wheelings to do it by the left which is the readier way unless the ground or other hinderace will not permit it the Wheeling to the Right is here omitted which should in order go first Direction All the Body must move to the left upon the left File-leader who is the Center or Hinge upon which the whole Body turneth To reduce them Command Wheel as you were There is also Wheeling to the Right or Left about Wheeling Wings into the Front c. To reduce them into their first Order Direction First the Ranks are to be opened then the Files which bringeth them to their first form In opening of Ranks the only way is to do it by opening forward These and such like Motions are directed and commanded by the Voice of the Commander but because the Voice cannot at all times be heard especially in gross bodies by reason of the clashing of Armor trampling and neighing of Horses tumultuous sounds and noise of the Multitude and that especially in fight Antiquity hath invented helps making three kinds of Military Signs or Directions 1. Vocal which is by the Commanders Voice pronounced by the inferior Officers to the Ear. 2. Semivocal by Drum Trumpet or other Warlike instrument to the Ear. 3. Mute By Signs to the Eye as by the Ensign Standard c. The Cavalry therefore must be taught distinctly to know the Sounds of the Trumpet as when to clap on their Saddles when to mount when to repair to their Cornet when to Troop away when to give a Charge when to retreat when to attend the Watch and the like All which being the louder Voice of the Commander they must perfectly observe and obey Notwithstanding I have here propounded a Troop of 64 Horse to be exercised in their Motions and those of eight in File yet the general opinion is that a Troop ought not to be deeper then five in File though the Troop do consist of 100 Horse Every Troop must be furnished with A Captain A Lieutenant A Cornet A Quartermaster Three Corporals Two Trumpetters A Clerk A Sadler A Ghyrurgeon A Farrier When the Troop is to March they are to be divided into three equal parts according to the number of Corporals which parts are called Squadrons and distinguished by these Names The Captains Lieutenants and Cornets Squadron The first Squadron is to be led by the Captain the second by the Cornet the third by the eldest Corporal the Lieutenant and Quartermaster are to march in the Reer The manner how a Troop of 60 Horse besides Officers should March
them if disorderly they swerve awry from what he first intended He must likewise order all his words of Command so as that they may be proper and clearly pronounced forth unto the Souldier without any faltering And in every one of these to see the Souldier leasurely and easily perform the same in a compleat manner He must not be too quick in his words of Command but carefully see what before commanded well done and then he may proceed unto the next In time of his Exercise he must seriously mind what he is to do and not to have his thoughts extravagantly carried away upon any other Subject for fear he be out but if any such thing should happen through forgetfulness he ought not to be daunted but to pull up the spirit of a Souldier as well as he can and endeavour to reduce them again For it is a rare thing to be found for a Leader to be so exquisite in his Exercising as not to be sometimes out and in my observation of most at one time or another I have found them so to be His discretion also ought to be such as to cull out and chuse those things that be chiefest as flowers out of a Garden to fit and compleat up his Exercise in a Souldier-like way which may be most properest for service and use which will bring to him far more commendations and praise in the judgement of every knowing Souldier then to spend his time upon unnecessary toyes but yet sometimes to please the fancy of the curious at their private meetings he may use some things for delight to support and uphold their private Exercises which have nurst up here in London many able Souldiers and Commanders who have been serviceable to our Nation It is a very necessary thing likewise that a Leader sometimes do acquaint the Souldiers of the use of their several Distances Facings Doublings Counter-marches and Wheelings and of all things else he shall command but in such a manner that he dwell not too long upon any thing he shall declare unto them for dulling of the Souldiers who rather would be pleased with more actings then by too much talkings which spins out the time as sometimes ordered to very little purpose He must be very careful of every word of Command he gives that the Souldiers be ordered in their due Distance sutable to the same of what kind soever it be and if it shall be lost in their movings or marchings he must endeavour to bring them to it again He is likewise to acquaint the Souldiers when they are drawn up to look about them and to mind their several places how they stand in the Body whether they be in even Ranks from the Front or odd if even and upon any doubling of Ranks they are the men to double the odd if half-file-leaders that they be commanded to double the Front they must advance their Arms and are Leaders of that Motion to come up to double the Front if Bringers-up commanded to double they are alike to do the same if Bringers up of the Front-half-files and that they be commanded to double the Reer they likewise are to advance their Arms to face about and are to begin to lead them down to the Reer They should likewise take notice how they stand in their Files whether even from the right or no if even and there be any command to double Files to the right they all are to move and double the odd if commanded to double to the left they then stand odd and the others are to move and double them They likewise are to mind their places who are upon the Flanks for a doubling either to Front or Reer by the half-Files they first begin to march and how they stand there as right and left-hand men in even Ranks for by any doublings of Ranks entire or by Division they likewise are the Leaders of the Motion There ought also advice be given to the middle File-leaders to know their places for if there should be any doublings of the half-Ranks they then are first to move and to begin the motion This caution being sometimes quickly run over in advising of the Souldiers that they should ever mind when they are first drawn up into a body these particular places they would not stand so carelessy and so ignorantly in a Body as many times they do not knowing which way to move without a great deal of pains and directions from their Leader for there being so many occasions of doublings of these kinds that it is a necessary thing for every Souldier to be acquainted with the same Yet it is not only sufficient that the Souldiers do mind their places as they stand in a body according to the direction of their Leader as before set forth unto them but that they be likewise in the time of their Exercise very silent in the body and helpful unto their fellow-Souldiers by pointing out unto them with signs with the hand where they should march to perform what was before commanded and to be very civil and orderly in their carriage to each other and to mind their Exercise so as a matter of great weight and high consideration in the well regarding of the same And if a word of command as sometimes may happen slip out of order as by the mistaking of a hand or the like yet nevertheless it should be their modest care if not prevented by their Leader to be ready to execute what they conceive he intended and walking along in this civil and respective way unto him that shall lead them it will not only be a great encouragement unto him but they will also reap much benefit unto themselves And thus much briefly may be spoken in way of advice unto every Leader before his beginning of his Exercise and unto each particular Souldier as shall by him be exercised CHAP. XXVII Of Facings of their several kinds and of their use with the words of command for performance of the same FAcing is the altering or turning of the Aspect to either hand upon the ground they stand according to the words of Command whether it be to the right left Front or Reer or to the midst of Files or Ranks or to any of the outward or inward Angles or to the Center The manner of execution of the same it is a particular turning of every Souldiers countenance unto each of those hands or places as above exprest and to be performed after this manner The left foot is always to be kept fixed like the hinge of a door and unto what hand or part they shall be commanded to face every particular Souldier is immediately to turn his body upon the Ball or Centre of his left foot by wheeling until he hath brought his Aspect unto the place commanded Facings is one of the most necessary and usefullest motions amongst all the rest for when the body shall be in such a streight that they cannot bring their faces against an enemy
by Counter-march or by a Wheeling to bring their best Souldiers there to fight and likewise being debarred of room that they cannot double it nevertheless Facings are of such excellent use that they may with ease although standing at close Order turn every particular face to charge upon that part where they shall be assaulted by an enemy and farther this motion is performed with more facility then all the rest of the motions For in the others they alter the form of the Battail or changeth the place but in this they preserve both and it is ready for any attempt of an enemy if they should be charged all at once in Front Reer right and left Flanks they may be commanded so to face as to answer them all in every one of their charges Facings likewise are so necessary that they can hardly be spared in any other of the motions having relation in one kind or other to them all for to be used There is likewise farther to be understood that there are Entire-Facings and divisional Entire Facings are when they turn their Aspects all one way Divisional Facings are when they divert or turn their faces several ways as to the Front Reer and both Flanks all at one instant of time as shall be commanded There are likewise facings to the Front and Reer Angles that is to say of their outward and inward Angles Outward Angles are when they are commanded to face to the right Angle or to the left or both facing to the inward Angles as when they are commanded so as to face to the inward Angles towards the midst of Files There is likewise facing to the inward Angles towards the midst of Ranks as to the Center where note when there is any use of these Facings unto the inward Angles it is occasioned by some former words of command that hath made some large intervals in the midst of Ranks or Files and therefore they may give them such commands as these for to open or stand so that they may march and close again as at first This Facing to the Center I do conceive to be very useful when the Captain or Leader hath any thing of importance to speak unto the Company they standing at close order he may side-wise move down into the midst of the Ranks and Files and command them to face all to the Center they standing all round about him so close cannot chuse but hear and know what his pleasure and command will be and in obedience thereunto be very ready in performance for the execution of the same But before I come to set down the words of Command for Facings I shall desire all Leaders not to tye themselves up so as not to begin in their Exercise to command Facings until they have brought the Souldiers to stand at open order both in Rank and File as if it were not proper for them to command them to face till then Therefore rather for the reasons before set forth command them to chuse upon such close Distances to face that they may know the true use of them and at such times when they want ground that the other motions cannot be performed CHAP. XXVIII The words of Command for Facings Face to the RIght Left To both Flanks Right about Left about To Front and Reer Midst of Files Midst of Ranks Right Angle Left Angle Outward Angles in the Front Inward Angles in the Front Right Angle in the Reer Left Angle in the Reer Outward Angles in the Reer Inward Angles in the Reer Inward Angles of the right Flank Inward Angles of the left Flank Outward Angles both of Front and Reer Inward Angles both of Front and Reer Inward Angles of both the Flanks to the Center Front Reer and both Flanks from the Center To the outward Angles of Front and Reer from the Center As you were or To your Leader Having concluded the words of Command for performing of plain Facings there must be notice taken when any word of Command shall be given to face to any of the Reer-Angles they must be first faced to the Reer and they will make more easier performance of the same and likewise if any word of Command be given to face to the inward Angles upon the Flanks they must face them there likewise first and it will be easier fulfilled and likewise if any command be given to face to the four Angles or to Front Reer and Midst from the Center care must be first had that they may be first faced to the Center I might have proceeded a great deal farther in this place upon this Subject of Facings to have shewn several figures of Battail that might be produced and drawn forth affording much variety of forms and number and with much ease to be performed upon their several marchings according as they are ordered to face which might be very useful for service and affording much matter for any particular Exercise to use several firings upon the same But I shall have occasion in another place to make use of divers of them and setting them forth in the view when I shall begin to set down in any particular Leadings of my own which I have performed in our private meetings at Town-Ditch in London every Thursday-morning for the satisfaction of those loving Gentlemen who still do Exercise there and to such which shall come after CHAP. XXIX The many variety of Doublings with their parts and uses set forth for the practice of any Commander to make use of according unto his own discretion SInce there is in the true account no other dimension of a Battail but the Length and Depth so likewise it is to be understood that the Length of the Battail is doubled by the doublings of Ranks and half-Files and the Depth of the Battail is doubled by the doubling of Files and of the half-Ranks Now there are several Words of Command for the performance of each of these as to double Ranks and Files which do consist either of the doubling of number of men and persons and not of place or else the doubling both of number and place As for Example command either the Ranks the half-half-files or Bringers-up to double the Front to the right here only is the doubling of number of men and not of place for it adds but one man more to that hand whereunto they were commanded and gains but his particular place Again double Ranks to any hand entire or double the Front by the half-Files to the right entire it will be not only a doubling of the number of men but a doubling of the place and the Length of the Battail The use of doubling the Length of the Battail may be for two Reasons the one to over-wing an Enemy the other to avoid over-winging our selves Yet there must be care taken that in doubling of the Length that we fail not or be too weak in our Depth for the want of both either Length or Depth may be very dangerous to our selves and
Files this special care being taken he may begin and proceed to the Reducement after this manner If by some former Counter-marches his File-leaders are in the place of his Half-file-leaders and that his Bringers-up are in the room of the Bringers-up of the Front-half-files then he may proceed in this or the like kinde commanding them to countermarch their Front and Reer into the midst which being performed they will stand in some pretty way of reducing after facing them to the Front where he meets with his Bringers-up in stead of his File-leaders which by one Counter-march will bring them up again into the Front Yet perhaps the Flankers have inter-changed ground with the middle File-leaders if so then Counter-march their Flanks into the midst and face them to the Front and if it happen that the right Flank is become the left and the left the right then Counter-march their Ranks to any hand and after face them to the first Front they are reduced And farther take this for a general rule that when Files or Ranks Counter-march to any hand command them to Counter-march to the contrary and it will reduce them or countermarching your Front and Reer into the midst counter-marching of them back again from the midst will bring each man into his proper place again The same rule being observed reduceth the Flankers or Front and Reer-half-files counter-marching of them from the midst Counter-marches rightly considered branch themselves forth into these three particulars The Macedonian Lacedemonian Chorean The Macedonian is a Counter-march of gaining ground for that it leaveth the ground it formerly stood upon and in lieu thereof taketh the ground before the Front and turneth their Aspects unto the Reer The Lacedemonian is a Counter-march of losing ground for that it leaveth the ground it first stood upon and in room thereof taketh the ground which is behind the Reer thither likewise altering the Souldiers Aspects The Chorean is a Counter-march maintaining ground keeping the ground the Battalia formerly stood upon every Souldier taking anothers place it likewise turns the Aspect towards the Reer Thus you see for all their great variety which latter ages have invented they consist but of three sorts or kinds either maintaining gaining or losing of ground and may be performed as I said before either by intire or divisional Counter-marches It may now be expected that I declare unto the Souldier the meaning of each particular Counter-march briefly therefore thus Files counter-marching is when every Souldier followeth his Leader Ranks counter-marching is when every Souldier followeth his side-man whether it be to the right-hand or to the left Front and Reer-half-files counter-marching is sometimes when every particular Souldier followeth his Leader or Bringer-up or else when they follow their Half-file-leaders or their Bringers-up of the Front-half-files or the like Right and left Half-ranks counter-marching is when every Souldier in the Rank followeth the outmost men upon the right and left or when they shall follow their inside right and left-hand-men or the like What hath hitherto been spoken may be sufficient both for the instruction and direction of any discreet Souldier I come in the next place to set them all before them as they lie in Order CHAP. LI. Intire Counter-marching of Files Command FIles to the Right Left Hand Counter-march maintaining ground Direction File-leaders turn off upon the ground you stand the rest moving up successively into the File-leaders place turning off until the Bringers-up come up into the Front after face to your Leader Command File-leaders stand the rest pass through to the right or left and place your selves before your Leaders Command File-leaders face about the rest pass through to the right or left and place your selves behind your Leaders face to your Leader Command File-Leaders face to the Reer the rest pass through to the right or left following your Bringers-up and placing your selves behind your Leaders face all to your Leader Command File-leaders stand the rest pass through to the right or left and place your selves before your Leaders following your Bringers up Command Files to the right and left Counter-march losing ground placing your selves before your Bringers-up Direction Every File-leader turn off upon the ground he stands on the rest successively doing the same until they come to the last Rank who need do no more then face about after face all to their Leader Command The last Rank stand the rest pass through to the right or left placing your selves behind your Bringers-up every man following his Leader Direction File-leaders turn off to the right or left the rest following successively until they are all clear of the Reer then face to their Leader Command Bringers-up stand the rest face about pass through to the right or left and place your selves behind your Bringers-up Command Bringers-up face about the rest pass through to the right or left and place your selves before your Bringers-up Direction Face all to the Reer and begin the Motion with the second Rank from the Reer moving forward every man placing himself before his Bringer-up to your Leader Command Counter-march your Front and Reer into the midst Direction Half-files face about and turn off to the left Front Half-files turn off to the right to your Leader Command Front and Reer Half-files Counter-march to the right or left Direction This is to be done distinctly the Front half-files turning off to the right by themselves the Reer half-files turning off in like manner face to your Leader Command File-leaders and half-file-leaders stand the rest pass through to the right or left and place your selves before your Leaders and half-file-leaders Command Counter-march your Front and Reer half-files to the right and left from the midst Direction Front half-files face about and turn off to the right Reer half-files turn off to the left to your Leader Command File-leaders and half-file-leaders face about the rest pass through to the right or left and place your selves behind your Leaders and your half-file-leaders to your Leaders Command File-leaders and half-file-leaders stand the rest pass through to the right or left and place your selves before your Leaders and half-file-leaders every man following his Bringer-up and the Bringers-up of the Front half-files Command File-leaders and half-file-leaders face about the rest pass through to the right or left and place your selves behind your Leaders and half-file-leaders following your Bringers-up Direction The File-leaders and the Half-file-leaders being first faced are to stand and the Bringers-up of the Front and Reer-half-files are to move forwards until they be cleer of the standing part after they are to face to the Reer which being ended they are again to face to the Front CHAP. LII Divisional Counter-marching of Files Command FIle-leaders and Bringers-up stand the rest pass through to the right or left and place your selves before your Leaders and your Bringers-up Direction Half-files face about the Counter-march being ended and faced again to the Front command them to
move forwards and close their Divisions Command File-leaders face about the rest pass through to the right or left and place your selves behind your Leaders and your Bringers-up Direction The two last Ranks from the Reer face about and then they are to begin the Motion together which being ended face them to the Front and the Half-files are to move forward and to close their divisions Command File-leaders and Bringers-up stand the rest pass through to the right or left and place your selves before your Leaders and your Bringers-up following the Half-file-leaders and the Bringers-up of the Front-half-files Direction Half-files face about this Motion is begun by the Bringers-up of each Division which being ended they are to face to their Leader the Half-files moving forwards closing their Divisions Command File-leaders face about the rest pass through to the right or left and place your selves behind your Leaders and your Bringers-up following the Half-file-leaders and the Bringers-up of the Front-half-files Direction The two last Ranks from the Reer face about this Motion is begun by the Bringers-up of each Division who are to lead away the rest following until they be clear of the Front and Reer and after to face about placing themselves behind their Half-file-leaders and the Bringers-up of the Front-half-files then facing to the Front the Half-files moving forwards closing their Divisions Command Counter-march to the right and left your Front and Reer-half-files from the midst losing ground every man placing himself before his Leader and his Bringer-up Direction Front-half-files face about and turn off to the right and the Half-file-leaders turn off to the left and march cleer of the Front and Reer and after the File-leaders the Bringers-up are but to face about and the Counter-march will be ended then face the half-Half-files to the Front let them move forward and close their Divisions Command Front and reer-half-Reer-half-files interchange ground to the right or left marching cleer each from other Direction front-half-Front-half-files face about and pass through to your own right hands until you be cleer six foot of each other then face to the Front the Half-files moving forwards and closing their Divisions Command Front and Reer-half-files Counter-march to the right and interchange ground Direction Half-files face about and turn off to the right and Front-half-files at the same time doing the like moving forwards until they be cleer one of another six foot then facing to their Leader close their Divisions CHAP. LIII Intire Counter-marches of Ranks Command RAnks to the right-hand counter-marching maintaining ground Direction Face to the right the Right-hand-file that was turn off to the right the rest moving up into the same ground turning off likewise to your Leader Command The outmost File upon the right face to the right the rest pass through to the right or left and place your selves before your Right-hand-men Direction Face to the right and pass through as before exprest to your Leader Command The Right-hand-file face to the left the rest pass through to the right or left and place your selves behind your right-hand-men Direction Face to the right and move forwards and place your selves behind your right-hand-men to your Leader Command Ranks to the left-hand counter-march losing ground Direction The outmost is to turn off to the left about until he hath brought his Aspect unto the right Flank and so consequently all the rest moving still forwards until they have gained upon the outside of the right Flank so much ground as they have lost or that they have placed themselves before their right-hand-men by following their left-hand-men face to your Leader Command The Right-hand-file face to the left the rest pass through to the right following your left-hand-men and placing your selves behind your Right-hand-file Direction The outmost File upon the left face to the right and march through the Intervals towards the right Flank and when he is moved away the rest upon the left are successively to do the same until they have in lieu of that ground they formerly stood gained so much upon the out-file of the right Flank then facing about toward the left Flank after face to your Leader Command Ranks to the left-hand Counter-march maintaining ground Direction Face to the left and the left-hand-file that was turn off to the left on the same ground he stands the rest moving up successively doing the same to your Leader Command The left-hand-File stand the rest face to the left pass through and place your selves on the outside of your left-hand-men Direction The left-hand-File face to the left the rest pass through to the left and place your selves before your left-hand-men to your Leader Command The left-hand-File face to the right the rest face to the left pass through to the left and place your selves behind your left-hand-men Command The left-hand-File face to the left the rest pass through to the left and place your selves before your left-hand-men following your right-hand-men Direction Face all to the left and the outmost Files upon the right move forward upon the left the rest successively doing the same until you have all placed your selves before your left-hand-men to your Leader Command The left-hand-file face to the right the rest face to the left pass through to the left and place your selves behind your left-hand-men following your right-hand-men Direction The right-hand-File that was is to begin this Motion the rest are consequently to follow until they have gained as much ground on the outside of the left Flank as before they lost after face about to the right and after to their Leader Command Ranks to the right-hand counter-march every man placing himself on the outside of his left-hand-man by following his right-hand-man Direction The left-hand-file stand the outmost File upon the right is to turn about to the right until he hath brought his aspect to the left Flank then moving forward until he be clear of the second File after the rest are to do the like forsaking the ground they stood upon and in lieu thereof to gain so much upon the outside of the left Flank placing themselves on the outside of their left-hand-men their aspects being to the Front Or you may command the outmost File upon the right to face to the left and so begin to lead until he be clear of the second File the rest doing the same until they have all placed themselves on the outside of their left-hand-men their aspects being to the Front which I conceive to be the easier way Command Counter-march your Flanks into the Midst Direction Face to the right and left outward right Flank turn off to the right left Flank turn off to the left until they meet in the midst to your Leader Command Right and left half-ranks Counter-march to the right or left Direction Face all to the right the right Half-ranks are to turn off to the right by themselves and the left Half-ranks in l ke manner to your Leader Command The outmost File upon
place your selves before your Leaders Command The right-hand-right-hand-file stand the rest pass through to the right and place your selves on the outside of your right-hand-men Command Countermarch your Front and Reer into the midst of Ranks Direction half-Half-files face about and turn off to the left front-half-Front-half-files turn off to the right to your Leader Command Countermarch your Flanks into the midst of Files face outward Command Files to the right hand Countermarch maintaining ground Command Ranks to the left hand Countermarch losing ground Command Countermarch your Front and Reer half-files from the midst of Ranks maintaining ground Direction Front-half-files face about and turn off to the left the rest turn off to the right every man moving up into his Leaders ground to your Leader Command Countermarch your right and left half-ranks from the midst of Files losing ground Direction Face inward and turn off every Rank on the ground they stand face to your Leader and close Files into the midst to open Order they are reduced CHAP. XXXIV Eight entire Doublings by Wheelings with their Reducement Command WHeel off your Reer-half-files and double your Front to the right entire Half-files face about Command Wheel off your left half-ranks and double your right Flank entire to the left Face outward Command Wheel off your Reer half-files and double your Front to the left entire Half-files face about Command Wheel off your right half-ranks and double your left Flank to the left entire Face outward Command Wheel off your Front-half-files and double the Reer to the right entire Half-files face about Command Wheel off your right half-ranks and double the left Flank to the right entire Face outward Command Wheel off your Front-half-files and double the Reer to the left entire Half-files face about Command Wheel off your left half-ranks and double your right Flank to the right entire Face outward CHAP. XXXV Plain Firings and Figures of Battail The first firing LEt the two outmost Files of Muskettiers upon each Flank advance ten paces before the Front give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves after face about and move down into their places again then face to their Leader Then let the next two Files upon each Flank move away in like manner and fire as the former did and move down into their places again After let the other remaining Files be led forth by the other two Serjeants and give fire as before and fall back again into their places The second firing Let two Serjeants draw four Files upon each Flank and move them away 10 or 20 paces before the Front and give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves and after face about and move down into their places And whilest they are moving down let the other two Serjeants draw forth the remaining four Files upon each Flank and fire as the former did and after return again into their places The third firing Let all the Muskettiers move forth cleer of the Pikes and let them open from the midst until they stand in four Divisions leaving sufficient intervals for their wheeling into the Reer of themselves first let them fire in each Division falling in the Reer of themselves until they have all fired over two or three times after this kind The fourth firing Let them close their Files before the Front of Pikes into the midst to Order then let the two first Ranks kneel down the next two stoop and the last two stand upright and give fire six Ranks all together then let the left half-ranks of Muskettiers be wheeled about to the left into the Reer of the Pikes and the right half-ranks move to the left until they stand straight before the Front of Pikes The fifth firing Let the half-files face about and let them give fire to Front and Reer after this manner by two Ranks drawn off ten paces before the Front and Reer and fall off to the right and left into the Reer of themselves then facing about let them open outward and give way for the next two Ranks to come forward into their places who are to fire and fall off as the former did the other two Ranks doing the same This firing may be continued as long as the Leader pleaseth The sixth firing Let them give fire on the ground they stand and fall off to the right and left into the Reer of themselves The seventh firing Let them rank outward into Front and Reer and give fire all together and rank again as they were The eighth firing Let them give fire on the ground they stand and flank the Pikes those in the Front flanking the Pikes on the right they in the Reer flanking them on the left after let the Pikes charge on and being retreated into their places let them face all to their Leader and in the next place proceed to Figures of Battail Command Files open outward to open Order Ranks open backward to your open Order then let every four Files close outward to Order and Ranks close to Front and Reer to Order they will stand in twelve Divisions as followeth Command The two inmost Divisions of Muskettiers in the Reer face about inmost Divisions of Muskettiers in Front and Reer move forward clear of the standing part and stand Pikes face outward Muskettiers upon the Flanks face inward the rest face about to the right move all two paces to your Leader The first firing Let the Front-divisions of Muskettiers give fire and fall in the reer of themselves then wheel off to the right left into the room of them in the reer they at the same time moving up into their ground firing falling off in like manner as before Then let the Front-divisions upon the Flank fire fall in the reer of themselves and after wheel off to the right and left into the ground of those divisions that stand in the reer of them they at the same time relieving them firing and falling off as before then let the Pikes charge on and after retreat into their places The second firing Let them face to Front and Reer and let the first Divisions give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then wheeling off to the right and left and interchange ground with the next Divisions who are at the same instant of time to move up into their places and to give fire in like manner and to fall off and return where they were before then let the Pikes charge on to Front and Reer and after retreat into their places and face all to their Leader Command The four last Divisions next to the Reer both of Pikes and Muskettiers face about move down and range even abrest with the Reer Reer-divisions of Muskettiers that are faced to the Front move forward and place your selves three foot short of the next Divisions that stands before you to your Leader Upon this Figure let the Front-divisions give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then wheel off to the right and left and range
Leader Command Counter-march your Front and reer-half-Reer-half-files from the midst of ranks losing ground front-half-Front-half-files face about Command Ranks to the right hand Countermarch losing ground Command Counter-march your right and left-half-ranks every man placing himself on the outside of his right and left-hand-man they are reduced CHAP. XXXVIII Eight several Wheelings with their Reducement Command WHeel your right and Left-half-ranks inward to the midst of Files Face outward Command Wheel the battail off by division from the Reer Command Wheel the battail inward to the right Flank from the left Face to the left Command Wheel Front and Reer-half-files inward to the midst of Ranks Half-files face about Command Wheel off your right and Left-half-ranks by division from the midst of Files Face inward Command Wheel off your Front and Reer-half-files by division from the midst of Ranks Front-half-files face about Command Wheel off your Front by division Command Wheel your battail inward to the left Flank from the right face to the right CHAP. XXXIX Plain Firings and Figures of Battail The first firing LEt them give fire to the Front by Introduction where first command to open their Files outward to open Order and then let the first Rank give fire on the ground they stand then let the next Rank move forward and place themselves before the first Rank and give fire likewise and stand and so successively every Rank is to move forward and place themselves before the Rank that fired until all have given fire this being twice performed reduceth them and is tearm'd a firing of gaining ground The second firing Let them fire by Files inward to Order and fire on the ground they stand and fall off to the right and left into the Reer of themselves The third firing Let them close their Files ranking outward into one intire Rank into the Front all at one and the same time and to File again as they were The fourth firing Let the Muskettiers double Ranks to the right and left outward and give fire three Ranks together the first kneeling the second stooping the third standing upright and after to double Files to the right and left inward The fifth firing Let them fire again and fall off to the right and left and flank the Pikes who may after charge on and after retreat back again into their places The sixth firing Let them face outward and give fire to both Flanks on the ground they stand and fall in the Reer of themselves The seventh firing Let the Half-files of Muskettiers face outward and move cleer of the standing part then let every division give fire again and fall in the Reer of themselves and then close their divisions The eighth firing Let them give fire eight Ranks together viz two kneel down two stooping two standing upright and the last two to be drawn forth and so fire them altogether The ninth firing Let the four first Ranks upon each Flank fire again and fall off to the right and left and flank the Pikes and let those Muskettiers face to Front and Reer and draw forth the last Rank of Muskettiers upon the Flanks to the right and left outward and place them in the midst of those intervals upon the Angles the Pikes being impaled then Fire them to Front Reer and both Flanks and four Angles and fall in the Reer of themselves This firing may be continued as long as a Leader shall think fit then face about those Files standing at the Angles and move them in the Reer of those divisions of Muskettiers upon the Flanks from whence they were first drawn forth then let them face all to their Leader The tenth firing Let the Muskettiers in Front and Reer face outward and march cleer of the standing part then let them face to Front and Reer and give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then let the Reer-divisions of Muskettiers face to the Front and the outmost divisions of Muskettiers in the Front face to the Reer then let the outmost divisions move and close ranks forward to Order and let the Pikes charge on and being retreated back again into their places face all to the Front and proceed to Figures of Battail according to the next direction Command Half-files of Pikes face about Half-files of the four outmost Files of Muskettiers face to the Reer the four outmost Files and the body of Pikes move forward cleer of the standing part to your Leader then let them face outward and move two paces then face to Front and Reer and move the like face all to your Leader and close Ranks forward and Files inward in each division they will stand as followeth The first firing Let the Reer-divisions face about then let the first divisions give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then wheel off to the right and left and fall in the room or place of the next divisions and they at the same time are to move up into their ground giving fire and falling off in like manner The second firing Let them give fire on the ground they stand in each division and fall in the Reer of themselves then let the Pikes charge on whilst the Muskettiers make ready again The third firing Let the Reer-divisions of Muskettiers move up and range even abrest with the first division then let them fire altogether and fall in the Reer of themselves then let those that formerly moved up face about and march down again into their places then let the Pikes charge on again as before and being retreated let them face all to both Flanks and give fire in form and manner as they did to Front and Reer The fourth firing Let the middle-divisions of Muskettiers advance forward until they be cleer of the standing part then let them all fire and fall in the Reer of themselves and the middle-divisions to move back again into their places then face to their Leader and move the inmost division of Muskettiers upon the right in the Reer to the left three paces then proceed Command Inmost divisions of Muskettiers in the Reer double to the right file-wise and after that division that doubled to face about and pass through the intervals of Pikes and place themselves three foot behind the Reer and the other division that was doubled to advance forward through the interval of Pikes and place themselves three foot before the Front then face to their Leader Let the second division of Muskettiers from the Front stand and all the rest move forward three paces then move the second divisions of Muskettiers to the right and left inward until they stand streight between the Front and Reer-divisions of Pikes Front-division of Muskettiers face about and let them and the Reer-division move forward and inward three paces and after face to their Leader The first firing Let the Front-division of Muskettiers fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then wheel off to the right by the outmost divisions of Muskettiers and come down into
content themselves to learn of such who are of higher abilities And on this account the Art would be more highly prized and not only bring more Honour to the Professors thereof but even the Learners themselves would become more capable of good preferment abroad and our Military Gardens and Meetings would much more flourish and be beheld with more delight and satisfaction not only by the Souldiers themselves but all other Spectators whatsoever I do not desire to be mis-understood by this Discourse that herein I should go about to startle any ingenious Souldier or disswade him from any thing that shall be new to his Invention which is proper I shall rather incourage him and be glad to understand of him what Reason he can give for every thing he doth and of what use it may be unto the Publick and then it will admit of no controulment But vacant seasons may be used for variety and delight in making experiments of wit fancy and ingenuity provided they do not dwell too much upon them But the substantial and solid things of War are above all things to be precisely regarded without which an Army though of the most valiant men will be exposed to the greatest dangers and fall into a most certain Ruine I should here humbly offer my Advice to the most eminent Meetings in the Artillery and Military Gardens in the latter of which I was heretofore a Member and still am a true Lover and honourer both of that and all other places like unto it My advice is that on their days of publick Meeting they would have chiefly before their eyes the main Grounds and Principles in the Art of War which through permission I am perswaded would cause greater appearances and make their Ground to flourish more then ever to the Honour of our Nation and the increase of experienced and able Commanders if ever this Commonwealth should stand in further need of them And because the Ambition of some doth strive to aim at higher things in their thoughts then what is practised abroad I have thought good to set down the plain way of exercising a Company as usually it is practised in the Army our Companies consisting of one hundred men two parts being Muskettiers and a third Pikes the depth of our Files being always six deep in the Armies of England Scotland and Ireland the Company being drawn up abrest the Exercise is as followeth they standing in their closest Order in Ranks and Files First Command Open Ranks backwards to Order Command Files open to the Right to your Order Command Ranks open backward to open Order Command Files open to the left to open Order Command Ranks open backward to double Distance Command Files open outward to double Distance Command Ranks close forward to open Order Command Files close inward to open Order Command Ranks close forward to your Order Command Files close to the left to your Order Command Face to the Right as you were Command Face to the Left as you were Command Face to the Rear as you were Command Face to the Front as you were Command Face to the Center as you were Command Face to Front and Rear as you were Command Face to the Right and Left outward as you were Command Face to the Right and left inward as you were Ranks and Files being at Open Order Ranks to the Right Double Files to the Left Double Ranks to the Left Double Files to the Right Double Command Half-files Double your Front to the Right Command Files Double your Depth to the Left Command Half-files Double your Front to the Left Command Files Double your Depth to the Right Command Bringers-up Double your Front to the Right Command Files Double your Depth to the Left every man falling behind his Bringer-up Direction Bringers-up Double your Front to the Left Files double your Depth to the Right every man placing himself behind his Bringer-up Command Double your Ranks to the Right or Left intire as you were Command Half-files double your Front to the Right intire Command Right Half-ranks double intire the depth of your left Half-ranks Command half-Half-files double your Front to the Left intire Command Left Half-ranks double intire the depth of your Right half-ranks Direction The same may be done to the Rear Command Files to the Right hand Counter-march and maintain Ground Command Files to the Left hand Counter-march and maintain Ground Direction The same may be done in Ranks as also both in Ranks and Files either maintaining gaining or losing ground of these in the Army we use but little Command Wheel your Battle to the Right Command Wheel your Battle to the Left Command Wheel your Battle to the Right about Command Wheel your Battle to the Left about Command Files file to the Right or Left Command Ranks file to the Right and Left First The Muskettiers being on both flanks first firing let the first Rank stand and fire every Rank passing through before his Leader after standing and fire till all have fired over twice or four times the Pikes moving slowly in the mean time they will upon a stand be reduced as at first Secondly Bring all the Muskettiers before the Pikes then let them fire in the Front falling off and flank the Pikes upon the Right Fire upon the right flank the body marching and the Muskettiers to pass on the left flank after the Pikes may charge to the right the body moving again Let the Muskettiers fire on the left flank and fall in the Reer of the Pikes who may after charge their Pikes on the left The body marching the Muskettiers may fire in the Reer and fall off to the Right and Left and flank the Pikes as at the first the body facing about the Pikes may charge to the Reer We usually fire in the Front sometimes two ranks standing the rest passing by turns then standing after they have gained the ground before their Leaders do fire till all have fired twice other times three Ranks fire together the first kneels down the second stoops the third stands upright then falling down the three last Ranks pass through and do the like This being done twice reduces them all as at first the Pikes moving slowly this being the usual way of exercising our Companies in the Army Rich. Elton Lieut. Col. FINIS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE COMPLEAT BODY OF The Art Military THE PUBLISHER To the READER HAving now an opportunity of reprinting the preceding Treatise of Military Discipline written by Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Elton containing the Discipline and Exercise of Foot-companies Regiments Brigades c. I thought it not convenient to let the Infantry March into the Field of the World any more without the Cavalry nor they without their Train of Artillery I have therefore endeavoured to make good the words of the Title namely The Compleat Body of the Art Military by adding the following Treatises wherefore to the Infantry here is added Cavalry and Instructions for them both in Posture
wind it would be ready to blow him down Therefore as above that which is most commodious for the souldiers marching up a hill is to comport his pike The use of Trailing The Trailing of the Pike is seldom used but when the souldier shall march straight forward through a Wood the File-leader before he enters in trails his pike and consequently all the rest in his file then stooping down they take up the butt-end of their leaders pikes which they may easily gripe with their own in their right hands and after march forward through the busling leaves in a straight line every file single by himself but as neer each other as possible they can march for more security sake that when they are clear they may find each other and be in a condition to rally up again as occasion shall require The trailing of the Pike may also be of excellent use in a Trench that at such time when they shall have intelligence where the Enemy are preparing to make a breach they may then move forwards unto that place undiscovered and may defend the same The use of Cheeking The cheeking of the Pike is the proper sentinel-posture and then to be used CHAP. IX The use of the Postures of the Musket I Conceive it will not be material to go over every posture of the musket to describe the use of them in respect the greater part of them have conformity to the Pike Those that shall remain and of the chiefest consequence I shall not be wanting to satisfie the souldier in The ballancing the musket and rest on the right side The use of ballancing the Musket on the right side with the barrel upward is one of the chiefest postures belonging to the musket from thence he begins to make ready as to open clear and prime the pan all being motions to this posture To traile the rest and ballance the musket on the left side with the barrel downward is a posture likewise of as great consequence The use of ballancing the Musket on the left side for there are several motions belonging also to this posture as to find out the charge to open it to charge with powder to take bullet out of the bag and to charge with bullet with divers other motions before you can recover your musket and rest again How a Muskettier shall perform the Sentinel-posture THe Sentinel-posture is to be performed after this manner first the musket is to be laded with powder and bullet afterwards he is to cock his match and to stand with his pan guarded his musket being upon his rest until such time he is relieved but as concerning him I shall more fully set forth his duty treating upon the duty of the Sentinel CHAP. X. The manner and way to do the Funeral-posture NExt followeth to shew how to do the Funeral-posture the properest and the best way to begin this posture is when the musket is rested and is to be performed after this manner You must first slip up your musket upon the rest so high until the fork of the rest be within a handful of the cock after you must bring your right hand under the barrel of the musket close to the fork of the rest and then lift him off and after cast your Rest backward trailing him on the left side and bring your Musket under your left arm with the barrel downwards bearing the butt-end upward with your two fore-fingers and your thumb holding off the pan and that with the left hand Now if you begin to be weary in the march by reason of the weight of the musket you may to ease your self bring your right hand backward and there take hold of the musket keeping still your left hand in its first place until you shall reduce him to the Rest again The reducement of the Musket from the Funeral-posture FIrst raise up your Musket a little with your two fingers and thumbs of the left hand as you formerly held him then turn the Musket until you perceive the barrel to be upward after lay your right hand upon the barrel much about the lazie pin and then taking him bring him up forward on the out-side of the Rest recover your Rest fall back with the right legge you may with ease bring your Musket again upon the Rest as at first This posture being so seldome used makes the Souldier much to seek in performance of the same but he that takes pleasure in handling of the Musket and shall exercise himself therein cannot chuse but find it very easie and much delightful to him And I know no posture more becoming a Muskettier then this if it be near and well performed by him And here I shall conclude and end discoursing of the postures CHAP. XI The Souldiers desire to know every particular place of Dignity as they stand in Rank and File THe Souldier now having obtained some pretty knowledge skill and ready aptness in the managing and performing the postures begins to look about himself what next is needful for to fasten upon to make a further progress in this Art and straight he meets with some that whispers to him That it were a gallant thing to know the Dignity of a File true and rightly stated To which he answers But where can it be found the opinions of souldiers are so various and differing therein that none knows where for to attain it My Captains eye saith he is upon me because I do the postures well which causeth the Serjeants to make me a File-leader and that I know to be the chiefest and first place of Honour in the File the second place to be the bringer-up the third the half-file-leader the fourth the bringer-up of the Front half-files Thus far no souldier of any known judgment can deny but now a-dayes our Files being drawn up six deep makes me altogether ignorant of the honour of the rest neither know I the Dignity of a File eight or ten deep which still in some places they do retain drawing them up so deep If my ambition were but now fully satisfied herein I should in time come for to know the Dignity of the Captains as they are drawn up all in a Regiment by which Rule I am informed they walk And in my judgment there cannot be a truer stating the Dignity of a Rank and File then that which shall conform to the Dignities of the Captains as they are drawn up abrest all in a Regiment Now for as much as many Regiments consist of several numbers of Captains and Companies in them as some six Companies others eight some greater as ten and twelve Companies It is expedient therefore not only for my self but for every souldier that will be truly knowing to be resolved herein concerning those several numbers and as occasion shall alter to any other they may inform themselves by these how to fit their purpose And therefore not to keep the apt and forward souldier longer in suspence but that
Captain joyned unto him and makes his number 13 And so comparing all the rest dividing them by two's they will stand as followeth 2 11 5 8 10 3 4 9 6 7 12 1 13 13 13 13 13 13  39   39  Thus much I conceive may give a right understanding to any coming-on Souldier of the true and right stating of a Rank twelve abrest being a thing very needful for to know in respect that there are many Regiments which do consist of twelve Companies and when in course as in the sequel of this Book when as I shall shew the manner of drawing up of twelve Companies there will a little more light appear unto them to their farther knowledge of the same But thus much for the present as concerning a Rank twelve abrest And now I shall come to speak or to touch a little of a Rank ten abrest and a File ten deep CHAP. XVII Brief reasons to be given of the Dignity of places of a Rank ten abrest and of a File ten deep WHat hath been formerly declared concerning a Rank twelve abrest as before shewed by every particular place of honour as they stand with the reasons for the same it may give a cleer understanding by the same rule to find the Dignity of places ten abrest For walking by the same way and rule of examination and you will find them to carry by dividing by two's being added to the four first places of honour and they will carry sutable proportions as underneath is set forth 2 9 5 8 3 4 7′ 6 10 1 11  11 11  11.  27   28  But for as much that in this Range of ten abrest there will fall out some odd we must then of necessity-sake place it upon the right and not on the left for the reasons as formerly for a File six deep declared I might now here conclude with other flourishing Tables which might be little profitable unto the souldier though holding out discourse more fuller in an Arithmetical way But I have no desire to fill this subject with plenty of unprofitable words and frothy flourishes but rather driving really in a souldierly way to make all things both plain and easie to every courteous Reader that shall be pleased for to peruse the same And therefore here for present I shall conclude what more might here be spoken by Dignities of Ranks and Files leaving what shall remain until such time in course I shall again meet with them by the way in drawing up of Regiments CHAP. XVIII What Distance is and the reasons for the first beginning of the same with all their several uses HAving thus now passed over several reasons and with as much brevity as I could to satisfie the longing desire of the young souldiers request of every particular place of honour as they stand in dignity both in Rank and File which being passed over the next will follow by course before we come to joyn the Files into a Body to satisfie the souldier of each particular Distance with the several reasons and uses of the same for next to the Postures it is the first thing or part of the Military exercise and most necessary for the souldier to be knowing in Yet I must confess no Commander is so tied up or limited in the exercising of his men at all times to begin with Distances first so as to shew them all throughout but nevertheless in all and every one of the motions in the exercising of a Body care must be taken that the souldier have his proper distance for performance of the same Neither can any Leader exercise his men but first he must command them to some distance sutable to what he will begin As some I have seen begin their exercises with Facings some other with Doublings others with Counter-marches and with Wheelings Yet nevertheless whoever they be that will so begin as I said before must command his souldiers to some Distance which may be proper for the same But for my own part my purpose is to go throughout all parts of the Military exercise of Foot and therefore will go on in order as they lie and first as most properest I shall begin with Distances to shew them all throughout and what the nature of them be Distance therefore really considered in it self is no Motion but there are several motions to the attaining of each particular Distance both in length and depth Therefore briefly thus Distance is a place or interval of ground between every particular File and File and betwixt every Rank and Rank as they stand and attained by the several motions of Ranks and Files and consisting of several proportions of ground as easily may be understood by their several words of command as they follow CHAP. XIX The several sorts of Distances which are fit and proper for the Souldier to be exercised in CLosest Order Which is both in Rank and File Half a foot Close Order Which is both in Rank and File One foot and half Order Which is both in Rank and File Three foot Open Order Which is both in Rank and File Six foot Double Distance Which is both in Rank and File Twelve foot Twice double Distance Which is both in Rank and File Twenty four foot Having thus set down every Distance with their several proportions of ground I shall next proceed to the words of command to the opening of the Ranks and Files from their closest Order and after satisfie the Souldier with Reasons and the uses of every particular Distance as they go along in order CHAP. XX. Words of Command for the opening of Ranks and Files to all their Distances with their closings again THe Commander craving silence and that they be commanded to close Ranks and Files to their closest Order the words of command for Distances are as followeth Files open to the right to your Close Order Ranks open backward to your Close Order Files open to the left to your Order Ranks open backward to your Order Files open to the right and left to your Open Order Ranks open backward to your Open Order Files open to the left to your Double Distance Ranks open backward to your Double Distance Files open from the midst to Twice double Distance Ranks open backward to Twice double Distance The Ranks and Files being thus opened unto their twice double Distance from their closest Order I conceive it to be a more souldierly-like way in the Opening and Closing of Files that the discretion of the Commander do vary and alter the hand in the commanding of them then alwayes from every Distance to tie himself to any particular hand as to open to the right and close to the right But as concerning the opening of Ranks the properest way in my judgment is to open them alwayes to the Reer in respect it is performed with more facility For every Rank from the first takes his due Distance as he is commanded without any
further trouble or to a half-facing to the right by taking it from the Reer if from that place they shall be opened and so likewise it were a great deal better in the closing of Ranks to close them forwards in respect it is for the more conveniency of their closing then to the Reer For then again they must perform a half facing which is not only unhandsome but troublesome to the souldier All that can be said to maintain it as I conceive in opening Ranks forwards is because they have not room in the Reer which seldome happens so in any exercise if discreetly ordered by him that leads them As for closing of the Ranks backwards I cannot conceive any solid reasons to confirm the same and therefore will pass over it and come to close our Ranks and Files to such Distance from whence they first were opened Files close to the right and left inward to Double Distance Ranks close forwards to Double Distance Files close to the right to your Open Order Ranks close forwards to your Open Order Files close into the midst to your Order Ranks close forwards to your Order Files close to the left to your Close Order Ranks close forwards to your Close Order Files close to the right to your Closest Order Ranks close forwards to your Closest Order Concerning the words of Command for Distances in the openings and closings of Ranks and Files what before is set down may be sufficient for any souldier to use in time of his exercise But now it will be expected to give some reasons for every one of these to shew them in their proper uses CHAP. XXI The use of each particular Distance and at what time to be used WHerefore first note that your distance of closest Order is of chiefest use unto the Pike in these particulars as first Charging against the Horse for that the Ranks then clapping in their left legs behind their Leaders right locking themselves so firm and stedfast one within another which 't were impossible for any Body of Horse to enter in amongst them Secondly it is of excellent use for to maintain a breach and to keep out an enemy Thirdly it is very useful to both Arms at such time when a Commander hath any thing of consequence to discover unto his Company which he may have many occasions so to do as before his Exercise to advise them to silence to observe their words of command and their directions and when they are to fight against an Enemy to perswade and keep them off from fear by assuring them good reasons of hopes of overcoming These or such-like speeches many times a Captain may have just occasion to express himself unto his Company and being at so close a Distance they may more aptly hear his words and obey his Commands But here now by the way too much preaching upon the head of a Company concerning matters of Exercise is too much a dulling of the souldier who rather would fall into action then so to be confounded with much talking Close Order may be of very good use also for most things which have been spoken of the closest Order only here the souldier hath a little more liberty in the handling of his arms by being at a wider distance This distance also is of good use before wheelings because many times upon their moving they are apt to flie out to their proper distance of Order which they alwayes should be at in their wheelings where note if first they were at Order they would flie out to wider distance Order is the distance which the souldier doth fight upon and is to be used skirmishing against an enemy it is also useful at such a time when the Drum shall beat a Troop and that the souldiers are marching to relieve some Court of Guard or making some expedition against an enemy for then they are in a fit capacity of distance for to fight It is also very useful and to be observed upon facings for all intire doublings and for wheelings Order likewise in File and open Order in Rank is to be used at such time when the Drum shall beat a March and the Body upon the moving or marching Open Order is the distance proper for all doublings of Ranks and Files by the half-files or by the bringers-up wherein they have interval of ground sufficient to move in It is also a very proper distance for facings and ever to be observed in time of Counter-marches It is the properest distance for the Ranks to be in upon a march but the Files are then to be at Order as is before exprest The use of double Distance is to be observed at such times when the souldiers shall stand or happen to be in some eminent danger of the Cannon-shot from the Enemy for standing then so thin they may be much preserved from danger it is likewise very good for Inversion and Conversion You may take notice of these brief directions in openings of Ranks and Files when the Files are commanded to Open to the right the left-hand File stands and all the Files take their distance from the left observing alwayes in the motions of Files their Leaders and to move altogether along with them If it be an opening of Files to the left then contrary-wise the right-hand File stands and they take their distance from the right So likewise for closings unto what hand soever they be commanded to close the out-most File is to stand the rest are to move and close to that In opening or closing of Ranks the first Rank is alwayes to stand the rest are to move either opening or closing according as is commanded alwayes observing in their motions their right-hand-men and moving altogether CHAP. XXII Directions of the way and manner of drawing up a private Company THe Postures being formerly described forth the dignity of places in a File and words of Command made known unto the souldier for their several distances It next followeth to shew the joyning of Files and drawing up a Company where first pray mind at such times when the Drums are beating about the Quarters and in several places make Proclamation as by order from their Captain for all Gentlemen Souldiers that are under his Command to repair unto his Randezvous unto such a place and at such an hour then it must be the immediate care of every Officer under his Command punctually at that hour and place thither to repair for the more incouraging of the souldiers as they shall come in and not to stir themselves from thence without some order from their Captain for fear of giving bad examples unto others And when they shall perceive some considerable number of men to come in the Serjeants then may take advice with their Lieutenant and Ensign which of them they will appoint out to draw forth the Muskettiers and which the Pikes and whom they shall make the right-hand File-leader of the Muskettiers and who shall be the left and again who
double the odd to your Leader Command Left half-Ranks double your right Flank to the right and left outward Direction Face all to the right and left-half-Ranks move to the right and left outward and double your right Flank to your Leader Reducement Front and Reer half-Files double your Ranks entire to the left Flank Front half-Files face about and every even Rank from the midst move forth and double Ranks entire towards the left Flank face to your Leader Command Left half-Ranks double your right Flank to the right and left inward Direction Face all to the right and left half-Ranks move forwards to the right and left inward and double the right Flank face to your Leader Reducement Front and Reer half-Files double your Ranks entire to the left Flank half-Files face about and every even Rank from the Front and Reer move forth and double your Ranks entire towards the left Flank face to your Leader Command Left half-Ranks double your right Flank to the right by Counter-march Direction Right half-Ranks face to the right left half-Ranks turn off to the left move forwards and double your right Flank face to your Leader Reducement Double your Ranks to the left entire every man placing himself on the outside of his left-hand-man Command Left half-Ranks double your right Flank to your left by Counter-march Direction Right half-Ranks face to the right and left half-Ranks turn off to the right and double your right Flank to the left face to your Leader Reducement Double your Ranks to the right entire to the Reer every man placing himself on the outside of his right-hand-man face to the Reer and every even Rank from the Reer move forth to the right and double the odd face to your Leader Command Left half-ranks double your right Flank to the right and left outward by Counter-march Direction Right half-Ranks face to the right and left half-Ranks face to the left and turn off to the right and left moving forward until you have doubled the right Flank to the right and left outward face to your Leader Reducement Front and Reer half-files double your Ranks entire to the left-Flank every man placing himself on the outside of his right and left-hand-man Front half-Files face about and every even Rank from the midst move forth to the left-Flank and double the odd placing your selves on the outside of your right-hand-men and every even Rank from the Reer half-Files move forth and double the odd placing your selves on the outside of your left-hand-men face to your Leader Command Left half-Ranks double your right-Flank to the right and left inward by Counter-march Direction Face all to the right and left outward left half-Ranks turn off to the right and left inward move forward until you have doubled the right Flank face to your Leader Reducement Front and Reer half Files double your Ranks entire to the left-Flank every man placing himself on the outside of his right and left-hand-man half-Files face about and every even Rank from the Reer move forth to the left-Flank and double the odd placing your selves on the outside of your right-hand-men and every even Rank from the Front move forth and double the odd placing your selves on the outside of your left-hand men face to your Leader Command Double your Files to the right entire advancing Direction Every even File from the right move straight forth until you be cleer and double the odd Reducement Half-files double your Front to the right or Front half-Files double your Reer to the right Command Files double your Depth to the right entire Direction Every even File from the right face about move down until you are clear of the Reer and double the Depth of the odd Files face to your Leader Reducement Half-files double your Front to the left or Front half-Files double your Reer to the left Command Double your Files inward entire to the right Direction Half-files of every even File from the left face about even Files from the left move forwards until you are clear of the standing part after face all to the right and then every even File from the right move forwards into the Intervals and double entire the odd face to your Leader Reducement The three first and the three last Ranks double the six middlemost Ranks to the right the three first Ranks face about and move down to the midst by their own left-left-hands and the three last Ranks move forwards to the midst to their own right-hands face to your Leader Command Double your Files to the right entire advancing every man placing himself before his Leader Direction Every even File from the right advance forwards and double the odd every man placing himself before his Leader Reducement Front half-Files by Counter-march double your Reer to the right Front half-Files turn off to the left and double the Reer face to your Leader Command Files double your Depth to the right every man falling behind his Bringer-up Direction Every even File from the right face about to the right and double the odd by placing your selves behind your Bringers-up Reducement Bringers-up double your Front to the left Command Left half-Ranks double your right-Flank entire advancing Direction Left half-Ranks march straight forth until you are clear of the standing part after move to the right being first faced there and double the right-Flank face to your Leader Reducement Front half-Files double your Reer to the right entire face to the left and move clear of the standing part after face to the Reer move down and even the Reer face to your Leader Command Left half-Ranks double entire the Depth of the right-Flank Direction Left half-Ranks face about to the right and move down until you are clear of the standing part after face to the left and move forward until you have doubled the Depth of your right-Flank face to your Leader Reducement Half-files double your Front to the left entire face to the left and march clear of the standing part after face to your Leader march up and even the Front Command Left half-Ranks double your right-Flank inward entire Direction Half-files of the right half-Ranks face to the Reer right half-Ranks move forward until you are clear of the standing part face all to the right and left half-Ranks move forwards and double the right-Flank face to your Leader Reducement The three first and the three last Ranks double the six middlemost Ranks entire to the right-Flank the three first and the three last Ranks face to the right and march untill you are clear of the standing part after face inward march and close your Divisions and face to your Leader CHAP. XXXV Divisional Doublings to the right Flank Command DOuble your Files to the right by Division Direction Half-files of the even Files from the right face to the Reer even Files march clear of the standing part after move to the right and left and double the odd Files face to your Leader Reducement The three
first and the three last Ranks double the three middlemost Ranks to the left the three first Ranks face about and march down by your own right hands into the midst of Ranks and the three last Ranks move forwards to the midst to your own left hands face to your Leader Command Double your Files to the right by Division every man placing himself before his Leader and his Bringer-up Direction Half-files of the even Files from the right face to the Reer the even Files march and double the odd every man placing himself before his Leader and Bringer-up face to your Leader Reducement The three first and the three last Ranks double the six middlemost Ranks to the left every man placing himself before his Leader and his Bringer-up the three first Ranks face about to the left and move down to the midst of Rrnks by your own right hands placing your selves before your Bringers-up and the three last Ranks march forwards unto the midst placing your selves before your Leaders to your Leader Command Left half-Ranks double your right Flank by Division Direction Half-files of the left half-Ranks face about to the right the left half-Ranks move clear of the standing part after face all to the right-Flank the left half-Ranks moving forward until they have ranged even abrest with the right-Flank face to your Leader Reducement The three first and the three last Ranks double the six middlemost Ranks entire to the left-Flank the three first and the three last Ranks face to the left-Flank and move clear of the standing part after face inward march and close your Division face to your Leader CHAP. XXXVI Entire Doublings to right Flank by Wheeling Command WHeel off your left half-Ranks and double your right Flank entire to the right Direction Face outward and left half-Ranks wheel about to the left and move forward until you have doubled the right Flank entire to the right face to your Leader Reducement Wheel off your Reer half-Files and double your Front to the left entire half-Files face to the Reer and wheel about to the right and march forwards until you have ranged your selves even with the Front Command Wheel off your left half-Ranks and double your right Flank entire to the left Direction Face outward left half-Ranks wheel about to the right move forward until you have doubled the right flank entire to the left face to your Leader Reducement Wheel off your Front half-Files and double your Reer to the right entire half-Files face about and Front half-Files wheel about to the left move down and double the Reer to the right face to your Leader Command Wheel the left half-Ranks inward into the midst and double your right Flank inward entire Direction Half-files of the right half-Ranks face about right half-Ranks move clear of the standing part then face to the right and the left half-Ranks face to the left and wheeling inward into the midst moving forward until they have doubled the right Flank inward entire to your Leader Reducement In wheeling the six middle Ranks from the right Flank they must have ground sufficient for them to wheel about Wheel off from the right Flank the six middlemost Ranks and double your Front and Reer entire to the left Flank the six middle-Ranks face to the right and wheel about to the right and left moving forward until they are clear of the standing part and after facing to the Front and Reer they move again and double the Front and Reer toward the left Flank face all to your Leader march forwards and close your Divisions Or if they continue their Aspect to the right Flank then command the six middlemost Files to wheel off to the right and left and to double entire the depth of the outmost Files then face to their Leader and close their Divisions CHAP. XXXVII A Divisional Doubling to the right Flank by Wheeling Command WHeel off your left half-Ranks and double your right Flank by Division Direction Face outward and left half-Ranks wheel off to the right and left about and move forward until you have ranged even and doubled the right Flank to your Leader Reducement Wheel off the three first and the three last Ranks and double the six middlemost Ranks entire to the left Flank the three last Ranks face about and wheel to the right about moving up towards the midst of the left-Flank and the three first Ranks at the same time wheel about to the left and move down to the midst of the left Flank face to your Leader Or if they continue their aspect to the right Flank then command the outmost Files too that doubled to wheel about to the right and left inward and double entire the Depth of the inmost Files to your Leader Here endeth all the plain Doublings to the right Flank performed by several Counter-marches and Wheelings which to any ingenious Souldier are sufficient directions to know how to double the left Flank only altering the hand by the words of Command And here fellow-Souldier endeth all the several kinds of Doublings which if any shall seem hard or difficult unto thee either in their Commands Directions or Reducements thou mayst care being taken with much ease and delight perform the same And here the Captain is to take special notice when he comes to the point of Doublings that his properest way will be first to double the Front as being the most honourable part of the Body and next the Reer and after either to the right or left Flank leaving it to his discretion to use as many of them as he shall think fitting and convenient for his Exercise And although I have somewhat varied from the practise of former times in using more plenty of words of Command the ripeness and curiosity of Wits in these our days enforced me unto it for they having much refined the Military Discipline will not be pleased with ordinary stuff as to say As you were which I confess would save the Captain a great deal of pains and be more easie to the apprehension and capacity of every private Souldier for his returning back unto his place again Yet if Command should be given to double any part of the Body that Leader would quickly lie under a hard censure and be judged in most mens opinions insufficient that could not find out some other words of Command to reduce them again Endeavouring therefore to give full satisfaction to both parties I have taken the pains to set down other words of Command for Reducement whereby those which shall profess themselves curious may cull out such plenty as may best please their genius advising them withal not to presume in the exercising of their private Companies before themselves be first well verst and truly knowing in all and every of the several Commands Directions and Reducements before mentioned which being obtained they may confidently and boldly proceed so to inure their Souldiers in the practise thereof that their own knowledge in
a short time will reduce them to their former places without using these thred-bare words As you were variety being more profitable and delightful unto them provided they understand it then to accustom them in an ordinary and plain way of reducing But here some men will be ready to carp and say that I have troubled my self to little purpose in setting down more Doublings then are used abroad upon service To whom I answer that there are none if rightly understood but are of singular use one time or another either in private Meetings or in those great Nurseries of Military Discipline the famous Academies of this our Island the Artillery and Military Gardens who for Field-service have train'd up and sent forth many worthy able and gallant Souldiers into the Armies lately raised in our Nation between the King and Parliament whom I pray God happily to reconcile But suppose many of these Doublings have not been seen by some to be used in the field Are they not therefore useful perhaps not at such time they have had no occasion for to use them all which if not must they be rejected I answer positively that being rightly enquired into they have in them very useful and serviceable things against an Enemy whether it be in the Field or in Garrison As for Example the Muskettiers being brought either all into the Front or Reer or upon one of the Flanks which often hapneth an Enemy appearing there then they would be of sigular good use for our advantage and very disadvantageous to the Enemy The like may be spoken of the Pikes who are by several of these Doublings brought into those places being there very serviceable to receive a desperate Charge of Horse if upon any of these parts they should fall on Observe further that in many of these Doublings as the one arms shall face or charge against an Enemy so contrariwise the other lies more secure in safety to be preserved from danger of the shot Moreover according unto the number of men either in Length or Depth a Leader may by these words of Command or the like at the same time double his Front Reer or Midst by doubling of Ranks and may farther make use of them at one and the same time to double by Files his right left Flank and Midst all at one instant But I shall not need to set down words of Command for the doubling Front Reer Flanks and Midst after this manner but leave that unto the apt Souldier to make use of such words of Command formerly shewen and to frame them suitable for any such purpose so intended But before I shall conclude concerning the use of these Doublings as I said before there are many of them which by command will bring any men in the Body to fight unto that part which shall be most weak or assaulted by an enemy And again he may cast them so into the Body by a doubling as shall preserve from danger whom he shall think fit And to say more there is no part of the Body or Arms but by words of Command in doublings may be brought forth as Frontiers against the enemy and may be placed again into the midst of the Body for more security and others in like manner may be brought forth for their relief Therefore it much concerns all Souldiers and Commanders to be truly knowing in all the several kinds of Doublings out of which he may make singular good use according to his discretion at all such times as need shall require whether it be in Field or otherwise in Garrison CHAP. XXXVIII Of Inversion and Conversion NOt to omit any thing which may be beneficial for the knowledge of all them that intend to be good proficients in the Art of Military Discipline my subject in this Chapter shall be of Ranks filing and Files filing and Ranks ranking and Files ranking which are by some called Inversion and Conversion yet seldom mentioned by any Leader in the time of his Exercise for this reason as I suppose because the Souldiers for the most part are unacquainted with them which causeth all our Leaders in our private Meetings here in London to deliver forth unto their Souldiers such words of Command as may readily and aptly be understood by them which are Ranks File to the right or left or Files File to any hand which is no other then Inversion And again Ranks rank to the right or left either in equal or unequal parts or entire to the Front or Files to rank in the like kind may be termed Conversion And in my opinion they do the better that shall thus express themselves to the capacity of every Souldier then for to puzzle them with the words Inversion Conversion I intend therefore without curiosity plainly to set down their several Commands Directions and Reducements keeping my former method concerning Doublings For in all and every one of them they do either double the length or depth of the Front Reer Midst or Flanks no part of the Military Exercise affording more plenty of matter then they carrying always along with them many things of excellent use For example suppose a Prince General or any other person of quality were to pass thorow the Company a discreet commander would presently command their Ranks to invert or file to the right and left outward which immediately becomes as it were a Street or Gallery for the honouring and securing of their persons Moreover it is of use for the lodging of the Colours or upon Funeral-occasions or taking their leave from their Captain where they may pour forth their Volleys of shot all at one and the same time To be short being necessitated to march against a Battery it avoids the danger of the great Ordnance and likewise secures the Front of the Battalia from the imminent danger of any great shower of small shot poured forth by the Enemy As likewise it is of excellent use to march over a narrow Bridge or thorow a Lane Thicket or Salliport or such like difficult passages or if any Commander have a desire to use ancient Figures by it he may make the Saw Sheers or Diamond or being in one File they may aptly be drawn into a Ring where he that is an able posture-man standing in the midst may shew unto them their several postures and after easily reduce them again and thus much briefly of Inversion or Ranks filing Next come we to shew the excellent uses and services which may be performed by Conversion as first perceiving any man of worth to stand before the Front of the Battail or to pass by either of the Flanks then Ranks ranking or Files ranking into the Front or Ranks wheeling to either of the Flanks by these Commands the Souldiers aspects are thither brought to present unto him a volley of shot It is likewise very useful for the making of a Line against a Breast-work or lining of Hedges carrying it self several ways secretly to lie in Ambuscado
the knowledge of any intelligible Souldier I come therefore briefly to treat of Inversion or of Ranks filing and Files filing CHAP. XLIV Of Ranks filing or of Files filing or of Inversion with their several sorts and kinds Command FIles file to the right Direction The right-hand File is to move away clear of the standing part and after the next File to fall in the Reer of the first and consequently so all the rest until they become one File Reducement File-leaders lead up your Files to the left or Files file six to the left Command Files file to the right entire advancing Direction The right-hand File stand the rest move away successively placing themselves in one direct File before the Front Reducement Files file six to the right into the Reer face all about or Files file six to the right towards the Front Command Files file inward into the right Flank Direction Half-files face about and the outmost Files then upon the left as they are so faced are to move away forward and consequently all the rest are to fall in behind them the like is to be performed by the Front the outmost File at the same time is to move away and the rest successively falling in until they have made one entire File after they are to face to the Front Reducement Front Half-file file three to the left Reer Half-file face about and file three to the right face to your Leader and close your Divisions Command Files file to the right by Division Direction Half-files face about the outmost File upon the right is to stand the rest are to move forward and to place themselves successively into one entire File going forward after each other and after face to the Front Reducement Front-half-files file three to the right and Reer-half-files face about and file three to the left face to your Leader and close your Divisions Command Ranks file to the right every man placing himself behind his right-hand-man Ranks filing by way of Counter-march Direction This may be done marching or standing if marching the right-hand-man of the first Rank doth first move away the rest in the same Rank do fall in behind him and consequently all the rest until they make one intire File if upon a Stand the Ranks are to open backward to such a Distance as they may conveniently fall into one File Reducement Files rank 12 to the left or Files rank as you were Command Ranks file to the right advancing every man placing himself before his right-hand-man Direction The outmost File stand The Ranks are to be at twice double Distance the Files at order the rest are to move forward with their right leg placing themselves before the right-hand-man Reducement Files rank 12 to the left or Files rank as you were Command Ranks file to the right every man placing himself before his Leader and his Bringer-up Direction The Half-files are to face about onely the right-hand-file is to stand the rest are to move forward filing to the right Flank every man placing himself before his Leader and his Bringer-up face to your Leader Reducement Front-half-files rank 12 to the right Reer-half-files face about and rank 12 to the left face to your Leader close your Divisions Command Ranks file inward into the right Flank every man placing himself before his Leader and his Bringer-up Direction Half-files face about Front and Reer-half-files are to march to such convenient distance as the Ranks may fall into the midst of the right Flank after they are to face about or to face to the midst of Ranks and then they are to move forward into the right Flank every man placing himself as before commanded and after face to their Leader Reducement Front-half-files rank 12 to the left Reer-half-files face about and rank 12 to the right face to your Leader and close your Divisions Command Files file to the right every man placing himself behind his Bringer-up Files fâ—ling by way of Counter-march Direction The outmost File stand the rest face about and move forward each particular File to the left placing themselves behind their Right-hand-file and their Bringers-up Reducement Files file six to the left every man placing himself before his Leader Command Files file to the right every man placing himself before his Leader Direction The Right-hand-file stand the rest move forwards every File successively placing themselves before their Leaders and their Right-hand-file Reducement Files file six to the right into the Reer every man placing himself before his Bringer-up face all about the last six men stand the rest are to move and to file six to the right placing themselves before their Bringers-up and after to face to the Front Command Files file to the right Flank by Division every man placing himself before his Leader and his Bringer-up Direction Half-files face about the Right-hand-file is to stand the rest are to move forward to the right Flank placing themselves before their Leaders and their Bringers-up making one intire File to the right face to your Leader Reducement Front-half-files face about and file three to the right every man placing himself before his Bringer-up and Reer-half-files file three to the left placing your selves before your Leaders face to your Leader Command Files file inward into the right Flank every man placing himself before his Leader and his Bringer-up Direction Half-files face about and Front and Reer-half-files move forward until there be sufficient Distance to file into the right Flank after face them about to the midst of Ranks then the files may move successively into the right Flank placing themselves before their Leaders and their Bringers-up face to your Leader Reducement Front-half-files file three to the left every man placing himself before his Leader and Reer-half-files face about and file three to the right every man placing himself before his Bringer-up face to your Leader and close your Divisions CHAP. XLV Ranks wheeling into the Flanks They ought to be at twice double Distance in rank and at Close order in file Command RAnks wheel to the right into the right Flank Direction Every particular Rank is to wheel to their right hand until they have brought their Aspects unto the right Flank after face to the Front Reducement Files rank 12 to the right the first man is to stand the rest are to move forward to the right successively 12 in a Rank to the right Command Ranks wheel to the left to the right Flank Direction Face all about and Ranks wheel to the left until you have brought your Aspects unto the right Flank face to your Leader Reducement Files rank 12 to the left the first man is to stand the rest are to move forwards making up 12 abrest to the left until they have made six Ranks as at first Command Ranks wheel outward to the right Flank Direction Half-files face about the first three Ranks wheel to the right and the three last Ranks wheel to the
left to your Leader Reducement Front-half-files rank 12 to the right Reer-half-files face about and rank 12 to the left face to your Leader march up and close forwards to your due Distance Command Ranks wheel inward into the right Flank Direction Half-files face about Front and Reer-half-files march from the midst to twice double distance after Front and Reer-half-files face about Front-half-files wheel your Ranks to the left Reer-half-files wheel your Ranks to the right to your Leader Reducement Front-half-files rank 12 to the left reer-half-Reer-half-files face about and rank 12 to the right face to your Leader and close your Divisions The left Flank challengeth the next place but I shall spare that pains in regard it is to be done by the same words of Command onely altering the hand I come therefore in the next place to shew how Ranks and Files may file outward to both Flanks and midst at one and the same time by proper words of Command as followeth CHAP. XLVI Of Files filing or Ranks filing to both the Flanks and the Midst at one and the same time Command FIles file to the right and left of both Flanks and the midst of Files Direction The outmost File upon each Flank and the two middle Files are to move away the rest are to fall in successively behind to the right and left filing to both Flanks and to the midst after to stand and even their Ranks and streighten their Files Reducement Files file six to right and left inward moving between the Flanks and the middle files Command Files file to both Flanks and to the midst of Files advancing Direction The outmost File upon each Flank stand and so likewise the two inmost Files the rest move forth and place themselves successively filing advancing toward both Flanks and the midst of Files Reducement Files file six to the right and left inward to the Reer placing yourselves between the Flanks and the middle files the moving part is to face about and to march down according to command as before exprest after face to their Leader Command Files file to both Flanks and the midst by Division They must be at order both in rank and file Direction The outmost File upon each Flank and the two inmost Files stand Half-files of the other Files face about and march forth and file by threes to the right and left into both Flanks and the midst facing to their Leader they will stand in four Files eighteen deep Reducement The six middlemost men in each File stand the three first and the three last Ranks file six to the right and left inward the three first Ranks face about then moving by threes between the outmost File of each Flank and the middle Files after facing to their Leader Command Files file inward into both Flanks and into the midst of Files Direction Half-files face about march all and open from the midst to twice double distance face all about to the right the two inmost and the two outmost Files stand the rest move successively by threes until they file into both Flanks and into the midst face to your Leader Reducement Files file three to the right and left inward into the Front and Reer Half-files face about the three first and the three last Ranks stand the 12 middlemost men move inward by threes into Front and Reer between the outmost and the middlemost Files face to your Leader and close your Divisions Command Files file both Flanks and to the midst of Files every man placing himself before his Bringers-up Direction Face all about the two outmost Files and the two middlemost Files stand the rest move forth to the right and left placing themselves successively before their Bringers-up filing towards both Flanks and the midst of Files face to your Leader Reducement Files file six to the right and left inward following your Bringers-up between the Flanks and the middle Files the first six Ranks are to stand Command Files file to both Flanks and to the midst of Files advancing every man placing himself before his Leader Direction The outmost File upon each Flank and the two middlemost Files stand the rest advance forward placing themselves successively before their Leaders filing both Flanks and to the midst of Files Reducement Files file six to the right and left inward into the Reer following your Leaders between the Flankers and the middle Files the six last Ranks face about and after they have filed they are all to face to their Leader Command Files file to both Flanks and to the midst by Division every man placing himself before his Leader and Bringer-up Direction The outmost File upon each Flank and the two inmost stand Half-files of the other Files face about and then command them to move filing to both Flanks and into the midst placing themselves before their Leaders and Bringers-up to your Leader Reducement The six middlemost men in each File stand the three first and the three last Ranks file six to the right and left inward every man placing himself before his Leader and Bringer-up the three first Ranks face about and then with the three last they are to move forward between the outmost and the middlemost Files that is by threes to place themselves before their Leaders and their Bringers-up face to your Leader Command Files file inward into both Flanks and into the midst every man placing himself before his Leader and Bringer-up Direction Half-files face to the Reer march all and open from the midst to twice double distance face all about to the right the two inmost and the two outmost Files upon each Flank stand the rest move successively by threes placing themselves before their Leaders and Bringers-up filing into both Flanks and the midst face to your Leader Reducement Files three to the right and left inward into Front and Reer every man placing himself before his Leader and his Bringer-up Half-files face about the three first and three last Ranks stand the 12 middlemost men move forwards by threes between the outmost and the middle Files placing themselves as aforesaid face to your Leader and close your Divisions CHAP. XLVII Of Ranks wheeling to both the Flanks They are to be at double distance in Ranks and at order in Files Command RAnks wheel to the right and left to both Flanks advancing Direction The outmost men upon the right and left in every Rank are the hinges of the Motion the rest are to divide their Ranks by wheeling six to the right and six to the left until they have brought their Aspects unto both the Flanks after face to their Leader Reducement Files rank 12 to the right and left inward into the Reer face all to the right and left about inward and begin the Motion from each File to rank six to the right and six to the left making up 12 abrest in the Reer the rest following until they have made six Ranks in a brest face to your Leader Command
lie under the censure my self of mispending time I come therefore briefly in the next place to treat of Wheelings being a subject more profitable for the intelligible Souldier CHAP. LV. Of Wheelings with their several uses HAving proceeded thus far in shewing all the several sorts and kinds of Military Motions it will now in the next place be expected that I speak somewhat of Wheelings and as formerly so now to set before the Souldier their several kinds and uses Wherefore take notice of two sorts Wheelings Angular and VVheelings on the Center which latter is commonly called the Prince of Orange his VVheeling being acted or performed by the Souldier two several ways that is to say Intire or Divisional Intire VVheelings to the Angles are when the Souldiers turn their Aspects from the Front proper to either of the Flanks or Reer whereby they may gain the VVind or Sun or some like advantage bringing their best Souldiers thither for to encounter an Enemy For the better performance of this Motion it will be convenient to close Ranks and Files into the midst to order and to keep their due distance both in Rank and File observing in their Ranks their right and left-hand-men following their Leaders always conforming themselves in their Motion to the most commendable Posture which is Pikes advanced Muskets poysed Wheeling the Battail on the Center is when they are so straightened with ground that they have not room to wheel to the right or left as in the former which gaineth as much more ground before the Front as formerly they stood on This Wheeling brings their best Souldiers to either of the Flanks or Reer I could wish that this Wheeling were more often practised amongst us for by it the Souldiers are better kept together in their Motion being not so apt to flie out as in the former Divisional Wheelings provided they have sufficient number of men are of singular good use to encounter several Enemies at one and the same time which the Front of our Battalia bringing our best Souldiers for to skirmish with them It is likewise useful to bring either Arms into Front Reer or both the Flanks for suppose the Muskettiers to be upon the Flanks and fearing a desperate charge of the Horse to fall upon them by a Division of Wheeling the Pikes are thither brought to receive their on-set and in the mean space the Muskettiers have time to recruit their Bandiliers again Much more might be spoken but my intent is not to fill my Book with impertinent discourses knowing what is already spoken is sufficient for the intelligible Souldier CHAP. LVI Intire Wheelings Command WHeel your Battail to the Right Left Right Left about Direction The right or the left-hand-men in the Front are the hinges of these Motions the rest have a greater compass to march then they to bring their Aspects unto the place commanded following their Leaders Command Wheel your Battail on the same ground to the Right Left Right Left about Direction The Left-half-ranks moveth forwards wheeling to the right and the right Half-ranks contrariwise faceth to the left side-wise falling backward moving still unto the place commanded CHAP. LVII Divisional Wheelings Command WHeel the Battail off by Division from the Front Direction Turn off to the right and left Command Wheel the Battail off by Division from the Reer Direction Face to the Reer and turn off to the right and left Command Wheel the Battail inward to the Reer Direction Open from the midst to convenient distance and turn off to the right and left Command Wheel the Battail inward to the Front from the Reer Direction Face to the Reer open from the midst and wheel inward to the Front Command Wheel off the Body by Division from the right Flank Direction Face to the right Command Wheel off the Body by Division from the left Flank Direction Face to the left Command VVheel the Body inward to the left Flank from the right Direction Face to the right and open outward to convenient distance to wheel inward to the left Flank Command Wheel the body inward to the right Flank from the left Direction Face to the left and open outward to convenient distance to wheel inward to the right Flank Command VVheel off your Front and Reer-half-files by Division Direction Half-files face about Front Reer-half-files turn off by Division Command Wheel your Front and Reer-half-files inward to the midst of Ranks Direction Half-files face about and Front and Reer-half-files open outward to convenient distance to wheel inward to the midst of Ranks Command Wheel off your Front and Reer-half-files by Division from the midst of Ranks Direction Front-half-files face about and Front and Reer-half-files wheel off to the right and left by Division Command Wheel Front and Reer-half-files inward both to the Front and Reer from the midst of Ranks Direction Front-half-files face about and Front and Reer-half-files open from the midst to convenient distance and wheel inward into Front and Reer Command Wheel off your right and left Half-ranks by Division Direction Face outward and wheel off to the right and left by Division Command Wheel your right and left Half-ranks inward to the midst of Files Direction Face outward and open to the right and left to convenient distance to wheel inward to the midst of Files Command Wheel off your right and left Half-ranks by Division from the midst of Files Direction Face inward and cause them to move backward to convenient distance to wheel off by Division from the midst of Files Command Wheel your right and left Half-ranks inward to both Flanks from the midst of Files Direction Face inward and open to the right and left to convenient distance to wheel inward to both Flanks Command Wheel the outward Angles to the right and left about to the Center Direction Face to the outward Angles and close Ranks and Files to close order and the Angles on the right turn off to the right the Angles on the left turn off to the left Command Wheel the inward Angles to the right and left about inward from the Center Direction Face to the inward Angles or to the Center and wheel about to the right and left inward from the Center These are all the intire and divisional Wheelings that have hitherto been practised by any according to my best observation there are other Wheelings which may properly be term'd Doublings which I have placed amongst the Doublings where they more properly belong Now if any shall demand of me a reason why I have omitted the Reducements to each particular Command my answer thereunto is easie for as in the Counter-marches so in these they may be reduced by three or four words of Command except a Commander shall of set purpose keep them off from the same to make some experiment After any wheeling is performed face them after to the first Front and command them to even their Ranks and straighten their Files they will
and left move down and Flank the Reer-division of Pikes The second firing Let the Front-division of Muskettiers Fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then face about and move down upon the inside of the next division of Pikes and after face to their Leader The third firing Let the Muskettiers upon the Flanks move up into the room of the former and Fire falling in the Reer of themselves and after face about and move down into their places again the Muskettiers on the inside moving up into their places again The fourth firing Let the Reer-division face about then let them Fire to Front and Reer and fall in the Reer of themselves let the Pikes charge and after ordering their Arms their Reer-division facing to their Leader the Muskettiers thereof may move up into their places again Command The outmost divisions face outward and move two paces face to your Leader move up until you range even abrest with the second divisions next the Front Reer-division move streight forward two paces The first firing Let them all give Fire and fall in the Reer of themselves The second firing Let the Muskettiers advance forwards until they be cleer of the Front-division and then rank outward and Fire altogether after filing inward as they were move down again into their places the Pikes at the same time charging and after order their Arms. Command Front-division advance forward three paces the outmost division upon the Flanks move up and range even with the Front The first firing Direction for the same let them all face to the Reer and the middle-division of Muskettiers move forwards and flank the Reer-division of Pikes after let all the Muskettiers advance forwards three foot cleer of their own divisions of Pikes and give Fire falling in the Reer of themselves and after facing about move into their places again The second firing Let them Fire as they stand and fall in the Reer of themselves and the Pikes in the Reer may charge on and after facing to their Leader Command The outmost divisions face inward march three paces and the next two divisions face outward and move two paces to your Leader Reer-division move outward until you stand streight with the Front-divisions The first firing Let the Front-Division of Muskettiers give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves and after moving down in the room of them in the Reer they at the same time moving up into the Front firing in like manner moving down and exchanging places with them in the Reer The second firing Let the Muskettiers upon the Flanks move forward even with the Front give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves and after move down into their places again and face to their Leader The third firing Let them face to the Front reer and both Flanks and let the Pikes port and the Muskettiers give fire The fourth firing Let them give fire on the ground they stand and fall in the Reer of the Pikes the Pikes charging whilest the Muskettiers make ready again The fifth firing Let the Pikes charge at foot and the Muskettiers give fire over their heads then recovering their Arms face to their Leader Reducement Front-Divisions face about Front and Reer-Divisions march and interchange ground to your Leader The out-most Divisions face inward and close your Divisions to your Leader even your Ranks and streighten your Files and close to Order they are reduced The Captain may now command the Muskettiers to poyse their Arms and file away to the right and left making as it were a Street or Gallery for him to troop away the Pikes and lodge his Colours CHAP. VII The second Exercise with four Files six deep THe Souldiers being the second time summoned to appear at their place of Rendezvous the Sergeants having drawn forth the Files may give liberty to the Leaders thereof to exercise them in their several Postures which being ended their Captain or other Officers may command them to lead up their Files and to joyn them into a Body after which he may shew unto them their Distances and Facings with their several kinds following the former rule and after proceed to these or the like Doublings following CHAP. VIII Eighteen several Doublings with their reducements Command HAlf-files double your Front to the left Command Double your files to the right intire advancing Command Front half-files double your Reer to the right intire Command Left half-ranks double your right Flank to the left Direction Face all to the right and left-half-ranks move forward and double your right Flank to the left to your Leader Command Double your Ranks to the left intire Command Right half-ranks double your left Flank intire advancing Command Left half-ranks double your right Flank inward intire Direction Half-files of the right half-ranks face about right half-ranks move cleer of the standing part face all to the right left half-ranks move forwards into the right Flank to your Leader Command The three first and the three last Ranks double the six middle-most intire to the left Flank Direction The three first and the three last face to the left march cleer of the standing part face inward move and close your Divisions to your Leader Command Right half-ranks double your left Flank to the right Direction Face all to the left and right half-ranks move forwards and double your left Flank to the right to your Leader Command Double your Ranks to the right intire Command Right half-ranks double your left Flank inward intire Command The three first and the three last Ranks double the six middle-most Ranks intire to the right Flank Command Left half-ranks double your right Flank intire advancing Command Front half-files double your Reer to the left intire Command Half-files double your Front to the right Command Double your Files to the left intire advancing every man placing himself before his Leader Command Front half-files double your Reer to the right following your Leaders Direction Half-files face about File-leaders turn off to the left and move down upon the right of the Reer the rest following successively to your Leader Command Files double your Depth to the left intire they are reduced being faced to their Leader CHAP. IX Twelve several Counter-marches with their reducements Command FIles to the right hand countermarch losing ground Command Ranks to the right hand counter-march losing ground Direction Face all to the right Command Front and Reer half-files inter-change ground Direction Front half-files face about to the left Command Right and left half-ranks inter-change ground Direction Face inward Command File-leaders face about the rest pass through to the right a place your selves behinde your Leaders face to the Front Command Counter-march your Front and Reer into the midst Command Counter-march your Flanks into the midst Face out-ward Command File-leaders and Half-file-leaders stand the rest pass through to the right and place your selves before your Leaders and Half-file-leaders Direction The second Rank from the Front and from the
commanding all the Muskettiers to stand and the Pikes to advance their Arms and move forward ten or twelve paces and then to stand and close their Files outward to Order three of their Colours moving with their Pikes to the right hand the other three moving away to the left After he may command Muskettiers to close their Files outward to Order and they will stand in four Divisions two of Pikes and in the Reer of them two of Muskettiers as underneath is set forth the Captains being all upon the head of the Pikes with their Ensigns and the Lieutenants in the Reer the Serjeants attending upon the Flanks of each division This being done command each division of Muskettiers and Pikes to face outward and to move to such convenient distance that being faced to the Front there may be room sufficient upon the subdividing of each division of Muskettiers for their moving up and flanking each body of Pikes After which the Major may assign unto every Captain and Lieutenant his due place of honour as they stand all abrest and that they may also naturally fall into their proper places upon the march which shall be set forth in the next Figure standing in two grand Divisions the one in the Reer of the other which may happen sometimes for want of ground but provided they have ground enough they ought to stand in one even range as in folio 5. The Major after they are thus drawn up in one even range will finde three Files of Muskettiers more in the second grand Division and two of the Pikes then is in the first therefore he must take from thence one File of each Company and add them to nine Files in the Reer which maketh them twelve and then he will have ballanced the divisions equal taking off one File of Pikes and placing it amonst the eldest Captains Pikes CHAP. III. The Reasons follow for the placing of the Captains their Colours and their Lieutenants after the manner before set down WHat hath formerly been declared concerning a Rank or File six abrest or six deep may be satisfactory in some kind unto this point which takes his rule from hence For all private Companies smaller Bodies or single Files must or ought to be as neer as they can conformable to greater Bodies as to Regiments and consequently they to Brigades Therefore take notice that this rule ought ever to be observed in the drawing of Regiments that the right Flank as neer as may be ought to be suitable with the left both in strength number and dignity and likewise to be so when they are drawn forth upon a long march the Front equal with the Reer Now suppose these two grand divisions stood even abrest we will begin to examine the first worth which is the Colonels and the fourth worth which is the eldest Captains and placed upon the right and left of the first grand division with the second and third worth who are the Lieutenant-Colonel and Major drawn up upon the right and left of the second grand division and you shall finde they are every way equivalent in number worth and dignity with that of the first In the next place there are no more to place but the fifth and sixth worth who are the second and third Captains and therefore since it is the first place of honour among the Captains in a Regiment to lead the first Body or Stand of Pikes it must then consequently follow that the second place of honour must be to lead the second grand division of Pikes and therefore the fifth worth is brought into and placed between the second and third that he may stand there to lead the second Body of Pikes wherein the Lieutenant-Colonel the Major and his own Colours are placed so that there remains no more but the sixth worth or youngest Captain to place who is to be drawn up between the Colonel and eldest Captain Now if we shall further proceed to ballance it more cleerly consider them by dividing them by two's in their places as first we will begin with the Colonel the first worth who hath joyned to him the youngest Captain which is the sixth worth and they two make the number 7 then compare the Lieutenant-Colonel who is the second worth unto the second Captain joyn'd with him which is the fifth worth and they make alike the same number after that compare the Major and elder Captain who are drawn up into the midst of the Regiment whose places carry the third and fourth worth and their number is suitable with the rest And thus much may be spoken in general now I shall come more particularly to give further satisfaction both for them and for all the rest and therefore I will give reasons for the placing of the Officers of the first grand division and cleering that the second will quickly be laid open to the view CHAP. IV. More particular Reasons for the placing of the Captains and Lieutenants of the first grand Division IN this grand Division there is the Colonel the eldest Captain and the youngest drawn up into the midst and they having each of them Lieutenants take notice therefore of these reasons for their placing thus That always upon such small Bodies as these the first honour is ever placed upon the right and the second upon the left and that which remains must of necessity be drawn up into the midst they standing all abrest These three Companies being ordered into a right and left Flank and one Stand of Pikes or Van-guard Reer-ward or Main-battail as they may be term'd the reasons follow for the thus standing of the Officers whether marching all even abrest or upon a stand it is the Colonels proper place to be on the head or midst of his grand division which is his chiefest place of security and where he ought to fight for standing there the other may more conveniently repair unto him for their orders as occasion shall require Now the Colonel being a Field-Officer is not absolutely tyed to any one place to fight as the rest are many occasions calling him from thence the eldest Captain therefore is appointed to take charge of the Body of Pikes whether it be upon a March to lead them or upon a Stand to fight them he ought never to forsake them but upon special command from his Colonel or other Field-Officers Now the reason why the first Body of Pikes is the most honourablest place to lead is as I conceive because the Colonels Colours are there flying and besides being the more ancienter Arms far more honour it is to lead them for most commonly the gallantest men of the Infantry desire rather to trail Pikes then to carry Muskets Moreover it hath been a constant practise in most places that the eldest Captain should have that place to lead on foot although many times his Colonel being on horse-back may be a little before him Having spoken of these two it remains to speak something of the youngest Captain
the right and left outward Direction The 12 last Divisions face outward and march clear of the standing part face to your Leader move up all even abrest and double according to command Command The 12 inmost Divisions double the six outmost to the right and left outward advancing Direction The 12 middle Divisions advance forward until you be six foot clear of the standing part then face outward and march until you stand straight before the six outmost face to your Leader and after face inward and move forward until they stand again unto eighteen foot distance from each other to your Leader Command Divisions double the Depth of the Battail to the right Direction Every even Division from the right face about to the right and move down eighteen foot clear of the Reer face to the left and move until you stand straight with those Divisions on the right which you are to double to your Leader Command The 12 last Divisions in the Reer double the Front to the right Direction The 12 last Divisions face to the right and move six paces then face to the left march forward and double the Front to the right and they will be reduced CHAP. X. Four several Wheelings with their Reducement Command DIvisions wheel about to the right and move down into the Reer Direction Front-divisions wheel about to the right and move down into the Reer the rest march up into the same ground wheeling to the right hand and following successively after face to your Leader Command Divisions wheel about to the right to the left Flank Direction Face to the right and the outmost Divisions wheel about to the right and march away unto the place of the left Flank the rest moving up into the same ground wheeling about to the right and following accordingly to your Leader Command Divisions wheel about to the right from the Reer into the Front Direction Face to the Reer and let the first Divisions wheel about to the right and move up into the Front the rest marching forward into their ground wheeling off and following in like manner Command Divisions wheel about to the right to the right Flank Direction Face all to the left and let the outmost Divisions wheel about to the right and move forward to the right Flank the rest marching up into their ground following after in the same kind reduceth them CHAP. XI Countermarches not fit to be used in the Exercising of Regiments IT might be expected after Doublings that I should shew some kinds of Countermarches amongst the Military Motions in the exercise of a Regiment but being of very little use or practise amongst Commanders in these times especially in such great Bodies and for my own part I fancy them not therefore have passed them over and pitcht upon such wheelings which by some are accounted Countermarches Whose judgements my desire is better to inform by these several reasons following wherein and in what kind they differ from them As thus by these wheelings they keep their distance in Rank and File unto Order and wheeling entire unto any hand down to the Reer cannot be performed but by gaining in the Motion before the Front and unto all places as they move so much ground as is the Length of their particular Divisions and in the execution thereof they still preserve the honour of the right and left-hand-file-leaders and all others as are concerned in their particular Divisions unto any accidental Front which they shall be brought unto Now concerning Countermarches they are to be performed either by single Files Ranks Half-files or Half-ranks and at their distance of Open Order their words of Command having relation to all these particulars Their Countermarching of Files to the Reer gaineth no ground before the Front in the Motion but only the room of one particular File upon the right it preserveth not the honour of the right and left-hand-file-leader at one time by any one word of Command unto any of their Motions to such accidental Fronts they shall make but ever loseth it to some and giveth it to others And therefore it may appear cleerly unto any ingenious capacity that the former Wheelings cannot be accounted or given in their Motions in that kinde to the Souldiers for Counter-marches but by such terms as in their place are set down In the next place I shall speak something of the great benefit or use that may be made of these sorts of Wheelings as first a Commander may use them in the Motions of Doublings to Front Reer right-flank or left or double either the length or depth of the Battail unto all needful places as occasion shall require which I shall forbear to set down but leave them to the discretion of the ingenious Souldiers practise when time and opportunity shall serve him to make use of them In the next place they are very necessary to draw off any part and to bring them unto such needful places for Service as are in eminent danger Therefore passing over for present what might be more spoken of in this kinde I come in the next place to shew one Figure of Battail to fire upon and then conclude my Exercise upon this Regiment and go on unto the rest Command Pikes close Files to the right to Order then let them in the Reer double their Front to the left intire Muskettiers advance forward until your Front-divisions exceed six foot the Front of Pikes the two inmost Divisions of Muskettiers in the Front move forward 20 paces and close inward to open Order the two inmost Divisions of Muskettiers in the Reer face about and move down six paces and close inward to open Order to your Leader Muskettiers upon the Flanks close to the Body of Pikes to open Order Middle-divisions of Muskettiers in the Reer by each Flank face about Middle-divisions of Muskettiers by each Flank move forward six foot cleer of the standing part face to your Leader and it will set forth the Figure as it stands in Folio 151. CHAP. XII Several Firings to be performed upon the former Figure and how to be managed by the several Officers THe Regiment being drawn up into the former Figure they may proceed to Firings upon it first let the Forlorns fire five or six times over being commanded by the eldest Captains Lieutenant who is to be assisted by a couple of able Serjeants after let him wheel them off to the right and left and bring them down in the Reer of the Pikes Then let the second Captains Lieutenant being assisted by two Serjeants lead up the reserves by the outside of the Pikes at such time when the Forlorns begin to come off for the better securing of them from danger upon their retreat then let them move forward to their ground and give fire in like manner falling in the Reer of themselves and after wheel them off to the right and left and bring them down in the Reer of those Muskettiers that are behind the Pikes
time that his Lieutenant Colonel shall come unto that place and then he is to bring up that Division being near at hand that if his Lieutenant-Colonel should upon some just occasions be called off he may immediatly move up and lead there in his absence For upon the Long-march as the Colonel leads the first grand Division so it is conceived by some they marching in two grand Divisions some twenty paces distance from each other in manner of two regimental Marchings that the Lieutenant-Colonel ought to lead the second Next let the First Division of Pikes be led by the second Captain and to be brought up by the fifth Captains Lieutenant and the second Division of Pikes to be led by the fifth Captain and brought up by the second Captains Lieutenant the last Division of Muskettiers to be led by the Majors Lieutenant and the Reer of the second grant Division being left for the Major to bring up at such time as with conveniency he may be spared Therefore to march thus it being a very good way and with very little alteration to be made I was unwilling to pass it by leaving it to the discretion of every ingenious Souldier to make use of which way he best pleaseth or likes of whilest I in the next place shall set forth the Figure which follows in pag. 161 affording more variety in the same CHAP. XV. How to make the Figure of a Ring with its use and service But methinks I hear some say Of what use or service upon any occasion may this Ring be unto the Souldier To whom I answer that it is one of the most serviceable Figures that can be made to secure the Souldier from danger against the furious charge of Horse in Campania the accomplishing or making of it up being easily and suddenly performed the Muskettiers having Pallizadoes may advance three or four paces and stick them down in such manner as they may keep the Horse from breaking in among them And after if they should be charged round they may give fire over them against their enemies and fall in the Reer of themselves yet nevertheless if the Horse should be undaunted and attempt to come on again they may resist them with a more desperate charge after this manner bringing all hands to fight and to pour out their shot or to fire altogether after this kind Command first the Pikes to move forward until they be three foot behind the Muskettiers then let every File rank to the right which will make them to stand but one abrest in one single Ring behind the Muskettiers Now that all hands may be brought to fight together command the first Rank of Muskettiers to kneel down the second stoop and the third stand upright then let all close forward to close Order and let the Pikes as occasion shall require charge betwixt the Muskettiers who may fire altogether and the Pikes may charge on whilest the Muskettiers make ready again The Pallizadoes formerly stuck keeping off the Horse from breaking in upon them they may fire after this manner as often as they please And so much may suffice to be spoken concerning the service and use that may be made of it in time of fight and now in the next place I come to reduce them into Companies again as at first Let the Pikes that ranked to the right file three to the left as they were and let the Bringers-up that doubled face about to the right and march forth into their places Then let the Major come to that place where he closed the Ring and brake it off wheeling them all along about to the left until he hath brought them to stand in one even Front as at first the same in like manner to be performed of the Pikes and to stand in the Reer of the Muskettiers Next let the Muskettiers and Pikes face outward and move to such convenient distance that after the Muskettiers may be subdivided again and the Pikes move up and double their Front inward entire in each grand Division Which being brought into that form each Captain may draw off his men being so commanded by the Major and compleat up his Company again and be after disposed of to farther duty or to march home to their Quarters according to command And here I shall conclude this Regiment of eight Companies CHAP. XVIII The manner of drawing up a Regiment consisting of ten Companies having in it seven Captains and three Field-Officers being in each particular Company the former numbers which in all amounts unto 1198 men THe Major having ground sufficient for the drawing up the Regiment after the Colonels Company hath made Alt next to him upon the left he draws up the youngest Captain which is the tenth and the next to him the third Captain which is the sixth after that the fourth Captain which is the seventh then the first Captain which is the fourth then the Majors which is the third next to him the fifth Captain which is the eighth and after that the second Captain which is the fifth then the sixth Captain which is the ninth All these being drawn up upon the left of the Colonels Company the closier of all upon the left is the Lieutenant-Colonels Company whose figure carries the number 2. Place now all these numbers of Dignity according to the former Figures and they will stand as followeth in a Rank 2 9 5 8 3. 4 7 6 10 1. 27 28. In the next place compare the Dignity of the right Half-ranks with the left and they are ballanced as neer as can be possible to be equal there being one odd which of necessity must be cast upon the right Half-ranks for the reasons formerly exprest in placing the second Captain into the Lieutenant-Colonels Division Then according to the former rule draw forth the Pikes and ingross them into two Bodies and the like of the Muskettiers after sub-divide the Muskettiers and make them four divisions and move them up to flank the Pikes and then they will be in two compleat grand Divisions In the next place let the Major order forth unto the Captains and Lieutenants their several places to lead and to bring up after this manner There being two grand Divisions having in them five Captains and five Lieutenants it will be necessary to appoint our five several Charges in the first grand Division to lead and five to bring up after this manner As first divide the Van-guard into two Divisions the first to be led by the Captain-Lieutenant and brought up by his Bringer-up the second Division of Muskettiers in the Van to be led by the third Captains Lieutenant and to be brought up by the fourth Captains Lieutenant The first division of Pikes is to have the three first Colours to fly upon the head of them and to be led by the eldest Captain and brought up by the seventh Captains Lieutenant the next division of Pikes to be led by the fourth Captain having his own and the
be as at first and unto what hand soever they wheeled command them to wheel to the contrary hand and they will be reduced unto the first Front or what part is wheeled off by Division wheel them inward again from that place and it will easily reduce them Thus you see that it is almost impossible for a Leader to be out unless he be extreamly ignorant therefore he need not fear to venter far in the progress of them before he shall reduce them provided he use no Doublings which if he shall great care must be had that he be not put to a stand for the prevention whereof let him look back unto those doublings by wheelings wherein one doth reduce another where he may finde some remedy to help himself forth again CHAP. LVIII Of Firings either for delight or service THe chiefest thing required of the Muskettiers next their Postures by which they are taught how to handle their Arms with delight both marching or skirmishing is Firing which to speak the truth is the full accomplishment of all the rest for unless they be really performed the rest are of no great advantage For to what end is it for any man to Prime Lade or Cock if he Present not answerably therefore Firings are the execution of all the former in so much as my advice shall be to all Commanders that they be careful and diligent to have all their Muskettiers often practised with false Firing whch is Firing in the Pan only and falling off as hereafter followeth to the end that in time of need they may not spend their Powder and Bullets in vain And that they may likewise know where to fall off that others may do the like and where to place themselves securest from danger yet so as they may be still aiding the one unto the other I shall therefore for the good of my Country and for the benefit of all such as are herein concerned collect forth some Firings which shall be every one differing from the other in one kind or other either in the execution or reducing whereby the ingenious Souldier may cull forth such as he best likes to make use of what he shall think to be most fit and pertinent to his intended purpose be it either for delight or service briefly therefore thus Firings really considered can be performed but five ways that is to say to the Front Reer right or left Flank Oblique or Angular but there is so much variety to be expressed in the performance of each of these that it makes them seem so many several Firings as by the following discourse shall be fully demonstrated CHAP. LIX Several Firings to be performed with any number of men THe Front being the head of the Body and therefore the more honourable part challengeth the superiority or first place and therefore without any further circumstance I come directly to the Firings as they lie in order as followeth Draw all the Muskettiers before the Pikes before you begin your Firings Firings to the Front 1 Two Ranks advancing ten paces falling in the Reer of themselves 2 By single Ranks advancing three paces falling in the Reer of themselves 3 Fire and flank the Pikes 4 Fire by Files advancing 10 or 20 paces first single secondly ranking inward 1 2 3 4 or more falling down into their places again 5 Fire by Ranks filing and advancing 10 or 20 paces and moving down and ranking in the Reer of their own Divisions 6 Fire by Divisions drawn off 10 or 20 or 30 paces and returning again 7 Fire even with the Front and falling in the Reer of their own Divisions 8 Fire even with the Half-files and fall in the Reer of themselves 9 Fire by way of Introduction thus the first Rank fires and stands the last Rank passeth up between the Files and placing themselves before the File-leaders or first Rank then stand and give fire the rest doing the like till the File-leaders come up again into their places and fire the second time 10 Fire by Introduction after this manner the first Rank gives fire and stands the rest moving forward until the next Rank hath placed themselves before the first then stands and gives fire the rest moving up and doing the like until they have all fired twice 11 Fire even with the Front falling into the Reer of Pikes 12 Fire by Extraduction the first Rank passing from the Reer upon the outside of the Pikes upon the right until they have placed themselves in a Rank before the Pikes the rest successively doing the like until they have fired all over and brought themselves as at first Here the Muskettiers are upon the Flanks again 13 Fire by the outmost Files wheeling or ranking outward into the Front falling off likewise being led off by Bringers-up leading up next the Pikes this done twice reduceth 14 Fire two Ranks together falling off or falling down 15 Fire four Ranks together two kneeling and two standing upright falling off or falling down 16 Fire six Ranks together two kneeling two stooping and two standing upright 17 Fire some Ranks drawn forth to the right left or by Division and in again Note also if you please you may draw forth one Rank to the right and another to the left at one and the same time together 18 Fire by Files drawn forth oblique then face about move into their places Note also that several Figures may be made by these kinds of Firings as the V the W or the Fort-battail and the like 19 Fire by Ranks ranking into the Front or Files ranking into the Front and ranking or filing as they were 20 Fire by Files wheeling outward or inward into the Front and filing again as they were Thus much briefly of Firings to the Front the Reer challengeth the next place where suppose all the Muskettiers to be in the Reer of the Pikes the Body marching 1 Fire to the right left about falling in the Front of their own Divisions Firings to the Reer 2 Fire and fall off to the right and left and rank with the first Rank of Pikes into the Front 3 Fire even with the Reer and fall off before the Front of your own Divisions of Muskettiers 4 Fire even in the Reer or last Rank and fall off to the right and left with a swift motion placing your selves 10 20 or 30 paces before the Front of Pikes still facing to the Body and making ready again and opening to the right and left until they be clear of the Pikes 5 Fire by Introduction to the Reer twice over until they come down even with the Reer and flank the Pikes 6 Fire to the right and left about to the Reer Ranks drawn forth and in again 7 Fire to the Reer every Rank drawn forth clear each from other and falling in again and flanking the Pikes 8 Fire to the right and left about Files ranking downward to the Reer and filing as they were 9 Fire to the
even abrest with the next divisions yet keeping themselves distinctly from the other divisions Then let those divisions of Muskettiers that stood in the Reer of them move forward into their ground and give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves after face about and move down again into their first places then let those that first fired move up again into their ground and let the outmost divisions begin to fire after this manner let the first divisions fire and fall in the Reer of themselves and after fall off to the right and left and place themselves in the room of the Reer-divisions who are likewise to move up into their ground and there to fire and fall off as before the Pikes may after charge on and retreat back again into their places The same firings may be performed to the Reer they being thither faced but to let that pass we will fall upon the next Figure wherefore Command Divisions of Pikes move forward until your Reer-divisions range even abrest with the outmost divisions of Muskettiers Reer-divisions of Muskettiers face inward and move streight in the Reer of the Reer-divisions of Pikes to your Leader The first firing Let the two last divisions of Muskettiers face about and the other divisions of Muskettiers to face to the right and left outward and let them give fire on the ground they stand and fall in the Reer of themselves the Pikes may charge on whilst the Muskettiers make ready again The second firing Let them face all to the Reer and let the Reer-divisions move forth to the right and left outward and give fire altogether and fall in the Reer of themselves The third firing Let the four first divisions of Muskettiers and the two first disions of Pikes face to the Front and let them give fire to Front and Reer and fall in the Reer of themselves then face all to the Front and proceed farther Command The Front and Reer-divisions to move outward two paces Reer-division of Pikes upon the left face about Reer-divisions of Pikes move three foot before the Front and Reer to your Leader divisions that moved outward close inward to your first ground then they will stand as followeth The first firing Let the first divisions of Muskettiers give fire to the Front and fall in the Reer of themselves then face outward and march cleer of the standing part then face to their Leader then let every division of Muskettiers come successively into that ground fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then face about and move down into their places then let the Front-divisions of Pikes charge on and after retreat back into their places The second firing Let them face all to the Reer and let every division give fire on the ground they stand and fall in the Reer of themselves The third firing Let half the Muskettiers and three divisions of Pikes face about to the right and give fire to Front and Reer on the ground they stand and fall in the Reer of themselves then let the Pikes charge on and after retreat back into their places face all to their Leader Command The outmost divisions of Muskettiers face outward and move two paces to your Leader the other divisions both Pikes and Muskettiers open your Files outward to open Order the five first divisions face about the five first and the five last divisions move streight forward and interchange ground and after face to their Leader and close Files inward again to Order then lead up the two outmost divisions of Muskettiers to stand even abrest against the middle-divisions of Pikes face all to your Leader then move the two outmost divisions to the right and left inward to stand streight in the middle of the Front and Reer-divisions of Muskettiers Upon this Figure several firings might be performed to Front Reer both Flanks and four Angles all at one and the same time but being so easie to the view I shall leave them unto the discretion of those which shall be pleased to make use of them and in the next place endeavour to reduce them Reducement Middle-divisions of Muskettiers upon the Flanks face outward and move cleer of the standing part to your Leader the five first Divisions face about the five first and the five last Divisions open Files outward to open Order and move forward and interchange ground and close Files inward again to Order outmost Divisions face about and move down again into your first places face all to your Leader Here the Captain if he please may command the Ensign to display his Colours which being ended he may proceed commanding Reer-divisions of Pikes to move forward and to place themselves in the Reer of the outmost division of Pikes upon the left in the Front then let the Front-division of Pikes move down and place themselves in the Reer of the second division of Pikes upon the right then close Pikes into the midst to Order Inmost divisions of Muskettiers move forward to Order and march up even with the Front Reer-division of Muskettiers face outward and move until they stand streight with the outmost divisions of Muskettiers then face to their Leader and close Ranks forward to Order and march up and make an even Front and close Files into the midst to Order they are reduced CHAP. XXXVI The eleventh Exercise with 24 Files six deep THe Souldiers being met at the place appointed and the Officers being vigilant and careful in their several places in drawing forth the Files and joyning them into a Body the Leader without any farther delay may crave their silence and close their Ranks and Files to Order and after some distances and facings shewn unto them drawn forth from the former Rule he may proceed to this following doubling making every man a File-leader according to succession and after reduce them again Command Ranks to the left double Command Files to the left double Command Half-files double your Front to the left Command Files double your depth to the left Command Bringers-up double your Front to the right Command Double your Files to the left intire advancing Command Bringers-up double your Front to the left Command Double your Files to the right intire advancing Command Ranks to the right double Command Files to the right double Reducement Files rank to the left into the Front Rank file six to the left they are reduced CHAP. XXXVII Eight Counter-marches with their Reducement Command BRingers-up stand to the rest pass through to the right and place your selves behind your Bringers-up The rest face about Command File-leaders and Bringers-up stand the rest pass through to the right and place your selves before your Leaders and Bringers-up Half-files face about Command Ranks to the left-hand counter-march maintaining ground face to the left Command Right and Left-half-ranks Counter-march from the midst of Files maintaining ground face inward Command File-leaders face about to the rest pass through to the right and place your selves behind your Leader to your