As ye were Musketteers make ready The Muskeetteers make ready in the same manner as if they were going to fire and hold their Muskets in a readiness to present and at the same time the Pikes present their Pikes or charge To the Right four times To the Right about As ye were To the Left four times To the Left about As ye were Take your Match Return it into its place Shoulder your Musket The Pikes advance their Pikes After the handling of their Arms the Major makes them double their Ranks on the Front and Rear To the Right or to the Left double your Ranks on the Front March The second Rank enters into the first the fourth into the third and the last into the fifth but that should be done in such a manner that no Soldier go before another and that the motion be performed all at the same time moving always the left foot first To reduce the Ranks as they were Ranks that doubled as ye were Or in another manner Ranks that doubled take heed To the Right about March Halt As ye were The Ranks that doubled return to their place and the Soldiers turn to the Left about to put themselves as they were To double their Ranks on the Front by half Files To the Right or to the Left by half-File-leaders Double your Ranks on the Front March The fourth Rank which is the half File-leader doubles into the first Rank which is the File-leader the fifth into the second and the last which is the Bringer up into the third They are put again as they were in this manner Bringers up to the Right about March As ye were Or as is above-said To double the Ranks on the Rear Soldiers take heed to double your Ranks on the Rear The Ranks that doubled stand still To the Right or to the Left double your Ranks on the Rear March The first Rank turns to the Right about and enters into the second the third into the fourth and the fifth into the last to put them as they were Ranks that doubled as ye were March To double on the Rear by Bringers up of half Files To the Righe or to the Left by Bringers up of half Files double your Ranks on the Rear March The three first Ranks turn to the Right about and the third Rank which is the Bringer up of the half File doubles into the last the second into the fifth and the first into the fourth and face about as the other Ranks which they have doubled by turning to the Left about To put them as they were by File-leaders Ranks that doubled as ye were March The Files are doubled and put again as they were after the same manner as the Ranks to the Right or to the Left by half Rank or quarter Rank by Front or Rear according to the pleasure of the Commander The Quart of Conversion or Wheeling is one of the most necessary Motions to the Fort. When a Battalion is attacked on the Flank the Major gives this Word of Command To the Right or to the Left Wheel March If the Wheeling be made to the Right the Right turns insensibly and the Left double their pace until the Battalion make Front to the side where the Right stood If the wheeling be commanded to the Left what was done to the Right is done to the Left Soldiers should be exercised to fire all manner of ways in keeping of ground gaining of ground and losing of ground To make them fire in keeping of ground this word of Command iâ— given The five first Ranks kneel Bringers up make ready Present Fire Fifth Rank stand up Musketteers make ready Present Fire c. And so of the rest whilst the first Ranks discharge those on the Rear who have fired charge again and are in readiness against the first word of Command A Battalion is sometimes forced to give ground when it is beset with the Enemy's Horse in the middle of a Plain When it is so the Major ought to make a square Battalion which fronts every way and which is fraized with Pikes serving as Walls to hinder the Horse to break in whilst the Musketteers fire The Battalion of the Count de Fontaine at the Battel of Rocroy the first of so many Victories obtained by Monsieur the Prince stood firm against the Horse and could not be broken but by Cannon To fire in gaining of ground the Battalion is commanded to advance as fast as the former Ranks discharge ordering them to fall off to the Rear so soon as they have fired by this word of Command To the Right and Left by half Ranks Fall off to the Rear of the Battalion March When they would fire in losing of ground the first Rank discharges and falls off to the Rear of the Battalion and so the rest successively To make all the Musketteers of a Battalion draw their Swords after they have fired whilst their Muskets are still on the Sword side the Major gives this word of Command Draw your Swords To the Right four times To the Right about To the Left four times To the Left about As ye were Put up your Swords Joyn your right hand to your Muskets Poise your Muskets Shoulder your Muskets Rest upon your Arms. Lay down your Arms. Take up your Arms. Shoulder your Muskets After the handling of Arms and the Motions if the Colonel would have the Battalion to march he is to tell the Major who shall give this word of Command to the Officers To the Right and Left Gentlemen Officers take your Posts on the head of the Battalion March Then he shall make the Soldiers close their Files in this manner Soldiers take heed to close your Files The right hand File stand still To the Right close your Files March As ye were When the Files are closed the Colonel gives order in what manner he would have the Battalion to march and the Major divides the Captains one half for the Front and the other for the Rear he places the Lieutenants at the head of every Division of Musketteets the Sub-Lieutenants and Ensigns at the Divisions of Pikes and the Serjeants on the Flanks he divides his Drummers into three parts one third part on the Front another before the Pikes and the last on the Rear and in that order he makes his Battalion file off commanding the Serjeants to even their Ranks as they march The Major makes the Regiment march in all Figures in Battalia all the Officers on the head making all the Battalion present their Arms aâ— when they are to charge an Enemy by a March a half March a quarter March and by a half quarter March If the Colonel command the Companies to be dismissed the Major shall draw up the Regiment in Battalia iâ— the same place from whence it marched and shall begin by making the Pikes draw off from the Centre of the Battalion to the Rear Pikes to the Right about March Halt As ye were Then he makes the
the Surgeon Major of the Regiment He ought to make Provision of Medicaments proper to stop Bleeding hinder Inflammation and ease Pains There is no Company but hath one or two Drummers and a Drum-Major over all who hath the care of instructing the rest and guarding the Enemies Drummers that come into the Camp He can with his Baton punish those that fail in their duty and goes Evening and Morning to the Major to receive his Orders The Drummers duty is to beat all Points as the General the Call or Gathering the Dernier the March the Allarm the Parly the Answer to Parleys the Reveilly the Tattoe and the Bans. The Soldier ought to be stout strong a good Husband and obedient to all his Officers from the Captain to the Lanspassades He should study to keep himself neat to make his Arms bright and clean to know how to use them the Soldier 's duties the motions of his Company its March to lodge himlelf in the Field keep his Guard and Sentinel-Post to understand the Beat of Drum and to be diligent to come to his Colours His eating and sleep should be regulated according to his leisure and not his pleasure CHAP. XVI Of the way of forming a Battalion WHen a Colonel on any occasion would have his Regiment to be in Arms he sends his Major to the place of Rendezvous to draw up the Companies as fast as they arrive there who puts first the Colonel's Company in Battalia six men deep distant three large paces from one another and places the Pikes on the left hand of the Musketteers The other Companies draw up according to the first All being posted the Major commands silence and orders fix Serjeants to mark the half Ranks that he may make the Pikes enter into the Centre of the Musketteers by this word of Command The way of forming a Battalion Page 51 in the Second Part. The Explication of the present Figure THis Figure represents a Battalion of sixteen Companies with the Officers at their Posts A The Colonel B The Lieutenant-Colonel aaa c. The Captains bb The Lieutenants CC The Lieutenants-Reformed and Ensigns DD The Serjeants EE The Drummers on the Flanks F The Major G The Aid Major ooo The Musketteers III The Pikes Soldiers take heed to form the Battalion To the Right and Left Musketteers and Pikes Form the Battalion March The Musketteers of the Colonel's Company stand still the right hand half Rank of Pikes turn to the Left the Musketteers to the Right the left hand half rank of Pikes turn to the Right the Musketteers to the Left and march both together through the Intervals of the Ranks till the Pikes come to the Centre of the Battalion separated from the Musketteers and the Musketteers on the Right and Left separated from the Pikes When they have performed that Motion the Major reduces them as they were by this word of Command As ye were They that turned to the Left turn to the Right they that turned to the Right to the Left and by this means every one faces the Major and so the Battalion is formed This is a far shorter way than that which was in use not long ago CHAP. XVII Of Exercising WHen the Regiment is in Battalia if the Colonel intend to see them exercise he gives notice to the Major who makes them open their Files one pace giving thereby the Soldiers the liberty of the arm to handle their Arms. This is the word of Command he gives Soldiers take heed to open your Files The right hand File stands still Open your Files to the left a paces distance March All the Soldiers turn to the Lest the lest hand File begins to march and the others move not from their places until they see those that go before them at a paces distance The Soldiers in marching are to have care to keep in a straight line by their Right hand-man and File-leader When the Major perceives that the Files are sufficiently opened he says to them Halt As you were Even your Ranks and straighten your Files All things thus disposed the Major gives the word of Command to the Serjeants Serjeants take beed To the Right and Left by half Ranks form Files upon the Flanks of the Battalion March Then he gives this word of Command to the Officers who are at the head of the Battalion Gentlenten Officers we are going to Exercise To the Right and Left take your Post on the Flanks of the Battalion March The words of Command in Exercising Soldiers take heed Silence Carry your Arms well The Soldiers are to have a care to make no motion until the word of Command be given and ended to the end that the handling of Arms and the motions may be done at the same time Joyn the Right hand to the Musket â—oise your Musket Joyn the left hand to your Musket Take your Match Blow your Match Cock your Match Try your Match Cover your Pan with your two fore singers Open your Pan. Present Fire Recover your Arms. Take your Match Return it into its place Blow your Pan. Take your Primer Prime Close your Pan. Blow off the loose Corns Cast your Musker about to your swords side Take the Charge Open it with your teeth Put the Powder into the Barrel Draw your scouring Stick Hold up your scouring Stick Shorten it against your breast Put the scouring Stick into the Barrel Ram. Recover your scouring Stick Hold up your scouring Stick Shorten it against your breast Return the scouring Stick into its place Joyn the right hand to your Musket Poise your Musket Shoulder your Musket The Exercise of the Pike Whilst the Pikes are exercising the Musketteers are made to order or rest upon their Arms by this word of Command Rest your selves upon your Arms. Pikes take heed To the Right to the Right to the Right to the Right To the Right about As ye were To the Left to the Left to the Left to the Left To the Left about As ye were Advance your Pike To the Right charge four times Charge to the Right about As ye were Charge to the Left four times Charge to the Left about As ye were Advance your Pike Shoulder your Pike Charge to the Right As ye were Charge to the Left As ye were Charge to the Left about As ye were Comport your Pike Charge As ye were Charge Trail your Pike As ye were Push your Pike three times Advance your Pikes Charge to the Horse Draw your Swords Put up your Swords Advance your Pike Ground your Pike Rest upon your Arms. The Pikes as well as Musketteers ought to have a care when they turn to the Right or Left not to clash their Arms one against another for that clattering is most unpleasant to the ear Take heed all the Battalion Shoulder your Muskets The Pikes at the same time advance their Pikes To the Right four times To the Right about As ye were To the Left four times To the Left about
two Bodies of Musketteers joyn Page 70 in the Second Part. The way of Filing off a Battalion the Officers being at their Posts The Explication of the present Figure THis Figure represents a Battalion which files off by Division of six a front to teach the Soldiers to march aright A The Colonel at the head of his Regiment B The Lieutenant-Colonel on his left hand a a a The half of the Captains on the Front and the other on the Rear b b b The Lieutenonts at the head of every Division of Musketteers C C C The Sub Lieutenants at the head of the Divisions of Pikes D D The Serjeants on the Flanks of the Divisions E E The Drummers on the Front at the Centre and on the Rear F G The Major and Aid-Major make the Battalion file off o o o The Divisions of Musketteers I I I The Divisions of Pikes Musketteers to the Right and Left March The Right hand Body turns to the Left and the Left to the Right and both Bodies march until they meet To put them as they were As ye were They that turned to the Left turn to the Right and they that turned to the Right to the Left Afterwards he gives this word of Command to the Pikes Pikes to your Companies March The Pikes separate and come on the Rear of the Musketteers of their Companies The Major sends the Companies back into their Quarters making them file off in good order the one after the other Drums beating and the Officers at their usual Posts CHAP. XVIII Of Detachments A Detachment is a certain number of Officers and Soldiers which the General makes every Regiment furnish to be imployed as he thinks convenient The detachments are made by Companies that the Fatigue or Loss which may happen may be divided amongst them Two or three Thousand men detached from an Army are commanded by a Brigadeer and other Officers proportionably To Eight hundred men there is required a Colonel a Lieutenant-Colonel an Aid-Major sixteen Captains as many Lieutenants as many Sub-lieutenants or Ensigns and thirty two Serjeants A Lieutenant Colonel has four or five thousand men allowed him with other Officers and Serjeants proportionably A Captain never marches in a Detachment without fifty Soldiers a Lieutenant a Sublieutenant or an Ensign and two Sergeants A Lieutenant has but thirty men and one Serjeant A Sublieutenant Twenty five men and a Sergeant and the Ensigns march not but with Captains a Serjeant is usually commanded out with ten or twelve Men and sometimes he is allowed fifteen The detachments which are commauded by Masters de Camp consist of three or four hundred Troopers Those of Captains of Light Horse of fifty those of Lieutenants of thirty those of Cornels of twenty those of Quarter Masters of fifteen and those of Brigadeers of ten or twelve Troopers When an Entrenchment is to be forced a close or covered way carried a Half Moon gained or an Assault to be made there is a Detachment made out of several Companies of good Soldiers who are commonly called the Forlorn Hope because they ought to fall on first and make a Passage for the rest An Attacque is always begun by a Sergeant with ten men seconded by a Lieutenant with thirty backed by a Captain A Lieutenant a Sublieutenant or an Ensign with fifty who are followed by all the Regiment Detachments of many Officets are always made by the Front and Rear For instance if a Regiment be obliged to furnish four Captains the Major shall command two from the Front and two from the Rear The same is observed in respect of Lieutenants Sublieutenants and Ensigns Detachments for the Guard of General Persons are never made by Brigades but by every Regiment in particular to which that honour belongs The first Regiment of the Army furnishes the Generals Guard the second the Lieutenant Generals the third that of the General Person who comes next and so the rest in Order CHAP XIX Of the March of a Regiment WHen a Regiment is to leave a Quarter the Major gives notice of it to the Serjeants of Artillery and gives Orders to the Drummers to beat the Troop or to March next Morning two Hours before day that the Soldiers may have time to make ready The Regiment Quarter-Master goes and receives Orders of the Commander and departs with the Fouriers or Company-Quarter-Masters two or three houers before the Regiment to take up the Quarters in the place where the Regiment is to lodge The Provost Marshal gathers together the Baggage and sends it away before the Regiment when there is no danger of an Enemy taking upon himself the care of conducting it The Major ought over night to command a Serjeant with ten men to depart next Morning by Break of Day and Post himself on the Rode by which the Regiment is to March to hinder any Soldier from going before the rest without an Order from his Officer in writing When all things are disposed and the Major is informed by the Commander of the hour when the Companies should March he commands the Drummers to beat the Gathering or Call At the beaâ—ing of the Call the Soldiers should assemble before their Captains Lodgings and so soon as the Dernier is beat the Officers command the Soldiers to their Arms and lead them in good Order to the place of Rendezvous where the Major takes care to receive them and draw them up in Battalia according as they come the Battalion being formed he causes a Proclamation to be published in the Kings name whereby the Soldiers are forbidden to leave their Ranks on Pain of bodily Punishment then he makes a Detachment of ten men commanded by a Serjeant which he leaves for a Rear Guard to bring up the Straglers and having put the Officers in their Posts he makes the Regiment file off by four or six at most by reason of the ways there being no necessity to make them march cross the Fields The Drummers march about twenty Paces before the Battalion with their Drums on their Backs except one that beats who is to be relieved every League The Lieutenants and Sublieutonants should have a care that no Soldier go out of his Division unless it be for the necessity of nature if so he is to leave his Musket or Pike with his Comrade and a Serjeant is charged to wait on him and place him again into his Rank About mid way the Commander shall make his Regiment halt for the space of two hours chusing for that purpose a place were there is Water and at a distance from Villages When the Regiment is near their Quarters the Quarter-Master who ought already to have lodged the equipage comes with the Fouriers to meet them and gives the Colonel an account of the condition of the Quarters The Major commands the Colours to be displayed and the Matches Lighted he divides the Drummers and makes the Regiment enter in good Order into the Quarter as far as the place of
amongst the Masters â—e Camp and the other Officers of â—orse CHAP. IV. Of Lieutenants and Cornets THe Lieutenants ought to be as capable as the Captains because in absence of them they have the same Charge and Authority They should procure the love and fear of the Horsemen of their Troops visit them often recommend to them the care of their Horses and Arms and give the Captains an exact account of all that happens They must not be severe to the Troopers without ground that occasions running away and desertion but especially in the presence of the Captains because they have no Authority then but in their absence they are to exact punctual obedience of them and noâ— to spare those who fail in their duty and in the service of the King It is their part to observe the actions of the Quarter-Masters and Brigadeers that they may keep them to their duty and make them provide what is necessary for their Troops Their Post in a March is at the left hand of the Captains The Charge of a Cornet is a gentile and handsome employment for a young man who begins the profession of a Horse-man and desires to learn it He ought to have as great care of the Troop as the Lieutenant seeing he commands it in his absence His duty is to carry the Standard whithersoever the Troop marches or to have it carried by a stout and faithful Horseman whom he is to pay for that Office but at a Muster at the Guard or in a day of Battel he is to carry it himself and should rather be killed than forsake it because to lose it is a dishonour to himself and his Troop His place in a day of Battel is at the fifth File in the first Rank of the Squadron when the Troop files off he marches alone after the third Rank and when he carries not his Standard he takes the left hand of the Lieutenant The Cornet must know that in Detachments the Standard is never carried but only when all the Troop marches There is no talk of a Cornet in the Troops of Gendarms but of an Ensign and Guidon and every Troop carries both CHAP. V. Of Quarter-Masters and Brigadeers of the Troops of Light Horsemen THe Creation of a Quarter-Master of a Troop depending absolutely on the Captain he ought always to chuse amongst his Troopers him whom he shall judge most capable of that charge because he commits to him the care of his Troop and besides that he ought to be stout and vigilant it is necessary that he should read write and cast Accounts His duty is to keep a List of the Troopers and of their Quarters to visit often the Stables cause the Horses to be dressed in his presence examine if the Saddles and Bridles want nothing have a care that the Troopers sell not their Forage to go to the Captain 's Quarters evening and morning and especially when he pays the Troop It is his part take the care of the Arms and Ammunition set Guards at the places appointed by the Major and often to visit the Vedetes When the Troop marches his Post is at the Rear that he may hinder the Troopers from quitting their Ranks or staying behind In the Field or Garrison he receives the Provisions and Forage at the Store-houses and delivers them to the Brigadeers who divide them among the Troopers And he is to be every evening at the Circle there to receive the Order and Word from the Major which he carries to his Captain and to the officers of the Troop When there is any Detachment he commands the Troopers whose Rank is to march and conducts them himself to the place of Rendezvous A Troop of Horse is divided into three Brigades and over each the Captain places a Brigadeer to take care of them He chuses commonly for these Offices the most ancient stout and discreet men of the Troop Their duty is to give the Captain and Officers notice of all that passes amongst them and to hinder disorders and quarrels When they are upon the Guard their function is to set the Vedetes in the places appointed to them by the Major to place none there but sufficient men for otherwise they might give the Alarm often without reason instructing them in what they have to do visiting them frequently for fear they fall asleep and taking care to relieve them every hour They distribute amongst the Troopers the Provisions and Forage which they have received from the Quarter-Master And their place in a March is in the first Rank Every Troop of Horse should have a Trumpetter who is commonly quartered near the Captain or with his Equipage He takes his Orders from the Quarter-Master and sounds to Boots and Saddle to Horse and to the Standard at the hour appointed him And every evening he sounds to set the Watch so soon as the Word is given The place of the Kettle-Drums and Trumpets in a March is at the head of the Squadron six paces before the Commander In the day of Battel they are upon the Wings that they may sound the Charge or Retreat according as they are ordered by the Majors or Aid-Majors of the Regiments At the sound of Trumpet all the Troopers are to put themselves in an Equipage of War and to make haste to the Captain 's Quarters or to the Quarters of those who command their Troops CHAP. VI. Of the Colonels of Foot THe Charge of Colonel General of the French Infantry has been extinct ever since the death of the Duke of Espernon It gave an absolute power over all the Foot Justice was executed upon them every where in his name he named Officers and had a Company in every Regiment which was called the Colonels and the Commanders of Bodies had no other name but Masters de Camp but since the suppression of that charge they have left that Title which is still retained amongst the Horse and taken the name of Colonel The Charge of a Colonel requires a Person of Quality that is rich and who commands his Captains absolutely And that his Regiment may be good and well entertained he is to oblige them to take care of their Companies and to make choice of good inferior Officers His duty is to lead his Regiment whithersoever he is commanded and to march at the head of it with a Haussecol or Gorget and a Pike in hand When he is in a Battel his Post is with the Pikes three paces before the Captains He ought to see in what condition his Companies are and have them filled with good men well armed and accoutered with all that is necessary And as there is nothing that makes a Soldier so active and dexterous as exercising he should command his officers to exercise their Companies an hour every day and the Major the Regiment twice a week When the Regiment marches alone in an Enemies Country he should as much as possibly he can avoid Plains and seek out covered ways forbidding his Soldiers