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 cheeking of the Pike is the proper Sentinell posture and then to be used The use of Cheeking CHAP. IX The use of the Postures of the Musket I Conceive it will not be materiall to go over every posture of the Musket to describe the use of them in respect the greater part of them hath conformity to the Pike Those that shall remaine 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 with the Barrell upward is one The use of ballancing the Musket on the right side of the chiefest Postures belonging to the Musket from thence he begins to make ready as to open cleare and prime the pan all being motions to this Posture To traile the Rest and Ballance the Musket on the left side with the barrell downward The use of ballancing the Musket on the left side is a Posture likewise of as great consequence for there are severall motions belonging also to this Posture as to finde 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 againe How a Musketier shall performe the Sentinell Posture THe Sentinell 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 the Rest untillsuch time that he is relieved but as concerning him I shall more fully set forth his duty treating upon the duty of the Sentinell CHAP. X. The manner and way to do the Funerall 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 you your Musket upon the Rest so high untill the Fork of the Rest be within a handfull of the cock after you must bring your right hand under the barrell 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 arme with the barrell downwards bearing the But-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 selfe bring your right hand backward and there take hold of the Musket keeping still your left hand in it's first place untill you shall reduce him to the Rest again The reducement of the Musket from the Funerall Posture FIrst raise up your Musket a litle with your two fingers thumb of the left hand as you formerly held him then turn the Musket untill you perceive the barrell to be upward after lay your right hand upon the barrell much about the lazie â—in 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 himselfe therein cannot chuse but finde it very easie and much delightfull to him And I know no Posture more becoming a Muskettier then this if it be neat and well performed by him And here I shall conclude and end discoursing of the Postures CHAP. XI The Souldiers desire to know every perticuler place of Dignity as they stand in Rank and File THe Souldier now having obteined some pretty knowledge skill and ready aptnesse in the managing and performing the Postures begins to look about himself what next is needfull for to fasten upon to make a further progresse 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 atteine 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 days 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 reteine 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 conforme to the Dignities of the Captaines as they are drawn up a Brest all in a Regiment Now for as much as many Regiments consist of severall Numbers of Captaines 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 selfe but for every Souldier that will be truly knowing to be resolved herein concerning those severall numbers and as occasion shall alter to any other they may informe themselves by these how to fit their purpose And therefore not to keep the apt and forward Souldier longer in suspence but that he may proceed I shall amongst the rest declare my thoughts therein and set it forth unto their view everhoping from my fellow-souldiers a favourable censure of my good meaning to them and to my Countrey for to imploy that little talent which lately my endeavours hath obteined to do them service And shall forthwith set down unto them four Tables of Dignity both of Ranks and Files which shall be first of twelve a Brest and twelve deep Secondly ten a Brest and ten deep Thirdly eight a Brest and eight deep And lastly six a Brest and six deep wherein every ingenious Souldier shall easily know his perticuler place of honour and dignity both in Rank and File wherein he stands The Table being thus set forth unto the Souldiers view as is before expresâ— methinks I hear some say Sir we like the drawing forth and the manner of
Flank Reer Order your Pikes and put up your Swords This way of charging to the Horse I have set down as being practised somtimes amongst us in our private meetings but I conceive it to be of little use to receive a desperate charge of the Horse for by these charges the Souldiers are in so lame and weake a posture that the Horse cannot choose if they come on with a full career but beare the Pikes and Pike-men down to the ground Therefore in my opinion the best way of opposing the Horse charge is that which we learned of our ever honoured Captain Major Henry Tillier in the Military Garden which was Files closing to the midst to their closest Order insomuch that there was not above half a foot intervall of ground between File and File the Pikes Porting and after closing their Ranks forwards so close that they locked themselves one within another and then charged on Which in my judgement is so secure a way from routing that it is impossible for any Body of Horse to enter therein and farther to my best remembrance I never could meet with any Souldier that hath been abroad upon any service that ever saw any charging of the Pikes at the Foot therefore I will further proceed From Order Advance Your Pike Shoulder Your Pike Port Your Pike Comport Your Pike Cheek Your Pike Trail Your Pike Order as you were From your Order charge to the Front Right Left Reere Order as you were Advance your Pike Shoulder Your Pike Port Your Pike Comport Your Pike Cheek Your Pike Trail Your Pike Advance as you were From your Advance charge to the Front Right Left Reer Advance as you were Shoulder your Pike Port Your Pike Comport Your Pike Cheek Your Pike Trail Your Pike Shoulder as you were From the Shoulder charge to the Front Right Left Reere Shoulder as you were Port your Pikes Comport your Pikes Cheek your Pikes Trail your Pikes Comport as you were From the Comport Charge to the Front Right Left Reer Comport as you were Cheek your Pikes Trail your Pikes Cheek as you were From the Cheek charge to the Front Right Left Reer Cheek as you were Trail your Pikes from your Trail charge to the Front Right Left Reer Trail as you were Order your Pikes Lay down your Pikes Here is to be observed by this Method an endeavouring to performe all the postures of the Pike from each particular posture only shortning it by degrees leaving out what was before commanded untill we come unto the Trail Yet notwithstanding I spared not the charges but have shewn them from every posture in their due order Next followeth the postures of the Musket wherein in answerablenesse to the Pike I shall lay them down in full and afterwards contract them in a shorter way CHAP. IV. The Postures of the Musket THE Musket lying on the ground the first word of command will be as to the Pike Stand to your Arms Take up your Bandiliers Put on your Bâ—ndilieres Take up your Rest Put the string of your Rest about your left wrist Take up your Match Place your Match Take up your Musket Rest your Musket Here the Souldier may perform the Saluting Posture if he shall finde any occasion so to doe for the honouring of his friend or any Gentleman of worth Poyse your Musket Shoulder your Musket Un-shoulder your Musket and Poyse Joyne your Rest to the outside of your Musket Open your pan Cleer your pan Prime your pan Shut your pan Cast off your loose Corns Blow off your loose corns and bring about your Musket to the left side Trail your Rest Ballance your Musket in your left hand Finde out your Charge Open your Charge Charge with powder Draw forth your Scouring-stick Turn and shorten him to an Inch. Charge with Bullet Put your Scouring-stick into your Musket Ram home your Charge Withdraw your Scouring-stick Turn and shorten him to a handfull Return your Scouring-stick Bring forward your Musket and Rest Poyse your Musket recover your Rest Joyn your Rest to the outside of your Musket Draw forth your Match Blow your Cole Cock Your Match Fit Your Match Guard your Pan Blow the ashes from your Cole Open your Pan Present upon your Rest Give fire brest high Dismount your Musket joyning the Rest to the outside of your Musket Un-cock and return your Match Cleere your Pan Shut your Pan. Poyse your Musket Rest your Musket Take your Musket off the Rest and set the Butt end to the ground Lay down your Musket Lay down your Match Take your Rest into your right hand cleering the string from your left wrist Lay down your Rest Take off your Bandiliers Lay down your Bandiliers Here endeth the Postures of the Musket from the taking of them up from the ground to make ready and the proceeding in them to the laying of them down again Now if the Souldier will take his Rest into his right hand for to be a support and help to him in his march he must observe the following words of command Lay your right hand upon the Butt end of your Musket Lay your left arme over your Musket The Musket being shouldered you may proceed in these words of command to recover the Rest into the right hand Shift your match between the fingers of your right hand Take your Rest into your right hand cleering the string from your left wrist Return your match and take your Rest into your right hand 't will cause you to be in a fit capacity for to march CHAP. V. The Postures and charges of the Pike to be performed in a shorter way all things acted in order and nothing done twice THE Pike lying on the ground the first word of Command will be Stand to your Arms Handle your Arms. Raise up your Pikes to your open Order Raise up your Pikes to your Order Raise up your Pikes to your close Order From your close Order charge to the Horse Front Right Left Reer Recover your Pikes and put up your Swords Advance your Pikes Port your Pikes Charge to the Front Shoulder your Pikes Charge to the right Comport your Pikes Charge to the left Cheeke your Pikes Trail your Pikes Charge to the Reer After lay the narrow end of the Pike to the ground face about to the left to your first Front and move forward with the Butt end of your Pike on your right side in your Funerall Posture After face about to the right raise up your Pike face then again to your first Front you may lay down the Pike to the ground and march from your Arms having ended all the Postures and Charges in their due courses And here Fellow Souldier whoever thou art thou maist perceive that there are no more then eight Postures of the Pike and foure Charges that is to say to the Front Reer and both Flanks There are some would fain have another Posture added to these which they call the Lazie Posture which somtimes I have
Squadron to their Guard and to carry to prison such Offendours as his Captain or other superiour Officer shall commit to the Provost Martiall He is to see that the Muskettiers in time of skirmishing present all even a brest with their matches all cockt giving fire all together in good order and to direct them how to fall off and rally again in the Reer of their own divisions His duty likewise is to fetch Ammunition Powder Match and all other Materials for the Companie He is moreover every perticuler evening to attend at the place of Parade or at the Majors Lodging to fetch the word and carry it to his Captain Lieutenant Ensigne and Corporals and likewise as soon as he is come into his Guard he must direct the Corporals where to set out the Perdues and Sentinels and how to order his Watch. He must likewise make frequent Rounds and if he finde a Sentinell a sleep in the Field he is to commit him to the hand of Justice and thus much concerning the duty of a Serjeant Of an Ensigne AN â—nsigne being a Commission Officer in the absence of his Captain and Lieutenant is Commander in chiefe of the Company and ought to march upon the head of the same leading them with a half-pike His Captain and Lieutenant being present and upon a Stand his Colours ought to rest upon his side being held by his right or left-hand and unfurled upon the March his colours ought to be shouldered taking up the corner end of them in his right hand and to let them be halfe flying the Pikes and Muskets all conforming unto the same Posture Marching through a City for the more grace his colâ—urs may be wholly flying being advanced and held up by his right hand or resting upon his right side He ought to be a proper man grave valiant and discreet and to be well skill'd in the Postures of the Pike in respect he leads them and they expect from him to be taught the Postures thereof He ought to be well skill'd in all the lofty figures of the displaying of the colours above the head and to make use of them according to discretion and command which is not only a healthfull exercise to his body but also most becoming to him or any other Gentleman or Commander whatsoever that shall somtimes make use of the same although condemned through sloth and ignorance by others who will not take the pains to learn it An Ensigne upon a Troop lodging the colours or in time of skirmishing may fold them up and retreat into the second rank for the securing of his colours which he ought to stick by and not to stir from them at such a time although he hazardeth his last drop of bloud or makes them his winding-sheet When the Generall shall passe by or any such man of worth he ought a little to vaile his colours inclining the head or narrow end therof a little down-ward but not to bow his knee or uncover his head He may somtimes for his ease or recreation upon the March request some Gentleman of knowing trust of the Pikes to carry his colours for him untill such time as he shall come again for to take them In the absence of his Lieutenant when his Captain shall exercise the Company he may stick his colours in the ground or deliver them to some Gentleman of the Pikes and fall down himselfe in the Reer with a half-piâ—e or cane there to be an assistant to his Captain in supplying the Lieutenants place except his Captain should command him to the contrary He ought to have a Guard a long with him as well to the lodging of his colours as to any other place He ought to performe all courteous offices for the Souldiers unto his Captain which will gain him both love and reputation amongst them they thereby better respecting him and more couragiously following of him Of a Lieutenant HE that is a Lieutenant to a Company ought to be a good and able Souldier and well to understand the duty of a Captain in respect that in his absence he is as Captain and Commander in chiefe over them He is likewise to receive all Orders Charges and Commissions from his Captain assuming no authority unto himselfe but in the absence of his Captain he is to see all such Orders he hath received dutly executed for the better ease unto him He is likewise at such times frequently to exercise the Company in all their Military Motions Skirmishings and False-firings in the pan He is to hold the Serjeants and Corporals strictly to their duty causing them to provide all things necessary for the Company and to be assistants unto him where he shall see cause He is to teach and instruct the Souldiers in the use of their Arms and somtime for their ease he may command every file-leader to draw forth his file and to shew them their Postuâ—es By which means he shall do such good service to his Captain that when he shall exercise them himselfe he may finde them more apter and readier to fulfill his commands at which time the Lieutenant ought to be in the Reer and to see all things there truly executed according to the Captains commands He is in time of danger and great importance to advise with his Captain about the wel-fare of the Company for knowing his Captains intentions and purposes before hand he may be the better provided to withstand the furious on-set of the Enemy He ought to have the Ensigne and all other Officers of the Company as neer him as may be there being often times urgent businesse to make use of them as occasion shall require He must neither cashiere nor punish any man in the presence of his Captain but ought to make him acquainted therewith that he may punish the offendour by committing him either to prison or cause him to give recompence to the party wronged To conclude he ought to know how far his power doth extend either in the presence or absence of his Captain always demeaning himselfe so that he may gain the love of all the whole Company by acting those things amongst them as may be just and honest Of a Captain HE that is a Captain of a Company ought in respect he leadeth the same and is chiefe to appoint unto the Officers their severall places what divisions they shall lead and where they shall march and according to the number of files to make his divisions answerable thereto by dividing his Muskettiers as neer as he can the one halfe upon the right of the Pikes and the other upon the left For they being the Flankers ought equally to be ballanced but if there be an odd file it ought to be contrived and carried to the right In the Van Battail or Reer he must according to the number of his men order his Officers places and draw them off accordingly in as equall a way as they will afford He is as well as his own to know all
right locking themselves so firme 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 usefull 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 manytimes a Captain may have just occasion to expresse himselfe unto his Company and being at so close a Distance they may more aptly hear his words and obey his Comands 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 hath 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 always 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 usefull at such 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 usefull 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 their 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 intervall 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 thinne they may be much preserved from danger it is likewise very good for Inversion and Conversion You may take notice of these briefe 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 always 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 wayes 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 always to stand the rest are to move either opening or closing according as is commanded always 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 diginity of places in a File and words of Command made known unto the Souldier for their severall Distances It next followeth to shew the joyning of Files and drawing up a Company where first pray minde at such times when the Drums are beating about the Quarters and in severall places makes 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 Ensigne 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 shall be the Leader of the right hand File of Pikes and who shall be the left For these four being such remarkable places of Honour unto the knowing Souldier that speciall care must be had in placing deserving men to be there Now it is or ought to be the discretion of every Lieutenant and Ensigne as being Commission-Officers to resolve the Serjeants herein that they may with more alacrity go on to draw the rest up between and so to order unto each of them their perticuler duties as to carry equall paines in drawing forth the Files Therefore in respect that for the most part in every Company they have three Serjeants two of them ought to take charge in drawing forth the Muskettiers being helpâ— by the advice of their Lieutenant and the other to draw forth the Files of Pikes being assisted in Counsell by their Ensigne for at such times the Officers ought not to be idle and to stand gazing upon each other but every one according to his particular place and relation should be very active and assisting to each other In the drawing up the Company the properest way will be then as you may understand in perfecting up a Company to draw them forth into Files and to make them six deep as being our custome here in England and farther to have care in choosing able Souldiers to be File-leaders who having spent some time and pains in their Files in shewing them their Postures they may be called to joyne into a Body For farther direction herein unto the Serjeants whose proper place it doth belong unto to observe this order in drawing up their Files that they may ingrosse the Pikes into one Body by themselves and the Muskettiers into another and not to flank the Pikes untill such time they shall perceive that in both Arms they are compleat There are likewise severall places of honour that the Serjeants ought to take
the Front or Reer and nimbly stepping to them to stay 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 cleerly 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 two 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 extravigantly carried away upon any other Subject for fear he be out but if any such thing should happen through forgetfulnesse 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 somtimes 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 â—oyes but yet somtimes to please the fancie 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 somtimes do acquaint the Souldiers of the use of their severall Distances Facings Doublings Coun-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 somtimes ordered to very little purpose He must be very carefull 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 minde their severall 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 a like 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 to 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 somtimes quickly run over in advising of the Souldiers that they should ever minde when they are first drawn up into a body these particular places they would not stand so carelesly and so ignorantly in a Body as many times they doe not knowing which way to move without a great deale 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 Souldiers to be acquainted with the same Yet it is not only sufficient that the Souldiers doe minde 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 helpfull unto their fellow-Souldiers by pointing out unto them with signes with the hand where they should march to performe what was before commanded and to be very civill and orderly in their carriage to each other and to minde 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 somtimes may happen slip out of order as by the mistaking of a hand or the like yet neverthelesse it should be their modest care if not prevented by him to be ready to execute what they conceive he intended and walking along in this civill 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 severall kindes 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 lefâ— 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 alwayes 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 center of his left foot by wheeling untill he hath brought his Aspest 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
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 usefull for the making of a Line against a Brest-work or lining of hedges carrying it self severall ways secretly to lye in Ambuscado whereby they may fire upon the Enemy as he marcheth by Or approching against any Fort or place of danger they may daringly make a large front and firing upon them after filing to the right or left making large intervalls they much preserve themselves from the danger of the great shot proceeding from the Enemy Again ranks ranking either in equall or unequall parts is of singular good use upon a narrow passage where they can march but 2 3 4 or 6 a Brest the Commander notwithstanding they marched before 20 a Brest may by it bring them to such small numbers whereby hee may much preserve them in time of imminent danger and perill To dwell no longer upon this discourse Inversion and Conversion many times requres larger distance then any other of the Motions as sometimes double distance or twice double distance wherefore being so many occasions for the use of them both I hold it requisite for a Leader frequently to practise his souldiers in them no part of the Art Military affording more commendations to the Souldiers that shall readily and handsomly perform the same Briefly therefore passing over what might be more spoken concerning them I shall in the next place set them all forth in their full view leaving every discreet Souldier to his own liberty to make use of as many of them as hee shall think fit and to use them after what manner he pleaseth CHAP. XXXIX The words of Command for Ranks Ranking and Files Ranking to the Front they being twelve a Brest and six deep Command RAâ—â—s rank to the right 2 3 4 or 6 as occasion shall require Direction If to two the two out-most men upon the right are to move away the next two to fall behinde them untill the first rank hath made six Ranks and the rest doing the like untill the first six Ranks are become thirty six Reducement Ranks rank 12 to the left the first Rank is to stand the rest are to move away two and two untill they have made up 12 in one rank and the rest are to do the like untill they are made up all again as at first or command Ranks rank as you were the same rule is to be observ'd if you rank to any of the other numbers to divide them accordingly Command Ranks rank three to the left Direction The first three men upon the left are to move away the next three are to fall in behind toward the left untill the first Rank have made foure Ranks the rest are to do the like untill they have made them 24 Ranks Reducement Ranks rank 12 to the right the first Rank is to stand the rest are to move forth by three and three untill they have made twelve in one Rank the rest are to do the like untill they be as they were at first or ranks rank as you were Command Ranks rank three to the right and left outward Direction The three out-most men of the first rank upon the right and the three out-most men upon the left move away the next three of each hand in the same rank are to do the like and every rank throughout to follow successively dividing themselves three to one hand and three to the other untill they have made twelve ranks in each Division and falling in the Reer successively to each hand of the first rank Reducement Ranks rank 12 to the right and left inward or ranks rank as you were Command Ranks rank intire to the right into the front Direction The first rank stand the rest face to the right and move away every rank placing it selfe successively to the right untill they stand all in one rank in the front Reducement Ranks rank 12 to the left the first 12 men upon the left are to stand the next 12 are to face to the left and to move and fall in the Reer of the first and so consequently all the rest or else to command ranks rank as you were Cmmand Ranks rank intire to the left into the front Direction The first Rank stand the rest face to the left and move untill they have successively placed themselves and made one intire rank into the front Reducement Ranks rank 12 to the right the 12 out-most men upon the right stand the rest face to the right and move making 12 in every rank or ranks rank as you were Command Ranks rank outward into the front Direction The first Rank stand the rest face outward and place your selves successively into the Front facing after to your Leader Reducement Ranks rank 12 to the right and left inward the 12 middle-most men stand the rest face inward and move ranking 12 successively behinde the first rank and after facing to their Leader and to even their ranks Command Ranks rank inward into the Front Direction The first Rank is to move away to the right and left the next rank moving up into his ground doing the like and consequently so all the rest untill the last rank be come up intire into the front Reducement Ranks rank six to the right and left outward the first six upon the right and the first six upon the left stand the rest move outward falling in the Reer of the first rank ranking six to the right and left and after closing their Divisions Command Files rank to the right into the front Direction Files open to the left to your double Distance and ranks close forwards to close order and move up to the right into the front Reducement Rank file six to the left the first six upon the left are to fall into a file the rest doing the like untill you have made 12 files as at first or command rank file as you were Command Files rank to the left into the front Direction Every man is to move forward to the left into the front beginning from the Leader of the File and moving up successively making one intire rank Reducement Rank file six to the right the six out-most men upon the right are to fall into a file the rest in like manner are to do the same or rank file as you were Command Files rank outward into the front Direction Right and left halfe ranks close into the midst to close order after move to the right and left outward untill they be come up into the front Reducement Ranks file six to the right and left inward the midde men are to stand the rest are to move side-wayes to the right and left inward and to file as before commanded or rank file as you were Command Files rank inward into the front Direction Right and left half Ranks open from the midst to twice double Distance and Files move up to the right and left intire
Conversion or Ranks ranking or Files ranking they having more variety in them then many times can be usefull except it be to present unto the Souldiers some things that are new in the motions which many times they love to see I could upon this Subject have much more enlarged my selfe but conceiving what is already set down may be sufficient for 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 severall sorts and kinds Command FIles file to the right Direction The right-hand File is to move away cleer of the standing part and after the next File to fall in the Reer of the first and consequently so all the rest untill they become one File Reducement File-leaders lead up your Files to the left or file file six to the left Command Files file to the right intire advancing Direction The right-hand File stand the rest move away successively placing themselves in one direct file before the Front Reducement File file six to the right into the Reer face all about or File file six to the right towards the Front Command Files file inward into the right Flank Direction Half-files face about the out-most Files then upon the left as they are so faced are to move away forward and consequently all the rest are to fall in behinde them the like is to be performed by the Front the out-most File at the same time is to move away and the rest successively falling in untill they have made one intire 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 out-most file upon the right is to stand the rest are to move forward and to place themselves successively into one intire file going forward after each other and after face to the Front Reducement Front half-file file three to the right and Reer half-file 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 Countermarch 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 behinde him and consequently all the rest untill 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 File rank 12 to the left or File rank as you were Command Ranks file to the right advancing every man placing himself before his right hand man Direction The out-most file stand the rest are to move forward with their right leg The Ranks are to be at twice double distance and the Files at order placing themselves before their right-hand men Reducement File rank 12 to the right or file 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 only 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 â—ringer-up face to your Leader Reducement Front half-file rank 12 to the right Reer half-file face about and rank 12 to the left face to your Leader and 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 covenient 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-file 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 himselfe behinde his Bringer-up Files filing by way of Countermarch Direction The out-most file stand the rest face about and move forward each perticuler file to the left placing themselves behinde their right-hand file and their Bringers-up Reducement File 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 himselfe 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-file 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 himselfe 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-file file three to the left every man placing himselfe before his Leader and Reer half-file face about and file three to the right every man placing himselfe before his Bringer-up face to your Leader and close your Divisions CHAP. XLV Ranks wheeling into the Flanks Command RAnks wheele to the right into the right Flank Direction Every perticuler Rank is to wheel to their right hand They ought to be at twice double distance in rank and at close order in file untill they have brought their aspects unto the right Flank after face to the Front Reducement File 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
So that an expert Leader may venter so far in them as to continue his Exercise without reducing almost for an hour and not to expresse himself twice in any one word of Command they affording such plenty and variety in them that with pleasure using but four words of Command he may bring each Souldier into his proper place again observing these directions following As first to look down in the Body where his File-leaders are and where his Bringers-up and likewise making the severall places of his halfe File-leaders and the Bringers-up of his Front half-files together with his Flankers and his middle Files this speciall care being taken he may begin and proceed to their Reducement after this manner If by some former Counter-marches his File-leaders are in the place of his halfe 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 kind commanding them to counter-march 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 generall rule that when Files Ranks or Counter-march to any stand command them to counter-march to the contrary and it will reduce them or counter-marching 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 reere Thus you see for all their great varietie which latter ages have invented they consist but of three sorts or kinds either maintaining gaining or losing of ground and may bee performed as I said before either by intire or divisionall 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 his 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 ranke 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 Hand Counter-march maintaining ground Left Direction File-leaders turn off upon the ground you stand the rest moving up successively into the file-leaders place turning off untill the bringers up come up into the Front after face to your Leader Command File-leaders stand the rest passe through to the right or left and place your selves before your Leaders Command File-leaders face about the rest passe 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 passe 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 passe through to the right or left and place your selves before your Leaders following your bringers-up Command Files to the right or 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 untill they come to the last ranke who need doe no more then face about after face all to their Leader Command The last rank stand the rest passe 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 untill they are all cleer of the reer then face to their Leader Command Bringers-up stand the rest face about passe through to the right or left and place your selves behind your bringers up Command Bringers-up face about the rest passe 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 passe through to the right or left and place your selves before your Leaders and half file-leaders Command Counter-march your Front Reer half-files to the right 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 passe through to the right or left and place your selves behinde your Leaders and your half file-leaders to your Leaders Command File-leaders and half file-leaders stand the rest passe through to the right or left 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 halfe file-leaders face about the
and close your Divisions to your Leader Command Front half-files double your Reer inward intire Direction Reer half-files face about and move outward cleer of the standing part front half-files face about march down and even the Reer to your Leader Command The two outmost files upon each Flank double intire advancing the four inmost files Direction The two outmost files move forward cleer of the standing part face inward march and close your Divisions face to your Leader Command Double your files inward intire advancing every man placing himself before his Leader Direction The two inmost files stand the two outmost files move forwards and double your inmost files intire advancing placing your selves before your Leaders Command Half-files double your Front to the right they are reduced CHAP. IV. Eight severall Counter-marches with their Reducement Command FIle-leaders stand the rest pass thorough to the right and place your selves before your Leaders Command The right hand file stand the rest pass thorough to the right and place your selves on the out side of your right hand men Command File-leaders and Bringers-up stand the rest pass thorough to the right and place your selves before your Leaders and your Bringers-up Command The outmost file upon each flank stand the rest pass thorough to the right and left placing your selves before your outside men Direction Face outward and pass thorough to the right and left placing your selves before the outmost files to your Leader and close your Divisions to open order Command Bringers-up stand the rest pass thorough to the right and place your selves behinde your Bringers-up Direction The five first ranks are to face about the next rank to the Reer is first to begin the motion the rest are successively to follow until the Leaders are become the Bringers-up Command The left-hand file stand the rest pass thorough to the left and place your selves on the out-side of your left-hand men Command File-leaders and Bringers-up stand the rest pass thorough to the right and place your selves behinde your Leaders and Bringers-up Direction The first and the two next ranks from the Reer face about the two first ranks from the Front and the two last ranks from the Reer move forwards placing your selves behinde your Leaders and your Bringers-up face to your Leader and close your Divisions Command The out-most file upon each file face inward the rest pass thorough to the right and left placing your selves behind your right and left hand men CHAP. V. Ten severall Wheelings with their Reducement Command WHeel the Front half-files inward into the midst and double your Reer inward intire Direction Half-files face outward and march cleer of the standing part after face to the Reer front half-files open from the midst to open order after wheeling to the right and left inward into the Reer to your leader Command Right and left half ranks double the depth of the Battail by wheeling into the front Direction Right half ranks wheel to the left and left half ranks wheel to the right to your leader Command Wheel off the front half-files and double the Reer by division Direction Half-files face about and front half-files wheel off by division moving down even with the Reer to your Leader Command Wheel off your right half ranks and double your left flank to the right intire Direction Face outward and right half ranks wheel about to the left and move away and double the left flank to the right to your leader Command Front and Reer half-files double the depth of the Battail by wheeling into Front and Reer Direction Half-files face to the Reer and Front and Reer half-files wheel to the right and left inward face to your Leader and close your divisions Command Wheel off your left half-rankes and double your right flanke by division Direction Face outward and left half-ranks wheel off by division and move even with the right flank to your Leader Command Wheel off your Reer half-files and double the Front to the right intire Direction Half-files face about and wheel to the left untill you have ranged even with the front Command Wheel your Battail off by division from the Front Direction Right half-ranks wheel about to the right and left half-ranks wheel about to the left and move down to the Reer face to your Leader close into the midst to order Command Wheel off your left half-ranks and double your right flanke to the left intire Direction Face outward left half-rankes wheel about to the right and move forward and double the right flank to the left intire to your Leader Command Wheel off your Front half-files and double the Reer to the left intire Direction Half-files face about and front half-files wheel about to the right move down and range even with the Reer face to your Leader reduceth them CHAP. VI. Six Figures of Battail with severall firings thereunto belonging Command RAnks and files close to order they will stand us underneath is set forth from which we will draw our figures after we have fired upon this Platforme three or four times Command Double your files inward intire advancing The first firing Let the first two ranks advance forward ten paces give fire and fall in the reer of themselves after wheeling off to the right and left placing themselves before the front of Pikes the next two Rankes and so the rest successively doing the like untill they have fired once over which reduceth them The second firing Let the first Rank advance three paces give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves the rest doing the like untill all have fired once over as before The third firing Let them give fire on the ground they stand and fall off to the right and left and flank the Pikes The fourth firing Let them fire even with the front and fall in the Reer of the Pikes which being ended let the Pikes charge on Reducement Muskettiers double your front by division Command The first two Ranks stand the rest face outward and move cleer of the standing part to your Leader the two last Ranks move outward side-ways two paces The first firing Let every Division give fire on the same ground they stand and fall in the Reer of themselves The second firing Let them advance forwards untill they be cleer of the Pikes give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves after moving down into their places Command Front division advance forward three paces the two next divisions move outward one pace Pikes in each division face about and move two paces to your Leader Divisions of Muskettiers in the Reer advance forwards and range even in Front and Reer with the middle divisions of Pikes the first rank of Pikes in the Front division move three foot cleer of the standing part The first firing Let them give fire to the Front and fall in the Reer of themselves The second firing Let them give fire to Front Reer and both flanks altogether Direction Reer divisions face outward
are reduced being faced to their Leader CHAP. LXVI Twelve severall Counter-marches with their reducements Command FIles to the right hand counter-march 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 passe through to the right and 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 passe through to the right and place your selves before your Leaders and halfe file-leaders Direction The second rank from the front and from the halfe file-leaders are to begin the Motion placing themselves as before commanded Command The out-most file upon the right and the second file from the left stand the rest passe through to the right and place your selves on the out-side of your right-hand men Command Files to the left-hand counter-march losing ground Command Front and Reer half-files counter-march to the right Direction Front and Reer half-files turn off distinctly by your selves on the ground you stand face to your Leader Command Right and left half-ranks counter-march to the right Direction Face to the right and right and left half-ranks turn off distinctly to the right face to your Leader they are reduced CHAP. X. Twelve severall Wheelings with their reducements Command WHeel your Reer half-files inward into the midst and double the Front inward intire Direction Right and left half-ranks open from the midst to double distance Reer half-files face about and wheel your Reer inward into the midst moving forward doubling the front inward intire Command Wheel off your right half-ranks and double your left flank to the left intire Direction Face outward right half-ranks wheel about to the right and double your left flank to the left to your Leader Command Right and left half-ranks double the Length of your Battail by wheeling outward to the front Direction Face outward and right half-ranks wheel to the left and left half-ranks wheel to the right and after close files into the midst to order Command Wheel off your right half-ranks and double your left flank by Division Direction Face outward right half-ranks wheel about to the right and left outward moving forward and doubling the left flank to the right and left outward Command Wheel your left half-ranks inward into the right flank Direction Face outward and open from the midst to double distance the front and Reer half-files and after the left half-ranks may wheel inward and double the right flank inward intire Command Wheel off your Reer half-files and double your front to the left intire Half-files face about Command Wheel your right half-ranks inward into the midst and double the left flank inward intire Direction Face outward and Front and Reer half-files that were are to open from the midst to double distance and right half-ranks wheel inward and move forward into the left flank Command Wheel off your Reer half-files and double your front to the right intire Half-files face about Command Wheel off your left half-ranks and double your right flank by Division Command Wheel off your Front half-files and double your Reer to the right intire Half-files face about Command Double the Depth of the Battail by wheeling front and reer into the midst of each Division Direction Front half-files move forward four paces then the last rank of each Division face about and wheel into the midst of Front and Reer of each Division face to your Leader Command Wheel off your Front half-files and double your Reer to the left intire Half-files face about Command Wheel your Battail off by Division from the Reer Direction Face all about and right half-ranks wheel about to the right and left outward to the front and closing files into the midst to order they will be reduced as at first and stand as underneath is set forth CHAP. XI Severall plain Firings upon this Exercise of 24 men with Figures of Battail belonging to the same A Commander having thus passed over the Motions may next prepare for Firings and calling up his Serjeants he may give them order how the Muskettiers shall fire in front and reer but before he begin his Firings it will be expedient that he double his Front to the right and left inward by the Bringers-up which being ended he may proceed as followeth The first firing Let them fire by Divisions drawn forth ten paces before the front of Pikes and fall in the Reer of themselves The second firing Let them fire again and fall off to the right and left moving down before the front of Pikes and closing their Divisions The third firing Let the first rank kneel down the next stoop and the last stand upright and give fire altogether the Pikes in the mean time are to advance their Arms and open to the right and left charge on to the front untill they be cleer of the Muskettiers and then face inwards and close their Divisions then facing all about they may give fire to the Reer marching The fourth firing Let the last rank face about to the left and give fire and fall off to the right and left placing themselves before their Leaders of their own Divisions of Muskettiers The fifth firing Let them face about to the left again give fire fall off to the right and left and flank their Pikes the Pikes at the same instant facing about and charge on cleer of the Muskettiers the Muskettiers after facing inward and close their Divisions the Pikes may charge to the Horse and the Muskettiers may give fire over their heads after this manner The sixth firing Let the first rank stoop and the other two stand upright and give fire altogether after recovering of their Arms they may all face to the front commanding the Pikes to double the front inward intire and afterwards files to double their Depth to the right and left outward every man falling behinde his Bringer-up closing files into the midst to order and wheeling about into the first front he may proceed as followeth Command Front half-files advance forwards three paces the middle rank of each Division face outward and move cleer of the standing part face to your Leader The first firing Let the in-most Divisions of Muskettiers in the Front fire and fall off in the Reer of themselves after facing about move down and inter-change ground with them in the Reer they at the same instant moving up firing and in like manner inter-changing ground with them in the Reer and at the same time the out-most men are to move up and fire to the front and to fall off to the right and left into the place of them in the Reer they at the same time moving up and firing in
their leader they are reduced Which being performed the leader may lodge his colours having finished his ninth Exercise CHAP. XXXI The tenth Exercise consisting of 24 Files being six deep according to the first drawing up of a private Company THere being a greater number appearing upon this days Exercise then in the former it concerns a Leader more especially to give speciall charge to the inferiour officers to be carefull in the drawing forth the files that they make no man a file-leader bringer-up half-file-leader or bringer-up of the front half-files but such able souldier as may be deserving of the same whose diligence and care upon all motions is principally required being as it were the hinges of the Leaders severall words of command Wherefore supposing them to be drawnup in battalia and the colours being brought to the head of the Company the four Serjeants ready at hand attending their Captains commands and the body being closed in ranks and files to their distance of order and silence craved at the Company he that shall exercise them may begin after distances and facings shewen with this or the like doubling following CHAP. XXXII Eight entire severall Doublings with their Reducement Command FRont half-files double your reer inward intire Command The twelve inmost files double intire the depth of the six out-most files In-most files face about Command Half-files double your front to the right Command Double your files to the right intire advancing Command Half-files double your front inward intire Command The six outmost files upon each flank double intire advancing the twelve middle files Command Half-files double your front to the right intire Command Right half-ranks double your left flank intire advancing which being performed they are reduced CHAP. XXXIII Eight severall Counter-marches with their Reducement Command FIle-leaders stand the rest passe thorough to the right and place your selves before your leaders Command The right hand file stand the rest passe thorough to the right and place your selves on the out-side of your right hand men Command Counter-march your front and reer into the midst of ranks Direction Half-files face about and turn off to the left front half-files turn off to the right to your leader Command Counter-march your flanks into the midst of files face outward Command Files to the right hand counter-march maintayning ground Command Ranks to the left hand counter-march losing ground Command Counter-march 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 Counter-march 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 intire Half-files face about Command Wheel off your left half-ranks and double your right flank intire to the left Face outward Command Wheel off your reer half-files and double your front to the left intire Half-files face about Command Wheel off your right half-ranks and double your left flank to the left intire Face outward Command Wheel off your front half-files and double the reer to the right intire Half-files face about Command Wheel off your right half-ranks and double the left flank to the right intire Face outward Command Wheel off your front half-files and double the reer to the left intire Half-files face about Command Wheeel off your left half-ranks and double your right flank to the right intire 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 move down into their places And whilest they are moving down let the other two Serjeants draw forth the remayning 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 untill they stand in four divisions leaving sufficient intervalls for their wheeling into the reer of themselves first let them fire in each division falling in the reer of themselves untill they have all fired over two or three times after this kind The fourth firing Let them close their files before the front of â—ikes 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 altogether 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 untill they stand streight 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 ranâ—s 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 sixt firing Let them give fre 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 altogether and rank again as they were The eight 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 battâ—â—â— 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
up even with the Front Reer divisions of Muskettiers face outward and move untill they stand streight with the out-most 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 unto the place appointed and the Officers being vigilant and carefull in their severall 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 thorough 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 thorough 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 the rest pass thorough to the right and place your selves behind your leader to your leader Command Counter-march your front and reer half-files from the midst of ranks losing ground front half-files face about Command Ranks to the right hand counter-march losing ground Command Counter-march your right and left half-ranks every man placing himself one the outside of his right and left hand-man they are reduced CHAP. XXXVIII Eight severall 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 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 them 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 ranke and give fire likewise and stand and so successively every rank is to move forward and place themselves before the rank that fired untill all have given fire this being twice performed reducâ—th 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 sixt 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 eight firing Let them give fire eight ranks together viz. two kneel down two stooping two standing upright the last two to be drawn forth so fire them altogether The ninth firing Let the four first ranks upon each flank fire again and fall off to the 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 intervalls 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 into 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 reer face outward and march cleer of the standing part then let them face to front reer and give fire fall in the reer of themselves then let the reer divisions of Mukettiers 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
Collonels men who march in the â—ront and his Lieutenant Collonel bringing up the whole Regiment is the second place of honour Some may conceive the Majors Lieutenant hath too great a place of honour in leading the Van of the second grand Division to which I answer if the Lieutenant Collonel marcheth not there himselfe but shall bring up the Regiment certainly it must be cleer that it is the Majors due for to march there himselfe at times convenient and being so there is good reason in his absence his Lieutenant should lead his men or in his presence to be thereas a helper unto him for the well regulating of his men as the other Lieutenants are to the other long Field-officers who every one of them according to their severall places may have severall occasions to call them off their Lieutenants therefore ought to be at hand and to march with them in their places whereby they may receive orders from them and know how to act in their absence concerning their own perticuler Souldiers The second Captains Lieutenant is ordered to bring up the second Body of Pikes which being a grand Division it falls to him as due there as the eldest Captains Lieutenant doth in the first it being the greatest place of honour that can be given him in the Reer next to the Leiutenant Collonel Having spoken thus much concerning every Field-officer the Captains and their Lieutenants where their places are to march with the reasons for the same it will be expected to supply two places which are vacant in the Reer of the second grand Division to which I answer upon the long-march the Lieutenant Collonel himselfe moves down there and brings up the Reer of the whole Regiment and therefore it is left vacant for him but then you will say there wants an Officer to bring up the Reer of that Division wherein the Majors Lieutenant is placed to which I answer that there is none remaining to do it except it be the Majors Lieutenant himselfe For if the Major shall lead the second grand Division then his Lieutenant may move down to bring up that perticuler Division for to supply the same but in regard the Major as hath been shewn before hath many occasions to call him off it concerns his Lieutenant to keep his place which was first assigned unto him to avoid the trouble of moving up again in his Majors absence Some are of opinion it would be convenient to place the Lieutenant Collonels eldest Serjeant there but in my judgement it is very unhandsome to see any Halberteer either to lead or bring up any Division marching in a regimentall way and rather then I should do it I would let it go unsupplied but if he shall be there placed to bring up his best way of marching is either with a Pallizado or Half-pike and not with his Halberd CHAP. VI. The ordering of a Regiment to the Long-March with the placing of the Officers and the leading of Carriages THe Major giving to every Captain his proper place to march in and what Divisions they are to lead and what to bring up in written notes under his hand commands the Drum-Major to beat a March and so consequently all the rest to take it from him The Souldiers being warned thereby begin to shoulder their Arms and prepare to move the Collonel on hors-back being attended on by his Martiall and Quarter-master draws off the first Division of Muskettiers his Captain Leiutenant being some six foot behinde him which Division is brought up by the Captain Lieutenants Bringer-up The eldest Captain follows next leading the first Division of Pikes and brought up by his own Lieutenant The next Division of Muskettiers is lead by the third Captains Lieutenant and the Reer of the first grand Division is brought up by the third Captain There ought to be full 18 foot of ground betwixt each Division he that brings up a Division ought to be six foot cleer behinde the same and he that leads to be six foot before so that there will be six foot proportion of ground betwixt them both for the better distinguishing of their Divisions the Leaders and Bringers-up thereof And where there is not room sufficient for the marching so many a brest as they are now ordered they must subdivide being carefull to preserve their Divisions marching in greater depths at their due distance of open order in rank and order in file For the Serjeants must not presume upon any sub-dividing to make any more Divisions whereby they may be Leaders thereof but it must be their care upon sub-dividing to bring them down in the Reer of them that march before and keep them intire in all their respective Divisions And it must be their observation to attend upon the Flanks even a brest with those Leaders of Files that were taken off that when there is ground and roome enough they may more readier know where to finde them and to lead them up again as they were at first Care likewise must be had upon any sub-dividing of the Pikes that there be none of the Colours divided who are in a regimentall way to march all three together according to their first placing These rules and observations concern both grand Divisions now the first being led away as is before exprest there ought to be sufficient ground betwixt each grand Division for the leading of the Cariages and in the first place there is to be considered that to most Regiments there is allowed two Waggons for the Bagage Ammunition two Field-peeces or great Cannon besides other Cariages which more concern the victuall for the Souldiers as occasion shall require now concerning the ordering and securest placing of all these upon the March will be in the midst of the Regiment and to have those which are ordered for their good to be Fire-locks or to have Snap-hances for the avoiding of the danger which might happen by the Cole of the Match and being placed where any attempt of the Enemy shall fall on either to Front Reer or either Flank the Cannon may be easily drawn forth to fire upon them and all the wood of the Carriages with their Guard to be ordered in the Reer where ever the assault should happen for their better security and safety The Major in the next place if he please may lead the second grand Division to which purpose he draws off with the assistance of his own Lieutenant the first Division of Muskettiers his Lieutenant being six foot behinde him and so much before the Muskettiers The next that followes is the second Body of Pikes which is led by the second Captain and brought up by his own Lieutenant The last Division of Muskettiers is led by the Lieutenant Collonels Lieutenant and the Reer of the whole Regiment is brought up by the Lieutenant Collonel The Serjeants are to march upon the Flanks attending their own men that when they are to be reduced into Companies they may know more
Muskettiers march all 12 paces and stand to your Leader The two middle divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers in the Reer next the Flanks face about outmost divsions of Pikes and Muskettiers in Front and Reer face outward march all four places and stand Again let the outmost divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers face about to the right then march all three paces then stand and face to their leader it produceth the first figure Each of the former divisions conteining five files a piece excepting the outmost division of Pikes upon the right in Front and Reer and they contein six files in each of them Command Divisions of Muskettiers face outward Pikes face about to the right march all untill the Pikes range even with the Reer then face to their Leader occasioneth the next Command The four last divisions of each arms in the midst face about the six outmost divions of each arms face outward the two middle divisions of Pikes in the front face about march all four paces and stand then face the six outmost divisions about to the right and the four middle divisions of Pikes about to the left then march all four paces and face to their Leader Command The two next divisions of Pikes in the midst from the Reer face about middle divisions of Pikes move forward six foot before the Front and Reer to your Leader Reducement The 12 last divisions face about then let every division march forward untill they range even abrest with the Front and Reer and face to their Leader then let the Reer divisions move forward within 18 foot of the Front divisions and they will be in two grand divisions the one in the Reer of the other as at first when they began their facings Having past over part of the distances and facings the next which in order falls to be handled is Doublings and having by command gained 18 foot distance betwixt every five files if in their former motions they should chance to lose it you may then proceed to Doublings by way of divisions as shall be in the next place set down CHAP. IX Doublings belonging to a Regiment Command DIvisions double to the right file-wise Direction Every even division from the Front face to the right and march down cleer untill you stand streight with the next intervall then face to the left and move in and double those Divisions on the right sile-wise to your Leader Command Divisions double to the right rank-wise Direction Every even Division from the Front face to the right and march forward six paces then face to the Front and move forward and double your divisions to the right Command Divisions double the Length of the Battail to the right and left outward Direction The 12 last divisions face outward and march cleer of the standing part face to your Leader move up all even a brest and double according to command Command The 12 in-most divisions double the six out-most to the right and left outward advancing Direction The 12 middle divisions advance forward untill you be six foot cleer of the standing part then face outward and march untill you stand streight before the six out-most face to your Leader and after face inward and move forward untill they stand again unto 18 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 18 foot cleer of the Reer face to the left and move untill you stand streight 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 severall 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 out-most 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 maner Command Divisions wheel about to the right to the right flank Direction Face all to the left and let the out-most 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 kinde reduceth them CHAP. XI Counter-marches not fit to be used in the exercising of Regiments IT might be expected after Doublings that I should shew some kinds of Counter-marches amongst the Military Motions in the exercising of a Regiment but being of very little use or practise amongst Commanders in these times especially in such great Bodies for my own part I fancy them not therefore have passed them over pitcht upon such wheelings which by some are accounted counter-marches Whose judgements my desire is better to informe by these severall reasons following wherein and in what kinde they differ from them As thus by these wheelings they keep their distance in rank and file unto order and wheeling intire 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 perticuler Divisions and in the execution thereof they still preserve the honour of the right and left-hand Tile-leaders and all others as are concerned in their perticuler Divisions unto any accidentall Front which they shal be brought unto Now concerning counter-marches 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 perticulers Their counter-marching of Files to the Reer gaineth no ground before the Front in the Motion but onely the room of one perticuler 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 accidentall Fronts they shall make but ever loseth it to some and gaineth 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 kind to the Souldiers for counter-marches
Enemy In the next place 3000 horse may be a good proportion for 10000 or 12000 foot which ought to be equally divided in their Troops and placed upon the flanks of the foot in such good order as the Troops may come with conveniency to fight for the relieving of each other But in case you shall perceive the Enemies horse as somtimes through necessity of ground or by other politicall ends may be inter-laced and placed between the intervalls and divisions of their foot it will be needfull then that we should observe the same form and likewise have horse to come forth and encounter with their horse least they should â—reak in upon our divisions of foot which by this means and good order may be timely prevented next follows the Figure of the Army as before described and ordered to be drawn up â—olio 176. CHAP. XXIII The severall duties belonging to the Foot in a Regiment as followth by degrees from a private Souldier unto a Collonel of the same and first of a private Souldier A Private Souldier ought to be very active not slothfull and idle informing himself of his duty learning from his Corporall or other Officers the true use and well handling of his armes always keeping them neat clean and well fixed Upon the beat of the Drum he is to repair to his Colours Squaâ—ron or Company upon the march he must observe his Leader and his right and left hand men that he may march streight in file and even in rank in time of Exercise he must be silent in the body well minding the words of command and directions which are given forth by the leader He ought likewise to be well verst in all the ordinary words of command and to mind the place wherein he stands that he may the more readier move and not be to seeke at such time when he shall be commanded wehther it be to face double counter-march or wheel He mâ—st informe himselfe of all the severall beats of the drum as first of a Call second a Troop third a March fourth a Preparative fifth a Battle or Charge sixth a Retreat and also of the Revallâ—y and the Tattoo By the first he is summoned to hear present proclamation or else commanded to repair to his colours upon the beat of the second he is to advance his armes and to close in rank and file to the distance of order and to troop along unto such places and services as he shall be comanded unto upon the hearing of the third he is presently to shoulder his arms and to take his distance of six foot in rank and three foot in file upon the fourth he is to close both in rank and file unto the fighting distance which is called order and to prepare himself for skirmish upon the beat of the next he is undauntedly to move forward boldly steping in good order into the place of his fellow souldier that shall happen to fall down dead before him Upon the beat of the last he must orderly fall back either for releife or advantage of ground or other polliticall ends whereby he may draw the enemy into a suare The first of the remaining two gives warning in the morning for some of the Sentinels to fall off or to be taken in the latter is used in the night to give notice unto the souldiers or others for their repairing to their severall guards watches and lodgings To conclude a private souldier ought to avoyd all quarrelling mutinies swearing cursing or lying and to be content with his wâ—ges and likewise to be a good husband in the well managing of his means keeping himselfe neat and handsome in his apparell avoyding drunkenness and all manner of gaming truly to serve and feare God and to be obedient unto all the commands of his superiours cheerfully going on upon all duties and to be loving kind and courteous unto all his fellow souldiers The duty of a Sentinel A Sentinel must be very vigilant carefully casting his eyes about him and harkning whether he heare the noyse or approach of any drawing neer him which if he perceive he is presently to command them to stand presenting his Musket or Pike to their brest and after calling his Corporal for to take the word unlesse he should be commanded to come in silently He is not to come off until he be relieved by the Corporall or Lanspassadoe His proper posture being a Muskettier is to have his Musketrested and loaded with powder and bullet his match cockt and his pan guarded being a pike-man if he stand Sentinell in the night he must have his pike check'd if in the day his pike ordered Or it may be a very proper posture for a pikeman to stand sentinell with his pike in his left hand holding it a little below the cheeks thereof and with his sword drawn being held in his right hand which I leave to judge or to be made use of according to discretion and as occasion shall require Of a Gentleman of a Company A Gentleman of a company ought to have such worth in him as may make him capable to be a file-leader or Captain of his file and he more especially above the rest ought to be well skill'd in all the postures of such armes he weares and at convenient times instructing and teaching his file in the neat and gracefull handling of their armes He ought to be of an undaunted courage and gallant resolution for the better example and imitation of the rest whose worth and valour many times indears them so much into the savour of their Comanders that they raise them up to greater places of preferment In the Low Countries a Gentleman of a Company hath his full pay having nothing kept back for after reckonings as common private souldiers have At his first entrance he somtimes stands Sentinell to informe himselfe of the duties thereof but most commonly he is placed to be a Sentinell per-due intime of iminent danger either in the field or upon approches He is to lie perdue with his sword and pistoll not removing from his place till he be relieved nor is he to retreat for one man but in case of more then he is to fall back to the second and discovering an enemy he is to come off betimes and silently to give the alarum whereby the Corps du Guard or company may be provided for their own defence A Gentleman of a Company doth many times goe the round with the Captain of the watch or his fellow Gentlemen who are likewise rounders either in the field or in garrison and doe give the Corporals of the Guards the word charging the Sentinells to looke well about them To conclude he ought truly to love respect and obey his Captain and to stick close unto him vindicating him upon all just occasions when he shall be wronged and injured by any muâ—â—â—es of the common souldiers or others Of a Barber Chyrurgion IN every Company there ought to be a Barber Chyrurgion