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
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
not on the left for the reasons as formerly for a File six deep declared I might now here conclude with other flourishing Tables which might be little profitable unto the Souldier though holding out discourse more fuller in an Arithmeticall way But I have no desire to fill this subject with plenty of unprofitable words and frothie flourishes but rather driving really in a Souldierly way to make all things both plain and easie to every courteous Reader that shall be pleased for to peruse the same And therefore here for present I shall conclude what more might here be spoken by dignities of Ronks and Files leaving what shall remain untill such time in course I shall again meet with them by the way in drawing up of Regiments CHAP. XVIII What Distance is and the reasons for the first beginning of the same with all their severall uses HAving thus now passed over severall reasons and with as much brevity as I could to satisfie the longing desire of the young Souldiers request of every particular place of honour as they stand in dignity both in Rank and File Which being passed over the next will follow by course before we come to joyne the Files into a Body to satisfie the Souldier of each particular distance with the severall reasons and uses of the same for next to the Postures it is the first thing or part of the Military exercise and most necessary for the Souldier to be knowing in and to be exercised in Yet I must confesse no Commander is so tied up or limited in the exercising of his men at all times to begin with Distances first so as to shew them all throughout but neverthelesse in all and every one of the Motions in the exercising of a Body care must be taken that the Souldier have his proper Distance for performance of the same Neither can any Leader exercise his men but first he must command them to some Distance sutable to what he will begin As some I have seen begin their Exercises with Faceings some other with Doublings others with Countermarches and with Wheelings Yet neverthelesse whoever they be that will so begin as I said before must command his Souldiers to some Distance which may be proper forâ— the same But for my own part my purpose is to goe throughout all parts of the Military Exercise of Foot and therefore will goe on in order as they lie and first as most properest I shall begin with Distances to shew them all throughout and what the nature of them be Distance therefore really considered in it selfe is no Motion but there are severall motions to the attaining of each particular Distance both in length and depth Therefore briefly thus Distance is a place or intervall of ground between every particular File and File and betwixt every Rank and Rank as they stand and attained by the severall motions of Ranks and Files and consisting of severall proportions of ground as easily may be understood by their severall words of command as they follow CHAP. XIX The severall sorts of Distances which are fit and proper for the Souldier to be exercised in CLosest Order Close Order Order Open Order Double Distance Twice double Distance Which is both in Rank and File Half a foot One foot and a half Three foot Six foot Twelve foot Twenty four foot Having thus set down every Distance with their severall proportions of ground I shall next proceed unto the words of command to the opening of the Ranks and Files from their closest Order and after satisfie the Souldier with the reasons and the uses of every particular Distance as they go along in order CHAP. XX. Words of Command for the opening of Ranks and Files to all their Distances with their closings again THe Commander craving silence and that they be commanded to close Ranks and Files to their closest Order the words of command for Distances are as followeth Files open to the right to your close Order Ranks open backward to your close Order Files open to the left to your Order Ranks open backward to your Order Files open to the right and left to your open Order Ranks open backward to your open Order Files open to the left to your double Distance Ranks open backward to your double Distance Files open from the midst to twice double Distance Ranks open backward to twice double Distance The Ranks and Files being thus opened unto their twice double Distance from their closest order I conceive it to be a more Souldierly like way in the opening and closing of Files that the discretion of the Commander do vary and alter the hand in the commanding of them then always from every Distance to tie himself to any perticuler hand as to open to the right and close to the right But as concerning the opening of Ranks the properest way in my judgement is to open them always to the Reer in respect it is performed with more facility For every Rank from the first takes his due Distance as he is commanded without any further trouble or to a halfe facing to the right by taking it from the Reer if from that place they shall be opened and so likewise it were a great deal better in the closing of Ranks to close them forwards in respect it is for the more coveniency of their closing then to the Reer For then again they must perform a half facing which is not only handsome but troublesome to the Souldier All that can be said for to maintain it as I conceive in opening Ranks forwards is because they have not room in the Reer which seldome happens so in any Exercise if discreetly ordered by him that leads them As for closing of the Ranks backwards I cannot conceive any solid reasons to confirme the same and therefore will passe over it and come to close our Ranks and Files to such Distance from whence they first were opened Files close to the right and left inward to double distance Ranks close forwards to double distance Files close to the right to your open Order Ranks close forwards to your open Order Files close into the midst to your Order Ranks close forwards to your Order Files close to the left to your close Order Ranks close forwards to your close Order Files close to the right to your closest Order Ranks close forwards to your closest Order Concerning the Words of Command for Distances in the openings and closings of Ranks and Files what before is set down may be sufficient for any Souldier to use in time of his exercise But now it will be expected to give some reasons for every one of these to shew them in their proper uses CHAP. XXI The use of each perticuler Distance and at what time to be used WHerefore first note that your Distance of closest Order is of chiefest use unto the Pike in these perticulers as first charging against the Horse for that the Ranks then clapping in their left legs behind their Leaders
Body for one File alone cannot be said to have any Ranks in it but joyning two or more Files together unto one you may account them provided they be six deep to have so many Ranks for number as doth extend from their Leaders to their Bringers up And further know that a Rank is a Row of men standing shoulder to shoulder in an even line from the left Flank to the right or from the out-most man upon the left unto the out-most man upon the right standing all in a row File wise Neither can it be said of one Rank to have any Files in it for as the closing of Files to Files makes Ranks so the adding of Ranks to Ranks makes Files As for the Depth of Files they have in these latter Ages much varied therein sometimes making them sixteen deep others ten and eight deep and now lately they have brought them unto six deep as being the custome of the Swedes and the French and altogether now the practise here in England In which form and way I purpose to walk but to proceed to my former promise to the Souldier There is in every Body of men drawn up consisting of Pikes and Muskettiers whether of greater or smaller number it makes no matter a Front a Reer a Right-Flank and a Left-Flank there is also Front half-Files and Reer half-Files there is a Right half-Ranks and a Left half-Ranks and there is a Length and Depth of the Battail and of every one of these in their severall kinds they have their perticuler extents and bounds according to their number of men Therefore take notice in the first place that the Front is the first Rank or row of men which are the File-leaders and chief men of their Files who properly ought to take charge of their Files being as it were their Captains and leads them first on in the Brunt against a furious Enemy the extent of the Front is from the left hand File-Leader unto the Leader of the right hand File The Reer is the last Row or Rank of men being the Bringers-up of the Files who next the Leaders are the chiefest men of honour in the File and are as it were unto them their Lieutenants and in the absence of the Leaders they are to take charge of the File and to instruct them in their Postures the extent of the Reer is from the Bringer-up of the left hand File unto the place of the Bringer-up of the right The right Flank is the out-most File upon the right where always ought by the way to be very able Souldiers placed because they first give on-set or fire against the Enemy if on that part they shall be charged the extent of the right Flank is from the Leader of the right hand File unto the Bringer-up of the same The left Flank likewise is the out-most File upon the left and his extent is from the Leader of the left hand File unto the Bringer-up The Front half-Files extent or bounds reacheth no further then from the Front unto the midst of Ranks or to the Bringers-up of the Front half-Files which being but six deep is the third Rank from the Front and the Length of the same reacheth from the out-most part of the left Flank untill you come unto the right The Reer half-Files beginneth from the midst of Ranks or from the fourth Rank from the Front and runneth downward in his depth to the Bringer-up of the whole File and the Length of the same is to be taken side-wise as they stand shoulder to shoulder from the out-most man upon the left unto the out-most man upon the right The right half Ranks in their Length runneth no further then from the out-most man upon the right unto the midst of Files or to the left hand File-leader of the right half-half-Ranks the Depth of the right half-Ranks reacheth from the Front running down unto to the Reer As for the left half-Ranks as much may be said to take his Length from the midst of Files or from the right hand File-leader of the left half-Ranks unto the out-most Files upon the left the Depth of the left half-Ranks may be understood in form and manner conformable to the right Next come we to speak of the Length and Depth of the whole Battail the Length of the Battail is ever to be accounted of the number of men in a Rank and not in a File for the Files perhaps may not be above six deep when that there may be hundreds in a Brest in the Ranks and farther the Length of any Battail is to be taken from the out-most point of the left-Flank or left-hand File-leader stretching it selfe forth by an even Line along untill you come to the outmost point of right Flank or right-hand File-leader the Depth of the Battail always is to be taken from the Front or first Rank and going down backward in a straight Line down to the Reer to the last Rank or to the Bringers-up of the Files For as the Length of the Battail is to be taken from the left Flank going a long in Front unto the right so the Depth of the Battail is to be taken from the Front going backward down to the Reer There is also to be understood that in every Battalia drawn up there are other parts and Denominations very considerable to be known that is in every such an one there is a Van-Guard a Reer-Ward and Main-Battail The Van-guard are the Muskettiers upon the right or the right Flank or as most commonly called amongst us in these dayes the Right-wing or the Left-wing which are the Muskettiers and the Flankers of the Body of Pikes the reason as I conceive the Muskettiers are accounted and called Wings is because they are first drawn off as by flying motion in Forlorns to ingage against an Enemy but of this by the way to proceed the Reer-Ward or Reer-Guard are the Muskettiers on the left Flank and the Battail is the Body of Pikes and here I shall conclude concerning the Description of a Body CHAP. XXVI Directions to all such as shall desire to exercise a Foot-Company with some admonitions to the Souldiers as shall be exercised by them HE that intends to exercise a Body of men must truly know what he shall command and so to give his directions unto the Souldiers as they may aptly make ready execution of the same He must at such times above all the rest assume unto himself the confidence presence as near as he is able of a compleat Souldier He is also to stretch out his voice so as he may conveniently be heard understood by the inferiour Officers and Souldiers which will cause them more readily to obey his Commands He ought to carry a cheerfull countenance unto them provided they do well but otherwise if carelesly dis-regarding his Commands he may look harshly upon them His eyes ought to be quick and nimble observing all their Motions whether it be to the right or left to
Direction Half-files of the even Files from the right face to the Reer even Files march cleer of the standing part after move to the right and left and double the odd Files face to your Leader Reducement The three first and the three last ranks double the six middle-most ranks to the left the three first ranks face about and march down by your own right hands into the midst of ranks and the three last ranks move forwards to the midst to your own left hands face to your Leader Command Double your Files to the right by Division every man placing himself before his Leader and his Bringer-up Direction Half-files of the even Files from the right face to the Reer the even Files march and double the odd every man placing himselfe before his Leader and Bringer-up face to your Leader Reducement The three first and the three last ranks double the six middle-most ranks to the left every man placing himselfe before his Leader and his Bringer-up the three first ranks face about to the left and move down to the midst of ranks by your own right hands placing your selves before your Bringers-up and the three last ranks march forwards unto the midst placing your selves before your Leaders to your Leader Command Left half-half-Ranks double your right Flank by Division Direction Half-files of the left half-half-Ranks face about to the right the left half-Ranks move cleer of the standing part after face all to the right Flank the left half-Ranks moving forward untill they have ranged even a Brest with the right Flank face to your Leader Reducement The three first and the three last ranks double the six middle-most ranks intire to the left-Flank the three first and the three last ranks face to the left-Flank and move cleer of the standing part after face inward march and close your Divisions face to your Leader CHAP. XXXVI Intire Doublings to the right Flank by Wheeling Command WHeel off your left half-Ranks and double your right Flank intire to the right Direction Face outward and left half-Ranks wheel about to the left and move forward untill you have doubled the right Flank intire to the right face to your Leader Reducement Wheel off your Reer half-files and double your Front to the left intire half-files face to the Reer and wheel about to the right and march fowards untill you have ranged your selves even with the Front Command Wheel off your left half-Ranks and double your right Flank intire to the left Direction Face outward left half-Ranks wheel about to the right and move forward untill you have doubled the right Flank intire to the left face to your Leader Reducement Wheel off your Front half-files and double your Reer to the right intire half-files face about and Front half-files wheel about to the left move down and double the Reer to the right face to your Leader Command Wheel the left half-Ranks inward into the midst and double your right Flank inward intire Direction Half-files of the right half-Ranks face about right half-Ranks move cleer of the standing part then face to the right and the left half-Ranks face to the left and wheeling inward into the midst moving forward untill they have doubled the right Flank inward intire to your Leader Reducement Wheel off from the right Flank the six middle-most Ranks and double In wheeling the six middle Ranks from the right Flank they must have ground sufficient for them to wheel about your Front and Reer intire to the left Flank the six middle Ranks face to the right and wheel about to the right and left moving forward untill they are cleer of the standing part and after facing to the Front and Reer they move again and double the Front and Reer toward the left Flank face all to your Leader march forwards and close your Divisions Or if they continue their aspect to the right Flank then command the six middle-most Files to wheel off to the right and left and to double intire the Depth of the out-most Files then face to their Leader and close their Divisions CHAP. XXXVII A Divisionall Doubling to the right Flank by Wheeling Command WHeel off your left half-Ranks and double your right Flank by Division Direction Face outward and left half-Ranks wheele off to the right and left about and move forward untill you have ranged even and doubled the right Flank to your Leader Reducement Wheel off the three first and the three last ranks and double the six middle-most ranks intire to the left Flank the three last ranks face about and wheel to the right about moving up towards the midst of the left Flank and the three first ranks at the same time wheel about to the left and move down to the midst of the left Flank face to your Leader Or if they continue their aspect to the right Flank then command the out-most Files to that doubled to wheel about to the right and left inward and double intire the Depth of the in-most Files to your Leader Here endeth all the plain Doublings to the right Flank performed by severall Countermarches and Wheelings which to any ingenious Souldier are sufficient directions to know how to double the left Flank only altering the hand by the Words of Command And here Fellow-Souldier endeth all the severall kinds of Doublings which if any shall seem hard or difficult unto thee either in their Commands Directions or Reducements thou maist care being taken with much ease and delight performe the same And here the Captain is to take speciall notice when he comes to the point of Doublings that his properest way and will be first to double the Front as being the most honourable part of the Body and next the Reer and after either to the right or left Flank leaving it to his discretion to use as many of them as he shall think fitting and convenient for his Exercise And although I have somewhat varied from the practise of former times in using more plenty of Words of Commands the ripenesse and curiosity of wits in these our dayes enforced me unto it for they having much refined the Military Discipline will not be pleased with ordinary stuffe as to say as you were which I confesse would save the Captain a great deal of pains and be more easie to the apprehension and capacity of every private Souldier for his returning back unto his place again Yet if Command should be given to double any part of the Body that Leader would quickly lie under a hard censure and be judged in most mens opinions insufficient that could not finde out some other Words of Command to reduce them again Endevouring therefore to give full satisfaction to both parties I have taken the pains to set down other Words of Command for Reducements whereby those which shall professe themselves curious may cull out such plenty as may best please their genious advising them withall not to presume in the exercising of their private Companies
their Aspects being to the Front Or you may command the out-most file upon the right to face to the left and so begin to lead untill he be cleer of the second file the rest doing the same untill they have all placed themselves on the out-side of their left-hand men their Aspects being to the Front which I conceive to be the easier way Command Counter-march your Flanks into the midst Direction Face to the right and left outward right-flank turn off to the right left-flank turn off to the left untill they meet in the midst to your Leader Command Right and left half-ranks counter-march to the right or left Direction Face all to the right the right half-ranks are to turne off to the right by themselves and the left half-ranks in like manner to your Leader Command The out-most File upon the right and the right-hand file of the left half-ranke stand the rest face to the right passe through and place your selves on the out-side of your right-hand men face to your Leader Command The out-most file upon the right and the right-hand file of the left half-rank face to the right and stand the rest passe through to the right and place your selves before your right-hand men face all to the right and the motion being ended face to your Leader Command The out-most file upon the right and the right-hand file of the left half-rank face to the left and stand the rest face to the right passe through and place your selves behind your right-hand men to your Leader Direction For these three last Counter-marches is for the moving part to begin to Countermarch who are the next files of the standing part and so to follow successively until they have performed the command and after to face to their Leader Command The right-hand file of the left half-rank and the out-most file upon the right stand the rest passe through to the right and place your selves on the out-side of your right hand men following your out-most files Direction The out-most files are to face to the right and to lead away untill they bee cleer of the next who likewise are to follow successively Command The out-most file upon the right and the right-hand file of the left half-rank face to the right and stand the rest passe through to the right and place your selves before your right-hand men Direction Face all to the right and the out-most files that were are to begin the motion placing themselves before their right-hand men the rest following successively to your Leader Command The outmost file upon the right and the right-hand file of the left half-rank face to the left and stand the rest passe through to the right and place your selves behind your right-hand men Direction The out-most files are to turn about untill they have brought their aspects unto the right-flanke then move away untill they be cleer of the second file and in like manner they are to turn off doing the same untill they have placed themselves behind their right hand men then facing to the left-about and after to their Leader to even their ranks and straighten their files Command Counter-march your right and left half-half-ranks from the midst Direction Face inward right half-half-ranks turn off to the right left half-ranks turn off to the left to your Leader CHAP. LIV. Divisionall Counter-marches of the right and left half-ranks Command THe outmost file upon each flanke stand the rest passe through to the right and left and place your selves on the out-side of your right and left-hand men Direction The rest face outward and begin the motion by the next files the others following in order and after to close their files into the midst to open order Command The out-most file upon each flanke face outward and stand the rest passe through to the right and left and place your selves before your out-side men Direction The rest are to face outward and the next files unto them that first faced are to begin the motion placing themselves before their out-side men after face to their leader and close files into the midst to order Command The out-most file upon each flanke face inward the rest passe through and place your selves behind your out-side men Direction The rest are to face outward and to passe through to the right and left placing themselves behind their right and left-hand men and after to move forward and close their divisions and face to their Leader Command The out-most file upon each flanke stand the rest passe through to the right and left and place your selves on the out-side of your right and left-hand men following your in-most files Direction The in-most files are to begin the motion moving away to the right and left untill they be cleer of their second files and then they are to move away successively untill they have all placed themselves on the out-side of their right and left-hand men and then close files into the midst to open order Command The out-most files upon each flanke face outward the rest passe through to the right and left placing your selves before your right and left-hand men following your in most files Direction The rest are likewise to face outward and the inmost files are to begin the motion the rest following in order untill they have placed themselves before their out-side men after face to the Front and close files into the the midst to open order Command The out-most file upon each flanke face inward the rest passe through to the right and left and place your selves behinde your out-side men following the inmost Files Direction The rest are to face outward the in-most files begin to move forward to the right and left the rest consequently doe the same untill they all stand behind their out-side men then facing to the right and left about closing their divisions by moving forward after face to the Front Command Counter-march your right and left half-ranks from the midst losing ground and placing your selves before your out-side men Direction Face inward right half-ranks turn off to the right and left half-ranks turn off to the left and move forward untill you have placed your selves before your out-side men after face to your Leader and close files into the midst to open order Command Right and left half-ranks interchange ground Direction Face inward and passe through to your own right-hand untill you bee cleer six foot each of other after face to your Leader and close files into the midst to open order Command Right and left half-ranks counter-march to the right and left and interchange ground Direction Face outward right half-ranks turn off to the right left half-ranks turn off to the left and march cleer each of the other after face to the front and close files inward to open order Thus much may suffice to be spoken of all the several sorts and kinds of Counter-marches which if any shall conceive my pains fruitlesse in culling out such plentie and varietie there being
the Front face about march all three paces face to your Leader Reducement The last man in the Reer of the middle file face about middle file march cleer of the standing part files close into the midst to order the last man in the Reer fall in Reer of the right hand file the first man in the Front move to the left and fall in the Front of the left hand file close your ranks and files forward to order and make an even Front files double your depth to the left every man falling behind his Bringer-up reduceth them CHAP. LXIX The way to make twelve severall Figures of Battail with a File ten deepe with their Reducement Command FAce to the right wheel your Front into the midst Face after to your Leader Command The last men in the Reer of the outmost files face about outmost files move cleer of the standing part face inwards and close your Divisions to your Leader Command The last man of the middle file and the last rank face about the first rank and the last rank and the middle file move forwards two paces the rest open outward two paces to your leader Command The last man in the front division advance forward three foot before the Front the first man of the Reer division face about and move three foot behinde the Reer the outmost files double ranks inward ranks close forwards to order and face to your Leader Command The first man in the Front face about the last man in the Reer stand the rest face outwards march all untill the first and the last man meet face all to your Leader middle men double to the right rank-wise and close outward to order The two middle-men in the Body face about and move cleer of the Reer three foot face to your Leader middle-men of the out-most files close inward to order Command Middle-man upon the right of the second Rank advance forward three foot before the Front the three first men in the Front and the middle-man of the second rank move forwards three paces the rest closing inward one pace Command The last rank open outward to double distance and the next rank open outward to open order and the third rank from the Reer to close inward to order Command The second man from the Front face about move down and range even with the Reer outmost men of the last rank advance forward and range even with the second rank from the Front the last rank move forwards untill they have exceeded three foot the next rank that stands before them divisisions on the wings face outward move two paces to your Leader Command Front-Division face about and march down even with the Reer the las◠man move forwards to order to your Leader Command Middle-Division advance forward cleer of the standing part Divisions in the Reer close inwards to order wheel your Reer into the midst to your Leader Command The last rank close inward to order and to double to the left file-wise the second man from the Reer move forwards into the second rank that is before you Reducement The first man in the Front move a little to the right the second man from the first rank double the first man to the left rank-wise the first rank wheel off by Division double the last man in the Reer to the right and left rank-wise ranks close forwards to order and face to your Leader Reducement The first and second rank face about the first rank double the second to the right and left outward to your Leader the last rank move forward and even your ranks and straighten their files wheel Front and Reer to the left flank the last rank face about before they wheel then facing to their Leader they are reduced CHAP. LXX Twelve severall Figures of Battail with a File 12 deep 〈◊〉 their reducement Command FRont half-file double your Reer to the left face to your Leader Half-files double your Front to the left Command the middle-most men upon each flank face outward the two middle-men of the last rank face about those that are thus faced and the two middle-men of the first rank move forward to your Leader three paces the first and the last rank stand the rest move outward two paces face to your Leader Command The out-most Divisions open from the midst almost to twice double distance the first rank face about and rank even with the midst of ranks face to your Leader the last rank double to the right file-wise the second man from the Reer advance forward and place himself 3 foot before the middle-men the last man at the same time closing forward to order Command The outmost division upon the right move away the rest successively falling in the Reeer of them untill they stand streight after the first division Command The outmost man upon the left of the middle division to open to the left to double distance the rest of that division to face to the right and to move cleer of the standing part face to your Leader the last man in the Front face about to the last Division the first man of the Front-division and the first man of the Reer-division to move forwards and to close to open order after facing to the left flank closing to the outmost man to order face to your Leader and after face all to the Center and move a little forward to your Leader Command The outmost man upon the right and the outmost man upon the left close inward to order Command The two middle-men move forth to the right and left three foot cleer of the standing part the first man in the Front face about the first man in the Front and the last man in the Reer move into the second that is before you to your Leader Command The two outmost men upon each Flank close inward to open order Command Face all to Front Reer and both Flanks and the four middle-men move forwards into the rank that is before them and they will stand in a Square face to your Leader Command Files rank outward the middle man of the first rank move forward and place himselfe three foot before his right and left hand man the outmost and the middle man of the last rank move backward and place himselfe three foot behinde the Reer-division close forwards to open order Command The first and the last rank move to the left one pace and after double to the right filewise the middle rank close inward to order Command The two out-most men of the middle rank face about move down and range even a brest with the middle-man of the Reer Division closing inward to order and facing to the Front even men from the left move forwards and rank even a brest with the middle-man of the Front-division and close inward to order the out-most men open outward to double distance Command Reer division face about and move two paces the outmost-man upon the left face about to
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-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
double their depth intire to the right they are reduced Then the Leader may appoint one of the Serjeants to draw off the Muskettiers and file them away to the right and left outward either by ranks filing or files filing and every Muskettier to poyse his Musket then the Pikes may advance their arms and the Drum beat a troop and the Commander may lead them away and lodg his Colours CHAP. XXVI The ninth Exercise consisting of 64 men eight files eight deep IN this Exercise a Commander may in matter of motions present unto the Souldiers fâ—rther varietie to delight them withall in bringing up each man into the Front to be a File-leader according unto succession and dignity by proper words of Command by doublings with their Reducement Therefore to avoid any further circumstance wee will pass over the Postures and fetching of the Colours and suppose the Souldiers standing in a condition to be exercised begin first to make them all File-leaders by succession as followeth Command Ranks to the left double Command Files to the left double Command Half-files double your front to the right Command Double your files to the right intire advancing every man placing himself before his leader Command Ranks to the right double Command Files to the right double Command Front half-files double the reer to the right Command Double your files to the left intire advancing Command Double your ranks to the right into the reer face all about Command Double your files to the left advancing Direction Every even file from the left move forward to the left and by three steps double the odde advancing Command Half-files double your front to the left Command Double your files to the left intire advancing every man placing himself before his leader Command Double your ranks to the left into the reer face all about Command Double your files to the right advancing Reducement Files rank to the right into the front Rank file eight to the right reduceth them Next followeth to make every man file-leader according unto dignity with their Reducement Command Bringers-up double your front to the left Command Double your files to the right intire advancing Command Half-files double your front to the left Command Double your files to the left intire advancing every man placing himself before his leader Command Bringers-up double your front to the right Command Files double your depth to the right Command Ranks to the right double Command Front half-files double your reer to the right following your leaders Command Double your files to the right by division every man placing himself before his leader and his bringer-up Command Front half-files double your reer to the left following your leaders Command Double your files to the left by division every man placing himself before his leader and his bringer-up Command The two first and the two last ranks double the four middle-most ranks to the right following your leaders and your bringers-up Direction The four middle ranks stand the file-leaders are to turn off to the right and the next rank is to follow them untill the leaders rank even with the bringers-up of the front half-files and at the same instant of time the bringers-up are to move forward to the right the rest following untill the bringers-up range even a brest with the half-file-leaders to your leader Command Files double your depth to the left Reducement Half-files double your front to the right Bringers-up double your front to the right Then divide every four files distinctly apart making five divisions Files double to the right and left inward in each division and close files into the midst to order Files double to the left intire advancing reduceth CHAP. XXVIII Eight severall Counter-marches with their Reducement Command FIles to the right hand counter-march maintaining ground Command Ranks to the left hand counter-march losing ground Command Counter-march your front and reer half-files into the midst of ranks Direction Half-files face about and turn off to the left and front half-files turn off to the right untill they meet the front and reer into the midst to your leader Command Right and left half-ranks counter-march into the midst of files Direction Face outward right half-ranks turn off to the right left half-ranks turn off to the left to your leader Command Files to the left hand counter-march losing ground by following your leaders Command Ranks to the right hand counter-march mayntaining ground Command Counter-march your front and reer half-files to the right and left following the half-file-leaders and the bringers-up of the front half-files Direction Half-files face about the bringers-up of the front half-files and the half-file-leaders are to begin the motion the rest are to follow untill they have gained so much ground beyond the front and reer as they formerly possest in the midst to your leader and close your divisions Command Counter-march your half ranks to the right and left by following of the inmost files Direction Face outward the inmost files are to begin the motion moving forward the rest following untill they have gained so much ground beyond the flanks as they formerly possessed in the inmost files to your leader and close files into the midst to order they are reduced CHAP. XXIX Ten severall Wheelings with their Reducement Command WHeel the battail off by division from the front Command Wheel the body off by division from the right flank face to the right Command Wheel the battail off by division from the reer face about Command Wheel the body off by division from the left flank Command Wheel your battail inward to the reer from the front Direction Open outward to convenient distance to your leader Command Wheel your battail inward to the left flank from the right Direction Face to the right and open to convenient distance to your leader Command Wheel your battail inward to the front from the reer Direction Face about and open to convenient distance and wheel inward into the front Close ranks forward to close order and files into the midst to close order Command Wheel your battail inward to the right flank from the left Command Wheel the outward angles of front and reer to the right and left about into the center face to the outward angles Command Wheel the inward angles to the right and left about from the center CHAP. XXX Plain firings and figures of Battail IN the next place I wil proceed to some plain firings wherefore first double your ranks forward to the left by half-files and fire even with the front of pikes fal in the reer of themselves then fire and fall between the Pikes then move forth after this manner one rank drawn forth to the right and another to the left fire fal in again as before Then command the first rank to stand and the rest to move forth both Pikes and Muskettiers to the right and left untill each rank be cleer of other then let the Pikes charge and Muskettiers give
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
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
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
notice of and to be informed of placing of man of worth and desert in both Armes that is to say in the Body of Pikes and of the Muskettiers which underneath by figures I shall set forth for farther satisfaction therein Here I have set down the manner how the Serjeants should draw up their Files in each armes a part by themselves and have figured forth unto them the foure chiefe places of honour in both arms It concerns them therefore very much to minde and have regard to these particular places and to order such men of worth there which may be well deserving of the same and those Gentlemen whom they shall thinke fit after to be worthy of File-leaders places they are to draw them up between the figure 1 and the figure 4 and between the figure 3 and the figure 2 and that rule to observe in both armes and to be carefull to place good Souldiers in the Reere and such who may be able Souldiers for Halfe-file-leaders because there may be much occasion by doublings to bring them up for to assist the Front Thus much I do confesse may be sufficient forthe present to give directions to the Serjeants for drawing up the Files and joyning them together Next after I have shewn how to flank their Pikes with Muskettiers I will set forth unto them and the Drums where their places are upon a stand and where to be upon a march Next followeth to flank the stand of Pikes with the Muskettiers command the Gentlemen of the Pikes to face to the right and left half-ranks of Muskettiers to Face to the left and then to march and interchange ground facing after to their leaders and closing Files inward to order they will stand as underneath is set forth If it should happen as somtimes it doth for a Company to be very large as in a Collonels why then they may have just cause to have foure Serjeants as I have thus placed them But here again it will be expected of diverse Souldiers to shew some reasons for the placing of the Serjeants being thus drawn up and upon a stand which I shall endeavour fully for to doe after I have set down where their places are upon the march Now before we shall come to treat of the Company upon their long march the Captain perceiving for his most conveniencie of marching in the street or in a lane that it will be convenient to divide his Muskettiers into equall divisions for their march and therefore according to this number here set down they may be divided into foure divisions that is to say two to march in the Van and two in the Reer and two divisions of Pikes But before they are moving it is the Serjeants duty to come unto the Captain to be informed from him where their proper places are to march and what divisions each of them shall lead and likewise so the Drums to know their places where to beat upon the march To answer to them all in the first place the Captain ought to give directions to his youngest Serjeant to lead the second division of Muskettiers in the Van the first division of Pikes being led by the â—nsigne he commands the second for to be led by his second Serjeant and after orders or appoints the eldest Serjeant to lead the first division of Muskettiers of the Reer-guard and the third Serjeant to lead the last division of Muskettiers the Lieutenant bringing up the Reer and Drums commanded to fall in behinde the two first Ranks of each division and to beat between the second Rank and fourth Having thus stated to them all their proper places next it will be convenient for the Captain to command them to shoulder their Arms both Pikes and Muskettiers and the Officers and Drums taking all their places as before directed they may begin to move and draw forth into a long March as followeth CHAP. XXIII Severall reasons given for the placing of the Serjeants after this manner WHen a Body is drawn up in manner as before expressed the Captain being Commander in chiefe his discretion is to ballance the Officers as neer as he can with equall dignity and worth his Front proportionally with the Reer To which purpose he takes unto himselfe the youngest Serjeant and places him on the right Angle in the Front whereby he may be there ready to march down into the Body or elswhere according unto the discretion of the Captain to fulfill his commands as also to stand there as a Spectator of the Captains actions and an assistant which may be much improvement to him And in like manner he commands the third Serjeant to the left Angle in the Reer as being the second youngest and may be a help unto his Lieutenant there as the fourth is to him in the Front The eldest Serjeant he orders to the left Angle in the Front as being the most honourable place for him being there ready to lead upon a march the Van of the Reer-Guard the second Serjeant he is appointed to stand on the right Angle of the Reer to make them equall in dignity unto the Front Now if you please to examine the dignity of the Serjeants in the first place as the first Serjeant and the fourth making the number 5 and after take a view of the second place or Reer and there you shall observe that the second Serjeant and third may every way ballance themselves to be equivalent in the worth with the first and fourth carrying with them a like the same number So that it is cleerly evident that the Serjeants are rightly stated in number and dignity the Front proportionably with the Reer in the judgement of any knowing Souldier Something more may be spoken of the second Serjeants place which you may take notice in his March to lead the second Division of Pikes which is the most honourablest place of leading that is appointed forth unto the Serjeants the first only excepted and upon a Stand when they shall lead up their Divisions every Serjeant is to be take him unto his place as they were at first placed and to continue there untill such time they shall receive further order from their Captain Thus much I conceive may give satisfaction unto the discreet Souldier in these perticulers leaving them liberty to judge according unto their own best thoughts while we endeavour to draw up our Divisions all a Brest again and to make some description of a Body The Captain upon his March having attained some convenient place to draw up his Company makes Alt and commands the Serjeants to lead up their Divisions upon the left and causes the Muskettiers to open from the Pikes making sufficient intervalls for the Drums to beat two a Brest even with the Front the first two between the right hand File leader of Pikes and the Muskettiers upon the right the second two Drums doing the like upon the left And always the Captain ought to march his Company after this
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
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
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