essentiall f In legitimo duce quinque haec requiro Scientiam virtutem providentiam autoritatem fortunam Lips polit lib. 5. cap. 15. required in an officer namely Knowledge experience valour dexteritie c. To be under command for a time depresseth those vehement passions which nature exciteth especially in young men which would be very dangerous in a chief or commander Moreover it accustometh a man to danger and g Scientia rei bellicae dimicandì nutrit audaciam Veg. lib. 1. c. 15. maketh him couragious so as being suddainly assailed he can recollect himself without astonishment a most necessary thing in a commander Adde to this that by using himself to travell and labour watching hunger thirst rain and frost and by h Mars is therefore called Gradivâ—â— as Festus hath it quia gradatim per ordinèm militatia officia distribuenda sunt And that this was the constant practise of antiquitie is most apparent Rufus diu manipularis dein centurio mox castris prafectus Tacit. lib. 2. c. an orderly ascent by degrees from a Corporall to a Quartermaster from thence to a Cornet and so to a Lieutenant he prepareth himself for a Captains charge He learneth the trick of entertaining his souldiers and to keep them in good affection and reverence towards him He knows their severall dispositions and sufficiencies and accordingly entrusteth them with employments Honour must be his chief end to attain which he must be very vigilant not to lose i Occasio in bello ampliùs solet juvire quà m virtus Veg. lib. 3. cap. 26. any occasion of any brave exploit by which means he will be alwayes observing his enemy studying how to prevent him or endammage him alwayes bearing in mind this maxime That in warre no great or remarkable matter can be effected without danger and diligence To this end let him be sure to take heed that he k Qâ—id fieri debeat tractato cum multis quid verò facturus sit cum paucissimis ac fidelissimis vel potiùs ipse recum Veg. lib 3. cap 26. trust not too much to his own judgement and valour without acquainting his officers with his counsels And let him so know the severall inclinations and sufficiencies of his souldiers as to take particular notice of such as deserve well and to reward them accordingly and to rid himself of base and debauched fellows and cowards He must alwayes aspire in way of l For this Caesar recordeth a memorable example in Pulfio and Verenus lib. 5. cap. 19. virtuous emulation to higher degrees of honour m Sit celso adversùs pecuniam animo Plutarch in Philop. Covetousnesse he must hate for nothing will better continue his souldiers good affections towards him then liberalitie Gaming he must detest n Philopoemenes pubem ad se armandum impulit deinde delicias luxum eorum optimè invertit Omnes inflammavit ut quotidianis repressis in corpus sumptibus gestâ—ent in militari bellico ornatu ostentare se splendidos Profusio impensa in hujusmodi res rohorat animum extollÃtque Plutarch in Philop. In stead of costly apparell let him delight in good arms and horses wherein oftentimes both his life and honour consisteth He must be continent and sober not given to luxurie nor o The States edict of Marshall law provideth that such as in their drunkennesse shall commit any offence shall not therefore be any way excused but the more severely punished Art 67. drunkennesse but alwayes be as a good example to his souldiers for otherwise he cannot have that requisite libertie to chastise them for those vices Which his own conscience will accuse himself to be guiltie of Above all let him set before his eyes as the originall and foundation of all perfection the fear of God carrying himself so farre as may be internally and externally inculpable For the horrour of a guiltie conscience and the imminent danger and apprehension of death meeting together take away all courage and valour And thus having reformed himself he shall the more easily reform his souldiers and make them fit for every honourable enterprise CHAP. II. Of Officers in particular Of the Generall of horse TOuching the particular officers the p Iphictates resembled an army to a mans body calling the heavy armed the body the light armed the hands the horse the feet and the Generall the head Plutarch Generall of the horse as being one of the principall Chiefs of an armie must be a souldier of extraordinary experience and valour having in charge the nerve of the principall forces and on whom the good successe of many designes and actions dependeth as being most usually executed by the Cavallrie especially in battels where the charging of the enemie in good order usually giveth victorie and contrarywise the q Witnesse the battel of Gembloâ—rs described by Meteren lib. 8. where the Infanterie is overthrown by their own horse So did the Burgundians Les hommes d'armes Bourguignons rompirent leurs propres Archers Phil. de Comines lib. 1. cap. 3. disorders of the Cavallrie often disturb and disband the whole armie The Generall of the horse was wont to supplie the place of Lieutenant Generall of the army and in the Lord Generalls absence to command the whole armie True it is that the Lord Marshall forasmuch as he giveth the orders used to have some superioritie of command according to the opinions of some whence it cometh that the Lord Generall absenting himself from the armie used to take along with him either the Generall of horse or the Lord Marshall to avoid the occasions of competition It is his office to take particular notice not onely of the Captains and officers but also of those private souldiers which are carefull and punctuall in their service r Perserutaberis qui se in billo strenuè gesserint illisque idoneos â—onores habebis ignavos autem quo par est supplicio constâ—mges Leo. Tact. cap. 16. rewarding and Å¿ Monsieur de la Nolle reporteth that in his time in the regiment of Colonel Pedro de Pas consisting of 23 companies of Spaniards there was more then 1200 crowns a moneth given for extraordinary services and signall acts Whence he draweth this observation Qui est un bon tesmoignage quil estoit rempli d'hommes valeureux Discourse Polit. Milit. honouring them in publick when they perform some signall act and advancing them to offices without partialitie On the other side t Omnes culpas lâ—gibus vindicet nulli errantium credatur ignoscere Veg. lib. 3. cap 10. he must chastise delinquents and such as are wanting in their endeavours by which means he shall be reverenced and loved of good men and feared of such as are bad It belongeth to his care that the Cavallrie be in good equipage and fitted with all necessaries requisite And that the companies being to march be provided of nags without which the souldiers can hardly preserve their
horse of service by reason that with them they must go to forrage for want of bidets or nags after their march and presently enter into guard in the armie or quarter without any rest to refresh their horses He is not to suffer the Captains either to make officers or to absent themselves from their companies without his leave and approbation He hath his officers apart and in that which concerneth the Cavallrie neither the Lord Marshall nor Lord Generall himself useth to dispose of any thing without his advice If he passe among the quarters of Cavallrie or Infanterie his trumpets are to sound but not where the Lord Generall lodgeth or where he is in person When he commandeth in the armie in absence of the Lord Generall upon occasion of fight his place is in the battel that he may be able to give order to all He hath usually a companie heretofore of lances to lodge with him and to serve him as his guard having usually six souldiers or more of his companie attending on him u Of Cesar it is said Dubium cautior an audentior Suet. A good Commander should rather look behind him then before him said Sertorius Plutarch in Sertor He should not resolve upon any enterprise unlesse he first consider seriously of all that might happen that so propounding to himself greater difficulties in the action then in effect they be he may prepare remedies surpassing all the said difficulties it being a benefit not to be expressed to be able to x Temeritas praeterquam quòd stulta est etiam infelix Livius 22. foresee with good judgement those things which might succeed in the uncertain and variable accidents of warre Especially he must be y Intentus sis ut neque tuae occasioni desis neque suam hosti des Ibid. ready in execution for suppose a determination never so well grounded yet it may prove vain and hurtfull if it be not executed with requisite promptitude CHAP. III. Of the Lieutenant Generall of horse THe charge of the Lieutenant Generall of the horse hath ever been held of very great importance and therefore must be supplied by a person of great experience and valour one that must be very carefull and diligent because he usually marcheth and lodgeth with the Cavallrie For which cause he ought to be well versed in the opportunitie of the wayes upon occasion of meeting the enemie in marching a Erat Philopoemen praecipua iâ— ducendo agmine locisque â—â—piendis soleâ—tiae atque usus Nec belli tâ—ntum temporibus sed etiam in pâ—ce ad id maximè animum exercuerit Vbi uer quopiam faceret ad difficilâ—m transitu saltum venissâ—t contemplatus ab omni parte loci naturam cùm solus iret secum ipse agitabat animo cùm comitâ—â— haberet ab iuquaerebat si hostis eo loco apparuisset quid si à fronte quid si à latere hoc aut illo quid si à â—â—â—go adoriretur capiendum consilii foret T. Livius dec 4. lib. 5. He must alwayes have his thoughts busied about the motions of the enemie discoursing with himself from what part they might shew themselves with what number of men whether with Infanterie or not in how many houres they might come upon him from their armie or garrison and whether they might present themselves in a place of advantage that so it might be prevented as need should require He must also advisedly choose commodious places for the quarters or lodgings providing good guards causing the highwayes to be scoured or discovered placing men on those passages where the enemie might make head not neglecting to send out rounders and omitting no diligence to secure the quarter in which the Cavallrie findeth it self exposed to greater dangers then can befall it any other way especially being lodged without Infanterie He must also procure to have spies not onely in the enemies armie but also upon their frontiers to penetrate their designes and intentions omitting no inventions which may stand him in stead to avoid inconveniences knowing that diligence is the mother of good fortune b Cui enim tantae poteilaâ—is insignia tribuâ—ntur cujus fidâ—â— atque virtuti possessorum fortunae tutela virium salus militum reipublicae creditur gloria non tantion pro universo exercitu sed etiam pro singulis contubernalibus debet esse solicitus Veg. l. 3. cap. 10. His particular care is to see that the Captains wrong not their souldiers that they keep their companies in good state and well armed and that themselves and their officers do their endeavours and observe good order and discipline Towards the souldiers he must be no lesse affable and ready to heare them willingly in their just complaints and to help them in their necessities then rigorous in punishing He should also himself being free from covetousnesse give order to others to use no c Extortions of divers kinds are punishable with death by the edict of Marshall law published by the States of the united provinces Artic. 41. extortion whereby the countrey is ruined and the souldier made odious to the prejudice of the Prince his service it being evident that too great a liberty of the souldiers produceth nothing but very bad effects Upon divers occasions of sending a good part of the Cavallrie to divers places the charge is given to the Lieutenant Generall not onely of the horse but also of the foot which accompanie them according to the occurrences for which cause he must also know how to command the Infanterie In absence of the Generall the whole weight resteth upon him and to him are the orders sent from the Lord Generall or Lord Marshall and to him as Chief reports are made of all the occurrences of the Cavallrie He may sequester a Captain from his companie upon just cause and demerit but cannot restore him without order from the Generall who first gives notice thereof to the Lord Generall He was wont to have a companie of lances which usually were lodged near his person whereof foure souldiers alwayes attend him When he passeth by the quarters of Cavallrie the trumpets sound but not in the Generalls quarter or where he is When the Generall of horse commandeth the whole armie and therefore takes his place in fight in the battel the Lieutenant Generall placeth himself in the vanguard of the Cavallry where otherwise the Generall useth to be CHAP. IIII. Of the Commissarie Generall THe Commissarie Generall commandeth in the absence of the Lieutenant Generall and therefore must be a man of great experience This charge was first instituted by Don Ferrand de Gonzagua afterward continued by the Duke of Alva and confirmed by the Duke of Parma and so remained He must be vigilant and carefull to appease dissentions which grow among the souldiers as he which dealeth most with them He is to send and distribute the orders and keep a The Romanes were very exact in keeping records and lists
to take some Sentinell or some disbanded souldier in some of the houses thereabout And because it well may fall out that after the taking of some prisoner the troop shall be charged by the enemie the Chief which must be valiant d How abundant Antiquitâ—e was in stratagems all their histories testifie Frontine a man of consular dignitie among the Romanes hath written foure books of stratagems being collected out of divers authors Greek and Romane and yet many by him let slip as himself acknowledgeth in praefatione ad lib. 1. also Polianus In stratagems Hannibal is said to have excelled and abundant in resolutions and inventions of stratagems to make his retreat by some woodie place shall send or first there leave them foure of his best and best mounted souldiers with a Trumpet with order that when they see the troop coming charged by the enemie they shew themselves the trumpet sounding For it being an usuall thing in militarie courses to go and observe who they be which appear the enemie by this means makes Alto or a stand for fear of some embuscado which gives leisure to the troop to advance their retreat and the said foure souldiers may make their retreat either severally or together safe enough by reason of their good horses If the enemie be likely to come from divers parts the like number would be sent to each suspected place These should be sent before with the Quartermasters which go to make the quarters that so they might have two or three houres refreshment before they go to take intelligence If the armie be lodged in a very suspicious place after the first troop so sent out a second shall be sent but neither of them knowing of each others sending out If the armie be to march the next day the chiefs of the said troops must know towards what place the march is intended CHAP. III. Of the order of Marching THe Commissarie Generall grounding himself upon good informations is to give the orders in writing for the manner of marching as well of the souldiers as the baggage Every Captain is to receive his written directions overnight that so the signe given he may appear at the Rendez-vous in such rank and place as shall be commanded him a Epoi lodata consuetudine il dividar â—li esserciti in tâ—e squadroni cioè vanguardia Battoglia retroguardia che ogni gioâ—ngto si venga mutando Cataneo di fort cap. 8. Alternis dichus altera legio alterum coâ—nu praecedunt eadémque rursus sequuntur mutantes semper ordinem ut alternatim primi incedant Polyb. Every armie is divided into three parts The vanguard battel and rear That part of the armie which is most exposed to the enemie and that most usually is the front should be the best and therefore all chiefs desire the vanguard The manner therefore is for generall satisfaction that they which this day had the van to morrow have the rear and they which had the rear the battel So changing alternatively except the Lord Generalls guard consisting of two troops as Melzo hath it or the Generalls regiment according to C. Bingham which hath alwayes the vanguard And if the enemie should change place and from your front become to be upon your rear whereby the rear as most dangerous becomes most honourable that Captain which to day hath led the battaillon to morrow in stead of the vanguard may challenge the rear The scouts alter their course also and attend the enemies proceedings on the rear If occasion be in time of march to send out one or more troops for some service they are to observe the same orders But the armie being come to their quarter and occasion being to send out b When all or a good part of the horse are employed in some exploit without Infanterie it is called a Cavalcado Such was that when the States men surprised the castle of Crapoel in Limburg c. Meteren lib. 23. all or part of the Cavallrie upon some exploit that troop which first appeareth at the place of Rendez-vous shall be appointed by the Commissarie Generall who is to be there to the first place the second to the second place If two troops come together at the same instant they shall cast lots By this means every man desiring honour they will be the readier to appear in due time The same course shall be taken when the troops are to be sent upon some embuscado convoy or the like If the march be but of one day he which commandeth shall appoint the best experienced and ablest to lead c Others hold it much better to observe the same order in the dismarch which was used in the march so that companie which went out first comes in first who is to be in the rear returning back to the quarter And these may have private order to be at the place of Rendezvous sooner then the rest to avoid jealousies The vanguard battaillon and rear must be divided from each other 300 paces CHAP. IIII. Of Scouts or Discoverers TO be secured from unexpected assaults of the enemie neither the armie nor the Cavallrie alone no not a companie must march without a These the Romanes called exploratores or speculatores See Veg. lib. 3. cap. 22. Nè secreta noceant ducis praestat industria quem â—mnia prâ—â—s convenit explorare Idem lib. 3. c. 6. discoverers which must be sent out not onely by the direct way where the enemie is like to come or you are to march but to scoure all the by-wayes on either side And sometime the first discoverers are seconded by a second companie to secure the march They that shall be employed in this service must be choice men valiant vigilant and discreet such as neither fear nor misconceit can easily distract They must see that with their own eyes which they inform the least errour of theirs misleading the whole bodie Those select men appointed for this service are to be b P. Considiâ—â— qui rei miliaâ—â— peritissimus habebatur in exerciui L. Sylla postea in M. Crassi fuerat cum exploratoribus praiâ—tâ—itur Câ—es Comment lib. 1. cap. 5. led by an able officer it being a task so difficult that many have lost that reputation by it which they had been long in gaining of This officer shall send word of what he discovereth and what he seeth not himself he is to signifie it as so reported to him and having seen it then to certifie it as for certain CHAP. V. Of the order of marching by day THe a Omni curâ omnÃque diligentiâ providere debei dux nè proficiscens pâ—â—tiatur meursum vel si non facilè at sine damno â—â—pellâ—t illâ—um Veg. ibid. march must be so ordered as the companies may readily from that order be brought into a good form of battel upon occasion of a sudden charge The Cavallrie supposed to consist of 40 troops and the
6. The Divided The Lunarie as he makes it and the figure Fig. 8. Part 4. cap. 8. sheweth it is good and indeed better then that of Basta but is improperly called the Lunarie form for it is rather a Hollow or Open-fronted wedge like Aelians e De instruend acieb cap. 36 Coelembolos His Checquer is as the forementioned and allowable His Broad-fronted is also not to be rejected His Embowed which by the name should be a Convex half moon like f Which the Latine translation termeth Acies incurva Aelian cap. 47. Aelians Cyrte he maketh a meer wedge The form is not the worse though the name be not so proper The Sharp-pointed in regard there is but one troop in front and that seconded but by two troops on the rear angles then but one troop again seconded as the first seemeth not to be so good as the former because it bringeth few hands to fight and is very subject to be g Whereof Aelian sheweth the inconveniences cap. 50. overwinged or overfronted by the enemie and so to be charged on the flanks The Divided especially at so large a distance I hold to be dangerous True it is that here the Dragons are used as foot but whether so single and so extended an order be the best for them to be placed in I referre to the judicious Now concerning these six kinds of battels they are in deed and in effect but two that is the Checquer and the Lunarie as he calleth them and from these grounds the rest be formed But these forms being onely imaginarie and withall wanting that perfection in many respects which is required in reall battels I shall now to give fuller satisfaction to such as are lovers of militarie knowledge communicate some forms of embattelings which never yet were published by any These are true delineations of divers battels really ordered and performed by the absolutest Commanders of our times according to the exactest rules of art and such as experience hath approved to be fittest for the modern warres For the better understanding whereof I have thought fit first to put down these directions following All the forces of the whole armie both horse and foot are usually distinguished and divided into h So did the Romanes the Vanguard they called Cornu dexirum the Battel Acies media and the Rear Cornu sinistrum as is shewed by Sir Cl. Edmonds upon Caesars Com. lib 1. cap 7. Observ 1. out of Lipsius de milit Rom. lib. 4. and is handled at large by Leo the Emperour Tact. cap. 18. three parts namely the Vanguard Battel and Rear as hath been shewed Part 2. Chap. 3. Each of which parts is governed by its particular Officer or Chief yet so as the absolute command belongeth to the Generall These distinctions are alwayes so understood in the order of marching to avoid disputes about precedencie so as they which march formost are said to have the Vanguard they which march in the middle the Battel and they which come last the rear And these divisions alter their names according to the place they march in wherein they observe a diurnall change as hath been shewed in the chapter above mentioned But if we shall take the meaning of these words according to their proprietie and usuall acceptation in matter of fight or battel conceiving that that part of the armie which is called the Vanguard shall give the first charge and that which is called the Battel shall give the second charge and the Rearward the last it will prove a meer mistake For we are to know that the first charge must be given by the first troop or foremost orders of companies which are in front placed as in one rank extended from the one front-angle of the whole armie to the other and so it were impossible for them to be commanded or directed by one Commander or Chief of one particular squadron of the armie by reason of the large extent thereof for we see that the front of the armie embattelled before Dornick Figure 14. which was farre inferiour to that of late employed at the siedge of the Bossch took up i Six foot make a fathom 100 fathomes a furlong seven furlongs and a half a mile Five foot make a pace 10â—0 paces make a mile 6380 foot of ground being in their close order prepared for fight which is above a mile and a quarter of our measure Besides if the Vanguard as it is called should give the first charge the Battel which then must second them may chance to be of a nation not onely differing from the Vanguard but at variance with them or else some grudge or disgust between the Chiefs And in that respect they might either neglect or slacken the seconding or relieving of those of the Vanguard and not use that diligence which is required In consideration therefore of these and other inconveniences it is best that every squadron of the army be so ordered as each of them may have their first second and third troops by which means every division shall both be commanded by their own Chiefs and shall also be seconded by those of their own squadron or division which will give them the more courage and assurance The manner therefore for the ordering of an army for battel is as followeth That squadron which is called the Battel is placed in the middle the Vanguard on the right hand of it and the Rear on the left and all these usually in one front and single order one regiment or sometimes one company especially among the horse as Figure 10. flanking the other as in Figure 12. From hence the first troop of every division is drawn up and placed in an even front or straight line from one angle of the body to the other At a convenient k Usually 300 foot distance behind these the second troop of every squadron is placed in an even rank as the former but so as the l The Romanes also ordered their battels in three divisions or troops viZ. their Hastati Principâ—s and Tâ—â—tarit The first were called Acus prima and these were the Hastati which were to give the first charge At a distance behind them were the Principes placed whâ—ch were called Acies secunda these were so ordered with spaces or intervalles that the Hastati being put to retreat might fall back into these spaces and the Principes might advance to give the second charge without disturbing each other The third troop Acies tertia were the Triarii which were placed behind the Principes observing therein such intervalles as before mentioned Vide Livium lib. 8. Lipsium de milit Rom. lib. 4. ubi etiam Aciâ—i Iconismus first troop which are to give the first charge being to retreat and this second troop to advance they disturb not each other for which reason convenient spaces are left in the first order or troop for the second to come up into The third troop is placed
of their forces watches duties payes c. Quotidianas etjam in pace vtgiliaâ— item excubitum sive angarias de omnibus centuriis contubeâ—niis quae vicissim milâ—tes faciunt ut nè quis contra justinam praegravetur aut alicui prastetur immunitas nomina eorum qui vices suas facerunt brevibus inferuntur Veg. lib. 2 cap. 19. record of the lists of the guards convoyes and other services He is to go every evening to receive the orders and the word and having given it to the Generall and Lieutenant Generall he is to give it to the Quartermaster Generall that he may distribute it Sometime he hath a companie of harquebusiers given him in acknowledgement of his merit not as annexed to his place In all actions he is of singular use entrusted especially with the execution of the orders In appointing the lodgings or places in severall exploits he must be free from partialitie and such as at this time have cause of discontent he must make amends the next that so they may see it was of necessitie not of partialitie His place is of very great use and importance as will appear throughout this discourse CHAP. V. Of the Quartermaster Generall THe Quartermaster Generall must be a man of great dexteritie and diligence and well experienced in Cavallrie a This officer among the Romanes was called Prafectus castrorum Ad quem castrorum positio valli fossae destinatio pertinebat Tabernacula vel casa militum cum impedimentis omnibus nutu ipsius curabantur Veget. lib. 2. cap. 11. It is his office to appoint the lodgings or quarterings wherefore he must well know the countrey the villages and places where to place the corps-du-gards and sentinells and what wayes must be scoured He is to keep a list of the guards convoyes cavalcadoes or exploits by horse c. He must visit the guards and sentinells by day and night and must shew the allarm-place to the particular Quartermasters when they go to him in the evening to receive the word He must by b Itineraria non tantùm adnotata sed etiam picta habeat ut non solùm consilio menris verùm aspectu oculorum viam profecturis locúmque castris idoneum eligat Ibid. lib. 3. cap. 6. maps or otherwise be well informed of the countrey knowing the qualitie and bignesse of every village and their distance one from another obtaining from the Marshall of the field some one of the countrey to inform him He must be true in his reports and if any order for haste be given him by word of mouth himself must go and deliver it and not trust it to others On the Spanish side in the Low-countrey warres the Quartermaster Generall hath two assistants allowed him to help to discharge the travells of his office but on the States side that service is performed by the particular Quartermasters CHAP. VI. Of the Captain SInce that the a So Melzo and Baila testifie and complain of it in their writings Captains places have been disposed of by the Prince as the Captains in Flanders are appointed at the Court of Spain there are grown these two inconveniences upon it First young and unexperienced gentlemen are made Captains Secondly many good souldiers are lost which seeing their hopes of advancement by degrees and merit cut off abandon the service Whereas the charge of a Captain of horse is of so great importance and qualitie in the army as it should not be given to any but to men of singular valour and experience for often it falleth out that of themselves without orders or counsel of any other as occasion requireth they must execute services of great weight and consequence b Dux itaque vigilans sobrius prudens c. Veg. lib. 3. cap. 9. Sit agilis magis ad faciendum quà m ad loquendum paratus qui suos ad disciplinam retineat ad armorum exercitia cogat ut bene vertiâ—â— sint ut arma omniâ—m defricentur aâ— splendeant Cum admiratione equum posâ—nt asscendere equitare fortissâ—â—è conto scunter uti ad omnia cruditi qua equestrâ— puâ—â—a deposcit Veg. lib. 2. cap. 14 He must be vigilant sober continent modest in his apparell curious to have good horses and arms thereby to give example to his souldiers and to see them punctuall in their service and exactly observant of discipline for their excursions and extortions cannot be remedied unlesse the Captain keep them in order wherein if he be negligent he looseth his reputation with his superiours If he be covetous or given to gaming he is ready to be drawn to lay hands oftentimes on the pay due to the souldiers whereby he also overthroweth his reputation and credit A covetous desire of riches should not enter into a generous heart He must diligently and punctually observe the orders which shall be given or sent him from his superiours and be in the place at the appointed houre with his companie and others under his charge On all occasions he must be first on horseback and keep his company full and compleat He must alwayes strive by desert to advance himself to higher places alwayes studying how to endammage his enemy to this end he ought often to c Praecipua res titilitas ducis est ut adhibitis 〈◊〉 universo exercitu scuntibus viris de suis hollium còptis sapius tractet c. Veg. lib. 3. cap. 9. consult with his best experienced souldiers He must endeavour to know every one of his souldiers by their d Sciat etiam si potest fieri nominatim qâ—is comes quis tribunus quis domesticuaâ— quis contubernaâ—is c. Ibid. cap. 10. names that so he may distinctly name them upon occasion of employment it being an encouragement to them to be known by name of their Captain Whatsoever should befall he must e Nam necesse est ad fugam parati sint qui ducem suum sentiant desperare Veg. lib. 3. cap. 22. take heed of discovering any fear on whose courage and countenance the souldiers depend and must alwayes shew a good resolution in the orders which he shall give without confounding himself knowing that there is no place for counsel in him who hath his discourse of reason seazed by fear He must f Serenâ—os viros muneribus honorabis c. Ità enim fiet ut majori fortiorique animo sint qui dimicabunt Ubi enim honores pramia habentur bonis supplicia poena afferuntur malis ibi bonam spem habebit exercinus Leo Tact. cap. 16. cherish his well deserving souldiers and cashiere the contrary and it must be his care to have one or more of his souldiers well g Tuum hostium exercitum locorum situm naturam regionis nosce Liv. 22. skilled in the wayes of the countrey to serve him as guides because the boots are neither alwayes at hand nor alwayes to be trusted and to such he is to
in the first rank of horse But Walhausen placeth the Lieutenant next after the Trumpeters before the Cornet all others place him as he ought to be in the rear Flamin de la Crote would have them march in foure divisions and every Corporall to lead one but this the Corporalls being leaders of files disordereth their ranks I follow that order which is prescribed to be generally observed by the councel of warre to march they are to be divided into 3 equall parts and each of these is called a squadron according to the number of the Corporalls and these are distinguished by the names of the Captains Lieutenants and Cornets squadron The first squadron to be led by the Captain the second by the Cornet the third by the eldest Corporall The Lieutenant and Quartermaster are to come in the rear And when they come to be exercised or to do service the Captains squadron stands and the other squadrons sleeve up on the left hand and so they become a Battalia As for their marching in grosse that comes to be spoken of in the next part The second Part. Of Marching THE ARGUMENT HAving shewed in the first part how the Cavallrie is to be levied it followeth now to speak of their manner of marching a matter of no small a Plura in itineribus quà m in ipsa acie solent contingere pericula Nam in conflictu armati sunt omnes hostem cominus vident ad pugnandum animo veniunt praeparatâ— In itinere minùs armatus minúsque attentus est miles superveniente impetu velfraude repentè turbatur Veg. lib. 3. cap. 6. consequence in the well ordering whereof oftentimes especially upon occasion of sudden charges the safetie of the troops or of the whole armie consisteth For the orderly handling whereof I purpose to direct my discourse to these 3 heads 1 the knowledge of the wayes and discoverie of the enemies designes and residence 2 The conducting of the troops to their Rendez-vous and their orders 3 The particular distribution of the whole train upon the way And the scouts or fore-runners And how they are to march in an open or strait countrey by day or night CHAP. I. Of Guides FOr the knowledge of the wayes a a For want of good guides the late Prince of Orenge failed of an Aenslach or enterprise upon Bruges a citie in Flanders For when he had marched all the night himself and many other great personages often riding up to the horses bellies in waters he found himself within half an houres march of the place he landed at The day appearing frustrated the designe and caused him to dismarch re infectâ Mereren lib. 17. matter of great importance either to prevent the taking of one way for another in marching or in pursuing the enemie he having received the charge and flying by unusuall wayes the use of maps may somewhat help but being too generall is not sufficient And therefore the Waggon-master is to provide good guides of the inhabitants of those places where the march is to be which may be able to give certain and particular information concerning the b Dux locorum intervalla non solùm passuum numero sed etiam viarum qualitates perdiscat compendia diverticula montes flumina ad fidem descripta consideret high-wayes and crosse-wayes how many there be of them whether they be even large and free or straight hillie or impeached with difficult passages Also concerning ditches and rivers whether there be bridges or not And if there be divers wayes which is the most safe and shortest or most exposed to the enemies advenues or approches or most commodious for the baggage Whether there be requisite commoditie for the lodgings as forrage water c Insomuch as they may be able to know every hedge or ditch and all other particulars And that you may be assured of their fidelitie and the truth of their informations it is good to have them to be souldiers in pay or where they are not to take them of the c Ad hoc à prudentioribus locorúmque gnaris separatim debet universa perquirere veritatem colligere de pluribus boores or inhabitants as aforesaid from place to place keeping them separated from each other And if they differ either from the souldiers which serve for guides or from each other they must be confronted and by the mutuall consent of all the best way is to be resolved on These guides usually to prevent their running away which they will often do if they see an opportunitie of escaping are led bound d Eósque custodia mancipare additá poena ostentatione vel praenni c. Veg. lib. 3. cap. 6. or at least committed to the custodie of some souldier Recompence is promised them if they do their endeavour and punishment threatned if they direct amisse CHAP. II. Of Intelligence EVery good commander must have these two grounds for his actions 1. the knowledge of his own forces and wants knowing that the enemie may have notice thereof and therefore must he be alwayes studying for remedies if the enemie should come suddenly upon him 2. The assurance of the condition and estate of the enemie his commodities and necessities his counsels and designes thereby begetting divers occasions which afterward bring forth victories a M. Cato in Hispania quia ad hostium consilia aliâ vià pervenire non poterat jussit trecentos milites simul impetum facere in stationem hostium rapiúmque unum ex his in castra perferre incolumem tortus ille omnia suorum arcana confessus est Frontin Stratagem lib. 1. cap. 2. And because the commoditie of spies cannot alwayes be had some of the enemies men must be assayed to be taken from whom there may be drawn a relation of the estate of the adverse part and this exploit is called b The French call it prendre langue taking of intelligence a dutie of great importance whereon the deliberations which are to be taken do depend and also of much travell and danger To effect this an expert officer with 20 or 25 of the c Dux cum agmine exercitûs profeâ—turus fidelissimos argutissimòsque cum equis probatissimis mittat qui loca per quae iter faciendum est in progressa à tergo dextra leváque perlustrent nè aliquas adversarii moliantur insidias Ibid. Veg. best mounted stoutest and hardiest Harquebusiers or mixt of Cuirassiers and Harquebusiers according to Melzo with two Trumpets are to be employed These are to carrie with them some refreshment for themselves and their horses to that purpose retiring themselves into some wood or shadie place placing good Centinells upon trees If they find the enemie marching they shall follow him on either flank as opportunitie shall direct them or on the rear or meet him on the front assaying to take some that are disbanded or some forrager In the night they must approch the enemies armie assaying
countrey spacious is to be divided into two bodies of 20 troops apiece Melzo would have 3 troops of Harquebusiers in front of the vanguard which Basta and Walhausen are against because they are for the most part but ill armed These two divisions are to march in even front 150 paces divided Coming to strait passages the right wing is to march before the left The officers must suffer none of the baggage nor any other to intermingle with their troops The Captain of Harquebusiers which hath the vanguard or one of them in that division when the Cuirassiers have it b Praemittes etjam ad loca exploran la equites quesdam pâ—asertim si sâ—â—â—osa sint aut collibus aut montibus inclusa per quae tâ—â—nâ—un dum est c. Leo cap 9.38 must send out a Corporall with 15 horse and a good guide some league before whereof two shall be sent out directly before him two towards the right and other two towards the left c Casar exercitum per insidiosa itinera duxit nunquam nisi praespeâ—â— uâ— lo corum situs c. Sueton. Jul. to discover among the woods and valleys and to get intelligence at any dwelling houses or villages advising the Corporall of what they discover Who is from time to time to advise the chief which is to march at the head of the first troop After these 15 he is to send out 4 others led by a sufficient souldier to bring reports of what those 15 shall discover the rather because the enemie might come upon them upon the flanks after the first 15 were past The Captain of the Harquebusiers which hath the rear of the left wing must leave a Corporall with 15 horse a mile behind him Of these 15 two are to be some 12 or 14 score behind the rest to give notice if the enemie follow them in the rear d Illud vitandum nè alâ—u festinantibus al is tardiùs incedentibus interrumpatur acies aut certè tenuetur Veg. lib. 3. cap. 6. The Captain which leads in front must march so as the other troops must keep foot with him and passing over a bridge or narrow passage must make Alto so soon as he is over or in the plain leaving a souldier at the bridge or strait which shall give him knowledge so soon as the rear be past over or through e Quando per angustias aliquas aut per arduos aviósque montes profâ—cturusâ—s pramitte ex tuis qui juga montium loca ibi editissima occupent qui aduus angustos minùs patentes anticipent c. Leo Tact. cap. 9. 26. And if in these strait passages there be any advenues by which the enemie might charge you those must be prepossessed by Harquebusiers or Dragons alighting and keeping themselves upon some height or in some valley or behind some hedge or ditch to secure their flanks Every troop is to leave 100 paces distance between each other and are to suffer no baggage nor others to trouble them as abovesaid CHAP. VI. The order of marching by night UPon occasion of marching with all or part of the Cavallrie by night the companies are punctually appointed their places of march by written orders delivered to their officers Before the troops a Corporall with 12 or 15 Harquebusiers is to be sent by the space of half a league to discover and take intelligence at the houses whether there be any news of the enemie And passing by places which are at the enemies devotion some of them must have the language and feigne themselves friends the better to know what passeth Not long after these foure others are to follow as in the former chapter Besides a chosen troop of Cuirassiers are to be ready led by a Captain of speciall desert with order to a Capienda rebus in malis praeceps via est Seneca charge resolutely upon any adversarie and these are to march 150 paces before the rest The chief Commander is to march at the head of the first troop which followeth the said chosen troop of 60 Cuirassiers and with him one of the best souldiers of every troop to carrie the orders upon all occasions to their Captains sending before him foure of his ablest men to give him notice if the said select troop of 60 Cuirassiers charge the enemie which if it happen he shall cast his companie out of the way and charge the enemie on the flank and so the rest of the troops observing that they intermix not their troops The troops must not leave such distances between each other as in the day march unlesse they heare news of the enemies approch b Progredientes viam faciunt silentio quietè decenter omnes proprium ordinem asservantes Josephus of the Romanes manner of marching cited by Lipsius de milit Rom. lib. 5 14â— They must march with all possible silence At any by-way the first company must leave a souldier at the entrance thereof which shall be relieved or changed by the next company and so successively untill all be past Coming into open and champion places the officers shall draw up their troops and cause them to march in square bodies well closed having regard that none sleep The spare horses or pages must not march at the heads of the troops If the enemie charge the rear the chief officer in the rear shall cause the last company to face about and so the rest if need be but those companies which were in front must not come to the rear for avoiding of disorder and lest the enemy cunningly make an alarm in the rear when he meaneth to charge the front In the rear of all a Corporall with 15 horse shall march as above-mentioned with a guide The day being come the said 60 Cuirassiers shall return to their severall companies If the companies refresh themselves in the night they must not be suffered to unsaddle their horses nor disarm themselves The guides diverse of them must go before the troops whether on foot or on horse-back guarded by two souldiers which know the language and no other to speak to them c Interdum autâ—m imperita â—usticitas plura promittit credit se scire quae nescit Veg. l. 3. c. 6. These are diligently to observe them whether they seem doubtfull looking here and there as doubting of the way and thereof shall presently certifie the officer that he may call others to be assured CHAP. VII How the baggage is to march AS little baggage as possible may be must be conducted with the Cavallrie It is the Waggon-masters charge to order it for the march First the Generalls baggage is to march then the Lieutenant Generalls then the Commissary Generalls and so the other officers in their degrees The place of march is uncertain a Auuertendo ancora che tutti li impedimenâ—i artiglierie sempre camino da quelle parte che non sia volta verso al nemico Catanco c. 8. This agreeth
with Aelians directions c. 51. Impedimenta c. but alwayes it must be most remote from danger If the danger be in the front it marcheth in the rear c. The Waggon-master or with some the Provost must see that all march in their appointed place and disband not A company of Harquebusiers is to guard the baggage The horse-boyes march after the waggons and must not be suffered to march among the troops The third Part. Of Encamping THE ARGUMENT THe next part to be handled according to our former distribution is Encamping In the skilfull performance whereof the military prudence and good judgement of the Commander of an army chiefly appeareth And herein three things are principally considerable 1. In what place and by whom the quarter is to be made and how distributed 2. The manner of securing the quarter by guards sentinels discoverers spies c. 3. Of dislodging and the way how to perform it CHAP. I. Of making the quarters IN a Castra tuto semper facienda sunt loco ubi lignorum pabuli aquae suppetat copia Et si diutiùs commorandum est loci salubritas eligetur c. Veg. lib. 1. cap. 22 the choise of a fitting place for encamping or quartering regard must be had First to the commoditie of the souldiers Secondly to the situation to be able to resist the enemie For experience teacheth what benefit or losse an army may receive by a good or bad quartering and hereof histories yield a world of examples To lodge or encamp the Cavallrie a speciall care must be had of the commodity of water and where they may be under shelter for one cold or rainy night might ruine the Cavallrie nothing hurting a horse sooner then cold or wet By this means the souldier shall find forrage at hand and needeth not to go seek it abroad with his horse of service all not having nags When the horse be lodged in severall quarters two souldiers of every quarter attend the person of the Generall or the chief Commander to carry any sudden orders to their severall quarters But of such companies as are quartered near him b Unus ex omnibus manipulis imperatori in diem excubat Polyb. one is sufficient When all the Cavallry is lodged together the Lieutenant Generall Commissary Generall and Quartermaster Generall are usually lodged near the Generall for the better distributing of the Generalls orders The appointing of the quarters belongeth to the Commissary Generall and the Marshall by whose directions the Quartermaster Generall proceedeth It is fit for them to have some demonstration on paper of the place beforehand and to know the commodities and discommodities also advenues of the enemy wherein the guides can better direct them then the usuall maps which if not false are too generall When the Quartermaster Generall c Cùm verò appropinqua veâ—int ubi caâ—tra ponenda praeâ—unt Tribunus Centurionum illi qui ad hoc munus semper electi sunt c. Polyb. goeth before to make the quarters not onely the particular Quartermasters but also two souldiers of every company are to go with him which then go back again to conduct their respective companies to their assigned quarters especially in the night The Provost or rather the Waggon-master sendeth one of his men to take notice of the place for the lodging of the baggage who afterward conducteth him thither where he then assigneth the Sutlers or victuallers their quarter and causeth all carts or waggons to be removed out of the streets left an alarm be given CHAP. II. Of distributing the quarters GReat discretion must be used in appointing to every one such quarter as is a Pro gradu legionibus auxilus equitibus peditibus loca deputantur in casâ— is Veg. 3.8 fitting and conformable to the quality of his person and convenience of the place The best way to avoid suspicion of partialitie is that such as be ill lodged now be better accommodated the next time The market-place for the conveniency of all and for safetie is to be in the middle but so as no streets run through it leading to the Rendezvous or place of arms When the quarter is to be in some suspected place it should if possibly it could be made in the day time before the approch of the night that so the fittest place for the alarm place might be made choise of and also for the corps-du-guard also the better to discover and observe the approches of the enemy and to appoint the stands of the Sentinells that so the souldiers finding all things ready be not put to find out their lodgings in the dark with lighted straw in danger to fire the houses besides a Lieutenant with 25 Harquebusiers useth to be sent out before and to place themselves beyond the further side of the village where the quarter shall be placing Sentinells a good distance before them to prevent the enemies sudden approch on that part The best house must be appointed for the Generall as near the Corps-du-guard as may be the rest of the officers are to be accommodated in their order Every Captain must lodge among his souldiers The troops being come near to the quarter make Alto and receiving information by the Quartermaster Generall or one of the particular Quartermasters that the quarters are ready the Chief giveth license to the Captains to enter their quarters They which have the guard are to be conducted to the place by the Quartermaster Generall But if the army be encamped in the field the Cavallrie is to be quartered according to the b The Romanes manner of quartering or encamping is shewed in figure by Lipsius in his book De milit Rom. lib. 5. dial 4. Also by Sir H. Savile in his annotations upon Tacitus And by Sir Cl. Edmonds in his observations upon Cesars Commentaries lib. 2. cap 9. And described by Vâ—get lib 3. cap. 8. manner of quartering of a regiment c For the modern quarterings see S. Stevin his castrametation Also D. de Solemne and others represented in figure 4. part 3. chap. 2. And of the whole army in Figure 5. CHAP. III. Of the necessitie of securing the quarters NOthing sooner deceiveth an unexperienced Captain then to perswade himself that he is superiour in forces and in advantage of place and so farre distant from his enemie as he cannot or dare not assail him Upon which supposition the a Militibus ad capiendum cibum occuparis aut munera facienda dispersis faciâ—è nectuntur insidia Noctis obscuruas necessitas somni pascentium equorum dispersio occasionem supervenâ—nuâ—â— prastat Veg. lib 3.8 surprisings of quarters are often grounded it being no marvell that secure and disordered men should be assaulted by well ordered men and resolute among the Cavallrie especially where the souldier cannot arm himself without help his horse-boy nor himself being scarce themselves as but newly rouzed out of their sleep by the alarm can
hardly tell where to find bridle or saddle or light so as the enemy is upon their jacks before they can mount or at least unite themselves together These things oftentimes happen but are justly derided by good souldiers b Castrorum munitio curanta mihil enâ—â—â—equae tam salutare neque tam nâ—cessarium in venitur in bello Idem lib. 1. c. 21. and therefore all diligence must be used at all times as if the enemy were at hand ready to set upon the quarters every moment CHAP. IIII. Of the manner of securing the quarters ALl the diligences used about securing of the quarters seem onely to serve for the gaining of time a Subita conterrent hostes usitata vilescunt and that the enemy may not charge you on the sudden so as the souldiers have not convenient time to arm themselves mount their horses and assemble at the place of arms To effect this there is no better way then to b The Romanes manner of fortifications about their camps for security are fully described by Veget. lib. 1. c. 24. If the enemie were near all the army stood ready for battell to guard them which behind them wrought about the trenches And this was done by every century by turns every souldier becoming a pioner for the time Ibid. cap. 25. make sure the enemies approches If the quarter be in a suspected place the companies of Harquebusiers are to be quartered in the advenues of the village the Lances if any be and Cuirassiers in the middle At the entrances of all the streets either trees or c For a sudden defence of the quarter if being in a champain countrey destitute of any other it hath been usuall to enclose the quarter with waggons and carts So did the Helvetians now called Swissers as Cesar recordeth it Communt cap. 10. And to this purpose vide Veget. lib. 3. cap. 10. Persae imitantes Romanos ductis fossis castra constituunt quia arenosa sunt propt omnia saccos quos iâ—â—es pertavâ—rant 〈◊〉 pulverulenta quae effoditur terra complent â—orúmque câ—â—nulo aggerem faciunt Ibid. waggons are to be placed acrosse giving order to the Harquebusiers to guard those passages and that none of them mount on horseback without speciall order that so the rest may have time to assemble at the place of arms if the enemy come THis Regiment consisteth of foure troops of horse viz. two of Cuirassiers and two of Harquebusiers which Regiment containeth in breadth or front from A. to B. 700. foot and in depth or length from B. to C. 300. foot from A. to D. is 205 foot in breadth for one company of Cuirassiers which consisteth of 80 horse together with 80 nags which have five files of huts and five files of horse which Curassiers are quartered or lodged on the right hand of the Regiment From E to Z is 115 foot in breadth for a company of Harquebusiers which consisteth of 100 horse and it hath three files of huts and horses From A to G is the space of ground where the Collonell of the Regiment is lodged on the right hand of these foure companies and the said enclosure for the Collonel is 70 foot broad from A to G. From G to H is 40 foot in depth or length for the said enclosure for the Collonell and so are all the other enclosures of the Officers From H to I is 20 foot in breadth for the street between the Collonells Enclosure and the Enclosure for the Lieutenant and Cornet of the said Collonells company which are both lodged in one Enclosure marked I K which hath also 70 foot in breadth as that of the Collonel which Enclosure is divided into two parts The Lieutenant being lodged on the right hand and hath 40 foot in breadth for his Enclosure And the Cornet on the left hand with one of the Trumpeters having the other 30 foot in breadth of the said Enclosure which maketh 70 foot for them both From K to L is another street of twenty foot broad to the enclosure marked L M. L M is the enclosure where the Quartermaster is lodged with two other horsemen which he pleaseth to admit of which is 25 foot broad and 40 foot long as the rest Their hut within the said Enclosure being 12 foot square for them three and their stable is 25 foot broad for their six horses From M to N is 30 foot for the street between the Quartermasters enclosure and the first hutts for the horsemen marked N. From N to O is 180 foot for the quartering of the files of huts for the horsmen viz. for 16 huts and their 32 horses in a file agreeable to the Regiments of Infantery That so where the Regiments of Cavallry are to be lodged in the champaine ground among the Infanterie they might all make one and the same line before and behind the Regiments And through the said two Troops of Cuirassiers there be two streets marked P. which streets are of 13 foot broad and the huts of the horsemen are ten fort broad and 8 foot long for one horseman and his boy And between two huts there is two foot of space for the drain of rain water dropping from the thatch or covers of the huts These huts have their chief doores or passages towards the heads of their horses and a small one opening into the street where they lay their hay and straw every one behind his own hut Q are two streets of twelve foot broad which passe through the troops of Harquebusiers R is a street of five foot broad between the horsmens huts and the mangers for their horses S is ten foot for the Stables for their horses which horses are placed with their heads toward their huts and every horse hath 4 foot in breadth for his litter and 8 foot for the two horses according to the length of their huts And more ground then eight foot they must not take for otherwise it would cause a great disorder and confusion not observing the said precise measures T is a street of 20 foot broad between the heels of their horses in which street they mount and alight off their horses which street they are bound to keep clean and to carry away the dung every two or three dayes V is 30 foot in breadth for the street called the Victuallers or Sutlers street W are the Sutlers huts being ten foot square and more room they must not take unlesse when they have many Pensioners the Quartermaster give them a foot or two more in breadth but not in depth to observe the measure of 300 foot in the depth of the Regiment as the Infantery X is ten foot of ground behind the Sutlers huts for a place for the Sutlers the horsmen and their wives to dresse their victuals And in no other place of the Quarter must any fire be made Neither are they to cast any filth c. within the Quarter but to carry it to the place appointed thereunto
descry them the other shall go and tell the Corporall who sending word to the Corps-du-guard shall advance at large sending out two horses to take knowledge of the said Cavallry If there be some high tree near the place where the said Corporall stood he may thereon place a Sentinell and save the sending out of the said two Sentinels These horse shall be changed or relieved twice a day by those which have the guard If the enemy charge them they are to retreat to the said entrance and there to entertain the enemy till they of the guard can be ready upon the former notice given them and come to second them If all the Cavallry go to oppose the enemy the Captain of the guard shall have the vanguard If more companies then one be employed for guard that company shall have it near which the alarm was given Sometime it so happeneth as that the troops come to their quarter in the night and in ill weather so as the advenues cannot be observed nor fitting places for the guards nor Sentinels Then the Commissary Generall or the Generall himself is to go and appoint them as he shall judge most convenient appointing to every company ten souldiers of guard more or lesse as need shall require and commanding all to be in readinesse giving order to the Corps-du-guard as the onely remedy that if the enemy assail the quarter they go resolutely and charge him which besides the honour and reputation so gotten oftentimes proveth c Audaces fortis na juvas fortunate Some use to keep their souldiers awake to sound the boute-selle at midnight as if the enemy were at hand but that might prove more dangerous then profitable for after the first time it maketh the souldiers secure and carelesse Better it is that after two or three houres refreshing in such cases the companies be caused to go out into the champain every d Si sint iâ—tae cautelae nihil nocturni aut diurni superventus hostium nocere possunt Veg. lib. 3. cap. 10 souldier taking with him some oats and other refreshments placing the Corps-du-guards as shall be thought fit and not giving eare to the murmuring of the souldiers But if the weather be rainy and tempestuous such as that they must be under shelter every officer by certain houres shall divide the night and go from house to house knocking and calling to the souldiers causing them to saddle their horses A while after him another is to enter the houses and see every souldier armed and ready to mount punishing those that are sluggish The Quartermasters shall also by turns visit the quarters and guards The Chief himself is also to visit the souldiers calling to one and to another with a loud voice to make them the more attentive CHAP. VII Of the Sentinels SEeing a The Romanes manner of setting out of Sentinels and all that belongeth to the watch Vegetius sheweth lib. 3. cap. 8. that they of the guard cannot be alwayes on horse-back nor discover the enemy afarre off to prevent a sudden surprise Sentinels have been invented which every Corps-du-guard setteth out of those souldiers which have the guard These are usually placed b Nâ—cessariis locis ac temporibus non modò simplices verùm etiam duplices vigiliae constituendae sunt ut si quid alteram latâ—at ambarlatere non possit Leo Tact. cap. 14. 31. double that while one goeth to certifie the Chief of the Corps-du-guard what he hath heard or seen the other stayeth to observe new accidents which might happen They are placed where most high-wayes joyn to possesse all the advenues if they exceed not three hundred paces distance Nearer to the Corps du-guard there useth to be placed a single Sentinell to observe the motions of the other double Between these another single Sentinell sometime is placed when the double are somewhat further off to possesse some crosse way or when for some other hinderance they are not in view of him which may have both them and the nearest single Sentinell in view So that every Sentinell must know that he is onely placed there to certifie the Corps-du-guard of all occurrences so as though he were provoked by any advantageous occasion he must not stirre a foot or else he committeth a c That souldier which by day or night shall remove from the place where he was placed Sentinell by his Corporall before he be by him called away or relieved shall be punished with death without favour Edict art 28. Poena mortis apud Romanos illi qui locum deseruisset aut omnino fugesset exstatione Polyb. lib. 1. capitall crime While the one is gone to relate his observation to the Corps-du-guard if the second be forced by the enemie he shall by little and little retreat to the said Corps-du-guard No Sentinell must alight from his horse unlesse for naturall necessitie and then but one at once In the day time the Sentinells are to be placed on high places to discover the further but not on the high-wayes lest they be surprised by forragers or others of the enemie pretending to be friends he shall therefore keep a stones cast out of the high-way suffering none to accost him In the night if it may be they shall be placed in valleys because from thence one seeth best what cometh from the higher ground They shall suffer no person whosoever he be to enter or go out of the quarter but causing him to stand at 30 or 40 paces distance from them the one shall go and certifie his officer who d Since the Prince of Parma's time the Sentinells have not been trusted with the word by reason of a miscarriage at the siege at Tournay which the States men relieved by wresting the word from a Sentinell having the watch-word shall go and take notice of him and know his businesse in that place and at that time The Sentinells are to be changed or relieved after this manner The e The Romanes divided their night and so the day into foure watches every watch containing three artificiall houres which were unequall and planetary The first night watch ever begun at sunsetting the second continued untill midnight the rest accordingly Every Sentinell watched three houres and then was relieved In quatuor partes ad clepsydram sunt divisae vigiliae ut non amplius quà m tribus horis nosturnis necesse sit vigilare Atisbionâ—â— omnes vigilia commituntur finius horis à cornicme revocantur Veg. lib. 3. cap. 8. houre being come the Lieutenant parteth from the Corps-du-guard with that number of horse which are to stand Sentinell the one half of these he committeth to a Corporall or old expert souldier which goeth with him for the Cornet must not forsake his standard the other moitie he retaineth to himself This division made the Lieutenant with his troop goeth one way the Corporall with his the other encompassing the whole quarter each of them having a trumpet with
to appoint them their ordinary settled garrisons that so they may there leave their baggage and go into the field with the lesse incumbrance which will also make them the better skilled in the knowledge of the countrey and wayes If there be one troop or more of horse laid in garrison in some walled citie where the horse make no guard the Captain of each troop must alwayes keep one of his souldiers in the Corps-du-guard of the governour to give him notice of all occurrences of the enemies approches alarms c. Besides it is fit that a troop of horse having a frontier citie for their garrison should keep fifteen horse upon the guard if there be more companie then twentie five at least to be presently readie upon all occasions while the rest can prepare themselves And alwayes at the c Anno 1584. the town of Zutphon was taken and surprised by certain souldiers which by night had conveyed themselves close to the gates at the opening of which in the morning they violently rushed in and kept it till more supplie came Meteren lib. 12. opening of the gates every morning two or more horses are to be sent out to discover about whether there be any embuscadoes For the securing of your discoverers some ordinance is alwayes kept ready and untill they return none are to be suffered to go out of the gate If the countrey about the garrison be champain happily the enemie lying near may have an embuscadoe two or three leagues off And the better to draw you into it he may send out some horse the day before within sight of your garrison which returning the same way d Virtatus disposito per occulta milite paucos misit qui abigerent pecora Segobrigensium ad quae illi vindicanda cùm frequentes precurristint simulantesque fugam pradatores perseqâ—ereneur deducti in insidias caeisque sunt Frontin Strat. lib. 3. cap. 10. some driving cattel others carrying sacks c. may draw out some of your horse to regain their bootie whereby you might fall into their embuscadoe In such cases you must observe such cautelous diligences as shall be shewed in the e Part. 4. cap. 3. The like stratagems and embuscadoes have been practised in the late warres Anno 1599 Count Lodowick of Nassau by the like device drew the Count Busquoy one of his garrison of Sevenaer upon an embuscadoe where Busquoy himself was taken prisoner among others which cost him 20000 guilders ransome and the town it self taken Meâ—â—ren lib. 21. 433. chapter of embuscadoes If those which you shall send out to discover meet with no boores or that they come not to the garrison as they were wont it is a signe they are stayed by the enemies embuscadoe If an alarm be given in the night those souldiers which have the guard must presently mount their Chief must instantly send two one way and two another way to run about the ramparts of the place to take notice and to report wherefore the alarm was given if the rumour continue the rest are to run thither with all expedition But this diligence of keeping the horse at the Corps-du-guard is not of necessitie in such garrisons which lie within the countrey where there is no fear of surprises or scaladoes CHAP. XI Of Spies THe best and principall means for a Commander to avoid divers inconveniences and to effect many worthy designes are First a Nulla consilia meâ—â—â— sunt quùm illa qua ignora verit adversarius antequam facias Veg. lib. 3. cap. 26. Metellus Pius in Hispania interrogaâ— Quid posterâ die facturus esset Tunicam meam siâ—d â—loqia posset inqâ—â— combiererem Proâ—em Stratag lib. 1. cap. 1. Veteres Minotauri signum in legionibus habuerunt ut quemadmodum ille in intimo secretissimo labyrinâ—ho â—â—â—â—us perhibetuâ— â—tà 〈◊〉 consilium semper occultum esset Veg. 3. â— to be sure to keep his own deliberations and resolutions secret b Expâ—â—randum soli liè ut quid hostis moliatur in praesent vel in futurum possimus agnoscere Veg. lib. 3. cap. 6. Livius giveth Annibal this commendation Omnia ei hostinem haud secus quam sua nota erant lib. 22. For want of good intelligence many inconveniences have befallen divers commanders Semp. onnis as Livie reporteth having â—ought against the Eqâ—i till night pâ—â—â—ed them thinking himself beaten without further enquirie made towards Rome the Equs also deeming themselves overthrown withdrew their armie into their own countrey The same might be paralleled by divers modern examples for which I referre the reader to our modern historians Secondly to penetrate the designes and intentions of the enemy For which purpose it behoveth him to have good spies which must be exceeding well rewarded that so they may be the readier to expose themselves to all dangers The best and most assured spies are ones own souldiers which feigning some discontent for want of pay or otherwise enter into the enemies service and get themselves into the Cavallry as having best opportunity whether in the field or in garrison to give information Of these it is good to have many and in severall places the one knowing nothing of the other You are to agree with them of the place where they shall convey their letters as some tree gallows or other place easie to find where they also shall find yours giving them order to come in person when their advice is of great importance as if the enemy would fall upon a quarter surprise some place or attempt some other great enterprise There might also divers souldiers be daily sent disguised under severall pretences to observe what is done in the enemies leaguer when it is near The boors use also to serve for spies aswell women as men which being not much regarded nor suspected may have the freer accesse but these are not alwayes to be trusted neither are they so well able to judge of or to pierce into businesse and the lesse assurance and information is to be had by their relations There are also spies which are called double which must be men of great fidelity These to get credit with the enemy must sometimes give him true information of what passeth on the other side but of such things and at such times as they may do no hurt But these kind of spies cannot continue long without being discovered If it be possible such spies must be had as are entertained into domesticall service of the chief officers of the enemy the better to know their intentions and designes On the other side there must be exceeding great care taken to beware of the enemies spies which otherwise may do you as much mischief as you reap benefit by your own To remedy this inconvenience 1. Those which shall be discovered must be punished with extreme rigour which will be a means to deterre others which are or might be so imployed 2. Rogues vagabonds and idle persons must be chased out of
the leaguer 3. No officer is to enterain any unknown person into his service For oftentimes at table and otherwise things happen to be spoken which were more fit to have been kept secret 4. No stranger is to be lodged within the quarters by any officer or souldier without speciall license To this purpose a sudden c Cùm explorator hostium latenter oberrat in castris omnes ad tentoria sua per diem redire jabeantur statim deprehenditur explorator Veg. lib. 3. c 26. command useth to be published for every man to repair to his tent or cabin whereby the Provost takes such as are remaining in the streets which are made to give account of their businesse there 5. A means may be used to deceive the enemy by his own spies giving it out that you intend one thing and do a contrary also by seeming no way mistrustfull of the enemies drummes and trumpets which are often sent with some pretended message to heare and observe and letting fall some words which carry with them some probability in their hearing which they may take for truth 6. d Si speculatores hosttum ceperis nè uno eodémque modo illos tractaveris c. Leo Tact. cap. 17. Sometimes it is wisdome having discovered a spie in stead of punishing of him to tell him that out of a good Inclination to him in stead of severe punishment you desire to do him good c. by such baits they may become double spies And if you suspect any of your own souldiers it is best to dissemble it and to make much of them the better to discover them e Edict for Marshall laws Art 13. Lastly no drumme nor trumpet of the enemies is to be admitted into the leaguer but first to be stayed by the Sentinells of the Cavallry untill notice be given to the Lord Marshall and he give leave for their admission then they are to be committed to the provost Marshall which suffereth no man to speak with them The Lord Marshall having understood their message acquainteth the Lord Generall therewith that so a course may be taken for their dispatch Other wayes and means may be used for discovering and preventing of spies wherewith the ready f Solertia enim imperatoris ubi occasionem rerum gerendarum ceparit non in iis solum quae invente sunt consistis sel etiam muliò plura ac sape meliora excogitat Leo Tact. cap. 18. invention of a quick-spirited Commander will abundantly furnish him upon every occasion CHAP. XII Of dislodging FOr the manner of dislodging or removing of the Cavallry out of the quarter there are also necessary advertisements to be given All the Cavallry lodging together and order being given for their remove the Commissary Generall is to take notice of the precise houre and at the distributing of the word to the Quarter-masters he is to warn them to give notice thereof to their Captains which must be carefull to cause the a With antiquitie it was usuall to remove or dislodge by sounding the trumpet three times Leo c. 11. boutez-selle to be sounded when they heare the Generalls trumpets do it This useth to be sounded two houres before the time of departing and the A chevall when it is time to march Upon sudden occasions or for privacy no other warning is given but onely the b Tuâ—â—cen unus insoâ—uit mox alii pariter responderunt Dio. l. 17. Generalls trumpets sound and the rest take it from them If the Cavallry be quartered in severall places the Quartermasters coming for the word c Scipio tesseram vesperi per castra dedet ut ante lucem viri equÃque curati pransâ— essent armatus eques fraenatos terieret equos T. Liv. lib. 28. the evening before carry the orders to the Captains acquainting them with the just houre for their assembling at the generall Rendez-vous If the remove be sudden word is carried by one of the two souldiers which attend the Generall as is before shewed In suspected places they are to remove with all possible silence The Rendez-vous where the troops must assemble to be ready to march must be out of the village and free from hedges c. though it be somewhat the further off towards the place to which they are to march The company which hath the vanguard is to be first on their march towards the Rendez-vous the souldiers of every company assemble at their Cornets lodging who is to be first on horse-back and the d John Duke of Calabria is said upon all occasions to have been le premier homme armé de toutes pieces Phil. de Comines lib. 1. cap. 1â— Captain by his readinesse is to give a good example to his souldiers The greater part of the company being met the Captain is to advance towards the Rendez-vous The company which that day hath the guard must not stirre untill all be gone their Lieutenant going to the contrary side of the village remotest from the Rendez-vous to draw in his Sentinells All the troops and baggage being marched away the said company shall also march But if the said company be to march in the van or battaillon to save the travell of the horses to hasten to their place of march and the trouble of passing before the other troops it is best to commit that duty to the company of Harquebusiers which is to march in the rear of all Every Lieutenant when his company marcheth is to stay to reprehend or d How severe the ancients were in punishing of abuses may be seen in that example of Lucillius the Centurion who having broken a staff about the bones of one of his souldiers called for a second and a third after that for which he was called Cedo alteram among the factious souldiers Tacit. 1. Annal. Which severity of theirs wrought so good effects as Frontine reporteth that the Romane army being to encamp where a tree laden with fruit grew within the quarter it remained so laden and untouched when the army was dislodged Front lib. 4. cap. 3. severely punish such as stay behind especially doing it to pillage or for the like bad intent The Provost or his assistants are also to stay to see the fires put out and good order kept As the troops enter the Rendez-vous the Quartermaster Generall or some of the particular Quartermasters are to place them one after another in their due places according to the written orders leaving spaces for every company that is to come which after two or three dayes they can observe of themselves The companies entring the Rendez-vous must fit themselves as for fight The Captains must put on their casques so must the Cornets c. The Harquebusiers must place their Carabines on their thighs The Cuirassiers must hold their pistols in their hands the trumpets sounding untill all be come to their places If they be there to make some stay they may put
off their casques and a light a while with leave but must not omit to place Sentinells on some high places The fourth Part. Of Embattelling THE ARGUMENT OF all other military actions the a Acies si sapienter disponitur plurimum juvat si imperitè quanivìs optinis bellâ—tores sint malâ ordinatione franguntur Veg. lib. 3. cap. 14. chiefest is that of embattelling or ordering an army for combat which now in the last place I am to treat of The occasions of combat for the Cavallry are many and frequent sometime by a sole company sometime by more troops otherwhile by all the horse together of divers kinds upon differing accidents and those for the most part sudden and unexpected Since therefore no b Nulla ars minus habet stabilia praecepta quà m militaris ars adeò subita in bellis ingruunt pericula fortunae varietas dominatur Scipio Amiratus Dissert Politic. lib. 21. discours 2. rules nor directions can be so full and ample as to meet with all sorts of accidents my purpose is to aim at the chiefest and to shew 1. How to assail a quarter to give the charge in fight and to order embuscadoes by way of offence 2. How to do meeting with the enemy in marching and how to receive the charge by way of defence 3. How to order the troops in battell first by single companies apart secondly by all the Cavallry united in a grosse body CHAP. I. How to assail a quarter A Captain which is desirous to gain honour by some enterprise upon the enemy though much his superiour in strength hath a In mansione dormentibus opportunum praelium semper infertur cùm hoilis â—ùs interimatur quam praparare se possit Veg. Ibid. cap. 19. no better way then to assail him in his quarter To effect this he must have good knowledge of the village and the countrey thereabout and if he can by taking a little compasse charge him on the rear or on the flanks if there be any negligence in the quarter it is like to be on those parts If he cannot by other means get knowledge how their guards are kept and other duties either observed or neglected he may conjecture by the b Ad rem pertinet qualis ipse adversarius vel ejus comites sint nôsse utrùm temerarii an cauti audaces an timidi scuntes artem bellicam an ex usu temerè pugnantes c. Veg. lib. 3. cap. 9. qualities of their Chief whether he be a good souldier or not whether he be proud and hasty or that he be advised and deliberate for ignorance joyned with a naturall fury causeth a man to despise his enemy and to think it a disparagement to him as an argument of fear to use such cautelous courses in assuring his quarter especially knowing himself the stronger In the assailing of his quarter there are two things to be observed 1. To make your approches as near the village as possible may be 2. c In campis sparsis atque securis opportunum pralium infertur exceptis superventibus vel incursionibus repentinis ex occasione quam nunquam dux exercitatus amittit Veg. l. 3. c. 19. To hinder him from uniting his troops into a body Touching the first the first troop shall advance without any forerunners as secretly as may be and assoon as they perceive themselves to be discovered without losing a moment of time shall charge the Sentinells and enter the quarter with them and surprise the Corps-du-guard before they be able to mount on horse-back For the second there must be an exquisite observance of the orders given and not a man to disband Suppose the enemy hath 1000. horse and you but 500 you may fitly divide your forces into five troops The first having surprised the Corps-du-guard as before mentioned shall from thence passe to the market-place with resolution to sustain any resistance which they shall meet with The second troop perceiving the quarter invested shall follow upon the gallop closely united and finding no resistance shall possesse the alarm place and send some horse to run through the streets to keep the souldiers in and to hinder them from mounting on horseback The third shall come fairly on to the said place and so the fourth which leaving the third there firm shall hasten to the place where they heare the most noise then shall they alight and enter the houses putting to the sword what enemies they find The running of these horse through the streets hindering the souldiers to mount will surely make them think rather d Nec insequentium ullum periculum est cum victi quibus defendi poterant arma converterint in fugam Ibid. cap. 21. of escaping by flight through the gardens or otherwise then of resisting neither can there in such a tumult be good orders given or observed Therefore the fifth troop hearing the noise cease may conjecture there is no need of their help to take the village and so shall divide themselves into two parts and inviron the quarter on the outside to hinder the enemies flight on foot The horse-boyes may fire a house or two especially where the enemy shall endeavour to fortifie then as the souldiers to enter the houses to pillage and take prisoners c. Another way of assailing the quarter is this The enemies camp removing the Chief or Captain must labour to inform himself of the place where he purposeth to lodge that night and where the quarter for the Cavallry shall be which may easily be learned because overnight it is usually published or having good knowledge of the countrey he may conjecture it He must consider the number of his enemies horse and of his own and though he be inferiour by half as beforesaid yet may his enterprise take good effect if it be well carried He must fit the time so e Nam vel celeriùs vel tardius aliquo pervenire quam constitutum est propositum persape nostrum intervertit Leo Tact. c. 15. 42. justly as that he may come to the enemies quarter in the evening before the guards be disposed or the orders given And if the distance were such as that he must march when the enemy marcheth he shall depart from his quarter with all secresie and f A good commander like a good wrastler ought to make shew of one thing and to put another in practise to the end to deceive the enemy and gain the victory Ibid. cap. 20. Tutissimum nâ—mque in expeditionibus creditur facienda ab hostibus nesciri Veg. lib. 3. cap. 6. pretend to march to some other place taking a way contrary to that which leadeth to the place intended And when he thinketh fit he shall face about and march on the flank of the enemy as covertly as may be But to do this two things must be observed 1. That your march be through your friends countrey 2. That you have more then one spie in the enemies
to place two horse between themselves and those fifteen to give notice when the said fifteen shall return charged Whereupon twentiefive of these thirtiefive shall advance leaving ten of the best mounted at the place to let the enemie see there is a greater number of horse These ten must make good the retreat untill the other fiftie arrive which lay in ambush two leagues behind with Sentinells to discover afarre off towards the other thirtiefive between which about the mid-way two horse were also placed to discover the motions of the first fiftie and thereof to inform these fiftie which were in ambush behind them These seeing the first fiftie return charged shall let them passe and then issue out against the enemie the first fiftie making their retreat by twelve or fifteen of their best mounted horse-men having reunited themselves and taken breath they must make h The word Alto or Alte is used in all languages in Christendome and signifieth to make a stand I cannot guesse whence it should be derived unlesse it should be from the highdutch word halte which is as we say hold and with us is used in the same signification Alto and assist the other as hath been shewed This order is to be observed when you have certain intelligence by your discoverers that the enemie hath no forces thereabout But when you cannot be assured of that left the enemie with a troop of fiftie or sixtie horse casually meeting with some of your said small divisions should defeat them there might be twentie or twentiefive horse first sent out whereof fifteen to advance to take some bootie the other staying about half a league behind in some covert place shewing themselves when those fifteen return charged so to give suspicion to the enemie or to make their retreat The rest might be in ambush altogether some two leagues behind them demeaning themselves as before hath been shewed In i Eil autem optimum instruendi artificium ut plus inferas adversariis copiarum quà m primo aspectu ostendas Aelian cap. 47. grosse ambushes they must make their number seem as small as may be k Sin parvum habeas exercitum plures buccinae sonent ut magnam multitudinem hostium venire arbitrentur Leo Tact. cap. 17. 28. but in small ones they are to make shew of a greater number then they have for which reason all the horse must not go out of the embuscadoe at once but some twelve or fifteen when their number is small must remain at the further part of the wood to favour the retreat of the rest as hath been said and to cause the enemie to think that there is a greater number of them within the wood To this purpose some six horse may be left some league behind the rest a little out of the way but so as they may discover if the rest return charged and then shew themselves at the end of the wood as before is shewed to make the enemie think there is a grosse embuscadoe leaving one horseman further within the wood then the rest and he to give fire when the enemie may perceive or heare him which the enemie may think was done by a mistake CHAP. IV. How to do meeting the enemie marching A Commander marching with one or more troops and chancing to meet the enemie or otherwise having news of him must presently resolve either to offer combat or to retreat or to attend the charge of the enemie and herein he must govern himself according to the intelligence he hath and the convenience of the a Bonum Ducem convenit nosse magnam partem victoria ipsum locum in quo dimicandum est possidere Veg. lib. 3 cap. 13. place To get the more certain intelligence besides his scouts he shall send out a good distance before him a Corporall with ten or twelve souldiers who pretending to be of the enemie if the countrey be at the enemies devotion shall discover and take information c. If you meet the enemie near his own quarter and farre from yours you must resolve with a generous courage to go and b In rebus asperis tenui spe fortissima quaeque consilia tutissima sunt Livius lib. 25. charge him though inferiour in number it being often seen that valiant resolutions are seconded with good luck But being near to your own holds and knowing the enemie to be much stronger then your self it will be prudently done to c Observandum autem est haud par esse sine magna necâ—ssitate ut pauca copie cum magno instructo exercitu dimicent Leo Tact. cap. 12. 36. save your men by the nearest retreat making your retreat in good order and taking heed you spoil not your horses by too much haste but suffer them now and then to gather breath leaving a Lieutenant in the rear with some of the best mounted souldiers The retreat shall be by the same way you went so long as day continues but night being come you must take some other way though the longer to return to your garrison or quarter Thus you shall gain time by turning away from the enemie by the benefit of the night causing the footing of your horses to be defaced at the place where you left the way for it is to be supposed the enemie will follow you by the direct way To deface or put out the footing of the horse if the way be dustie two souldiers are appointed to stay behind all the rest which draw a great bough between them along the ground and so put out the marks of the horses footing Or if there be a great number of horse and the way be broad then foure souldiers with two boughs do it But if the way be soft the Chief commandeth five or six souldiers to alight and with their hands and feet to deface the footings and in such wayes the horse are commanded to march with doubled files and closed for a little space when they turn out of the usuall way that so they may trample the lesse Besides you may avoid the danger of being traced by the horse footings especially in the night by turning out of the way at some house or through some garden breaking the hedge on the further side and going into the way by wayes unthought of by all which means you gain time whilest the enemie is constrained to spend time in discovering of your footing and taking information of the way that you took CHAP. V. How to receive the charge IT hath been shewed how necessarie it is that the Corporall which is sent out with the scouts or discoverers be a very able souldier to know what to do upon occasion of unexpected accidents One or more troops of horse being on their march with their discoverers before them if they shall meet the enemie and perceive him to be the stronger the said Corporall shall presently send a souldier to certifie the grosse that they may retreat himself with
his scouts also retreating but by differing wayes For suppose the enemie hath received tidings of his contrarie partie it is likely that having discovered the said scouts he will follow them perswading himself that they flie to their grosse by which means the grosse shall have time to save themselves while the enemie is pursuing the said Corporall and his fellows When the enemie is much stronger and the other partie have neither time nor convenience to put themselves into good order the Chief shall call with a loud voice and command every man to a Quintus Sertorius pulsus acie à Quinto Metello pio nè fugam quidem sibi tutam arbitratus milites dispersos abire jussit admonitos in quem locum vellet convenire Frontin Strat. lib. 2. cap. 13. save himself whereupon the souldiers disband into many parts so as the enemie cannot charge them all and so especially in the night many may escape But this course is dangerous and must be commanded with great judgement howsoever in all retreats some of the best mounted must be left behind under a good Commander to make the retreat If passing by or through some village or wood the first discoverers descrie the enemie not being able to discern of what number he is one of them shall presently come and certifie the Corporall which followeth with the other scouts whereof the Corporall instantly certifieth the Chief of the troops who thereupon puts his men in order causing them to put their casks on their heads which otherwise in march they carrie at their saddle or hanging on their left arm and in some convenient place he maketh Alto and resolveth according to the more certain news which the Corporall shall send him Which since it may be such as may b Prince Maurice at the battel of Newport sent the messenger which brought him the news of Count Ernests overthrow away to sea and kept it from the knowledge of his souldiers commanding away all the ships to take away all hope of escape by flight and caused his forces to march through the haven to meet the enemie Meteren lib. 22. discourage the souldiers the Chief perceiving him coming that brings it advanceth towards him with one or two or his discreetest souldiers and receiveth his message in private Having heard his relation he must presently resolve either to retreat or to fight If he resolve to fight the enemie being so strong he must give such orders as shall be fitting especially commanding the troops to go serried close and if there be divers troops that they intermingle not but observe good order for it might so happen that the enemie might charge him c Qui dispersis sui◠inconsuliè insequitur quam ipse acceperat adversario vult dare victoriam Veg. lib. 3. cap. 26. so disorderly as he might make head and endamage the enemie especially if he have not one or more troops of reserve following him well united and in good order CHAP. VI. Of ordering the troops for combat by single companies BEfore we come to shew the severall forms of battel which may be used among the Cavallrie it will be fit to speak of their severall kinds of fighting which they are to be practised in apart by themselves before they be joyned with the grosse If a companie of Lances were to fight against foot they were not to give their charge in an united bodie neither upon this nor any occasion whatsoever because even the second rank of them hardly doth any certain execution but they were to charge them rank after rank wheeling off to the rear to that end keeping large distances between rank and rank The same order they were to observe if they fought against horse upon the offensive For the defensive the companie consisting of 64 as before Part. 1. Chap. 19. might order themselves in this manner Two ranks of eight in rank should face to the front two to either flank and two to the rear leaving an open square space in the middle they all standing back towards back faced every way to receive the charge wheresoever the enemie shall give on The same manner might be used in greater bodies as should seem good to the skilfull Commander If the Lances were to fight against Cuirassiers a Par. 3. rangs de lances luialler gaillardement donner par les stances car par ce moyen ils l'entr ' ouuriront Monsieur de la Noüe Disc 18. they were by two ranks together to setch their careers and so to charge them especially on the flanks and rear every second rank forbearing the shock till the first had done it and was wheeled off If one companie of Cuirassiers be to fight against another your enemie charging you in full career you are to make a b So Walhausen would have it Carracoll that is you divide your bodie by the half ranks and so suddenly open to the right and left so as the enemie passeth through you and you facing inward charge him on the flanks as is shewed in Figure 6. Part. 4. Or if two companies fight against two other then they observe the same manner but keeping each companie entire as may be seen in the same figure It is also to be done by the Carracoll first and then the enemie being within you to wheel to the right and left inward and so to charge him on the rear in full career These forms in Walhausens opinion are of c So the said authour conceiveth but it is very doubtfull For by this opening to the right and left you must turn croop and then make a whole turn again and so give advantage to your enemie It were better therefore to cause three or foure files of each of your wings to advance on the sudden and so to charge the adverse troop on either flank And to equall your enemies front you might cause the half files of your bodie to double your front to the right and left by division All which your troop must be acquainted with beforehand and are to do it in a moment of themselves with all possible dexteritie speciall advantage for the enemie having charged you in full career while you went on upon the trot onely on the sudden opening to the right and left either saith he must run through and effect little or nothing or staying himself in the career d The principall strength of Cuirassiers consisteth in keeping themselves close sertied together for this the Germanes are commended Il faut dire que les Allemans surpassent toutes les autres nations parce qu'il ne semble pas seulement qu'ils soient setrez ains qu'ils soient collez les uns auec les autres De La Noüe Discours 18. disorder his troop and loose the force of his charge as by Figure 7. Part. 4. appeareth The Harquebusiers must be exercised to give fire by ranks The first rank having given fire is to wheel off to the left unlesse the ground