and that some men have formerly to good purpose intreated of the Postures both of Pike and Musquet yet in regard my intent is to write a generall discourse of every part of the body of Warre I thinke it convenient in as short and briefe tearmes as the subject will require to demonstrate the parts requisite to bee understood in the exercising of Companies shewing the grounds and reasons of every Posture and motion that is materiall either to offend or defend the reasons why they were invented and what advantage is in them for although a Souldier should know how to order and demeane himselfe exquisitly in this Art of drilling yet if he doth not conceive the reasons to what purpose they were invented and the severall advantages they afford against the Enemy in time of necessity hee will be to seeke whereby the whole grounds of Souldiarisme may miscarry and the ends they were invented for lose their effect and let no man expect that I should invent any new anticke Postures there being more already in use then are profitable But I could wish a Souldier should only make use of such circumstances as are really most fit and apt for imployment of Waâ—res and of quickest dispatch in execution Farre be it from me to discommend a comely manlike gesture and a correspondency in the agitation of the limmes when a Souldier handles his Armes yet upon the point of service all superfluous Postures are lopt off and reduced only to these three actions Making ready Presenting and giving fire For should a Commander nominate all the Postures in the time of service hee would have no breath to oppose his Enemy neither could use any circumspection how to incounter with him wherefore I would rather wish all Commanders to affect the plaine and readiest way in exercising which may best sute with the actions and capacities of plaine Souldiers which will prove more substantiall and essentiall and those thus educated are men likeliest to sustaine the brunt of an Enemies fury and stand to their tackling when others with their Circumstantiall complements and superfluous slender devices may take a retraite for a charge Wherefore in the first place let us observe that in composing of multitudes into an orderly way of exercising they must bee reduced into Rankes and Files A File is a certaine number of Souldiers standing in a direct lyne one behinde another face to backe which number must not exceed ten in depth A Ranke is a number of Souldiers standing in an eeven lyne side-wayes shoulder to shoulder and this is not limited to any certaine proportion of number but encreaseth or decreaseth accidentally according to the greatnesse or smallnesse of the number A Company being thus ordered into Ranke and File the next thing considerable is the distance or orderly space betweene File and File Ranke and Ranke There are foure orders or distances observable betweene File and File or Ranke and Ranke being these under mamed Close order Order Open order Double distance which is both in Ranke and File one foote and a halfe three foote sixe foote twelve foote There is further to bee considered in distance three especiall circumstance viz. Distance For March For Motion For Skirmish The distance for March is to be three foote betweene File and file and sixe foote betweene ranke and ranke The distance for Skirmish and for wheeling is three foote in ranke and file onely in receiving a charge from the Horse it is convenient the Files of Pike-men should be at close Order CHAP. LXXIV How a Captaine shall cause his Officers to order and ranke his Companie sit to march into the Field THE Drums having called the Souldiers together to their Colours the Ensigne standing forth with them then the Lievtenant and Serjeants shall command the Pikes and Musquettiers to ranke them selves 4. 5. or 6. abreast as the Captaine shall be pleased to command observing the Files to be at order and the Rankes at open order If the Commander will observe the French manner of Marching then you must divide the Musquets the first Division is to March in the Van next after the Captaine the Pikes are to make the Battell and to March after the Ensigne in two Divisions the second Division being led by the eldest Serjeant the Musquetiers of the left Flanke called the second division of Musquets makes the Reare-gaurd which is to bee led commonly by the second Serjant the Drumme is to bee placed in the third Ranke of Musquetieres the second Drumme betweene the third and fourth Ranke of the second Division of Pikes The third Serjeant is to march in the left Flanke of the Musquets in the Reare the fourth Serjeant is to be on the right Flanke of the Musquetiers and the Lieutenant in the Reare as by the sequent Figure you may perceive two hundred men in order to March into the Field the Captaine leading his Companie with a Souldier-like gesture the rest of the Officers following in their due places in a faire equipage And being arrived at the place of exercise you are to draw your Companie into Battalia after this manner First you are to command your Front division to stand then the Ensigne is to draw up his division of Pikes upon the left Flanke of the first division of Musqueteires with his Colours flying and the Pikes to continue shouldered so long as the drum beates a March but if it beates a Troope then they are to advance and close their Rankes forward to their order and then the Ensigne is to Troope them up with his Colours firled The eldest Serjeant is to leade up the second division of Pikes The second Serjeant is to lead up the second or Reare divisions oâ— Musquetiers each division still marching up to the left of that division next before it the manner you may plainly see in the Figure upon the right side of this Page where the first division is marked in the Reare with the Figure 6. the first division of Pikes with the Figure 7. the second division of Pikes with the Figure 8. the second division of Musquettiers hath in the reare the Figure 9. In the next Page you shall finde a Figure in forme of a square as they stand in a Battalia Front C s s s s s S 4 s s s s s s s s s D. 1. s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s s E p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p S. 1. p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p D 2 p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p p S 2 s s s s s
the viewing the subsequent Figure you shall the better understand the manner of performing this motion of Square Facing Face Square and March Proper Front Front accidentall Front accident all The Front of the Reere The Words of Command commonly used to produce this precedent Figure are these as followeth if they be 10 in depth and 20 in Ranke The first three Rankes stand The three last Rankes face about The rest of the Body face to the Right and Left then March all To reduce them to their first Order Face all about to the Right March and close your Divisions Face all to your Leader who then stands at his Front proper Another way of facing Square and Marching upon it The Front proper The Front of the left Flanke The Front of the right Flank The Front of the Reere The words of Command customarily used to produce this Figure are these as followeth Musquetiers face to the right and left Halfe-files of Pikes faces about to the right then March all To reduce them to their former order Face all about to the right March and close your Divisions Face all to your Leader In the next Chapter I shall shew the manner of Opening and Closing both of Files and Rankes and then some instructions of doubling them with their use and parts CHAP. LXXXI The manner of opening and closing both of Rankes and Files and how to double them with the use and parts thereunto belonging IN the opening and closing of Rankes and Files there are divers things considerable as first in the motion of Files you are to observe your Leader Secondly in your motion of Rankes you are to observe your right-hand 〈◊〉 Thirdly when Files open to the right the Left-hand-file must stand fast every 〈◊〉 taking 〈◊〉 distance from the File next his left hand Fourthly when they open to the Le then the right hand File stands every File taking his distance from the File next his Right hand Fiftly in closing of Files if it be to the right then contrary to the opening the Right-hand-file stands the rest closing to the right taking then Distance from their next right hand-file Sixthly if you close to the left then the Left-hand-file stands the rest of the Files closing to the left taking their distance in like manner Seventhly when Files close to the right and left then they close inwards taking their distance from the Files within them neerer to the middest of the body Eighthly note when Files are commanded to open to the right and left or by division it must be outward Likewise you must observe when Rankes open forwards then the last Ranke stands every Ranke taking his distance from the Ranke next behind him Secondly when they open backwards then the first Ranke is to stand and every Ranke is to take his distance from the Ranke next before him Thirdly if Rankes close to Front and Reare then the first and last Ranke stands the other taking their distances from them Fourthly if they close Rankes towards the Center or middest then they close towards their two middlemost rankes Lastly you are to observe that in opening of Files and Ranks you are in the acting of it either to face to the right or to the right about these things being considered and you hauing commanded them to even their Rankes and straighten their Files you are to use these words of Command following Rankes and Files to your close order Files open to the right Rankes open forwards to your Order Files open to the right Rankes open forwards to your open order Files open to the right Rankes open forwards to your double distance Files close to the Right Rankes close forwards to your open order Files close to the right Rankes close forwards to your order Files close to the Right Rankes close forwards to your close order Files open to the Left Rankes open backwards to your order Files open to the left Rankes open backwards to your open order Files open to the left Rankes open backwards to your double distance Files close to the left Rankes close backward to your open order Files close to the left Rankes close backward to your order Files close to the left Rankes close backward to your close order Files Rankes open to the right and left front and reare to your order Files Rankes open to the right and left front and reare to your open order Files Rankes open to the right and left front and reare to your double distance Files Rankes close to the right and left inward middest to your open order These motions being performed by the Souldiers fairly and with out mistakes you may proceed to exercise them in their doublings and shew them their use and parts as the following Chapter will direct CHAP. LXXXII How an Officer shall exercise his Company in doubling of their Rankes and Files with the use thereof and the severall parts and branches thereto belonging THe use of doublings were invented for the strengthening of any part of the Battell according to the discretion of the wise Commander and are distinguished into these two generalls viz. doublings of length and doublings of depth Doubling of Rankes doth make the number double so much as was before whereby the length of the Battell is extended to the double proportion of ground Doubling of Files or Flankes doth likewise double the number in depth as the former did in length and before wee proceed to particularize these doublings let us take notice of these observations following First that in this motion of doubling there is one part of the body stands firme and the other part moves viz. the standing part is to be doubled the part moving are those that double Secondly observe that the distance for particular and divisionall doublings is open Order in Ranke and File Thirdly observe that the ordinary doublings of Rankes and Files is or ought to be performed by three steps viz first stepping forth with that foote which is next unto the place named Fourthly in the reducement to your former station you must returne by the contrary hand Fifthly observe in doubling of Rankes and Files viz if you double Rankes either to the right or left hand if you double your Files to the contrary hand reduceth them into their former station or in doubling of Files to either hand doubling of your rankes to the contrary will reduce them Lastly observe the severall parts or branches of doublings which are Doublings of First Rankes Secondly Halfe-Files Thirdly Bringers up Fourthly The Reare Fifthly Files Sixthly Halfe-Rankes The first is doubling of Rankes which is performed when every Even-ranke is doubled into the Odde The second is when the halfe Files double their Rankes forwards into the Front The third is when the Bringers-up double their Rankes forwards into the Front The fourth is when the Front halfe Files doubleth the Reare these first foure being doublings of Rankes causeth the length of the Battell to be extended either simply in number
transferre all the even Files into the ground before the Front contrariwise this doubling doth transfer them into the ground next behind the Rear And as in the other doublings half the File-Leaders did remain in the Front and the other halfe were halfe-File-Leaders Now in this doubling halfe the File-Leaders are to remain in the Front and the other half are brought down and plac'd in the last Rank of the Rear and those which were Bringers up are now in this motion become the middlemost Ranks The manner of performing this doubling is thus first having given the word of Command that produceth this motion as is specified in the Margent then every man falling behind his Bringer up the even Files accounting from the hand named immediately are to face about to the right and the Bringers up of each of the even Files are to turne behind the Bringers up of the odd Files that stand And so every man as hee commeth downe to the Reare turneth to the left behind him that marcheth down the next before him untill those that were Leaders of the even Files are become the Bringers up to those that were the odd Files The reducement is thus to bee performed according to the words of Command used for that purpose Bringers up that now are double your Ranks forwards to the left The instructions for this doubling the Ranks forwards by the Bringers up into the Front is discourst of in the beginning of this Chapter where you shall find in the Margent the manner of doubling of Ranks by the Bringers up described In the next Chapter following I shall endeavour to shew the difference between Inversion and Conversion with the words of Command and Reducement belonging to those motions CHAP. LXXXIIII Of Inversion and Conversion with their words of Command whereby those motions are produc'd and the way of reducing them described FOR Etymologie of these words you may be pleased to observe that Inversion doth alwaies produce File or Files and Conversion Rank or Ranks Inversion consists of the Files filing or of Ranks filing but Coversion consists of Ranks ranking to the right or left Or by increase of Files ranking by even or uneven parts and of Ranks wheeling to the right or left But in performing these motions there is a larger distance of ground required than in any other motion The words of Command with their severall reducements are as followeth Files File on to the Right Left This word of Command is performed by causing the right-hand File to march away single the second File from the right falleth into the Rear of the first the third behind the second the fourth behind the third so consequently all the rest of the Files fall into the Rear of their next right-hand Files untill all the whole Company become one File This was invented to passe narrow Bridges or straight Paths in Woods where but one at once can passe for the reducing of these into their former stations the word of Command is File-Leaders Lead up your Files as your were which is performed every File-leader leading up his File to the left of him that marcheth before him until all the File-leaders are even in Rank together and their Files orderly following of them For the Files filing on to the left may bee performed after this precedent manner only altering the hand c. This filing by division is to bee performed after the same manner the precedent was onely this difference that Files File to the right and left by division The right-hand File of the Companie and the left-hand File of the same begin to leade forth at one and the same time in their severall places viz. The Files of the right Flank falling likewise behind the right-hand File the Files of the left Flank falling in like manner behind the left-hand File so that if the bodie of Pikes bee flankt with Musketires then this filing by division bringeth all the Musketires into the Front-division and the Pikes into the Rear of them The word for reducement is File-Leaders Leade up your Files as you were Ranks File to the Right Left To performe this all the Ranks are to bee inverted to the outmost File to the right Wherefore let all your Files bee closed to their order or close order and your Ranks opened either forwards or backwards to double distance or twice double distance according to your number of men in Rank Then let every Rank move after his right-hand man untill all the Ranks stand right in one File after the right-hand Leader of his Rank If the Commander will performe this upon a March then the Ranks shall not need to bee opened to any distance but let them take their distance in the execution of it which is the easiest way thus to performe it viz. The right-hand man of the first Rank marcheth forth-right all his Rank facing to the right and marching likewise after him The right-hand man of the second Rank falling immediately after the left-hand man of the first Rank all his Rank in like manner following of him The right-hand man of the third Rank falleth into the File after the left-hand man of the second his Rank likewise following of him and so of all the rest of the Ranks untill they become one File this kind of filing by Ranks is sooner performed than Files filing and is readier to bee reduc'd to make resistance against any opposition in the Front The word of Command to reduce them is Files Ranke as you were The manner to performe this reducement is if they were ten men in the formost Rank then the first tenne men rank to the left into the Front as they were at first The next ten men next after them which makes the second Rank The third ten men ranking to the left makes the third Rank and so of all the rest untill they be reduc'd into their first forme or station As for Ranks filing to the left c. it is to be performed after this very same manner only it differeth in the hands for in this the left-hand man of the first Rank marcheth forth-right and all his Rank facing to the left marcheth likewise after him and so of the rest If you desire to avoid the mixture of Armes you may march forwards your Musketires of each division and close them before the Pikes and invert them first or you may march forwards your Pikes first and leave the Muskets to come in the Rear or you may invert the Front-division of Shot then the Pikes and last the Rear-division of Shot Ranks File to the Right Left Ranks filing to the right and left is a doubling of the depth by an unequall proportion for in other doublings either the number of length or depth is augmented But this doubling of Inversion makes their depth so many times more in number as there are Files to double or halfe so many if it be done by division the use of it is to avoid the Shot of
their horses so that to everytroope of 120. there is 132. men allowed CHAP. CX How a single Troope of horse ought to be drawne into Ranke and File NOw it remaynes wee should make entrance into the discourse of Exercising a single Troope Therefore supposing our Troope to consist of one hundred and twenty horse wee must first order them into Rankes and Files Rankes are a number uncertaine and hapens according to the quantitie of souldiers be they more or lesse A File is a number certaine consisting of sixe persons viz a Leader two Middle men a Bringer up a Follower betweene the Leader and the Middleman to the Reare and a Follower betweene the Middleman to the Front and the Bringer up which is the last man in the File called the Reare A File differs from a Ranke because they stand face to backe and never above sixe deepe A Ranke differs from a File in regard they stand even a breast shoulder to shoulder and have no certaine extent The order of a File you shall see in this discription following 0 Leader 1 Follower 0 Middleman to the Reare 0 Middleman to the Front 1 Follower 0 Bringer up The description of a Ranke you shall understand by this demonstation following where you shall suppose twenty in Ranke and sixe deepe in File Sixe in File Reare CHAP. CXI What Orders and distances a horse Troope should observe in exercise NOw let us take notice what Orders or Distances these Files and Rankes are to observe in exercising where note that in horse Troopes there are but two sorts of distances or orders either in Ranke or File viz. close order and open order Close Order in Files is knee to knee Open Order in Files is sixe foote which is accounted a horses length Likewise close Order in Rankes is to the Horses crooper so that little or no distance remaines betweene the head of the Follower and the crooper of the Leader Likewise open order in Rankes is sixe foote above which they must never open CAAP. CXII The motions which the Cavalrie are to observe in their exercise THe Motions of the Cavallrie are of foure kindes as namely first Facings secondly Doublings thirdly Counter-Marches fourthly Wheelings The use of Facing is to make the company perfect to be suddenly prepared for a charge on either of the Flankes or the Reare Doubling of Rankes or doubling by halfe Files or Bringers up is used upon occasion of strengthening the Front Doubling of Files or Doubling by halfe Rankes serveth to strengthen the Flankes Counter-Marches serve either to reduce the File-leaders into the place of the Bringers up and so to have the best men ready to receive the charge of an Enemy in the Reare or to bring one Flanke into the place of the other or Front and Reere or either Flanke into the middle of the body The use of Wheeling is to bring the Front which is all wayes supposed to consist of the ablest men to be ready to receive the charge of the Enemy on either Flanke or Reere CHAP. CXIII The Manner how a Commander over 120. Horse besides Officers should Troope with them into the Field to be exercised NOw wee are to suppose this Troope of 120. horsemen are to be ordered in Ranke and File fit to draw into the Field for exercise where note they are five in Ranke and sixe deepe in File and every Officer marching in his due place as appeares by this subsequent demonstration Captaine Trumpet Cornet Eld. Corporall Second Corporall Yongest Corporall Livetenant Trumpet CHAP. CXIV How a Commander should draw this Troope of Horse into a body in manner of Battalia standing at their open Order or Distance of sixe foote YOur Troope of horse being drawne into the Field before you can exercise them you must draw up the dimissions into an even body in manner of Battallia viz. the first devision led by the Captaine being come to a convenient place of Exercise is to stand firme Then the Cornet is to leade up the second Division upon the left side of the former fronting even and keeping even destances both in Ranke and File Thirdly the Eldest Corporall is to leade up his Devision upon the left side of the Cornets fronting them even with the former Lastly the second Corporall brings up his last Division upon the left hand of the eldest corporall observing their due orders and proportions both in Rankes and Files And being thus drawne in Battallia there shall be consequently be in the Front the Captaine whose place is to stand upon the right hand before the Front of the first Division The eldest Trumpet and Cornet before the Front of the second Devisions The eldest Corporall before the Front of the third Division The second Corporall before the Front of the fourth Division And in the Reare the Lievetenant the youngest Corporall and youngest Trumpet Trumpet Second Corporall Eldest Corporall Cornet Captaine Front Reare Livetenant Trumpet Corporall CHAP. CXV How Souldiers are to be made to understand their Commanders intention in time of skirmish BEfore wee can proceede to the Exercising of this Troope of Horse wee must take notice how and by what meanes the souldiers should understand their Commanders 〈◊〉 that accordingly they may immediatly act and put in execution such things as are commanded And this is to be performed by the Commander three severall wayes First by the immediate command of the Captaine either so that every souldier heares the word of Command distinctly himselfe or by Tradition from inferiour Officers whose office is to eccho such commands throughout the Troope and this is termed vocall Secondly when the Captaine commands the Trumpet to sound such points of warre as are generally knowne to every particular souldier this is termed Semivocall The first point of warre the Trumpet sounds is Butte Sella this is the warning to clappe on the Saddles The second is Mountè Cavallo that is the warning for the souldiers to mount upon horse backe The third is Tucquet that is the warning for a March. The fourth is Carga Carga that is a command for to charge the Enemy The fift is Alâ— Standâ—rdo that is a command for to retreate to the Colours The sixt and last is Auquet that is a command for the souldiers to repaire to their Watch or Guards or for the discharging of the Watch or Guards In the third place when the Commander shall make such perfect signes pregnant to the sight as by charging with his Trunâ—ion or Pistoll or by holding up the colours whereby the souldiers take notice by the first to charge on and by the second to make a stand and this is termed Mute wherefore you may perceive it is a thing of great consequence to accustome your souldiers to these things without which a world of inconveniences and confusion must of necessitie betide you in times of skirmishing Further in regard the exercising a Troope of Horse is tedious and painefull for a
o o o o o o o o o o o o o Halfe files to the left hand double your Front hHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhH hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o Bringers up to the right hand double your Front Bringers up as you were HhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o Files to the left hand Counter-march HhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHhHh h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o Files close to the right and left to your close Order oooooHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHooooo ooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhooooo ooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhooooo ooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhooooo ooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhooooo ooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhooooo Rankes close forwards to your close order H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o To the left hand wheele H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h h CHAP. CXX The Fashion of Horse Battels discourst of and first of the Rhombe the Wedge and the Square IN regard we shall not have the opportunitie to discourse and demonstrate every kinde of Battell that at this time is in use when wee shall come to intreate of the embattelling of the Infantry with the Cavalry therefore I thinke it most convenient to discourse of some formes of Embattelling the Cavalry which are of greatest use And the rather because the Cavalry for the most part are employed upon peculiar services in the absence of the Infantry Those that have formerly written of this subject have not fully exprest their owne conceits Therefore to make all things cleere I shall indeavour to set downe the severall figures of each severall kinde The Thessalians were the first inventers of the Rhombe and conceived it to be an absolute forme in regard they were ready to turne their faces every way with speede and not easily to be surprised in Flanke or in the Reare because the best men are plac'd in the Fanke and the commanders in the Angles viz. the Captaine in the Front and in the right and left Angles of the Flankes the two ablest Corporalls and the Livetenant in the reare Angle Of these kinde of battells called the Rhombes there are foure sorts severally distinguished the first kinde Files and Rankes The second forme neither File nor ranke the third forme Files but ranke not the fourth ranke but file not The first kind of Rhombe that doth both file and ranke is ordered as followeth viz. you are to make the greatest ranke being the middle most of an uneven number as of a 11. or 13. or 15. or 17. to which you are to joyne other rankes before and behind every one containing two lesse than the former as if the greatest ranke consisted of 17. the next rankes on either side are to have but 15. the next on either side of those but 13 and so every one two lesse untill at last you come to one as you may perceive by the next Figure following the longest ranke consists of 15. the next of 13 c. and so the whole Rhombe hath 113 horse in Battalia of these I intend to shew you the order of framing them although not much used in these late warres afterwards I shall discourse of sundry formes of Embattelling in a discourse by it selfe The Rhombe of Horse The Front Left Flanke Right Flanke The Reare CHAP. CXXI The manner and forme how the second kinde of Rhombe is ordered in Battalia THe next kind of Rhombe which neither Files nor Ranks was by the antient Generalls thought very proper for service in regard the turnings and other motions were to be performed very easily having nothing to hinder them before behinde or in Flancke For the ordering of this forme of Battell you must first place the Leader then one aâ— his right and an other at his left hand and in such a distance that their horses heads reach up to his horses shoulders as in the formall battell The first row you must also make of an uneven number as 21. the Leader of the Troope standing in the midst and 19. other being laid to him backwards on either side so that this ranke containeth two sides of the Rhombe like to this A. Then the Reare Commander is placed directly behinde the Leader and to him are other joyned forwardly on either side like to this Figure V. and the number of the following rankes after the first there are to be two lesse than the former and therefore nine must be added on either side of the Reare Commander so that the number of
generally discours'd of 150 Chap 56. The duties both of Officers and Souldiers in Garrison 155 Chap. 57. The duties of Officers and Souldiers in the Campe. 157 Chap. 58. Of the due obedience both Subjects Officers and Souldiers should heare to their Prince or Generall with a demonstration how Mutinies and Treasons have beene rewarded with infinite miseries 158 SECT VIII The true Valour of Subjects and Souldiers in Fort and Field Chap. 59. The true nature of Valour described and how men ought to be qualified with it 172 SECT IX A discourse upon vnjust Valour in Duels Chap. 60. Of the opinions of divers Learned men concerning Duels with the chiefest circumstances that can be alledged for the Lawfulnes of them and so confuted both by divine and humane reasons 183 Sâ—CT X. The Office and dutie of every particular Officer in an Armie Chap. 61. The dutie and Office of a Drumme to a pryvate companie and of the Drumme-Major of the Regiment Chap. 62. The Office of a Corporall and his Lantsprezado 195 Chap. 63. The Office of a Serjeant to a private Companie 196 Chap. 64. The Office of an Ensigne to a private Companie 197 Chap. 65. The Office of a Lievetenant to a private Companie 199 Chap. 66. The Office of a Captaine of a private Compatie 200 Chap. 67. The Office of a Serjeant-Major of a Regement 203 Chap. 68. The Office of a Lievetenant-Colonell of a Regiment 204 Chap. 69. The Office and dutie of a Colonell over a Regiment ibid. Chap. 70. The Office of a Serjeant-Major-generall of an Armie 206 Chap. 71. Tho Office of the Lord Marshall in the wars and of his high Iurisdiction and command in the Army 207 Chap. 72. Of the Councell of warre and of their office and dutie in the time of warre 209 SECT XI The Art of Drilling or excercising a Foote-Companie Chap. 73. The manner how every Officer should Drill and exercise their Companies of Foote in all their Postures and Motions with the severall wayes of giving fire 211 Chap. 74. How a Captaine shall cause his Officers to order and ranke his Companie fit to march into the field 212 Chap. 75. How the Officers are to draw both Pikes and Musquets one file sequenting another into a Ring for the better and speedier exercising them in their Postures 214 Chap. 76. How an Officer is to Demeane himselfe in the Exercising of the Musquetiers 215 Chap. 77. How an Officer is to Demeane himselfe in the Exercising of the Pikes 222 Chap. 78. How the Comandâ—rs shal draw their Files both of Musquetiers Pikes joyne them in one body fit to be exercised in grosse 225 Chap. 79. How a Comander shall exercise his Companie in grosse in their porper motions 226 Chap. 80. Of Facing square and how to performe it The usefulnes of Facing and the severall parts thereof 227 Chap. 81. The manner of opening and closing both of Rankes and Files 230 Chap. 82. How an Officer shall exercise his Company in Doubling of their Rankes Files 231 Chap. 83. Directions how to performe those seveverall kindes of doublings and how to reduce them againe 234 Chap. 84. Of Inversion and Conversion with their words of Command whereby those motions are produced 243 Chap. 85. How an Officer is to exercise his Souldiers in three manner of Counter-marches c. 247 Chap. 86. How a Commander shall exercise his Souldiers in the motions of Wheeling 254 Chap. 87. How a Commander shall prepare his Souldiers for skirmish with the manner and use of firing by Forlorne Files in the Front 259 Chap. 88. How a Commander sball exercise his Souldiers to give fire by two Rankes c. 260 Chap. 89. How a Commander shall exercise his Wings of Musquetiers to give fire c. 261 Chap. 90. How a Commander shall exercise his Souldiers in giving Fire to the Reere 267 Chap. 91. How a Commander shall exercise his Company in giving fire in the Flankes 268 Chap. 92. How a Commander shall exercise his Souldiers in Divisionall Firings 272 Chap. 93. How a Commander shall exercise his Souldiers in giving fire to the Reere and right Flanke Marching c. 273 Chap. 94. How a Commander shall exercise his Souldiers in a Triple way of giving Fire to the Front 274 Chap. 95. How a Commander shall exercise his Souldiers in giving Fire three wayes at once viz. to the Front Reere and Right-Flanke 275 SECT XII The Drilling or exercising Horse-Troopes Chap. 96. Of the preheminencie and dignitie of Officers for avoyding of disputes with a short Declaration of the high office of the Generall of the Horse 277 Chap 97 The Office of the Lieutenant-Generall of the Cavalrie 278 Chap. 98. Of the Serjeant-Major-Generall of the Cavalrie 279 Chap. 99. Of the Quarter-Master-Generall of the Cavalrie 280 Chap. 100. The office of the Captaine of the Cavalrie Ibid. Chap. 101. The Office of the Lieutenant of the Cavalrie 281 Chap. 102. Of the Cornet belonging to the Cavalrie 282 Chap. 103. Of the ordering and riding of Horses to make them fit for service 283 Chap. 104. Further instructions concerning the ordering and riding of a Horse for service with the use of the Ring 285 Chap. 105. How to manage a Horse for service foure kindes of wayes 289 Chap. 106. How to make a Horse endure Pike Sword Gun-shot Drumme and the like 291 Chap. 107. How the Horse-Troopes ought to bee divided and distinguished by their severall Armes 292 Chap. 108. How the Harquebuziers and the Carabines ought to demeane themselves 293 Chap. 109. How the Dragonnes ought to Arme and demeane themselves 294 Chap. 110. How a single Troope of Horse ought to bee drawne into Ranke and File Ibid. Chap. 111. What orders and distances a Horse-Troope should observe in exercise 295 Chap. 112. The motions which the Cavalrie are to observe in their exercise Ibid. Chap. 113. The manner how a Commander over 120 Horse besides Officers sbould troope with them into the Field to be exercised 296 Chap. 114. How a Commander should draw this Troope of Horse into a Body in manner of a Batalia 297 Chap. 115. How Souldiers are to be made to understand their Commanders intentions in the time of Skirmish 298 Chap. 116. The description of the Postures for the Cavalrie 299 Chap. 117. Of the Exercising of the Harquebuz and Carabine with the Postures to them belonging c. 301 Chap. 118. Of the excellent service which may bee performed by the Dragoones here in England 302 Chap. 119. The order of exercising a Horse-troope in their motions being drawne in Batalia 304 Chap. 120. The fashion of Horse-Battels discoursed of and first of the Rhombe 309 Chap. 121. The manner and forme how the second kind of Rhombe is ordered in Batalia 310 Chap. 122. The manner and forme of imbattelling the third kind of Rhombe 311 Chap. 123. The manner of Imbattelling the fourth kind of Rhombe 312 Chap. 124. The manner of Framing the Battell called the Wedge or halfe Rhombe 313
that take their places in the reducements the doubling of Halfe Rankes being thus reduced You are next to reduce the Halfe Files by commanding them to face about to the Left and to March forth into their places Note these kind of divisionall doublings requires open order in Ranke and File And for your Intire doublings there is onely the distance of order in Ranke and File required Halfe-files double your front to the left intire All doublings aer either Intire or divisionall Intire doublings are to bee understood when as Files or halfe-files Rankes or halfe-rankes according as the Command is given doe March forth jointly together without division or dissipation to double the part Commanded Divisionall doublings are such as formerly is shewed viz. when the Files or halfe-files Rankes or halfe-rankes are disranked and divided into more parts or places then one This doubling of halfe-files to the Left intire is thus to be performed first the halfe-files to the Reere face to the Left and March forwards untill they are quite cleare of that part of the body which stands then they face to their Leader and so March up untill they are become even in Ranke with those that stand upon the Right Flanke and then the forme is perfect the word of Command which produceth it is placed in the Margent For the Reducement the halfe-files that doubled having faced about they March straight forth untill they be cleare of the Front halfe-files then they face to the Left and March straight forth untill every man hath his right place and then they are to face right after their Leaders the words of Command and direction for this Reducement is Halfe-files face about to the Right March forth into your places This kind of doubling of halfe-files hath beene held a better doubling then eyther the ordinary doubling of Rankes or the usuall way of doubling by halfe-files or bringers up the reasons are these first it makes no disturbance to the other part of the Battalia but that it may eyther be executed in time of Motion Exercise or Skirmish Secondly it appeares another solid body to the great disheartning of an Enemy Thirdly it is very apt for over Fronting it being a doubling both of number and place Halfe-files double your front inward intire This Motion of doubling the Front inward intire hath beene of great request and is most commonly used by great Bodies as when a Regiment Division or Maniple Moveth forwards betweene two others thereby seconding or releeving them Whereby the Front of all the three Divisions become ranged in an even Line the words of Command direction that produceth this Motion is placed in the Margent The Motion of this doubling is thus to be performed The halfe-files of the Front faceth to the Right and Left and eyther Division Marcheth right forth untill they have left a distance betweene them sufficient to receive the halfe-files of the Reere and then they are to stand and face to their Leader Then the halfe-files March up and even their Front For the Reducement of this figure Let the halfe-files face to the Reere and March untill they are cleare of the Front Halfe-files then stand and face about to their Leader or Commander then the other halfe-files of the Front are to close their Division and they are reduced The Words of Command used for this reducement are Halfe-files face about and march Front halfe-files close your Divisions face all to your Leader Halfe-files double your front by Division This kinde of doubling as before is shewed is of singular good use because it may be performed in time of fight without disturbance to the other part of the Battell The way to performe this motion is as followeth first the halfe-files of the Reere are to face to the right and left and then to march right-forth untill they are cleare of the Reare part of the Front-division then they are to face to their Leader and march untill they become even in ranke with the Front and so stand which perfects this doubling The way to reduce them is as followeth viz. the halfe-files are to face about to the Reere and to march forth-right untill they are cleare of the Front halfe-files and then they are to face to the right and left inwards and so to march and close their Divisions then being faced to their Leader they are reduced The Words of Command for reducement are Halfe-files face about inwards March forth into your places Front halfe-files double your Reare by Division This doubling of the Reare by the Front halfe-files will worke the same effect to the Reare as the last doubling by division did to the Front It may be usefull in the passing of a River when the Enemy chargeth or pursueth in the Reare the Front-division eyther opening and suffering the Reare halfe-files to passe through them they maintaining the skirmish untill the other have attained the further Banke of the River Or else the Front halfe-files being opened to the right and left and faced upon the Enemy march valiantly up and receive the charge whil'st the other provide for themselves for the manner and way of this motion it may be thus performed After the Command is given the Front halfe-files are to face to the right and left and march right forth until they are cleere of the other halfe-files of the Reare then they face to the Reare and march on untill they have attained to be even in rank with them whom they had command to double which perfects the doubling The way to reduce them followeth if you keep your place of the first Front then let your half-files face about and march until they are cleare of the Reare halfe-files which stand then face to the right and left inwards and close their Division and being againe faced to their Leader they are reduced to their first forme The words of Command properly used for this reducement is Front halfe-files face about to the right and left inward March forth into your places Front halfe-files double your Reare to the right intire This doubling of the Reare to the Right intire by the Front halfe-Files is thus to be performed after the Word of Command is given the halfe Files of the Front are to face to the Left and march straight out untill they are cleare of that part of the Body which stands then they are to face againe to the Left which is the Reare and march out-right untill they ranke even with the last Ranke of the Reere-division which gives conclusion to the doubling For reducement thereof your Front halfe-Files face about to the left and march right forth untill they are cleare of the Reere halfe-Files then face them to the Right and let them march into their places then if the Commander goe to his first Front and face them all to him they are reduced as at first To double the Reare to the Left intire may bee done after the same manner
Now it remains to demonstrate the way and manner of Files ranking by Conversion in equall parts the word of Command is Files Rank â—our to the left To performe this motion the right-hand File-leader leadeth forth his File the three next men behind him move forwards to the left hand of each other untill they rank even a Brest with their File-leader The next four in like manner ranking to the left do make the second Rank they being but eight deep The File-leader of the second File placeth himselfe next after him that was the half-File-leader of the first which now is become the right-hand man of the second Rank the three next men behind him makes up his Rank and so in like manner for all the rest untill the motion be quite perfected This converts each File into two Ranks and brings all the proper File-leaders and half-File-leaders to make the outmost File to the right The Bringers up both of the Front and Rear half-Files maketh the outmost File to the left For the reducement of this motion of Files ranking four to the left is thus to bee performed first cause your Ranks to file or invert to the right which being done command every File-leader to lead up his File to the left and so every man will bee in his first station CHAP. LXXXV How an Officer is to exercise his souldiers in three manner of Countermarches which are to be performed two manner of wayes viz. one by File the other by Rank THe next thing to bee performed after you have exercised your men in the doubling of their Ranks and Files is to teach them how to countermarch Wherefore you may first begin with intire Countermarches by File The word of Command which produceth it followeth Files to the right-hand Countermarch As soon as the word of Command is given if they be to countermarch to the right then all the File-leaders are to step forwards with their right-legs and face about to the right-hand every File-leader with his File following him passing down towards to the Rear through the Intervall on his right hand still observing to keep even in Rank with his right-hand man and note That no man must turne untill hee come to the ground where at first his File-leader began the Countermarch This motion is performed when the Bringers up have attained unto the place where before their File-leaders stood Files to the left-hand Countermarch To countermarch to the left-hand worketh the same effect and is done after the same manner only differing in hands For reducing them into their former stations If you countermarch to the right by countermarching again to the left brings them into their first forme Files to the right-hand Countermarch every man turning after his Leader on the ground he stands This Lacedaemonian Countermarch is to be performed as followeth the File-leaders of each File are to step side-waies to the right-hand and therewithall to face about to the Rear and so march even in Rank down together between the Intervalls or spaces of ground between File and File no man advancing a foot forwards but turning off the ground they stand on after their Leaders when they are past by them still observing to keep their due distance and so Rank after Rank still turning off to the right untill the motion be performed Files to the left-hand Countermarch every man turning after his Leader on the ground hee stands To countermarch to the left-hand worketh the same effect and is to be performed after the same manner only differing in hand For reducing them into their former stations If first they countermarcht to the right-hand by countermarching again to the left brings them into their first forme Bringers up face about to the right the rest passe through to the Rear and place your selves before your Bringers up This Lacedaemonian Countermarch doth lose the ground also whereon it formerly stood and takes the ground behind the Rear The manner of the motion is as followeth viz. the last Rank of Bringers up face to the Rear and stand the rest of the Body facing about in like manner and passing through or between their bringers up and placing themselves even in Rank before them The Motion is begun by the Rank next the Bringers up and so continued successively by the rest untill the Countermarch be ended It is to be reduc'd by performing the same motion to the contrary hand or the next subsequent motion following will reduce this into its former station Bringers up stand the rest passe through to the right and place your selves behind your Bringers up This Lacedaemonian Countermarch by which the former may be reduc'd is thus to be performed The last Rank or Bringers up are to stand firm and the rest of the Body are to face to the Rear and passe through to the right place themselves behind their Bringers up contrary to the Countermarch last shown in which they plac'd themselves before The motion is also begun by the second Rank from the Rear the rest following successively until the File-leaders are become the Bringers up then face them about after their proper File-leaders and they are reduc'd File-Leaders face about to the right the rest passe through to the right and place your selves behind your Leaders The motion of this Macedonian Countermarch is from the Rear to the Front quite contrary to the Lacedaemonian whose motion was from the Front to the Rear This Macedonian Countermarch makes semblance in the Rear of flight but presently produceth a setled Front when perhaps the enemy with a too early pursuit hath broken the order of array The way to perform this Countermarch is as followeth The File-leaders or first Rank face about to the right the rest of the body passe through between the Intervals or distance betwixt Files to the left and place themselves behind their Leaders every Rank beginning with that next the File-leaders passing through successively and taking their places untill the Countermarch be fully executed This may be reduc'd as the former were by doing the same to the contrary hand or as formerly is said by any intire Countermarch of File or it may bee reduc'd by another Macedonian Countermarch which in the next place shall be described File-Leaders face to the Rear the rest of the Body passe through to the left following your Bringers up placing your selves behind your Leaders By this Macedonian Countermarch the precedent Countermarch may be reduc'd to its former station and it is thus performed The first Rank or File-leaders face to the Rear then the last Rank begin the Countermarch passing forwards between the Intervalls the seventh Rank following the eighth the sixth following the seventh and so likewise the rest untill the whole body bee trans-ferred into the ground before the Front and then joyntly together facing to the right about after their Leaders the Countermarch is ended For reducement take this for a Rule that any intire Countermarch of File
outmost Files of each Flanke are to face inwards and the rest of the body are to face to the right the left are to face outward those of the right Flanke passing through the right and placing themselves behind their right hand men those of the left Flanke passing through to the left and placing themselves behind their left hand men the motion is to be begun by the second File from each Flank For the reducement of this Counter-March you must first face them to their first Front then commanding the two innermost Files to face outwards and the rest are to passe through to the right and left inward placing themselves behind their right and left hand men which being done the whole body will stand faced to the right and left outwards then being faced to their Leaders they are reduced into their first stations Or you may make use of the Counter March next before or of the next following or of any other divisionall Counter-March of Rankes which doe not interchange ground The outmost file of each flanke stand the rest passe through to the right and left place your selves on the outside of your right and left hand men This divisionall Bastard Counter-March produceth the same effect which the other two next before it wrought onely differing in the Aspect for the Lacedemonian turned the Aspect outwards the Macedonian turned the Aspect inwards and this keepes the aspect still directed the same way To performe this motion you must command the outmost File of each Flanke to stand the rest of the body are to face to the right and left outwards viz the right Flanke passing through to the right and the left Flanke to the left those of the right Flanke placing themselves on the outside of their right hand men in like manner those of the left Flanke are to place themselves on the outside of their left hand men It may be reduced eyther by any of the foregoing divisionall Counter-Marches of Rankes or else being faced to any of the Flankes then the Rankes become Files And by divisionall Counter-marches of Files you may reduce devisionall Counter-marches of Rankes or by Rankes Files onely you must observe some facings yet you may reduce this motion by commanding the two inmost Files to stand the rest are to face to the right and left inwards and so march into their places Interchange Flanks This exchanging of Flankes or Bastard Counter-march is differing from all the other divisionall Counter-marches of Rankes for this transferres the right Flanke into the place of the left and the left Flanke into the place of the right it is very proper to receive a sudden charge from the horse for so soone as they shall bee commanded to enterchange their Flankes they face to the right and left inwards and then the inmost Files of the Pikes begins the motion the rest of each Flanke following orderly likewise the Pikes are to port so soone as they begin to move and are to charge as they see occasion if neede bee the Pikes may charge at the foot the Musquetiers giving fire over their shoulders if the Pikes have too large a distance they may close at their owne pleasures as soone as they have past through For reducement you may interchange ground againe or otherwise you may Counter-march your Flankes into the middest and then an intire Counter-march eyther of Rankes or Files will reduce them And this shall suffice to finish this discourse of Counter-marches wishing every commander to be ready and well verst in all of them but principally to make use of the three first intire Counter-marches of Files as also the same of Rankes for those you cannot possibly omit in your drillings the rest you may dispense with all at your pleasure And having thus exercised your men in these motions of Counter-march the next things you are to teach them are wheelings and they are of two kinds as in the next Chapter shall more fully be demonstrated CHAP. LXXXVI How a Commander shall exercise his Souldiers in the motions of wheeling with the description of their kindes and uses with their severall words of command placed in the Margent WHeelings are of two kindes viz. wheelings Anguler and wheelings on the Center and these are eyther intire or divisionall The use of intire wheelings is to turne the Aspect of the front proper eyther to the right to the left or to the reere eyther for the gayning of the Wind Sunne or some such like advantages or to entertaine their enemy with their best Souldiers and for your better performing of these motions of wheelings you must first close both your Rankes and Files to their order which is three foote both in Ranke and File and likewise upon all wheelings you must be sure to observe your Leader and follow him keeping your due distance your Musquets are all eyther to be poyzed or shouldred your Pikes are to be advanced further observe that upon the exercise of the motions whether it be distance facings doublings or Counter-marches or wheelings the Musquetiers ought to bee all upon one and the same Posture eyther poyzed or shouldred and the Pikes in like manner eyther shouldred or advanced the words of command followes in the Margent and the directions how to performe the motions right against them Wherefore first you are to command them to Wheele your Battell to the right This Anguler wheeling transferres the Aspect or Countenance of the front proper into that part which was the right Flanke it also remove the Battallia from the ground whereon formerly it stood and placeth it on the part before the front the Hinge of the motion is the right corner man which hath the leading of the right hand File he with a gentle motion moveth to the right and every man the more remote his place is from the right Angle the swifter must be his motion because he is to go a greater circumstance For reducement wheele your Battallia to the left in the like manner as it was wheeled to the right but withall note that this will not bring you backe into the same ground you formerly stood on because it hath advanced you the length of your Battallia before the place of your first Front wherefore to reduce you into the same place you stood on first you must face your Battallia to the right and being so faced whele your Battell to the left which being performed face to the left and then they are compleately reduced to their first forme and station This also is an Angular wheeling and transferreth the Aspect of the Front proper towards the Reere it is performed after the same manner of the former onely the motion is twise as much wherefore observe the directions in the former Note the ground you formerly did possesse will bee twise the length of your Battallia to the left of your left Flanke For the reducing them as well to their first ground as their first aspect you must
to one of the flankes which being done you must Command them againe to wheele Front and Reere into both flankes then facing them to their first Front and closing their division they are reduced or you may wheele both flankes into the Front and Reere and then face them to their Leader and close their division Thus having shewed the wayes and properties of wheelings in their severall kindes wishing every Commander at least to make use of the Intire wheelings and to make their Souldiers perfect in them so that they may wheele to the Right to the Left and to the Reere and as for the rest you may use your pleasure if time will not permit you to exercise your Souldiers in them The next thing that a Commander is to teach his Souldiers is the severall wayes of giving fire and the fitting and preparing them for Skirmish which in the next Chapter shall be discours'd of CHAP. LXXXVII How a Commauder shall prepare his Souldiers for Skirmish with the maner and use of firing by forlorne Files in the Front WHen a Commander hath exercised his Company in their Postures Doublings Counter-marches and Wheelings the next thing requisite to be taught the Souldiers is how they should skirmish with the maner and use of firing wherefore your Company being first drawne in Battallia every man observing his order both in ranke and file The Officers in their due places viz the Captaine and Ensigne in the Front of Pikes the Lieutenant in the Reere the Serjants on the flankes the Drummes on the Front and reere Angle of the Pikes Every man thus standing in his right equipage the Captaine shall command the Drums to beate a march the colours flying at the head of the pikes the pikes and Musquets shouldred marching at their distance of order in file and at their open order in ranke the Commander is to give a signe to the Drume to beare a preparative at which time the Ensigne is to furle-up his colours and to retire into the midst of the Pikes every man is to advance his Pike and to close all their Rankes forwards to their order the Musquetiers art to make ready every one preparing himselfe for skirmish But before we proceede any further it will be very convenient to shew the maner and use of firings that the Souldiers may be the better able to performe them when they come to the proofe and tryall wherefore observe that all firings are either direct or oblique The maner of firings are sometimes advancing against an Enemie sometimes receiving the Enemies charge upon a stand or else retiring for we may be constrained to give fire in the Reere marching from the Enemie or in flanke marching by an Enemie or it may fall out that the Enemy may charge in severall places at once as in Front and Flanke or in Front Reere and Flanke these particulars shall be more fully discust in the following discourses And first to begin with the firings in Front both advancing and standing I will follow Master Barrifes directions who hath excellently well described them both by discourse and figure Wherefore first take notice of giving fire by forlorne files which most commonly is used two maner of wayes in the exercising of companies The first is for the two outermost files of each flanke of shot to march forth being led on by the two yongest Serjants a convenient distance beyond the Front of the battell who being there arived ought to make there stand the foremost Rankes are to give fire wheeling off both to the right or to the right and left if it be commanded and to place themselves in the Reere of their owne Files the rest of the Rankes firing and doing of the like untill they have fired once or twice over according as they shall be directed this being performed the next two out most files of each flanke are to march forwards unto the place assigned and are there to doe the like Those files which formerly faced are in the meane time to troope backe and place themselves next the flankes of the Pikes upon the inside of the division of Musquetiers The rest of the shot after the former manner are to march up and give fire placing themselves as before is shewed when they have fired all over and placed themselves according to these directions they are reduced into their first stations The second way of firing by forlorne Files is thus to be performed The outmost files of each Flanke are led forth by the Serjeants unto the place assigned and then they command their Files to ranke inwards and to present and give fire all at one instant as by the subsequent figure you may perceive Serjeant Serjeant Captaine Ensigne Serjeant Serjeant Lievetenant The first two files having ranked inwards and joyned together making one brest as you may perceive at the figure 4. and having presented and given fire they are to wheele off to the right and left each man following his Leader in single file and performing their postures of priming and charging c. as they troope downe to place themselves on the inside of their division of shot alongst by the Flankes of the Pikes The next outmost File which followed the first in the Reere in the meane time are to ranke themselves inwards and are to give fire and wheele off as the former did placing themselves alongst by the Flankes of the Pikes after the same manner all the rest of the Files are to performe their indeavours Note the odde Files may eyther march up and give fire single or else the next outermost File may sequent them CHAP. LXXXVIII How a Commander shall exercise his Souldiers to give fire by two Rankes advancing them ten or twenty paces before the Front of the Battalia then even with the Front and lastly even with the halfe-Files THis manner of advancing two Rankes a certaine distance before the Front of the Battell is commonly used when two Battells make their approaches one against the other whereby they are brought within distance to doe certaine execution a Serjeant from each Flanke is to leade these two formost rankes up to the place assigned The first Ranke of each wing of shot is to present and to give fire wheeling off eyther to the right or to the right and left the second Ranke stands ready with their Musquets rested their Match-cocked and pans guarded mounting the muzells of their Peeces cleere of their Leaders and standing the distance of three foote behind the first Ranke are ready to Levell and give fire so soone as their Leaders are wheeled off from before them The first Rankes having presented and given fire as aforesayd in their wheeling off they are to march downe in single File close by the outside of the wings of shot untill they come to the Reere of their owne divisions where every man is to place himselfe in the Reere of his owne file The second Ranke having discharged are after the same manner
farre forth in a straight line untill they have ranked even with the first ranke of Pikes not forgetting to leave there a distance betwixt the Inermost Musquet of each Flanke and the outermost File-Leader of the Pikes So soone as the first Ranke hath given fire and wheeled away the second Ranke is to give fire wheeling off as before and passing down betweene the Intervalls of the Flankes placing themselves after their Leaders The same is every Ranke successively to doe untill all the shot be drawne from before the Front placed on the Flankes of their Pikes But when all the shot in the front hath discharged unto the two last rankes then the Pikes are to porte and when they have all fired and wheeled away then they are to charge their Pikes then advancing their Pikes again the Battallia stands reduced as in its first forme Musquetiers make ready to give fire by Introduction to the right Files of Musquetires open by division to your open order You shall finde in the Margent the words of Command that produceth this forme of giving fire by way of Introduction it being a kinde of advancing against the Enemie and of gayning ground although not used in these our Moderne warres but in way of exercise It is to be performed two wayes The first when the motion is begun by the second Ranke from the Front The other when it is begun by the bringers up wherefore observe before the firing begin you must open your Files of Musquetiers to their open order so that the shot may passe betweene the Intervalls of each File to give fire in the Front The maner and forme of this kind of firing by Introduction may be thus performed The Pikes being flanked with the Musquetiers the first ranke of each flanke is to present and give fire and having fired they stand and make ready againe in the same place The second Ranke passing forwards before the first doe there also fire and stand The third Ranke then passing forwards after the second and standing even in Ranke with them that first fired that so soone as the second Ranke hath fired they may presently step before them and fire in like maner In this firing still the ranke which is next to fire stands even in ranke with them which last fired untill those which stand presented have first given fire after which they then passe before them the Ranke which was their next followers passing forwarde Ranking with those which last fired every man following his Leader successively untill the bringers up give fire and stand in the Front of all and then this forme will be like the figure of a Horne battell All the while that this firing by Introduction is continued the Pikes may be shouldred if there be no feare of the Enemies Horse If you continue this firing twice over the Musquetiers will have their right place which being done march up your Pikes and Ranke them even in Front with the shot and they are reduced The second way of firing by introduction The first Ranke or File Leaders are to give fire as before and to stand The last Ranke or bringers up in the interim of their firing marching up and ranking even with the second Ranke the rest follow their bringers up as they doe when bringers up double their Front the first Ranke having fired the bringers up step imediatly before them present and give fire the rest still successively doing the like untill every ranke have given fire once over observe with all that the File Leaders are to give fire twice over being the first and the last and then to stand the Pikes marching up even with their Front of Musquetiers And thus they are reduced as at first If the two first rankes of Pikes in every Battallia should have bowes fastned to their Pikes they might do good service against the enemie whilst the shot performes their duties in giving fire The words of Command which produceth this forme of a Diamand Battell is in the Margent Amongst the Ancients it hath bin of great account but in these late ages Musquetiers Ranke 1 3 5 7 9 c. by increase to the left Files of Pikes ranked by decrease after your Musquetiers not used in the warres The manner of forming it is thus first you must cause your Musquetiers of the right flanke to open to the right to a sufficient distance for the receiving the shot of the left flanke Then you must Command the left flanke of Musquetiers to passe through into the space of ground on the right This being done for to frame this battell you must command your Files of Musquetires to ranke 1 3 5 7 c. by increase to the left then you must command the Files of Pikes to ranke by decrease after the Musquetiers The Musquitiers may give fire from this forme of Battell two wayes principally the first is the giving fire in Ranke viz. the first man or point of the diamond is first to give fire then he is to wheele off to the right and place himselfe just behind the single Pikemen in the Reere then the next Ranke consisting of three men are to give fire and to wheele off by division and are to place themselves in Ranke behind the single Musquetiere as they were before the firing began next the Ranke of five Musquitiers gives fire wheeling off in like manner by division ever observing that where the number is odde and they commanded to wheele off by division there the greatest number alwayes goes to the right And after this manner every Ranke gives fire successively and place themselves after their Leaders as before is shewed when all the shot have given fire and are wheeled off then let the Pikes charge which will be fiveteene in the first Rank the rest decreasing having advanced your forme will stand like two wedges with their points joyned If you would reduce your men from this forme without giving fire then let the Musquitiers stand and the Pikes face to the Reere and then the wedge will stand faced in opposition Next you may command them to interchange ground the Musquetiers advancing forwards into the ground of the Pikes and the Pikes moving into the ground of the Musquetiers and then by facing the Pikes to the former front the body will stand in forme of a diamond againe If you would give fire from this forme in regard all the Musquetiers are placed in the Reere the body must face about so the firing will bee contrary to the former But if you wheele them about then they may give fire the same way However after fire is given they must wheele off by division and place themselves in the Reere of the Pikes even in Rank againe as they were when they gave fire Thus having all fired over wheeled away the Pikes may charge being againe advanced the body wil stand in form of a diamond The second way of firing on this Diamond forme is
by way of Counter-march and is an oblique firing for whereas in the other firing by Rankes in the Diamond Battell each Ranke fired by increase of two beginning with one and ending with 15. 17. or 21 c. according to the quantitie of your Souldiers in a Ranke this second kind of firing contrary wise may beginne with 15. 17. or 21 c. and end with one still decreasing two and to performe this firing your Files must be at open order because the Musquetiers must Counter-march downe betweene the Intervals of their owne Files to the right every Musquetiere that findes him-himselfe without a Leader being to present and give fire and then to Counter-march to the right and to place himselfe in the Reere of his owne File behind the Pikes when the first Ranke if it consists but of 15. have given fire then the next Ranke of 13. is to present give fire and Counter-march still placing themselves in the Reere of their owne files next there fireth 11. then 9 c. And in this manner of firing they that fire together stand neither in Ranke nor File but obliquely when all the shot have fired and are Counter-marcht into the Reere of their owne Files then the Rankes will become two and two of a number Your men standing in the forme before described if you please you may produce another forme by facing them all to the Reere then command your Musquetiers to march ten or twelve paces your Pikes to stand and your Musquetiers will make resemblance of a hollow wedge and your Piks of a sollid wedge Lastly to reduce all these severall formes into the first proper square battell first let the sollid wedge close forwards into the hollow of the other then let the shot make ready present and give fire as before viz. every Musquetiere that findes himselfe without a Leader is to give fire and Counter-march to the Reere of his owne File and the rest doing the like successively when they have all fired and are all Counter-marcht cleare let the Pikes charge and then the body of your Battallia will have the forme of a Diamond againe Next face them all to the Reere and command the Rankes to file 8. c. to the right which being done passe the shot through which belongs to the left flanke into their places and close the Musquetiers to the right Flanke to their due distance and then they will stand in their proper reducement Wheele your Flankes into the front and face the body to one of the flanks and wheele your battell into a Convex halfe Moone The manner and use of the severall wayes of firing belonging to this forme of the Convex half Moone or semi-circuler Battell is a forme which our Schoolemaster in the rudiments Julius Casar did highly esteeme of it makes shew but of a few Souldiers in regard of the rotunditie of it yet being drawne out in Length it makes a very long Front it may be for the Landing of Souldiers in the enemies country or being secured in the Reere with Rivers Bogges Ditches or the like it hath beene accounted very prevalent to be opposed against an Armie of greater power It may be framed either with the shot outermost or innermost or lined If your battell be in forme of a Hearse then wheele them to the right and left about untill they have attained this forme of a Semicircle but if in a square then you must make use of those words of command plac'd in the Margent which will produce this Convex forme Having brought your Souldiers into this Semicircle you may face them all inwards the better to heare such speeches or orations as shall be by the Commander delivered unto them but for to receive a charge from the enemy you must face them outwards there must be certaine intervalls or distances betwixt each division for the shot to wheele off and march downe in The outmost Arch or first ranke of each division is to present and give fire those of the right Flanke wheeling off to the right and the left Flanke to the left placing themselves in the Reere of their owne divisions of Musquetiers still making good their Leaders ground the rest of the Rankes are to doe the same until they have all given fire Never the lesse if the enemies horse should bee too potent then let them give fire by division as is shewed before passing quite through their intervalls and placing themselves in the Reere of the Pikes every ranke is to make good his Leaders ground Thus also are the rest of the Musquitiers to give fire placing themselves in the concave part of the body as aforesaid following the Pikes which now makes good the Musquetiers ground the Pikes may eyther charge over hand or upon occasion at the foote drawing forth their Swords over their left arme and couching downe their heads by which meanes the Musquitiers may play over their shoulders for the first ranke having fired may kneele downe and charge againe and so the second ranke may give fire and kneele in like sort making ready againe and so all the rest untill the first ranke riseth up with the rest and give fire over againe So the skirmish may be continued the Pikes still opposing the Horse Pikes stand Musquetiers face to the reere and march until your are cleere of your body of Pikes Then face inwards and close your division then face to your Leader and double your Rankes For the reducement of this forme and to bring every Man to his place Let your shot either by firing or passing through be brought into the place they were in before they first gave fire then face the whole body to one of the flankes and march them untill they have evened their Rankes and straitned their Files this done then if all your Pikes be upon the right flanke wheele your right flanke into the midst if on the left flanke wheele Front and Reere into the left flanke This being preformed the Commander must passe to his proper file-Leaders and face the whole body to him and they will be in their first forme This way of firing by extraduction is also a firing in Front it is of singuler good use in a Strait or narrow passage where the wings and Reere may be secured from the fury of the Enemies Horse you must fill the mouth of the Passage with your Pikes and if the length of your Company be not sufficient to doe it then double your Rankes and your Pikes being charged Your Musquetiers being in the Reere are to march up into the Front and give fire as in the next place shal be demonstrated onely first by the way observe the words of directions placed in the Margent which produceth this forme The battel being ordred as a foresaid Let the first Ranke of Musquetiers which are those that followes next after the Pikes face to the right and march forth File-wise up close by the right flanke of Pikes untill he that is
together but after that time is expired you must increase his Ring turnes by two and by two untill he comes to twenty two viz. ten for the left Ring and twelve for the right the proportion of the Ring I have here drawne whereby any man may perceive both the Rings together with the furrowes and place of stopping and turning If you finde your horse not fitting but untoward and unable to tread out this Ring then let some other horse that is perfect tread it out before him and let him follow him but if you tread it out your selfe doe not trot your horse but tread it out softly untill the way be beaten that he may the better see how to demeane himselfe then afterwards to fall on with a gentle trot But if your horse be over metled you shall not suffer him to trot the Rings at all but onely to tread them faire and softly for two or three dayes together untill be be staied and acquainted with them If through often treading the Rings grow hard then tread out new ones When you come to mannage your horse or to passe a carriere it is not then best to use one place alwayes or one length lest hee be to seeke when he change places thinking he should not doe it in any other place or that hee should not passe his accustomed length and so stoppe before you would have him After you have ridden your horse a few weekes you may increase your Ring turnes every day two times untill hee come to 46. which makes a leaven large turnes and a halfe viz. 22. for the left Ring and 24. for the right When soever you gallop your horse in the Ring remember alwayes to helpe him with your Voyce Rodde or Spurre according as the quality of the horse shall require and when he doth well forget not to cherish him When you have trotted or troad your number of Rings that you shall see meete then trot your horse right out in the furrow between the two rings untill you come to the place of stop there staying a good pretty while together keepe his body right in the path and after hee hath made his stoppe you must cause him to goe backe three or foure steps which will not onely stay his mouth and make him easie rayned but also lift his legges and be apt to advance or rise before To teach him to goe backe you must so soone as he hath stopt pull in your bridle hand moderately according as the horses resistance shall require so keeping your hand steady without giving him any liberty strike him softly upon the bowing of his necke with your riding rod saying with a soft voyce in that instant back back I say thus being obsequious unto him a pretty while together if he then will not move his legges or doth make resistance then spurre him in time first with one spurre then with the other but most of that side his hinder part stands out of order when these things are performed and your horse well verst in them then at the stop you shall further teach him to advance or rise with both his fore feete together three or foure times a foote or halfe a yard above the ground this thing is so necessary that the horse cannot manage well nor turne readily without this performance If he will not advance by striking him at his stoppe on the right shoulder with your rod then keepe still a steady hand and correct him twise or thrice together with the even stroke of your spurres or else with one spurre after another cherishing him with your voyce as saying hup hup or hoyce immediately after trot him out againe the distance of forty or fifty foote with a swift trot and at the stoppe doe as you did before continuing the same course untill he be perfect likewise you may teach him the same devices upon his gallop In the next place we are to take notice of the narrow and streight turnes having sufficiently spoken of the former large turnes of the narrow turnes there are three kindes viz. halfe turnes whole turnes and double turnes The halfe turne is when the Horse turneth on the one side and setteth his head the way his Tayle before stood the way he goes being but halfe a Circle but if he doubles it and goes the whole circumference of the Circle his head will stand as it did at his first setting out and this is called a whole turne and two such whole turnes will make a double turne in these turnes divers things are to be considered First that the horse brings in the contrary legge upon the other and that he carries his legges neither too high nor too low also that he keepeth alwayes one path and that he neither presseth forwards not reeleth backwards in his turning also that he keepeth his body at one stay not any wayes awry neither head necke nor any part of his body but to come in whole and round together and to close his turnes in so narrow a roome as may be When you are come out of your Ring trot your horse right out in the middle furrow unto the place of stop and having stopt turne your horse faire and softly on the right hand taking circumference enough that being done give him the like turne on the left hand and then returne him againe as before on the right hand Note when he is to turne on the right hand he is to bring his left foote over the right foote before which is performed by helping him with your voyce in saying to him turne here and by striking him with your rod moderately upon the left shoulder Likewise when you turne him on the left hand helpe him with your voyce as before and with your rod on the right shoulder to bring in the right fore foote over the left fore foote If your horse be harder to turne on one side than on the other you must helpe him with the contrary legge or spurre or with your rod by beating him on the contrary shoulder And to make him close truely it shall be needfull to helpe him with your closing stroke of your heele and Spurre Further if your Horse be so stiffe necked and wresty that he will turne upon one hand and not upon the other you shall tread out in new plowed Land another fashioned Ring as beneath is figured which both differs in shape and in the order of treading from the former For whereas you were wont before in the former figure to goe twice about in the right ring following still the right hand and then to goe twice about the left ring following then the left hand Now in this last ring you shall goe three times about each of them following still the right hand in both of them and whereas before foure goings about made a large turne now sixe goings about shall doe no more than make a large turne the reason is this if you should
seeme square viz. as deepe in Flanke as broad in Front so that thereby the enemy might be deluded and therefore sometimes they would order eight horse in Front and but 4. in Flanke which seemed as a square by reason a horse taketh up twice as much space in his length as in breadth whereupon finding the inconveniences of those kinde of squares they bethought them of a more perfect square lesse than which they durst not venture and more they could not for want of horse in regard their pollicie was to discourage the Enemy by making their Troopes shew more than indeede they were wherefore they framed their Troopes of 50. horse and ordered them tenne in Ranke and five in File which forme represents a square in regard the five horse take up as much ground in their length as the tenne doe in breadth and this proportion they held best for had there beene sixe seven or eight horse in a File they could not have done any good in regard of the shortnesse of their squares as Leo after confessed But our manner of charging the Enemy differs from theirs for wee are to give fire upon the Enemy by Rankes and so fall off into the Reare so that all the Rankes shall come up and give fire by degrees upon the Enemy whereas their Troopes gave a firme close charge and wheeled off together this was the use both of their Archers and Spearemen Now our moderne Captaines although they have abandoned the use of their Speares yet they have detained their forme of ordering their Troopes five deepe in file and because each horseman hath two Pistolls therefore they suppose that they may charge and discharge as well as the foote Troopes that are tenne deepe with one Musquet for their armes but let the ablest horseman of them all say what he please he shall finde it another businesse especially if both sides stand to their tackling untill all the Rankes have given fire for the small distance of time and the ordering of their unruly horses will make them fall short of their expectations but indeede our horse Troopes seldome stand so long in competition for the victory but that one side either retreates or doe worse for if they should it should be easily seene that that Troope whose Files were ordered sixe in deepth would soone weare through the adverse part whose extent is but five Wherefore I could wish that all our Troopes might be so ordered in regard it is a number so proper and apt either to be divided or to be doubled or to be drawne into any forme of Embattelling wherefore more than sixe are unprofitable and lesse than sixe are not so serviceable In former ages they were driven to their inconvenience in regard they were scanted of horse and so to make their fronts equall with the Enemies they in pollicie framed their Battalias but of five deepe whereas their Enemies were compounded of many more as 6. 8. or 10. many times but after they had found out their pollicy which was only to make the fronts of their Battells equall with theirs being constrained in regard of their thinnesse to line them with shot and to have stands of Pikes to rescue them to make them abler to resist their enemies streng Phalange they likewise ordered their Troopes after the same manner whereby they delated their Fronts farre witer than before and so over winged them whereby many times they gained victory Our Kingdome blessed be God shall not neede to be driven to that exegint to make such simple shifts In regard we have or may have more than sufficient to oppose the potentest Enemy that shall dare venture or indeede possibly can conveigh so many Troopes over but that we shall be not onely his equall but exceede him wherefore I have framed each Troope of 120. horse and the same to be divided into foure Corporallships viz. thirtie in each each Corporallship to march sixe in brest and sixe in depth and so I leave it to your best considerations CHAP. CXXVI How the Chavalry are to order and demeane themselves in proportionable Battells fit to be joyned with the Infantry with their due order of fighting against the Enemies foote Troopes Likewise how they are to give or receive a charge of the Enemies Cavalry in grose as also in single combats and assaults AS in ordering of the Infantry so in disposing of the Cavalry in Battalia for the well fighting of a pitch'd battell against the Enemy these Circumstances are to be considered First there are to be drawne out of sundry Troopes of Carabines a certaine number of horse which are to be joyned with a proportionable number of foote these are speedily without keeping any order or distances to runne upon the Enemies Ordnance and either to surprise them or to hold those of the Enemie that gaurd them in combustion so that their Ordnance shall be hindred from annoying your Troopes of horse who are farre more subject and liable to receive harme from the Ordnance in regard they are mounted high then the Infantry can possibly be wherefore the Cavallry many times have beene constrained to retire themselves into some place of advantage as a Vally or in the Reare of the foote Troopes to hide and secure themselves from the great shot untill such time as the Armies were drawne neare together so as they could not discharge for indamaging their owne Troopes In the next place there are certaine horse to be commanded out of divers Troopes of Carabines to assist and guard the forlorne Hopes of the Infantry and these are to towle out the Enemy to beginne light skirmishes the better to animate the maine Battell against they shall be ready to charge by seeing their valours and many times they have beene a meanes of disordering the Enemies grand Battalias The maine battell of the Cavalry is divided into there distinct divisions viz. the Vanguard the Battell and the Rearegaurd these three make one intire Front and are to be ordered at three foote distance when they are ready to charge This principle Battell is to stand in an even front with the Infantry viz either upon the right or left wing or upon both when there is no naturall strength as Rivers Quagmires Hedges or the like to secure one of the wings you are to place your Cavalry wide off the Empalement of the Flankes of the Battell of the Infantry a hundred paces at the least for feare of anoying your foote Troopes likewise there must be the space of 25 paces of ground in distance left betweene every company and 50. paces betwixt each Regiment The winges of the horse Battell next adjoyning to the Flankes of the foote are to be of Cuirassiers in regard they are rather to secure the Flanks of the Infantry by sustaining a charge then for to advance forwards to give the Enemie a charge unlesse upon some great occasion the residue of this maine Battell may be compounded Harquebuziers and
the forlorne hopes in regard they are first to charge the enemy these troopes being thus ordered are to be taught how to advance and retreat performing all actions as ample as if the enemy were encountring with them This kind of exercise will make them ready and orderly in their performances otherwise it may prove dangerous to bring them to the encounter A Generall is to animate his souldiers in time of need to take paines as the valiant Emperour Vespasian who was the first man that carried a Basket of earth to the Fortification that his souldiers might not thinke scorne to imitate him it is the sober obedient minde and the hard painefull body that makes the noble souldier A Generall must take away all hope of refuge from his souldiers in time of Battell as William the Conquerour and Julius Caesar did send away their shipping that there souldiers should hope for nothing but either victory or a grave and in many Battells troopes of horses have been placed in the reare of the Army to put to the sword all such as turne head to looke for refuge It is not sufficient for a Generall to get a victory but also to know how to use it for many times security and negligence after a conquest hath bred utter ruine as appeared by the history of Bayan Chinsan who was Generall to the Tartarian Emperour after he had vanquisht his enemy at Cinguinguy by their carelesnesse disorders and drunkennesse were set upon in the night by the remnant remaining who put them all to the sword It is very dangerous for a Generall to present battell to an enemy in such a difficult place that he is devoyd of all refuge or possibility to escape whereby urgent necessity may make an enemy desperate If a Generall sees his horse-troopes too weak to encounter with the Enemies then he must give order for divers shot to march up in file with the horse then seeing their advantage to breake out from them and gall the enemy these shot would be often exercised with the horse to make them apt to give an assault and also upon occasion to reunite themselves into a body to make a defence If a Generall drawes out any Winges of shot to charge and skirmish with the enemy any farre distance before the body of the Army then they ought to be backed with a guard of Pikes which are to rescue them from the charge of horse as also to aide them if they should joyne pell mell with the enemies forlorne hope but this is to be performed long before the bodyes of either Armyes can meet which kind of skirmishes are for divers good ends as first to discover and winne some ground of advantage or to give the souldiers courage by seeing how those loose bands doe valiantly foyle those of the enemy in which skirmishes some politicke stratageme is to be used to skare and affright the enemy for any unexpected accident will seeme strange to an Army although it be never so small and will be ready to disorder them he that commands these troopes must be very wise and circumspect left hee falles into the enemies stratagems which may discourage the Armie Also a Generall is not to trust to a seeming victory for many times good successe at the first in a battell occasioneth the overthrow of many great actions as we have the example of Theoderick Generall of the Germans his army being very potent had gotten the best of William Earle of Flanders at the first encounter which made the Germans confident and the rather secure in regard their strength exceeded the Flemmings but the Flemmings being rather desperate than resolute and by the valour of the Earle they had so reunited their broken troopes and with a furious charge did so shake and disorder the Germans that many of them were slaine and the rest put to flight If a Generall or some other great Commander or if any part of the Army should be cut off by the enemy it is best to keep it from the knowledge of the rest of the Army lest it dishearten them If an Army bee to march in the darke to avoyd confusion command must bee given that every souldier shall carry the end of his Leaders pike or weapons from making any noise and by that means they shall keep right in their ranks A Generall in time of battell must be very wise and discreet to give order when the skirmishers of the loose-banded Maniples shall make their recreat and to what place also when the Horse shall charge and what part of the enemies divisions they shall assault and to give order what foot-men shall be drawne out to succour them if occasion be also what Battalia's shall advance forwards and when to retreat likewise when the whole body of the Army shall charge and what divisions shall pursue the victory alwayes remembring to keep the maine Battell stedfast and not to move in pursuit after the vanquisht enemy also to have Officers in the time of fight to gather together such stragling souldiers as shall bee disrank't and in disorder and so make a body of them in the reare of the Army There are sundry opinions about the place of a Generall in the time of giving battell but questionlesse the best and securest place is before the battell of succour but at the first he may stand in the front of the maine battell untill such time as the forlorne hopes are beaten in he is to ride upon a small Palfrey having a guard of able gentlemen in like sort attending him the which he may send to and fro upon all occasions to give Officers intelligence of his pleasure If a Generall shall perceive fresh aids are approaching then let him use his best endeavours to give the enemy battell before they arrive and also to draw out a convenient force to meet those aids and give them battell in some place of greatest advantage If a Generals victuals amunition or pay begins to faile then let him endeavour to give his enemy battell if he suspect Supplies but if he knowes his enemy is in want either of victuals amunition c. or that sicknesse mutinies or the like are in his Army so that any hope be that his Army may of it selfe dissolve then a Generall must stand strongly upon his guard and by all meanes avoid joyning battell as was practised by the Prince of Orange about fourteene yeares since when Grave Hendrick Vandenberg marcht over the river Ysell in a great frost by the Towne of Duesburgh into the Vello with ten thousand men where his Excellency and the States of Holland might have given him battell with a great deale of conveniency but he rather suffered him to pillage the Dorpes and burne where he pleased because hee knew hee could not stay long nor march far from the river lest the frost should have broke and he disappointed of his returne If a Generall hath had victory triumphed on his side a little
in a Company and not to be suffered some to be 200. and some 300. and some 150. which if it must needs bee so and may not bee altered then I could wish all Companies to be only of the extent of 200. and 80. of them to bee Pikemen and 120. Musketires The rowes of lesse squares marked on each side of the figure with the letter B. are the Hutes for the Souldiers to lie in between the Front of which and the Colonels ground you see a large void space or distance which is twenty foot wide marked at each end the use of it is for the drawing up of the Companies or for the Officers to walk in and for the Souldiers to speak with them there this space is marked in the figure with C. Right under the Colonels Hute you see another void space as wide as the Colonels Hute is and as long as all the Quarter of the common Souldiers marked with D. the use of it is for the Officers of the Regiment commonly called the Officers of the Staffe as the Provost-Marshall the Quarter-Masters of the Regiment and the like Of the Quarters of the common Souldiers on either side of this long void space these bee the proportions All the little squares bee Hutes or Cabbins in the longer rowes marked with the letter M. on the first Hutes are the Musketires lodged and in the other rowes marked with P. are the Pikemen lodged one row of Musketires and one row of Pikes makes up one complete Bond or Company of 126. men In the Musketires row are twenty four Hutes and in the Pikemens but eighteen the reason is because the King by his orders commands that every complete Company should have three Corporalships of Musketires foure Files or Rots as the Swedes terme them make a Corporalship of Musketires but of Pikemen three Files or Rots make a Corporalship so that twelve Files of Musketires and nine Files of Pikes viz. twenty one Files firemen in depth in each File is a complete Band of 126. men besides the Officers and Serjeants When his Companies were weak then hee would have but two Corporalships of Musketires and the remainder to be Pikes Each of these Hutes are nine foorsquare viz. three yards every way and whereas one row of Musketires and one row of Pikes belongs to one Company these therefore neerer set together than the row of Pikes belonging to severall Companies are for the Pikes and Musketires of the same Company are parted with a street but six foot wide whereas betwixt the Pikes of severall Companies is a street of eighteen foot wide and betwixt the Musketires of severall Companies a street of twelve foot wide and so you see the severall proportions marked The length of the row of Pikes is but 162. foot as you see it marked betwixt the two first rowes of their Hutes The length of the Musketires row is 216. foot as is marked in the margent the distance of breadth being observed they amount to 360. foot or 72. paces so broad is the whole Quarter for one intire Regiment Below all this in the Rear or lower end of the Quarter you have a voyd space 14. foot of ground running all the breadth of the Quarter serving for the freedome of Ayr this is marked with E. Last of all you may behold another lowance of ground marked with the letter F. which is for the Sutlers Chap-men Butchers c. of the Regiment Add now the distances of length together and they come to 300. foot which is the length of the whole Quarter for one intire Regiment Now rests the chief point of discipline in the number and order of the placing of the Hutes and the men in them Concerning the number there be three men to be lodged in one Hute as well Pikes as Musketires so that in 24. Hutes of Musketires of one Company there bee 72. men and in the 18. Hutes of Pike-men of one Company there be but 54. men which number added together amounteth to 126. which is a complete Band. These 72. Musketires are again divided into three Corporalships and the 54. Pike-men also into three Corporalships Four Files or Rots of Musketires goe to one Corporalship and of Pike-men but three Files or Rots to a Corporalship So that 24. Musketires goe to one Corporalship and of Pikes 18. according to the number of either of their Cabbins Furthermore their order being to march six deep in File therefore in every two Hutes there is one Rot or File lodged which presently know how to put themselves in order Thus hath every Corporall of Musketires eight Hutes to look unto and every Corporall of Pikes six Hutes under him This certainty and disposing of the numbers serveth much for private government this order of quartering they are opinionated is prevalent for the ready resisting of the enemy Whereas you see two rows of Pikes and two rows of Musketires still together with their Cabbin doors inward one to another this is the use of it Suppose the enemy in the night falleth upon the Quarters the Alarme being taken and given by those of the outmost Guards out slips the two rows of Pikes into the street or alley betwixt them and presently marching out betwixt the Captains Hutes they are instantly in a fair order of Battell The Pikes being gone then the two next rows of Musketires joyning together march also out upon both sides of the Pikes where they are ready instantly to flank them Thus one Squadron or halfe-Regiment issuing out upon one side of their Colonels Tent and the other halfe on the other presently they draw themselves in complete Battalia and find their Colonels and Captains in the head of the Quarter ready to conduct them to the Brest-work thus so soon as the Alarm is given in from the outer Guards the Souldiers will bee ready to entertain their assault every man before his own Quarter upon which the enemy falleth before he can possibly march hee never so fast come neer to doe any execution If you desire to heare how in that huddle of darknesse they can possibly find their weapons know that by the order of their standing every man can at first comming most readily clap his hands upon his owne To instance in the Pikes for example The place where they all stand together is upon a thing made after the fashion of a paire of Gallowes at the head of the Quarter the upper overthwart beam is for the Pikes to stay against then there is another beam lower for to hang the Corslets upon and to lean the Muskets against this is to have a defence over it to defend the wet Now when any service or exercise is done abroad hee that lyeth in the Rear of the Quarter by comming in first setteth down his Armes inmost and he that commeth in last leaveth his outmost which when hee again goeth first out hee findeth his formost and when the last man commeth he findeth his own left every man
or Wings and those Troops of the Forlorn Hope that have given fire are to retrait betwixt the Wings of the Battell and the Troops of Horse that are plac'd along by the Wings So maintaining alwaies the Flanks furnished by this means they may maintain skirmish continually with fresh men and the Battell never the lesse impaled But after the enemies Battell begins to approach neer your own forces then the Forlorn Hope must withdraw themselves and the formost Battell must bear the brunt The six field-Peeces placed amongst the Shot after they have done their service are to be drawn back into the space betwixt the two Battalia's or may be drawn into the Wings and there may be guarded with those Troops of Shot where they may performe excellent Service But if the first main Battell should miscarry in the first encounter so that their Battalia's be broken by the enemy yet there are ample spaces betwixt the Battalia's of the second Battell to retrait into and there to make head and freshly to re-charge the enemy again betwixt each Battalia in the Rear there must retrait two Battalia's of the Front and upon each Flank one The Troops of Horse are thus disposed upon each side there are an hundred Horse to guard the Ordnance which with the assistance of the Pikes and Shot they are to secure themselves Now there remains five thousand and eight hundred Horse which are to bee divided into severall Battalia's upon each Wing are to bee placed two thousand and nine hundred and they are again to be divided into three Battalia's at the least View the Figure following being the eleventh Figure CHAP. XXIII The twelfth forme of imbattelling an Armie consisting of 12000 Foot and 3000 Horse partly imitating Monsieur Bellay in his militarie Discipline Pag. 75. THis forme of imbattelling which followeth in this Discourse was chiefly invented to deceive the enemy for whereas it seemeth of narrow Front at the first view yet the formost Battell being retraited within the second Battell and the Impalements upon each Flank with the Forlorn Hopes being doubled one Rank into another makes the Front of a farre larger extent so that the enemy having framed his Battell answerable as he may suppose to encounter with this forme hee shall find it otherwise for this Battell will over-Wing his and the Forlorn Hope being strengthned with Shot and fortified with a competencie of Pikes will soon hemm in the enemies Battalia's on the Flanks before they bee aware of it which by the help of those Troops of Curassiers and seconded by the Carbines will endanger to rout them The order observed in Marshalling this Battell is in this manner first there is on each Wing before the Front of the main Battell two Battalia's of Horse each consisting of 252 which makes forty two Files being ranged six deep so that in the four Battels are contained 1008 Horse The next is the main Battell of Foot consisting of five Divisions which hath in each five hundred and ten Pikes and Shot in all the five Battalia's are contained 2550 men The distance betwixt each Battalia or Division is 5 paces in breadth and they have 51 in Rank or Brest and 10 deep in File the breadth of the whole Front from side to side of either impalement the distances being added betwixt each Division is 1560 paces broad Next are three Battalia's plac'd 25 paces behind the first main Battell these have contained in each of them 510 as the former had so that the three Battalia's have 1530 souldiers in them You may delude the enemy in making him beleeve your Forces are more than they are by causing your second Battalia's to open their Files to their open order and then they will seem as many men in the second Battell as is in the first The Rear-Battel is likewise ordered 25 paces behind the second Battell and that consists only of 2 Battalia's and are plac'd upon the Flank as by the Figure you may see having a broad space to receive the two former Battels if they should be constrained to retrait these two last consist of 1020 viz 510 souldiers in each these two Rear-Battels may open their Files to their double distance to make them seem farre more than they are but when they are ready to charge the enemy they must fall into their order of three foot The Impalements of each Flank of the Battell marked with the figures of 1 and 2 consist of 5 in Brest 153 in depth so that each Wing of Impalement hath 665 Pikes Likewise by the outside of the Pikes are the same quantity of Muskets ordered 5 in Brest and 153 in depth which amounts likewise to 665 Shot it is marked with the figure 2. This Division of Shot is to be plac'd 5 paces from the Pikes they must likewise open their Files very wide that they may seem to equall the Front of the Battell these must double one within another as the main Battell shall retrait Next this impalement the Forlorn Hope is plac'd along by the side of it marked with the figures 3 and 4 and these are to consist of Shot and Pikes as the figures 1 2 did and first the Shot hath 8 in Rank and 153 in depth so that each Wing takes up 1224 Shot the Pikes you are to suppose are ranked next the Shot the outside 5 paces from the Shot they are 5 in Front or Brest and 153 in depth which amounts to in each 665 these are to dilate their Files as the former Beyond the Forlorn Hope are plac'd 700 Curassiers ten paces from the former as you may see at the figure 5. These are to order themselves in convenient Troops down by the â—lanks of the former And 5 paces beyond these Curassiers are 300 Carbines which must orderly range themselves in convenient Troops as at the figure 6. In the Rear are foure strong Redouts well Pallizado'd with field-Peeces in them in each severall Redout there are one hundred and fiftie souldiers The Shot belonging to the main Battell are placed before the Pikes to shelter them and to hide the Ordnance amongst them When the enemy are within distance then those Files of Shot which stand before the Ordnance are to divide themselves upon either hand so that the Ordnance may suddenly give a volley upon the enemies Troops and when they have done their best they are to be drawn into the Rear of the Battell View the Figure following CHAP. XXIIII A forme of imbattelling containing 15000 Foot and 2000 Horse with twenty field-Peeces the Pikes girdled with two Ranks of Musketires round about the residue of the Shot are ordered in 188 Maniples IN this forme of imbattelling you may perceive the Pikes to be drawn into twentie four Divisions each Division or Battalia containing three hundred souldiers with convenient distances betwixt them They are first impaled or girdled round under the Pikes with one hundred and eighty Shot which makes two Ranks these are to give fire
wresty Horse goe forwards How to make a shie horse gentle How to make a horse hardy and bold in the warres By trotting the Ring you may embolden your Horse The Dragoones are the fittest to give the on set because they doe their execution at a further distance The Firelocke is â—â—rest to give fire and not so apt to be out of 〈◊〉 besides they will indure Spâ—nd 24. houres together without â—urting them Description of a Ranke Description of a File Twentie in length That the Troope may move orderly and keepe their distances truely let the whole Troope move all at an instant viz. when the Front moves then the Reare to be ready so shall they bee seldome found to erre In Marching or Trooping through a Towne forget not to have your Peeces spand and holding them in your hand with their mouthes upwards and the butt end resting upon your thigh The Figure of the foure Divisions drawne into Battallia The distinctions of the sounds of Trumpet described The proportion of powder usually required for a true charge of any peece is almost halfe the weight in powder of the bullet Some will not have a Cuirassiere to give fire untill he hath plac't his Pistoll under his enemies armour You may place the Pumâ—ell of your Sword upon your right thigh and directing it with your right hand to the place you intend to hit viz. the belly or arme pits or his throat They must be taught to be excellent marks-men for the manner of handling them the directions of the Pistoll may serve for instruction Edmunds observation upon Câ—sars Com. In those Kingdomes that are fortified with strong Garrison Townes there shall neede no such armâ— for those townes are ready to performe the same Office that this Armie should doe * The forme of their standing in Battalia ready for exercise To cause them to face to the right hand is performed by commanding * To the right hand This motion is performed by turning all at once and the same time to the right hand Thus the Front is where the right Flanke was To reduce them to their first forme the word of command is This is performed by turning to the left hand from thence to face them to the left you command This is performed by turning towards the left from hence they are to be reduced by commanding Which they doe by turning to the right Now to face them to the Reare though it be most proper to doe it by the right hand yet for the more ready way you must command This is performed by turning towards the left hand untill their faces Front to that place which was before the Reare To reduce them to their first forme the word of Command is Every other ranke passeth into the rank before them upon the right hand of his leader To reduce them the word of Command is Which is best done by causing those rankes which doubled to stand and those which stood to advance This motion differs nothing from the former onely where as before they doubled to the right now they double to the left hand of their Leaders To reduce them the word of Command is To performe this the second File passeth into the first every man behinde his sideman this must be done throughout the Company at one instant the o are the places where the Files that removed did stand They are reduced by commanding The difference betweene this and the former motion is the difference of hands so that those Files that before moved are now to stand view the Figure They are reduc't by commanding To performe this the middlemen double the first ranke on the right hand the other two Rankes double the two folowing Rankes as is manifest in the Figure To reduce them the word is But in regard of the combersomnesse of the horse in turning to cause them that double to stand and the first division to advance This motion onely differs from the former in the hand The reducing of them is shewed in the former motion In this motion the last Ranke passeth into the first and so successively as the Figure demonstrates it They are reduced by saying For the convenient turning of the horse it is best to beginne with the left hand This Figure is after the Corean manner There are divers other formes of countermarching which are to be performed as well by Rankes as by Files as the Lacedemonian and Macedonian but in regard of brevity they are here omitted All the Files are to close from the right and left towards the middle of the body Note when you intend to wheele your Files must first be closed and then the Rankes and when you command them to open againe the Rankes are first and then the Files To performe this all the Rankes move forwards saving the first which standeth the second ranke being advanc't up to its distance stands so all the rest When the horses are to wheele the Commander must take a reasonable Compasse for they cannot possibly doe it in such exact manner as the foote for they must be allowed a farre greater space in regard of the combersomenes of the horse To performe this motion all the body moveth to the left upon the left file leader as the Center The wheeling to the left hand is the readiest way unlesse some impediments hinders wherefore that is first nominated although it bee more proper to begin with the right the wheeling to the right is for brevity omitted To reduce them wheele to the right hand as you were There is also wheeling to the right or left about wheeling wings into the front they are here omited for brevitie To reduce them into their first order first the Rankes are to be opened then the files In opening the rankes the best way is to doe it by opening forwards It was attributed to Iason Foure kindes of Rhombes â— described Euelide defineth a Rhombe to be a square Figure that hath the sides equall but the Angles not right viz. the foure-sides of the square are of one and the same length but the points which make the Angles are two of them stretched out in length and become more sharpe the other two are more blunt than a Tetragonall square A Rhombe neither filing nor ranking The Thess alonians used this forme of imbattelling their Troopes The termes used by Commanders in former ages as Pâ—li l. 4. 217. A Rhombe ranking but not filing Leo Chap. 5. Sect. 3. and Cap. 6. Sect. 39. Leo Cap 7. Sect. 81 Cap. 14. Sect. 70. Leo Cap 14. Sect. 108 109. Plutarch in Liâ—urgo Leo Cap. 12. Sect. 4â— Their horse Troopes charged the Enemy in Phalang and not by rankes as we doe Leo ibidem reade Bingham upon Aliâ—ns Tacticks pag. 106. Caesar against Pompey did the like and Eâ—aâ—mondas against the Lacedemonians Soâ—e Generalls have 〈…〉 range 〈…〉 second 〈…〉 by a large 〈…〉 â—ront 〈…〉 but 〈…〉 Flank◠〈…〉 battell to 〈…〉 Inâ—anâ—ry Not to charge the enemies foote Troopes