Division yet he is there misplaced for by the same rule in the second and third Opinion as you place the Collonel in the Dignity of a file leader the Lieutenant Collonel hath his Dignity in the place of a Bringer up the Major in the place of the half File leader the first Captain in the place of the Bringer up to the Front half-files Thus far all three joyntly go together and because there is no difference in number of men but equal in both parties they need not stand so much upon an equal opposement but that the second Captain Numb 5. may have his just place of honour immediately next unto his Collonel If it were not for this mode of Dignity according unto a File in the marching of a Regiment and so unto a Rank in a Body I might as well and better require satisfaction the number of each Company being equal in Souldiers why there may not be two field officers in the Collonels Division as well as in the Lieutenant Collonels which I leave to better judgments For the proof of my assertion as joyning with Barrife Ward and others in apointing the second Captain whose is the fift place of Honour next to the File leader or next to the Collonels own company both in Rank and File Bar. pa. 17. 1. The File leader ought to be the worthiest because he hath the Command of his File and marcheth first against the Enemie 2. The Bringer up ought to be the second place of Honour because his place of March is in the reer and is in most danger should the Enemie charge on that part 3. The half file leader is the third place of Honour because when the Front half files are taken off upon any occasion he is the leader unless he be commanded to face about 4. The last man or Bringer up of the Front half files is the fourth man in dignity for so he is when the Reer Division is taken of 5. The next man to the File leader hath the fift place of honour for one doubling brings him into the Front 6. The sixt place of Honour is before the Bringer up for if the Body be faced about one doubling brings him into that accidental Front or keeping of his proper Front by once doubling he becomes bringer up to the File leader 7. The seventh Dignity of place is his who marcheth next after the half file leader for when the half files double the Front or march forth then one doubling ranks him even with the Front 8. The eight place of Honour the File being but eight in depth is the third from the front for he may be made a File leader also although it may be with more trouble for by countermarching of the Front and Reere into the midst and then facing to the first Front and after doubling of Ranks makes him a File leader also I desire to speak nothing here to tye up the Ingenious to any particular fancy when his own reason shall guide him in this Military Discipline as may not be irregular and contrary to the rules of Art Now each Souldier being well exercised in the Postures of the Pike and Musquet and knowing their Dignity both in File and Rank will not stand still here but must be labouring to march farther in this field of Military Discipline that by the knowledge thereof his undaunted courage might conduct him to some higher worth or place of Dignity CHAP. IV. Of the Drum I Come in the next place to advise every Souldier to be careful and endeavour to know the several Beates thereof or else he may often fall short of his Captains Commands There are these several Beates to be taken notice of as Military signs for the Souldier to walk or guide his actions by and are termed Semivocall signes as you may see in the Horse service pa. 9. The several Beates or poynts of War are 1. A Call 2. A Troope 3. A March 4. A Preparative 5. A Battalia 6. A Retreit Besides these six there are two other Beats of the Drum 7. A Ta-to 8. A Revally The Ta-to is beaten when the Watch is set at the discretion of the Governour after which in most places or Garrisons of note there is a Warning piece discharged so that none are to be out of their houses without the word is given them c. A Revally is beaten in the morning by day light at which time the subofficers are to take off their out Sentinels It is when by reason of the great noyse of Guns men armes and Horses the Commanders voyce for it can neither be heard or obeyed without the beat of the Drum And the action of the Souldier whether valiant or otherwise is to be guided by it And For the better performance hereof it is the Captains duty to teach his Souldiers distinctly the several beats of the Drum that they may be the better able to perform their respective duties when ever they shall be so commanded by the Drum CHAP. V. Of Distances HErein I shall shew you what distance is and the several sorts of distances Without distance no motion can be performed Although distance in it self is not motion yet there is a motion in that action that produceth our several distances of place between man and man or that space or intervall of ground either in File or Rank And I may truly assert that the Discipline of a Foot Company c. consisteth so much in distance and motion that there is great necessitie of learning this very principle for they are not fixed in one station but are mutually interchanged one with another as occasion is offered by command and so are all brought into Order by their distances for if a perfect form of order be not observed disorder must necessarily follow the effect of which produceth confusion In our Modern discipline there are these four distances in use 1. Close Order 2. Order 3. Open Order 4. Double distance 1. Close Order which is both in File rank one foot and half 2. Order which is both in File rank three foot 3. Open Order which is both in File rank six foot 4. Double distance which is both in File rank twelve foot There are several distances to be performed in 1. March 2. Motion 3. Skirmish 1. The distance of marching between File and File is three foot between Rank and Rank is six foot 2. The distance for motion as for doubling of Files and Ranks for facings and Countermarches between File and Rank is six foot 3. Distances for intire doublings and skirmishes between Rank and File is three Foot 4. Distances for prevention of Cannon shott is 12 Foot or 24. Foot the double double distance Note that the close Order is useful 1. To the Files of Pikes to the charge of Horse 2. Before you Command any Wheelings 3. When the Commander is to deliver somewhat to the Souldier that all may hear Observe Before you open or
close your body by command to Distance to action let every Captain or chief Officer Command his Souldiers to streighten their Files and to even their Ranks In the next place to be silent that thereby they may be attentive to the words of Command Which for the several distances are as followeth Commands 1. Files to your close Order 2. Ranks to your close Order there might be abreviated into a shorter method but my intents is for plain capacities 1. Files open to the right 1. To your Order 2. To your open Order 3. To your double distance 2. Ranks open forward 1. To your Order 2. To your open Order 3. To your close Order 3. Files open to the Left 1. To your Order 2. To your open Order 3. To your double distance 4. Ranks open to the reer or backwards 1. To your Order 2. To your open Order 3. To your double distance 5. Files open to the right and left 1. To your Order 2. To your open Order 3. To your double distance 6. Ranks open to the right and left 1. To your Order 2. To your open Order 3. To your double distance Reducements 1. Files close to the right 1. To your open Order 2. To your Order 3. To your close Order 2. Ranks open forward 1. To your open Order 2. To your Order 3. To your close Order 3. Files close to the left 1. To your open Order 2. To your Order 3. To your close Order 4. Ranks close to the reer c. 1. To your open Order 2. To your Order 3. To your close Order 5. Files close to the right and left inward or to the midst 1. To your open Order 2. To your Order 3. To your close Order 6. Ranks close to the right and left inward 1. To your open Order 2. To your Order 3. To your close Order These are useful and may be used at the discretion of the Commander And for your better performance in the closing and opening of Files and Ranks take these following Observations 1. When Files open to the right the left hand File must stand fast every File taking his distance from the File next his left hand 2. When they open to the left the right hand File stands fast c. 3. When Ranks open forward the last rank stands every rank taking his distance from the rank next behind him 4. When they open backward or to the reer the first rank stands c. 5. When Files close to the right the right hand file stands the rest close to the right taking their distance from the right hand file 6. And if Files close to the left the left hand file stands the rest of the Files close to the left and take their distance c. 7. When Files close to the right and left then they close inward taking their distance from those Files within them nearest to the midst of the Body 8. When files close to the right and left by Division it must be outwards according to the fift and sixt observation 9. When Ranks close to the front and reer then the first and last Ranks stand the other taking their distance 10. If Ranks close to the midst then they close towards their two midlemost Ranks I have not used the word Center in any of these Commands because it is conceived that the word is more proper to a circle and not to a square or a broader fronted body It is not of absolute necessity that a Commander in the exercise of a private Company shall use all these openings and closings to those several distances mentioned but so many of them as may be thought fit for his present Exercise intended although it cannot be denied but that they may be useful at some time or other CHAP. VI. Of Marching and Drawing up of a Company THe Souldier being informed of the Dignity of Place together with the several Beats of the Drum and their respective distances I shall march a Company of Foot and draw them up which Company shall consist of twelve Files four Files of Pikes and eight Files of Musqueteers But the Deputy Lieutenants for the County of Sommerset have allotted some files more to each Company and it is a rare thing to have them compleat in the Field so that it hath been too apparent because there hath not been an equality in Files their Companies have been wholly unfit for Exercise but I hope these errors will be better looked into and amended hereafter A Company marching A Company drawing up Files are to be at their Order and Ranks at their open Order When the Company is drawing up the Drum is to beat a Troop the Pikes to be advanced the Musquets to be poised and being in a Body are ready for Command A Company drawn up A number of Men being thus drawn up and completed consisting of Pikes and Musquets there is in them according to the rules of Art a Front a Reer a right and left Flank Front half files Reer half files Right half ranks and left half ranks there is the length and depth of the Battel and these are extended in their number of men The front in this Figure is first of all to be taken notice of There are in all exercises a proper Front and an accidental Front the Company being drawn up and standing in a body with faces to their leader maketh a proper Front Vide Chap. of facings And the accidental front is as the Cheifetains shall command the face of the whole body In short the front is where the faces of the Company are directed one way The first Rank or row of men they are termed File leaders who have the command of their respective Files and are to Exercise them severally Observe that from and with the right hand file leader to and with the left hand file leader is the extent of the Front and is termed the length of the Battel And the Souldiers standing severally from and with their File leaders in a sequence to and with their Bringers up are termed Files or the depth of the Battel The Reer of the body is so termed where ever the back of the Company are turned Every File leader hath his bringer up that by death or other absence next in point of honour is to succeed them both in Place and power The extent and length of the Reer last rank or bringers up is the same with the Frontiers The right and left Flanks are the outmost Files upon either hand of the body from the Front to the bringers up There is in a body drawn up front half files and Reer half files the Front half files extend themselves three in depth to and with the third Rank and the Reer half files is the fourth Rank to and with the last both which have their extents divided in the whole length and depth of the body Half Ranks are from the midst of the Files so taking their length or bounds to the outmost man or file
in this motion the File leader is first to move unto that hand the Command is given And if six deep the half file leader is to advance the same way To reduce this Command Ranks file or invert to the right Then every File-leader lead up his File and rank to the right OR As you were 2. The uneven parts of Files ranking is when there is such an increase either of two three or more in each Rank so exceeding the Rank before it and these exceedings are termed in Arithmetick A Progressional Increase Or else by the decrease of each Rank following after 2. Command Files rank three first then by increase to the right two in each Division of Musquetteers and Pikes These are termed half Rombes or Wedges For Exercise sake you may make a Wedge or half Rombe of all twelve by 3. Command Files rank first two and by increase two from the whole Body You may alter the mixture of Armes at your discretion 4. Command is in the nature of a Rombe Files rank first two and by increase and decrease two in each Rank Divisionally both of Musquetteers and Pikes The reducement of these three last Commands is Ranks file as you were These Rombes and half Rombes or Wedges were much of use in the Graecian Wars Read the Tact. of Aelian pag. 108. But being not now so much in use I shall not spend much time in them but leave the desirous to the view of Captain Ward 5. Command Files rank to the Right or Left into the Front 6. Command Files rank to the Right or Left by wheeling into the Front I shall demonstrate both in this by Wheeling only observe there must be so much distance between each file as will contain each in rank To perform them Command Files open to the left to your double distance Ranks close forward to your close Order face to the right wheel all to the left until the whole Body be brought into one intire Rank 5. 6. Figure To reduce this Command Face to the Reer then the first six to the right wheel to the right When all have wheeled by sixes to the right then face them to their Leader and close their Files at discretion 7. Command Files rank into the Front and Reer by Division To perform this Command Files open to the left to your order Ranks close forward to your close order Half files face about to the right and face to the left then move all into the Front and Reer and make two intire Ranks When the distance is set Observe that those in motion are to face to the right flank To reduce this Command Front half files face about to the left reer half files face about to the right then wheel all into their respective Files then face them to their Leader and close their files at discretion Here might be inserted for variety and curiosity some more words of Command of Conversion of files ranking into the midst by Countermarches and by Wheelings But by what is demonstrated already you 'l find enough in them and I must look to be censured by some for what is done and conceiving the remainder to be useless I shall omit them to avoid a further censure and proceed to the Conversion of Ranks ranking in equal Parts 1. Conversion of Ranks ranking in equal Parts Observe that in Ranks ranking you may perform it with any number more or less as place and occasion may serve containing in every Rank an equality in Number And it is to be understood after this manner When there is twelve more or less marching a breast and by reason of some narrowness of passage or some other intent the Commander causeth his Souldiers to rank either two three five or seven c. according to the place or occasion 8. Command Ranks rank two to the right To perform this Command The two first in Rank to the right advance forwards the next two of the same Rank in the Reer of them until the first Rank have made six Ranks and in all 36 Ranks To reduce this Command Ranks rank twelve to the left Observe that the first rank stands the rest are to advance two and two until the whole rank of twelve be complete in one rank 9. Command Rank two to the right and left 1. Outward then 2. Inward To perform this outward Command The two outmost men upon the right and left hand advance forwards the next in the same Rank are to follow dividing themselves two to the right hand and two to the left hand so when the Work is finished there will be eighteen Ranks in each Division To reduce this Ranks as you were OR Rank twelve to the right and left inward 2. To perform it Inward Ranks rank two to the right and left inwards Command The two inmost men of the right and left hand in the midst of the Battail advance forwards the next in the same Rank are to follow two from the right hand and two from the left until the Work be finished making eighteen Ranks To reduce this Command Ranks as you were OR Ranks twelve to the right and left outwards I shall demonstrate one Figure of Ranks ranking in unequal parts which is rather to satisfie the curious than of any absolute necessity Vnequal Parts 10. Command Ranks rank 1 3 5 7 9 11. by increase and decrease as they stand in a Body To perform this The right hand man of the first rank march forth then the three next of the same rank follow in the reer of him then five more out of the same rank to make the third and what is wanting in the first rank of the Body to make good the fourth in Figure must be taken out of the second in body and so to proceed in the remainder both for its increase and decrease until your Command be produced To reduce this Command Right hand men rank twelve as you were 11. Command Ranks rank intire to the Right or Left into the Front To perform this Let the first rank stand every rank else face to the right and move away to the right successively placing themselves on the right hand of each rank until they all stand in one intire rank in the Front Figure 11. To reduce this Command Ranks rank as you were OR Ranks rank twelve to the left the second falls into the reer of the first the third into the reer of the second and so all successively until they be reduced 12. Command Ranks rank intire into the Front every man placing himself on the outside of his Right or Left hand man by Countermarch To perform this to the right hand man The first rank stands the rest moves away to the right on the outside of the right hand man The precedent reducement will reduce this OR Ranks rank twelve to the left each placing himself on the outside of his left hand man 13. Command Ranks rank 1. Outward 2. Inward into the Front 1. To
perform it outwards Command The first rank to stand the rest to face to the right and left outwards the second rank to advance clear of the first and then to move forth even with the Front in breast and all the rest successively do the same until they be all even with the Front in one intire rank To reduce this Ranks as you were OR The first 12 or 12 middlemost stand the rest face to the right and left inwards the second to move into the reer of the first rank the third into the reer of the second and successively the rest into the reer of the remainder and being faced to their Leader and even in their ranks they are reduced 2. To perform it Inwards Command Ranks rank inward into the Front To produce it the first rank to move to the right and left outwards and so to keep moving or opening then the second rank is to advance into the ground of the first and the second is then to move with the first to the right and left outwards then the third is to advance into the place of the second rank so all are to do until the last rank is advanced intire into the Front To reduce this The first six upon the right and left hand stand then Command Ranks rank six to the right and left outwards And close your Divisions Lastly the Conversion of Ranks by wheeling into the Flanks 14. Command Ranks wheel to the Right or Left into the right Flank To perform this Command Every particular rank to be at double Distance in rank and at close Order in file Then Wheel them to their right hand until they have brought their Faces or Aspects unto the right Flank After you may face them to the Front To reduce this Command Files rank twelve to the right The first man is to stand the rest is to move forward to the right successively twelve in rank But if you wheel them to the left hand into the right flank you must command them to face about and wheel your ranks to the left hand until their Faces or Aspects be brought to the right Flank 15. Command Ranks of your Front and Reer half files wheel outwards to your right Flank I shall put in execution but two Ranks one in the Front half files and the other of the Reer half files which is sufficient for Demonstration To perform this Command Ranks open all to your twice double distance then Front half files wheel to the right and Reer half files wheel to the left And face to your Leader To reduce them Command Front half files rank twelve to the right Reer half files rank twelve to the left Face to your Leader march up and close forwards to your due distance 16. Command Ranks of your Front and Reer half Files wheel inwards into your right Flank To perform this Command Front and Reer half files march clear to your twice double distance Front and Reer half files face about Front half files wheel your Ranks to the left and Reer half files wheel your Ranks to the right Face to your Leader To reduce this Command Front half files rank twelve to the left Reer half files face about and rank twelve to the right Face to your Leader and close your Divisions 17. Command Ranks rank to each Flank by wheeling to the right and left into the same by Division OR Ranks wheel to the right and left by Division into both Flanks advancing or placing themselves before their right and left hand men Observe they are to be at double distance in Rank and at Order in File Figure 17. To reduce them Command them to face to the Reer and wheel into their places OR Files rank twelve to the right and left inward into the Reer and close them to their order then face them to their Leader But if you would avoid mixture of Arms you may place all your Musquetteers either in Front and Reer Or else wheel only the Musquetteers first and leave the Pikes standing Or else it may be performed in marching and then the Reducement is Ranks as you were 18. Command Ranks of your Front and Reer half files wheel outwards to your right and left Flank by Division They are to observe the same distance as in the former To perform this Command Half files face about Ranks open to your double distance then Front and Reer half files wheel to the right and left outwards into both Flanks Figure 18. To reduce this Command Who being faced to their Leader Front half files face to the Reer rank twelve to the right and left inwards And Reer half files face about and rank twelve to the right and left inward Files close to the midst to your order Face to your Leader CHAP. XIV Of making File-Leaders successively both of Number and Place in a File and so for a whole Body The Sweedish Mode also AS I have stinted my self to a set Number of Files so I have also to a set Number in a File not exceeding six being according to our present Mode of Discipline for if I had gone to a various Number in Files and added two to each File my Figures had been more delightful to some Spectators others I hope will find enough in this to qualifie or make them fit to do their King and Country service c. And now the Souldery having marched sometimes together and so loving being Souldiers indeed by reason of such experiences as they have attained unto in the exercise of this Military Art that each Leader is willing his follower should take his place which is a great incouragement to an ingenious Souldier This ought not to be slighted because it is profitable to a Commander to bring what Ranks he pleaseth to lead in the Front and to exchange them again and at last to bring the proper File-Leaders into their places Besides the incouragement it hath in private exercises it makes men studious whereby they may be able to Command in their respective Files when they are become Leaders In the first place take these short Commands to produce them as followeth Command 1. A File-Leader 2. Rank two to the left and Files to the left double 3. Countermarch Front and Reer into the midst and face to that part which was the Reer 4. Face about to the right 5. Countermarch from the Reer into the midst and face to that which was the Reer 6. Files rank two to the right and Files to the right double This being performed they are reduc'd I shall demonstrate by Tables the succession of each man's Leading and give you some or several Words of Command according to my own and others severally that shall produce such Leader into his place as they shall stand in sequence and as they shall also stand in their respective Dignities The Front and standings of each File as they come to be Leaders according to various Commands A File       Â
than for publick Service 5. Command Give fire to the right and place your selves even in Front with the Pikes marching up between the midst of the Pikes Observe in the performance hereof the Pikes as they march are to open to the right and left and the fired Musquetteers are to be lead up according to Command To reduce this Command 1. Pikes to face inwards 2. Musquetteers face to the right and left outwards 3. Pass all through and interchange Ground 4. Face to your Leader 6. Command Musquetteers give fire to the right placing your selves on the outside of the left Flank of Pikes If you will reduce this without any firing you may Command the right half Ranks to pass through your Ranks of Pikes The Ingenious may find many ways for the Reducement Or when all the Musquetteers are on the left flank you may fire them over again and they are reduced 7. Command Musquetteers give fire to the right and to the Reer placing your selves between the Pikes and your own Divisions Having placed your left flank of Musquetteers in the Reer A useful firing then Command The outmost file upon the right flank are to face to the right and the last rank of Musquetteers in the Reer are to face about and both are to present and give fire together and having fired the outermost file upon the right hand faceth to the left and marcheth after their Leader in the interval between the Musquets and the Pikes They are to march a reasonable pace and the rank fired in the Reer is to wheel to the right placing it self in the Reer of Pikes c. This is easily reduced by commanding the Musquetteers to draw off into the left flank again Observe that flank that is farthest from the Enemy ought to be drawn into the Reer 8. Command Musquetteers give fire to both Flanks marching and place your selves between the Pikes and your own Divisions To perform this the outermost file of each flank presents outward 9. Command The Body standing Advance your Pikes Musquetteers and Pikes face to the right and left Musquetteers present and give fire to both flanks and flank your Pikes The outermost file upon the right and left flank presents and fires wheeling off by Division ranking or flanking the Pikes as they stand faced leaving such a distance as the rest may securely follow them every rank is to fire upon the same Ground and wheel off by Division after the same manner From this Figure as they will stand after firing there may be produced a great many brave Figures but now I must leave them to the skilful Artist To reduce this Command The Musquetteers to march all until they are clear of the Pikes then face them to the right and left inwards and close their Divisions and face them to their Leader 10. Command Because it may easily be produced from the precedent Figure it shall be from the first Figure of firing in the Front and Reer Chap. 19. the Body being faced to the right and left will be a firing to both Flanks 11. Command Shall be a firing to right Flank and to the Front and Reer Left half Ranks double your right Flank by Division You may face the Divisions any way which you intend for their firing After firing they are to wheel off into their own Divisions every Rank moving into his Leaders Ground To reduce them face them to their proper Front then Command half Ranks that doubled face to the left and so march into your places See the doubling of Flanks Figure 17. CHAP. XXI Of several Divisional Firings I Might here make mention of a great many Figures for firings some serviceable and others not but all left to the judicious for censure and to make use of the best yet none useless for delight or Garden Exercises The Figures cannot be perfect because I am tied to the exercise but of twelve Files four of them Pikes and eight Musquetteers it being a Number that our Western Commanders can make use of and no more yet any who may be capable to perform them will be able to invent others and command the production of such like in geater Numbers and with better delight 1. Command The two outmost Files upon each Flank stand the two inmost half Ranks of the Reer face about to the right the two inmost half Ranks both of Front and Reer march until you are clear of the Body of Pikes then half Files rank to the right and left inwards by wheeling into the Front For the Pikes open them to the right and left from the midst then Command the right and left hand File of Pikes to stand the Reer half Files of the remainder face about to the right then both half Files rank to the right and left inward into the Front and Reer This Figure in great Bodies must be performed otherways and may be very serviceable against the Horse the Pikes may advance into the Front of Musquetteers to secure them against the Horses fury if occasion shall serve After their first firing and wheeling off to the right and left in the Reer of their own Divisions then when the Pikes are defending them from the Horse let them fire over the Pikes This being done pass through the Musquetteers before the several Fronts of Pikes as they were before any firing To reduce them Command Face the Front and Reer to the right and left inwards The Front and Reer Ranks of Pikes file to the right and left inwards the right and left hand files of Pikes close to the right and left inwards and close all to the midst Then Command the Front and Reer Ranks of Musquetteers file to the right and left inward face in opposition and march into your places closing the whole Body to their close Order and open them again to their Order Evening of their Ranks and streightning of their Files they are reduced 2. Command and Direction Musquetteers open six foot to the right and left Front half Files of the right Flank of Musquetteers Advance intire into the Front of Pikes The Reer Division of the left Flank of Musquetteers face about to the right and double intire the Reer of the Pikes The Front Division of Musquetteers of the left face about to the right and march even in breast with the Reer half Files of Pikes The Front half Files of Pikes face to the right and left outwards and march until you are clear c. Face them to their Leader To reduce them The Front Division of Musquetteers face to the right and march into your places Reer Division of Musquetteers face to the left and march forth into your places Front half Files of Pikes face in opposition and close your Divisions The left flank of Musquetteers advance even with the Front of Pikes Musquetteers close to the right and left inward and face them to their Leader And they are reduced 3. Command Front half Files face to the right and left
Carabine 11. Draw forth your scouring stick or Rammer 12. Shorten your Rammer 13. Lade with Bullet and Ramm home 14. With-draw your Rammer or scowring stick 15. Return your scowring stick 16. Recover and rest your Carabine in your bridle hand 17. Fix your Hammer or Steel 18. Free your Cock 19. Present your Carabine In presenting of the Carabine he must rest it upon his bridle Arm placing the butt end to the right side near the shoulder or at length with his right hand 20. Give fire Note That the Carabine is to be fired about twelve foot distance and to be levelled at the knees of your Enemies Horse because that by the strength of the Powder and motion of the Horse your shot may be at Random 21. Drop or let fall your Carabine These Postures may serve for the Harquebuz but observe when at any time you make your Approaches towards an Enemy your Carabine is to be mounted with the butt end on your thigh with your hand above the lock and so when you march through any Town or City otherwise to be dropt Here follow the Commands for the Pistols Postures 1. Vncape your Pistols 2. Draw forth your Pistols This must be performed with the right hand the left Pistol first and then to mount the Muzzel 3. Order your Pistol Rest your Pistol a little in your bridle hand and then immediately take your Pistol near the middle part of it and place the butt end upon your thigh 4. Sink or rest your Pistol in your bridle hand 5. Bend your Cock or draw up your Cock to half bent 6. Secure or Guard your Cock 7. Open your Pan. 8. Prime your Pan. 9. Shut your Pan or order your Hammer or Steel 10. Cast about your Pistols Which is to be done against your left thigh with your muzzel upwards in your bridle hand 11. Gage your Flasks 12. Lade your Pistols with Powder For your more speedy lading of your Pistols there is lately invented a small powder flask with a suitable charge but it is not to be denied but your Cartroaches are very serviceable 13. Draw forth your Rammer 14. Shorten your Rammer 15. Lade with Bullet and ram home 16. With-draw your Rammer 17. Shorten your Rammer 18. Return your Rammer 19. Recover your Pistol 20. Fix or order your Hammer or Steel 21. Free your Cock 22. Bend your Cock at full bent 23. Present your Pistols 24. Give fire In the firing of your Pistols you are not to fire directly forwards to your Enemies horses head but towards the right hand with the lock of the Pistol upwards 25. Return your Pistol c. The Souldier having fired and returned his Pistol if time will permit him so to do he is to take himself to the use of the sword his sword being drawn and placed in his bridle hand near to the hilt of the sword and having received it into his weapon hand for service must place the pummel upon his right thigh and so to raise his point to his mark higher or lower as occasion serveth and therewith to endeavour to disable his Enemy either by cutting his Horses bridle or other his Arms that he serveth in which if discreetly managed will prove perilous to them And further it is very requisite that the Harquebuzier and Carabinier be often exercised to shoot bullets at a mark that in time they may be approved marks-men In order to which they are to take special care not to over-charge their peeces with powder as it is too much an errour in many endeavouring more for a report than for execution Wherefore there ought not to be in proportion for any peece but almost half as much the weight in Powder of the bullet or the Diameter and half of the peece is charge enough And it ought to be the special care of every Commander to see that his Souldiers be served with good powder and well cast bullets and that their bullets be directly fit to their Carabines and Pistols I should now come to shew you what is to be learned by a Souldier for the better demeaning of himself being joyned in a body But shall not in this place shew at large what is meant by a File or Rank half files or half ranks front Read in the exercise of the foot pag. flanks or reer because it will spend too much time and our late unhappy differences have given some light thereunto besides there is so much writ of them in several Treatises of the Infantry that it would be too much trouble here to treat thereupon CHAP. VII Of Distance EVery Troop consisteth of Ranks and Files Note That in drawing up of a Troop it must be performed by files not by Ranks and by squadrons as Chap. 5. In Order to distance I must briefly declare what a File and a Rank is A File is a sequent Number certain See Foot Ch. 3. standing head to crupper in a straight line from the Front to the Reer and according to our Mode of Discipline consisteth of three Persons 1 h 2 h 3 h A Rank is a Row of men uncertain in Number Pouldron to Pouldron even in breast be they more or less according to the quantity of Souldiers as it falls out to make a Rank There are to be observed two sorts of distances or orders in File and Rank Viz. Close Open Order Close Order in Files is three foot or as occasion serveth closing knee to knee Open Order in files is six foot Close Order in Ranks is three foot or as occasion serveth closing to the Horses crupper Open Order in Ranks is six foot And herein you must further know that there is a difference between the manner of taking the distance of the Cavalry and the Infantry In the Foot the distance is taken from the Souldiers body which cannot be understood in this place but only of space of ground between Horse and Horse CHAP. VIII Of Motions There be four kind of Motions Facings Doublings Counter-marches Wheelings BUt some of these being not of use to our present mode of Discipline therefore I shall treat no more of them but what may be useful 1. Facings are used to make the Company perfect and to be suddainly prepared for a Charge on either Flank or Reer With 10. 8. and 6. in depth 2. Doublings There hath been used in the Horse service these following as 1. As to strengthen the Front There were used to strengthen the Flanks 1. Doublings of Ranks 2. Doublings of half Files 3. Doubling of the Front by bringers up 4. Doublings of Files 5. Doublings of half Ranks The three first as to our Mode of Exercise may be wholly laid aside in regard they cannot be performed the Troop being but three in depth It is conceived the other two may be necessary either for Exercise sake or in regard of some suddain Onset on the Flanks thereby to strengthen them but I otherwise think this may be prevented by a speedy wheeling
3. For Counter-marches which is but the reducement of File-Leaders into the place of bringers up or one flank into the place of another which is more proper for the foot service than useful in the exercise of the Horse yet because some have used it in their exercise therefore I shall demonstrate one Counter-march by Figure in his place 4. For Wheelings They are of most excellent use in the service of the Horse and ought to be very carefully exercised by every Commander they serve in some respect to execute what is to be performed by Counter-marches which is to bring the Frontiers who are always supposed to consist of the ablest men thereby to be ready to receive the Charge of the Enemy in either Flank or Reer which by Counter-marches you cannot do Accordingly the Motions shall follow that the untutoured Souldier may the better apprehend them It shall be represented by the Letter h. All Motions are to be done intirely at one and the same time for in our Military Exercises they are the very life of an Army and the only means being truly performed that giveth Victory without which all preparations of Forces are in vain and avail nothing in the field to the end for which they were levied And this among experienced Souldiers is of inestimable reputation 1. To the Right Hand Note That in all Motions before a second be commanded I mean in all single Motions the body must be reduced to his first proper form To Reduce them command To the left or To your Leader or As you were 2. To the Left Hand To reduce them command To the Right or To your Leader or As you were 3. To the right hand about 4. To the left hand about This is by turning to the left hand until their Faces front the Reer The proper Front To reduce them To the right hand about 5. Ranks open forward to your double distance 6. Files to the right double 7. Files to the left double It is most convenient for the Horse to move from the right hand To reduce them Ranks to the right double or Files rank as you were 8. Files to the right hand Counter-march 9. Files to the left hand Counter-march Foot pa. 60. To perform this Direct That all the file Leaders move their Horses intirely a little forwards and so likewise turning off to the left hand they march even in rank down to the Reer and none of the rest to turn off until he come to his Leaders ground To Reduce them Counter-march to the left As this is for the maintaining of the same Ground so there may be a Counter-march for the gaining of Ground but I conceive them wholly useless but where you have not ground to make your Wheels Therefore not knowing what necessity may force us unto it is convenient the Souldier should be sometimes exercised therein Note That in your Counter-marches for gaining of ground the Souldier is to turn off the ground his Horse stands upon and so passing through each is to follow his Leader 10. Ranks close forwards 11. Files close to the left 12. Files close to the left to your close Order Observe in closing to the left the left File is to stand fixt the next are to move to the left 13. Ranks close forward to your close Order In performance of this Command the first Rank is to stand the second moving and taking its distance stands likewise and so the third It cannot be expected that any Wheeling of the Horse should be so exactly performed in so little a compass as is taken by the foot therefore every Commander ought discreetly to take larger room for the compass of his motion so that all his Wheelings may be performed intirely without distraction Note That Wheeling to the left for the Horse is the readiest way except you are prevented by some hinderances c. 14. Wheel to the left hand In this motion the whole body moveth to the left upon the left hand file-leader as the center And so you may keep wheeling until you have brought them to their proper front So if you wheel them to the left about the Reer then will be their accidental Front 15. Wheel to the right and left by Division The Wheelings of the accidental Fronts upon both Wings into the proper Front and close their Divisions will reduce them 16. Trot large and wheel to the left Wheeling to the right will Reduce them or by a circular Wheeling of them until they are brought into their proper form 17. Trot and wheel to the left about This bringeth the ablest men to be in the Reer for any speedy On-set and Wheeling to the right about will reduce them c. The word Alt doth signifie to make a stand and is derived from the Dutch word Halt which is as we say hold c. Observe that in all motions you make an Alt that the Souldery may settle themselves in their places both in Rank and File before you put any fresh Command upon them 18. Gallop and wheel to the left 19. Gallop and wheel to the left about To reduce both these is by wheeling to the contrary All these being performed to reduce them to their first form Open first your Ranks and then your Files and in opening of your Ranks the best way is to open them forwards CHAP. IX Of Firings I Had thoughts to have treated of Encampments and Embattelings but that being not my work at present I shall pass them by because it is my business to treat only of the exercise of a single Troop In the first place I shall set out one firing of Walhausens When your Enemy chargeth you in a full career Cruso fol. â—9 you are suddainly to open to the right and left facing inwards and charge them in the flanks and when the Enemy is past your body you are to wheel to the right and left inward and so charge him with a full career in the Reer but here you must observe their files to be six and eight in depth and so his Figure is represented as followeth This he commends very much for whilst the Enemy is upon his Career you are but upon your Trot and then opening to the right and left This he speaks of Cuirasiers either he must run through and do but little execution or else Alt in his career and so disorders himself which is advantageous to you But I am of another opinion as to our Mode of fighting being but three in depth we must rather sink than suffer any Voluntary Breach The same Author would have our Harquebuziers to give fire by Files either right or left advancing before the Body in a full career towards the Enemy but many do wholly reject it as being dangerous in Field service But now for the private exercise of a single Troop which may be necessary to bring the Souldier to a more ready and complete use of his Arms I shall demonstrate of Files firing
leader either upon the right or left hand CHAP. VI. Of Facings SOme have thought that Facings are but of little use so that a commander might dispence with the Exercise thereof There being a mistake in such I must declare That facings are very necessary and of such excellent use as in no wise to be neglected for in service their executions are quicker than other motions and may be performed when other commands cannot be used both for time and place The Body being faced or the faces of the Body is termed an aspect and being particularly turned by command maketh an accidental front which is called a facing So that in short facing is the turning and altering of the aspect to either hand Front or Reer as may appear in the several commands following In which we must understand that facings are either Intire or Divisional There are Angular facings also 1. Intire Facing is when the aspect of the company is directed one way There are four intire facings besides Angular Command Face to the 1. Right Each man is to turn upon that foot to which hand the facing is commanded wheeling the Body to that Aspect When you face to any hand you may reduce them to the contrary 2. Left 3. Right about 4. Left about To reduce them Command As you were or To your Leader Angular facings are when directed to make their Aspects to the right or left corner men that is to the right or left Angle And so if you command to the four corners it is to face them to their four Angles which is Divisional Command Face to the Right Left Angle To reduce them Command As you were or To your leader These Angular facings are not so much in use as formerly Divisional facings are contrary to the Intire for they look divers wayes Which are Command Face to the 1. Right and left 2. Right and left inward 3. Four Angles To reduce them As you were or To your leader It is necessary that the half files doe many of these commands by themselves that they may the better understand it when the body shall come to be subdivided For Angular facings they are out of use or not so much in use as formerly By most Authors facings are to be performed at open order both in Rank and File But it is also necessary to exercise the Souldier in these facings at close Order for if a Souldier should be assaulted in a straight or narrow passage that he hath neither time nor ground to receive it either by doublings Counter-marches or wheelings they stand at their Order or close Order may then by their particular facings defend themselves against any such assault and with wore ease so charge their Enemy by some of these facings than by any other motion Facings are not to be slighted but carefully to be observed and practised they are the ground-work of Military discipline for all motions have relation in one respect or another to them There are two facings square as followeth set down in their platformes See Barrife Ward c. because they are not only useful but may serve as demonstrations of the former Command The two first Ranks stand the two last Ranks face about the rest of the body face to the right and left and march all To reduce them Command 1. Face about to the right march and close your Divisions 2. Face to your leader who standeth at his proper front Figure 2. Command 1. Musquetteers face to the right and left 2. Half Files of Pikes face about to the right 3. March all To reduce them Command 1. Face all about to the right march and close your divisions 2. Face all to your Leader By this little you may perceive much of the Nature of Facings and how useful they are towards the making of the Souldier apt and perfect in other motions I shall proceed to the Nature of doublings with the several branches or parts of them CHAP. VII Of Doublings IT is allowed by the Judicious that they are most necessary and completely useful for the strengthening any part of the Battle as occasion and discretion shall command All which consist in these two Generals 1. Doublings of Length 2. Doublings of Depth All times in quantity of Number sometimes in Number and place The several sorts of doublings are as followeth 1. Of ranks 2. Of half files 3. Of bringers up 4. Of the reer 5. Of files 6. Of half ranks 1. The doubling of Ranks is when every Rank double the odd 2. Half Files are said to be doubled when they shall double their Ranks into the Front 3. Bringers up are said to be doubled when they shall double their Ranks into the Front 4. The doubling of the Reer is when the Front half file doubles the Reer 5. The doubling of files is when even files double the odd 6. The doubling of half ranks is when one rank shall double the other And that is performed by Passing through Countermarches Intire or divisional doublings The doubling of Ranks half files or bringers up into the Front is a doubling of quantity or number and not of place But the doubling of ranks intire or for to double the front by half files intire either to the right or left or by Division It makes not only a doubling in quantity and of place but lengthens the battle also The doubling of files and half files or half ranks or doubling to either flank is a doubling in quantity and not of place But the doubling of files and right half ranks intire and the depth of the left flank intire is not only a doubling of number but of place and depth of the battle Observe that all divisional doublings are to be at open Order both in Rank and File Observe that in all motions they must be performed in three steps and first by stepping forth of that foot which is next to the place named And for reducement to return by the contrary hand Observe that in doubling of Ranks the doubling of Files reduceth them so in the doubling of Files to any hand the doubling of Ranks to the contrary hand reduceth them also Observe that in all motions of doublings that they who are to double before they move from their places are to Advance and Poyse their Arms and when they have performed their Commands they are immediately to conform to the same posture that those whom they double are in whether it be at shoulder or advance Observe that all intire doublings are to be performed at Order both in Rank and File And in all motions observe your right hand man I shall not only give you the words of command for most particular doublings that may be useful for service with directions for the performance of the same with their reducements And as I have been importuned by some of the Deputy Lieutenants to add to them their several platforms or Figures it is accordingly performed But my chief aim is to demonstrate
move down to the Reer even in breast with the last Rank If this be for service you may face them all to the Reer If only for Exercise you may reduce them as they now stand by Commanding Front half files face about to the right and advance forwards until they are clear of the standing part then face them to the right and left inwards and close your Divisions 4. Command Front half files double your Reer to the 1. Right 2. Left by Countermarch To performe this If the Command given for the left face the standing half files to the Reer and the rest Countermarch to the left and lose ground But if it be only for Exercise you need not face the standing part to the Reer at all To reduce this as being only for Exercise Command Front half files face about to the left and march forth into your places But if it be upon service that they are all faced to the Reer then all upon the Reducement are to face about to the left and the front half files to march into their places Object But Some may object here and say that this is a countermarch and no doubling and so ought not to be demonstrated in this place Answ To which I answer that what is done by the Front half files in short is a Lacedemonian Countermarch of losing ground but if it were a direct countermarch they ought not to stand mixed with any other part of the body by passing through to the Reer but only to Countermarch into the midst and there remain so that now passing through into the Reer makes it an absolute doubling What I have mentioned in the beginning of this Chapter may be sufficient to the ingenious Artist having concluded what I intended for the strengthening of the Reer I thought to have inserted here a strengthening of the Front and Reer but being in the Chapter of Wheelings Command the tenth the inquisitive may be better satisfied CHAP. VI. Which is the last in order to shew how a Battalia may be strengthened in both Flanks THe Flanks are doubled by 1. Files 2. Half ranks 3. Division 4. Wheelings 1. First by Files 1. Command Files to the Right or Left double If to the left to perform this Command Every even ranks from the left move with three steps into the odd To reduce this Command Ranks to the right double OR Files as you were In all motions observe to move that leg first to which the Command guideth 2. Command Files to the 1. Right or 2. Left double advancing To perform this if to the right Command Every even file from the right advance three steps forward and double the odd To reduce this Command Ranks to the left double OR Files as you were 3. Command Files to the right and left double outward In doubling outward the outmost File of each Flank stands and the even File each flank doubles the odd To reduce this Command Double your Ranks to the right and left inwards OR Ranks as you were 4. Command Files to the right and left double Inward To reduce this Command Double your Ranks to the right and left outwards OR Ranks as you were 5. Command Double your Ranks to the 1. Right 2. Left 1. Outwards advancing 2. Inwards This will be performed as in the third and fourth Command only instead of falling behind their right or left hand men here they are to advance before them as in the second Command 6. Command Double your Files to the 1. Right or 2. Left intire advancing To performe this to the right The even files from the right advance so far until they be clear and double the odd files to the right To reduce this Command Files that doubled face about to the left and march forth into your places OR Front half Files double your Reer to the left OR Half Files double your Front to the right 7. Command Double your files to the 1. Right or 2. Left Intire advancing every man placing himself before his leader To perfom this to the right The reducement Command Front half Files face about to the left and march forth into your places OR Front half files turn off by countermarch and double your Re ex to the right Face all to your leader 8. Command Files double your depth to the right intire To perform this Command Even files from the right face about to the right and march until they are clear of the Reer placing themselves after their bringers up then face them to their leader To reduce this Command Half files double your Front to the left OR Front half files double your Reer to the right 9. Command Files double your depth to the right placing your selves behind your bringers up To perform this Command Every even File from the right face about to the right and double the remaining files behind their bringers up To reduce this Command Bringers up double your Front to the left OR Half files double your Front to the left each placing themselves before their half file Leaders There is but a small difference between the Figures of some of the precedent Commands as some may at first sight guess them to be yet if you would but well observe them the words of Command are several and in the Battalia there is difference in the Dignity of place but not in quantity or number Secondly How the flanks are doubled by half ranks 10. Comand Half ranks of the left double your right flank to the 1. Right or 2. Left To perform this to the right Left half ranks face to the right and move to the right forward and double your right flank To reduce this Command Face to the left and march forth into your places OR Double your Ranks to the left intire You may face them at discretion I shall demonstrate another Figure to the left shewing how it may be performed without mixture of Arms c. 11. Command Half Ranks of the right double your left flank to the right To perform this Command Half ranks of the right face to the right turn off to the right and double your left flank To reduce the 11. Command Ranks double to the right intire every man placing himself on the outside of his right hand man 12. Command Half ranks double your right flank to the right and left 1. Outward 2. Inward 1. To perform this Outward Face all to the right then the left half ranks move to the right and left outwards doubling your right flank face to your Leader To reduce this Command 1. Front and Reer half files double your ranks intire to the left flank OR Half ranks that doubled face about to the right and march forth into your places OR Half ranks face about to the right and the even ranks from the midst move forth and double your left ranks intire to the left flank face to your Leader 2. To perform the 12. Command inward Face all to the right then the left
may at one and the same time charge either in the Front or Reer in Front and Reer also in Front Reer and Flank and of these I shall demonstrate some that I at first learnt and some amongst others that are most convenient to be learnt Now that the Souldier might be expert in his firings against the Enemy let him be often exercised with firings only in the pan falling off and on as shall be Commanded All which being well performed by the Musquetteers is a full accomplishment of what hath been before taught him by which the Commander shall be credited and the Souldier preferred to his merit Of firing by forlorne files 1. That which is to be used in our modern exercise is two manner of wayes the two outmost files of each flank of Musquetteers to march with two Serjeants so far as shall be commanded and there to stand and the foremost ranks are to give fire and to fall into the Reer of themselves either by wheeling off to the right or to the right and left Then let the remaining do the like and fall into their places Those that have fired are to fall off on the inside of the Musquetteers between them and the Pikes and as they are thus trooping back after firing to their places the rest are in like manner to move away and fire and fall in next the Pikes 2. Accordingly as you draw out two files so you may draw out more files to the number of Musquetteers and so to fire and fall into the Reer of themselves and places c. 3. You may move them all clear of the Pikes and let them open from the midst leaving sufficient Intervals for their wheelings in the Reer of themselves and then to place themselves even with their Pikes the second having fired as before place themselves in the Reer of the first division c. 4. Advance the two outmost files by the Serjeants who are to lead them to the place for execution as by order received Commanding 1. Files to rank inward to present and give fire all together 2. You may rank inward two Files or more and fire as before And having fired are to wheel off to the right and left by their respective file leaders placing themselves next the Pikes I proceed to a second way of firing and that is by Ranks First By advancing before the Front Secondly firing even with the Front Thirdly firing even with the half files Advancing before the Front may be performed by advancing of single ranks and so firing in the Front or by advancing of both flanks into the Front before the Pikes and so to fire by single ranks Which is performed by Commanding Demyhearse 5. Pikes stand Musquetteers move forward and place your selves before in the Front of your Pikes and close your Divisions I mention nothing to tye up the hand of the ingenious to any stinted form whose ablities may command his figures at pleasure Observe that when the forlorn files or Ranks march out they are to give fire as upon a retreit that is to stand and fire and wheel off that their followers may do the like unless the Enemy give ground And when the two last ranks were presented the next two ranks must be ready to march forward being fixed to present and give fire also Thus having fired in the Front by one single Rank or more they are by wheeling off to place themselves in the Reer of their own divisions before the Pikes the rest doing the like until they have all fired round A second way of firing by this figure shall be a reducement to it First The Frontiers having performed their firing are to wheel off by division until they come down so low as to be even to the first ranks of Pikes and so to rank even a breast All the Musquetteers are so to do successively and flank themselves even with the Pikes 6. Ranks advancing from the Front of a standing Battalia A Serjeant from each Flank leading up the two formost Ranks according to order the first Rank is to give fire wheel off and place themselves in the Reer of their own divisions the second in order is to execute the same with speed being not above three foot distance from the first being ready with his Musquett palm'd his Cock bent and Muzzel mounted so to Present and give fire and so to wheel off and place themselves as their Leaders had done before them 7. Ranks firing even with the Front The first Rank having fired and wheeled off placing themselves in the Reer of their Divisions the next ranks are to move forwards at three motions into their places making good their leaders ground and there to present and give fire wheeling off and placing themselves as by the former directions By the way you must observe if the body be upon a march the Pikes must be shouldered and when they come to charge they are to close forward at their close order It is presupposed ere one firing or two be performed or past over the bodies are almost close Then the Pikes are to be at their Port and at length to be at their absolute Charge and push home and being so near they may do great execution with their Musquets firing upon the half files of Pikes as if they were even with the Front Which brings me to 8. Ranks firing even with the half files When the Pikes are charging then the musquetteers may perform this who are to advance no further than the half files of Pikes and there you may either fire one Rank or more at the discretion of the Commander and as soon as every Rank hath fired successively they are to wheel off and place themselves in the Reer of their own leaders When the firing is ended and each Souldier in his proper place the Musquetteers marching up even in breast with the Front of Pikes they are reduced But in this firing the Musquetteers are to make good their leaders ground except it be upon a retreit then they are to fire upon the same ground and to wheel off that their followers may doe the like unless the Enemy give ground Horn. Bat. 9. Command Pikes stand Musquetteers march until the bringers up rank even with the Front You may in this as with some of the former fire two Ranks ten paces advanced before the Front and so whel off and place themselves in the Reer of their own files OR Secondly let the first Rank of Musquetteers present and give fire and wheel off to the right and left placing themselves in the Reer of their own files then the second Rank firing are to advance into their leaders place firing and wheeling off in the same manner and so they are all successively to do the like Then Thirdly when they have all given fire let them begin again and the file leaders having fired they are to wheel off to the right and left flank themselves even with the Pikes the second Rank
and march clear of your Reer half Files Face them to their Leader and march them until their Reer be even in Front with their Pikes The two first Ranks of each Division face to the right and left and march them clear of their own Divisions face them to their Leader The four first Ranks of Pikes open to your open Order and double your Ranks to the right the two last Ranks of Pikes face about to the right and march clear of the Reer of Musquetteers Face to your Leader To reduce them Command The first Body of Pikes to double their Files to the left the two last Ranks of Pikes march and close your Divisions The two first Ranks of Musquetteers face in opposition and close your Divisions Then the Front Divisions of Musquetteers face to the right and left inwards and march even to the Front of Pikes then face them to their right and left and close their Divisions Face them to their Leader evening their Ranks and streightning of their Files they are reduced 4. Command Front half files march clear from your Musquetteers The Reer half files of Musquetteers face about to the right and march clear of your Pikes and face to your leader The Reducement The Front Division of Pikes face about to the right and march into your places the Reer Division of Musquetteers march up into your places 5. Command Wheel both your Flanks of Musquetteers into the Front both flanks of Musquetteers open to the right and left Front division of Pikes march clear of the Front of Musquetteers and open to the right and left until you are clear of the Angles of the Reer half files The two inmost files of Musquetteers march until you are clear of the Front of Pikes The next two inmost files of Musquetteers face in opposition march and close your divisions in the Front of the Reer division of Pikes face all to your leader To reduce this The four middle files of Musquetteers face to the right and left and march into your places The files of Musquetteers in the Front face about to the right march into your places Face them to their leader The Front half files of Pikes face in opposition and close your divisions facing them to the Reer and march them into their places then close the Front of Musquetteers as at first and wheel the Front into your flanks c. they are reduced The two next figures are almost one and the same and with but a little alteration in their Commands they may be either produced or reduced 6. Command Pikes stand The Reer half files of Musquetteers face about to the right Musquetteers march all until you are clear both of your Front and Reer of Pikes face in opposition and close your divisions The four inmost Ranks of Musquetteers march clear of the remainder both in Front and Reer The two last Ranks of Pikes stand the rest to the right and left by division march clear of the Musquetteers and wheel to the right and left outwards Directions for firing upon this or others I must leave to the ingenious wishing the unskilful to fire only as the Figure lyeth lest it may prove trouble to them to reduce The Reducement The two ranks upon the flanks wheel to the right and left inwards and march into your places Front and Reer Musquetteers face about to the right and march forth into your places provided they are faced to the Reer only then the Front Musquetteers are to face about Then Musquetteers face to the right and left outwards and march clear of the Pikes face in opposition and close your divisions and face all to their leader they are reduced It is but marching up of the two last ranks of Pikes into the Reer of the Front division of Musquetteers and the Musquetteers even to the Reer of the Pikes which produceth this next figure 7. Command Half files double your Front to the right the two outmost files of Musquetteers of each flank march ten paces direct and stand The two next files of Musquetteers of each flank march to the Reer of the first and the two next Ranks in the Reer of the second until they are clear of the Front of the battel And thus is this figure produced Or by Commanding The two outmost in each flank to stand the rest of the Body face about to the right and march and so leaving the two outmost files in the Reer of the first and the third in the Reer of the second and the remainder of the Body in the Reer of the third facing all to their proper Front To reduce them Command Musquetteers face about to the right and march into your places Then half files that doubled face about to the right and march forth into your places Or Even files from the left double your files to the left 8. Command Half files double your Front to the right intire then command the two outmost files of Musquetteers of each Flank to march until they are clear of the Front and stand the four inmost files march until they are clear of the Battels also and stand To reduce them Musquetteers face about to the right and march forth into your places Then half ranks of the right double the depth of your left flank intire 9. Command Pikes march clear of your body Pikes wheel your flanks into the Reer Musquetteers close to the right and left inward Half files of Musquetteers double your Front to the right The four innermost files of Musquetteers face about to the right march clear of the Reer even your Ranks and streighten your files both of Pikes and Musquetts Then the four innermost files both of Pikes and Musquetteers march ten paces direct Then Pikes and Musquetteers of each Flank face to the right and left and march ten paces facing them to their leader To reduce this Command The front division of Pikes and Musquetteers face about to the right and march even in breast with the Reer of Musquetteers of each flank Then face the division to the right and left inwards and close your divisions then Command the Musquetteers to open to the right and left from the midst and the Reer divisions of Musquetteers march into the intervails or into your places as you were Then Command the Pikes to wheel their flanks into the Front then open the divisions of Musquetteers to the right and left facing the Pikes about to the right and march into their places so facing of them to their Leader they are reduced I might have added more as the Plinthium Battel For which and more read Captain Bingham Chap. 42. pa. 55. as also Barrif Ward And Elton as I am informed has written at large but I never saw his works CHAP. XXII IT may be expected I should treat also of large Battalias or great numbers of men demonstrating of them likewise by their several Plat-forms But having my Number proportioned as you see by my several exercises
increase of Honour here and what may be merited for you to make you glorious in the world to come subscribing in the quality of July 29. 1671. Your Humble Servant Tho. Venn TO THE Truly Generous Gentlemen and CITIZENS of LONDON Practising Armes in the Artillery Garden Gentlemen ALthough I am a stranger to you I must declare to the world that what I know in this Art Military I received as it were from your breast from some who were Leaders in your ground And 't is a grief to me that I live at such a distance from you as not to be of your number the least amongst you being of ability to be Commanders in Chief when ever his MAJESTY may require it There is in you strength enough to shield a just cause and a Royal cause is able to advance your power give me leave to tell you there can be nothing done by you without it it is that which giveth strength and sinewes to all your motions Gentlemen you may see by my other Epistles what Authors I have made use of Elton and if you find some of the words of Command one and the same with others late before me I could not help it for this was finished as to the Commands and directions above four or five years now last past and in all that time I never saw any thing of the Gentlemans nor his latter piece as yet This you 'l find to be but methodical collections for the young Country Souldier and in our rural exercises they can draw up but twelve files in which I am stinted to a very small number for so great a work if there were a proportionableness in the Armes the figures would have been better yet not in the least presuming to teach you but I hope with your favourable constructions you will allow it useful for us in the Country although your abilities may teach the world ten times more I aim'd at nothing but to shew how necessary the readyness and use of Armes is and of men to be well exercised in them Which hath been a benefit to Republicks as History and experience hath made to appear for what Nation hath not found safety in the expert use of them and in the neglect thereof ruin I hope there are none of you so disloyal as not to obey your Princes Commands in Order to which I cannot but Commend your close order to his Religion and not to be at open distances it is that which will make your obedience free your affections settled your selves renowned and as I may in some part say the peace of the Kingdom secured I humbly crave your pardons for my boldness and grant me not only to be in the number of the well wishers to this Art but also to the prosperity of your ground and I shall alwayes subscribe March 1671. Yours Tho. Venn TO ALL MY FELLOW-OFFICERS SOULDIERS AND LOVING COUNTRY-MEN To whom the Exercise of ARMES Is delightful Gentlemen and Fellow Souldiers ALlthough there are discouragements enough to make you negligent in the exercise of Armes not only to see this Art so little countenanced but our late Enemies by sitting still grow rich and the Royal Sons of Mars in all their labours not able with one hand to wash the other yet this one thing in making our selves capable to do our Gracious King and Country service should be the chiefest motive to labour after the Theorick part of this Art by which we shall be the better able to perform the Practick when we shall be called thereunto But lest these few Collectives might meet with some objections why that I should treat of the Horse in the first place when Antiquity alloweth the precedency thereof to the Infantry It was not to raise a dispute amongst the Novists but I leave such to enquire of the precedencies in a Council of War and who taking place there will resolve them And it is well known to most of you I was a Commander of Horse my self and then having finished my weak thoughts as to the Exercise thereof which being viewed by some Gentlemen of our Country I was desired by them to set out likewise some few Collections for the young foot Souldier It is true there have been many Books printed of this Art in our past ages and some in our present and as Solomon saith of making many Books there is no end yet if it had not been for Books this Art might have been buried in oblivion And if I should set out at full how all that we practise is not only borrowed from Antiquity but most of the very words of Command are kept still in use it would be too large and it being not my business I shall acquiesce with what I intended for my private use but being as I have declared requested hereunto When London was burnt 1666. Sept. 3d. c. and now fearing that most of our books are consumed by fire I am further perswaded to put these introductives to publick view Let me perswade you fellow Souldiers although you meet with many discouragements and scoffs in your Country although taxes lie heavy upon you and your allowances do not answer your moderate expences nay although not your due for your time spent herein yet go on for I will boldly tell you that practical knowledge in this Art is the highest step to preferment We read among the Romans of Lucullus and in our latter age of M. Spinola who through maturity of judgement and great Learning became Generals as soon as Souldiers Intimating that it is the Prerogative of Princes to be born leaders of Armies But others must expect to ascend this Mountain of Honour by many and difficult stepps Therefore first lay a foundation of honest fame labouring after the practice of private vertues Then orderly proceeding to signalize thy selfe by some publique atchievements which I doubt not but every generous spirit will endeavour the ascention thereof you may be assured that passing once the brunt of it even to the hazzard of life it self you 'l find delightful pleasures in following the exercises of this Art Military Who is it that shall think so despicably of a Souldier or his profession so base as some have so accounted them When they that are the sons of Mars and have the true form of Military Discipline are highly to be esteemed as honourable and as necessary members in a Kingdome such as no Kingdome can be without It is honourable because it is compassed about with such reasons as that the contemners thereof by the judicious are much reproved for that State that is not able to stand it out in Armes against the rage of intestine and forraign violence is sure to fall into the hands of the destroyer How can any particular interest preserve it self without it I will boldly say that the Despisers of the use of Armes are not only disloyal to their Prince but destructive to themselves What are the Laws and Civil Orders without defence
in the Front and Reer and then of firing by Ranks And first of Files firing in the Front 1. Files firing in the Front The right hand File and the left hand File March some distance before the head of the Troop and Rank themselves to the right and left inward and so Present and Give fire which being performed let them wheel off to the right and left outwards into the Reer of their first Station and so set themselves in their respective places even with the remainder of the Body leaving distance for every Rank to march into his proper place after they have once fired over 2. Files firing in the Reer When they have thus fired they are immediately to fall off to the right and left and March forth into their places As you observe in each firing both the Files do rank themselves and then fire Now a further exercise you may Command for each File to face in opposition and fire each to the other Firing in the Front firing in the Reer I shall now demonstrate one platforme of firing by Rank But in firing by Rank observe the first Rank may advance upon a larg Trot Gallop or Carrere as Command is given between thirty or fourty paces from the Body The first Rank having fired wheels off to the left if occasion will permit and falls into the Reer and immediatly upon the wheeling off of the first Rank the second advanceth according to Command and fireth and so the third You may fire also by divisions which is of singular use in the exercise of Horse either by firing by single divisions both in Front and Reer or in opposition both in Front and Reer also as in firing of the Files before mentioned so that I need not trouble you with any platformes of them After that these firings have been performed and the Souldier is grown expert in the handling of his Arms and well managing of his Horse there is one thing that ought not to be forgot by any Commander which is of most excellent use That is for the Souldier to be well exercised both with his Carabine and Pistol to shoote with Bullet at Marks which if it be not well exercised and taught it will be to little purpose as to the Executive part of this Art So it ought to be the care of every Chief Officer to exercise those Troops under his Command sometimes as occasion may serve in a Regimental way leaving sufficient distances betwen each Troop that each other may be relieved orderly and so to retreat in due order to avoid Confusion CHAP. X. The Conclusion BEfore I conclude these few spent hours about the Exercise of the Horse and that my demonstrating of them but three in depth I hear many brave Souldiers but old ones to make some objections against me As first in medling with that which is of too high a concern for me My answer to that is breifly That those that have writ Books of this Art although they have been gallant Souldiers if they had been in Command now and of late years to have seen what have been performed in the Executive part of the Horse service they would correct their Judgements and amend their Mode of Exercise finding in it much error and serviceable for nought but to prolong Execution as if all experienced genus's in this Art should be tyed up to the Low Country services And what I have done is but my duty if accepted else for my own private use also for my friends and relations that come after me And because there ought to be a great deal of care had in a work of this nature I leave the correction hereof to the better Learned and more Experienced in this Military Art And for the drawing of the Horse but three in File I say If the Grecian Writers were alive and some of our Modern Writers that have Commented upon them and made Collectives out of them which they have published for authentick Maximes in this Art would now much admire to see our Mode of Exercise so changed for the better 64 in a Troop When as our late Cruso in his Military instructions in his platformes of Exercise demonstrates then Eight in depth and Eight in rank And Captain Ward in his Drilling and exercise of Horse is six in File and twenty in Rank Leo Ch. 7. Sect. 81. Ch. 14. Sect. 78. 108 109. and alleadgeth it for the best and is taken out of Polibius General of the Achaeans Horse Leo writeth almost the same That if there be many horse to be exercised they are to be ordered ten in File and if but few no more but five giving this reason That if the Body be but shallow the Body will be so weak that it is subject it self to fraction Then Livie verifieth that of Leo and saith the Souldiers had then Speares of four and twenty foot in Length which was to match the Pikes of the Infantry But in some process of time as History makes it appear the Macedonians found great inconveniency in the length of those Spears and made some of them to be fifteen foot in length and being then at that length determined that five Horse in depth was too many as to be offensive to their Enemies but notwithstanding these results endeavoured to make their Battalias seem to be square and for their better advantage in shew order ten in Rank and five in File to every Troop of Horse And these depths were only in those dayes used when the Horse fought only with Spears and Guns not at all used Now if they had the use of Guns so much as we and should fire in Ranks five six eight or ten in depth and our mode of fighting being but three in File their exercise would be so long in the performance thereof that it would not only be tedious but hazzardous to us for of late years it hath been experienced and seldome known any Troops to stand it out as may be thought that time in competition for victory for we know that the ordering of our Horse in making a large Front as occasion and ground will give leave and thereby over-winging our Enemies Battalia hath proved Victorious And whereas they alleadge when they are six and eight in File they can make their body to shew powerful against their Enemy by commanding them to double their Fronts by their Middle-men or half-file-leaders and can if occasion serve take away a party in the reer and file the Enemy in their Flank or Flanks c. But this I conceive to be dangerous and of ill consequence for when we are settled in Battalia three deep we are then fixed for service and need not be troubled in doubling of the Front thereby we are free from distraction and other disturbances which are most incident by suddain motions to the breaking of Ranks and the like which contrarywise is with us for our fighting is not by wheeling off as formerly but by charging at Pistols
Military Observations FOR THE EXERCISE OF THE FOOT CHAP. I. By way of Introduction HAving passed some few Collectives to the service of the Horse I was desired to do the like for the foot figuring out each Command or platforme after the proportion of Six in File which is according to our late Mode of discipline There have been many Books writ of this Military Art in the Exercise of the Foot both ancient and Moderne but of our later writers I referr our new commission'd Gentlemen to the perusal of Bingham Hexham Barrife and Ward I would not have Elton although a Parliament Officer wholly to be laid aside for I have received informations of the great Worth and parts of the Gentleman To them whose experience have been their masterpiece I am silent desiring with all submission rather to learn from such than presume to direct Those Gentlemen are to be commended that will bestow time in reading of this Art but especially such as put in practice what they read which is the readiest way to make men fit for the service of their King and Country For what maketh a man more confidently Couragious than knowledge There are many Gentlemen that are greater Readers of the Wars than Practitioners of the same who have had some cavelling disputes about the discipline thereof not considering the great change that time hath made and experience hath found out in Martial affaires In the reading of the Roman and Grecian Orders Discipline and Government of their Armies I had thought to have given you a tast thereof but deserving a better Pen than mine to set forth the Gallantry of them I shall be silent And yet if it were possible to renew them it would never work the like effect as it did against their Enemies One great cause thereof is supposed that they made better pay-men in those dayes Vice was severely punished Vertue most bountifully rewarded and when the Wars were ended such as deserved well were both regarded and rewarded or else remained inrolled in pensionary pay so by that meanes the Exercise of Armes continued It is to be observed that where Payment and Reward cease there Discipline and good Order ceaseth also As for the Exercise of Armes belonging to the Infantry it is the part of the young Souldier to learn and practise in the first place the Postures and well handling of Armes Which I may term to be the single Accidence of this Art before he enters his Syntaxis and it must be done by endeavouring to set some time apart for the exercise thereof There have been many that have not only disputed but have writ against the many Postures now used but being shamefully confuted by our Moderne Writers I shall be silent and proceede to those Postures belonging to such Armes that are now in use in the Country which are far short of what is compleat in Exercise in the Cities of London and Westminster and therein of those Honourable Societies of the Artillery and Military Gardens and also now of late The Criple with out Criplegate CHAP. II. Of the postures of the Pike and Musquet BEfore I give you the postures of them both I shall give you a brief definition of a Posture A Posture is a mode or Garb that we are fixed unto in the well handling of our Armes In which there are motions attendant unto the same for the better grace Presupposing your company to be in the Field and drawn up in a ready way for Exercise then the best way is to Exercise them apart by drawing of the body of Pikes from their Musquets that each may be Exercised in their particular Postures by themselves Only there are some Postures of the Pike and Musquet which are answerable to each other by conformity which ought to be performed in a Body or upon a March as occasion serveth as for Example In Marching All are to be shouldred In Trooping or in any other Motion the Pikes are to be advanced and the Musquets poysed In Porting of the Pike the Musquet to be rested In Trailing of the Pike the Musquet to be reversed which is the Funeral Posture When the Pike is Cheek'd the Musquet is to be rested at the Sentinel Posture when the Musquet is presented to fire the Pike is to be charged And when the Pike is Ordered most commonly especially in a stand or for Exercise the butt end of the Musquet is to be set to the Ground c. 〈◊〉 is most proper for the Captain to Exercise the Pikes himself I do not deny but he may Exercise both as he ought sometimes to do and the Ensign and Lieutenant are not to be negligent herein when they are commanded or in the absence of their superior Officer The next for the Exercise of the Pike in point of Antiquity and Honour the Gentleman of the Pikes craveth the precedency I have declared in the Exercise of the Horse what an excellent Vertue Silence is which ought in the first place to be commanded and most diligently observed The Body of Pikes from their March and standing all shouldered Command as followeth 1. Order your Pikes to your 1. open 2. close order This ought to be made use of always upon a stand And in the daytime it may serve for a Sentinel Posture And for the abatement of the fury of the Horse having the butt end of the Pike on the inside of the right foot Charge then to the Horse drawing your swords over your left arm having your Pike in your left hand you may then receive them by Commanding either to Charge to the Front Right Left Reere 1. Order your Pikes 2. Put up your swords This is only useful upon a stand of Pikes and by some able Souldiers it is not thought to be the securest charging against the Horse or of strength to make the greatest resistance in their full Career Therefore it hath been thought fit to be most convenient to close your files to your close Order and Ranks closing forward and being thus semented as it were will be the better able to ward any resistance From your Order Advance Shoulder Port Comport Cheeke Traile your Pikes Order as you were From your Order charge to the Front Right Left Reere Order as you were 2. Advance your Pikes This is useful upon all occasions when the Drum shall beat a Troop It is also useful in all motions of Doublings c. Only remember when they are reduced they put themselves or be commanded into the same Posture the standing Party was in From your Advance Shoulder Port Comport Cheeke Trail your Pikes Advance as you were From your Advance charge to the Front Right Left Reer Advance as you were 3. Shoulder your Pike This is useful and most proper upon a March It is useful in time of fight provided the Pikes be upon a stand for it doth not only preserve the Pikes from shattering but the Souldier also From your shoulder Port Comport Cheeke Trail your Pikes Shoulder as
you were From your shoulder charge to the Front Right Left Reer Shoulder as you were 4. Port your Pikes This is useful when the Souldiers are to enter either Gate or Sally-port and it is an ease for the Reer half Files to Port their Pikes when the Front is at their Charge From your Port Comport Cheeke Trail your Pikes Port as you were From your Port charge to the Front Right Left Reer Port as you were 5. Comport your Pikes This is necessary for a Souldier upon his March up a Hill to have his Pike Comported From your Comport Cheek Trail your Pike From your Comport charge to the Front Right Left Reer Comport as you were 6. Cheeke your Pikes This is useful for the Sentinel Posture From your Cheeke Trail your Pikes Cheeke as you were From your Cheeke charge to the Front Right Left Reer Cheeke as you were 7. Trail your Pikes This is useful in a Trench to move for security of any breach undiscovered and is seldom used else but marching through a Wood c. From your Trail charge to the Front Right Left Reer Trail as you were From your Trail Order your Pikes 8 Lay down your Pikes Oberve that if your Pikes be laid down when you begin your exercise then your Command must be 1. Handle 2. Raise your Pike to your Open order Order Close order c. You may observe that the Postures of the Pike some are for conveniency and ease to the Souldier as to expedition either in Marchings or other services commanded and the several charges serve either for defence or offence none ought to slight any of these Commands but to put them into practice for at some one time or other they may be useful Here followeth the Postures of the Musquet or Calliver In which I do affirm that the word of Command generally used Make ready is no Posture but a word for brevity presupposing the Souldier to be expert in all and doth include those postures precedent to that Present your Musquet and so from the Presenting of your Musquets the other postures following unto that Give fire which is the completement of all the rest of the Commands given Therefore for the better handling of Arms no Judicious Practitioner in this Art but will confess it is better to be Instructed from Posture to Posture for more comely and swifter execution thereof The Musquetteer being shouldered Command Snap-haunce Sloop your Musquets Let slip your Musquets 1. Vnshoulder your Musquet and Poyse 2. Palm or rest your Musquet 3. Set the Butt end of your Musquet to the ground 4. Lay down your Musquet 5. Take off your Bandeliers 6. Lay down your Bandeliers 7. Face about to the left march 8. Face about to the right and march to your Arms or stand to your Arms. 9. Take up your Bandeliers 10. Put on your Bandeliers 11. Take up your Musquet 12. Rest or Palm your musquet 13. Secure or Guard your cock 14. Draw back your hammer or steel 15. Clear your pan 16. Prime your pan 17. Put down your steel or hammer 18. Blow or cast off your loose corn 19. Bring or cast your musquet about to your left side Handle your Charger Open your Charger 20. Charge with Powder 21. Draw forth your scowring stick 22. Shorten your scowring stick 23. Charge with Bullet 24. Put your scouring stick into your Musquet 25. Rain home your charge 26. Withdraw your scouring stick 27. Shorten your scouring stick 28. Return your scouring stick 29. Bring forward your Musquet and poise 30. Palm or rest your Musquet 31. Fit your hammer or steel 32. Free your cock 33. Bend your cock 34. Present your Musquet 35. Give fire 36. Palm or rest your Musquet 37. Clear your Pan. 38. Shut your Pan. 39. Poyse your Musquet 40. Shoulder your Musquet Match-lock I need not here insert every Command but only add such as are used for the Match-lock wholly laying aside the rest Take your Match from between the fingers of your left hand Lay down your Match Take up your Match with your right hand Return or place your Match into your left hand Open your Pan. Clear your Pan. Prime your Pan. Shut your Pan. Draw forth your Match Blow your Coal Cock your Match Fit your Match Guard your Pan. Blow the ash from your Coal Open your Pan. Uncock and return your Match So you are ready for a March or in the Posture upon the first motion That which is called the Saluting Posture is to be performed from the resting or palming of the Musquet when he shall have an occasion as a Souldier to salute his Friend or to the honouring of any other person deserving And the Sentinel Posture is for the Musquet to be in the Palm of the left hand at his Resting posture But his Musquet to be charged with Powder and Bullet his Cock freed and to be secured with his Thumb so to be ready to execute his charge and commands given c. There is indeed a word of Command sometimes used Reverse your Musquet which is the marching Funeral Posture That is to put the butt end of your Musquet upwards under your left arm holding it in your left hand about the lock of your Musquet Thus I have finished the Postures of the Musquet or Caliver with a Snap-hance and with a Match-lock without a Rest for your further inquiry if there need be I refer you to Lieutenant Barriffe or Captain Ward If I should forget to say something of the excellency as to the use of the Half-Pike and Musquet that is now of use in the Artillery Garden Half-Pike first invented by Lieutenant Barriffe and Mr John Davis of London whatsoever is performed in the exercise thereof it is with greater ease than the Rest and Musquet is And knowing how far it hath been the care of many Souldiers by invention to make the Musquetteers as well defensive as offensive but none amongst many of their Projects was received like this all falling to the ground and this standing as the best being of most excellent service for it serveth as a Rest as a Pallisado to defend the Musquetteer from the Horse When the shot is all spent they may with that Weapon fall in among the Enemy and in the pursuit of an Enemy by reason of the lightness thereof and their nimbleness in Action may do great execution and in Trenches they are good seconds for the Souldiers preservation Those Souldiers that are thus Armed are the best to be commanded out upon any Party because they are the best able to defend themselves and offend their Enemies And when any hedges are to be lin'd with shot West Country that the Musquetteers by their forced service become silent and the ways deep and narrow then the Half-Pike will be of singular service And last of all the Souldâ—er so marching with his Half-Pike and Musquet It is not only a Grace to the Souldier but a Terrour to the Enemy Besides this hath
how a Battalia may be strengthned by doublings And that is either in the 1. Front 2. Reer or 3. Both Flanks The Front may be strengthned by Intire Doublings Divisional Doublings Intire Wheelings Divisional Wheelings Of these I shall proceed in their several Orders shewing how intire Doublings do strengthen the Front And that is by 1. Ranks 2. Bringers up 3. Half Files 1. The Front is strengthned by intire Doublings of Ranks 1. Command Ranks to the 1. Right or 2. Left Doubles Directions for doubling to the Right from the left the even Ranks from the Front move forward to the Right into the odd Ranks To reduce them Command Files to the left double or Ranks as you were The doubling of this Figure to the right doth easily make appear what is meant by doubling to the left that I need not demonstrate it 2. Command Ranks to the right and left double 1. Outward or 2. Inward 1. Directions Outward Even Ranks move outward from the Flanks with three steps forward into the odd Ranks To reduce them Ranks as you were Or Files to the right and left double inward 2. Directions inward The even Ranks move inward from the Flanks with three steps forward into the odd Ranks To reduce them Ranks as you were Or Files to the right and left double outward 3. Command Double your Ranks to the 1. Right 2. Left Intire Directions to the right Even Ranks from the Front face to the right and march forth until they be clear of the standing Ranks then face them to their Leader and double the odd Ranks that are standing If you command them to close their Ranks forward it will be the same Figure as may be produced by commanding half files to double the front to the right the difference being only in quality not in quantity vide Fig. 3. To reduce them Command Ranks that doubled face to the left and march forth into your places Or Half Ranks of the right face to the left and double your left Flank Or Ranks as you were 4. Command Double your Ranks inward intire Directions Every even Rank from the Reer face to the right and left out wards and march until they be clear of the standing part then let every even Rank from the Front which is the standing part move forwards into the Front 5. Command Double your Ranks to the 1. Right 2. Left Intire Every man placing himself on the outside of his right hand man This doubling is the same in Figure with the third they differ only in place the quantity being the same Directions Every even Rank from the Front face to the right and march placing your selves on the outside of your right hand men To reduce them Command Right half ranks double your left flank each placing your selves on the inside of his left hand man 2. Intire doublings for the strengthening of the Front by Bringers-up 6. Command Bringers-up double your Front to the 1. Right 2. Left Directions for doubling to the right Bringers up move forwards with your right legs and pass through ranking themselves even with the Front the rest following successively and placing themselves even with the standing ranks To reduce them Command Bringers up or Reer half files face about to the left and march into your places OR Even files from the left double your depth to the left each fall behind his accidental bringer-up or half file-leader When they march into their places the half file-leaders who were the last that took their places now in this reducement must be the first to take their places 7. Command Bringers-up double your Front to the right and left 1. Outward 2. Inward This I never saw but once in a private Exercise but I conceive it more out of curiosity than of necessity And because it is suitable to the second Command of Ranks I need not demonstrate them in Figures as the even ranks move and take their respective places in the second Figure in this the bringers-up are to be the first movers to the right and left either outwards or inwards If outwards then it is to be performed from the midst of the Reer from the right and left into the Front To reduce them Command The odd files from the right and left flank double your depth to the right and left inwards every man falling behind his accidental bringer-up If inwards then it ought to be performed from the flanks to the right and left inwards even into the Front To reduce them Command The even files from each flank double your depth to the right and left inwards all falling behind his accidental bringer-up 3. Intire doublings for the strengthening of the Front by half-files 8. Command Half files double your Front to the 1. Right 2. Left Directions If to the right the half file-leaders must pass through or move forwards to the right into the Front and the succeeding ranks are to follow them To reduce them Command Even files from the left double your depth to the left Or Half files face about to the left and march forth into your places Or Half files as you were 9. Command Half files double your Front to the right and left 1. Outwards 2. Inwards What I have declared in the seventh Command I do the same here However I shall demonstrate the Command by doubling outwards 1. Directions It is to be performed from the midst of the half files to the right and left into the Front To reduce this Command The odd files from the right and left flank double your depth to the right and left inward OR Halfe files face about to the right and march forth into your places 2. Directions If the command be inward then it is to be performed from the flanks of the half files marching even into the Front To reduce them Command Even files from each flank double your depth to the right and left outwards OR Half files as you were 10. Command Half files double your Front to the 1. Right 2. Left Intire Directions to the right Half files face to the right and march until they be clear of the front half files then face them to their Leader and march them up even with the Front To reduce this Command Half files face about to the right and march forth into your places OR Half ranks of the right double the depth of your left flank intire 11. Command Half files double your Front inward intire Directions Front half files face to the right and left outwards and march until they be clear of the Reer half files then face them to their Leader and stand Then let the reer half files march up even into the Front To reduce them Half files upon the intire motion face about and march Front half files face to the right and left inward and close your Divisions OR Reer half files double the depth of your Front half files intire face all to the right and left inward and close your Divisions
termed a Macedonian Countermarch In all which there is Countermarchings of Files Ranks The Front The Reer half files Half Ranks And these may all be performed by intire or divisional Countermarches 1. The Countermarchings of Files is when every Souldier followeth his leader 2. The Countermarchings of Ranks is when every Souldier followeth his side man 3. The Front and Reer half Files Countermarchings is when the Souldier shall follow their File leaders or Bringers up 4. The Countermarchings of half Ranks is when the Souldier shall follow their outside men I shall in the first place shew how Intire and Divisional Countermarches are performed by files and Ranks 1. Observe That in the execution hereof your distance is to be at six foot in rank and file 2. When you are to Countermarch to the right the file leaders are to step forward with their right legs and face about to the right passing down to the Reer with their respective File following them keeping even a breast with their right handmen and to be sure not to turn before they be advanced to the ground of their File leaders 3. All Intire Countermarches of Files or ranks may be reduced by contrary Countermarches If the Command be to the right reduce them to the left And so for Contermarchings of the Front Reer or flanks into the midst reduce them back from the midst It shall be my endeavour to demonstrate how all Intire and divisional Countermarches shall lye under these three heads Of Mantaining Losing and Gaining of ground First of Countermarches maintaining Ground In the second precedent rule it will not be amiss to cast your eye back for your better direction by which you 'l be able to pass these Countermarches with greater delight and Order 1. Command Files to the 1. Right or 2. Left hand Countermarch To perform this Let the file leaders step forward with their right legs and march even in Rank to the Reer and none to turn off until he come to his File leaders Ground To reduce this Command Files to the left hand Countermarch 2. Command Ranks to the 1. Right or 2. Left hand Countermarch To perform this Face them to the Right and the right hand file is to turn off to the right and to march even to the Ground of the left hand file You may reduce this by Ranks Countermarching to the left 3. Command Countermarch your Front and Reer into the midst To perform this Command Half files face about and turn to off the left Front half files turn off to the right and face to your leader You may reduce this figure by doing the same over again Or else by any other divisional Countermarch 4. Command Front and Reer half files countermarch to the 1. Right or 2. Left You may reduce this Figure by doing the same over again OR By Countermarching Front and Reer into the midst 5. Command Countermarch your Front and Reer half files to right and left from the midst To perform this Command Front half files face about and turn off to the right and Reer half files turn off to your left then face to your leader To reduce this Command To Countermarch from the midst into the Front and Reer The three last figures by command are several but the figures are still one and the same in quantity but not in quality or motion as you may perceive c. 6. Command Countermarch your flanks into the midst To perform this Command them to face to the right and left outwards the right flank turn off to the right and left flank turn off to the left until they meet in the midst To reduce them Command Countermarch from the midst to the right and left into both flanks 7. Command Right and left half Ranks interchange your ground To perform this Face to the right and left inward and march all and interchange your ground This is of no great use except it be when the right or left flank hath fought that then the reserved flank may come into service also You may reduce them by interchanging of them back again OR Divisionally to Countermarch their flanks into the midst of the Battel Secondly Countermarches lofing ground 1. Command Files to the Right or Left hand Countermarch placing your selves before your bringers up To performe this Command The bringers up to face about to the right then the file leaders with the rest successively to turn off upon the same ground he stands And on the same hand the Command is given so to place themselves accordingly You may easily reduce them by any other Countermarch of files 2. Command The last Rank stand the rest pass through to the 1. Right or 2. Left placing your selves behind your bringers up To perform this As the last Rank is to stand and keep their first aspect let all the rest face about to the right and march all turning successively behind their bringers up To reduce them you may pass them through or else Countermarch by file into their places 3. Command Front and Reer half files Countermarch to the 1. Right or 2. Left From the midst every man placing himself before his leader and bringer up To perform this Command The first rank of the front half files to stand the rest to face about and turn off to the right half file leaders face about and turn off to the left and both to march clear of the Front and Reer following their half file leaders and bringers up of the front half files To reduce this by an other Countermarch 4. Command Ranks to the 1. Right or 2. Left hand Countermarch losing ground To perform this to the right As in maintaining ground upon their turning off the rest march into the same place or ground and turn off also as in figure 2. Now this of losing ground altereth only in this the outmost file is to face to the right about until he hath directly faced the left flank and so to gain so much ground upon the left flank as they have lost upon the right OR That they have placed themselves on the outside or before of their left hand men 5. Command Ranks to the right hand Countermarch each following his right hand man and place himself on the outside of his left hand man To perform this Command The left hand file to stand the out most file to the right turn about to the right as to make his aspect or face to the left then move forward until he be clear of the second file losing the ground he stood upon and gain it again on the outside of the left flank To reduce this figure may be done by a contrary Countermarch 6. Command The right and left hand file upon each flank face to the right and left outwards the rest pass through placing your selves before your outmost files Observe files become ranks by their faceing To performe this Command The right hand file to face to the right and the left hand file to
the left and then the rest of the body to turn their aspects accordingly place themseves before their right left hand men To reduce them Command them to Countermarch to the right and left into the midst of the Battel OR Command If they be faced to the proper Front The two inmost files to stand the rest pass through to the right and left inward and close their divisions 8. Command The two outmost files of each flank face to the right and left inward the rest pass through to the right and left and place yourselves behind your outside men To perform this Command The right and left hand file of each flank face inward and the rest of the Body are to face to the right and left outwards then all are to move forwards and to place themselves behind their right and left hand men Else the motion is the same as the former To reduce this Command The two innermost files face to the right and left outwards and the rest pass through to the right and left inwards placing themselves behind their right and left hand men Then face them to their leaders Now if it be the Commanders pleasure to reduce them by any other word of Command it may be done by the precedent words of Command or of the next following or of any other divisional Countermarch except interchanging of ground 8. Command The outmost file of each flank stand the rest pass through to the right and left and place your selves on the outside of your right and left hand men The ninth figure is the same as this if faced to their leader To perform this The outmost files of each flank stands the rest of the body faceth to the right and left outward and so passing forwards through the intervalls into each flank place themselves on the outside of their right and left hand men To reduce this may be performed by any of the foregoing Countermarches of ranks Or else being faced to any of the flanks then the Ranks become files and by divisional Countermarches of files you may reduce divisional Countermarches of Ranks OR By Ranks files only some facings must be observed For the proper Reducement Command The two inmost Ranks to stand the rest to face to the right and left inward and so march into their places 9. Command The right and lelft hand files upon each flank stand the rest pass through to the right and left and place your selves on the outside of your right and left hand men following your inmost files Observe in the performance of this the two inmost-files are to be first in motion But first Command The two outmost files of each flank to stand and the rest of the Body to face to their right and left outwards so moving away first from the midst until they have successively placed themselves on the outside of their right and left hand men you may close their files into the midst to open Order The reducement of the eight figure will reduce this also 10. Command Front and Reer half files Countermarch to the 1. Right or 2. Left hand interchanging ground To perform this Command Half files to face about and turn off to the right front half files doing the like move forwards until they be clear one of an other six foot then face to their leader if you please and close their divisions A Countermarch interchanging of ground will reduce them and then close c. 11. Command Front and Reer half files to the right hand interchange ground You may reduce this interchanging of ground as they were or by some other word of Command Thirdly Countermarches to gain ground 1. Command The file leaders stand the rest pass through to the 1. Right or 2. Left and place your selves before your leaders The Command is so plain that there needeth no directions Only if your command be to place your selves behind your leaders then the file leaders are to face about and the rest are to execute it as the former only in placing themselves they are to turn their aspect behind their leaders And then Commanding them to place themselves before their leaders will reduce them 2. Command File leaders face about to the right and stand Bringers up with the rest following them pass through to the right and place your selves behind your leaders Face to your leaders To reduce this you may do it by the same Command or by the first Command 3. Command File leaders stand and the rest pass through to the 1. Right or 2. Left placing your selves before your file leaders following your Bringers up This is the same with the second figure only in their work they are to keep their aspect to the Front And the reducement the same also 4. Command File leaders and half file leaders stand the rest pass through to the right and place your selves before your file leaders and half file leaders You may reduce this by the same Countermarch or any other Divisional Countermarch 5. Command File-leaders and half file-leaders stand the rest pass through to the right and place your selves behind your Leaders and half file-leaders following your Bringers-up The file-leaders and half file-leaders are only to face about to the right and to stand the motion is the same with the fourth Figure but in taking their places they are to face to the Reer The Reducement as the former 6. Command File-leaders and half file-leaders stand the rest pass through to the right and left and place your selves behind your Leaders and half file-leaders c. I need not demonstrate this it being the same with the fifth and sixth only in the motion they are to pass to the right and left outwards And is reduced as the former 7. Command File-leaders to face about the rest pass through to the right and place your selves behind your Leaders and Bringers up To perform this Command The first Rank is to face about and stand then the two last Ranks from the Reer i. e. the fourth and fifth Ranks are to face to the Reer and move all c. The former Directions upon any Divisional Countermarch will reduce this 8. Command The outmost File of the right face to the right the rest pass through to the Right or Left and place your selves Before or Behind your right hand men If your Command be behind your right hand men then the right hand file is but to face to the left I shall not trouble you with them conceiving them of no great use You may reduce these by a contrary Countermarch 9. Command The outmost File of the right hand stand and the right hand File of the left half Rank stand and the rest pass through and place your selves on the outside of your right hand men Face to your Leader The same is done on the left hand And if you place them before their left hand men then face them all to the right and so let them pass through observing the
fitting of the Souldier for field services and others at their pleasure what their fancy may guide them unto And thus I have passed over the Grounds of Discipline for the Foot I expect Censures by the Ingenuous I submit to a correction but for the Carper let him remain in his own mud he shall never be complemented to a cleared fountain by me CHAP. XVII Of making file leaders successively both in number and place in a file six in depth and so for a whole body THe Souldiers having passed thus many dayes exercise in these principles of Art Military and now each Souldier is loving to his Comrade every file leader to the rest of his file being willing that their files should successively demonstrate some experiences as they have attained unto in the exercise thereof which will prove a great incouragement to the Ingenious Also it is profitable to a Commander to bring what Ranks he pleaseth into the Front and to exchange them and to reduce them to their proper file leaders A File to be made file leaders successively according to Number or by commanding as followeth Commanding by the file leader 1 File leaders  Rank two to the left and file to the left double 2 2 Ranks to the left double and Files to the left double  Countermarch Front and reer into the midst and face to that part which was the Reer 3 1 3 Half files double your front to the right and files to the right double   Face about to the right 4 4 2 4 File leaders stand the rest pass through to the right and place themselves before their leaders     Countermarch from the Reer into the midst and and face to that which was the Reer 5 3 6 5 5 Ranks to the left double and Files double your depth to the left     Files Rank two to the right and file to the right double face them about and it will reduce them 6 6 1 1 6 6 Ranks to the right double and Files to the right double  To Reduce  5 5 6 3 5 1. File leaders stand the rest pass through and place your selves before your Leader           4 2 4 4            3 1 3               2 2                1  A File to be made file leaders successively according to their Dignity 1. File leader 1       The second man from the Front 5 2 Bringers up double your Front to the right and files double your depth to the right Bringer up to the Front half file 4 6 3 File leaders and half file leaders stand the rest pass through to the left and place your selves before your leaders 3. Half file leader 3 3 6 4 Front and Reer half files interchange your ground The second man from the Reer 6 1 2 5 5 Ranks to the right double files to the right double 2. Bringer up 2 5 4 1 4 6 File leaders stand the rest pass through to the left and place your selves before your leader   4 5 3 3 2 To reduce them    1 6 1 1 1. Ranks to the left double and files to the left double     2 2 3 2. Half files double your front to the right      6 4 3. Bringers up face about to the right and march forth into your places       5  CHAP. XVIII Of certain firings in the Front HAving passed over the grounds of this Art Military I am now come to the executive part of the Tacticks and shall not here exceed the exercise of a single Company shewing the Souldier the use of some few Firings that they may the better perform their respective duties when they shall be commanded thereunto None can positively say this or that figure shall be or serve this day time or place c. because of the diversity of formes occasioned by situation of ground he number of men the order of the Enemy with many other observable Stratagems for the obtaining both of Wind and Sun I shall therefore according to my allotment of twelve files demonstrate by figure some Firings which being well understood may enable such for higher preferment as time and place may fortune them unto By way of digression I am sure it is a trouble to most ingenious spirits to see some Gentlemen chosen Captains in the Militia that are but prisoners to their own reasons and instead of being experienced in this Art have been wholly Ignorant of the least part thereof It is no wonder then if his Majesty may lose his expectation of a well disciplined Militia and the Souldier in hazzard of his life and Country too How easily might this be remedied if our Commanding power would but authorize the Commission officers to meet once in a moneth to exercise each other by their respective turns c. where they may also discourse and consult about Military affairs and then for these private Commanders by their affable and heroick perswasions to get some of their souldiers as may be for their conveniencie to meet with their armes and to exercise them this would not only be delightful but profitable both for King and Country And on the contrary the neglect hereof and also of the full number of men and Armes in the Militia hath made it to be ill spoken of and so little feared especially by those of our own inbred Enemies to the Royal Government these things will be better looked into hereafter If they will not be drawn to love and to be obedient to Royal Prerogatives they must be made to dread it And I humbly conceive there is no better way to effect the former than by having a choice Militia of such whose spirits should account it a baseness to abuse the Country and make not their Musters pass times for debauchery and that their Companies be not only well disciplined but well Armed also I proceed to the drawing up of files again into a body and preparing them for skirmish A Company of Foot being thus drawn up for service and the Colours flying in the head of the Company and there they are to remain until all forlorne firings are ended But so soon as the Drumm shall beat his further preparatives for a close skirmish the Ensign is to furle his Colours and retreit to the half files of Pikes Observe That all firings are either direct or oblique and the manner how they are to be performed are either Advancing Receiving or Retreiting otherwhiles there may be firing in the Reer marching from the Enemy or in the flank marching by an Enemy and also at several places for an Enemy