caracol face about to the right By half file face about to the right and left To draw up in Haye By half ranks to the right and left draw up in hay to the front To reduce them again By Caracol to the right and left as ye were By half rank and by Caracol to the right and left draw up in hay to the rear To the front as we were By half rank to the right and left draw up in hay By Caracol to the right and left as ye were By Caracol to the right draw up in hay By Caracol to the left as we were How Horse are to fire Horse must fire by ranks and by files and are to detach by Caracol gaining the hand if possibly they can that is to say using their endeavours to have the enemy on the right hand They should detach at a trot then put on to a gallop and having discharged return to their bringers up It is to be observed likewise that they should detach by the right wing wheeling by Caracol to the left and by that means they will have the Enemy on the right hand The rank may fire by the front and draw off by caracolling to the right and left They may be made to fire by ranks by conversion and alwayes fall back to the bringers up of the squadron Horse may fire by files but in that case the squadron ought to be six or eight in depth making the right wing-file detach by caracolling to the left and having discharged fall back again by the same order to the place from whence they advanced So that Horse may fire in the same manner as Foot How to fight in a retreat To fight in a retreat some small parties backed by greater bodies are sent off and if it be thought convenient that they should discharge then these small parties shall make use of the orders of drawing up in Hay each party firing at the same time and retreating by the help and assistance of the other small parties who ought to second them till afterward obeying the same orders again they come to the assistance of those that seconded them How to make Horse file off On the right wing file off by ranks On the left wing form the squadron File off by ranks on the left wing Form the squadron on the right File off by three files On the left wing form the squadron I think it more convenient to file off by files than by ranks since that three files make a squadron which one rank does not CHAP. II. How Horse are to fight against Horse HE that commands the Squadron must know who they are he is to fight to wit if they be Gend'arms Light-horse Dragoons or Musketeers because the two former of these are to be attacked by the left wing and the others by the right H. A Fight of Horse against Horse We have told you that in fighting â—gainst Dragoons and other Musketeers they must be Attacked on the â—â—ght wing which is a considerable â—dvantage being taken seasonably â—or it is getting the hand of those against whom we fight How Horse are to fight against Foot When Cavalrie has a design to Atâ—ack a Battallion of Foot before â—hey come within Musket-shot the Cavalrie must have received their Orders sending off some out-riders who ought to advance streight against â—he Plotons or small Skirmishing boâ—ies receiving their fire and vigourâ—usly to force them in disorder to reâ—reat towards the Pikes o r towards â—he Center of the Battallion and at â—hat time the Squadron should adâ—ance by depth Caracolling and Enâ—aging the Battallion by one of the Angles charging the Pikes and â—assing sidewayes by them and not advancing streight towards them otherwayes out of every Troop there may be three or four detached in a File which ought to advance at a gallop and so soon as they come within Musket-shot charge the Plotons and afterward by Caracol pass by the Front and wings obliging the Battallion to charge to the Horse at the same time the Squadron ought to follow Charging on the angle oâ— the Battallion setting on the Pikes by the flank and in that manner the Battallion is to be broken It is to be observed that Horse should alwayes have their files closed and not their ranks Foot may likewise be fought in the following order making a double Squadron and when they approach within Musket-shot the squadron iâ— to be divided by half ranks into fouâ— Troops and by Caracol to the right and left the two first should pass oâ— the front and on one of the wings the third ought to Charge streight on the angle or according as occasion requires Attack the Pikes side-wayes whether it be on the front or flank and then the fourth Troop should make good what the third could not It is to be observed that so soon as the Horse are within ten paces of the Battallion they ought to fire and at the same time draw their swords How Foot are to fight against Foot If a Regiment of Foot marching in an Enemies Country find a Regiment of the Enemies in an advantagious Post which hinders their march the Regiment that is to pass must use endeavours to draw the Enemy to an Engagement making as if they intended to retreat that they may allure them out of their Post and having drawn them out into a convenient ground they are to face about to the right and march towards the Enemy in order of Battel and advancing two steps shall let flie their Pistols and return to their ranks then all the Musketeers shall fire three ranks together at the same time drawing their Swords and presenting the Pikes and all the Companies being engaged pell-mell should fight tilâ— the one be overcome and ask Quarters The figure A clearly represents the way of fighting How Squadrons are to be detached and formed at the same time The Horse are to Caracol to the right and left and open the half rank then form the Squadron fifty in Front By Caracols to the right and left open your half Ranks and form the Squadron fifty a breast fronting about to the Rear How Squadrons are to be formed They are to double on the left Wing by three Ranks and on the same Front with the first There are two things to be observed when the Squadron is formed and that the Front is to be changed into any other place whatsoever to do it by Caracols or to do it by Conversion by half-ranks or Quarter-ranks if by Conversion but if by Caracol it is done in a whole body Two Troops that can Squadron themselves together to form their Squadrons in the order of a march if they march in the same Front the first should take the right and the other the left hand and in that order march If they desire to form the Squadron the Troop on the right hand should advance about twenty paces and reduce themselves to three in depth That which holds the left in its
all Garison-places have daily their Provisions by means of Convoyes and Forrages which cannot be securely brought without Guards of Horse they reduce the Enemy to great streights by intercepting their Convoys and Foragers ravaging their Country by continual Parties beating up their Quarters and making frequent courses and inrodes amongst them In so much that there is hardly any Enterprise wherein Horse are not with great profit employed Now seeing the Cavalrie is composed of several Regiments and the Regiments of several Troops that they may render the service and advantage that is expected from them either in general or particular it is necessary that the Troops be made up of good riders and that they be led and Commanded by Officers of note and expert in the Art of War It is most important for the service of the King that the Troops which make up the Forces of his Majesties Cavalrie be not only compleat and furnished with men well mounted well armed and in good Equipage but that they be also led and commanded by Officers of experience and merit that so they may be better obeyed by their Troopers who will have a far greater esteem for them when they know their valour and good conduct CHAP. III. Of the duties of the Officers of Horse and in the first place of the Captain THE Captain ought to chuse Officers who understand aright the Art and Duty of their Charges as being the chief members which he is to use in making the Body act whereof he is the head Especially a Lieutenant and Quarter-master as being the most important as shall be shewed hereafter Now to fill the charge of a Lieutenant well he ought to seek out for a discreet man experienced in the profession of Cavalrie and who hath for several Campagnes served with care and assiduity That being known the Captain may be assured that the Lieutenant in his absence may very well take the care and conduct of his Troop and discharge the same duty that himself is obliged to perform Of the principal duties of a Lieutenant The Lieutenant ought to know all the men of the Troop by name he ought to punish the swearers quarrellers drunkards and the otherwayes debauched conniving at no vice in them he ought to be kind to those that have merit and upbraid such as fail in their duty punishing them rigourously if they continue to be negligent that is the way to become both beloved and feared of the Troopers He should procure himself esteem by his conduct having the qualities of a man of honour wise and discreet sober in his diet prudent in his discourse and above all valiant and stout which makes the brave Souldiers in imitation of him emulous to be men of worth and to serve their King well He ought sometimes to visit their Horses and Arms recommending to them the care of them publickly and smartly rebuking those that are negligent of either and severely punishing them if they abuse his goodness and patience Of a March. In a March the Lieutenant ought to march at the Rear of the Troop or Squadron to make the Troopers keep close taking heed that none stay behind obliging them to follow their File-leaders suffering none to quit their ranks nor leave the Standard without permission When there is an opportunity of fighting the Enemies the Lieutenant ought to be at the rear of the Squadron with his Sword in hand obliging the Troopers to do their duty making the last rank well closed and in good order follow the other two punishing him that would flie and turn his back and by that example oblige the rest to do their duties When the Captain on such an occasion is absent as at any other time the Lieutenant is to take the Captains Post and march at the head of the Squadron placing at the rear and in his own Post the Quarter-Master and in the Post of the Quarter-Master on the Wings the first Brigadeer filling up all the places of the Officers that no disorder may happen by the Captains absence Of the Guard of a Camp When the Captain is Commanded out for the guard of the Camp or of a Quarter or to relieve it and is come to his Post the Lieutenant is to put the Troop into Battallia keeping at the head of the Squadron expecting till the Captain be informed of what he has to do and that he go with the Quarter-Master to place the Vedettes instructing them in the mean time what they are to do until the Captain return and give the other necessary Orders for the security of his Guard Of the duties of the Cornet The Captain ought to chuse a man for Cornet to his Troop who is of the same integritie and hath the like qualities as we have assigned to the Lieutenant because he is often obliged to mount the Guard and perform the other duties in absence of him A young Gentleman who hath seen and served in a Campagn and sometimes by favour is commonly placed in that charge his Function is to carry the Standard on a day of entry or muster that he may salute the King or in his absence the General of the Army His Post is at the Captains left hand the length of his Horse or about seven foot more backward towards the Squadron In day of Battel he ought to carry the Standard and preserve it with the danger of his life Moreover the Cornet ought to have a great respect for his Captain He should likewise behave himself towards his Lieutenant with marks of esteem and submission whereby he will gain the good will and esteem of his Superiour Officers He should have a regard to the Quarter-Master and be civil to the Brigadeers in a word he should strive to procure the love and esteem of the Troopers and interpose amongst them to take up their quarrels and make them friends but if he find difficultie in the matter and that the authority of the Captain or Lieutenant be requisite he shall inform them of the business representing to them the ground of the quarrel and the reasons of either party that they may do Justice and by their authority kill the resentments which either may entertain against other that so the troublesome accidents may be avoided which contests produce in a Troop when the Officers prevent them not Of the Quarter-Master The Captain should chuse for his Quarter-Master an active and experienced man who is wise and well affected to the service for the management of the subsistance and service of the Troop is performed by his order He ought to know to read write and cast account as far as the rule of Society for he ought to keep the Roll and Catalogue of all the Troopers with their Names Sirnames places where they were born and their Countrey as also of their casual goods booties and prizes gained from their Enemies It is his duty likewise to go daily and receive the word He ought to be exact when he has
received it to write it down with the Counter-word that he may remember them and according to the duty of his place carry it to his Officers where they are He ought to have a care to learn the manners of every private Trooper that on occasions he may know who are fit to be commanded having considered their Horses and from thence being able to judge of those who are most proper to execute the intended service It is his part to be careful frequently to visit the Troopers Horses obliging them to feed dress and shoe them well to keep their Equipage in good condition and severely to punish those that neglect that duty He is also to take notice of their Arms and oblige them to keep them always clean and cause them to be refitted when they want any the least thing It belongs to him to entertain friendship amongst the Troopers making them live orderly punishing the quarrelsome and those that love tumult as also Swearers Drunkards and such as lead a life of bad example and if he cannot reclaim them by reproofs he is to complain of them to the Captain that he may order them either by Prison or dismounting and shamefully casheering them as men unworthy to carry a Sword far less the name of Trooper and on the other hand he is to shew kindness to such as are of merit doing them all the good Offices he can either of himself or with the Officers yea and in their Quarters and that so long as they shall not abuse them and shall do their duties In Marches the Quarter-Master should daily receive Orders from the Captain to go to the Quarters and take occasion to go before that he may arrive in time So that the Captain when he comes with his Troop may find his Quarters and the provisions if any be to be given out ready that the Troop may not be obliged to remain long on Horseback in the Streets which wearies and spoils the Horses particularly after a long march and especially in the heat of Summer or otherways in bad weather when the days are short and they come late to their Quarters a thing that may prove very prejudicial to the service of the King and of the Captain himself And therefore the Quarter-Master when he goes to take up Quarters should with his Captains consent take with him two or three Troopers whom he may judge fit to assist him in preparing the Quarters with greater diligence and he should not fail so soon as he is come to the place and has shewed his Orders to the Magistrates and those that have authority to inform them of the number of servants that the Captain entertains and of the condition of his Equipage and of the Equipages of the other Officers that the Magistrates or others in authority may commodiously quarter them He shall therefore with all expedition cause the Officers Billets be made or else shall inform himself of their Quarters and go view them that he may see that their Lodgings be convenient and that they may not have afterwards cause to complain of his negligence and when he knows that the Troop draws near he is to go meet them that he may conduct the Captain and Troop to their Quarters provided he be intrusted to deliver them their Billets But if the Magistrates or others in authority have a mind to reck on the number of effective Quarterings he is to conduct the Captain with his Troop to the Town-House causing the effective Quarterings to be reckoned and their Billets being delivered he is to conduct the Captain to his Quarters where he is to draw up the Troop in Haye before the Gate or Door to whom he is to distribute the Billets making them in order draw them out of a Hat desiring all the Troopers to be civil to their Landlords and to have a care not to give them any cause of complaint If they be to stay there any time in distributing the Billets he ought to take in writing the names of the Troopers and their Landlords and to make a list of them then next day go and visit the Horses to see if any be hurt and if any Landlord complain to the end he may remedie every thing by bringing necessary orders for that effect When the Trumpet sounds to Horse and that they must be gone the Quarter-Master ought to be the first on Horse-back to hasten the Troopers and make them in diligence repair to the Captains Quarters chiding those that come last and if he observe that any of them be accustomed so to do whether it be for laziness or out of design to stay behind to steal and pilfer from their Landlords he shall severely punish them for an example to the rest When he comes into Winter-Quarters he ought to visit all the Troopers Quarters and know the conveniences of them and the condition of the Landlords and acquaint the Captain therewith to the end that he may order the distribution of a part of the Billets that he may accommodate those who have most need and then cause the rest to be drawn by Lot On a march of importance he is to march on the Wings of the Troop or Squadron and from time to time go from the Front to the Rear and from the Rear to the Front to make them keep their distances and march in good order hindering the Troopers to break out without permission If there be an occasion of fighting he should march on the Wings of the Squadron with his Sword in his hand making them close their ranks observe their distances and hinder them from breaking Of the duty of Brigadeers The Brigadeers ought to be men of experience old Troopers and as capable as the Qâ—arter-Master and endowed with the same qualities because in his absence one of them must always discharge his Functions and besides they must read and write and each of them keep a Roll of their Brigade that they may make the Troopers do duty by turns The Troop being so divided into Brigades the duties will be far better performed and the detachments made in order and without confusion whether by Brigadeer with his whole Brigade and successively the one after the other or by Troopers detached from each Brigade with one of the Brigadeers at their head and by that means the Quarters will be given out with less confusion when the Troop is to be separated that it may be the more easily quartered and lodged in scattered Houses dividing these Precincts by Brigades CHAP. IV. Of the Guard of a Camp or Quarter THE most important thing for the Guard of a Camp is to place aright the Courts of Guard and the Vedettes and it is usually a Mareschal de Camp or the Quarter-Master General of the Horse who chuses these Posts and appoints them to the Captains who are to mount the Guard The Captain being come to the Court of Guard ought to cause his Troop and those that he has for the Guard to
to go to the Governours House at the hour appointed for opening of the Gates The Aid-Major if any be and the Captain of the Gates should likewise go at the same hour to the Governours House and the hour for opening the Gates being come if the Governour call not the Major to speak with him the Major should let him know that he waits for the Keys that he may go open the Gates The Governour or in his absence the Commander do commonly call the Major into their Chamber where they discourse of the matters which the Major has observed the night before upon his round which he ought to relate truly to the Governour without adding or diminishing any thing Having made his report he is to give the Governour the Roll containing the number of Officers Escouades and Souldiers of each Escouade who the day before mounted the Guard on the place of Arms underneath that Roll the Major ought to write down the extract of the same Escouades the number of Souldiers of each Escouade and if he found the Officers at their Posts and Courts of Guard when he went his round which extract and Roll the Major ought to give to the Governour to the end that he may know if the same number of Officers and Souldiers who mounted the Guard have continued on the Rampart and in the Court of Guard that fell to them by lot Having given the extract of the Rampart and Parade he is to ask the Governour if there be any new Commands to be given at the Gates besides the usual If he say there are none the Major is to take the Keys and deliver them to the Captain of the Gates who gives them to his servant afterward they go to the Gate where being arrived the Major asks the Officer of the Guards if there be any news If the Officer tell him that there is nothing that may hinder the opening of the Gate he shall bid the Officer draw down the next Escouades that are upon the Rampart and those of the Court of Guard who come commonly to the opening of it and whilst the Serjeants or Corporals come down from the Rampart and that they draw up their men in Haye on the right and left in the street as far as the Gate the Major ought to go upon the Rampart to see if any Countrey people be come to the Gate If there be any he ought to ask them from whence they come and what Villages they belong to and endeavour to find out if they speak truth In a word if the Major see nothing that may justly delay the opening of the Gate he is to come down from the Rampart and seeing all the Souldiers in Arms with lighted matches and the Officer at their head he is to Command the Porter to open the Gates which he is instantly to open and as the leaves of the Gate are opening he is to make the Guard draw out in File as far as the furthermost draw-Bridge presenting their Arms. If the Officer of the Guard be not at the Court of Guard the Major is to cause him to be sought for for to open the Gate without him is as great a fault in the Major as in the Officer for not being on his duty This being done before the Guard lay down their Arms he is to make all the people and Cattel that are in the street march out and when all are gone out he shall cause those that are without come in one after another and if there be any Carts or Waggons laden with Forage he is to Command them to be search'd though he have but little or no suspicion of them When the Governour with the Keys gives the Major any new Order and it be something extraordinary and not put in practice the day before the Major is to acquaint the Officer of the Guard with it but if he have received no order he is to bid the Officer Command his Souldiers to lay down their Arms and tell him that he has no new Orders and that there is no more to be done but what is usual which he is not obliged to inform him of because that the Officer when he enters into his Post and relieves the Officer that comes off the Guard ought to ask him and make him tell him plainly all things that have been told him by the Officer whom he last relieved that he may punctually obey them The Major being returned with the Captain of the Gates who causes the Keys to be carried to the Governours House he is to acquaint the Governour with all that is done and with what he hath learnt at the opening of the Gate When in one place there are several Gates which are opened the same day the Major shall send his Aid to open the other or the Captain of the Gates if there be no Aid-Major and give him the same Orders that he hath received from the Governour all the Gates being opened the Major has the rest of the day for himself until that the Escouades and all the Companies who are to mount the Guard be come together on the place of Arms whither the Major with his Aids should go and being come there he is to draw aside on the place of Arms and being sate down there with a Drum before him and having his Roll of the Guards which mount day by day and his Counters or lots in a purse he is to send his Aid to the head of the Guard to bid the Serjeants and Corporals come and draw their Posts He should have already written down in his Register of Guards the day of the week and month underneath he should have placed the names of all the Courts of Guard and the number of the Escouades that he uses to send to every one of them and at the same time that the Serjeants and Corporals draw the Major writes the name of the Company to which the Escouade belongs for instance if it has been the custom to send six Escouades to the Gate of Paris and eight to the Gate of St. Anthony he puts six Counters or Lots into a Hat on which he writes Gate of Paris and eight more on which he writes Gate of St. Anthony and so for other Gates and Posts observing to put in neither fewer nor more Lots than there are Posts to be supplied and Escouades to be sent because otherways it would breed confusion The Post being drawn and all the Guards in Arms the Files and Ranks are to be put in good order each according to their rank to which the Aid-Majors should take heed as likewise the Majors of the Regiments This being done the Major comes to the head of the Batallion to meet the Officers that are to mount the Guard and if there be two Captains-Posts he presents to them two Lots whereon are written the names of the two Posts without being seen by them or otherways he puts them into a Hat and prays them to draw He does the same
interlining if the infantry who have fired have suffered any check the Cavalrie which is at hand may maintain them and give them time to rally The most honourable Post of all is the Van-guard next the main body claims the honour but we must except the Regiment of Guards and the Kings Gend'arms because both are in service and are always put in the second line There is in every line also the honourable Post the old Bodies according to the Order of their Seniority have always the right Wing and the second in seniority is placed on the left and so from rank to rank so that the middle of the line is the lowest Post in honour If we consider the number of men who as we have said compose the Batallions which at most consist of a thousand men apiece and the number of Troopers that make up a Squadron which is at most of two hundred it is evident that though there be but very few Cavalrie in an Army yet the number of Squadrons is double yea and triple the number of Batallions so that for every Batallion in the middle of each of the three lines there will be two or three Squadrons in the Wings of the same line When an Army is drawn up in Batallia they observe five foot of interval interval between each Trooper and three foot between each foot man which is for the front or distance of one file from another but when they come to the shock the files close and the front is lessened almost one half There are left about an hundred paces between the first line and the second and two hundred between the second and third that the Troops if they be broken may have ground to rally on and if less ground were allotted them it would happen that the Troops of one line giving ground would break the Troops of the second as being too near them In every line the Batallions are distant from Batallions and the Squadrons from Squadrons to a distance almost equal to their front so that the front of a Squadron extending about two or three hundred foot the interval between two Squadrons shall be two or three hundered foot more or less and the front of a Batallion being between an hundred and seventy or a hundred and eighty foot the interval between two Batallions shall be within a little equal to their front These intervals are left because the Squadrons and Batallions of the second line are placed just behind the intervals of the first and in the same manner the Bodies of the Rear-guard are placed just behind the intervals that are between the bodies of the main Battel to the end that by these intervals both may more easily advance against the Enemy and that if the first line be broken instead of falling back upon the Troops of the second as must needs happen if the bodies of all the lines made but files it might rally behind its own ground and leave the intervals free for the second line to advance and maintain the other that gave ground If the Army on a march have the Enemy on head and that they march in an open and razed Country they keep together in a posture of fighting The Cavalrie are placed upon the Wings but the Gend'arms come behind the second line the Cannon march at the head of the first line next comes the second backed by the Gend'arms on the same front march the provisions baggage and equipage of Artillery and for the security of these equipages the Rear-guard comes after but if they must come to a fight the Rear-guard advances on head of them and leaves only two or three Squadrons on the rear of the baggage and provisions When the Enemy is on head of an Army in a close Country that is divided by cross ways by Lanes and Ditches covered with wood or beset with Hedges the front of each of the three lines must of necessity be contracted and one body must file off after another In such a Country the Horse and great Cannon are but of little use the Cavalrie being unable to fight there and having frequently need of succour Commonly the march begins by one or two Squadrons a Front then a Batallion or two a Front and so successively according as the passages are more or less open The Cannon Provisions and Baggage march only after the Troops of the second line for the Cannon would be so far from doing any good effect if it were on the Front that it would hinder the march of the Troops in case the Enemy were on head and would attack the first line In such kind of marches there are many skirmishing parties mingled amongst the Baggage to secure them against the Enemy who might cut them off by the advantage of the Woods The infantry hath a particular order for the march of the Baggages for the Baggage of the oldest Regiments march first though these old Regiments were even in the third line When there are two or three narrow Passes the Army marches in two or three Pillars to march in Pillars is when the lines instead of making a large Front make a long File so to march in three Pillars is to march in three long Files If an Army march by Pillars one half of the Cannon is placed in the intervals of the Troops of the Vanguard and the other half in the intervals of the main body There are but very few put in the Pillar of the Rear-guard because it is supposed to be weaker than the other Pillars and less able to defend the Artillery When the Enemy is on the flank in a large and open Country the Army marches likewise in three Pillars the first Pillar that sides to the Enemy shall be composed of the Regiments of the Van-guard the Cannon shall march between that first Pillar and the Enemy the second Pillar shall be made up of the Troops of the main Battel and the third of the body of the Rear-guard so that when the Enemy appears making the three Pillars turn to the right or left according as the Enemy shall appear to the right or left all the Army by that motion will be in order of Battallia and the Cannon on the Front Of a Council of War It is to be supposed that he who Commands an Army is a man endowed with all the good qualities that are necessary to the General of an Army The first thing that a General should do when he has received his Orders from the King written and countersigned by his Secretary of War is to endeavour to follow punctually the same orders that he may the better succeed in them and give no advantage to his Enemies who are jealous of his glory He ought have a Journal Book wherein he shall cause to be inserted by his chief Secretary all the Orders Letters and Answers which he shall have received or given that he may be thereby always in a condition to give his Soveraign an account of his duty