point Note that when you march throw any countrie you most observe three foote onely from File to File and sixe from Ranke to Ranke The third distance or your close order is commanded by this word Close which is when there is one foote and a halfe from File to File and three from Ranke to Ranke as this Figure demonstrates OBserve that though this figure stands but at a foote and a halfe distance yet this is for the pikes onely and must never be used but when you will stand firme to receive the charge of an Ennemy The muskettiers must never be closer then the second distance of three foote in square because they are to have a free vse of their Armes THis figure represents the 40 pikes and 40 muskettiers standing in their order because the page will not beare the first foure motions in their open order Here begins the words of Command 1 Stand right in your Files 2 Stand right in your Rankes 3 Silence Here begins the first motion 5. To the right hand IT is to be noted when you are commanded to be As you were you are ever to turne to the contrary hand from whence you came As for example if you did turn to the right hand you are to return to the left hand and so in the rest As you were that is as you stand in your order in the figure aboue marked with the letter I. 9. To the right hand about 10. As you were 11. To the left hand about 12. As you were An Observation These turnings to the right or left hand or to either hand about serue for the given or receiving of a charge vpon the right or left Flank or in the Reere about As you were Because there is now roome enough this figure showes them standing in their open order of sixe foote distance one from an other both in rank and file from which standing they are to doe these motions following 13. Ranks to the right hand double The Demonstration The 2. 6 8 10 rancke from the front marked with the Letters b. d. f. h. k. moues all together and doubles into thier order on the right hand of the files numbred 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. making 5. rankes at thier double open order of 12. foot 16. men in each rancke as is seen in this figure aboue The Demonstration This motion differs not from the former but onely that the vtmost man of the second Ranke and subsequently al the other ranks which moued before comes now vp together to their order on the left hand of the files numbred 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. 17. Files to the right hand double The Demonstration The 2. file next the right hand moues fals back betweene the right hand fiile the 4th file betweene the 3. The 6. betweene the 5. the 8. or left hand file betweene the 7 fiile all to thier order making foure fiiles 20. men deepe and 12 foote distance betwixt file and file as in this figure The Demonstration The files which moued before stand now still and the 2. file next the left hand file fals back betweene the left hand file the 5 file betweene the 6 the 3 betweene the 4 and the 1 or right hand file betweene the 2 file makeing 20 men deepe and 12 foote distance betwixt file and file as before 19. Half files to the right hand double your front The Demonstration The leader of the halfe file on the right hand noted f steps to his order beyond the right hand file number 1. and also all the rest of the files stepping to their order on their right hand comes vp together betweene the files numbred 1. 2. 2. 3. 3. 4. 4. 5. 5. 6. 6. 7. 7. and 8. into the Rankes marked a. b. c. d. e. at their order of three foot distance in file and 6. in ranke as this figure aboue showes 20. Half files to the right hand double your front The Demonstration This motion differs not from the other but that the leader of the halfe-file on the left hand consequenitly al the rest of the files steps to their order on the left hand comes vp together betweene the files numbred 8. 7. 7. 6. 6. 5. 5. 4. 4. 3. 3. 2. 2. 1. into the rankes marked as before with the letters a. b. c. d. and e. The demonstration When you will Countermarch to the right hand the first Ranke of Leaders numbred 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. and 8. onely must advance one stepp forward with the right legg and then turne and all the other Rankes must march first up to the place from whence the first Ranke did countermarch before they turne where the Sariant stands marked with a starre This figure shewes that betweene the rankes a and d there are 8 rankes mett at their order and the Captaine countermarching to the Reere with the first Ranke of Leaders to the 6 ranke marked f. and the Lieutenant with the ranke of bringers up noted K. towards the front to the ranke noted e. which represents the Countermarch incompleate as is seene in this figure aboue This figure showes the Countermarch compleate when the Captaine or Officer is come with the first Ranke of Leaders to the place where the bringers up the Lieutenant stood and the Lieutenant with the bringers up to the Captaines place standing in their open order in ranke and file as this figure demonstrates Observe likewise if you will now Countermarch to the left hand the first ranke must stepp forwards one stepp with the left legge and then turne and all the other Rankes behinde must come up to that place before they turne where the Sariant with his Halbart stands as before 25. Rankes to the left hand countermarch Note that this figure as the first showes the Countermarch incompleate as before This figure showes that the Captaine is countermarcht up with the first ranke of leaders into that place where the front stood before and every ranke and file in their open order The like countermarch is performed either on the right or left flanke by giving first this word of command To the right or left hand omitting the naming either of Rankes or files in saying onely To the right or left hand countermarch which you lift Observations before yow wheele First Files to the right or left hand or to the middle Close to your Order To 3. foote betweene File and File If you would close your files to the right hand the outermost file on that hand stands still and the next on the right hand numbred 2 moues first to their order and then all the files ciphred 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. the left hand file closes in all to their order And if you would have them close to the left hand the outermost file also on that hand stands still and then the file next the left
hand numbred 7 moves first and afterward all the other files noted 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. or the right hand file close all to their order But if you desire to have your files close to the middle then the two middle most files numbred 4. 5. close first to their order of three foote and having their distance the other files numbred 2. 3. and 1. on the right hand and the files 8. 7. and 6. on the left hand closes both waies into their order Secondly Rankes to your Order Close that is To three foote betweene Ranke and Ranke Note that in this motion also the Rankes which stand in their open order on the other page marked with the Letters bc defghi and k moving all to gether in an even front comes up to their order or distance of three foote as this figure demonstrates where both files rankes stand in their order of 3 foote distance Observe that when you exercise a company single you double your front before you wheele in regard the body is smal but in a devision or a greater body you close both your rankes and files to your order as aboue omitting the doubling and then wheele but being a single company when you wheele to the right hand then double your front to the left hand for so the leader of the right hand file will keepe his place on that corner towards which you wheele This figure before you wheele shews your men to stand in their close order in file and their order in ranke as 〈◊〉 Againe when you wheele to the left hand double your front to the right hand and then the two leaderson the left hand doe but onely turne their bodies like the point of a Compasse to that hand whereto they wheele while the body comes about with a faster motion and an even front Note also that after you have wheeled to which hand you list and as often as you will you give in a single company this word of command Halfe files as you were that is as they stood in their order both in ranke and file before but in greater bodies where the doubling is omitted you first open your rankes by giving this terme of direction Rankes backward to your open order and then likewise your files by commanding Files open both waies to your open order of six footes as this figure both in ranke and file represents In opening of Rankes and Files you must make all the Files or Rankes saving the outermost on that hand from whence you meane to open which must stand to moue altogether till the second Ranke or File from that which standeth haue gotten its distance and consequently all the rest Having performed the former Motions you may afterward exercise your company of Pikes and Muskettiers together or if you pleafe each a part To beginne then with the Pikes you may commaund them to doe these motions standing to wit Advance your Pikes Order your Pikes Shoulder your Pikes Charge your Pikes Order your Pikes Traile your Pikes Checke your Pikes But these Motions are to be performed both standing and marching namely Charge your Pikes Shoulder your Pikes To the right hand Charge Shoulder your Pikes To the left hand Charge Shoulder your Pikes To the Reere Charge Shoulder your Pikes Stand Order your Pikes First note that in charging halfe the Rankes onely must charge their Pikes the other hindermost halfe of the Rankes doe but port their Pikes that is they cary them so couched over the Heads of the foremost as may giue them no offence either in charging or retyreing Besides this way the Pikes are not so subject to be broken by the shot of the Enemy as when they are advanced Secondly they must likewise obserue when they charge standing to fall back with the right legge and marching to steppe forwards with the left Standing Thirdly the exercising of your Muskettiers is likewise performed either or Marching That is either by Rankes or by Files after three manner of waies to wit first having an Enemy in your front Secondly in your Reere and thirdly vpon your right or left flanke as these figures following in exercising of 260 Pikes Muskettiers besides Officers will demonstrate whereof the first showes the manner of giving fire standing vpon an Enemy in your front by commanding these three termes or direction vnderneath This figure aboue shewes that the first and second rank of both the wings of Muskettiers having given fire are fallen away and are a doing their postures till they come in the vacant Rankes in the Reere noted i k while the third and fourth Rankes on both flankes make ready and advances up to the same ground where the first were even with the front of the Pikes Note also that the first Ranke falling backe with their right legges bending their left knee lies on and giues fire as hath bin taught and the first Ranke falling away the second Ranke in presenting having their pannes garded blowes their matches opens their pannes and steps forward with their left legs into the place of the first ranke lies on giues fire and fall away while the rest of the body of muskettiers mooues up to their place and so two rankes at a time making ready you may giue fire as often as you list You must observe likewise that the muskettiers in all these motions do turne to the right hand so to have a cingular care to carry the mouthes of their muskets aloft aswell when they are shouldred as in priming as also when they keepe their pannes garded and come vp to give fire Moreover if an Enemy should appeare on either your right or left flank and that you resolue to maintain your ground and would gaule him from either flank it is performed by giving first this word of command To the right or left hand which you please and then making an interval of 6 foot distance between the two middlemost leaders of the halfe files e for the halfe rank on the left hand marked a b c d and e do fall away between the files to the Reere before the pikes and the half rank on the right hand k i g h f on the right flank likewise you may giue fire from either or both flankes as you list Again if an Enemy should shew himself in your Reere the like is done by giving this term of derection To the right hand about and having given fire upon them fall away to the place where the front stood even in the same manner as you did before The manner of giving fire marching and advancing towards an Enemy is performed as this figure following represents In advancing towards an Enemy two Rankes must alwaies make ready together advance ten paces forwards before the bodies at which distance a Sarjant or when the body is great some other Officer must stand to whom the Musketteirs are to come up before present and giue fire First the first ranke and whilest the
first Ranke giues fire the second Ranke keeps their muskets close to their pannes guarded and assoone as the first are falne away the second presently presents giue fire and fall after them Now assoone as the two first rankes do moue from their places in the front the two rancks next it must unshoulder their muskets and make ready so as they may advance forward ten paces as before assoon as ever the first two rankes are fallen away and are to doe in all pointes as the fmorer So all the other rankes through the whole company or division must doe the same by two one after an other A way how to giue fire retreating from an enemy which is performed after this sort as this figure following shows As the troupe marcheth the hindermost rank of all keeping still with the troupe maketh ready and being ready the souldiers in that ranke turne altogether to the right hand and giue fire marching presently away a good round pace to the front their place themselves in a Ranke together iust before the front Assoone as the first Ranke turneth to giue fire the Ranke next makes ready and doth as the former and so all the rest Last of all the troupe or whole wing of Muskettiers makes ready altogether standing and the first Ranke without advancing giues fire in the place it standts in speedily as may be yet orderly falles away the Rankes doing the same successiuely one after another A manner how to giue fire either from the right or left hand flanke as these 6 files of 60 Muskettiers demonstrates To the right hand present giue fire Captaine to the left hand present giue fire The Demonstration The company or division marching the outermost file next the enemy are commanded to make ready keeping still along with the Bodie till such time as they be ready they turne all to the right or left hand according to the fight of their Enemy either upon their right or left flanke and giue fire all together when thy haue discharged they stirre not but keepe their ground and charge their peeces againe in the same place they stand Now assoone as the aforesaid file doth turne to give fire the outmost next it makes ready alwaies keepeing along with the troupe till the bringers vp be past a little beyond the Leader of that file that gave fire last and then the whole file must turne and giue fire an doe in all points as the first did and so all the rest one after another A Sarjant or if the troupe be great some better qualified Officer must stand at the head of the first file and assoone as the second file hath given fire and hath charged he is to lead forwards the first file vp to the second file and so to the rest one after an other till he hath gathered again the whole wing and then he is to ioyne them againe in equall front with the pikes A BRIEFE Index of the points postures and severall motions contained in this first part of the Principles of the Art Militarie THe first is the duties of a private Souldier a Gentleman of a Companie and of all the Officers belonging to a Companie of Infanterie or Foote pages 1. 1. 3. 2. The Armes belonging to a Pike-man a Muskettier represented by figure 4. 3. The directions and the Postures of a Pike-man pages 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 4. The directions postures of a Muskettier marching pages 10. 11. 12. 13. 5. The direction the Centinell postures standing pag. 14. 15. 6. Briefe observations for a Muskettier pag. 16. 7. The beginning of the exercising of a Companie of Foote consisting of 40. Pikes 40. Muskettiers and the definition what a File and a Ranke is with the Demonstration of the dignity of Files and Ranks pag. 17. 8. Of the three distances obserued in exercising of a Companie to wit open-Open-order Order close-Closse-order with the definition thereof observations there-vpon pag. 18. 19 9. Of conversions turnings with the words of Commaund pages 20. 20. 10. The standing in open order fit for the doubling of Ranks Files pag. 21. 11. The doubling of Rankes pages 21. 22. 23. 12. The doubling of Files pages 24. 25. 26. 27. 13. The doubling of the Front by half files pages 28. 29. 30. 31. 14. The Countermarchings either to the right or left hand pages 32. 33. 34. 35. 15. Observations before wheelings pag. 36. 16 The wheelings to the right or left hand or about pages 37. 38. 39. 17. The opening of Ranks and Files pag. 40. 18. The posture of the Pikes commaunded either marching or standing the several givings of fire pages 41. 42. 43. 44. For the Cavallrie 19. Secondly the duties of a private Horse a Gentleman the severall charges and Officers belonging to a troupe of Horse beginning with letter A. pages 1. 2. 3. 20. The Armes belonging to a Curassier a Harquebusier pag. 4. of the managing of his Horse and their Armes represented by figure pag. 5. 21. The directions postures of a Curassier a Harquebussier represented with their words of Commaund in two great plates pages 6. 7. 8. 22. The exercising of a Esquadron of Cavallrie according to his Highnesse the Prince of Orange by the way of figure the word of Commaund directions pag. 9. 10. 11 23. His Highnesse order for filing and marching of Horse pag. 12. Thirdly an Appendex of Marshall discipline enacted and statuated by the Lords the States Generall his Highnesse for the Militia of the Vnited Provinces beginning with letter A. B. C. D. THe Book-binder is to follow in this first part in binding it first the Tytle and Dedication sheete then letter A. B. C. D. E. E2 and the half sheete for turning pages 21. 21. because a half sheete comes in here E3 F. G. H. I. K. L. L2 and this half sheete which makes L3 and so ends this first part for the Printer according to the figures of the pages hath committed an errour in not figuring the pages right FINIS BRIEFE Instructions of the Duties of a Horseman and the severall Officers belonging to a Troupe of Horse practised in the service of the Lordes the States Generall of the united Provinces vnder the Commaund of his highnesse the Prince of Orange FIrst the Cavallrie or Horse are ordered into two Troupes namely either a Troupe of Curaissiers which are heavelie armed consisting of able and lustie men and the highest and strongest horses or a Companie of Harquebussiers or Carabines which are more lightly armed as shal be discribed in the States list following The Officers then of a Troupe of Horse and the dutie of a Horseman or a centinell through their severall degrees are these 1 A Horseman 2 A Good-Smith or Farrier 3 A Clark or Fourrier 4 Two Trumpetters 5 Three Corporals 6 A Quartermaster 7 A Cornet 8 A Lieutenant and 9 A Captaine
the head downeward 12. Holding the rammer head in his right hand as before he is to take the bullett out of his mouth or out of his bullett-bagg at the pistoll case with the thumb and fore finger putt it into the muzzle of the pistoll and the Rammer immediatly after it then rammes it home 13. He is to drawe forth his Rammer with the right hand turned and to returne it to its place 14 With the bridle-hand he is to bring the pistoll towards his right side and placing the butt end vpon his thigh pulls downe the Cock 15 He is to take the Pistoll into his right hand mounting the muzzle vpward 16. Having the Pistoll in his right-hand as in posture 15 with his forefinger vpon the tricker he is to incline the muzzle with a fixed eye towards his mark not suddenlie but by degrees quicker or slower according to the space he rideth and that not directly forward towards the horse head but towards the right turning his right hand so as the lock of the pistoll maye be vpward and having gotten his marke he is to draw the tricker and so give fire 17. He is to returne his pistoll into the Case and then drawes out his other pistoll as occasion maye serve and doeth as before and thus much for the postures of the fire lock pistoll Now concerming the Snap-hane pistoll or Snap-hane Carabine more vsual in England then in these Countries those postures wherein they differ from the fire-lock pistoll are these following which beginn with the 18 Figure 18. Holding the pistoll in the bridle-hand as before hath bin shewed in Figure 14. with the right-hand he is to bend the Cock 19. VVith the right hand he is to pull downe the back lock and to secure the cock from going of 20. With the right hand he is to draw downe the hammer vpon the pan 21. With the right thumbe he is to thrust back the back-lock and so to give the Cock libertie The 22. the 23. the 24. figures shew the marching postures of a Harquebussier or a Carabine The Postures for the Snap-hane Carabine vsed in England are some thing differing from the fire-lock pistols which Captaine Cruso hath sett downe in his 30 Chapter and Follio 43. are these 1. Order your Carabine 2. Sink your Carabine into your bridle hand 3. Bend your Cock 4. Guard your Cock 5. Prime 6. Shutt your pann 7. Cast about your Carabine 8. Take forth your Cartouch 9. Lade your Carabine 10. Draw your rammer 11. Shorten your Rammer 12. Lade your bullet ramm home 13. With draw your Rammer 14. Shorten your Rammer 15. Returne your Rammer 16. Recover your Carabine 17. Order your hammer 18. Free your Cock 19. Present 20. Give fire For the vse of his sword he is to demeane him self as the Cuirassier Observations for the makeing of Cartouches SEing that flasks are now growne out of use amonge our Horsemen for the gaining of time and the quicker giving of fire especially vpon a skirmish or in a battell it is needefull for to make Cartouches Now the Cartouch is to be made of white paper cutt out of a convenient breadth and length and rowled vpon a stick or the Rammer if it be not too litle fit according to the bore of the barrell to containe the due charge of powder and the bullett The proportion of powder vsually required is half the weight of the Bullett but being strong fine pistoll powder it is held too much in the opinion of some men Having moulded then the paper to fitt the Calibre or boore of your pistoll as is said the one end of it is to be turned in to keepe in the powder and the due charge of powder to be putt into it at the other end which powder is to be clossed in by tying a litle thred about the paper then the bullett is to be putt in and that also to be tyed in with a litle thred and when the Curassier or Harquebussier is to vse his Cartouch he must bite of the paper at the head of it at the powder and and so putt it into the barrell of his pistoll with the bullet vpward and then ramme it home for a readinesse vpon any peece of service Briefe observations touching the exercising of Cavallerie through their severall motions as it is commaunded amongst vs by the Prince of Orange and what a young Horseman ought to know before the exercising of his Esqadron or troupe begins FIrst as amonge the foot Companies so the Horse troupes are ranged into Files Ranks and their choisest men are made Leaders of files and bringers vp Secondlie Distance is also observed namely Closse Order and Open Order The Closse order is taken at three foot distance and the open order at six foote distance betweene rank and ranke and file file yea noe more then a Horse can wel turne about in the standing of sixe foote or open order in rank and file they are to doe their motions Thirdly it is necessarie that a Horsman vnderstand wel the severall motions vsed in the exercising of a troupe or Battaillon of Horse which are these three observed amongst vs 1. Facings 2. Countermarching 3. Wheelings 1. The vse of Facing either to the right or left hand or to the Reere is to make a Troupe or Battaillon of Horse perfect to be suddainly prepared for a charge on either Flank or in the Reere 2. Countermarches serve either to reduce the File-leaders into the place of the Bringers vp and so to have the best men readie to receive the charg of an Ennemie in the Reere or to bring one flank into the place of an other 3. Amonge the Horse Wheelings either to the right or left hand or to the Reere about is of excellent vse to bring the Front which consist of the ablest men to be readie to receiue a charge or to give a charge vpon an Ennemie on either Flank or in the Reere Note that doubling of Ranks doubling of files as also doubling of halfe files and halfe Ranks is ommitted amongst our Horse because according to his highnesse Commaund the files of the Horse are but fiue deepe in regard whereof there is alwaies an odd ranke The Demonstration of the figures on the other side answering to every Number of the words of Commaund videlizet 4 Showes the forme of a Squadron of Horse consisting of 30 men standing first in their close order at three foote distance one from another both in Rank and file 5 Showes that their rankes are opened backward to six foote distance or their open order in ranke and file 6 Showes that their files are also opened to six foote distance now stands in their open order both in rank and file Note that in opening of their files the two middlemost Files open first to their distance of 6 foote and the other files both to the right and left hand also till they are in their open order
your pan and the thumbe behind the scutchian 7 In presenting draw backe first your left leg to your right and withall stooping a little with your head to your pan being guarded blow off your coale 8 Lying on as in the 12 posture marching opening your pan fal backe with your right leg bring your right hand to the thumbe-hole of your musket presenting a faire body hold your musket hard and closse betweene your brest and your shoulder blade and pulling your tricker with your fore finger give fire 9 Having given fire bring up your right leg againe to your left as in the 7 figure and withall vn cock your match 10 Set forward your left leg againe to your first stand and returne your match betweene the two lesser fingers of your left hand and after that doe these postures following as in the figures marching viz Cleare your pan prime your pan and shut your pan as in the 17 18 and 19 posture marching 11 In taking up the rest hold your musket right up cast off your loose cornes and falling backe with your left leg somewhat stradling bring vp the pan even against your mouth 12 First blow off your loose dust or cornes with a stiffe blast and then cast about yout musket to your left side falling a little backe with your left leg. 13 Having forsaken your rest hold the musket fast in your left hand about the middle of the barrell so as the but end touch not the ground and bringing forward the muzile of your musket to charge your right hand being at liberty do these postures following namely Open your charge Charge with powder draw forth your scouring stick shorten charge with bullet put in stoping ramme home with draw your scovreing sticke shorten and returne as in the 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 and 30 figurs marching 14 Bring forward your musket with your left hand bearing it upright taking it into your right hand at the brich withall bring forward your left leg even with your right as in the 11 figure 15 Hold the musket bolt vpright in your right hand and having the rest in your left hand slip your right hād and your thumbe vpward to the forke as in the marching posture number foure Note by the way that from this poizing posture you may either joyn your rest to your musket es in the fift posture marching or rest your musket as in the first figure standing or else shoulder your musket as in the next figure following 16 Having your musket poized hold the rest a hand full under the forke then bring the musket before your body and your rest crosse over it behind your thumb-hole and so with both hands lay it gently on your shoulder having the rest a crosse your body drawing in your right leg to your left and then falling back againe with your right leg to your stand either stand or march away And thus much for the standing postures of the musket Briefe observations for a Muskettier VVHen a Muskettier is to be excercised in his squadron Company or devision all postures both marching and standing are readily done and reduced to these three words of command to wit Make ready Present Give Fire For first a good Muskettier which hath all his postures perfectly hearing his officer give the first terme of direction make ready will quickly run them over even from vnshouldring of his Musket to the guarding of his panne which is the sixth posture standing and the eleventh marching before he comes to present Secondly in presenting he wil be sure to blow his match well open his panne and fall backe with his right hand to the thumbe-hole of his musket having his fore-finger vpon the tricker setting forward his left legge will attend the next word of direction Thirdly lying on before he comes to give fire bending his left knee will fall back with his right legge bringing the butt end of his musker close betweene his brest and shoulder raising his musket fast and hard to his shoulder will keepe it fast from recoyling resting firme vpon his right legge will give fire Having given fire he takeeth up his musket and rest gracefully and bringing up his right legge againe falls away in his ranke returnes his match cleares his panne prims his panne doth quickly all his postures standing or marching as hath been taught and which shall bee showne more at large by figure when wee come to the excercising of muskettiers in grosse Practised in the warrs of the united Netherlandt NOw followes the true forme of exercising of a Foot Company of 40 pikes and 40 muskettiers besides officers represented by figure the words of Command and demonstration but before we come to the particular motions it is necessary for a yong souldier to know first what a File and a Ranke is Files number 1 The Leader of the right hand file 2 The leader of the left hand file 3 The middle file on the right hand 4 The middle file on the left hand 5 The second file next the right hand 6 The second file next the left hand 7 The third file from the right hand 8 The third file from the left hand The Demonstration Rankes Letter a The first Rank of Leaders b The last Rank of Bringers up c The Rāks of the Leaders of half files to the front d The Rank of the leaders of half files to the Reere e The second Rank next the front f The second Rank next the Reere g The fourth Rank from the front h The fourth Rank from the Reere i The third Rank from the front k The third Rank from the Reere THirdly to vnderstand well the three distances namely Open order order close order The Definition Open order then or the first distance is when the souldiers both in Ranke and File stand sixe foot removed one from an other as the scale and this figure following shewe Observations BEcause the measure of these distances cannot be taken so exactly by the eye we take the distance of sixe foote between File and File by commanding the souldiers as they stand to stretch foorth their armes and stand so remoued one from an other that their hands may meete And for the Rankes we make account we take the same distance of sixe foot when the butt end of the pikes doe almost reach their heeles that march before them THe second distance or your Order is when your men stand three foot remoued one from an other both in Ranke and File and this order is to be vsed when they are embattailled or march in the face of an Ennemy or when they come to stand or when you will wheele as this next figure represents Observations VVEe take the second order or distance betweene File and File by bidding the souldiers sett their armes a Kenbowe and put themselves so closse that their elbowes maye meete And wee reckon wee take the same distance betweene the Rankes when they come vp almust to the swords
7 Showes the clossing of their files to their closse order observing also that first the two middlemost files take their distance first of 3 foote and consequently the rest clossing both to the right and left hand 8 Showes that the rankes are also closed to their closse order and that both rankes files stand three foote distance one from another as Number 4 demonstrates Number 9 This motion is performed by turning and facing all to the right hand Number 10 This is done by bringing them againe to the first forme in turning all to the left hand Number 11 To face them to the Reere is done by turning all to the right hand till their faces front in that place which was before the Reere 12 Is to reduce them to their first forme by turning all to the right hand 13 This is performed by turning all at an instant to the left hand 14 This serves to reduce them to their first forme number 6 by turning to the right hand 15 Is to face them to the Reere by turning all to the left hand till their faces front in that place which was before the Reere 16 This is done by turning all to the right hand standing in their first forme as number 6 showes 17 Showes the Counter march from the right flank by turning all to the right hand 18 Is to bringe them againe to the right flanke by turning to the left flanke 19 Showes the Countermarch from the left flank by turning to the left hand 20 This reduces them againe to the left flank in turning all to the right hand and by giving the word of Commaund As ye were then they stand in the first forme as number 4 demonstrates before they come to wheeling 21 Showes the vse of wheeling eitheir to the right hand or the left hand is to bring the front which is supposed to consist of the ablest men to give or receive a charge eitheir vpon the right or left flank or in the Reere as hath bin said THE ORDRE Which his Highnesse the PRINCE OF ORANGE will have duely kept and observed by the Captaines of the troups of Horse vpon their March without any alteration therein vnlesse by expresse Commaund EVerie troupe shal be devided into three Corporallships in filing them they shall alwaies follow this order to wit that before everie Corporallship an Officer shall ride The Captaine of the troupe first the Cornet before the second a Corporall before the third and the Lieutenant in the Reere of the Troupe And if any of these Officers should be wanting as the Captaine of the Troupe the Lieutenant shall march in his place and if the Lieutenant be wanting a Corporall shall march in the place of the said Lieutenant And if they have any Bedets a principall Souldier shal be appointed over them to see that they keepe their closse order in marching The Quartermasters place is to march with the Lieutenant in the Reere 2. The Files shall never be made noe deeper then fiue horses how great or small so ever the troupe bee so that if the troupe consist of a hundred Horse everie Corporallship shall haue fiue or sixe horse in a rank and fiue in a file And the Officer shall be carefull when he is to draw out the files in a narrow waye which is long that there can passe but three Horses in a rank then they shall devide the Corporallship into two parts but if the waye will permit it then they shall not devide the Corporalship but march with fiue or sixe in a Ranke as abouesaid 3. The Officers shall commaund the Souldiers expresly that in marching they alwaies keepe the distance of three foot betweene file and file sixe foote betweene rank and rank and that they never ride noe faster then the pace vnlesse they becommaunded to the contrarie 4. There shal be noe more distance left betweene each Corporallship then is needefull for an Officer to march betwixt them 5. The Lieutenant and Quartermaster which brings vp the Reere of the Troupe shall take care that the Souldiers in the Reere shall begin to march assoone as those in the front moue and that they observe well their distance and see that they doe not straggle out of their ranks files 6. A Troupe of Horse standing in Battaille the Lieutenant and the Quartermaster shall haue their place in the Reere of the Troupe 7. In marching and filing of the Troups they shall follow one another so closse that there shall be noe more place left but as will serue iust for the Trumpetters Horses and the Captaines In the yeere 1635. his Highnesse ordered the Lords the States Horse consisting of eighte troups of Curassiers Harquebussiers into Regiments to wit foure troups of Curassiers into one division or Battaillon and foure Troupes of Harquebussiers into an other Battaillon both which made a Regiment over which a Colonell Commaunded Note also that comming to march over a Heath or a Compagnie As the foote so may the troups and Regiments of Horse be embattelled and ranged into three Brigades as the Avantguard the Battell and the Reere which is a goodle sight And thus much in briefe of the Officers of the Arming of the managing of the exercising and marching of our Cavallrie and Horse Practized in the Warres of the United Provinces vnder the charge and commaund of his Highnesse the PRINCE of ORANGE our Victorious Generall FINIS
of these in order Of a private Horseman and a Gentleman of a Troupe of Horse His dutie consisteth chiefely herein First that he feares God Secondly that he respects honours and obeys his superiour officers Thirdly that he doth noe violence outrage or wrong to any man Fourthly that he mannage well his horse and bring him to readinesse Fifthly that he keepes his armes and pistolls neate and trime Sixtly and lastlie that he carries him self vailliantly vpon service in the face of his ennemie and to be carefull vpon his march in keeping his order in rank and file and to be vigilent vpon his watch and sentinelship and to doe all other duties belonging to an honest souldier whereby he shall gaine the loue of his Captaine and Officers and so by his good carriage and deserts make himself capable of better advancement Of the Smith or a Farrier His dutie is as occasion serves to drench and lett bloude the Horse of the Troupe and allwaies either vpon a march or in a quarter to have in a readinesse his buggett of tooles horse shooes and nailes whensoever he shal be called vpon by his Officers or when any Gentleman or souldier of the Troupe shall have use of him and for this reason that he must duely attend vpon the Troupe he is freed from other duties and hath a greater paye then an ordinarie Horseman Of a Trumpetter Everie Captaine of a Troupe of Horse ought to have two good Trumpetters who cannot onely founde the Bouteselle that is a call to horseback a march a charge and a retreate but also to speake diverse languages to be wise discreete and circumspect especially whensoever his Generall Captayne and Commaundour shall have occasion to send him to the Ennemie vpon a message or for the ransoming of prisoners and that when he is with the ennemie he must be wary cautelous what he speakes and to lett noe words slipp which maye be disadvantagious to the service of his prince and Countrie and that he observes and markes well how and in what manner the Ennemes workes and trenches lie that he maye make report thereof to his Generall or Captayne at his returne and give him intelligence of whatsoever he hath heard or seene A Trumpetter also ought to be lodged neere his Cornett to be in a readinesse vpon all occasion to sound an Allarm that the Troupe maye betimes putt on their armes and gett a Horseback Of the Clarke to a Troupe of Horse The next degree to a Trumpetter is the Clarke of the Troupe or as some calls him the Fourier whose dutie is to fetch moneys to pay the Officers and Souldiers duelie to keepe a perfect Musterrolie of all the names and Surnames of the horsemen of the Troupe and to procure their Billers and their lodging moneys when they lie in guarrison and to deale vprightly and justly with the Companie Of a Corporall As a Compaigne of foote so also is a Troupe of Horse devided in to three esquadrons or Corporalships over which a Corporall commaundeth whose dutie is tokeepe a perfect roole of the Names and Surnames of everie Horseman of his esquadron and to cause them to have their horses in a readinesse to see that their armes pistols and Carabines be fixe and kept in good trime whensoever they shall have occasion to vse them and that they be carefull and vigilent vpon their watch that the sentinels performe their duties well that he relieves them in due time and that now and then he exercise them in the vse of their armes upon their guards and other places Seing he also is a good helpe and an Assistant to his Lieutenant by preventing of disorders and disputes and by composing of quarrels which maye arise amonge the souldiers of his esquadron yea and to doe whatsoeuer else belongs to a worthy Corporall that he maye gaine the loue of his Officers and attaine vnto better advancement Of the Quartermaster Everie Troupe hath also a Quartermaster whose dutie is to see that the Troupe be well lodged and quartered both in feild and in Garrison especially when they are separated and quartered apart from the Armie in villages and houses more ouer his dutie is likewise to attend the Quartermaster Generall and to receiue from him such houses for his Captaine and the Troupe as he shall appoint him after which he distributes those houses to the esquadrons and Troupe acconding to their seignoriâ—es Also he is often employed in ferching of the word and orders If the Regiment or Troupe be quartered about the armie in Campaignie then he is to observe and keepe that forme which the Generall hath ordayned for a Regiment of Horse and as the Quarter-master Generall shal shew him Of a Cornet A Cornet ought to be a brave young Gentleman full of spirit and courage and though he be young and hath noe great experience yet time and service will teach it him and afterward make him ambitious of greater advancement He is chosen soe because he maye be capable of his place and that charge which is committed to him from his Generall and Captayne and rather vpon any peece of service to loose his life then his honour reputation He ought also to carrie him self amiable loving and affable to the Gentlemen and Souldiers of the Troupe where by he shall gaine their loues and affections and who will gladlie vpon any occasion hazard their lives for him and that badge of honnour which he carries To conclud a Cornet in the absence of his Captaine and Lieutenant hath absolute Command over the Troupe The Cornet Sometimes marches in the head of the Troupe but when the Troupe is to be embattailled his place is betweene the third and fourth rank for the better safegard of his Cornett Of a Lieutenant It is necessarie that the Lieutenant to a Troupe of Horse be an old able Souldier and well experienced in the warres and who vpon divers peeces of service hath showne his worth and valour and for his deserts hath raised himself from inferiour degrees as from a Corporall a Corner to this charge wherein he is now and from it to make himself fitt for higher preferment He is a great helpe and an Assistant to his Captaine and therefore beares the name of Lieutenant who supports and keepes vp his Captaines place and authority and who in his Captaines absence hath absolure commannd over the Troupe It is his office also to prevent and compose quarrels and disputes arising among the Horsemen of the Troupe to carrie a severe hand over the willfull and obstinate offendours by punishing them toundlie for the exsample of Others and to countenance favour and encourage those that carrie them selves worthely and to discountenance malefactours till they are sorrie for their disorders and offences Moreover he is to giue charge to the Corporals that every man manages and keepes his horse in a readinesse that they keepe their armes neate and cleane and their Pistols and Carrabins sixe and to exercise the
squadron himself in the feild or vpon their guards Hee ought also to be a good Guide and to know well the passages and avenues of a Countrie for the expediting of a sudden surprize His place when his Captaine is present is to bring op the Reere of the Troupe causing the Horsemen to follow their Captaine and Cornett in good order and that they keepe duelie their Rankes and files and to have an eye that none of them straggles out of his ranke or file Comming to fight either in Battell skirmish or ortherwise when his Captaine and Cornet is to give a charge vpon an Ennemie he keepes him self alwaies in the Reere with his sword drawne to animate and encourage the Souldiers to fall on and if any one of them should play the Coward break out of his rank or run away if he should kill him he hath the mends in his owne hand and the Lieutenant maye wel answere it to his chiefe for such a coward or faint hearted souldier by his euill exsample showes others to runaway which maye not onely be the overthrouw of the Troupe but also of a whole Regiment His dutie is also to visite the guards and to see that the centinels discharge well their duties and to give Commaund to the Corporals that they be duely relieved That vpon the sight of an Ennemie they come in orderlie and guie the alarme betimes that the Troupe maye draw into armes and be in a readinesse to entertaine the Ennemie or else have leisure to reteate unto stronger forces for their defence Of a Captaine The Commaund and charge of a Captaine of a Troupe of Horse is very honorable and it ought to be given to a man of respect and qualitie and one that is descended of a noble birth whose valour and worth maye be answerable thereunto He ought also aboue al things to be religious fearing God temperate moderate just Continent wise and discreete curious in the choise of his men and horse and to see that they be well managed readie and his Troupe well exercised That they carrie themselves vaillantly vpon service in the face of the ennemie and to be carefull and vigelent vpon their watch Countenancing the good and puinshing the badd In doeing where of these Christian vertues will gaine him honour loue and respect not onely amonge those of his Troupe whome he Commaunds but also of his Chiefs and all other men besieds But if a Captaine either of Horse or foote be debauched leads an intemperate and a disorderlie life giuen to covetousnesse lucre and gaine he gives an ill exsample to those whome he commaunds for if he himself doth commit such vices how can he fasten a reproofe vpon a Souldier or how can he with a good conscience punish that fault in his souldier whereof he is guilty himself for surely a Captaine being the head of a Compaine from whence his name is derived who governes him self well and leads an vn blame able life guies a good exsample to his inferiour officers and the souldiers of his Compaine who lives vnder his Commannd He ought likewise to observe and keepe punctually all the orders and Commaunds given him by his Generall to be with his Troupe at the Rendevous vpon the time appointed To respect and obey his Chiefes and Superiour Officers He is vpon all occasions to be first on Horseback and vpon all services to carrie himself couragiouslie in the face of his Ennemie to showe noe signe of feare in the greatest danger least he should give discouragement to his souldiers He ought to take notice of those souldiers vnder his Commannd who carrie them selves vailliantlie and couragioustie before their Ennemies to encourage them and to reward them according to their deserts and to take notice of the names and surnames of everie Gentlemen and Souldier of his Troupe and sometimes to take the advise of some old experienced souldiers of his Compagine He ought not to suffer the Horsemen of his Troupe to ravage and spoile the Countrie nor to pillage and plunder the poore husbandmen and Contributaire pesants contrarie to the orders and proclamations of the Generall for obedience is the first Christian vertue required in a souldier and thus a Captaine by his valour worth wisedome and discretion maye aspire and attaine to a higher degree of honour and Commaund as his service and merit shall deserue and thus much in briefe for the souldiers Gentlemen and Officers appertayning to a Troupe of Horse OF THE ARMES Belonging to a Curassier and a Harquebussier according to the Placcard of the Lords the Statee Generall of the vnited Provinces HAving showne the severall duties of a souldier a Gentleman and the Officers belonging to a Troupe of Horse it resteth now that wee come to the arming of them as followeth In a Cuirassier then is required that he be a man of an able bodie who is mounted vpon a strong and a lustie horse that he hath on a good buff-gerkin a short sword or Coutlase by his side a skarff about his armes and bodie of his princes coullour to distinguish him from his Ennemie coullour vpon any service or in the daie of battell He ought to be mounted upon a stronge and a lustie horse or Gelding which is fiueteene palmes high according to the measure there of ordayned by the States Edict namelie to meate his height with a cord of that length beginning from his fore-hoofe vpwards to his shoulder blade and soe to the lower part of his maine and likewise to be provided with a good Sadle and Bridle with two good pistolls hanging at his sadle bowe in two strong pistoll Cases the length of the pistoll barrils being at the least foure and twenly ynches long carrying a bullet of twentie in the pound and of 24. which will roule in to his pistoll For his Armes about his bodie he is first armed with a close helmet or a Cask pistoll proofe vpon his head 2. with a Gorget about his neck 3. His brest and back peeces which ought to be pistoll proofe 4. His Pouldrons and vambrases his Guard de reines 5. his gandes 6 his Cassets or thigh peeces reaching from his girdle beneath his knees and as is said two pistolls hanging at his saddle and thus a Curassier is armed de cap en pied pied at all points even from the head to the foote The armes of a Harqut bussier is lighter to wit first with a Cask open before 2 with a gorgett brest and back peeces which ought also to be pistoll proofe a good Carabine hanging at his belt about his bodie where of the length of the barrill ought to be at the least three foote longe which will carry a rowling bullett of 17 in the pound haveing his Touchboxe and Cartouch all in a readinesse provided also with a good Horse 15 palmes high well managed with a good Sadle Bridle Coutlace and a skarff as the Figure on the other sijde demonstrates Of the managing of his Horse A Cuirassier