his scouts also retreating but by differing wayes For suppose the enemie hath received tidings of his contrarie partie it is likely that having discovered the said scouts he will follow them perswading himself that they flie to their grosse by which means the grosse shall have time to save themselves while the enemie is pursuing the said Corporall and his fellows When the enemie is much stronger and the other partie have neither time nor convenience to put themselves into good order the Chief shall call with a loud voice and command every man to a Quintus Sertorius pulsus acie à Quinto Metello pio nè fugam quidem sibi tutam arbitratus milites dispersos abire jussit admonitos in quem locum vellet convenire Frontin Strat. lib. 2. cap. 13. save himself whereupon the souldiers disband into many parts so as the enemie cannot charge them all and so especially in the night many may escape But this course is dangerous and must be commanded with great judgement howsoever in all retreats some of the best mounted must be left behind under a good Commander to make the retreat If passing by or through some village or wood the first discoverers descrie the enemie not being able to discern of what number he is one of them shall presently come and certifie the Corporall which followeth with the other scouts whereof the Corporall instantly certifieth the Chief of the troops who thereupon puts his men in order causing them to put their casks on their heads which otherwise in march they carrie at their saddle or hanging on their left arm and in some convenient place he maketh Alto and resolveth according to the more certain news which the Corporall shall send him Which since it may be such as may b Prince Maurice at the battel of Newport sent the messenger which brought him the news of Count Ernests overthrow away to sea and kept it from the knowledge of his souldiers commanding away all the ships to take away all hope of escape by flight and caused his forces to march through the haven to meet the enemie Meteren lib. 22. discourage the souldiers the Chief perceiving him coming that brings it advanceth towards him with one or two or his discreetest souldiers and receiveth his message in private Having heard his relation he must presently resolve either to retreat or to fight If he resolve to fight the enemie being so strong he must give such orders as shall be fitting especially commanding the troops to go serried close and if there be divers troops that they intermingle not but observe good order for it might so happen that the enemie might charge him c Qui dispersis sui◠inconsuliè insequitur quam ipse acceperat adversario vult dare victoriam Veg. lib. 3. cap. 26. so disorderly as he might make head and endamage the enemie especially if he have not one or more troops of reserve following him well united and in good order CHAP. VI. Of ordering the troops for combat by single companies BEfore we come to shew the severall forms of battel which may be used among the Cavallrie it will be fit to speak of their severall kinds of fighting which they are to be practised in apart by themselves before they be joyned with the grosse If a companie of Lances were to fight against foot they were not to give their charge in an united bodie neither upon this nor any occasion whatsoever because even the second rank of them hardly doth any certain execution but they were to charge them rank after rank wheeling off to the rear to that end keeping large distances between rank and rank The same order they were to observe if they fought against horse upon the offensive For the defensive the companie consisting of 64 as before Part. 1. Chap. 19. might order themselves in this manner Two ranks of eight in rank should face to the front two to either flank and two to the rear leaving an open square space in the middle they all standing back towards back faced every way to receive the charge wheresoever the enemie shall give on The same manner might be used in greater bodies as should seem good to the skilfull Commander If the Lances were to fight against Cuirassiers a Par. 3. rangs de lances luialler gaillardement donner par les stances car par ce moyen ils l'entr ' ouuriront Monsieur de la Noüe Disc 18. they were by two ranks together to setch their careers and so to charge them especially on the flanks and rear every second rank forbearing the shock till the first had done it and was wheeled off If one companie of Cuirassiers be to fight against another your enemie charging you in full career you are to make a b So Walhausen would have it Carracoll that is you divide your bodie by the half ranks and so suddenly open to the right and left so as the enemie passeth through you and you facing inward charge him on the flanks as is shewed in Figure 6. Part. 4. Or if two companies fight against two other then they observe the same manner but keeping each companie entire as may be seen in the same figure It is also to be done by the Carracoll first and then the enemie being within you to wheel to the right and left inward and so to charge him on the rear in full career These forms in Walhausens opinion are of c So the said authour conceiveth but it is very doubtfull For by this opening to the right and left you must turn croop and then make a whole turn again and so give advantage to your enemie It were better therefore to cause three or foure files of each of your wings to advance on the sudden and so to charge the adverse troop on either flank And to equall your enemies front you might cause the half files of your bodie to double your front to the right and left by division All which your troop must be acquainted with beforehand and are to do it in a moment of themselves with all possible dexteritie speciall advantage for the enemie having charged you in full career while you went on upon the trot onely on the sudden opening to the right and left either saith he must run through and effect little or nothing or staying himself in the career d The principall strength of Cuirassiers consisteth in keeping themselves close sertied together for this the Germanes are commended Il faut dire que les Allemans surpassent toutes les autres nations parce qu'il ne semble pas seulement qu'ils soient setrez ains qu'ils soient collez les uns auec les autres De La Noüe Discours 18. disorder his troop and loose the force of his charge as by Figure 7. Part. 4. appeareth The Harquebusiers must be exercised to give fire by ranks The first rank having given fire is to wheel off to the left unlesse the ground
6. The Divided The Lunarie as he makes it and the figure Fig. 8. Part 4. cap. 8. sheweth it is good and indeed better then that of Basta but is improperly called the Lunarie form for it is rather a Hollow or Open-fronted wedge like Aelians e De instruend acieb cap. 36 Coelembolos His Checquer is as the forementioned and allowable His Broad-fronted is also not to be rejected His Embowed which by the name should be a Convex half moon like f Which the Latine translation termeth Acies incurva Aelian cap. 47. Aelians Cyrte he maketh a meer wedge The form is not the worse though the name be not so proper The Sharp-pointed in regard there is but one troop in front and that seconded but by two troops on the rear angles then but one troop again seconded as the first seemeth not to be so good as the former because it bringeth few hands to fight and is very subject to be g Whereof Aelian sheweth the inconveniences cap. 50. overwinged or overfronted by the enemie and so to be charged on the flanks The Divided especially at so large a distance I hold to be dangerous True it is that here the Dragons are used as foot but whether so single and so extended an order be the best for them to be placed in I referre to the judicious Now concerning these six kinds of battels they are in deed and in effect but two that is the Checquer and the Lunarie as he calleth them and from these grounds the rest be formed But these forms being onely imaginarie and withall wanting that perfection in many respects which is required in reall battels I shall now to give fuller satisfaction to such as are lovers of militarie knowledge communicate some forms of embattelings which never yet were published by any These are true delineations of divers battels really ordered and performed by the absolutest Commanders of our times according to the exactest rules of art and such as experience hath approved to be fittest for the modern warres For the better understanding whereof I have thought fit first to put down these directions following All the forces of the whole armie both horse and foot are usually distinguished and divided into h So did the Romanes the Vanguard they called Cornu dexirum the Battel Acies media and the Rear Cornu sinistrum as is shewed by Sir Cl. Edmonds upon Caesars Com. lib 1. cap 7. Observ 1. out of Lipsius de milit Rom. lib. 4. and is handled at large by Leo the Emperour Tact. cap. 18. three parts namely the Vanguard Battel and Rear as hath been shewed Part 2. Chap. 3. Each of which parts is governed by its particular Officer or Chief yet so as the absolute command belongeth to the Generall These distinctions are alwayes so understood in the order of marching to avoid disputes about precedencie so as they which march formost are said to have the Vanguard they which march in the middle the Battel and they which come last the rear And these divisions alter their names according to the place they march in wherein they observe a diurnall change as hath been shewed in the chapter above mentioned But if we shall take the meaning of these words according to their proprietie and usuall acceptation in matter of fight or battel conceiving that that part of the armie which is called the Vanguard shall give the first charge and that which is called the Battel shall give the second charge and the Rearward the last it will prove a meer mistake For we are to know that the first charge must be given by the first troop or foremost orders of companies which are in front placed as in one rank extended from the one front-angle of the whole armie to the other and so it were impossible for them to be commanded or directed by one Commander or Chief of one particular squadron of the armie by reason of the large extent thereof for we see that the front of the armie embattelled before Dornick Figure 14. which was farre inferiour to that of late employed at the siedge of the Bossch took up i Six foot make a fathom 100 fathomes a furlong seven furlongs and a half a mile Five foot make a pace 10â—0 paces make a mile 6380 foot of ground being in their close order prepared for fight which is above a mile and a quarter of our measure Besides if the Vanguard as it is called should give the first charge the Battel which then must second them may chance to be of a nation not onely differing from the Vanguard but at variance with them or else some grudge or disgust between the Chiefs And in that respect they might either neglect or slacken the seconding or relieving of those of the Vanguard and not use that diligence which is required In consideration therefore of these and other inconveniences it is best that every squadron of the army be so ordered as each of them may have their first second and third troops by which means every division shall both be commanded by their own Chiefs and shall also be seconded by those of their own squadron or division which will give them the more courage and assurance The manner therefore for the ordering of an army for battel is as followeth That squadron which is called the Battel is placed in the middle the Vanguard on the right hand of it and the Rear on the left and all these usually in one front and single order one regiment or sometimes one company especially among the horse as Figure 10. flanking the other as in Figure 12. From hence the first troop of every division is drawn up and placed in an even front or straight line from one angle of the body to the other At a convenient k Usually 300 foot distance behind these the second troop of every squadron is placed in an even rank as the former but so as the l The Romanes also ordered their battels in three divisions or troops viZ. their Hastati Principâ—s and Tâ—â—tarit The first were called Acus prima and these were the Hastati which were to give the first charge At a distance behind them were the Principes placed whâ—ch were called Acies secunda these were so ordered with spaces or intervalles that the Hastati being put to retreat might fall back into these spaces and the Principes might advance to give the second charge without disturbing each other The third troop Acies tertia were the Triarii which were placed behind the Principes observing therein such intervalles as before mentioned Vide Livium lib. 8. Lipsium de milit Rom. lib. 4. ubi etiam Aciâ—i Iconismus first troop which are to give the first charge being to retreat and this second troop to advance they disturb not each other for which reason convenient spaces are left in the first order or troop for the second to come up into The third troop is placed
service they are to alight and to demean themselves as Infantery Whereof it shall be needlesse hereto enlarge seeing we have books in such abundance upon that subject as they are able rather to a By reason of the frivolous impertinences and manifest errours which abound in many of them distract then instruct the reader and in my opinion had need of an Index expurgatorius Being so alighted to do their service as abovesaid every of them is to cast his bridle over the neck of his side mans horse in the same order as they marched keeping them so together by the help of such as are thereunto especially appointed CHAP. XXXII Of exercising the Cavallrie in their motions HAving shewed how every horse-man is to be exercised in the managing of his horse as also in the use of his particular arms it followeth now that he be taught how to demean himself being joyned in a body And here before we enter into the motions it were fit to explain the terms of a The Grecians and Romanes had the same order of exercise and that in the same words which we retain to this day A File the Romanes called Versus and Decuria A Rank Jugum A File-leader Decanus because their Decuria or File used to consist of ten among the foot with some 16. A bringer up Tergiductor A Leader being every odde man in the file Prastes A follower which is every even number Substes A side-man Astes Their distances were the same with us Their two cubits every cubit being a foot and an half of our measure agreed with our three foot Their four cubits our 6 foot and so increasing upon occasion They ordered their horse-troops at six foot distance between file and file in march and three foot in sight art therein used and to shew what is meant by a file a rank half files and half ranks the front flanks and rear and the like But for brevitie sake I passe them over referring the reader to the books of Infanterie To exercise the horse they are to be drawn up into a body not by ranks but by files and those of five deep as most affirm or of six as others would have it and that because the number of five is not divisible by two and so in doubling of ranks or half files or the like there is alwayes an odde rank Some would have them especially the harquebusiers to be eight in file taking the troop to consist of 64. Being put in Battalia that is ordered into a square body and silence strictly commanded the first thing to be taught them is distance And herein authors disagree Some make close order to be two paces open order foure paces and so for double triple and quadruple distance proportionable Others make but two kinds of distances close order which is three foot and open order which is six foot But this must be understood cum grano salis as the Civilians speak for here we must observe a difference between the manner of taking the distance of the Cavallrie and that of the Infantery for in the foot the distance is taken from the centre of the souldiers body which here cannot be so understood but onely of the space of ground between horse and horse Monsieur de Praissac is more plain who would have the distance between rank and rank both for the length of the horse as also for the space between horse and horse to be six paces and one pace between file and file Yet if we take every pace for five foot as that is the usuall dimention by this rule they should be at a very large distance In my opinion the Cavallrie being to be exercised in their motions should be at their distance of six foot or open order taking it as hath been shewed b Omnes milites incedendi ordinem servent Veg. 1. 9. Vt aequali leguimóque spatio miles distet a milite nec ultrà quà m expedit aut conglobent agmen aut laxent Ibid. cap. 26. standing right in their ranks and files c In all the motions we also retain the same words of command which they used Facing they called declinatio to the right hand ad hastam to the left ad scutum Facing about immutatio Doubling by ranks and files Duplicandi duo genera perjuga versus Their countermarches the same which we use Evolutio Chorica Macedonica Laconica per decurias juga Wheelings the same with us Conversio ad hastam vel scutum Reversio est conversionis restitutio Inflexio wheeling about c. Now the motions are of foure kinds 1. Facings 2. Doublings 3. Countermarches 4. Wheelings The use of facings is to make the company perfect to be suddenly prepared for a charge on either flank or the rear Doubling of ranks or doubling by half files or bringers up is used upon occasion of strengthening the front Doubling of files or doubling by half ranks serveth to strengthen the flanks Countermarches serve either to reduce the file-leaders into the place of the bringers up and so to have the best men ready to receive the charge of an enemy in the rear or to bring one flank into the place of the other or front and rear or either flank into the middle of the body The use of wheelings is to bring the front which is alwayes supposed to consist of the ablest men to be ready to receive the charge of the enemy on either flank or rear These motions for the more easie apprehension of the untutored souldier are represented in figures by a company of harquebusiers of 64 men And therein the file-leaders and bringers up are distinguished by a differing letter as followeth The form of the first standing To face them to the right is done by commanding Left flank Front Right flank Rear To the left hand Which is performed by turning towards the left From hence they are to be reduced by commanding As you were Which they do by turning to the right Now to face them to the rear though it be proper first to do it by the right hand yet for the more ready way I would say To the right hand Which is done by turning all at one and the same time to the right hand Thus the front is where the right flank was To reduce them to their first form the word of command is As you were Which they perform by turning to the left hand From thence to face them to the left you command To the left hand about Which is done by turning towards the left hand untill their faces front to that place which was before the rear To reduce them to their first-form as that must be observed the word is To the right hand about as you were Ranks to the right double The use hereof hath been shewed before Every other rank that is every even number passeth into the odde upon the right hand of his leader The second rank into the first and so successively To reduce
to work about rivers 6  An Assistant to him 3 6 Every Matrosse 1  A Chaplain 4  An Ensigne 5  A Drumme 1 6 A Trumpet 3  A Chirurgeon 4  2 under barber Chirurgeons each 1 6 Master Carpenter 4  2 Mates each 2  24 Carpenters each 1 6 A Master Blacksmith 4  2 Mates each 2 shill pen. 6 Servants under him each 1 6 A Master Wheelwright 3  2 Mates each 2  8 Servants under him each 1 6 A Master Farrier 3  6 Servants being workmen each 1 6 600 Pioners each 1  3 Tent-keepers each 1 6 9 Servants under them each 1  An Armourer 3  4 Servants under him each 2  A Basketmaker for gabions hurdles baskets 2 6 4 Servants each 1 6 A Collar-maker 2 6 4 Servants each 1 6 A Ladle-maker 2 6 2 Servants each 1 6 A Gunsmith 3 6 2 Servants each 2  A Cooper 2 6 4 Servants each 1 6 A Ropemaker 2 6 2 Servants each 1 6 Chap. 19. line 34. for 81. reade 18. Chap. 28. line 30. for uneven reade even Chap. 29. The horseman having spanned his pistol is not to return his spanner to the side of his Case where some would have it for there it is neither sure nor readily returned but is to wear it in a string hanging on his left shoulder by his right side And for lading his Pistols and so for the Carbine I would by no means have him to use his flask but the farre readier way of Cartouches which his Holsters must alwayes be furnished with besides those which he is to have in store Chap. 32. The custome now is to make the horse but three in file for fight so consequently divers of the motions shewed in this Chapter will be uselesse PART III. Chap. 2 Concerning Encamping the Reader may receive more satisfaction in my book of Castrametation published Anno 1642. Chap. 6. and 7. And for the Watches also in my Order of Military Watches then published PART IIII. Chap. 6. and 8. The manner of fighting used by the horse in divers Armies now a dayes is not by wheeling off as formerly but by charging through Every man having his drawn sword in his bridle-hand fires his Carbine or Pistol the Carbine at 12. or 15. foot distance and the Pistol so near as hath been shewed before in Part 1. Chap. 29. the Carbine levelled at the knees of the enemies horse because the powder naturally and also the least motion of the horse use to raise the muzzle of the piece Having fired he presently is to betake him to his sword unlesse the enemy by wheeling off gives him leasure and opportunity to use his second Pistoll and so to charge him on the flank or rear and to fight at his best advantage To this end the Officers must be very carefull to exercise their Troops frequently especially in a regimentall way as the sole means under God to make them victorious observing to keep their Troops close serried to leave fit distances between each Troop Regiment and Brigade to relieve each other orderly to retreat upon occasion in due order into their appointed intervalls and to avoid confusion ¶ To his much honoured Friend Captain John Cruso I Know the Authours works and name Great Mars his scholar is his fame Whose valour honour industrie Hath taught the use of Cavallry Accommodating these our times Surmounting th' limits of all lines Examples set for imitation Then love to fight by Regulation But have not such been ill requited Whom profit never yet invited But blame not such as steer at th' Helm Whose care is to preserve this Realm Settle Religion Law and Right Supprest by rebells force and might If ignorance or malice have The Authours worth laid in a grave Wisdomes grace in men of parts Will raise it up with tongues and hearts Let none be troubled if not us'd When Conscience tells they ne'r abus'd God grant's no use of Marshall men Till we know how to use not when Good service done th' age being cold Prepar'd are new casheer'd are old Your devoted Friend EDMUND HARVY Colonel MILITARIE INSTRVCTIONS for the CAVALLRIE The first Part. THE ARGUMENT CAVALLRIE so called of a Derived from the Latine word Caballus and this from the Greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cavallo which in the Italian and Spanish signifieth a horse is worthily esteemed a most noble and necessary part of the militarie profession which being the subject of my discourse it may be reduced to these foure heads b Primùm idoneos eligamus c. dein in itinere in castris in praeliis ipsis instructum exercitum habeamus Aelianus de instruendis aciebus cap. 3. 1 The levying of men 2 Their marching 3 Their encamping 4 Their embattelling In the levying of men there be two things considerable 1. The election of officers 2. The election of souldiers Concerning the officers they may be considered 1. In generall 2. In particular CHAP. I. Of officers in generall AS in politique government so in this militarie profession every man by a naturall impression is ready to conceive himself to be fit to command and govern others though he never knew how to obey whereas in every mechanicall trade or manufacture an apprenticehood is first passed in the learning of it before it be professed and exercised In this profession of arms c Le plus relevé le plus hasardeux le plus difficille subject du monde Le mestier des Nobles la prattique des couragâ—uâ— l'exercice des Princes des Roys Monsieur Praissac an art obtained with greatest difficulty and practised with most danger men would be Captains before they be souldiers And hereof the chief cause is ignorance the fruitfull mother of all errours For surely if their end and aim were honour and they knew how frail and mutable the estate of a souldier is and that in a moment a man may lose all the reputation obtained by many years industrie d In aliis rebus si quid erratum â—st potest postmodum corrigiâ— Praeliorum delicta emendationem non recipiunt cùm poena statim sequatur errorem Cato apud Vegetium lib. 1. cap. 13. the errours in warre admitting no amendment as in other professions but carrying their present punishment with them and had they seen many shamefully chased from the army and proclaimed infamous and others passe through the hands of the hangman they would doubtlesse strive with much industry and diligence to enable themselves before they came to undertake the exercise of so dangerous an employment And they are not a little mistaken which think their e Non repellatur imperator pauper si cum virtute sit quanquam clariâ— ac illustribus majoribus ortus non sit Leo. Tact. cap. 2. 25. birth a sufficient pretence to places of honour without any qualification or merit there being other things more reall and
of their forces watches duties payes c. Quotidianas etjam in pace vtgiliaâ— item excubitum sive angarias de omnibus centuriis contubeâ—niis quae vicissim milâ—tes faciunt ut nè quis contra justinam praegravetur aut alicui prastetur immunitas nomina eorum qui vices suas facerunt brevibus inferuntur Veg. lib. 2 cap. 19. record of the lists of the guards convoyes and other services He is to go every evening to receive the orders and the word and having given it to the Generall and Lieutenant Generall he is to give it to the Quartermaster Generall that he may distribute it Sometime he hath a companie of harquebusiers given him in acknowledgement of his merit not as annexed to his place In all actions he is of singular use entrusted especially with the execution of the orders In appointing the lodgings or places in severall exploits he must be free from partialitie and such as at this time have cause of discontent he must make amends the next that so they may see it was of necessitie not of partialitie His place is of very great use and importance as will appear throughout this discourse CHAP. V. Of the Quartermaster Generall THe Quartermaster Generall must be a man of great dexteritie and diligence and well experienced in Cavallrie a This officer among the Romanes was called Prafectus castrorum Ad quem castrorum positio valli fossae destinatio pertinebat Tabernacula vel casa militum cum impedimentis omnibus nutu ipsius curabantur Veget. lib. 2. cap. 11. It is his office to appoint the lodgings or quarterings wherefore he must well know the countrey the villages and places where to place the corps-du-gards and sentinells and what wayes must be scoured He is to keep a list of the guards convoyes cavalcadoes or exploits by horse c. He must visit the guards and sentinells by day and night and must shew the allarm-place to the particular Quartermasters when they go to him in the evening to receive the word He must by b Itineraria non tantùm adnotata sed etiam picta habeat ut non solùm consilio menris verùm aspectu oculorum viam profecturis locúmque castris idoneum eligat Ibid. lib. 3. cap. 6. maps or otherwise be well informed of the countrey knowing the qualitie and bignesse of every village and their distance one from another obtaining from the Marshall of the field some one of the countrey to inform him He must be true in his reports and if any order for haste be given him by word of mouth himself must go and deliver it and not trust it to others On the Spanish side in the Low-countrey warres the Quartermaster Generall hath two assistants allowed him to help to discharge the travells of his office but on the States side that service is performed by the particular Quartermasters CHAP. VI. Of the Captain SInce that the a So Melzo and Baila testifie and complain of it in their writings Captains places have been disposed of by the Prince as the Captains in Flanders are appointed at the Court of Spain there are grown these two inconveniences upon it First young and unexperienced gentlemen are made Captains Secondly many good souldiers are lost which seeing their hopes of advancement by degrees and merit cut off abandon the service Whereas the charge of a Captain of horse is of so great importance and qualitie in the army as it should not be given to any but to men of singular valour and experience for often it falleth out that of themselves without orders or counsel of any other as occasion requireth they must execute services of great weight and consequence b Dux itaque vigilans sobrius prudens c. Veg. lib. 3. cap. 9. Sit agilis magis ad faciendum quà m ad loquendum paratus qui suos ad disciplinam retineat ad armorum exercitia cogat ut bene vertiâ—â— sint ut arma omniâ—m defricentur aâ— splendeant Cum admiratione equum posâ—nt asscendere equitare fortissâ—â—è conto scunter uti ad omnia cruditi qua equestrâ— puâ—â—a deposcit Veg. lib. 2. cap. 14 He must be vigilant sober continent modest in his apparell curious to have good horses and arms thereby to give example to his souldiers and to see them punctuall in their service and exactly observant of discipline for their excursions and extortions cannot be remedied unlesse the Captain keep them in order wherein if he be negligent he looseth his reputation with his superiours If he be covetous or given to gaming he is ready to be drawn to lay hands oftentimes on the pay due to the souldiers whereby he also overthroweth his reputation and credit A covetous desire of riches should not enter into a generous heart He must diligently and punctually observe the orders which shall be given or sent him from his superiours and be in the place at the appointed houre with his companie and others under his charge On all occasions he must be first on horseback and keep his company full and compleat He must alwayes strive by desert to advance himself to higher places alwayes studying how to endammage his enemy to this end he ought often to c Praecipua res titilitas ducis est ut adhibitis 〈◊〉 universo exercitu scuntibus viris de suis hollium còptis sapius tractet c. Veg. lib. 3. cap. 9. consult with his best experienced souldiers He must endeavour to know every one of his souldiers by their d Sciat etiam si potest fieri nominatim qâ—is comes quis tribunus quis domesticuaâ— quis contubernaâ—is c. Ibid. cap. 10. names that so he may distinctly name them upon occasion of employment it being an encouragement to them to be known by name of their Captain Whatsoever should befall he must e Nam necesse est ad fugam parati sint qui ducem suum sentiant desperare Veg. lib. 3. cap. 22. take heed of discovering any fear on whose courage and countenance the souldiers depend and must alwayes shew a good resolution in the orders which he shall give without confounding himself knowing that there is no place for counsel in him who hath his discourse of reason seazed by fear He must f Serenâ—os viros muneribus honorabis c. Ità enim fiet ut majori fortiorique animo sint qui dimicabunt Ubi enim honores pramia habentur bonis supplicia poena afferuntur malis ibi bonam spem habebit exercinus Leo Tact. cap. 16. cherish his well deserving souldiers and cashiere the contrary and it must be his care to have one or more of his souldiers well g Tuum hostium exercitum locorum situm naturam regionis nosce Liv. 22. skilled in the wayes of the countrey to serve him as guides because the boots are neither alwayes at hand nor alwayes to be trusted and to such he is to
them the word is Ranks as you were Which is best done by causing those ranks which doubled to stand and those which stood to advance Files to the right double To do this the second file passeth into the first every man behind his sideman accounting from the right hand the fourth into the third and so the rest which must be done throughout the company at one instant all together But because the first rank of the company is as the edge and the files are for the most part appointed but five deep there seemeth no great necessity of doubling of files They are reduced by commanding Files to the left as you were Ranks to the left double The difference of this motion from the former is nothing but that here they which double do it to the left hand of their leaders which before they did to their right hands as the figure maketh it plain This done they must be reduced by commanding Ranks as you were Files to the left double The difference between this and the former motion is the difference of hands And by this means those files that stood before now move and they which moved now stand as appeareth by the figure They are reduced by commanding Files as you were or Ranks to the right double Half files to the right hand double the front Thus the middle-men double the first rank on the right hand The other three ranks double the three following ranks as is manifest in the figure To reduce them the word is Half files as you were Unlesse it be better and so I conceive it to cause them that double to stand and the first division to advance Bringers up to the right hand double the front In this motion the last rank passeth into the first and so successively as the figure sheweth it It is of good use yet because it is very troublesome for the horse to perform especially in reducing them it may be used or omitted as shall be thought fit They are reduced by saying Bringers up as you were Files close to the right and left to your close order Being about to wheel the company they must be closed first the files and then the ranks And being to open them again the ranks are first to be opened and then the files All the files close from the right and left towards the middle of the body Half files to the left hand double the front This motion onely differeth from the former in the hand There be also doublings of ranks by the half files entire to the right or left or both by division But because the files especially of Cuirassiers are seldome above five deep the doubling of ranks half files c. is little used The reducing of them hath been shewed in the former motion Files to the left hand countermarch Though it were fit to begin with the right hand yet for the convenient turning of the horse to the left I think it not amisse to preferre the left The figure representeth the Chorean manner There be also countermarches after the Macedonian and Lacedemonian wayes and those in ranks as well as files which are here omitted for brevity sake Ranks close forwards to your close order All the ranks move forwards saving the first which standeth The second rank having their distance stand so all the rest Now the horse being to wheel it must be considered that it cannot be performed by them in such exact manner and so strait a room as the foot therefore the Commander is to ride a reasonable compasse that so they may do it with convenience To the left hand wheel Because Melzo and Basta would have the horse in all their wheelings to do it by the left which indeed is the readier way unlesse the ground or other hindrance will not permit it I have omitted the wheeling to the right which in order should go first All the body moveth to the left upon the left file-leader as the centre Then to wheel as they were There is also wheeling to the right or left about wheeling wings into the front c. which are here omitted for brevitie To reduce them first the ranks are to be opened as abovesaid then the files which bringeth them to their first form In opening the ranks the best if not the onely way is to do it by opening forward These and the like motions are directed and commanded by the voice of the Commander a Vox autem percâ—pi interdum non potest aut propter armorum sonitum aut propter equorum transitum hinnitum multitudines strepitum c. Aelian cap. 35 but because the voice sometime cannot be heard especially in grosse bodies by reason of the clashing of armour trampling or neying of horses or tumultuous sound or noise of the multitude and that especially in fight b Nam cum voce sola inter praeliorum tumultus regi multitudo non possit c. antiquus omnium gentium usâ—s invenit c. Tria genera signorum Vocalia semivocalia muta c. Veget. lib. 3 c 5. Antiquitie hath invented helps making three kinds of militarie signes or directions 1. Vocall which is by the commanders voice pronounced by the inferiour officers to the eare 2. Semivocall by trumpet or other warlike instrument to the eare likewise 3. Mute by signes to the eye as the ensigne c. The Cavallrie therefore must be taught c Praecipies autem ut perfectè cognoscant buccinae sonum ut ubi consistere eos jubet consistant c. Leo Tact. cap. 9. 82. distinctly to know the severall sounds of the trumpet as when to clap on their saddle when to mount when to repair to the Cornet when to troop away when to give a charge when to retreat when to attend the watch and the like All which being the lowder voice of the Commander d Intenti ad ducis non signum modò sed nutum Curtius 3. they must punctually observe and obey Now howsoever I have here propounded a companie of 64. horse to be exercised in the motions and those of 8. in file as I see it observed by e Walhausen would have the Harquebusiers to be 8. in file and the Cuirassiers 10. lib. 2. cap. 2 3. But therein as in divers other things he is singular and dissenteth from others some yet the generall opinion is that they ought not to be deeper then 5. in file though the companie consist of 100. horse Every such companie must be furnished with A Captain A Lieutenant A Cornet A Quartermaster Three Corporalls Two Trumpeters A Clerk A Saddler A Chirurgeon A Farrier When the companie be f About the manner of marching of a companie of horse there is much disagreement among authors MelZo Basta and Walhausen would have them to march in one entire deduction not by squadrons the Captain to march first neâ—t after him two attendants with spare horses they beating his armour then the Trumpeters then the Cornet
to take some Sentinell or some disbanded souldier in some of the houses thereabout And because it well may fall out that after the taking of some prisoner the troop shall be charged by the enemie the Chief which must be valiant d How abundant Antiquitâ—e was in stratagems all their histories testifie Frontine a man of consular dignitie among the Romanes hath written foure books of stratagems being collected out of divers authors Greek and Romane and yet many by him let slip as himself acknowledgeth in praefatione ad lib. 1. also Polianus In stratagems Hannibal is said to have excelled and abundant in resolutions and inventions of stratagems to make his retreat by some woodie place shall send or first there leave them foure of his best and best mounted souldiers with a Trumpet with order that when they see the troop coming charged by the enemie they shew themselves the trumpet sounding For it being an usuall thing in militarie courses to go and observe who they be which appear the enemie by this means makes Alto or a stand for fear of some embuscado which gives leisure to the troop to advance their retreat and the said foure souldiers may make their retreat either severally or together safe enough by reason of their good horses If the enemie be likely to come from divers parts the like number would be sent to each suspected place These should be sent before with the Quartermasters which go to make the quarters that so they might have two or three houres refreshment before they go to take intelligence If the armie be lodged in a very suspicious place after the first troop so sent out a second shall be sent but neither of them knowing of each others sending out If the armie be to march the next day the chiefs of the said troops must know towards what place the march is intended CHAP. III. Of the order of Marching THe Commissarie Generall grounding himself upon good informations is to give the orders in writing for the manner of marching as well of the souldiers as the baggage Every Captain is to receive his written directions overnight that so the signe given he may appear at the Rendez-vous in such rank and place as shall be commanded him a Epoi lodata consuetudine il dividar â—li esserciti in tâ—e squadroni cioè vanguardia Battoglia retroguardia che ogni gioâ—ngto si venga mutando Cataneo di fort cap. 8. Alternis dichus altera legio alterum coâ—nu praecedunt eadémque rursus sequuntur mutantes semper ordinem ut alternatim primi incedant Polyb. Every armie is divided into three parts The vanguard battel and rear That part of the armie which is most exposed to the enemie and that most usually is the front should be the best and therefore all chiefs desire the vanguard The manner therefore is for generall satisfaction that they which this day had the van to morrow have the rear and they which had the rear the battel So changing alternatively except the Lord Generalls guard consisting of two troops as Melzo hath it or the Generalls regiment according to C. Bingham which hath alwayes the vanguard And if the enemie should change place and from your front become to be upon your rear whereby the rear as most dangerous becomes most honourable that Captain which to day hath led the battaillon to morrow in stead of the vanguard may challenge the rear The scouts alter their course also and attend the enemies proceedings on the rear If occasion be in time of march to send out one or more troops for some service they are to observe the same orders But the armie being come to their quarter and occasion being to send out b When all or a good part of the horse are employed in some exploit without Infanterie it is called a Cavalcado Such was that when the States men surprised the castle of Crapoel in Limburg c. Meteren lib. 23. all or part of the Cavallrie upon some exploit that troop which first appeareth at the place of Rendez-vous shall be appointed by the Commissarie Generall who is to be there to the first place the second to the second place If two troops come together at the same instant they shall cast lots By this means every man desiring honour they will be the readier to appear in due time The same course shall be taken when the troops are to be sent upon some embuscado convoy or the like If the march be but of one day he which commandeth shall appoint the best experienced and ablest to lead c Others hold it much better to observe the same order in the dismarch which was used in the march so that companie which went out first comes in first who is to be in the rear returning back to the quarter And these may have private order to be at the place of Rendezvous sooner then the rest to avoid jealousies The vanguard battaillon and rear must be divided from each other 300 paces CHAP. IIII. Of Scouts or Discoverers TO be secured from unexpected assaults of the enemie neither the armie nor the Cavallrie alone no not a companie must march without a These the Romanes called exploratores or speculatores See Veg. lib. 3. cap. 22. Nè secreta noceant ducis praestat industria quem â—mnia prâ—â—s convenit explorare Idem lib. 3. c. 6. discoverers which must be sent out not onely by the direct way where the enemie is like to come or you are to march but to scoure all the by-wayes on either side And sometime the first discoverers are seconded by a second companie to secure the march They that shall be employed in this service must be choice men valiant vigilant and discreet such as neither fear nor misconceit can easily distract They must see that with their own eyes which they inform the least errour of theirs misleading the whole bodie Those select men appointed for this service are to be b P. Considiâ—â— qui rei miliaâ—â— peritissimus habebatur in exerciui L. Sylla postea in M. Crassi fuerat cum exploratoribus praiâ—tâ—itur Câ—es Comment lib. 1. cap. 5. led by an able officer it being a task so difficult that many have lost that reputation by it which they had been long in gaining of This officer shall send word of what he discovereth and what he seeth not himself he is to signifie it as so reported to him and having seen it then to certifie it as for certain CHAP. V. Of the order of marching by day THe a Omni curâ omnÃque diligentiâ providere debei dux nè proficiscens pâ—â—tiatur meursum vel si non facilè at sine damno â—â—pellâ—t illâ—um Veg. ibid. march must be so ordered as the companies may readily from that order be brought into a good form of battel upon occasion of a sudden charge The Cavallrie supposed to consist of 40 troops and the
countrey spacious is to be divided into two bodies of 20 troops apiece Melzo would have 3 troops of Harquebusiers in front of the vanguard which Basta and Walhausen are against because they are for the most part but ill armed These two divisions are to march in even front 150 paces divided Coming to strait passages the right wing is to march before the left The officers must suffer none of the baggage nor any other to intermingle with their troops The Captain of Harquebusiers which hath the vanguard or one of them in that division when the Cuirassiers have it b Praemittes etjam ad loca exploran la equites quesdam pâ—asertim si sâ—â—â—osa sint aut collibus aut montibus inclusa per quae tâ—â—nâ—un dum est c. Leo cap 9.38 must send out a Corporall with 15 horse and a good guide some league before whereof two shall be sent out directly before him two towards the right and other two towards the left c Casar exercitum per insidiosa itinera duxit nunquam nisi praespeâ—â— uâ— lo corum situs c. Sueton. Jul. to discover among the woods and valleys and to get intelligence at any dwelling houses or villages advising the Corporall of what they discover Who is from time to time to advise the chief which is to march at the head of the first troop After these 15 he is to send out 4 others led by a sufficient souldier to bring reports of what those 15 shall discover the rather because the enemie might come upon them upon the flanks after the first 15 were past The Captain of the Harquebusiers which hath the rear of the left wing must leave a Corporall with 15 horse a mile behind him Of these 15 two are to be some 12 or 14 score behind the rest to give notice if the enemie follow them in the rear d Illud vitandum nè alâ—u festinantibus al is tardiùs incedentibus interrumpatur acies aut certè tenuetur Veg. lib. 3. cap. 6. The Captain which leads in front must march so as the other troops must keep foot with him and passing over a bridge or narrow passage must make Alto so soon as he is over or in the plain leaving a souldier at the bridge or strait which shall give him knowledge so soon as the rear be past over or through e Quando per angustias aliquas aut per arduos aviósque montes profâ—cturusâ—s pramitte ex tuis qui juga montium loca ibi editissima occupent qui aduus angustos minùs patentes anticipent c. Leo Tact. cap. 9. 26. And if in these strait passages there be any advenues by which the enemie might charge you those must be prepossessed by Harquebusiers or Dragons alighting and keeping themselves upon some height or in some valley or behind some hedge or ditch to secure their flanks Every troop is to leave 100 paces distance between each other and are to suffer no baggage nor others to trouble them as abovesaid CHAP. VI. The order of marching by night UPon occasion of marching with all or part of the Cavallrie by night the companies are punctually appointed their places of march by written orders delivered to their officers Before the troops a Corporall with 12 or 15 Harquebusiers is to be sent by the space of half a league to discover and take intelligence at the houses whether there be any news of the enemie And passing by places which are at the enemies devotion some of them must have the language and feigne themselves friends the better to know what passeth Not long after these foure others are to follow as in the former chapter Besides a chosen troop of Cuirassiers are to be ready led by a Captain of speciall desert with order to a Capienda rebus in malis praeceps via est Seneca charge resolutely upon any adversarie and these are to march 150 paces before the rest The chief Commander is to march at the head of the first troop which followeth the said chosen troop of 60 Cuirassiers and with him one of the best souldiers of every troop to carrie the orders upon all occasions to their Captains sending before him foure of his ablest men to give him notice if the said select troop of 60 Cuirassiers charge the enemie which if it happen he shall cast his companie out of the way and charge the enemie on the flank and so the rest of the troops observing that they intermix not their troops The troops must not leave such distances between each other as in the day march unlesse they heare news of the enemies approch b Progredientes viam faciunt silentio quietè decenter omnes proprium ordinem asservantes Josephus of the Romanes manner of marching cited by Lipsius de milit Rom. lib. 5 14â— They must march with all possible silence At any by-way the first company must leave a souldier at the entrance thereof which shall be relieved or changed by the next company and so successively untill all be past Coming into open and champion places the officers shall draw up their troops and cause them to march in square bodies well closed having regard that none sleep The spare horses or pages must not march at the heads of the troops If the enemie charge the rear the chief officer in the rear shall cause the last company to face about and so the rest if need be but those companies which were in front must not come to the rear for avoiding of disorder and lest the enemy cunningly make an alarm in the rear when he meaneth to charge the front In the rear of all a Corporall with 15 horse shall march as above-mentioned with a guide The day being come the said 60 Cuirassiers shall return to their severall companies If the companies refresh themselves in the night they must not be suffered to unsaddle their horses nor disarm themselves The guides diverse of them must go before the troops whether on foot or on horse-back guarded by two souldiers which know the language and no other to speak to them c Interdum autâ—m imperita â—usticitas plura promittit credit se scire quae nescit Veg. l. 3. c. 6. These are diligently to observe them whether they seem doubtfull looking here and there as doubting of the way and thereof shall presently certifie the officer that he may call others to be assured CHAP. VII How the baggage is to march AS little baggage as possible may be must be conducted with the Cavallrie It is the Waggon-masters charge to order it for the march First the Generalls baggage is to march then the Lieutenant Generalls then the Commissary Generalls and so the other officers in their degrees The place of march is uncertain a Auuertendo ancora che tutti li impedimenâ—i artiglierie sempre camino da quelle parte che non sia volta verso al nemico Catanco c. 8. This agreeth
with Aelians directions c. 51. Impedimenta c. but alwayes it must be most remote from danger If the danger be in the front it marcheth in the rear c. The Waggon-master or with some the Provost must see that all march in their appointed place and disband not A company of Harquebusiers is to guard the baggage The horse-boyes march after the waggons and must not be suffered to march among the troops The third Part. Of Encamping THE ARGUMENT THe next part to be handled according to our former distribution is Encamping In the skilfull performance whereof the military prudence and good judgement of the Commander of an army chiefly appeareth And herein three things are principally considerable 1. In what place and by whom the quarter is to be made and how distributed 2. The manner of securing the quarter by guards sentinels discoverers spies c. 3. Of dislodging and the way how to perform it CHAP. I. Of making the quarters IN a Castra tuto semper facienda sunt loco ubi lignorum pabuli aquae suppetat copia Et si diutiùs commorandum est loci salubritas eligetur c. Veg. lib. 1. cap. 22 the choise of a fitting place for encamping or quartering regard must be had First to the commoditie of the souldiers Secondly to the situation to be able to resist the enemie For experience teacheth what benefit or losse an army may receive by a good or bad quartering and hereof histories yield a world of examples To lodge or encamp the Cavallrie a speciall care must be had of the commodity of water and where they may be under shelter for one cold or rainy night might ruine the Cavallrie nothing hurting a horse sooner then cold or wet By this means the souldier shall find forrage at hand and needeth not to go seek it abroad with his horse of service all not having nags When the horse be lodged in severall quarters two souldiers of every quarter attend the person of the Generall or the chief Commander to carry any sudden orders to their severall quarters But of such companies as are quartered near him b Unus ex omnibus manipulis imperatori in diem excubat Polyb. one is sufficient When all the Cavallry is lodged together the Lieutenant Generall Commissary Generall and Quartermaster Generall are usually lodged near the Generall for the better distributing of the Generalls orders The appointing of the quarters belongeth to the Commissary Generall and the Marshall by whose directions the Quartermaster Generall proceedeth It is fit for them to have some demonstration on paper of the place beforehand and to know the commodities and discommodities also advenues of the enemy wherein the guides can better direct them then the usuall maps which if not false are too generall When the Quartermaster Generall c Cùm verò appropinqua veâ—int ubi caâ—tra ponenda praeâ—unt Tribunus Centurionum illi qui ad hoc munus semper electi sunt c. Polyb. goeth before to make the quarters not onely the particular Quartermasters but also two souldiers of every company are to go with him which then go back again to conduct their respective companies to their assigned quarters especially in the night The Provost or rather the Waggon-master sendeth one of his men to take notice of the place for the lodging of the baggage who afterward conducteth him thither where he then assigneth the Sutlers or victuallers their quarter and causeth all carts or waggons to be removed out of the streets left an alarm be given CHAP. II. Of distributing the quarters GReat discretion must be used in appointing to every one such quarter as is a Pro gradu legionibus auxilus equitibus peditibus loca deputantur in casâ— is Veg. 3.8 fitting and conformable to the quality of his person and convenience of the place The best way to avoid suspicion of partialitie is that such as be ill lodged now be better accommodated the next time The market-place for the conveniency of all and for safetie is to be in the middle but so as no streets run through it leading to the Rendezvous or place of arms When the quarter is to be in some suspected place it should if possibly it could be made in the day time before the approch of the night that so the fittest place for the alarm place might be made choise of and also for the corps-du-guard also the better to discover and observe the approches of the enemy and to appoint the stands of the Sentinells that so the souldiers finding all things ready be not put to find out their lodgings in the dark with lighted straw in danger to fire the houses besides a Lieutenant with 25 Harquebusiers useth to be sent out before and to place themselves beyond the further side of the village where the quarter shall be placing Sentinells a good distance before them to prevent the enemies sudden approch on that part The best house must be appointed for the Generall as near the Corps-du-guard as may be the rest of the officers are to be accommodated in their order Every Captain must lodge among his souldiers The troops being come near to the quarter make Alto and receiving information by the Quartermaster Generall or one of the particular Quartermasters that the quarters are ready the Chief giveth license to the Captains to enter their quarters They which have the guard are to be conducted to the place by the Quartermaster Generall But if the army be encamped in the field the Cavallrie is to be quartered according to the b The Romanes manner of quartering or encamping is shewed in figure by Lipsius in his book De milit Rom. lib. 5. dial 4. Also by Sir H. Savile in his annotations upon Tacitus And by Sir Cl. Edmonds in his observations upon Cesars Commentaries lib. 2. cap 9. And described by Vâ—get lib 3. cap. 8. manner of quartering of a regiment c For the modern quarterings see S. Stevin his castrametation Also D. de Solemne and others represented in figure 4. part 3. chap. 2. And of the whole army in Figure 5. CHAP. III. Of the necessitie of securing the quarters NOthing sooner deceiveth an unexperienced Captain then to perswade himself that he is superiour in forces and in advantage of place and so farre distant from his enemie as he cannot or dare not assail him Upon which supposition the a Militibus ad capiendum cibum occuparis aut munera facienda dispersis faciâ—è nectuntur insidia Noctis obscuruas necessitas somni pascentium equorum dispersio occasionem supervenâ—nuâ—â— prastat Veg. lib 3.8 surprisings of quarters are often grounded it being no marvell that secure and disordered men should be assaulted by well ordered men and resolute among the Cavallrie especially where the souldier cannot arm himself without help his horse-boy nor himself being scarce themselves as but newly rouzed out of their sleep by the alarm can
just behind the first but at twice as large a m 600 foot distance from the second as the second is from the first that so the first troop retreating behind the second they may have convenient room to make their retreat in good order All this will appear in the figures following among the rest in Figure 9. If the Infantery and Cavallry be joyned together the manner is to place half the horse on the right flank of the foot and the other half on the left as appeareth in Figure 12. 14 and 15. But upon occasion either of the enemy his ordering of horse within the body of foot whereby he might annoy your Infantery or for other respects of moment some of the horse may be placed within the body of the army as is shewed in Figure 16. Figu 8 Cap 8 Par 4 CHAP. IX Of certain ceremonies before fight HAving shewed by these former rules and examples how the horse are to be ordered for fight not onely by themselves but also when they shall be joyned with foot that which a Quid superest nisi pugnaâ— quae jam manuum est non verborum Lips de milit Rom lib. 4. now remaineth seemeth rather to require action then words Indeed with antiquity when the army was embattelled and ready for combat it was usuall for the Generall to deliver some set speech either from some higher place of turf or stone or at the head of the troops and riding amongst the Maniples to encourage his souldiers And they either with an acclamation lifting up of their hands or clashing of their arms used to manifest their assenting resolution Unto which kind of b Cesars army being so dismaid through fear as they were almost brought to desperation tantus subitò rimor omnem exercitum occupavit c. was by a elegant oration of his suddenly revived Hac oratione habitâ mirum in modum conversa sunt omnium mentes summáque alacritas cupiditas belli gerendi innata est Caesar de bello Gal. lib. 1. cap. 9. allocutions the ancient Sages use to ascribe a marvellous efficacy not onely amongst the Grecians or Romanes but also those whom they then accounted barbarous as the Britons Gauls Germanes c. as the histories of those times sufficiently testifie Next to this they sounded the Classicum that is a generall charge and this was seconded by a generall shout of the souldiers or a concussion of their arms Moreover a c Tunâ—â—a â—ussa punicea vel coccinea Some resemblance hereof there is in the bloody flagge at sea scarlet red or a carnation coloured coat or cassock was hung out upon the top of the Generalls tent and a countersigne or a word of distinction was given to the souldiers as d Veg. lib. 3. c. 5. Victoria palma virtus or the like to know each other by The Grecians used also to sing the Poean before the fight to Mars and after battell to Apollo c. Of all which ceremonies which they duly observed as found to be of very good use and which were much graced by the solemne and stately manner of performing them our times have retained very few For as the actions of the modern warres consist chiefly in sieges assaults sallies skirmishes c. and so afford but few set battels so the practise of delivering publike speeches is almost grown out of use and esteem amongst our chief Commanders Yet the late e Meteren lib. 12 J. Petit. lib. 15. Prince of Orange at the battell of Newport before the conflict delivered a pithy short speech to his souldiers adding to his publick Oratory publike Orisons and riding up and down gave courage to his souldiers The Classicum is still retained that is to sound a generall charge namely amongst those troops which are to give on And sometimes the Clamor militaris or shout of the souldiers which was not onely an acclamation or assent unto the Generalls speech but also a f This by the Grecians was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and by the Latines Barriâ—us the original of which words is shewed by Lip ubi suprá yet afterwards when the Empire was become Christian they used when they were ready for conflict to cry 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is the victorie of the Crosse as appeareth by Leo the Emperour who reigned in the Fast from the year of our Lord 886. to 903. Tact. cap. 12. 69. Cum ad conflictationem movet exercitus consueta Christianis vox usurpanda est 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And after this in the very charge they were to make their shout as it followeth there 106. Conflictâ—tionis tempore post vocem Victoriae crucis mignos atque altos clamores â—dere oportet loud and dreadfull kind of noise which they used to make when they gave the charge thereby to encourage one another and to strike a terrour into the enemies as the Turks cry Bre Bre Bre the Irish Pharro Pharro the French Sa Sa Sa the Dutch Vall aen Vall aen c. But as for the countersigne or word of distinction that is seldome used now adayes unlesse upon occasion of some Camisado or other exploits in the night when the souldiers may easily misse those means to know each other by which in the day time the light the sight of the ensigne or cornet their skarfs required among the Cavallry or long acquaintance may afford them But these being but ceremonies as I called them in the title of this chapter I willingly withdraw my self from them Neither should I have been desirous to have meddled with them at all but that the example of others g Lips de milit Rom. Reusner de arte stratagem who have writ in this kind led me unto it and the respect unto my Reader in common civility required it at my hands whom I could not well leave after the sight of so many dumbe figures without a word or two at the parting There remaineth onely now that every one according to his office rank and abilitie strive for honour and victory propounding to himself the goodnesse of the cause and authority of the Prince the command of the Leaders the vertue of the souldiers the honour of the conquest and the disgrace and damage of the defeat Above all lifting up his eyes and heart unto Almighty God from whose hands victory and the means to obtain it is especially to be expected h Psal 18.32.34 It is God that girdeth me with strength of warre and maketh my way perfect He teacheth my hands to fight c. i Psal 144.1 Blessed be the Lord my strength which teacheth mine hands to warre and my fingers to fight k Psal 44.5 6 7. Through thee will we overthrow our enemies and in thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us For I will not trust in my bow it is not my sword that shall help me But it is thou that savest us from our enemies