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A39333 The compleat body of the art military in three books : I. The postures of the pike and musket ..., II. Twelve exercises ..., III. The drawing up and exercising of regiments after the manner of private companies ... : also, the duties of all souldiers and officers ... / by Richard Elton ... ; to which is added a supplement comprehending these particulars, I. the duties and qualifications of all officers belonging to an army .., formerly written by Capt. Tho. Rudd ... Elton, Richard, fl. 1650.; Rudd, Thomas, 1584?-1656. 1668 (1668) Wing E655 278,856 257

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Captain joyned unto him and makes his number 13 And so comparing all the rest dividing them by two's they will stand as followeth 2 11 5 8 10 3 4 9 6 7 12 1 13 13 13 13 13 13   39     39   Thus much I conceive may give a right understanding to any coming-on Souldier of the true and right stating of a Rank twelve abrest being a thing very needful for to know in respect that there are many Regiments which do consist of twelve Companies and when in course as in the sequel of this Book when as I shall shew the manner of drawing up of twelve Companies there will a little more light appear unto them to their farther knowledge of the same But thus much for the present as concerning a Rank twelve abrest And now I shall come to speak or to touch a little of a Rank ten abrest and a File ten deep CHAP. XVII Brief reasons to be given of the Dignity of places of a Rank ten abrest and of a File ten deep WHat hath been formerly declared concerning a Rank twelve abrest as before shewed by every particular place of honour as they stand with the reasons for the same it may give a cleer understanding by the same rule to find the Dignity of places ten abrest For walking by the same way and rule of examination and you will find them to carry by dividing by two's being added to the four first places of honour and they will carry sutable proportions as underneath is set forth 2 9 5 8 3 4 7′ 6 10 1 11   11 11   11.   27     28   But for as much that in this Range of ten abrest there will fall out some odd we must then of necessity-sake place it upon the right and not on the left for the reasons as formerly for a File six deep declared I might now here conclude with other flourishing Tables which might be little profitable unto the souldier though holding out discourse more fuller in an Arithmetical way But I have no desire to fill this subject with plenty of unprofitable words and frothy flourishes but rather driving really in a souldierly way to make all things both plain and easie to every courteous Reader that shall be pleased for to peruse the same And therefore here for present I shall conclude what more might here be spoken by Dignities of Ranks and Files leaving what shall remain until such time in course I shall again meet with them by the way in drawing up of Regiments CHAP. XVIII What Distance is and the reasons for the first beginning of the same with all their several uses HAving thus now passed over several reasons and with as much brevity as I could to satisfie the longing desire of the young souldiers request of every particular place of honour as they stand in dignity both in Rank and File which being passed over the next will follow by course before we come to joyn the Files into a Body to satisfie the souldier of each particular Distance with the several reasons and uses of the same for next to the Postures it is the first thing or part of the Military exercise and most necessary for the souldier to be knowing in Yet I must confess no Commander is so tied up or limited in the exercising of his men at all times to begin with Distances first so as to shew them all throughout but nevertheless in all and every one of the motions in the exercising of a Body care must be taken that the souldier have his proper distance for performance of the same Neither can any Leader exercise his men but first he must command them to some distance sutable to what he will begin As some I have seen begin their exercises with Facings some other with Doublings others with Counter-marches and with Wheelings Yet nevertheless whoever they be that will so begin as I said before must command his souldiers to some Distance which may be proper for the same But for my own part my purpose is to go throughout all parts of the Military exercise of Foot and therefore will go on in order as they lie and first as most properest I shall begin with Distances to shew them all throughout and what the nature of them be Distance therefore really considered in it self is no Motion but there are several motions to the attaining of each particular Distance both in length and depth Therefore briefly thus Distance is a place or interval of ground between every particular File and File and betwixt every Rank and Rank as they stand and attained by the several motions of Ranks and Files and consisting of several proportions of ground as easily may be understood by their several words of command as they follow CHAP. XIX The several sorts of Distances which are fit and proper for the Souldier to be exercised in CLosest Order Which is both in Rank and File Half a foot Close Order Which is both in Rank and File One foot and half Order Which is both in Rank and File Three foot Open Order Which is both in Rank and File Six foot Double Distance Which is both in Rank and File Twelve foot Twice double Distance Which is both in Rank and File Twenty four foot Having thus set down every Distance with their several proportions of ground I shall next proceed to the words of command to the opening of the Ranks and Files from their closest Order and after satisfie the Souldier with Reasons and the uses of every particular Distance as they go along in order CHAP. XX. Words of Command for the opening of Ranks and Files to all their Distances with their closings again THe Commander craving silence and that they be commanded to close Ranks and Files to their closest Order the words of command for Distances are as followeth Files open to the right to your Close Order Ranks open backward to your Close Order Files open to the left to your Order Ranks open backward to your Order Files open to the right and left to your Open Order Ranks open backward to your Open Order Files open to the left to your Double Distance Ranks open backward to your Double Distance Files open from the midst to Twice double Distance Ranks open backward to Twice double Distance The Ranks and Files being thus opened unto their twice double Distance from their closest Order I conceive it to be a more souldierly-like way in the Opening and Closing of Files that the discretion of the Commander do vary and alter the hand in the commanding of them then alwayes from every Distance to tie himself to any particular hand as to open to the right and close to the right But as concerning the opening of Ranks the properest way in my judgment is to open them alwayes to the Reer in respect it is performed with more facility For every Rank from the first takes his due Distance as he is commanded without any
further trouble or to a half-facing to the right by taking it from the Reer if from that place they shall be opened and so likewise it were a great deal better in the closing of Ranks to close them forwards in respect it is for the more conveniency of their closing then to the Reer For then again they must perform a half facing which is not only unhandsome but troublesome to the souldier All that can be said to maintain it as I conceive in opening Ranks forwards is because they have not room in the Reer which seldome happens so in any exercise if discreetly ordered by him that leads them As for closing of the Ranks backwards I cannot conceive any solid reasons to confirm the same and therefore will pass over it and come to close our Ranks and Files to such Distance from whence they first were opened Files close to the right and left inward to Double Distance Ranks close forwards to Double Distance Files close to the right to your Open Order Ranks close forwards to your Open Order Files close into the midst to your Order Ranks close forwards to your Order Files close to the left to your Close Order Ranks close forwards to your Close Order Files close to the right to your Closest Order Ranks close forwards to your Closest Order Concerning the words of Command for Distances in the openings and closings of Ranks and Files what before is set down may be sufficient for any souldier to use in time of his exercise But now it will be expected to give some reasons for every one of these to shew them in their proper uses CHAP. XXI The use of each particular Distance and at what time to be used WHerefore first note that your distance of closest Order is of chiefest use unto the Pike in these particulars as first Charging against the Horse for that the Ranks then clapping in their left legs behind their Leaders right locking themselves so firm and stedfast one within another which 't were impossible for any Body of Horse to enter in amongst them Secondly it is of excellent use for to maintain a breach and to keep out an enemy Thirdly it is very useful to both Arms at such time when a Commander hath any thing of consequence to discover unto his Company which he may have many occasions so to do as before his Exercise to advise them to silence to observe their words of command and their directions and when they are to fight against an Enemy to perswade and keep them off from fear by assuring them good reasons of hopes of overcoming These or such-like speeches many times a Captain may have just occasion to express himself unto his Company and being at so close a Distance they may more aptly hear his words and obey his Commands But here now by the way too much preaching upon the head of a Company concerning matters of Exercise is too much a dulling of the souldier who rather would fall into action then so to be confounded with much talking Close Order may be of very good use also for most things which have been spoken of the closest Order only here the souldier hath a little more liberty in the handling of his arms by being at a wider distance This distance also is of good use before wheelings because many times upon their moving they are apt to flie out to their proper distance of Order which they alwayes should be at in their wheelings where note if first they were at Order they would flie out to wider distance Order is the distance which the souldier doth fight upon and is to be used skirmishing against an enemy it is also useful at such a time when the Drum shall beat a Troop and that the souldiers are marching to relieve some Court of Guard or making some expedition against an enemy for then they are in a fit capacity of distance for to fight It is also very useful and to be observed upon facings for all intire doublings and for wheelings Order likewise in File and open Order in Rank is to be used at such time when the Drum shall beat a March and the Body upon the moving or marching Open Order is the distance proper for all doublings of Ranks and Files by the half-files or by the bringers-up wherein they have interval of ground sufficient to move in It is also a very proper distance for facings and ever to be observed in time of Counter-marches It is the properest distance for the Ranks to be in upon a march but the Files are then to be at Order as is before exprest The use of double Distance is to be observed at such times when the souldiers shall stand or happen to be in some eminent danger of the Cannon-shot from the Enemy for standing then so thin they may be much preserved from danger it is likewise very good for Inversion and Conversion You may take notice of these brief directions in openings of Ranks and Files when the Files are commanded to Open to the right the left-hand File stands and all the Files take their distance from the left observing alwayes in the motions of Files their Leaders and to move altogether along with them If it be an opening of Files to the left then contrary-wise the right-hand File stands and they take their distance from the right So likewise for closings unto what hand soever they be commanded to close the out-most File is to stand the rest are to move and close to that In opening or closing of Ranks the first Rank is alwayes to stand the rest are to move either opening or closing according as is commanded alwayes observing in their motions their right-hand-men and moving altogether CHAP. XXII Directions of the way and manner of drawing up a private Company THe Postures being formerly described forth the dignity of places in a File and words of Command made known unto the souldier for their several distances It next followeth to shew the joyning of Files and drawing up a Company where first pray mind at such times when the Drums are beating about the Quarters and in several places make Proclamation as by order from their Captain for all Gentlemen Souldiers that are under his Command to repair unto his Randezvous unto such a place and at such an hour then it must be the immediate care of every Officer under his Command punctually at that hour and place thither to repair for the more incouraging of the souldiers as they shall come in and not to stir themselves from thence without some order from their Captain for fear of giving bad examples unto others And when they shall perceive some considerable number of men to come in the Serjeants then may take advice with their Lieutenant and Ensign which of them they will appoint out to draw forth the Muskettiers and which the Pikes and whom they shall make the right-hand File-leader of the Muskettiers and who shall be the left and again who
to their Order Ranks ranking by Countermarch Command Ranks rank outward into the Front Reer and Midst every man placing himself on the outside of his right and left-hand-man Direction The two last Ranks face about the first and last Rank and the third Rank from the Front stand the rest move forth to the right and left ranking into Front Reer and Midst placing themselves on the outside of their right and left-hand-men face to your Leader Reducement Ranks rank twelve to the right and left inward placing your selves on the inside of your right and left-hand-men the last Rank face about the twelve middlemost men in each Rank are to stand and the outmost six men in each Rank are to move to the right and left inward placing themselves in the Reer of the former Ranks and on the inside of their right and left-hand-men facing to their Leader Command Ranks rank inward into the Front Reer and Midst every man placing himself on the inside of his right and left-hand-man Direction Right and left half-Ranks open from the midst to twice double distance standing then at Order in each division in Rank and File the two last Ranks face about and the first last and third Rank from the Front stand the rest move inward placing themselves on the inside of their right and left-hand-men after the last Rank may face about and move forward to open Order Reducement Ranks rank six to the right and left outward every man placing himself on the outside of his right and left-hand-man the last Rank face about the six outmost men of each Rank stand and the twelve middlemost men in each Rank are to divide themselves six to the right and six to the left falling in the Reer of the outmost men placing themselves on the outside of their right and left-hand-men after face to the Front and Ranks and Files close to the midst to Order Of Files ranking into Front Reer and Midst Command FIles rank outward into Front Reer and Midst Direction The two last Ranks face about the first last and third Rank from the Front stand the rest move to the right and left after the manner of doubling of Ranks and rank to Front Reer and Midst as before commanded and after the last Rank face to the Front closing forward to Order Reducement Ranks file six to the right and left inward the last Rank face about and the even men from the midst of Files are to fall in behind the odd after the manner of doubling Files to the right and left inward and after the two last Ranks are to face to the Front Command Files rank inward into Front Reer and Midst Direction They standing at the distance of Order in Rank and File command right and left Half-ranks to open from the Midst something more then to open Order after the two last Ranks are to face about and the first last and third Rank from the Front are to stand the rest are to move to the right and left inward after the manner of doubling Ranks to the right and left inward after the last Rank is to face to the Front and to close forwards to open Order Reducement Ranks file six to the right and left outward the last Rank face about and every man from the Flanks is to move outward after the manner of doubling Files to the right and left outward then the two last Ranks are to face to the Front and the whole Body may close their Ranks and Files into the Midst to Order CHAP. XLIII Of Files ranking by Wheeling Command FIles rank outward into Front Reer and Midst The Ranks must be at Close Order and the Files at Open Order for these three words of Command following and it would be better to divide them into three Divisions that is to say between every two Ranks to have some six foot of ground interval that they may more distinctly perform the same by Wheeling Direction The two last Ranks face about after face all outward and wheel to the right and left by two and two until they be ranked into Front Reer and Midst the last Rank may after move forwards unto the same distance the former stands at being first faced to their Leader Reducement Ranks file six to the right and left inward by wheeling the first two Ranks face about and then every particular Rank to wheel by two and two towards the midst of Files until they have made twelve Files as at first and after face all to the Front Command Files rank inward into the Front Reer and Midst by wheeling Direction Right and left Half-ranks open from the midst something more then to open Order the two last Ranks of each Division face about after face all inward and wheel by two and two to the right and left until they have ranked into Front and Reer and Midst to the right and left inward the last Rank is after to face to the Front taking his distance conformable to the rest Reducement Ranks file six to the right and left outward by wheeling the two first Ranks face about and each particular Rank is to wheel by two's towards the Flanks until they have made twelve Files as at first after facing all to the Front and closing their Ranks and Files into the midst to Order Command Files rank inward into the midst by wheeling Direction Right and left Half-ranks open from the midst to twice double distance after face inward and let them know that the Bringers-up of the Front Half-files and the Half-file-Leaders are the hinges of the Motion after face them to the Front and they will be in two Ranks Reducement Ranks file six to the right and left outward by wheeling the last Rank face about and both Ranks wheel to the right and left by threes until they have made twelve Files as at first after face all to the Front and close Files into the midst to Order Command Files rank outward into the Front and Reer by wheeling Direction Right and left Half-ranks close into the midst to Order after face outward and wheel to the right and left the Bringers-up and the Leaders are the hinges of the Motion and when they are brought into two Ranks one in the Front and the other in the Reer face them to the Front Reducement Ranks file six to the right and left inward by wheeling the first Rank face about and both Ranks are to wheel by threes towards the midst of Files until they have filed according unto Command after facing to their Leader evening their Ranks and straightning their Files And thus much of Conversion or Ranks ranking or Files ranking they having more variety in them then many times can be useful except it be to present unto the Souldiers some things that are new in the Motions which many times they love to see I could upon this Subject have much more enlarged my self but conceiving what is already set down may be sufficient for
the knowledge of any intelligible Souldier I come therefore briefly to treat of Inversion or of Ranks filing and Files filing CHAP. XLIV Of Ranks filing or of Files filing or of Inversion with their several sorts and kinds Command FIles file to the right Direction The right-hand File is to move away clear of the standing part and after the next File to fall in the Reer of the first and consequently so all the rest until they become one File Reducement File-leaders lead up your Files to the left or Files file six to the left Command Files file to the right entire advancing Direction The right-hand File stand the rest move away successively placing themselves in one direct File before the Front Reducement Files file six to the right into the Reer face all about or Files file six to the right towards the Front Command Files file inward into the right Flank Direction Half-files face about and the outmost Files then upon the left as they are so faced are to move away forward and consequently all the rest are to fall in behind them the like is to be performed by the Front the outmost File at the same time is to move away and the rest successively falling in until they have made one entire File after they are to face to the Front Reducement Front Half-file file three to the left Reer Half-file face about and file three to the right face to your Leader and close your Divisions Command Files file to the right by Division Direction Half-files face about the outmost File upon the right is to stand the rest are to move forward and to place themselves successively into one entire File going forward after each other and after face to the Front Reducement Front-half-files file three to the right and Reer-half-files face about and file three to the left face to your Leader and close your Divisions Command Ranks file to the right every man placing himself behind his right-hand-man Ranks filing by way of Counter-march Direction This may be done marching or standing if marching the right-hand-man of the first Rank doth first move away the rest in the same Rank do fall in behind him and consequently all the rest until they make one intire File if upon a Stand the Ranks are to open backward to such a Distance as they may conveniently fall into one File Reducement Files rank 12 to the left or Files rank as you were Command Ranks file to the right advancing every man placing himself before his right-hand-man Direction The outmost File stand The Ranks are to be at twice double Distance the Files at order the rest are to move forward with their right leg placing themselves before the right-hand-man Reducement Files rank 12 to the left or Files rank as you were Command Ranks file to the right every man placing himself before his Leader and his Bringer-up Direction The Half-files are to face about onely the right-hand-file is to stand the rest are to move forward filing to the right Flank every man placing himself before his Leader and his Bringer-up face to your Leader Reducement Front-half-files rank 12 to the right Reer-half-files face about and rank 12 to the left face to your Leader close your Divisions Command Ranks file inward into the right Flank every man placing himself before his Leader and his Bringer-up Direction Half-files face about Front and Reer-half-files are to march to such convenient distance as the Ranks may fall into the midst of the right Flank after they are to face about or to face to the midst of Ranks and then they are to move forward into the right Flank every man placing himself as before commanded and after face to their Leader Reducement Front-half-files rank 12 to the left Reer-half-files face about and rank 12 to the right face to your Leader and close your Divisions Command Files file to the right every man placing himself behind his Bringer-up Files f●ling by way of Counter-march Direction The outmost File stand the rest face about and move forward each particular File to the left placing themselves behind their Right-hand-file and their Bringers-up Reducement Files file six to the left every man placing himself before his Leader Command Files file to the right every man placing himself before his Leader Direction The Right-hand-file stand the rest move forwards every File successively placing themselves before their Leaders and their Right-hand-file Reducement Files file six to the right into the Reer every man placing himself before his Bringer-up face all about the last six men stand the rest are to move and to file six to the right placing themselves before their Bringers-up and after to face to the Front Command Files file to the right Flank by Division every man placing himself before his Leader and his Bringer-up Direction Half-files face about the Right-hand-file is to stand the rest are to move forward to the right Flank placing themselves before their Leaders and their Bringers-up making one intire File to the right face to your Leader Reducement Front-half-files face about and file three to the right every man placing himself before his Bringer-up and Reer-half-files file three to the left placing your selves before your Leaders face to your Leader Command Files file inward into the right Flank every man placing himself before his Leader and his Bringer-up Direction Half-files face about and Front and Reer-half-files move forward until there be sufficient Distance to file into the right Flank after face them about to the midst of Ranks then the files may move successively into the right Flank placing themselves before their Leaders and their Bringers-up face to your Leader Reducement Front-half-files file three to the left every man placing himself before his Leader and Reer-half-files face about and file three to the right every man placing himself before his Bringer-up face to your Leader and close your Divisions CHAP. XLV Ranks wheeling into the Flanks They ought to be at twice double Distance in rank and at Close order in file Command RAnks wheel to the right into the right Flank Direction Every particular Rank is to wheel to their right hand until they have brought their Aspects unto the right Flank after face to the Front Reducement Files rank 12 to the right the first man is to stand the rest are to move forward to the right successively 12 in a Rank to the right Command Ranks wheel to the left to the right Flank Direction Face all about and Ranks wheel to the left until you have brought your Aspects unto the right Flank face to your Leader Reducement Files rank 12 to the left the first man is to stand the rest are to move forwards making up 12 abrest to the left until they have made six Ranks as at first Command Ranks wheel outward to the right Flank Direction Half-files face about the first three Ranks wheel to the right and the three last Ranks wheel to the
Ranks wheel to the right and left towards the Reer Direction Face all about The outside-men are the hinges of this Motion who are to wheel from the Reer to the right and left until they have brought their Aspects unto both the Flanks face to your Leader Reducement Files rank 12 to the right and left inward the Right-hand-file is to begin to rank six to the left the Left-hand-file is to rank six to the right making up even abrest 12 in number the rest doing the same Command Front and Reer-half-files wheel your ranks outward into both Flanks Direction Half-files face about and Front and Reer-half-files wheel outward into both Flanks until you have brought your Aspects unto the right and left face to your Leader Reducement Front and Reer-half-files rank 12 to the right and left inward towards the midst of Ranks Front-half-files face about and begin the Motion from the Bringers-up of the Front-half-files and the Half-file-leaders ranking six to the right and left from each File making 12 abrest face to your Leader Command Front and Reer-half-files wheel your Ranks into both Flanks Direction Half-files face about and march all until you be at twice double distance in the midst then face all about to the right and wheel to the right and left until you have brought your Aspects unto both Flanks by wheeling inward to them face to your Leader Reducement Files rank 12 to the right and left inward into Front and Reer Half-files face about and rank in Front and Reer six to the right and six to the left making 12 abrest after face to your Leader CHAP. XLVIII Of Ranks wheeling to the midst of Files Command FRont and Reer-half-files wheel your Ranks inward to the midst of Files Direction Half-files face about and Front and Reer-half-files wheel your Ranks to the right and left inward until they face in opposition to your Leader Reducement Files rank six to the right and left outward unto the midst of Ranks Front-half-files face about and Rank six to the right and left outward Reer-half-files do the same to your Leader Command Front and Reer-half-files wheel your Ranks inward into the midst of Files Direction Half-files face about Front and Reer-half-files march until you have attained twice double distance in the midst of Ranks face all about to the right and wheel to the right and left inward into the midst of Files to your Leader Reducement Files rank six to the right and left outward into Front and Reer Half-files face about and Front and Reer-half-files rank six to the right and left outward as before commanded to your Leader move forward and close your Divisions to your double distance CHAP. XLIX Of Ranks wheeling to both Flanks and into the midst at one and the same time They ought to be at more then Open order in Ranks and at order in Files Command FRont and Reer-half-files wheel your Ranks to the right and left into both Flanks and the midst of Files Direction Half-files face about to the right and the middle Files and the outmost Files upon each Flank are the hinges of this Motion the rest are to wheel their Ranks to the right and left towards both the Flanks and to the midst of Files face to your Leader Reducement Files rank six to the right and left inward to the midst of Ranks and between the Flankers and the middle Files Front-half-files face about and rank six to the right and left inward towards the midst of Ranks between the Flankers and middle Files the Reer-half-files doing the same face to your Leader Command Front and Reer-half-files wheel your Ranks inward into both Flanks and into the midst of Files Direction Half-files face about and Front and Reer-half-files march until you be at double distance in the midst after face all about to the right and wheel your Ranks to the right and left inward into both Flanks and into the midst of Files face to your Leader Reducement Files rank six to the right and left inward into Front and Reer between the Flankers and the middle Files Half-files face about and rank six to the right and left inward to the Reer between the Flankers and the middle Files the Front-half-files doing the same to the Front after facing to their Leader Half-files move forwards closing their Divisions to the distance of the former Ranks Having dwelt thus long upon this subject of Inversion and Conversion occasioned thereunto by their great variety and difficulty in the performance of them I hold it convenient to give a breathing space unto the wearied Souldier whilst I in the mean time prepare further matter for his longing desire Yet before I enter in any other discourse of the Art Military I hold it requisite to give some admonitions to those that shall venture upon them For being very difficult they are not easily understood by every puny my advice therefore is to wave such things in time of Exercise which the Souldiers are unacquainted with providing for them such matter as is both plain and easie and being frequently practised in such he may after drill them on to harder till by degrees he hath brought them unto such perfection and knowledge that they shall be able to perform and execute what is commanded not gazing upon one another as I have often observed neither knowing their Leaders meaning or if they did they are altogether ignorant how to fulfil his commands Frequent practice therefore makes the Souldier expert witness our gallant Souldiers and Citizens of London who are most of them so well grounded by frequent practice that their Leaders can scarce give a word of Command which is not easily apprehended by them they being in their exercises so often inured to such difficult expressions as these of Inversion and Conversion CHAP. L. Of Counter-marches with th●ir several sorts and kinds affording much variety in time of Exercise THose which have a longing desire to be throughly knowing in this part or branch of Military Discipline must take notice of these four sorts viz. Counter-marching of Files next of Ranks after the Front and Reer-half-files and lastly of right and left Half-ranks all which are performed either by intire or Divisional Counter-marches or else by the intire changing of ground and that by many ways the Front-half-files with the Reer the right Half-ranks with the left So that an expert Leader may venter so far in them as to continue his Exercise without reducing almost for an hour and not to express himself twice in any one word of Command they affording such plenty and variety in them that with pleasure using but four words of Command he may bring each Souldier into his proper place again observing these directions following As first to look down in the Body where his File-leaders are and where his Bringers-up likewise marking the several places of his Half-file-leaders the Bringers up of his Front-half-files together with his Flankers his middle
the Front move a little to the right the second man from the first Rank double the first man to the left Rank-wise the first Rank wheel off by Division and double the last man in the Reer to the right and left Rank-wise Ranks close forwards to Order face to your Leader     5   1       4   3   2   6           10   7   8   9   Reducement The first and second Rank face about the first Rank double the second to the right and left outward to your Leader the last Rank move forward and even your Ranks and straighten their Files wheele Front and Reer to the left Flank the last Rank face about before they wheele then facing to their Leader they are reduced CHAP. LXX Twelve several Figures of Battail with a File twelve deep with their Reducement Command FRont Half-file double your Reer to the left face to your Leader Half-files double your Front to the left 10 7 4 1 11 8 5 2 12 9 6 3 Command The middlemost men upon each Flank face outward the two middle-men of the last Rank face about Those that are thus faced and the two middle-men of the first Rank move forward to your Leader three paces the first and the last Rank stand the rest move outwards two paces face to your Leader       7 4         10         1   11   8     1   2   12         3         9 6       Command The outmost Divisions open from the midst almost to twice double distance the first Rank face about and rank even with the midst of Ranks face to your Leader The last Rank double to the right File-wise the second man from the Reer advance forward and place himself three foot before the middle-men the last man at the same time closing forward to Order   10       6       1   11   8   7   4   5   2   12       9       3   Command The outmost Division upon the right move away the rest successively falling in the Reer of them until they stand straight after the first Division   1   5   2   3     6   7   4   9     10   11   8   12   Command The outmost man upon the left of the middle Division to open to the left to double distance the rest of that Division to face to the right and to move clear of the standing part face to your Leader the last man in the Front face about ro the last Division the first man of the Front-Division and the first man of the Reer-Division to move forwards and to close to open Order after facing to the left Flank closing to the outmost man to Order face to your Leader and after face all to the Center and move a little forward to your Leader       1           5   2       3       6   7           4   10       9       11   8           12       Command The outmost man upon the right and the outmost man upon the left close inward to Order     1       5   2   3       6   7   4   10       9   11   8       12     Command The two middle men move forth to the right and left three foot clear of the standing part the first man in the Front face about the first man in the Front and the last man in the Reer move into the second that is before you to your Leader     5   2       3   1   6   7           4   10   12   9       11   8     Command The two outmost men upon each Flank close inward to open Order   5   2   3   1   6   7   4   10   12   9   8   11   Command Face all to Front Reer and both Flanks and the four middle then move forwards into the Rank that is before them and they will stand in a Square face to your Leader   5 1 2   3       6 7       4 10       9   11 12 8   Command Files rank outward the middleman of the first Rank move forward and place himself three foot before his right and left-hand-man the outmost and the middle man of the last Rank move backward and place himself three-foot behind the Reer-division close forwards to open order         1               5   2       10 7 3       6 4 9       11   8               12         Command The first and the last Rank move to the left one pace and after double to the right File-wise the Middle-rank close inward to order       1             2             5       10 7 3   6 4 9       8             11             12       Command The two outmost men of the Middle-rank face about move down and range even abrest with the middle-man of the Reer-division closing inward to order and facing to the Front even men from the left move forwards and rank even abrest with the middle-man of the Front-division and close inward to order the outmost-men open outward to double distance     1       3 2 4       5     7       6     8       10 11 9       12     Command Reer-division face about and move two paces the outmost-man upon the left face about to the right with the last man in the Reer of each Division face to your Leader and move forward two paces       1       3   2   4     5   6       7   8   10     11   9       12     Reducement Reer-division face about middle man of the first Rank of each division move forward and rank two to the left into Front and Reer Files close into the midst to order Ranks close forwards to order Half-files double the Front to the right intire Ranks rank outward into the Front every man placing himself on the outside of his right and left-hand-men Ranks file to the right and left inward Files double your depth to the left
ought to meddle with his File in matter of motions without consent of the superior Officers neither ought the Leader either through favour or out of malice when all the Files are joyned into one compleat Body to Countermarch the Files and after proceeding to other Motions depriving thereby the Leaders thereof of their due honour for else why just in the time of Exercise or Marching should one single File as the right or left be Countermarched if he bore not malice to some thrusting them by this unsouldier-like way out of their places and through favour or affection often times putting men of little desert into their places To leave this discourse not pleasing to some let the Commander draw forth one File of Pikes and double it by the Half-file and send a Serjeant to fetch the Colours and after closing his Ranks and Files to Order he may begin to make some alteration in the exercising of them in their Motions spending his time altogether upon Inversion and Conversion CHAP. XIII Thirty several Words of Command of Inversion and Conversion Command RAnks rank entire to the left into the Front Direction The first Rank stand the rest face to the left and successively move into the Front Command Ranks rank four to the left Direction The first four upon the left stand the rest face to the left and by fours fall successively behind the first four upon the left Command Files rank outward into the Front Direction The inmost Files stand the rest open outward to double distance and after rank outward into the Front Command Ranks file three to the right and left outward by wheeling Direction The three outmost men upon the right and left wheel to the right and left outward the rest doing the like by threes after close into the midst to Order and face to their Leader Command Files rank inward into the Reer Direction Face to the Reer and move to the right and left inward into the Reer to your Leader Command Ranks file six to the right and left outward advancing Direction The outmost man upon the right and left stand the rest move outward until they be six in a File and the next outmost men are to stand the other doing the like and after close Files into the midst to Order Command Files rank inward into the midst of Ranks Direction Front Half-files face about and right and left Half-ranks open from the midst to double distance the rest open outward to Order and move to the right and feft inward to the midst of Ranks to your Leader and close Files inward to Order Command Ranks file 12 to the right and left inward every man placing himself before the Leaders and Bringers up of the middle Files Direction Ranks open backward to double distance the middle File stand the rest advance forwards and file twelve to the right and left inward placing themselves before the Leaders and Bringers-up of the middle Files Command Files rank six to the right and left inward Direction Files open from the midst to double distance and move three to the right and three to the left inward until you have made four Ranks six abrest after close Ranks forward to Order Command Ranks rank outward into Front and Reer every man placing himself on the outside of his right and left-hand-man Direction Half-Files face about and rank to the right and left outward into Front and Reer as is commanded face to your Leader and close Ranks forward to Order Command Ranks file 12 to the right and left inward every man placing himself behind the Leaders and Bringers-up of the middle Files Direction Ranks open backward to double distance the middle Files stand the rest move side-ways to the right and left and place your selves behind the Leaders and Bringers up of the middle Files Command Files rank six to the right and left inward into Front Reer and Midst Direction The three last Ranks of the Front and Reer Half-files face about and Files open outward to double distance and move to the right and left inward into Front Reer and Midst making four Ranks six abrest after face to your Leader and close Ranks forward to Order Command Ranks rank outward into the Midst Direction Front Half-files face about and move outward and rank to the Midst and face to your Leader Command Ranks wheel to the right and left outward Direction Half-files face about and wheel to the right and left outward into both the Flanks face to your Leader and close Files into the midst to Order Command Files rank six to the right and left outward into Front Reer and Midst Direction The three last Ranks of the Front and Reer Half-files face about and rank outward three to the right and three to the left into Front Reer and Midst face to your Leader and close Ranks and Files to their distance of Order Command Ranks file to the right entire advancing Direction The outmost File stand the rest move forward and file to the right entire advancing Command Files rank three to the right Direction The first three men from the Front rank three to the right the rest successively doing the same closing Ranks forward to Order Command Ranks wheel to the left Direction Ranks open backward to open Order and wheel to the left Command Files rank six to the left Direction The first six men rank six to the left the rest successively doing the same until they have made four Ranks six abrest then close Ranks forwards to Order Command Ranks rank outward into the midst every man placing himself on the outsidst of his right and left-hand-man Direction Front Half-files face about and Front and Reer Half-files rank outward into the midst placing your selves on the outside of your right and left-hand-men face to your Leader Command Ranks wheel three to the right and left outward Direction The last Rank face about and wheel by threes to the right and left outward towards both Flanks face to your Leader and close Files to the right to Order they will stand four abrest and six deep Command Files file outward entire advancing Direction The outmost File stand the rest advance forward and place your selves before the outmost Files after close Files into the midst to Order Command Files file to the right Direction The right-hand-File stand the rest face about and fall in the Reer of your right-hand-File to your Leader Command Files file twelve to the right Direction The first twelve stand the other move forward filing twelve to the right Command Files wheel inward into Front and Reer Direction Files open from the midst to twice double distance after face inward and wheele six to the right and six to the left until you have made two Ranks twelve abrest face to your Leader and close Ranks forwards to Order Command Ranks wheele inward to both the Flanks Direction Ranks open from the midst to twice double distance the first Rank face about the first and the
last Rank wheel six to the right and six to the left inward to both the Flanks face to your Leader and close Files to the midst to order Command Files file three to the right and left outward into Front and Reer Direction Half-files face about the three first and the three last Ranks are to stand the rest are to move by threes filing to Front and Reer to the right and left outward and after face to the Front and close their Ranks forwards to order Command Files file to the midst by Division Direction Half-files of the outmost Files face about and the outmost Files move forwards and file by Division unto the midst of Files face to your Leader Command Files rank inward into the Front Direction Files open from the midst to twice double distance and move forward to the right and left inward into the Front Command Ranks file six to the right and left outward Direction The outmost men are to stand the rest are to move side-ways to the right and left making six in a File and then the next outside men in like manner are to stand the rest successively are to file as before CHAP. XIV Next followeth several Figures of Battail with Firings upon the same for the performance whereof Command BRingers-up to double their Front to the right and left inward and Ranks and Files to open to open order and Muskettiers to close outward to close order the inmost Files of Pikes close outward to the same distance and they will stand in four Divisions after let the Middle-rank in each Division open outward to open order they will produce the first Figure The first firing Let the first Rank give Fire and wheel off to the right and left and place themselves in the room of them in the Reer and they at the same time moving forwards in their places and give Fire as the first after wheel off into their places again The second firing Let the Middle-ranks advance three foot before the Front and give Fire face about and move down into their places again Command The last Rank in each Division move to the left one pace and double to the right File-wise and then advance forward until their first men exceed two foot the Front of each Division then let the first Rank open outward to open order and the last Rank close inward to the same distance The first firing Let the middle File give Fire to the Front and fall in the Reer of themselves The second firing Let the first Rank give fire on the ground they stand and after fall off to the right and left into the room of them in the Reer they at the same time moving forward into their ground and give fire in like manner and fall off into their places again and then the Pikes may charge on whilest the Muskettiers make ready again Command Face all about middle File move forward three foot clear of the Reer the first Rank close inward to Order the last Rank open outward something more then to open Order Upon this Figure let the first man in each division kneel down and then to give fire altogether over one anothers heads the Pikes at the same time charging brest-high to the Horse then face all to their first Front Command The last men in the Reer double to the left Rank-wise Files close into the midst to Order Muskettiers double your Pikes inward entire advancing and move forward three paces Files double your depth to the right and left outward of each Arms every man falling behind his Bringer-up Front Half-files double your Reer entire into the midst Files double to the right and left outward Files file to the right entire advancing which being done wheel them to the right about into a Ring in form as followeth Upon this Figure let the Pikes charge round and the Muskettiers give fire all together which being ended let the Commander go to the place where the File-Leader stands and wheel them off again to the left until he hath brought them into one straight File and then proceed Command Half-files double your Front to the right Ranks double to the right and left inward Files double outward entire advancing Half-files of each Arms double your Ranks forwards to the left Front Half-files double the Reer to the left Files file to the left entire advancing and wheel about into a Ring then face all to the Center and close Files of each Arms to the right and left inward to close Order Command Middle-men in each Division move backward and place your selves two foot behind your right and left-hand-men face all about to the right and close Ranks inward to Order Upon this Figure let them Fire by circumduction after this manner let the odd men of Pikes port and then the odd Muskettier where the first Front was is to give Fire and to move away to the left and the next odd man of Muskettiers upon the right immediately comes stooping underneath the Pikes into the first mans place Firing in like manner moving away into the next odd mans place of the Muskettiers upon the left the rest doing the same until the Muskettier come into his place again Command Face all to the Center odd men move forwards and place your selves two foot before the right and left-hand-men after face all to the right about Upon this Figure you may Fire likewise by way of circumduction the Pikes porting all round and having performed one Firing in this manner in the next place let the odd Muskettiers and Pikes move forth again and kneel down the odd Pike-men charging at foot the Muskettiers may give Fire altogether then let them face to the Center and let the odd men move forwards and place themselves between the right and left-hand-men then moving and closing their ring let them face all about to the right Then let the Captain go where the Leader of the File stands and wheel him about to the left the rest following until they be all brought again into one streight File Command Files file three to the left into the Front Files double to the right intire advancing Front-half-files move forwards three paces Files double your depth to the right of each Division Half-files double your Front intire into the midst The two first and the two last men of Pikes upon each Flank face inward the two Middle-ranks face outward the two last Ranks of Muskettiers face about march all three paces to your Leader To pass by the Firings which may be performed upon this Figure I shall proceed from hence to draw another Command The outmost divisions of Muskettiers close inward to order Front and Reer Divisions of Pikes open outward to double distance Pikes double inward Rank-wise and they will stand as followeth Upon this Figure Fire to the Front in their several Divisions one after another and fall in the Reer of themselves then wheel off to the right into the Reer the rest of the Divisions
fall off to the right and left some six paces before the Front of Pikes and in the Reer of themselves then face the body about and let the Pikes charge to the Reer and after port the Muskettiers may give fire to the Reer by way of extraduction The fourth firing Next fire to the Reer by dividing the Muskettiers and bringing them even with the Reer and ranking outward and falling again as they were face to your Leader Command Ranks and Files open to your open Order Muskettiers close outward to Order the outmost Files of Pikes stand the rest close outward to Order Front-half-files open forward three paces Ranks close to Front and Reer to Order Pikes move forward two paces Pikes face outward Muskettiers face inward and move cleer one of another to your Leader The first firing Let them give Fire to the Front and fall in the Reer of themselves then wheel off to the right and left into the Reer they at the same time moving up into their ground give Fire and falling off as before the Pikes may after charge on while the Muskettiers make ready The second firing Let Pikes and Muskettiers Rank outward and give Fire and fall off in like manner as before after let them Fire and fall in the Reer of the first Rank of Pikes of the Front-divisions then the Pikes may port then let the first Divisions give Fire and fall in behind the Pikes the Reer-divisions after moving up into their places may give Fire and face about march down into their places then face to their Leader This firing being continued twice or oftener over you may fire them to the Reer they being thither faced after the very same manner the Pikes there charging after facing all to their Leader let them double Files to the right and left inward of each division Command Front-divisions of Pikes face outward Front-divisions of Muskettiers face outward the rest face about move all six paces to your Leader Reer-divisions move forward two paces The first firing Let the Front-divisions give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then wheel off to the right and left into the Reer they at the same time moving forward into their places may give fire and fall off as before this may be twice performed The second firing Let the Front-divisions give fire and fall in the Reer of the Front-divisions of Pikes the Reer-divisions of Muskettiers moving into their ground firing and falling behind the Reer-divisions of Pikes then they may move forth cleer of the Pikes and fire and fall in again they may fire after the same manner to the Reer But I shall let that pass and go on to the next Command Reer-divisions of Muskettiers face outward and march three paces cleer of the Reer-divisions of Pikes then face to your Leader and move forward until they range even abrest with the Reer-divisions of Pikes The first firing Let the first divisions of Muskettiers give fire to the Front and fall in the Reer of themselves after wheel off to the right and left into the room of them in the Reer they at the same time moving up into their places firing and falling off in like manner this firing may be continued twice over then the Pikes may charge whilst the Muskettiers make ready again The second firing Let the Reer-divisions move forward even abrest then let the Muskettiers give fire altogether and fall in the Reer of themselves this firing may be continued twice over and the Pikes may charge after let those Divisions that moved march down again into their places Command Front-divisions of Pikes upon the left face about and move down four paces cleer of the Reer Front and Reer-divisions of Pikes move to the left two paces to your Leader Upon the former Figure fire first to the Front and fall in the Reer of themselves then wheel down into the place of them in the Reer they at the same time moving up into their places firing and falling off in like manner This firing being twice performed let the Reer-divisions of Muskettiers move up even abrest with the Front-divisions and fire altogether and fall in the Reer of themselves after let the Pikes charge on and the outmost Divisions of Muskettiers face about and move down into their places Command Front-division of Pikes face about and march until they range even abrest with the Front-division of Muskettiers to your Leader Reer-division of Pikes move forward three paces Upon this Figure let each division fire as they stand and fall in the Reer of themselves performing it twice over the Pikes may charge on whilst the Muskettiers make ready again who after may give fire by two Ranks together as they stand in each division the Pikes charging as before Command Outmost divisions of Muskettiers face about march until you range even with the Reer face inward and move until you stand streight after the Front-divisions of Muskettiers to your Leader middle-divisions of Pikes face outward and move cleer of the standing part to your Leader The first firing Let them give fire to the Front by divisions relieving each other after face them to both Flanks and let them give fire upon the ground they stand and fall in the Reer of themselves This firing may be continued twice and after the Pikes may charge on whilst the Muskettiers make ready again and after retreating into their places The second firing Let the middle-division of Pikes in the Reer face about and the middle-division of Pikes face to the Front and Muskettiers to face to the outward Angles of Front and Reer and let them give fire to the four Angles and fall in the Reer of themselves or fire altogether and the Pikes may after charge on to Front Reer and both Flanks being all faced unto those places and retreating again to their places they may if they please fire a second time and charge on in manner as before Now if the Leader have a desire to fire to Front and Reer let him face them thither and let them fire on the ground they stand and fall in the Reer of themselves the Pikes after charging on and retreating again into their places face them all to their Leader and open the Front and Reer-divisions from the midst to sufficient distance and let the Ensign display his Colours Reducement Reer-divisions of Pikes advance forward unto the left into the Front outmost division of Pikes face inward march and close your divisions Muskettiers in the Reer move and close Ranks forward to Order Files double your depth to the right every man falling behind his Bringer-up reduceth them Then let the Muskettiers poyse their Muskets if they be neer the place of lodging the Colours and to move unto that place making a guard their Muskets being rested after which the Colours being furled up and the Pikes advanced the Leader being on the right hand and the Lieutenant on the left and the Ensign in the midst the Serjeants following them and
before his Leader Command Double your Ranks to the left into the Reer face all about Command Double your Files to the right advancing Reducement Files rank to the right into the Front Ranks file eight to the right reduceth them Next followeth to make every man File-leader according unto dignity with their Reducement Command Bringers-up double your Front to the left Command Double your Files to the right intire advancing Command Half-files double your Front to the left Command Double your Files to the left intire advancing every man placing himself before his Leader Command Bringers-up double your Front to the right Command Files double your depth to the right Command Ranks to the right double Command Front-half-files double your Reer to the right following your Leaders Command Double your Files to the right by division every man placing himself before his Leader and his Bringer-up Command Front-half-files double your Reer to the left following your Leaders Command Double your Files to the left by division every man placing himself before his Leader and his Bringer-up Command The two first and the two last Ranks double the four middlemost Ranks to the right following your Leaders and your Bringers-up Direction The four middle-ranks stand the File-leaders are to turn off to the right and the next Rank is to follow them until the Leaders Rank even with the Bringers-up of the Front-half-files and at the same instant of time the Bringers-up are to move forward to the right the rest following until the Bringers-up range even abrest with the Half-file-leaders to your Leader Command Files double your depth to the left Reducement Half-files double your Front to the right Bringers-up double your Front to the right Then divide every four Files distinctly apart making five divisions Files double to the right and left inward in each division and close Files into the midst to Order Files double to the left intire advancing reduceth CHAP. XXVIII Eight several Counter-marches with their Reducement Command FIles to the right-hand Counter-march maintaining ground Command Ranks to the left-hand Counter-march losing ground Command Counter-march your Front and Reer-half-files into the midst of Ranks Direction Half-files face about and turn off to the left and Front-half-files turn off to the right until they meet the Front and Reer into the midst to your Leader Command Right and Left-half-ranks Counter-march into the midst of Files Direction Face outward Right-half-ranks turn off to the right Left-half-ranks turn off to the left to your Leader Command Files to the left-hand Counter-march losing ground by following your Leaders Command Ranks to the right-hand Counter-march maintaining ground Command Counter-march your Front and Reer-half-files to the right and left following the Half-file-leaders and the Bringers-up of the Front-half-files Direction Half-files face about the Bringers-up of the Front-half-files and the Half-file-leaders are to begin the motion the rest are to follow until they have gained so much ground beyond the Front and Reer as they formerly possest in the midst to your Leader and close your divisions Command Counter-march your Half-ranks to the right and left by following of the inmost files Direction Face outward the inmost Files are to begin the motion moving forward the rest following until they have gained so much ground beyond the Flanks as they formerly possessed in the inmost Files to your Leader and close Files into the midst to Order they are reduced CHAP. XXIX Ten several Wheelings with their Reducement Command WHeel the Battail off by Division from the Front Command Wheel the body off by Division from the right Flank face to the right Command VVheel the Battail off by Division from the Reer face about Command VVheel the body off by division from the left Flank Command VVheel your Battail inward to the Reer from the Front Close Ranks forward to close Orderr and Files into the midst to close Order Direction Open outward to convenient distance to your Leader Command VVheel your battail inward to the left Flank from the right Direction Face to the right and open to convenient distance to your Leader Command VVheel your battail inward to the Front from the Reer Direction Face about and open to convenient distance and wheel inward into the Front Command VVheel your battail inward to the right Flank from the left Command VVheel the outward Angles of Front and Reer to the right and left about into the Center face to the outward Angles Command VVheel the inward Angles to the right and left about from the Center CHAP. XXX Plain Firings and Figures of Battail IN the next place I will proceed to some plain firings wherefore first double your Ranks forward to the left by Half-files and fire even with the Front of Pikes and fall in the Reer of themselves then fire and fall between the Pikes then move forth after this manner one Rank drawn forth to the right and another to the left fire and fall in again as before Then command the first Rank to stand and the rest to move forth both Pikes and Muskettiers to the right and left until each Rank be cleer of other then let the Pikes charge and Muskettiers give fire altogether and after fall behind each Rank of Pikes then let the Pikes charge at Foot and let the Muskettiers give fire over their heads after let Pikes port and let the Muskettiers come forth again and give fire by extraduction and after command the Ranks to face to the right and left inward and to close their Divisions then let the Muskettiers move forth again into their first places and Flank their Pikes And having passed over some half a dozen firings after this manner then command Half-files to double their depth to the right intire and proceed to Figures of battail and firings which comes in the next place to view for a Leader to spend his time further in the exercising of his Souldiers therein Command Half-files face to the Reer and march six paces to your Leader Half-files of Muskettiers of each Division face to the Reer Muskettiers march all until you be cleer of the Pikes to your Leader The two middlemost Ranks of Pikes of each division face outward and move cleer of the Muskettiers to your Leader The first and third Ranks of Pikes in the body face to the Reer and close Ranks into the midst to Order the following Figure will appear The first firing Let the Front-divisions give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves the rest of the Divisions moving up into their ground and fire wheeling off to the right and left having all fired over once they will be reduced The second firing Let the four inmost Divisions of Muskettiers face outward and move cleer of the Pikes then face to their Leader then let the eight last divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers face to the Reer then let them fire to Front and Reer falling in the Reer of themselves there being intervals for the Pikes to move forward upon
Hereupon it is to be supposed the Relievers are advanced toward the Main-Guard where the relieved are to be drawn off and to make a stand expecting till the Relievers shall come up which being done the relieved then are to troop homeward and after that they have attended and seen their Colours lodged they are to disband and not before And now further to satisfie the expectation of the Lovers of the Art Military it shall not seem unseasonable here to declare somewhat concerning the manner of Field-Watches or Vigils de Campe denoted unto us by the Expert and Ancients under these three Notions The first are Castra temporanea aleager ad placitum pitcht onely for the present and may perhaps alter and change it's Station in a day or an hour according to the pleasure and judgement of the General and Commanders in chief Secondly there are Castra a select or constant Camp so called because of their intentions of continuance in the besieging of a Castle or Town c. until they shall have taken the same or by some other necessity or further advantage forced to raise their Seige The third and last called Castra Such a Camp as is pitcht before or neer some Rivers side to oppose and frustrate the Incursions of the Enemy who otherwise might this way break in for the infesting or taking of a Country Now concerning such Watches or Guards which shall relate unto several Camps both in regard of the several and most convenient places for securing the Camps by Sentinels and Perdues they are to be primarily appointed and ordered according to the discretion command of the Masters of the Field whether Generals or Majors of Brigades afterwards the Serjeant-Majors Captains of Regiments according to their commands and relieved order are to design them for the aforesaid place To enlarge the several Arguments and Disputes that might further arise in-point of Field-duties relating thereunto would be too tedious and to little purpose in regard that whosoever shall but diligently observe what hath before been set down concerning the duty of Watches in Garrison and Fortresses may sufficiently be able to apprehend and perform all manner of Duties that shall concern this Field-service provided that he be careful to adhere to the directions of the Field-Officers in all points and diligent to observe the manner of managing of all things according to their instructions And therefore to avoid prolixity and fruitless disputes I refer the Reader to what hath been above related CHAP. XXV The ordering of a private Company unto a Funeral-occasion WHen any Commander or Souldier of worth shall be deceased a private Captain that would shew respect and honour by marching along with his Company attending the Corps to the place of burial must order his Souldiers after this manner They being summon'd by beat of the Drum to meet at their usual place of Rendezvous they may be drawn up according to the usual manner having a Van-guard Battail and Reer-guard being thus ordered and each of the Souldiers having either in his Hat a black Feather or Ribbin the Captain may draw them off and order them to their Long-march moving them away in an orderly manner unto the place of him that is deceased and there make Alt. After which he may command the Muskettiers in the Van to open to the right and left outward to such convenient distance as the Pikes may move up between them and take possession of their first ground and those Muskettiers may face about and move down cleer of the Pikes and after close their Files inward to Order and face to their Leader Now being in two Divisions let them so continue with their Arms ordered until such time as they shall perceive the Corps to be brought forth into the Street then the Captain may face them all about and move them some three Pikes length before the Corps after which he may command his Muskettiers to perform their Funeral-Posture which is to have their Muskets under their left Arm with the But-end upward their Rests likewise on that side trailing After which the Pikes are to face again to their first Front and to lay the narrow end of their Pikes down upon the ground after facing about to the left and bringing up the But-end of their Pikes on their right side conforming themselves with the Muskettiers in their Funeral-Postures In the next place the Ensign strips his Colours off from the Staff and ties them about his right Wast putting a black Ribbon towards the very end of his Staff he after faceth to the Body of Pikes standing in the Reer of them and trailing his Staff in the same Posture Next followeth the Captain having in his hand a Half-pike or Leading-staff conforming himself likewise to his Funeral-Posture Thus being all ready to march and rightly faced toward that place where the Corps are to be interred are after this manner following to lead and to bring up The first Division of Muskettiers which was the Reer-guard is led by the Lieutenant the next Division of Muskettiers that was formerly the Van-guard is led by the second Serjeant the Body of Pikes is led by the eldest Serjeant he trailing a Half-pike upon the head of them the Ensign bringing it up and the Captain twelve foot short of him bringing up the Reer of the whole Company And after him the Ministers marching just before the Coffin in the Reer next unto it the neerest kindred and after them those that are invited to the Funeral Having thus stated the manner and order of the Military Part with all others belonging thereunto for any ordinary Funeral-occasion I shall in the next place proceed to shew their Order upon the March and how each Arms ought to be disposed before the Corps enter into the Church with the rest of the Train All persons being ordered as before expressed the Drums being covered with Black-bays and placed betwixt the second and third Ranks in each Division and all being ready to move the Drums may begin to beat their Funeral-March and the Lieutenant leading them away with the But-end of his Pattison upward and comported the rest following and marching in a leasurable and slow way along together until they come within a hundred foot of the Church-door or place where the Corps are to be interred there making Alt. After which let the Muskettiers in their Ranks File to the right and left not advancing ground and face in opposition making a Guard for the rest to pass through and resting their Muskets or putting the But-end thereof to the ground with the Barrel towards them which is a conformity to the Pikes being ordered In the mean time let the Pikes advance their Arms and immediately after move forward betwixt the Guard of Muskettiers and let their Ranks afterward file to the right and left making also a Guard their Pikes being ordered and they as the rest facing in opposition Then let the Captain who brings up the
content themselves to learn of such who are of higher abilities And on this account the Art would be more highly prized and not only bring more Honour to the Professors thereof but even the Learners themselves would become more capable of good preferment abroad and our Military Gardens and Meetings would much more flourish and be beheld with more delight and satisfaction not only by the Souldiers themselves but all other Spectators whatsoever I do not desire to be mis-understood by this Discourse that herein I should go about to startle any ingenious Souldier or disswade him from any thing that shall be new to his Invention which is proper I shall rather incourage him and be glad to understand of him what Reason he can give for every thing he doth and of what use it may be unto the Publick and then it will admit of no controulment But vacant seasons may be used for variety and delight in making experiments of wit fancy and ingenuity provided they do not dwell too much upon them But the substantial and solid things of War are above all things to be precisely regarded without which an Army though of the most valiant men will be exposed to the greatest dangers and fall into a most certain Ruine I should here humbly offer my Advice to the most eminent Meetings in the Artillery and Military Gardens in the latter of which I was heretofore a Member and still am a true Lover and honourer both of that and all other places like unto it My advice is that on their days of publick Meeting they would have chiefly before their eyes the main Grounds and Principles in the Art of War which through permission I am perswaded would cause greater appearances and make their Ground to flourish more then ever to the Honour of our Nation and the increase of experienced and able Commanders if ever this Commonwealth should stand in further need of them And because the Ambition of some doth strive to aim at higher things in their thoughts then what is practised abroad I have thought good to set down the plain way of exercising a Company as usually it is practised in the Army our Companies consisting of one hundred men two parts being Muskettiers and a third Pikes the depth of our Files being always six deep in the Armies of England Scotland and Ireland the Company being drawn up abrest the Exercise is as followeth they standing in their closest Order in Ranks and Files First Command Open Ranks backwards to Order Command Files open to the Right to your Order Command Ranks open backward to open Order Command Files open to the left to open Order Command Ranks open backward to double Distance Command Files open outward to double Distance Command Ranks close forward to open Order Command Files close inward to open Order Command Ranks close forward to your Order Command Files close to the left to your Order Command Face to the Right as you were Command Face to the Left as you were Command Face to the Rear as you were Command Face to the Front as you were Command Face to the Center as you were Command Face to Front and Rear as you were Command Face to the Right and Left outward as you were Command Face to the Right and left inward as you were Ranks and Files being at Open Order Ranks to the Right Double Files to the Left Double Ranks to the Left Double Files to the Right Double Command Half-files Double your Front to the Right Command Files Double your Depth to the Left Command Half-files Double your Front to the Left Command Files Double your Depth to the Right Command Bringers-up Double your Front to the Right Command Files Double your Depth to the Left every man falling behind his Bringer-up Direction Bringers-up Double your Front to the Left Files double your Depth to the Right every man placing himself behind his Bringer-up Command Double your Ranks to the Right or Left intire as you were Command Half-files double your Front to the Right intire Command Right Half-ranks double intire the depth of your left Half-ranks Command Half-files double your Front to the Left intire Command Left Half-ranks double intire the depth of your Right half-ranks Direction The same may be done to the Rear Command Files to the Right hand Counter-march and maintain Ground Command Files to the Left hand Counter-march and maintain Ground Direction The same may be done in Ranks as also both in Ranks and Files either maintaining gaining or losing ground of these in the Army we use but little Command Wheel your Battle to the Right Command Wheel your Battle to the Left Command Wheel your Battle to the Right about Command Wheel your Battle to the Left about Command Files file to the Right or Left Command Ranks file to the Right and Left First The Muskettiers being on both flanks first firing let the first Rank stand and fire every Rank passing through before his Leader after standing and fire till all have fired over twice or four times the Pikes moving slowly in the mean time they will upon a stand be reduced as at first Secondly Bring all the Muskettiers before the Pikes then let them fire in the Front falling off and flank the Pikes upon the Right Fire upon the right flank the body marching and the Muskettiers to pass on the left flank after the Pikes may charge to the right the body moving again Let the Muskettiers fire on the left flank and fall in the Reer of the Pikes who may after charge their Pikes on the left The body marching the Muskettiers may fire in the Reer and fall off to the Right and Left and flank the Pikes as at the first the body facing about the Pikes may charge to the Reer We usually fire in the Front sometimes two ranks standing the rest passing by turns then standing after they have gained the ground before their Leaders do fire till all have fired twice other times three Ranks fire together the first kneels down the second stoops the third stands upright then falling down the three last Ranks pass through and do the like This being done twice reduces them all as at first the Pikes moving slowly this being the usual way of exercising our Companies in the Army Rich. Elton Lieut. Col. FINIS A SUPPLEMENT TO THE COMPLEAT BODY OF The Art Military THE PUBLISHER To the READER HAving now an opportunity of reprinting the preceding Treatise of Military Discipline written by Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Elton containing the Discipline and Exercise of Foot-companies Regiments Brigades c. I thought it not convenient to let the Infantry March into the Field of the World any more without the Cavalry nor they without their Train of Artillery I have therefore endeavoured to make good the words of the Title namely The Compleat Body of the Art Military by adding the following Treatises wherefore to the Infantry here is added Cavalry and Instructions for them both in Posture
And always the Captain ought to march his company after this manner all abrest provided he have ground sufficient for the same And being far more graceful so to do then to march them stragling upon a long march for it doth represent in some kind the manner of marching of a Regiment and at such times the Serjeants are to march upon the Angles as is before described moving to and again sometimes upon the Flanks and causing the Souldiers to keep their Distance of order in File and open order in Rank and to march all even abrest and after to return again unto their places CHAP. XXIV Before I come to make description of a Body I shall shew some further Reasons of the Serjeants places of lesser Companies with the placing of the Drums IT happens many times some Companies falls not out so large as is before set forth and that they have but three Serjeants and therefore it would be known when that they have but one Division of Muskettiers in the Van two Divisions of Pikes and one Division of Muskettiers in the Reer which is the Reer-Guard where then the placing of these three Serjeants and three Drums shall be upon their long March and where to be marching all abrest To which I answer in the first place the youngest Serjeant is always to attend the Captain and having no Division to lead he is to be upon the right Angle of the Front there expecting his Captains pleasure and commands and the second Serjeant is to lead the second Division of Pikes and the eldest Serjeant to lead the last Division of Muskettiers or the Reer-Guard here are their places upon the long march But when they are drawn up and so march even abrest the youngest Serjeants place as is before exprest is to march upon the right Angle in the Front and the eldest upon the left the second Serjeant is to march in the right Angle in the Reer They having their places thus stated are to move sometimes up and down upon the Flanks in their marching causing the Souldiers to keep their due distance of order in File and open order in Rank and to march even abrest and after they may return to their places again But here methinks I meet with some Objector by the way who saith the eldest is much wronged herein for that it is his proper place to be upon the right that when Forlorns are drawn off against an Enemy he is there ready first to lead them on claiming it as his due to give the first on set and therefore far more honour for him to be on the right then on the left and the eldest Serjeant rather placed on the left then on the right As for the second Serjeants place 't is fit he should be in the Reer to assist the Lieutenant there he having none but he to help him if any occasion should require To which I answer that it is the youngest Serjeants place to be upon the right Angle either upon a Stand or upon a March and not the eldest for these reasons following The youngest Serjeant is not placed there for any honour that it is to him for he hath no Division at all to lead upon the March except the Company be very great and if so he is placed so near the Captain to be serviceable to him to carry and convey his pleasures unto all the rest of the Officers As for the leading of the Van-guard upon the March the Captain takes that place unto himself and it is far more honour unto the eldest Serjeant to be a Leader of the Reer-guard or entirely the left Flank then to lead a Subdivision of Pikes And besides that it is properest for his place to be upon the left when they are all drawn up upon a brest for these two reasons as first he is thereupon in readiness to take his due place upon the sub-dividing on the long March and again upon a Stand when they are all drawn up and ready to engage against an Enemy and the Forlorns to be drawn forth equally alike from both Flanks he is then as ready in the Front to execute his Captains Commands the youngest Serjeant being likewise sent to be something helpful to him and attending after for further order from his Captain to send him relief by the second Serjeant as occasion shall require So that in my judgement take it either upon the long March or otherwise when drawn all up even abrest all things are so stated for his due honour and place that he hath no reason to complain nor any of the rest having all their due and proper places which doth belong unto them As for the placing of the Drums upon the long March every Division ought to have his Drums fall between such Ranks as before exprest excepting only the second Division of Pikes which may be excused when they are to beat a March as being all drawn up they are to fall in two to beat even abrest upon the right and one upon the left as is before set down If it should chance further in a Company to be so small to have but three Divisions that is to say one Division of Muskettiers in the Van the Body of Pikes in the midst and another Division of Muskettiers to bring up the Reer-guard and having but two Serjeants and two Drums the youngest Serjeants place will be as before mentioned upon the right in the Front and the eldest Serjeant upon the left and to take his place to lead the last Division of Muskettiers upon the long March and the first Drum to beat in the first Division of Muskettiers and the second to beat and to march along amongst the Pikes I have a little more enlarged my self in this Discourse of placing of the Serjeants then I at first intended but meeting many times with several Souldiers desiring satisfaction in every one of these particulars I shall perhaps undergo here the hard censure of some for this my tedious Discourse but such others which desire to be knowing herein I hope they will have a more favourable opinion of my good meaning unto them And here I shall conclude for the present concerning the particular places of the Serjeants in every private Company and now supposing as by order from the Captain the Serjeants have brought up their Divisions standing again as before expecting something more to be spoken unto them they silently stand to hear what follows CHAP. XXIV A Description of a Body of men throughout with all their several parts and kinds IT is very necessary knowledge to every particular Souldier to be acquainted throughout with all the parts of a Body of men drawn up with their several extents and bounds and with the true understanding of the same Where first note the Description of Files a File is a Sequence of men consisting of Leaders and Followers from the first unto the last the joyning of Files flank-wise maketh Ranks and is the compleating up of a
half-Ranks double entire the Depth of your left-Flank Command Half-files double your Front to the left entire Direction Half-files face to the left and march clear of the standing part after face to your Leader march up and even the Front Reducement Left half-Ranks double entire the Depth of your right Flank Command Half-files double your Front inward entire Direction Front half-Files face outwards and march clear of the standing part facing after to their Leader the Reer half-Files may move up and double the Front Reducement The inmost Files double entire the Depth of the outmost Files and after close These are as I conceive the properest and plainest Doublings for any Souldier to use in his Exercise out of which he may chuse as many of them as he shall think fit being all entire Doublings to the Front Next follows to shew some Divisional Doublings to the same CHAP. XXXI Divisional Doublings to the Front Command DOuble your Ranks to the right and left by Division Direction Every even Rank from the Front face outwards march forth and double the odd Reducement The outmost Files upon each Flank that moved face inward march in and strengthen the Body Command Double your Ranks to the right and left by Division every man placing himself on the outside of his right and left-hand-man Direction Every even Rank from the Front move forth to the right and left outward and double the odd placing your selves on the outside of your right and left-hand-men Reducement The outmost Files upon each Flank that moved double the inmost Files to the right and left inward every man placing himself on the inside of his right and left-hand-man Command Half-files double your Front by Division Direction Half-files face outwards and march clear of the standing part after face to your Leader move up even abrest and double the Front Reducement The outmost Files upon each Flank that moved double entire the Depth of the inmost Files CHAP. XXXII Entire Doublings to the Front by Wheelings Command WHeel off your Reer half-Files and double your Front to the right entire Direction Half-Files face about and wheel about to the left march up and even the Front Reducement Wheel off your right half-Ranks and double your left Flank entire to the left Face outward and right half-Ranks wheel about to the right moving forward until they range even abrest with their left Flank to your Leader Command Wheel off your Reer half-Files and double your Front to the left entire Direction Half-files face to the Reer and wheele about to the right move forwards and double the Front to the left entire Reducement Wheele off your left half-Ranks and double your right Flank entire to the right Face outward left half-Ranks wheel about to the left and move forward until you have doubled the right Flank to your Leader Command Wheel your Reer half-files inward into the midst and double your Front inward entire Direction Front-half-files open from the midst until you be clear of the standing part then face to your Leader half-files face about and wheel your Reer inward into the midst move forward until you have doubled the Front Reducem nt The inmost Files that doubled The inmost Files must have distance from the outmost Files before they can begin to wheel wheel about to the right and left outward and double entire the Depth of the outmost Files after face to your Leader and close Files to the midst to Order CHAP. XXXIII A divisional Doubling to the Front by Wheeling Command WHeel off your Reer half-files and double your Front by Division Direction Half-files face to the Reer and wheel about to the right and left move forward and double the Front Reducement The outmost Files upon each Flank that doubled wheel about to the right and left inward Here likewise must convenient distance be given from the midst for the outmost Files to wheel about and double entire the Depth of the inmost Files face to your Leader Here endeth the Doublings that properly belong unto the Front according to the practise of these times whether they be Entire or Divisional and of their several kinds as first take them of themselves in the plain way after by Counter-marches as by the Bringers-up Lastly by Wheelings and that first by Entire after by Divisional But here by the way no Leader is tied to do all these Doublings in his Exercise at once but to use part of them what he shall think fit Yet again if he desire to be throughly knowing in all the Doublings of Front Reer and both Flanks and to shew them unto the Souldiers he may then begin first to go over all the words of Command for Doublings to the Front informing his Souldiers of their several uses for service at one time or another and then proceed to shew the use of the several Doublings to the Flanks and next to the Reer which in this place I hold needless to give words of Command for the Doubling thereunto in regard the former words of Command used to the Front with small alteration will serve to the Reer CHAP. XXXIV Entire Doublings to the right Flank Command FIles to the right double Direction Every even file from the right by a half-turning at three steps double the odd Reducement Ranks to the left double or Files as you were Command Files to the right and left double outward Direction Every even File from the Flanks move and by three steps double the odd Reducement Ranks to the right and left double inward or Files as you were Command Double your Files to the right and left inward Direction Every even File from the midst move inward side-wise and double the odd Reducement Ranks to the right and left double outward or Files as you were Command Double your Files to the right advancing Direction Every even File from the right move forwards and by three steps double the odd Reducement Ranks to the right double Command Double your Files outward advancing Direction Every even File from the Flanks move forwards and by three steps double the odd Reducement Ranks to the right and left double outward Command Double your Files to the right and left inward advancing Direction Every even File from the midst move forwards and by three steps double the odd Reducement Ranks to the right and left double inward Command Left half-Ranks double your right Flank to the right Direction Face all to the right and left half-Ranks move forwards to the right and double your right Flank to your Leader Reducement Double your Ranks to the Left entire or left half-Ranks march forth into your places Command Left half-Ranks double your right Flank to the left Direction Face all to the right and left half-Ranks move forwards to the left until you have doubled the right Flank to your Leader Reducement Double your Ranks to the right entire to the Reer face to the Reer and the even Ranks from the Reer move forth and
whereby they may fire upon the Enemy as he marcheth by Or approaching against any Fort or place of danger they may daringly make a large Front and firing upon them after filing to the right or left making large Intervals they much preserve themselves from the danger of the great shot proceeding from the Enemy Again Ranks ranking either in equal or unequal parts is of singular good use upon a narrow passage where they can march but two three four or six abrest the Commander notwithstanding they marched before twenty abrest may by it bring them to such small numbers whereby he may much preserve them in time of imminent danger and peril To dwell no longer upon this discourse Inversion and Conversion many times require larger distance then any other of the Motions as sometimes double distance or twice double distance wherefore being so many occasions for the use of them both I hold it requisite for a Leader frequently to practise his Souldiers in them no part of the Art Military affording more commendations to the Souldiers that shall readily and handsomly perform the same Briefly therefore passing over what might be more spoken concerning them I shall in the next place set them all forth in their full view leaving every discreet Souldier to his own liberty to make use of as many of them as he shall think fit and to use them after what manner he pleaseth CHAP. XXXIX The words of Command for Ranks ranking and Files ranking to the Front they being twelve abrest and six deep Command RAnks rank to the right 2 3 4 or 6 as occasion shall require Direction If to two the two outmost men upon the right are to move away the next two to fall behind them until the first Rank hath made six Ranks and the rest doing the like until the first six Ranks are become thirty six Reducement Ranks rank twelve to the left the first Rank is to stand the rest are to move away two and two until they have made up twelve in one Rank and the rest are to do the like until they are made up all again as at first or command Ranks rank as you were The same rule is to be observed if you rank to any of the other numbers to divide them accordingly Command Ranks rank three to the left Direction The first three men upon the left are to move away the next three are to fall in behind toward the left until the first Rank have made four Ranks the rest are to do the like until they have made them 24 Ranks Reducement Ranks rank 12 to the right the first Rank is to stand the rest are to move forth by three and three until they have made twelve in one Rank the rest are to do the like until they be as they were at first or Ranks rank as you were Command Ranks rank three to the right and left outward Direction The three outmost men of the first Rank upon the right and the three outmost men upon the left move away the next three of each hand in the same Rank are to do the like and every Rank throughout to follow successively dividing themselves three to one hand and three to the other until they have made twelve Ranks in each Division and falling in the Reer successively to each hand of the first Rank Reducement Ranks rank 12 to the right and left inward or Ranks rank as you were Command Ranks rank intire to the right into the Front Direction The first Rank stand the rest face to the right and move away every Rank placing it self successively to the right until they stand all in one Rank in the Front Reducement Ranks rank 12 to the left the first 12 men upon the left are to stand the next 12 are to face to the left and to move and fall in the Reer of the first and so consequently all the rest or else to command Ranks rank as you were Command Ranks rank intire to the left into the Front Direction The first Rank stand the rest face to the left and move until they have successively placed themselves and made one intire Rank into the Front Reducement Ranks rank 12 to the right the 12 outmost men upon the right stand the rest face to the right and move making 12 in every Rank or Ranks rank as you were Command Ranks rank outward into the Front Direction The first Rank stand the rest face outward and place your selves successively into the Front facing after to your Leader Reducement Ranks rank 12 to the right and left inward the 12 middlemost men stand the rest face inward and move ranking 12 successively behind the first Rank and after facing to their Leader and to even their Ranks Command Ranks rank inward into the Front Direction The first Rank is to move away to the right and left the next Rank moving up into his ground doing the like and consequently so all the rest until the last Rank be come up intire into the Front Reducement Ranks rank six to the right and left outward the first six upon the right and the first six upon the left stand the rest move outward falling in the Reer of the first Rank ranking six to the right and left and after closing their Divisions Command Files rank to the right into the Front Direction Files open to the left to your double Distance and Ranks close forwards to Close Order and move up to the right into the Front Reducement Ranks file six to the left the first six upon the left are to fall into a File the rest doing the like until you have made 12 Files as at first or command Ranks file as you were Command Files rank to the left into the Front Direction Every man is to move forward to the left into the Front beginning from the Leader of the Files and moving up successively making one intire Rank Reducement Ranks file six to the right the six outmost men upon the right are to fall into a File the rest in like manner are to do the same or Ranks file as you were Command Files rank outward into the Front Direction Right and left Half-ranks close into the midst to Close order after move to the right and left outward until they be come up into the Front Reducement Ranks file six to the right and left inward the middle men are to stand the rest are to move side-ways to the right and left inward and to file as before commanded or Ranks file as you were Command Files rank inward into the Front Direction Right and left Half-ranks open from the midst to twice double distance and Files move up to the right and left entire into the Front Reducement Ranks file six to the right and left outward the outmost men stand the rest move to the right and left outward filing according to Command and after to close their Divisions CHAP. XL. Ranks ranking into the Front by Countermarch Command RAnks rank entire into
the Front every man placing himself on the outside of his right-hand-man Direction The first Rank stand the rest move away to the right successively into the Front placing themselves on the outside of their right-hand-men Reducement Ranks rank twelve to the left every man placing himself on the outside of his left-hand-man the first twelve upon the left are to stand the rest are successively to fall in behind the first Rank placing themselves as before commanded or Ranks rank as you were placing your selves on the outside of your left-hand-men Command Ranks rank entire to the left into the Front every man placing himself on the outside of his left-hand-man Direction The first Rank stand the rest move away to the left successively placing your selves on the outside of your left-hand-men Reducement Ranks rank twelve to the right every man placing himself on the outside of his right-hand-man or Ranks rank as you were every man placing himself as before Command Ranks rank outward into the Front every man placing himself on the outside of his right and left-hand-man Direction The first Rank stand the rest move forth to the right and left and successively to fall into the Front every man placing himself on the outside of his right and left-hand-man Reducement Ranks rank twelve to the right and left inward every man placing himself on the inside of his right and left-hand-man the twelve middle men are to stand the rest are to move to the right and left inward six to one hand and six to the other making twelve in Rank and falling behind the first Command Ranks rank inward into the Front every man placing himself on the inside of his right and left-hand-man Direction Right and left Half-ranks open from the midst to twice double Distance the first Rank of each Division is to stand the rest are to move successively to the right and left inward into the Front making one entire rank Reducement Ranks rank six to the right and left outward every man placing himself on the outside of his right and left-hand-man the first Rank of each Division stand the rest move to the right and left outward ranking as before commanded falling successively in the reer of the first rank and after to close their Divisions CHAP. XLI Files ranking into the Front by Wheeling Command FIles rank to the right into the Front by wheeling The Files are to be at double distance and ranks at close a Order Direction Face to the right and wheel to the left until they stand even abrest in one entire Rank in the Front Reducement Ranks file six to the left by wheeling face all to the Reer and the first six men then upon the right wheel to the right and so consequently all the rest wheeling by fixes to the right their Leaders that were before being the hinges of the motion and after face to their Leader Command Files rank to the left into the Front by wheeling Direction Face to the left and wheel to the right until they make all one entire Rank in the Front Reducement Ranks file six to the right by wheeling face to the Reer and the six outmost men upon the left wheel to the left the next six are to follow and consequently all the rest until they have made twelve Files as at the first and after face to their Leader Command Files rank outward into the Front by wheeling Direction Right and left half-Ranks close into the midst to Order and face outward wheeling to the right and left until you are one entire Rank Reducement Rank file six to the right and left inward by wheeling face about to the right and the twelve middlemost men are to wheel to the right and left inward and the rest are likewise to do the same by Sixes until they have made themselves into twelve Files after face to their Leader Command Files rank inward into the Front by wheeling Direction Right and left half-Ranks open from the midst to twice double distance after face inward and wheel to the right and left inward until they are all in one Rank in the Front Reducement Ranks File six to the right and left outward face all about and wheel by Sixes to the right and left the Leaders being the hinges of the Motion after face to the Front and right and left half-Ranks may close into the midst again to their double distance Here endeth the ranking into the Front with all their several kinds the Reer challengeth next place but I shall spare the pains and labour to set them down in regard that he who hath a mind to rank his men thither may if he please make use of all the former words of Command for the performance of the same facing them upon every Command to the Reer I come therefore in the next place only to mention the ranking into the midst by Ranks and Files which may likewise be performed by the former words of Command provided they have convenient distance and be faced to the midst and after the Command is executed to face them to their first Front Yet there is remaining a ranking unto all these places at once for the performance of which observe these few words of Command following CHAP. XLII Ranks ranking or Files ranking at one and the same time into Front Reer and Midst They are to stand at Order in Rank and File Command RAnks rank outward into the Front Reer and Midst Direction The two last Ranks are to face about the first Rank and the last Rank and the third Rank from the Front are to stand the other three are to move forth six to the right and six to the left until they have ranked unto all these places after face to the Front and the last Rank moving f r ward to open Order Reducement Ranks rank twelve to the right and left inward the last Rank face about the twelve middlemost men of each Rank are to stand the six outmost men of each Rank are to face inward to move and fall into the right and left behind the middlemost men after the two last Ranks are to face to the Front Command Ranks rank inward into the Front Reer and Midst Direction Right and left half-Ranks open from the midst to twice double distance the two last Ranks face to the Reer the first and last Rank and the third Rank from the Front stand the rest move to the right and left inward ranking into Front Reer and Midst after that the last Rank is to face to the Front and to close forward to open Order Reducement Ranks rank six to the right and left outward the last Rank face about and the outmost six men upon each Rank are to stand and the middle men are to divide themselves six to the right hand and six to the left and to fall in the Reer of the first last and middle Rank after the last Rank is to face to the Front and then to close Ranks and Files
lie under the censure my self of mispending time I come therefore briefly in the next place to treat of Wheelings being a subject more profitable for the intelligible Souldier CHAP. LV. Of Wheelings with their several uses HAving proceeded thus far in shewing all the several sorts and kinds of Military Motions it will now in the next place be expected that I speak somewhat of Wheelings and as formerly so now to set before the Souldier their several kinds and uses Wherefore take notice of two sorts Wheelings Angular and VVheelings on the Center which latter is commonly called the Prince of Orange his VVheeling being acted or performed by the Souldier two several ways that is to say Intire or Divisional Intire VVheelings to the Angles are when the Souldiers turn their Aspects from the Front proper to either of the Flanks or Reer whereby they may gain the VVind or Sun or some like advantage bringing their best Souldiers thither for to encounter an Enemy For the better performance of this Motion it will be convenient to close Ranks and Files into the midst to order and to keep their due distance both in Rank and File observing in their Ranks their right and left-hand-men following their Leaders always conforming themselves in their Motion to the most commendable Posture which is Pikes advanced Muskets poysed Wheeling the Battail on the Center is when they are so straightened with ground that they have not room to wheel to the right or left as in the former which gaineth as much more ground before the Front as formerly they stood on This Wheeling brings their best Souldiers to either of the Flanks or Reer I could wish that this Wheeling were more often practised amongst us for by it the Souldiers are better kept together in their Motion being not so apt to flie out as in the former Divisional Wheelings provided they have sufficient number of men are of singular good use to encounter several Enemies at one and the same time which the Front of our Battalia bringing our best Souldiers for to skirmish with them It is likewise useful to bring either Arms into Front Reer or both the Flanks for suppose the Muskettiers to be upon the Flanks and fearing a desperate charge of the Horse to fall upon them by a Division of Wheeling the Pikes are thither brought to receive their on-set and in the mean space the Muskettiers have time to recruit their Bandiliers again Much more might be spoken but my intent is not to fill my Book with impertinent discourses knowing what is already spoken is sufficient for the intelligible Souldier CHAP. LVI Intire Wheelings Command WHeel your Battail to the Right Left Right Left about Direction The right or the left-hand-men in the Front are the hinges of these Motions the rest have a greater compass to march then they to bring their Aspects unto the place commanded following their Leaders Command Wheel your Battail on the same ground to the Right Left Right Left about Direction The Left-half-ranks moveth forwards wheeling to the right and the right Half-ranks contrariwise faceth to the left side-wise falling backward moving still unto the place commanded CHAP. LVII Divisional Wheelings Command WHeel the Battail off by Division from the Front Direction Turn off to the right and left Command Wheel the Battail off by Division from the Reer Direction Face to the Reer and turn off to the right and left Command Wheel the Battail inward to the Reer Direction Open from the midst to convenient distance and turn off to the right and left Command Wheel the Battail inward to the Front from the Reer Direction Face to the Reer open from the midst and wheel inward to the Front Command Wheel off the Body by Division from the right Flank Direction Face to the right Command Wheel off the Body by Division from the left Flank Direction Face to the left Command VVheel the Body inward to the left Flank from the right Direction Face to the right and open outward to convenient distance to wheel inward to the left Flank Command Wheel the body inward to the right Flank from the left Direction Face to the left and open outward to convenient distance to wheel inward to the right Flank Command VVheel off your Front and Reer-half-files by Division Direction Half-files face about Front Reer-half-files turn off by Division Command Wheel your Front and Reer-half-files inward to the midst of Ranks Direction Half-files face about and Front and Reer-half-files open outward to convenient distance to wheel inward to the midst of Ranks Command Wheel off your Front and Reer-half-files by Division from the midst of Ranks Direction Front-half-files face about and Front and Reer-half-files wheel off to the right and left by Division Command Wheel Front and Reer-half-files inward both to the Front and Reer from the midst of Ranks Direction Front-half-files face about and Front and Reer-half-files open from the midst to convenient distance and wheel inward into Front and Reer Command Wheel off your right and left Half-ranks by Division Direction Face outward and wheel off to the right and left by Division Command Wheel your right and left Half-ranks inward to the midst of Files Direction Face outward and open to the right and left to convenient distance to wheel inward to the midst of Files Command Wheel off your right and left Half-ranks by Division from the midst of Files Direction Face inward and cause them to move backward to convenient distance to wheel off by Division from the midst of Files Command Wheel your right and left Half-ranks inward to both Flanks from the midst of Files Direction Face inward and open to the right and left to convenient distance to wheel inward to both Flanks Command Wheel the outward Angles to the right and left about to the Center Direction Face to the outward Angles and close Ranks and Files to close order and the Angles on the right turn off to the right the Angles on the left turn off to the left Command Wheel the inward Angles to the right and left about inward from the Center Direction Face to the inward Angles or to the Center and wheel about to the right and left inward from the Center These are all the intire and divisional Wheelings that have hitherto been practised by any according to my best observation there are other Wheelings which may properly be term'd Doublings which I have placed amongst the Doublings where they more properly belong Now if any shall demand of me a reason why I have omitted the Reducements to each particular Command my answer thereunto is easie for as in the Counter-marches so in these they may be reduced by three or four words of Command except a Commander shall of set purpose keep them off from the same to make some experiment After any wheeling is performed face them after to the first Front and command them to even their Ranks and straighten their Files they will
I have here set down words of Command to make every man a File-leader both by Succession and Dignity a Commander is not thereby tyed up but may if he please practise the same upon a whole Company altering but a little some words of Command As for Example we cannot say in a File Double your Ranks there being none until there be some other Files joyned thereunto and therefore if we intend a doubling by a single File we command it to rank two to the right or left which in a Company must be exprest Ranks to the right or left double Thus you see with a little alteration every man is brought up into the Front either by Succession or Dignity whether the Files be even numbers or odd great bodies or small But here by the way I must crave pardon to speak something in commendation of these Doublings in answer to them that account them but Toys to whom I will be so bold as to tell them that it is not for want of ignorance they so slightly esteem of them for were they truly knowing in the Art of Drilling they must of force confess abundance of variety in them affording much delight to him that shall command and great content unto them that are commanded perceiving themselves to be made File-leaders by the skill and worth of their Leaders And besides there may be just cause at one time or other many times to alter the Ranks exchanging the one for the other bringing thereby their best deserving Souldiers into the chiefest places of honour and casting others into their rooms at the discretion of the Commander Therefore I could wish all Leaders whatsoever to be well skill'd and verst in these Doublings the frequent practice whereof will make them more apt in the Exercise of more difficult things in the Art Military To which ingenious study I leave them and in the next place proceed to shew them several Figures of Battail to be performed by single Files consisting of several Depths of men CHAP. LXIV Concerning Figures of Battail to be performed by singles Files with some admonitions to those that shall practice themselves therein THe great plenty and variety of matter that may be performed in the exercising of a single File makes me wonder at the ignorance of those who are famed abroad for able knowing Souldiers who after they have passed over the Postures are at a stand as if there were nothing else to be done with the same But did they truely understand what dishonour and disparagement it is unto them they would not be so idle and backward but set times a part often inuring themselves to the practice thereof going through all the Motions Distances Facings Doublings Counter-marches and Wheelings and may farther if he please with his single File draw forth divers Figures of Battail declaring unto his Souldiers their several reasons and uses The exercising his Company after this manner affords unto them both content and delight and it is likewise very useful in greater Bodies when time of need shall require as shall appear in the sequel of this Book But here me thinks I hear some say Of what use are your Figures seeing for the most part in pitcht Battails or skirmishes in the field they commonly fire one against another in Square or by Forlorns drawn forth from the Body and being relieved return into their places again To whom I answer that in one respect it is true there being scarce any pitcht Battail in the field fought in these latter times but it hath been with even Fronts who are first engaged whether it be by Divisions drawn off by way of Forlorns Wings or Battail they fight with even Fronts or Squadrons as having every five or six Files divided a part from each other having six foot ground interval betwixt the abovesaid number of Files for the conveniency of the Ranks wheeling off after they have fired As concerning such Figures as are framed like the Wedge Saw Sheers or Diamond I must confess there is little or no use at all except it be for delight or for the practice and experience of some young Souldier whereby he may plainly see the custom of the Ancients in setting forth such ancient Figures But to let this pass and to come to the place where we left I shall shew unto the Souldier how needful it is for him to be well skilled in the framing of Figures of Battail and likewise to be throughly acquainted with their several uses Wherefore take this for a general rule that there was never any pitcht Battail but there were Reserves appointed out unto all the parts thereof whereby they might bring off and at time of need relieve each other and if so certainly they must of necessity carry along with them several forms and Figures of Battail according to the discretion of the Major-general or the Commanders in chief whom it shall concern It will therefore be expedient since there is a necessity of Figures of Battail and for the setting apart of Divisions for the relieving of each other for every Commander that will be truely knowing to have always some imprinted in his memory that in time of need he may not be to seek or wanting in them To which purpose I have collected some few putting them to their view being formerly practised by me for the satisfaction of those loving Gentlemen which have private Meetings in London but more especially for those of the Town-ditch unto whom I am especially bound And therefore without more delay I shall lay before them certain Figures of Battail upon all the Depths of Files set forth in the former Table leaving them to their own discretion to make use of what shall best comply and suit to their intended purpose CHAP. LXV Military experiments upon a File six deep branching forth eight several Figures of Battail with their reducement Command FIle rank two to the left 2 1 4 3 6 5 Command The middlemost Rank open to the right and left to open order   2 1   4     3   6 5   Command The last Rank advance forward into the next Rank that is before you and to open from the midst to open order and the first Rank move forward one pac e.     2 1     4 6     5 3 Command The first Rank open outward two foot beyond open order the last Rank close forward to Order   2     1   4   6 5   3 Command Division upon the left face about march all till you be clear each of other face all to the left and march two paces face to your Leader the last Rank open outward to double distance   1   5   3   2   4   6 Command The first Rank open outward to double distance the first man in the Front face about move down and double the middlemost man to the right Rank-wise 5     3   2 1   4     6
charge The third firing Let the Muskettiers double inward File-wise the Pikes keep their Aspects to the four Angles the Musketttiers as before may give Fire to Front Reer and both Flanks and fall in the reer of those Pikes next their right hand and having their Aspects unto the same Angles they may fire there if they please by way of Extraduction and move forth to the left into their places again then let the Pikes face to the Front and Muskettiers upon the wings face about to the right and Muskettiers move forward three paces face to your Leader forms the following Figure The first firing Let the first Division give fire together and wheel off into the Reer the next two Divisions moving forward into their ground giving fire all together and wheeling off to the right and left into the Reer the rest still moving forward until the Reer-division is likewise come up into the Front and gives fire in like manner and falling off to the right into his first place again this firing may be continued twice The second firing Let them give fire all together to the Front after this manner let the middle Divisions move forth to the right and left clear of the Pikes the Reer-division at the same time moving forward upon the outside of those in the Front and give fire and move into their places again making ready whilest the Pikes close forward and charge on five or six paces they may retreat again into their places The third firing Let them face all to the Reer and fire after this manner the first Division kneel down the middle Divisions move forth clear of the Pikes the Front-division marching down into the Reer may give fire all together the outmost Division and the Front-division over the heads of them in the Reer and move in and back again into their places then face to their Leader Command The outmost Division of Muskettiers upon the left in the midst and the three last Divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers face about march all three paces and stand Middle Divisions face to the left and move two paces face all to your Leader Divisions of Pikes face inward Front-division of Muskettiers and the second from the Reer face about and move little and close your Divisions to your Leader The first firing Let the first Division give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then wheel down into the Reer the other Divisions successively moving up into the Front and firing in like manner this firing may be continued twice over The second firing Let the Divisions of Muskettiers double their Ranks to the right and left outward and give fire in single Ranks as they did before until all have fired twice over The third firing Let them double their Files to the right and left inward and the Reer Divisions to face about then let them give fire both to Front and Reer falling first in the Reer of themselves after to wheel off into the midst and facing to Front and Reer the middle Divisions may move forth into their ground firing in like manner the Pikes may after charge whilest the Muskettiers make ready again and after retreating into their places they may continue their firing as formerly the Pikes charging on as before The fourth firing Let each Division of Muskettiers double Ranks outward and fire to Front and Reer and to wheel off in one single rank to the right and left and rank again in the midst and after double inward File-wise and face to their Leader Command The four last Divisions face to the left the four first Divisions face to the right march all until you be clear one of another then face to the right and move until you be even abrest in Front and Reer to your Leader The first firing Let the first Divisions give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves after wheeling off to the right and left into the Reer they at the same time moving forwards into their places firing and falling off in like manner they may perform the same firing to the Reer being thither faced The second firing Let the Reer-Divisions move to the right and left outward clear of the standing part then face to the Front move up even abrest with the Front-Divisions and let every Division fire to the Front and fall in the Reer of themselves the Pikes may charge and after both they and the outmost Divisions may move down into their places Command The inmost Divisions of Pikes advance forward three foot before the Front the rest face inward and move two paces to your Leader Upon this Figure let the first Ranks of the Front-Division fire and fall behind the Front-Divisions of Pikes the next rank may fire and fall behind the first then let the Reer-division move up and give fire and fall in the reer of themselves and after wheel about to the right and left inward moving down clear of the reer and facing again unto their Leader then they may fire a second time in the same way the Front-divisions moving forth and firing first and falling behind the Pikes the reer-divisions coming up into their places firing and falling off again by wheeling about inward until they be clear three foot of the reer then facing to their Leader they will stand as followeth where the Ensign may display his Colours if the Leader pleaseth to march upon it Having now spent much time in these particular Firings it will be convenient to give the Souldiers some respit to refresh their almost tired spirits that they may more chearfully appear upon the next summons of the Drum and therefore we will conclude this Exercise and prepare for the lodging of the Colours Reducement Reer-Divisions of Pikes move straight forward until you range even abrest with the Front-Divisions of Pikes Reer-Divisions of Muskettiers move forward and range inward even abrest with the Front-Divisions Files close into the midst to Order Front and Reer half-files open from the midst to double distance the four inmost Files of Front and Reer half-files face inward and interchange ground then let each two Files of Pikes close outward to Order and after to double their Divisions to the right File-wise and to close Files to the left to Order the two outmost Files of Muskettiers upon the right double Ranks inward and lead them away before the left half-ranks of Muskettiers the next two Files double Ranks outward and lead them away behind the Reer by first facing them about Pikes face to the left and move straight before the Muskettiers and then double the Reer inward entire after Files to double their Depth to the right every man falling behind his Bringer-up they are reduced CHAP. XVIII The Sixth Exercise with four Files eight deep THe Souldiers being met at the place appointed and their Files being drawn forth according to the usual custom the Leaders being to shew each Souldier how to handle and use his Arms and after leads up their Files and
continued in the same manner until all have fired The eighteenth firing The Body still marching let them fire again after the same manner as before The nineteenth firing Let them fire by Ranks wheeling to the right Flank and after to rank to the right so many abrest as they were at first marching along with the Body The twentieth firing Let them fire and fall off on the contrary Flank The one and twentieth firing Let them give fire upon the gathering firing after this manner let the outmost File upon the left face to the left give fire and then face to the Front and stand until the rest be clear and then the next File to face to the left and fire and after face to the Front and then the first File may gather up even abrest upon the left of the second File then the third File may face to the left and give fire after face to the Front and stand until the other two march up on the left and joyn even abrest with him and consequently so all the rest until every File have fired and that they be all moved up even abrest with the Pikes The two and twentieth firing Let them wheel Ranks to the left and fire and after rank four to the left as they were at first and march even abrest with the Pikes The three and twentieth firing Let them fire to the left Flank Ranks inverting and after face to the Front and to rank again as they were The four and twentieth firing Let them fire by Files filing to the right and facing after to the left and fire to the left Flank and then facing to their first Front and to lead up their Files to the left again as they were The five and twentieth firing Let them fire by the outmost Files to the left Flank and lead away by the Leader up between or in the middle of Pikes The six and twentieth firing Let them face outward and fire upon a stand after this manner by Ranks dividing moving forth to the right and left and fire and fall in again into their places the Pikes may after charge on and retreat again into their places The seven and twentieth firing Let them fire by Ranks ranking outward into both the Flanks and moving forward and firing even abrest and ranking again as they were but not returning again into the midst of Pikes from whence they were drawn forth but fire to both Flanks and fall in the Reer of themselves The eight and twentieth firing Let them fire again and fall in the Reer or midst of Pikes The nine and twentieth firing Let the Pikes port and let the Muskettiers fire by Extraduction to both Flanks and return again into their places The thirtieth firing Let the Pikes open to the right and the Muskettiers move up into the midst and the first Rank give fire and slieve up to the right and left and place themselves before the Pikes the next Rank moving forward into his ground and slieving away in the Reer of them until all have fired The one and thirtieth firing Let them close their Divisions and fire and fall in the Reer of themselves The two and thirtieth firing Let them fire by Files ranking outward and filing again as they were The three and thirtieth firing Let them fire by Ranks wheeling outward into both Flanks towards Front and Reer the half-files are to face about the left half-ranks are to wheel to the right the right half-ranks to the left the Front-half-files doing the like may give fire facing after to the right and left inward ranking as they were into the midst of Ranks and facing again to the Flanks The four and thirtieth firing Let them fire two Ranks together and slieving presently away and flank the Pikes The five and thirtieth firing Let them face to Front and Reer and after move outward and facing to the outward Angles of Front and Reer and let them fire and fall in the Reer of themselves The six and thirtieth firing Let them close Files into the midst to Order and fire again and let them fall off to the right and left and flank the Pikes then face all to their first Front they are reduced Having spent all this time in the plain Firings we will in the next place proceed to Firings upon such Figures of Battail as followeth CHAP. XXV Several Figures of Battail Command HAlf-files double your Front to the left Muskettiers double your Pikes entire advancing Files open from the midst to double distance the two outmost Files close outward to open Order and the two inmost Files close outward to the same distance half-files of each Division double the Front inward entire Ranks and Files close to Order the four outmost Files upon each Flank stand the four inmost Files upon the left face to the Reer then let the four inmost Files upon the left and the four inmost Files upon the right move forward three foot before the Front and Reer and then face to the left and move two paces then face all to the Front and move straight in their Divisions both Rank-wise and File-wise they will stand as followeth The first firing Let the Front-division of Muskettiers move forward until they be cleer of the standing part then give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves and then closing their Files into the midst to Order before the Front of Pikes the Reer-division of Muskettiers may move forward unto the Front of the first division of Pikes and there rank outward and give fire altogether and file again as they were and after face about and move down again into their places the two outmost divisions of Muskettiers may next move forward some six paces there stand and rank inward and fire face about and file again as they were and move forward to the Front of their own divisions of Pikes face to their Leader The second firing Let the Front-division of Muskettiers fire and fall off to the right and left and flank their Pikes and at the same time let the Reer-division of Muskettiers move forward as they did before and fire even abrest with the first divisions of Pikes fall in the Reer of themselves then face about and move down into their places and face to their Leader then let the two outmost divisions upon the Flanks give fire on the ground they stand and fall off to the right and left and flank the Pikes they may fire to the Reer in the same manner being thither faced The third firing Let them face to Front Reer and both Flanks and fire the first Rank of each division and fall off to the right and left in the Reer of the Pikes and the last Rank at the same time move forth and give fire and fall into their places again but before they thus fire the Front and Reer-divisions are to be wheeled to the left and then let them fire by * Move forth those Muskettiers into their former places before they
fire by Extraduction Extraduction and the Pikes may after charge on and then retreat back again into their places Command Each division as they are faced to move forward three paces Half-files of each division open to the right until they be cleer of the standing part they will stand as followeth Upon the former Figure being faced to Front Reer and both Flanks fire then according unto all those places the formost Divisions fire first and let them wheel off to the right and left and fall in the room or place of them in the next Divisions firing twice in this kind Then let the formost Divisions fire and fall in the Reer of the Pikes then let the Pikes port and the Muskettiers in each Division may move forth again and give fire by Extraduction then let the Pikes charge on and after charge at foot and let the Muskettiers give fire over their heads which being ended let the formost Rank of Muskettiers in Front Reer and Flanks move forward and interchange ground with the Pikes and face all to the Front and after the third Divisions from the Front and the third Divisions from the Reer face inward and move three paces then face to their Leader and close Files outward and Ranks forward to Order in each Division and stand straight and even in their Divisions both Rank-wise and File-wise and then proceed to the next Figure Command The outmost Divisions upon the Flanks face about and move down two paces to your Leader Half-files of the two outmost Divisions double to the right and left inward Rank-wise and after move that part that doubled two paces to the right and left inward face all to your Leader Upon this Figure let the first and the last Rank of Muskettiers double to the right and left inward File-wise then let the first Division give fire to the Front and fall in the Reer of themselves then wheel off to the right about down into the Reer and let every Division that are in the midst move up successively into the Front until all have fired and fallen off in like manner as the first and every Division become again into his place and the Front and Reer-Divisions have doubled Ranks to the right and left outward then command the first and the last Rank of Muskettiers from the Front and Reer to double to the right and left outward File-wise and let them give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves and after fall off into the Reer in like manner and form of the firing of the former Divisions either of these firings may be continued twice over after command the first Division of Muskettiers from Front and Reer to double to the right and left inward Rank-wise and then proceed Command The third Division from the Front and the third Division from the Reer to face outward and to move three paces until they stand straight in Front and Reer between the middle Divisions and after face to their Leader Then let the Front-Divisions face about and Front and Reer-Divisions move forward until they range even abrest with the second Divisions that stands before them and then face to their Leader it occasioneth the next Figure Upon this Figure you may fire them to Front Reer and both Flanks therefore face the two outmost crosses to the Flanks which contains on each side four divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers and let the rest face to Front and Reer and let all the Muskettiers in the Reer of each division of Pikes move forth to the Angles of the Pikes give fire and fall back again into their places and whilst the Pikes are charging on the Muskettiers may make ready again and fire in like manner as before and fall back again into their places the Pikes charging on to Front Reer and both Flanks as before and retreating again into their places Then face them all to the Front and let the second division from the Reer face about and then the second division from the Front and the second division from the Reer move forward until they be three foot cleer of the Front and Reer then face them to their Leader and they will stand in a convenient Figure for marching wherein the Colours may display so long as a Commander shall think fit Reducement The two middle-divisions face to the right and left outward and march cleer of the standing part to your Leader then let them double to the right and left outward file-wise After let them face to Front Reer and both Flanks and close their Files into the midst to Order Then command Front and Reer-divisions that formerly wheeled to the left to wheel back again to the right then face all to the Front and let the Front-division face to the right and move three paces and then face to their Leader then let the Reer-division move up upon the left of them in the Front and let the Pikes in each division double their depth to the right and left outward and let them close files into the midst to order ranks forward to order to move up even with else front they standing in their distance of order both in rank and file let the half-files double their Front inward intire and after Files to double their depth intire to the right they are reduced Then the Leader may appoint one of the Serjeants to draw off the Muskettiers and file them away to the right and left outward either by Ranks filing or Files filing and every Muskettier to poyse his Musket then the Pikes may advance their Arms and the Drums beat a Troop and the Commander may lead them away and lodge his Colours CHAP. XXVI The ninth Exercise consisting of 64 men eight Files eight deep IN this Exercise a Commander may in matter of Motions present unto the Souldiers farther variety to delight them withal in bringing each man into the Front to be a File-leader according unto succession and dignity by proper words of Command by doublings with their Reducement Therefore to avoid any further circumstance we will pass over the Postures and fetching of the Colours and suppose the Souldiers standing in a condition to be exercised begin first to make them all File-leaders by succession as followeth Command Ranks to the left double Command Files to the left double Command Half-files double your Front to the right Command Double your Files to the right intire advancing every man placing himself before his Leader Command Ranks to the right double Command Files to the right double Command Front-half-files double the Reer to the right Command Double your Files to the left intire advancing Command Double your Ranks to the right into the Reer face all about Command Double your Files to the left advancing Direction Every even File from the left move forward to the left and by three steps double the odd advancing Command Half-files double your Front to the left Command Double your Files to the left intire advancing every man placing himself
yet in regard the Harquebus differeth nothing from the Carbine in length only in the Bore the manner of using them is one and the same In Marching he is to carry his Carbine hanging at his Belt by his right side or else to order it upon his right thigh In Fight he is to strive to gain the left side of his Enemy contrary to the Curassier because that in presenting he is to rest his Carbine on his bridle-hand placing the butt-end on the right side of his Breast neer his Shoulder He must exercise himself that he may use his Carbine with exactness and dexterity and be exquisite in shooting at Marks For the manner of handling the Harquebus or Carbine the directions before delivered may serve for sufficient Instruction but forasmuch as now adays our Carbines are made with Snaphans and somewhat differ from the former I will set down the order of handling of it in the several words of Command Postures for the Snaphans-Carbine 1. Order your Carbine 2. Sink your Carbine into your Bridle-hand 3. Bend your Cock 4. Guard your Cock 5. Prime 6. Shut your Pan. 7. Cast about your Carbine 8. Guard your Flasque 9. Lade your Carbine 10. Draw your Rammer 11. Shorten your Rammer 12. Lade with Bullet and ram home 13. Withdraw your Rammer 14. Shorten your Rammer 15. Return your Rammer 16. Recover your Carbine 17. Order your Hammer 18. Free your Cock 19. Present 20. Give fire He is to use his Sword in all respects as the Curassier Of Exercising the Dragoon THe Dragoon is of special use and service to assist the Cavalry as Infantry for there be many considerable Exploits which cannot be effected by the Cavalry alone The Muskettier must therefore exercise himself to give fire on Horsback When they come to guard a Passage or do other the like service they are to alight and to demean themselves as Infantry and being alighted to do their service every of them is to cast his Bridle over the neck of his Sides-mans Horse in the same order as they marched keeping them so together by some purposely appointed to attend them Of Exercising the Cavalry in their Motions THe Horsman being sufficiently instructed in the managing of his Horse and in the use of his particular Arms it is time now that he be taught how to demean himself being joyned in a Body The Horse being to be exercised is to be drawn up into a Body not by Ranks as in the Infantry but by Files and those of 5 deep according to most Authors or of 6 deep according to others that of 5 being a number not divisible by 2 so that in doubling of Ranks or Half-files or the like there will always remain an odd Rank Others would have them especially the Harquebusiers to be 8 in File making the Troop to consist of 64 Men being drawn up into a square Body Being thus put into Battalia the first thing they are to be instructed in is Distance and herein there is a disagreement among Authors Some making Close order to be 2 paces Open order 4 paces and so forward to a triple quadruple Distance proportionable Others make but two kinds of Distances Close order which is 3 foot and Open order which is 6 foot And here a difference is to be observed between the manner of taking the Distance of the Cavalry and that of the Infantry for in the Foot the Distance is taken from the Center or middle of the Souldiers Body which here cannot be understood but only of the space of Ground between Horse and Horse But the best and latest Authors are of opinion that the Cavalry being to be exercised in their Motions should be at their Distance of 6 foot or Open order standing right in their Ranks and Files The Motions which belong to the Exercising of the Cavalry are principally four viz. 1. Facings 2. Doublings 3. Countermarches 4. Wheelings And here note that in the exercising of the Cavalry we use to this day the same words that the Graecians and Romans did of old for a File the Romans called Versus and Decura a Rank Jugum a File-leader Ducanus because their Decurae or File consisted of 10 Bringer-up they termed Tergi-ducor a Leader being every odd man in a File Phrastes a Follower which is every even number Substes a Side-man Astes Their Distances also were the same with ours their two Cubits every Cubit being a Foot and a half of our Measure agrees with our three Foot their four Cubits our six 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 fight In all the motions we also retain the same words of Command which they used Facing they called Declinatio to the Right Left Hastam Scutum Facing about Immutatio Doubling by Ranks Files Duplicandi duo genera per juga versus Their Countermarches the same which we use Evolutio Chorica Macedonica Laconica per Decurias Scutum Wheelings the same with us Conversio ad Hastam Scutum Reversio est conversionis restitutio Inflexio Wheeling about The use of Facings is to make the Troop perfect to be suddenly prepared for a Charge on either Flank or in the Reer Doubling of Ranks or doubling by Half-files or by Bringers up is used upon occasion of strengthning of 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 Bringers-up and so have the best men ready to receive the charge of the Enemy in the Reer or to bring one Flank into the place of the other or Front and Reer or either Flank into the middle of the Body The use of Wheelings is to bring the Front to be ready to receive the Charge of the Enemy on either Flank or Reer For the better information and satisfaction and for the easie apprehending of what hath been said those several Motions are here following represented in Figures by a Troop of Harquebusiers of 64 men and in every Figure the file-leaders are represented by this kind of A. the Bringers up by this kind of a. and the rest of the Body by this kind of a. The form of the first standing To face them to the Right is done by commanding Direction This is done by turning all at one and the same time to the right hand The Front is where the right Flank was To reduce them to their first form the word is Command As you were Direction It is performed by turning to the left hand From thence to face them to the left the Word is Command To the right hand Direction It is performed by turning to the left From hence they are to be reduced by saying Command As you were Direction It is performed by turning to the right Now to face them to the Reer though it be proper first to do it by the right hand yet for the more ready way I
doubt he had lost his Country In a word if you fight you set your fortune upon the Dice if you husband your business warily the storm will over If you be an undertaker the sooner you bring your Cause to trial the better you are like to speed delays are dangerous for change of Air Diet and other inconveniencies may breed sickness and divers ill humors in your Army and if your Enemy will not fight but make a Fabian or lingring War he may put you to your shifts therfore first acquaint your self with the strength and quality of your Enemies forces with the state of his Country with his own disposition and the disposition of those that are neerest about him and before you declare your self gain some of his great men if it be possible to take your part maintain good Spies in his Court. Forecast all that can further or hinder your design before you undertake it and let your Cause be just left you draw the vengeance of God and jealousie of other Princes upon you In your preparation let your first care be of the belly want of Victuals hath been the loss of many a brave design and the ruine of great Armies Let your men be well trained and such as have been used to exercise and labour if you can let them be all of your own Subjects provide plenty of materials and other necessaries for your design and use the means to begin your War with some notable loss to your Enemy so shall you terrify him and discourage his Allyes and friends from giving him assistance When you come to fight chuse ground as neer as you can to fight upon proper for the number and quality of your men if you be strong in Horse chuse champion if your strength be on foot and that you want Horse chuse uneven bushy or inclosed ground and place some Muskettiers in the distances between those Troops you have which may advance and give fire upon the Enemies Horse if they offer to charge cover one of your Flanks if you can with some River Morass or Wood. Make your Front so large that your Enemy may not be able with his Wings to charge you in Flank Let your Battalions be small as of five or six hundred at the most which may nimbly move charge retire or succour each other at their pleasures for great Bodies are unweildy and being forced to move cannot keep their order unless the ground be very even for upon uneven ground they will either fall foul or be forced to open and if an Enemy can then make use of his advantage and charge they are easily broken and being broken are irrecoverable whereas small Troops although they break may under the favour and succour of their seconds put themselves again in order and be able to do good service Use means to draw your Enemy off the ground he hath chosen to stand upon it may to your advange perhaps bring some disorder in his Troops Be sure to have store of Seconds and always keep some Troops in reserve rather give then attend the charge it will encourage your own men and dishearten the Enemy Charge on that hand you think your self the strongest Let the distances between the Battalions as also between the Ter●●a's of your Army be carefully kept and get the advantage of Sun and Wind if you can Of a Chase IF your Enemy turn his back and fly let the third part of your Van-guard Battail and Reer as also a third part of both the Wings of Horse be appointed for the Chase and let one third part of them so appointed chase the Enemy disbanded the rest following in their order to succour the disbanded Troops if the Enemy should turn head and make resistance and let the other two thirds of the Army leisurely advance in good order to countenance the Troops in Chase if occasion should require When you would have the Chasers retire let the Drums and Trumpets of those Chasers that keep their order sound the Retreat that the disbanded Chasers may know where to find their Troops and if it be night let the Drums and Trumpets of the rest of the Army likewise sound And let there be fires made in divers places in the Army whereby all the Chasers may the better find the way to their Quarter Of a Retreat TO make a good Retreat is one of the Master-pieces of a General nor is it dishonorable for him to take the advantage of any time that he finds useful for the safety of his Army and good of the Cause although some young Souldiers more hardy then wise think it a disparagement to retire in the night but he that will not retire in the night when reason and the benefit of his party doth require may stay and be beaten in the day Many Examples there are in Histories of Armies that have been lost by such gallantry and their party thereby ruined There is no experienced General so indiscreet or ill advised as to follow a retiring Enemy with his Gross in the night especially if he find him retire in good order for so he may be drawn into Ambuscadoes or his enemy may wait for him in places of advantage and do him an affront and what knows he when he finds the Retreat made orderly but his Enemy seeks to draw him out purposely to intrap him by this means the party retiring may before day get into a place of safety whereas if he retire by day his Enemy may safely follow him with his whole Army and pass upon all advantages whereof he shall find plenty in a well-ordered Army if he know how to make use of them and take his opportunity I therefore conclude that to retire by night without sound of Drum with matches covered or to use any other secret way to avoid an Enemy when occasion doth require is not dishonorable but the duty of a good Captain The Order that the Prince of Orange retired in from Gelders FIrst He possessed a high piece of Ground that lay half-way between Gelders and Rhineberk to which Town he was resolved to March and lodged there 2000 men well intrenched with some pieces of Ordnance then he made ready three ways for the Tertia's of the Army to march in Front before the Troops began to march he sent away the Baggage and great Ordnance with some part of the Ammunition An hour before day or thereabouts he gave Order that the Army should march and the three Tertia's drew out of the Quarter without sound of Drum and marched in even Front about 200 paces distant from each other until they came an English mile or more from the Quarter and then Command was given that the Drums should beat In the Reer of each Tertia came ten or twelve Field-pieces with Ammunition and all other necessaries belonging to them On either Flank marched sixteen Troops of Horse and after the Foot at a large distance came the rest of the Horse In this Order did he
left to your Leader Reducement Front-half-files rank 12 to the right Reer-half-files face about and rank 12 to the left face to your Leader march up and close forwards to your due Distance Command Ranks wheel inward into the right Flank Direction Half-files face about Front and Reer-half-files march from the midst to twice double distance after Front and Reer-half-files face about Front-half-files wheel your Ranks to the left Reer-half-files wheel your Ranks to the right to your Leader Reducement Front-half-files rank 12 to the left Reer-half-files face about and rank 12 to the right face to your Leader and close your Divisions The left Flank challengeth the next place but I shall spare that pains in regard it is to be done by the same words of Command onely altering the hand I come therefore in the next place to shew how Ranks and Files may file outward to both Flanks and midst at one and the same time by proper words of Command as followeth CHAP. XLVI Of Files filing or Ranks filing to both the Flanks and the Midst at one and the same time Command FIles file to the right and left of both Flanks and the midst of Files Direction The outmost File upon each Flank and the two middle Files are to move away the rest are to fall in successively behind to the right and left filing to both Flanks and to the midst after to stand and even their Ranks and streighten their Files Reducement Files file six to right and left inward moving between the Flanks and the middle files Command Files file to both Flanks and to the midst of Files advancing Direction The outmost File upon each Flank stand and so likewise the two inmost Files the rest move forth and place themselves successively filing advancing toward both Flanks and the midst of Files Reducement Files file six to the right and left inward to the Reer placing yourselves between the Flanks and the middle files the moving part is to face about and to march down according to command as before exprest after face to their Leader Command Files file to both Flanks and the midst by Division They must be at order both in rank and file Direction The outmost File upon each Flank and the two inmost Files stand Half-files of the other Files face about and march forth and file by threes to the right and left into both Flanks and the midst facing to their Leader they will stand in four Files eighteen deep Reducement The six middlemost men in each File stand the three first and the three last Ranks file six to the right and left inward the three first Ranks face about then moving by threes between the outmost File of each Flank and the middle Files after facing to their Leader Command Files file inward into both Flanks and into the midst of Files Direction Half-files face about march all and open from the midst to twice double distance face all about to the right the two inmost and the two outmost Files stand the rest move successively by threes until they file into both Flanks and into the midst face to your Leader Reducement Files file three to the right and left inward into the Front and Reer Half-files face about the three first and the three last Ranks stand the 12 middlemost men move inward by threes into Front and Reer between the outmost and the middlemost Files face to your Leader and close your Divisions Command Files file both Flanks and to the midst of Files every man placing himself before his Bringers-up Direction Face all about the two outmost Files and the two middlemost Files stand the rest move forth to the right and left placing themselves successively before their Bringers-up filing towards both Flanks and the midst of Files face to your Leader Reducement Files file six to the right and left inward following your Bringers-up between the Flanks and the middle Files the first six Ranks are to stand Command Files file to both Flanks and to the midst of Files advancing every man placing himself before his Leader Direction The outmost File upon each Flank and the two middlemost Files stand the rest advance forward placing themselves successively before their Leaders filing both Flanks and to the midst of Files Reducement Files file six to the right and left inward into the Reer following your Leaders between the Flankers and the middle Files the six last Ranks face about and after they have filed they are all to face to their Leader Command Files file to both Flanks and to the midst by Division every man placing himself before his Leader and Bringer-up Direction The outmost File upon each Flank and the two inmost stand Half-files of the other Files face about and then command them to move filing to both Flanks and into the midst placing themselves before their Leaders and Bringers-up to your Leader Reducement The six middlemost men in each File stand the three first and the three last Ranks file six to the right and left inward every man placing himself before his Leader and Bringer-up the three first Ranks face about and then with the three last they are to move forward between the outmost and the middlemost Files that is by threes to place themselves before their Leaders and their Bringers-up face to your Leader Command Files file inward into both Flanks and into the midst every man placing himself before his Leader and Bringer-up Direction Half-files face to the Reer march all and open from the midst to twice double distance face all about to the right the two inmost and the two outmost Files upon each Flank stand the rest move successively by threes placing themselves before their Leaders and Bringers-up filing into both Flanks and the midst face to your Leader Reducement Files three to the right and left inward into Front and Reer every man placing himself before his Leader and his Bringer-up Half-files face about the three first and three last Ranks stand the 12 middlemost men move forwards by threes between the outmost and the middle Files placing themselves as aforesaid face to your Leader and close your Divisions CHAP. XLVII Of Ranks wheeling to both the Flanks They are to be at double distance in Ranks and at order in Files Command RAnks wheel to the right and left to both Flanks advancing Direction The outmost men upon the right and left in every Rank are the hinges of the Motion the rest are to divide their Ranks by wheeling six to the right and six to the left until they have brought their Aspects unto both the Flanks after face to their Leader Reducement Files rank 12 to the right and left inward into the Reer face all to the right and left about inward and begin the Motion from each File to rank six to the right and six to the left making up 12 abrest in the Reer the rest following until they have made six Ranks in a brest face to your Leader Command
right and left about Ranks ranking downward to the Reer and ranking as they were 10 Fire losing ground falling off to the right and left about just before the Front of Pikes 11 Now if the Enemy pursue eagerly and that you cannot make a safe retreat marching face all about and fire upon them by way of Extraduction or by half-ranks divided as formerly hath been shewen And thus much likewise briefly concerning Firings to the Reer Firings to the Flanks marching in the next place I shall shew some Firings to the Flanks for performance whereof it will be expedient to bring all the Muskettiers upon one of the Flanks but for order sake I will begin with the Firings from the right Flank 1 Fire to the right and gather up your Files it is to be performed after this manner The outmost File upon the right is to face to the right and to give fire and after to face to the Front and stand until the next File have fired in like manner and then the first File gathers up unto him upon the right even abrest and standing until the third File have faced to the right and fired in like manner and after facing to the Front the other Files moving up in the like way as before and following successively this rule until all have given fire and then to march up and even the Front of Pikes the Muskettiers will stand as at first when they were brought upon the right Flank 2 Fire to the right File-leaders leading up their Files next to the Pikes 3 Fire to the right Bringers-up leading away next the Pikes which being twice done reduceth them 4 Fire to the right leading up on the contrary Flank either by the File-leaders or Bringers-up 5 Fire to the right and leading up by Bringers-up between the Pikes and passing through to their places again doing the same reduceth them 6 Fire to the right and leading up between the Pikes by the Leaders and passing through the Pikes again to the right they will be as at first the like may be done to the left or in some kind to both Flanks at one and the same time 7 Fire to the right by Ranks wheeling and Ranks to rank as they were to the right upon their marching reduceth them 8. Fire to the right by Ranks inverting or filing and upon the March the Souldiers ranking reduceth them 9. Fire to the right Files filing and gathering up their Files to the left reduceth them These Firings being performed marching the next shall be upon a Stand where note you must cast all your Muskettiers upon that Flank where you conceive the Enemy will fall on whether right left or both but for order sake we usually begin with the right wherefore face to the right and proceed as followeth Firings to the right Flank upon a Stand. 1. Fire and fall in the Reer of your selves 2. Fire and flank the Pikes 3. Fire even with the Pikes and fall in the Reer of themselves 4. Fire even with the Reer moving forth to the right and left by Ranks falling in the Reer of themselves 5. Fire by extraduction by half-ranks drawn forth and falling Rank after Rank in the Reer of the Pikes after to reduce them as at first cause them to double their Front by Division These Firings may as well be performed to both Flanks as to one the Body being faced accordingly which would make many Firings more but these already set down may be sufficient for any ingenious capacity to work upon for the present observing this rule that in every Firing he shall make use of in time of his Exercise he may reduce them by another which will be more pleasing to the Souldier by reason of the great variety it affords unto them Now now in the last place I know it will be expected that I should speak something of the use of Firings wherefore briefly thus Firings to the Front marching or moving when we either pursue after or approach to an Enemy Firings to the Front maintaining ground when two Bodies encounter one another Firings to the Front losing ground when either we are forced thereunto by necessity or that we do it out of policy to draw the Enemy into a train or snare Firings to the Reer marching when we are pursued by an Enemy yet would continue our March until we have gained some place of importance or advantage Firings to the Reer upon a Stand when we are compelled thereunto by the violent pursuit of an Enemy or else when we have gained a place of advantage of ground or have recovered the Wind or Sun whereby we are the better able to encounter with them Firings to the Flank or Flanks marching when we are assaulted by some Ambuscado secretly placed to hinder our passage or supposing two Armies are marching to one and the same place a River being betwixt them Firings to Flank or Flanks standing when the Enemy chargeth on with a resolution to cut off or divide part of the Army from the other Having thus briefly set down several Firings to Front Reer and both Flanks with their uses either marching or standing I hold it convenient in the next place to give some short directions in time Battail both to the Officers and their Souldiers First that the Drummers have a vigilant eye upon their Commanders whose voices are drown'd by the loud thundring of the Cannon or Muskettiers as also by the neighing of Horses or the lamentable cries of the maim'd and wounded Souldiers at which time the Leaders Staff Half-pike or what else he carries in his hand may be sufficient for to instruct them to continue their charge retreat or else to charge home Secondly that the Serjeants be careful in time of Battail that their Souldiers be at their due distance of order both in Rank and File and that upon their Firings whether they be Forlorns either of Files or Ranks drawn forth or otherwise by Divisions they see them neatly and handsomely perform'd by cocking their Matches and presenting something lower then brest-high and after Uncocking and returning them wheeling off either to the right left or both falling in the Reer of themselves or elsewhere as shall be appointed in an orderly manner whereby they may decently come up again to Fire against the Enemy Thirdly that the Souldiers present and give fire upon their Rests not using that slovenly posture of popping their Matches into the Pan their Muskets being on their left sides which is not onely hurtful unto themselves but much endangers their Fellow-souldiers and by so doing they scarce or ever do any execution against an Enemy But here I meet with an objection framed by the Souldiers after this manner Our Rests are of little or no use unto us in time of skirmishing fit they are we confess in the Military Gardens but in time of Battail both troublesome and cumbersome unto us To whom I reply what if they be a little cumbersome at first must
Command The left-hand-man of the middlemost Rank face about the middlemost Rank march two paces before the Front and Reer face to your Leader and close Ranks and Files to Order   1   5   3 4   6   2   Command The second Rank from the Front double the first to the right and left outward by Division the last man in the Reer close forward to Order     1     4 5   3 6     2     Command The out most men of the middle Rank face about and move down even with the Reer to your Leader     1       5   3   4   2   6 Reducement The middlemost man in the Reer advance forwards to the left into the Front Files close inward to your Order Files to the right double Half-files double your Front to the left Files double your Depth to the right every man falling behind his Bringer-up Files rank two to the right Ranks rank entire to the left into the Reer every man placing himself on the outside of his left-hand-man Direction Face about and after being faced to their Leader they will stand after this manner 6 5 4 3 2 1. Rank file to the right they are reduced CHAP. LXVI Words of Command to produce the first Eight Figures of Battail with their Reducement Command HAlfe-file double your Front to the left 5 1 6 2 7 3 8 4 Command The last Rank face about the two middle Ranks face outward march all some two paces to your Leader   5 1   6     2 7     3   8 4   Command The first Rank move forwards two paces the third Rank close inwards to open Order     5 1     6         2   7     3       8 4     Command the third Rank from the Front face outward march all three paces to your Leader The first Rank stand the rest face outward and move two paces to your Leader       5 1         6         2   7   8     4   3 Command The first Rank face about march all until you be clear one of another to your Leader   6         2   7   8     4   3       5 1       Command The last Rank move to the right and left and place your selves three foot behind the Front-Divisions   6     2   7   8 4   3   5     1   Command Division on the right face about march all until you be clear one of another then face to the right and march until you stand even abrest of each other face to your Leader   6   7   8   5     2   4   3   1   Command Reer-Division face about the last man in each Division move forwards into the midst of the Rank that is before you face to your Leader a●● close your Divisions to Order   6   7 5 8 4 2 3   1   Command The last man in the 〈◊〉 move forwards to the right in the Rank of him that stands before you the last Rank open outwards to Order to your Leader       6         7   5   8   4   2   1   3 Redueement Face all about the last man in the Reer move forwards on the left into the Rank that is before you even your Ranks and straighten your Files to your Leader Files double inward by Division Double your Ranks to the left entire into the Front and Reer Direction Halt-files face about after face to your Leader and the last Rank close forward to Order and even your Ranks and straighten your Files Wheel Front and Reer to the left Flank Direction The last Rank face about then face to your Leader and Counter-march the File they are reduced CHAP. LXVII Words of Command for the second Eight Figures of Battail with their Reducement Command FIle rank to the left one three and four the last Rank face outwards and move three paces to your Leader       1           4 3 2     8 7       6 5 Command The two inmost men of the last Rank close inward to close Order the two outmost men of the last Rank fall back two paces       1         4   3   2       7   6     8           5 Command The middlemost man in the first Rank face about march all till you are clear one of another to your Leader       1         4       2       7   6     8           5       3       Command Files close into the midst to Order the last man move forward to Order   1   4   2 7   6 8   5   3   Command The middlemost Rank open to the right and left to double distance     1       4   2   7       6   8   5       3     Command The outmost men upon the Flanks face inward the last man in the Reer face about the first and the last Rank face to the four Angles move all three paces to your Leader     1     4       2   7   6   8       5     3     Command The first man in the Front and the last man in the Reer stand the rest face outward and march three paces to your Leader     1     4       2   7   6   8       5     3     Command The last men of the outmost Files move forwards to the right and left until you range even abrest with the middle-men       1         4       2   8   7   6   5       3       Reducement The last man in the Reer move forward and range even abrest with the first Rank Ranks file to the right following your Leader they are reduced CHAP. LXVIII Words of Command for the third Eight Figures of Battail with their Reducement Command BRingers-up double your Front to the left 8 1 7 2 6 3 5 4 Command The first and the last Rank stand the third Rank double outward Rank-wise the Middle-rank face outward march all two paces to your Leader     8 1     6 7     2 3     5 4     Command The middle Rank stand the rest double to the right File-wise face all to the Center and march some two paces to your Leader     1         8    
6 7   2 3     4         5     Command The Middle-rank double inward File-wise and move a little forward   1     8   7   6 6   3   4     5   Command Half-file of the middle file double your Front to the left Front-division face to the right and move one pace to your Leader   4 1     5 8   7     2 6     3 Command The left-hand-File in the Front face about and march clear of the Reer face to your Leader The middle File double to the left Rank-wise Files close into the midst to Order Files rank outward into the Reer and then begin from the right to wheel them about to the left in a Ring     1       2   8   3       7   4   6       5     Command Files close into the midst to Order the first Rank close inward to colse Order the third Rank open outward to open Order the last man in the Reer move even abrest with the Rank that is before you       1           2   8       3       7   4     5     6 Command Files open to the right and left until you stand straight with your Bringers-up the rest moving forwards until they have ranged even abrest with the first man 2 1 8 3   7 4 5 6 Command Angle-men face to the four Angles the middle-men in the outmost Files face inward the middle-man in the Front face about march ail three paces Face to your Leader 2       8     1       3   7       5     4       6 Reducement The last man in the Reer of the middle File face about middle File march clear of the standing part Files close into the midst to Order the last man in the Reer fall in the Reer of the right-hand-File the first man in the Front move to the left and fall in the Front of the left-hand-file close your Ranks and Files forward to Order and make an even Front Files double your depth to the left every man falling behind his bringer-up reduceth them CHAP. LXIX The way to make twelve several Figures of Battail with a File ten deep with their Reducement Command FAce to the right and wheel your Front into the midst Face after to your Leader 5 4 3 2 1 6 7 8 9 10 Command The last men in the Reer of the outmost Files face about outmost Files move clear of the standing part face inwards and close your Divisions to your Leader   5   1   4   3   2 7   8   9   6   10   Command The last man of the middle File and the last Rank face about the first Rank and the last Rank and the middle File move forwards two paces the rest open outward two paces to your Leader   5   1       3     4       2 7       9     8       6   10   Command The last man in the Front-division advance forward three foot before the Front the first man of the Reer-division face about and move three foot behind the Reer the outmost Files double ranks inward Ranks close forwards to Order and face to your Leader       3           5   1     4 7       9 2     6   10           8       Command The first man in the Front face about the last man in the Reer stand the rest face outwards march all until the first and the last man meet face all to your Leader middle-men double to the Right rank-wise and close outward to Order   5     1   4 7 3 8 9 2   6     10   The two middle-men in the Body face about and move cleer of the Reer three foot face to your Leader middle-men of the outmost Files close inward to order   5     1   4   7 9   2   6     10       3 8     Command Middle-man upon the right of the second Rank advance forward three foot before the Front the three first men in the Front and middle-man of the second Ranks move forwards three paces the rest closing inward one pace       9           5   1           7       4           2   6       10       3   8     Command The last Rank open outward to double distance and the next Rank open outward to open Order and the third Rank from the Reer to close inward to Order         9             5       1             7               4   2         6           10   3               8 Command The second man from the Front face about move down and range even with the Reer outmost men of the last Rank advance forward and range even with the second Ranks from the Front the last Rank move forwards until they have exceeded three foot the next Rank that stands before them Divisions on the Wings face outward move two paces to your Leader         9               5   1         6           10   3   4       2   8         7         Command Front-division face about and march down even with the Reer the last man move forwards to order to your Leader   6     9     10   3   4 5   1 2   8         7         Command Middle-division advance forward cleer of the standing part Divisions in the Reer close inwards to order wheel your Reer into the midst to your Leader       9           5   1           7         4       2   6           10   3       8   Command The last Rank close inward to order and to double to the left File-wise the second man from the Reer move forwards into the second Rank that is before you       9           5   1           7         4   3   2   6           10       8       Reducement The first man in
Reer and then give Fire and fall in the Reer of themselves The second firing Let the Muskettiers move forwards and the inmost Division rank outward into Front and Reer and then give Fire altogether and file as they were the Pikes may charge whilst they make ready and fall into their places again they may continue upon this Firing a second time The third firing Let the Muskettiers and the two outmost men of the Pikes face to both Flanks and likewise the Middle-divisions of Pikes are to face to both Flanks after this manner the first two of the Reer-division are to face to the right and the two last men of the Front-division are to face to the left then let the Muskettiers give fire to both Flanks and the Pikes may after charge to the Front Reer and both Flanks until the Muskettiers make ready again this Firing may be continued twice to your Leader Command The outmost single men of Muskettiers in the Front-divion face about the two outmost men of Muskettiers both of Front and Reer-divisions move forward and close to order face to your Leader and close inward to open Order The first firing Let them give Fire to the Front and fall in the Reer of themselves then face about and move down into the Reer the rest moving up successively giving Fire and falling off in like manner this may be continued twice over then face them to the Reer and let the Muskettiers rank to the right and left outward The second firing Let the first Rank of each Division give Fire and fall off to the right and left in manner and form of the former Firing until they have Fired twice over then to file as they were and face to their Leader Command Front and Reer-divisions of Pikes move to the right one pace the second Division of Pikes move forward and double the Front to the left the second Division of Pikes from the Reer face about move down and double the Pikes in the Reer to the left to your Leader Middle-divisions of Muskettiers open outward to twice double distance face all to the Center and march two or three paces to your Leader The first firing The three last Divisions face to the Reer the two outmost men both of Pikes and Muskettiers face to the Flanks then let them all give Fire and fall in the Reer of the Pikes the Pikes may charge while the Muskettiers make ready again The second firing Let the Muskettiers move forth and give Fire as at first and after fall in again The third firing Let them give Fire by Extraduction and fall again in the Reer of the Pikes The fourth firing Let the Pikes charge the Horse and the Muskettiers give Fire altogether over their heads then move forth into their first places and face to their Leader Command Front and Reer-divisions of Muskettiers open outward to double distance the outmost men of Pikes close inward to open order the third Rank of Pikes from the Front face about the third Rank of Pikes from the Front and the third Rank of Pikes from the Reer move forwards to order face to your Leader Front and Reer-divisions stand the rest face outward and move two paces to your Leader The first firing Let the first Divisions Fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then wheeling off to the right and left into the place of those Muskettiers in the Reer they at the same time moving forward into their places and firing falling off in like manner the Muskettiers may give Fire on the ground they stand falling in the Reer of themselves This firing being twice performed we proceed to another The second firing Let the Front-divisions of Muskettiers and those upon the Flanks give Fire and fall in the midst of Pikes in the mean time the last Division of Pikes may open outward until they be cleer of the standing part then let Pikes charge all whilst the Muskettiers make ready again This firing may be performed twice after which let them move forth into their places again and face to Front and Reer and give Fire and fall off in the Reer of themselves the Pikes may charge which being ended face them to their Leader Command The last Rank of Pikes of the Middle-division face about middle-division of Pikes move forward until you range even abrest with the midst of the Front and Reer-divisions of Pikes to your Leader the last man of the outmost divisions of Muskettiers face about outmost-men move forward three paces and face to your Leader Ranks of the Front and Reer-divisions open from the midst to open order Reer-divisions move forward two paces The first firing Let them Fire to the Front and fall in between the Pikes this may be done twice after which face to the Front and Reer and Fire there in the same manner then let Pikes and Muskettiers intercharge ground let them give Fire altogether unto Front and Reer then facing about interchange ground with the Pikes who are to charge on whilst the Muskettiers make ready then retreating let them all face outwards and they will stand in form like a Saw after they have moved two paces The second firing Let the Muskettiers give Fire altogether to both Flanks and the Pikes to charge on after retreating they may order their Arms and face all to their Leader Reducement The outmost Muskettiers upon the Flanks move to right and left inward placing themselves in the midst of their own divisions the outmost men of Pikes to stand the rest to double Ranks to the left and the first Rank of Pikes to double to the right File-wise and the second Rank from the Reer to double to the left File-wise after let the outmost men of Pikes double their inmost Files into the midst then moving forward their divisions evening their Front closing Files to the midst to order they are reduced And now we will lodge our Colours and repose our selves until by the beat of the Drum we shall be summon'd to make our appearance CHAP. XII The third Exercise with four Files six deep BEing the third time brought into the Field compleatly arm'd where being drawn forth into Files and by the Leaders thereof exercised as before they are commanded to lead up their Files yet not presuming to place themselves but leaves that to the discretion of their Superiour Officers who knows best the desert of each particular man But by the way give me leave in this place to tell the Souldiers and Leaders of our private Meetings that this decorum is not rightly observed the Souldier thinking himself wiser then his Leader presumes to chop and change by Counter-marching of his File making some part of the Reer to be more honourable then the Front which cannot be for the youngest Souldier there is of more honor then the eldest in the Reer in regard it is the more honorable part of the Battalia therefore it is plain that they take more upon them then becomes them for no File-leader
Muskettiers move forward until you be cleer of the Pikes the two inmost Files of Muskettiers stand the two outmost Files of Muskettiers move forwards until you be cleer of the inmost Files the two outmost Files of Pikes face outward and move three foot cleer of the outmost Divisions of Muskettiers and after to face to Front and Reer and to move forward until they range even with the Reer-divisions of Muskettiers then let them face all to the Front and stand streight in their Divisions both Rank-wise and File-wise and they will stand as in the next Figure Upon this Figure let the first divisions of Muskettiers give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves after wheel off to the right and left into the room of them in the Reer they at the same time moving up into their places firing and falling off in like manner Then let the inmost divisions give fire in like manner as the former did and wheel off to the right and left and be relieved by their own Reer-divisions of Muskettiers then let the Pikes chaege on and after retreating back again into their places Command The two middle-ranks of Pikes face outward and move cleer of the standing part then let the first Rank of Pikes face about and the first and last Rank of Pikes to move forward to Order face all to your Leader The first firing Let the Front-divisions fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then wheel off to the right and left into the room of them in the Reer they at the same time moving forward into their places firing and falling off in like manner Next let the inmost divisions of Muskettiers do the same who may be relieved by the inmost divisions of Muskettiers in the Reer The second firing Let them all face to the Reer and give fire as they did to the Front The third firing Let them face to Front and Reer and give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves first after falling off and interchanging divisions relieving each other then let the Pikes charge on to Front and Reer and after retreating back into their places Command The inmost divisions of Muskettiers to move forward until they be two foot cleer of the standing part then let them face all inward and move until the outmost divisions of Muskettiers range even abrest with the middle-divisions of Pikes to your Leader Upon this former Figure fire them to both Flanks where first face them outward let the first division give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves and after wheel off to the right and left into the places of the Reer-divisions and they move up at the same instant of time into their rooms giving fire and falling in the Reer of themselves afterward into their places Next let them fire and fall in the Reer of themselves and after move inward and fall in the Reer of the next division of Pikes and then the first division of Muskettiers move forth and give fire in the ground they formerly stood on and fall in the Reer of themselves and stand and the next division of Muskettiers is likewise to move forth where formerly they stood and to fire and fall in the Reer of themselves the Pikes may after charge on and after retreat back again into their places and face to their Leader Command Reer-divisions of Muskettiers move to the left two paces and double to the right File-wise the two middle-divisions of Pikes face outward and move two paces to your Leader Reer-divisions of Muskettiers move forward until the first division of Muskettiers be placed three foot before the midst of the middle-divisions of Pikes and the second division be three foot behind the same standing streight with the Front-divisions of Muskettiers in the midst Upon this Figure they being faced to Front and Reer both Pikes and Muskettiers let the first divisions give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves and stand let the rest move forward until they be cleer of the Front-divisions of Muskettiers and fire and fall in the Reer of themselves and after face about and move down into their places again then let the Pikes open a little outward and charge all to Front and Reer and when they shall retreat back again into their places the Muskettiers may fire again as they did before and continue it as long as they please Or they may fire upon this Figure either to Front or Reer according to discretion as long as they please Now in respect much time hath been spent in the Motions by wheelings in plain firings and Figures of Battail we will draw forth one Figure more from the former that the Colours may be displayed and that we may conclude our seventh Exercise to refresh the Souldiers for a space until they shall again have warning from their Commander for another appearance Command The last Division of Muskettiers in the midst to face about middle Divisions of Muskettiers advance forward until you be three foot clear of the Front and Reer to your Leader each Division of Pikes face outward and move to convenient distance for the Colours to display to your Leader Reducement Front and Reer-division of Muskettiers face about Front-division move down and double the Reer-division to the left rank-wise to your Leader the two first Divisions of Muskettiers in the Front face about then let them and the two last Divisions of Muskettiers in the Reer move forward until they be even with the next Divisions of Muskettiers to your Leader The two middle Divisions of Pikes close into the midst to Order and to open their Ranks from the midst to something more then open Order the two outmost Divisions of Pikes face inward and move forward into the midst of the two middle Ranks in the Body to your Leader Front-divisions of Pikes face about and Front and Reer-Divisions to move forward and to close their Divisions to your Leader Files close to the right and left inward to Order Muskettiers in the Front and Reer double your Pikes by Division Files double your Depth to the right and left outward every man falling behind his Bringer-up they will be reduced as at first Now the Serjeants may draw off the Muskettiers filing them to the right and left outward thereby making a guard for the Captain and other Officers to march through trooping away and lodging the Colours which done one of the Serjeants command the Muskettiers to face about to the right and to present all and no man to give fire until they hear the beat of Drum no man pulling his Tricker but once which will be a means that they all fire handsomly together which being ended every man may depart home until he shall be called forth again CHAP. XXIV The Eighth Exercise consisting of sixty four men eight Files eight deep THe Souldiers being again brought into the Field or place of Exercise the Serjeants according to their wonted manner drawing forth the Files bids each File-leader to take
his File into some convenient place apart to exercise them in their several Postures and Charges and after what manner they may fire whether it be to Front Reer or both Flanks Which being performed they are called up to joyn into a Body and commanded to close their Ranks and Files to their distance of Order and the Front doubled to the right and left inward by the half-files distance beforehand being prepared for their moving up The Leader appoints one of the Serjeants to fetch the Colours which being brought up to the head of the Company the Leader for variety sake may spend the chiefest of his time in Firings as followeth The first firing Let the Muskettiers move forward until their Bringers-up range even with the Front of Pikes after let the two outmost Files of Muskettiers move forward until their Bringers-up range even abrest with the Front of the two inmost Files Let the Front or foremost Divisions give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then let them face about and move down into their places where they were last then let the two inmost Files of Muskettiers of each Division advance forwards until their Bringers-up range even with the Front of the two outmost Files and then let them give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves and after face about and march down into their places again where they were last drawn off The second firing Let them give fire on the ground they stand in each Division falling off to the right and left in the Reer of themselves The third firing Let the first Rank in each Division fire as they stand and after move inward in a straight line before the Front of Pikes which gives way for the next Rank to fire in each Division and after to move inward into the Reer of the first Rank and so consequently all the rest to fire in like manner until they have all fired and stand straight before the Pikes The fourth firing Let their Ranks rank outward into the Front and then give fire all entire in one Rank and ranking again as they were The fifth firing Let the half-files of Muskettiers double the Front by Division and give fire by two Ranks together and after to move back again into their places The sixth firing Let the two first Ranks kneel down the other two stand upright and give fire four Ranks together The seventh firing Let the half-files or Pikes to face about and move three paces to your Leader and then Files to double their Depth to the right and left outward of each Arms then let them give fire eight Ranks together after this manner two kneel down two kneeling two stand upright and the two last to be drawn off to the right and left and so to fire all together which being ended command the Pikes by their Files to rank outward into the Front and then open outward to the right and left and charge on in the Front and file again as they were The eigth firing Let the Pikes open their Files from the midst to double distance then command the Muskettiers to face about and move down into the midst of the Pikes then let the half-files face about and let the Muskettiers be at open Order in their Files and the Pikes at Order and then let them give fire first to Front and Reer by Intraduction after this manner Let the first Rank in Front and Reer present and give fire on the ground they stand and presently make ready again the next Ranks may move forward and place themselves three foot before them and fire in like manner and after stand the other Ranks still moving forward into the next Rank until the first have fired and then immediately to clap before them and fire in like manner until all have fired twice over The ninth firing Let them close their Files into the midst to Order and fire on the same ground they stand and fall in the Reer of themselves The tenth firing Let them fire and fall off to the right and left into the midst of Pikes again then let the Pikes charge on to Front and Reer and when they are clear of the Muskettiers let them close to the right and left inward to Order The eleventh firing Let the Pikes port and let the Muskettiers be drawn forth one whole Rank to the right and another to the left both to Front and Reer give fire and fall into their places again then let the other four be drawn forth in like manner and fire and fall into their places again the Pikes if occasion shall require may again charge on The twelfth firing Let the Muskettiers range to the right and left outward and fire even abrest with the Reer of each Division and move in again into their places The thirteenth firing Let the Muskettiers rank outward and move even abrest with the Front and Reer and there present and give fire and whilest the Pikes are charging on they may rank again as they were and fall in the Reer of the Pikes and make ready again The fourteenth firing The Pikes being retreated into their first ground you may open them to the right and left and then the Muskettiers may move forward and fire two Ranks kneeling down and the other two standing upright then the Pikes may continue their charge till the Muskettiers make ready again and after they may retreat and fall in the Reer of the Muskettiers and close their Divisions inward to Order These firings being all upon a stand and the Muskettiers being now in Front and Reer they may be moved away and may give fire upon the march to Front and Reer after this manner The fifteenth firing Let the first Rank in the Front nimbly advance forward ten paces then present and give fire in which interim the rest will be moved up unto them the others having fallen off to the right and left in the Reer of their own Divisions of Muskettiers the next Rank may give fire in like manner until all have fired thus once over the Reer are to fire at the same time with the Front facing about the last Rank who are to fall off and to place themselves before their own Divisions of Muskettiers The sixteenth firing Let them fire as before and the first Rank of the Front-division to fall off and flank the Pikes to the right the rest of that Division falling off and placing themselves in the Reer of them and likewise the first Rank of the Reer-Division when they have fired let them fall off and range even abrest with the half-files of Pikes and still preserving themselves in their places to be right-hand-men to those which were at first and the rest to give fire and fall in the Reer of them The seventeenth firing Now the Muskettiers being all upon the right Flank let the outmost File face to the right and fire and lead away the Bringers-up between the Muskettiers and the outmost File of Pikes let this be
their charge and being retreated back into their places will produce the following Figure After the Figure is reduced unto his first aspect command the Muskettiers or Divisions upon the wings to face to the right and left inward and to march until they stand as in the first Figure then face to their Leader and command the eight first Divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers to face outward marching until you perceive an interval for the eight Reer-divisions to move up and make an even range with the Front-divisions which being done they will appear as followeth Upon this Figure let the Front-divisions of Muskettiers give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then wheel off to the right into the room of them in the Reer they at the same time firing and wheeling off into their places again Then let the Commander face them all to the right and they will stand in four crosses with Muskettiers on the wings File-wise upon which facing they may march the Officers being placed according unto discretion and after they have marched let them face again to their first Front Command Front-divisions of Muskettiers face to the right and move two paces to your Leader Reer-divisions of Muskettiers move up and double the Front-Divisions to the left Rank-wise which produceth the next Figure Upon the former Figure let all the Muskettiers give fire together and fall off to the right and left in the Reer of themselves the Pikes after charging through the intervals and after retreating again Then command Muskettiers that doubled to face about and to move down into the Reer until they be clear of the Pikes and stand then let the Muskettiers both in Front and Reer face to the left and march until they stand straight in their Divisions then face to their Leader and they will stand as in the former Figure then proceed Command The four inmost Divisions both of Pikes and Muskettiers on the left face to the Reer inmost Divisions both of Pikes and Muskettiers both upon the right and left march clear of the standing part then let them face to the left and move three paces to your Leader The four outmost Divisions both of Pikes and Muskettiers upon the right wheel to the right the four outmost Divisions upon the left both of Pikes and Muskettiers wheel to the left which will set forth the next Figure Tht first firing Let them face to the Front Reer and both Flanks and give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves after wheeling off to the right your Divisions on the outside of the Pikes into the place of the Reer-Divisions which are to advance forward into the Front performing the like as the other Front-Divisions The second firing Let the Front-divisions of Muskettiers move to the right two paces after command Divisions of Muskettiers to double to the left Rank-wise and let them give fire in Front Reer and both Flanks all together the Pikes may after charge to all these places whilest the Muskettiers make ready again and retreat again into their places The third firing Let them give fire again and fall in the Reer of themselves which being ended you may proceed to another Figure Command The left Division of Muskettiers wheele off to the left and place your selves in the left interval between the Pikes which occasioneth the next Figure Upon this Figure let the Muskettiers give fire in the Front Reer and Flanks and Angles falling in the Reer of themselves and the Pikes may after charge on Many other firings might be performed upon this Figure but I shall not be tedious to relate any more but leave them to the discretion of every Leaders genius and shall now shew the way to reduce them Reducement Divisions of Muskettiers upon the Angles face to the Center and move three paces after wheel the Divisions a little to the right until they be brought in the Reer of their own Divisions of Muskettiers which being done command the four Divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers on the right to wheel to the left and the four Divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers upon the left to wheel to the right After command the four Divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers upon the left to face to the left and march to such a convenient distance as that the four last Divisions both Pikes and Muskettiers may move up on the left to range even with the Front they on the Flanks moving up also until they stand all even abrest After command the inmost eight Divisions to face to the Reer and let them all move until they be clear one of another then face to their Leader and let the eight Front-divisions face inward and to move until they stand straight with the Reer-divisions After let the Pikes in the Body in each Division open their Ranks to Front and Reer to their open Order And then command Divisions of Pikes upon the Flanks to face to the right and left inward and march in and strengthen the Body of Pikes which being done let the Front-divisions of Muskettiers face to the Reer commanding them all to close their Ranks forward to Order and face to their Leader they are reduced Which being performed the Leader may lodge his Colours having finished his ninth Exercise CHAP. XXXI The tenth Exercise consisting of 24 Files being six deep according to the first drawing up of a private Company THere being a greater number appearing upon this days Exercise then in the former it concerns a Leader more especially to give special charge to the inferiour Officers to be careful in the drawing forth the Files that they make no man a File-Leader Bringer-up Half-file-Leader or Bringer-up of the Front-half-files but such able Souldiers as may be deserving of the same whose diligence and care upon all motions is principally required being as it were the hinges of the Leaders several words of Command Wherefore supposing them to be drawn up in Battalia and the Colours being brought to the head of the Company the four Serjeants ready at hand attending their Captains commands and the body being closed in Ranks and Files to their distance of Order and silence craved at the Company he that shall exercise them may begin after Distances and Facings shewen with this or the like doubling following CHAP. XXXII Eight entire several Doublings with their Reducement Command FRont half-files double your Reer inward entire Command The twelve inmost Files double entire the depth of the six outmost Files Inmost Files face about Command Half-files double your Front to the right Command Double your Files to the right entire advancing Command Half-files double your Front inward entire Command The six outmost Files upon each Flank double entire advancing the twelve middle Files Command Half-files double your Front to the right entire Command Right half-ranks double your left Flank entire advancing which being performed they are reduced CHAP. XXXIII Eight several Countermarches with their Reducement Command FIle-Leaders stand the rest pass through to the right and
place your selves before your Leaders Command The right-hand-file stand the rest pass through to the right and place your selves on the outside of your right-hand-men Command Countermarch your Front and Reer into the midst of Ranks Direction Half-files face about and turn off to the left Front-half-files turn off to the right to your Leader Command Countermarch your Flanks into the midst of Files face outward Command Files to the right hand Countermarch maintaining ground Command Ranks to the left hand Countermarch losing ground Command Countermarch your Front and Reer half-files from the midst of Ranks maintaining ground Direction Front-half-files face about and turn off to the left the rest turn off to the right every man moving up into his Leaders ground to your Leader Command Countermarch your right and left half-ranks from the midst of Files losing ground Direction Face inward and turn off every Rank on the ground they stand face to your Leader and close Files into the midst to open Order they are reduced CHAP. XXXIV Eight entire Doublings by Wheelings with their Reducement Command WHeel off your Reer-half-files and double your Front to the right entire Half-files face about Command Wheel off your left half-ranks and double your right Flank entire to the left Face outward Command Wheel off your Reer half-files and double your Front to the left entire Half-files face about Command Wheel off your right half-ranks and double your left Flank to the left entire Face outward Command Wheel off your Front-half-files and double the Reer to the right entire Half-files face about Command Wheel off your right half-ranks and double the left Flank to the right entire Face outward Command Wheel off your Front-half-files and double the Reer to the left entire Half-files face about Command Wheel off your left half-ranks and double your right Flank to the right entire Face outward CHAP. XXXV Plain Firings and Figures of Battail The first firing LEt the two outmost Files of Muskettiers upon each Flank advance ten paces before the Front give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves after face about and move down into their places again then face to their Leader Then let the next two Files upon each Flank move away in like manner and fire as the former did and move down into their places again After let the other remaining Files be led forth by the other two Serjeants and give fire as before and fall back again into their places The second firing Let two Serjeants draw four Files upon each Flank and move them away 10 or 20 paces before the Front and give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves and after face about and move down into their places And whilest they are moving down let the other two Serjeants draw forth the remaining four Files upon each Flank and fire as the former did and after return again into their places The third firing Let all the Muskettiers move forth cleer of the Pikes and let them open from the midst until they stand in four Divisions leaving sufficient intervals for their wheeling into the Reer of themselves first let them fire in each Division falling in the Reer of themselves until they have all fired over two or three times after this kind The fourth firing Let them close their Files before the Front of Pikes into the midst to Order then let the two first Ranks kneel down the next two stoop and the last two stand upright and give fire six Ranks all together then let the left half-ranks of Muskettiers be wheeled about to the left into the Reer of the Pikes and the right half-ranks move to the left until they stand straight before the Front of Pikes The fifth firing Let the half-files face about and let them give fire to Front and Reer after this manner by two Ranks drawn off ten paces before the Front and Reer and fall off to the right and left into the Reer of themselves then facing about let them open outward and give way for the next two Ranks to come forward into their places who are to fire and fall off as the former did the other two Ranks doing the same This firing may be continued as long as the Leader pleaseth The sixth firing Let them give fire on the ground they stand and fall off to the right and left into the Reer of themselves The seventh firing Let them rank outward into Front and Reer and give fire all together and rank again as they were The eighth firing Let them give fire on the ground they stand and flank the Pikes those in the Front flanking the Pikes on the right they in the Reer flanking them on the left after let the Pikes charge on and being retreated into their places let them face all to their Leader and in the next place proceed to Figures of Battail Command Files open outward to open Order Ranks open backward to your open Order then let every four Files close outward to Order and Ranks close to Front and Reer to Order they will stand in twelve Divisions as followeth Command The two inmost Divisions of Muskettiers in the Reer face about inmost Divisions of Muskettiers in Front and Reer move forward clear of the standing part and stand Pikes face outward Muskettiers upon the Flanks face inward the rest face about to the right move all two paces to your Leader The first firing Let the Front-divisions of Muskettiers give fire and fall in the reer of themselves then wheel off to the right left into the room of them in the reer they at the same time moving up into their ground firing falling off in like manner as before Then let the Front-divisions upon the Flank fire fall in the reer of themselves and after wheel off to the right and left into the ground of those divisions that stand in the reer of them they at the same time relieving them firing and falling off as before then let the Pikes charge on and after retreat into their places The second firing Let them face to Front and Reer and let the first Divisions give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then wheeling off to the right and left and interchange ground with the next Divisions who are at the same instant of time to move up into their places and to give fire in like manner and to fall off and return where they were before then let the Pikes charge on to Front and Reer and after retreat into their places and face all to their Leader Command The four last Divisions next to the Reer both of Pikes and Muskettiers face about move down and range even abrest with the Reer Reer-divisions of Muskettiers that are faced to the Front move forward and place your selves three foot short of the next Divisions that stands before you to your Leader Upon this Figure let the Front-divisions give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then wheel off to the right and left and range
face to the right and left inward and move and interchange ground then stand and face to your Leader The two last Divisions of Muskettiers in the midst face to the left and move clear of the Pikes face all to your Leader Then let every Division close forward to Order and move up even abrest with the Pikes they are reduced CHAP. XL. The twelfth Exercise consisting of 24 Files six deep THe place of Exercise appointed for the Souldiers to meet they upon a just summons make full appearance being indeed the very life of any Exercise affording much comfort to him that shall lead them And therefore seeing their readiness and forwardness as in duty they are concerned the Leader cannot chuse but forthwith to give order unto his Officers for the compleating up of the Body who knowing his commands go nimbly and chearfully to work in drawing forth the Files and joyning them together after fetching the Colours and bringing them to the head of the Company So that nothing being wanting the Leader craves their silence and attention commanding them to their distance of Order both of Rank and File and after some few distances shewen unto them he may proceed in the next place to such Facings as followeth Command Face to the right and left outward and move four paces Face to Front and Reer and move three paces Face to the outward Angles in the Front Face to the inward Angles in the Front Face to the inward Angles of the right Flank Face to the inward Angles in the left Flank Face to the outward Angles in the Reer Face to the inward Angles in the Reer Face to the outward Angles both of Front and Reer Face to the inward Angles both of Front and Reer Face to the midst of Files Face to the midst of Ranks Face to the Centre Face to the outward Angles of Front and Reer from the Centre Face all about to the right Face to Front Reer and both Flanks from the Centre As you were To your Leader CHAP. XLI A Doubling to make every man a File-Leader by dignity Command HAlf-files double your Front to the left Command Double your Files to the right entire advancing every man placing himself before his Leader Command Front-half-files double your Reer to the left Command Double your Files to the left entire advancing every man placing himself before his Leader Command Bringers-up double your Front to the right Command Files double your depth to the right every man falling behind his Bringer-up Command Half-files double your Front to the right Command Double your Files to the left entire advancing Command Ranks to the right double Command Files to the right double Command Bringers-up double your Front to the left Command Files double your depth to the left every man falling behind his Bringer-up Reducement Ranks to the left double Files to the left double CHAP. XLII Several Wheelings with their Reducements Command WHeel off your Reer-half-files and double your Front by Division Command Right and left half-ranks double the depth of your Battail by wheeling inward to the Reer Face to the Reer Command Double the length of your Battail by wheeling inward to Front and Reer Half-files face about Command Front and Reer half-files double the depth of your Battail by wheeling outward to the right Flank Half-files face about and wheel to the left Front half-files wheel to the right Command Front and Reer half-files double the length of your Battail by wheeling inward to the left Flank face all to the left Command Front and Reer half-files double the depth of both Flanks by wheeling to the right and left outward Half-files face about Command Front and Reer half-files double the length of the Battail by wheeling inward to the midst of Ranks Face inward Command Front and Reer half-files double the depth of your left Flank by wheeling to the right and left outward Half-files face about Command Front and Reer half-files double the length of your Battail by wheeling inward to the right flank Face to the right and as they then stand right half-ranks wheel to the left and left half-ranks wheel to the right until the right Flank meet together they are reduced CHAP. XLIII Plain Figures and figures of Battail The first firing LEt two Ranks advance forward ten paces and give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves and after wheel off to the right and left outward and move down in the Reer of their own Divisions of Muskettiers and then the next two Ranks are to move forward and to give fire as the former did and so consequently all the rest until all have fired and reduced back again into their places The second firing Let them fire even with the Front and fall in the Reer of themselves and let the Pikes charge on whilst the Muskettiers make ready again The third firing Let single Files be drawn off and Ranks inward into the Front and fire and File again face about and move down into their places then let two Files be drawn off clear and let the inmost Files rank inward the outmost Files rank outward and give fire and File again as they were and fall into their places The fourth firing Let the four outmost Files upon each Flank be drawn off until they be clear of the Front then let them close before the Front of Pikes face then the inmost Files of Muskettiers to both the Flanks and let them give fire to the Front and both Flanks on the ground they stand and fall in the Reer of themselves The fifth firing Let them give fire all together six Ranks at once in the Front and four in the Flanks observing the former Rules in firing so many Ranks together as you may find in the place of description of firings The sixth firing Let those Muskettiers upon the Flanks face to the Reer and move clear of the Pikes then close to the right and left inward to Order then let the half-files of Pikes face about and let the Muskettiers give fire to Front and Reer and fall in the Reer of themselves The seventh firing Let the Pikes move forth to the right and left outward until they be clear of the Muskettiers then let the Muskettiers give fire in an oblique manner thus let every two Files open to the right and left outward to something more then open Order then close the two first Ranks of the four inmost Files to the Front to Order and let the other two Ranks close likewise almost to that distance but the two last Ranks only are to face to their Front and after in the same kind close the four Ranks inward to the Reer of the four outmost in manner and form there as the other Files were to the Front and so let them give fire in each Division an oblique way two Ranks kneel down two kneeling and two stand upright The eighth firing After the former firing close the four inmost Files to the right and left outward to
his Majors absence Some are of opinion it would be convenient to place the Lieutenant-Colonels eldest Serjeant there but in my judgement it is very unhandsome to see any Halberdeer either to lead or bring up any Division marching in a Regimental way and rather then I should do it I would let it go unsupplyed but if he shall be there placed to bring up his best way of marching is either with Pallizado or half-pike and not with his Halberd CHAP. VI. The ordering of a Regiment to the long March with the placing of the Officers and the leading of Carriages THe Major giving to every Captain his proper place to march in and what Divisions they are to lead and what to bring up in written notes under his hand commands the Drum-Major to bea● a March and so consequently all the rest to take it from him The Souldiers being warned thereby begin to shoulder their Arms and prepare to move the Colonel on Horsback being attended on by his Martial and Quarter-master draws off the first Division of Muskettiers his Captain-Lieutenant being six foot behinde him which Division is brought up by the Captain-Lieutenants Bringer-up The eldest Captain follows next leading the first Division of Pikes and brought up by his own Lieutenant The next Division of Muskettiers is led by the third Captains Lieutenant and the Reer of the first grand Division is brought up by the third Captain There ought to be full 18 foot of ground betwixt each Division he that brings up a Division ought to be cleer six foot behinde the same and he that leads to be six foot before so that there will be six foot proportion of ground betwixt them both for the better distinguishing of their Divisions the Leaders and Bringers-up thereof And where there is not room sufficient for the marching so many abrest as they are now ordered they must subdivide being careful to preserve their Divisions marching in greater depths at their due distance of open order in rank and order in file For the Serjeants must not presume upon any sub-dividing to bring them down in the Reer of them that march before and keep them intire in all their respective Divisions And it must be their observation to attend upon the Flanks even abrest with those Leaders of Files that were taken off that when there is ground and room enough they more readier know where to finde them and to lead them up again as they were at first Care likewise must be had upon any sub-dividing of the Pikes that there be none of the Colours divided who are in a Regimental way to march all three together according to their first placing These rules and observations concern both grand Divisions Now the first being led away as is before exprest there ought to be sufficient ground betwixt each grand Division for the leading of the Carriages and in the first place there is to be considered that to most Regiments there is allowed two Waggons for the Baggage and Ammunition and two Field-pieces or great Cannon besides other Carriages which more concern the Victual for the Souldiers as occasion shall require now concerning the ordering and securest placing of all these upon the March will be in the midst of the Regiment and to have those which are ordred for their Guard to be Fire-locks or to have Snap-hances for the avoiding of the danger which might happen by the Cole of the Match and being placed where any attempt of the Enemy shall fall on either to Front Reer or either Flank the Cannon may thus be easily drawn forth to fire upon them and all the wood of the Carriages with their Guard to be ordred in the Reer where-ever the assault should happen for their better security and safety The Major in the next place if he please may lead the second grand Division to which purpose he draws off with the assistance of his own Lieutenant the first Division of Muskettiers his Lieutenant being six foot behinde him and so much before the Muskettiers The next that follows is the second Body of Pikes which is led by the second Captain and brought up by his own Lieutenant The last Division of Muskettiers is led by the Lieutenant-Colonels Lieutenant and the Reer of the whole Regiment is brought up by the Lieutenant-Colonel The Serjeants are to march upon the Flanks attending their own men that when they are to be reduced into Companies they may know more readier where to finde them and according to order they may draw them off to compleat up their Captains Companies As for the Drums the care thereof belongs to the Drum-Major to place and to ease them timely by reliefs to beat as many or as few as he shall think fit to which purpose he orders them to fall in betwixt the second and third Rank of Muskettiers and Pikes of each Division but when they are all even abrest the Drums are placed according as you see them marked The Figure for the long-March in the next place followeth CHAP. VII The first Exercise of a Regiment in the plainest and easiest way THe Major finding the commodiousness of the ground may draw them up all even abrest again and proceed to exercise them in a Regimental way conferring before-hand with the Captains Lieutenants Ensigns and Serjeants what he intends to do Whether he will exercise every Maniple or Division as is usual in a private Company in all their plain Motions and Firings which may be very proper and easily done or otherwise proceed to more variety in every Division to give them commands as one man either to face double or otherwise according to discretion And having fully instructed them of all his intents and purposes he must begin to consider of the best manner for the managing of the same To which end he shall do well to command the first grand Division to advance forward 12 paces clear of the second and after face them to the Front and they will stand in manner as in Folio 147. After he must consider how many Files of Muskettiers there are and whether he can branch them forth into equal Divisions sutable to the Pikes but finding them to stand but 18 of a side he shall do well for time of his Exercise to draw off eight Files of Muskettiers from the Reer which were formerly appointed to guard the Ammunition or Baggage and add two to every Division of Muskettiers which will make them 20 Files of each side of the Pikes and then he may thus proceed Command Files to their open order and Ranks to close forward to order in each grand Division every five Files of Muskettiers of each Division close to the right to order the first six files of Pikes in each grand Division close to the right to order the rest of the Pikes close every five Files to the right to the same distance then there will be in each grand Division four Divisions of Pikes and eight of Muskettiers in manner as
set forth to your view in Folio 147. Before the Major shall begin his Exercise he shall do well to appoint unto each Division the Captains and their Ensigns whose Colours in the mean time may be stuck in the ground or given to any of the File-leaders of Pikes to hold during the time of Exercise to take charge of them to order them according unto every word of command and the Lieutenant and Serjeants to each Division of Muskettiers that after silence is craved throughout the whole Regiment the Major by stretching out his voice in every word of Command the rest as his Eccho are immediately to give it out along the whole Front and from thence unto the Reer and every Officer to lead his men accordingly The Major having stated all things according to the former directions may if he please either face double counter-march or wheel to Front Reer or both Flanks in every particular Division And may after fire them by way of Divisions drawn off ten or twenty paces before the Front firing them 7 or 8 times over relieving them by other supplies marching up into their ground And may after face the Reer-divisions about and fire them to Front and Reer on the same ground they stand there being sufficient intervalls for their wheeling off in the Reer of themselves And after several firings in this kinde the Pikes may charge on but before they begin their firings the Pikes must close into the midst to order and Muskettiers to close their Pikes to open order and every Division to preserve so much ground betwixt each other for their conveniencie that after firing they may wheel off Now if you will fire or skirmish the one with the other then draw off the Reer or second grand Division and move them away and draw them up in opposition 100 foot distance of ground betwixt each Front and let the Lieutenant-Colonels Company be drawn up upon the right and the Majors upon the left of that grand Division that it may carry some answerableness with that of the Colonels The Muskettiers having six foot interval of ground betwixt each other before they begin to fire they may continue their firings of this nature as long as they please and the Pikes may after charge on to such convenient distance as that they come not within three Pikes length one of another for avoiding doing hurt the one to the other the Muskettiers still continuing their firing and falling in the Reer of themselves and when they come within distance not to present above knee-height for the above-named reasons Now the Souldiers being almost tired and all their Powder spent and retreating from each other that side which falls out to be strongest as being the Colonels grand Division or party may beat a parley to invite the weaker to come in to mercy offering them all fair Quarter provided they timely and presently receive it and that they will cheerfully and willingly go along with them and never any more revolt but be on their side to fight with them upon all just occasions as shall be required After which the Lieutenant-Colonel yeilding they may wheel about and march into the same ground from whence they were first drawn forth and be reduced to the same order and condition as they were before they began to skirmish And thus much shall suffice concerning the ordinary plain way of exercising of Regiments but those that shall desire a little more curiosity they may observe such Exercises as in the next place shall be set forth unto them CHAP. VIII A second way of exercising Regiments of the same number of men THe first grand Division being in the Front and clear of the second 12 paces every five Files being 18 foot of ground a part from each other and at their distance of order both in Rank and File in their own particular divisions as was mention'd in Folio 146. comes in this place to be set forth to their view And having past over some of the distances to bring them to this Station in standing in 24 Maniples or Divisions the next thing that I shall shew for Exercise shall be four several Figures of Battail branched from thence by proper words of Command with their reducement Command Divisions of Muskettiers face outward Pikes and Muskettiers march all twelve paces and stand to your Leader The two middle Divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers in the Reer next the Flanks face about outmost Divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers in Front and Reer face outward march all four paces and stand Again let the outmost Divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers face about to the right then march all three paces then stand and face to their Leader it produceth the first Figure Each of the former Divisions containing five Files apiece excepting the outmost Division of Pikes upon the right in Front and Reer and they contain six Files in each of them Command Divisions of Muskettiers face outward Pikes face about to the right march all until the Pikes range even with the Reer then face to their Leader occasioneth the next Command The four last Divisions of each Arms in the midst face about the six outmost Divisions of each Arms face outward the two middle Divisions of Pikes in the Front face about march all four paces and stand then face the six outmost divisions about to the right and the four middle Divisions of Pikes about to the left then march all four paces and face to their Leader Command The two next Divisions of Pikes in the midst from the Reer face about middle Divisions of Pikes move forward six foot before the Front and Reer to your Leader Reducement The twelve last Divisions face about then set every Division march forward until they range even abrest with the Front and Reer and face to their Leader then let the Reer-divisions move forward within eighteen foot of the Front-divisions and they will be in two grand Divisions the one in the Reer of the other as at first when they began their facings Having past over part of the Distances and Facings the next which in order falls to be handled is Doublings and having by command gained eighteen foot distance betwixt every five Files if in their former motions they should chance to lose it you may then proceed to Doublings by way of Divisions as shall be in the next place set down CHAP. IX Doublings belonging to a Regiment Command DIvisions double to the right File-wise Direction Every even Division from the Front face to the right and march down clear until you stand straight with the next Interval then face to the left and move in and double those Divisions on the right File-wise to your Leader Command Divisions double to the right Rankwise Direction Every even Division from the Front face to the right and march forward six paces then face to the Front and move forward and double your Divisions to the right Command Divisions double the Length of the Battail to
the right and left outward Direction The 12 last Divisions face outward and march clear of the standing part face to your Leader move up all even abrest and double according to command Command The 12 inmost Divisions double the six outmost to the right and left outward advancing Direction The 12 middle Divisions advance forward until you be six foot clear of the standing part then face outward and march until you stand straight before the six outmost face to your Leader and after face inward and move forward until they stand again unto eighteen foot distance from each other to your Leader Command Divisions double the Depth of the Battail to the right Direction Every even Division from the right face about to the right and move down eighteen foot clear of the Reer face to the left and move until you stand straight with those Divisions on the right which you are to double to your Leader Command The 12 last Divisions in the Reer double the Front to the right Direction The 12 last Divisions face to the right and move six paces then face to the left march forward and double the Front to the right and they will be reduced CHAP. X. Four several Wheelings with their Reducement Command DIvisions wheel about to the right and move down into the Reer Direction Front-divisions wheel about to the right and move down into the Reer the rest march up into the same ground wheeling to the right hand and following successively after face to your Leader Command Divisions wheel about to the right to the left Flank Direction Face to the right and the outmost Divisions wheel about to the right and march away unto the place of the left Flank the rest moving up into the same ground wheeling about to the right and following accordingly to your Leader Command Divisions wheel about to the right from the Reer into the Front Direction Face to the Reer and let the first Divisions wheel about to the right and move up into the Front the rest marching forward into their ground wheeling off and following in like manner Command Divisions wheel about to the right to the right Flank Direction Face all to the left and let the outmost Divisions wheel about to the right and move forward to the right Flank the rest marching up into their ground following after in the same kind reduceth them CHAP. XI Countermarches not fit to be used in the Exercising of Regiments IT might be expected after Doublings that I should shew some kinds of Countermarches amongst the Military Motions in the exercise of a Regiment but being of very little use or practise amongst Commanders in these times especially in such great Bodies and for my own part I fancy them not therefore have passed them over and pitcht upon such wheelings which by some are accounted Countermarches Whose judgements my desire is better to inform by these several reasons following wherein and in what kind they differ from them As thus by these wheelings they keep their distance in Rank and File unto Order and wheeling entire unto any hand down to the Reer cannot be performed but by gaining in the Motion before the Front and unto all places as they move so much ground as is the Length of their particular Divisions and in the execution thereof they still preserve the honour of the right and left-hand-file-leaders and all others as are concerned in their particular Divisions unto any accidental Front which they shall be brought unto Now concerning Countermarches they are to be performed either by single Files Ranks Half-files or Half-ranks and at their distance of Open Order their words of Command having relation to all these particulars Their Countermarching of Files to the Reer gaineth no ground before the Front in the Motion but only the room of one particular File upon the right it preserveth not the honour of the right and left-hand-file-leader at one time by any one word of Command unto any of their Motions to such accidental Fronts they shall make but ever loseth it to some and giveth it to others And therefore it may appear cleerly unto any ingenious capacity that the former Wheelings cannot be accounted or given in their Motions in that kinde to the Souldiers for Counter-marches but by such terms as in their place are set down In the next place I shall speak something of the great benefit or use that may be made of these sorts of Wheelings as first a Commander may use them in the Motions of Doublings to Front Reer right-flank or left or double either the length or depth of the Battail unto all needful places as occasion shall require which I shall forbear to set down but leave them to the discretion of the ingenious Souldiers practise when time and opportunity shall serve him to make use of them In the next place they are very necessary to draw off any part and to bring them unto such needful places for Service as are in eminent danger Therefore passing over for present what might be more spoken of in this kinde I come in the next place to shew one Figure of Battail to fire upon and then conclude my Exercise upon this Regiment and go on unto the rest Command Pikes close Files to the right to Order then let them in the Reer double their Front to the left intire Muskettiers advance forward until your Front-divisions exceed six foot the Front of Pikes the two inmost Divisions of Muskettiers in the Front move forward 20 paces and close inward to open Order the two inmost Divisions of Muskettiers in the Reer face about and move down six paces and close inward to open Order to your Leader Muskettiers upon the Flanks close to the Body of Pikes to open Order Middle-divisions of Muskettiers in the Reer by each Flank face about Middle-divisions of Muskettiers by each Flank move forward six foot cleer of the standing part face to your Leader and it will set forth the Figure as it stands in Folio 151. CHAP. XII Several Firings to be performed upon the former Figure and how to be managed by the several Officers THe Regiment being drawn up into the former Figure they may proceed to Firings upon it first let the Forlorns fire five or six times over being commanded by the eldest Captains Lieutenant who is to be assisted by a couple of able Serjeants after let him wheel them off to the right and left and bring them down in the Reer of the Pikes Then let the second Captains Lieutenant being assisted by two Serjeants lead up the reserves by the outside of the Pikes at such time when the Forlorns begin to come off for the better securing of them from danger upon their retreat then let them move forward to their ground and give fire in like manner falling in the Reer of themselves and after wheel them off to the right and left and bring them down in the Reer of those Muskettiers that are behind the Pikes
to come up with more courage to fall on upon the Charge Therefore the best way amongst the ancient experienc'd Souldiers is that the Artillery be divided some here some there both before the Front between the Battalions and upon the Flanks and to be placed some 50 or an 100 paces one from another and then there will be no danger when the Enemy shall come up to shock to encounter you or to offend our own men Especially when they are fastned to them by drawing Ropes and Iron Rings that upon an instant they may be removed and turn'd for the advantage of our own Troops giving fire as fast as they can charge and discharge against the Enemies Troops it being a matter of great moment for the obtaining of a Victory and gaining the day from the Enemy But that many times the Ordnance cannot be planted in such convenient places as could be wished for in respect an Army may be driven into such places as the Ordnance must be planted according to the best ground it will afford by reason of Woods Hills or Marish-grounds and such like disadvantageous places may be oftentimes met withal for which no certain Rule may be given but that the General by his wisdom and discretion may make choice of the best advantages which might annoy an Enemy most and give the least offence to his own men either by dazling them by the Sun or by raising of the dust observing the winde which drives the Smoak both of the Ordnance and Small-shot full upon them To conclude it is conceived the best way for every Captain of the Ordnance and Master-Gunner to use some light Field-peeces and small Drakes which upon any occasion may be removed from one place to another being with ease planted upon such places of advantage as may most annoy the Enemy In the next place 3000 Horse may be a good proportion for 10000 or 12000 foot which ought to be equally divided in their Troops and placed upon the Flanks of the foot in such good order as the Troops may come with conveniencie to fight for the relieving of each other But in case you shall perceive the Enemies Horse as sometimes through necessity of ground or by other political ends may be interlaced and placed between the Intervals and Divisions of their foot it will be needful then that we should observe the same form and likewise have Horse to come forth and encounter with their Horse lest they should break in upon our Divisions of Foot which by this means and good order may be timely prevented Next follows the Figure of the Army as before described and ordered to be drawn up Folio 176. CHAP. XXIII The several duties belonging to the Foot in a Regiment as followeth by degrees from a private Souldier unto a Colonel of the same and first of a Private Souldier A Private Souldier ought to be very active not slothful and idle informing himself of his duty learning from his Corporal or other Officers the true use and well handling of his Arms always keeping them neat clean and well fixed Upon the beat of the Drum he is to repair to his Colours Squadron or Company upon the march he must observe his Leader and his right and left-hand-men that he may march streight in file and even in rank in time of Exercise he must be silent in the Body well minding the words of Command and Directions which are given forth by the Leader He ought likewise to be well vers'd in all the ordinary words of Command and to mind the place wherein he stands that he may the more readier move and not be to seek at such time when he shall be commanded whether it be to face double counter-march or wheel He must inform himself of all the several beats of the Drum as first or a Call second a Troop third a March fourth a Preparative fifth a Battle or Charge sixth a Retreat and also of the Revalley and the Tattoo By the first he is summoned to hear present Proclamation or else commanded to repair to his Colours upon the beat of the second he is to advance his Arms and to close in Rank and File to the distance of Order and to Troop along unto such places and services as he shall be commanded unto upon the hearing of the third he is presently to shoulder his Arms and to take his distance of six foot in Rank and three foot in File upon the fourth he is to close both in Rank and File unto the fighting distance which is called Order and to prepare himself for skirmish upon the beat of the next he is undauntedly to move forward boldly stepping in good Order into the place of his fellow-Souldier that shall happen to fall down dead before him upon the beat of the last he must orderly fall back either for relief or advantage of ground or other political ends whereby he may draw the Enemy into a snare The first of the remaining two gives warning in the morning for some of the Sentinels to fall off or to be taken in the latter is used in the night to give notice unto the Souldiers or others for their repairing to their several Guards Watches and Lodgings To conclude a private Souldier ought to avoid all Quarrelling Mutinies Swearing Cursing or Lying and to be content with his wages and likewise to be a good Husband in the well managing of his means keeping himself neat and handsome in his apparel avoiding drunkenness and all manner of gaming truely to serve and fear God and to be obedient unto all the commands of his superiours cheerfully going on upon all Duties and to be loving kind and courteous unto all his fellow-Souldiers The duty of a Sentinel A Sentinel must be very vigilant carefully casting his eyes about him and harkning whether he hear the noise or approach of any drawing neer him which if he perceive he is presently to command them to stand presenting his Musket or Pike to their brest after calling his Corporal for to take the Word unless he should be commanded to come in silently He is not to come off until he be relieved by the Corporal or Lanspassadoe His proper Posture being a Muskettier is to have his Musket rested and loaded with Powder and Bullet his Match cockt and his Pan guarded being a Pike-man if he stand Sentinel in the night he must have his Pike cheek'd if in the day his Pike ordered Or it may be a very proper Posture for a Pike-man to stand Sentinel with his Pike in his left-hand holding it a little below the cheeks thereof and with his Sword drawn being held in his right-hand which I leave to judge or to be made use of according to discretion and as occasion shall require Of a Gentleman of a Company A Gentleman of a Company ought to have such worth in him as may make him capable to be a File-leader or Captain of his File and he more especialy above the rest
by the way laying of them secretly in some Ambushments Which being truely considered of care may be taken accordingly of Supplies in other remote places free from the danger of the Enemy To conclude a Quarter-Master ought to carry himself honestly and carefully in his place and to be well skill'd in the Art of Mathematicks that he may the better give Directions for fortifying and measuring of ground quartering of his whole Regiment and in hutting of the particular Souldiers The duty of a Serjeant HE that is a Serjeant to a Company ought to be well skill'd in the Postures and all Military Motions whereby in the first place he may endeavour to correct the errours of such who handle not the Arms in a handsome or a serviceable way And secondly that he may be helpful to his Captain or other Superiour Officer In time of his Exercise his duty is to draw forth the Files according to such depths as shall be appointed unto him by his Captain or other Superiour Officer and to order them in the drawing up and joyning together the Souldiers unto such places of honour as they shall direct him unto In a single Company he leadeth oftentimes a Division but ought not always there to march in respect he is concerned to see that the Souldiers march even in their Ranks at their distance of Order in File and open Order in Rank To which purpose he ought many times to be upon the Flanks and perceiving any Souldier out of order he may cast in his Halbert between their Ranks to cause him to march even abrest with his right and left-hand-men He is likewise either in Field or Garrison to lead his Squadron to their Guard and to carry to prison such Offendours as his Captain or other Superiour Officer shall commit to the Provost-Martial He is to see that the Muskettiers in time of skirmishing present all even abrest with their Matches all cockt giving fire all together in good Order and to direct them how to fall off and rally again in the Reer of their own Divisions His duty likewise is to fetch Ammunition Powder Match and all other Materials for the Company He is moreover every particular evening to attend at the place of Parade or at the Majors Lodging to fetch the Word and carry it to his Captain Lieutenant Ensign and Corporals and likewise as soon as he is come unto his Guard he must direct the Corporals where to set out the Perdues and Sentinels and how to order his Watch. He must likewise make Rounds and if he finde a Sentinel asleep in the Field he is to commit him to the hand of Justice And thus much concerning the duty of a Serjeant Of an Ensign AN Ensign being a Commission-Officer in the absence of his Captain and Lieutenant is Commander in chief of the Company and ought to march upon the head of the same leading them with a Half-pike His Captain and Lieutenant being present and upon a Stand his Colours ought to rest upon his side being held by his right or left-hand and unfurled upon the March his Colours ought to be shouldered taking up the corner-end of them in his right-hand and to let them be half flying the Pikes and Muskets all conforming unto the same Posture Marching through a City for the more grace his Colours may be wholly flying being advanced and held up by his right-hand or resting upon his right side He ought to be a proper man grave valiant and discreet and to be well skill'd in the Postures of the Pike in respect he leads them and they expect from him to be taught the Postures thereof He ought to be well skill'd in all the lofty Figures of the displaying of the Colours above the head and to make use of them according to discretion and command which is not onely a healthfull exercise to his body but also most becoming to him or any other Gentleman or Commander whatsoever that shall sometimes make use of the same although condemned through sloth and ignorance by others who will not take the pains to learn it An Ensign upon a Troop lodging he Colours or in time of skirmishing may fold them up and retreat into the second Rank for the securing of his Colours which he ought to stick by and not to stir from them at such a time although he hazardeth his last drop of blood or makes them his winding-sheet When the General shall pass by or any such man of worth he ought a little to vail his Colours inclining the head or narrow end thereof a little downward but not to bow his knee or uncover his head He may sometimes for his ease or recreation upon the March request some Gentleman of knowing trust of the Pikes to carry his Colours for him until such time as he shall come again for to take them In the absence of his Lieutenant when his Captain shall exercise the Company he may stick his Colours in the ground or deliver them to some Gentleman of the Pikes and fall down himself in the Reer with a Half-pike or Cane there to be an assistant to his Captain in supplying the Lieutenants place except his Captain should command him to the contrary He ought to have a Guard along with him as well to the lodging of his Colours as to any other place He ought to perform all courteous offices for the Souldiers unto his Captain which will gain him both love and reputation amongst them they thereby better respecting him and more couragiously following of him Of a Lieutenant HE that is a Lieutenant to a Company ought to be a good and able Souldier and well to understand the Duty of a Captain in respect that in his absence he is as Captain and Commander in chief over them He is likewise to receive all Orders Charges and Commissions from his Captain assuming no authority unto himself but in the absence of his Captain he is to see all such Orders he hath received duly executed for the better ease unto him He is likewise at such times frequently to exercise the Company in all their Military Motions Skirmishings and False-firings in the pan He is to hold the Serjeants and Corporals strictly to their duty causing them to provide all things necessary for the Company and to be assistants unto him where he shall see cause He is to teach and instruct the Souldiers in the use of their Arms and sometime for their ease he may command every File-leader to draw forth his File and to shew them their postures By which means he shall do such good service to his Captain that when he shall exercise them himself he may find them more apter and readier to fulfil his Commands at which time the Lieutenant ought to be in the Reer and to see all things there truly executed according to the Captains commands He is in time of danger and great importance to advise with his Captain about the welfare of the Company for knowing
the Corporal with his Sword drawn shall approach with a Guard of Muskettiers who are to be all arm'd and appointed as the Sentinels ready to present whereupon the Corporal with one only Muskettier advancing and perceiving him to be the Captain of the Watch indeed is to give him the Word in his ear having respectively cast down the point of his Sword afterward receiving further instructions from him he conducts him to his furthest Sentinel But if it shall appear that he be not the Captain or the Corporal knowing him not justly to be so by a just suspition he may then detain him although he shal give him the Word and then he shall further demand the Word of some other attending him from whom having received it he may more safely permit them to pass but of all others whatsoever that shall attempt a passage he is to receive the Word from them and not deliver it to them The Captain himself having done the duty in person of passing the first Round upon his return he is to send forth others upon the like duty such as he shall out of his discretion chuse from his Main-guard and may most confide in to whom he is to impart the Word at their setting forth upon the duty and not before with strict admonitions and full instructions what they are to do and what way to take Now if he shall be supplyed with men enough upon his own Guard he may at the same time command out several Rounders to be taken several wayes who are diligently to observe their directions given them and to be very vigilant in the observation of all things in their passage both by the eye and the ear and to admonish the Sentinels in case of neglect that all things be more carefully lookt unto in their duty And of these Rounders likewise as before the foremost Sentinel demands Who goes there When being answered satisfactorily as by the name of the Round or Friends the permits them passage to the neerest Sentinel who having stopt them there takes a further accompt what and who they are Which is done by calling forth his Corporal who placing the point of his Sword at one of their brests takes the Word privatly and so passes them by conduct to the furthest Sentinel But if there shall happen a mistake in the Word the Corporal is either to secure them with himself or by Guard to transfer them to the Main-guard Such as shall walk the Round are to take a strict accompt of all they meet what and who they are and in case of deficiency of answering justly on the one side or suspition of the other they are to secure and guard them to the Captain of the Watch. Now setting aside those Queries which some do make between Rounders and Counter-Rounders if they meet who shall give or take the Word the best and safest course is for them all that before the Word be either given or taken they go together to the neerest Corps du Guard and there to give the Word after which they are to pass upon their duty again and so having finished the Round and returning to the Captain of the Watch he taketh accompt of them of the things that they have done and observed in their duty and course upon the Round and thus the Captain still supplies the Rounds successively by such others as he shall take by seniority and dispose off for the like service Furthermore that all disorders irregularities and such persons as shall cause the same in a Town or Garrison may be found out and rectified and that all dangerous accidents by fire or otherwise may be prevented the Captain of the Watch commandeth out a Guard of Firelocks or Muskettiers to view the Streets and all suspitious and irregular persons as they take they are to bring to the Main-Guard of this Guard which is always conducted by a Serjeant and is called the Patrouille and if they happen to be Muskettiers and not Firelocks then they are to be every one provided of such an instrument as may cover the lighted Matches and keep them from discovery From these also as from the Rounders the Captain of the Watch takes full accompt of all their passages and observations on their duty When at any time any sudden approach shall be made or any Enemy discovered the Sentinel who is to be firm constant to his Place and Posture till he shall be relieved forthwith by firing gives the Alarm and immediately seconds it by crying with a loud voice Arm Arm. When the Alarm is thus given the other two Divisions immediately led by their Officers are orderly to march up to the Captain of the Main-Guard to the intent that all Guards of the Garrison may with expedition be made good and it is necessary that these instructions be given them indeed by the Serjeant-Major when he shall give the Word to the Minor-Serjeants who must likewise inform their chief Officers of it and from them the Souldiers are to be charged and acquainted therewith that so upon all occasions they may not be ignorant of this part of their duty but ready to perform it The duty of a Sentinel is to stand in the Place and Posture a full hour and no more at which time the Corporal or in case of his absence his Lanspassadoe is to relieve him and not onely him but all the Sentinels that are out upon duty relieving the farthest Sentinel first who falls in the Reer of the rest and so all the others backward in the like Order and then conducts the relieved Sentinels back to the Guard again At an early hour of the morning appointed for beating up the Revally the two Sentinels next unto the Guard are to retreat into it At the time appointed in the morning for opening of the Gates the Serjeant-Major attended with a sufficient Guard repairs to the Governour or place elsewhere alotted and there receives the Keys which being done he is to unlock first that Gate which is most remote from danger of the Enemy and the rest in order answerable but if it happen to be in place and time of imminent danger the Major commandeth forth a party of Souldiers conducted by an able Officer to go first and make diligent search for discovering of Ambuscadoes which may happen to be in any close suspected places as Lanes By-ways Hedges ruinous Cottages Churches Pits or Hollow-trees Woods Gardens and all such-like inclosures at which time he openeth not the Main-ports but only the Wickets And except upon command to the contrary which is not usual both the Guards and the Watches at the Gates are to be kept night and day and all persons upon them to continue upon their duty until they shall be relieved by order Upon the discharging of the Watch to the end that every Officer and Souldier may have notice to make speedy repair to their several Guards each several Drum first beats a Troop and afterwards a March in the Main-guard
would say Command To the left hand Direction It is done by turning towards the left hand until their faces front to that place which was before the Reer To reduce them to their first form as that must be observed the word is Command To the right hand about as you were Command To the left hand about Command Ranks to the right double The use hereof hath been shewed before but to perform it this is the Direction Every other Rank that is every even Rank is to pass into the odd upon the right hand of his Leader the second Rank into the first and so successively To reduce them the Word is Command Ranks as you were Direction It is best done by causing those Ranks which doubled to stand and those that stood to advance Command Ranks to the left double Direction 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 Command Ranks as you were Command Files to the Right Double Direction Let the second File pass into the First every man behinde his side-man accounting from the right hand the fourth into the third and so the rest which must be done through the whole Company at one instant But because the first Rank of the Troop is as the edge and the Files are for the most part appointed but five deep there seemeth no great necessity of doubling Files To reduce them the Word is Command Files to the left as you were Command Files to the left double Direction The Difference between this and the former Motion is the difference of hands only And by this means those Files which stood before must move now and they which moved before now stand as appears by the Figure They are reduced by commanding Command Files as you were or Ranks to the Right double Command Half Files to the Right hand double the Front Direction Middle Men double the first Rank on the right hand the other three Ranks double the threee following Ranks To reduce them the Word is Command Half files as you were But it is better to cause them that doubled to stand and the first Division to advance Command Half-Files to the Left hand double the Front Direction This Motion differs from the former in the hand only There is also doubling of Ranks by the Half Files entire to the right or left or both by Division but because the Files especially of Guirassiers are seldome above five deep the doubling of Ranks Half-files c. is little used The reducing of them is shewed in the former Motion Command Bringers-up to the right hand double the Front Direction The last Rank must pass into the first and so successively every one by the right hand of his Leader as in the figure It is of goood use but troublesome for the Horse to perform especially in the reducing so it may be used or omitted as shall be thought fit To reduce them Command Bringers-up as you were Command 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 amiss to prefer the left Direction The Figure sufficiently represents the manner of the Motion which represents the Choraean manner there be also Countermarches after the Macedonian and Lacedemonian ways which for brevity are here omitted Command Files close to the right and left to your close Order Direction Being about to wheel the Troop 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 to the right and left towards the middle of the Body Command Ranks close forward to your close Order Direction All the Ranks move forward saving the first which stand The second Rank having their distance stand and so all the rest The Horse being to wheel it must be conceived that it cannot be performed by them in so exact a manner nor in so strait a room as the Foot therefore the Commander is to ride a reasonable compass that so the Horse may do it with convenience Command To the left hand Wheel Certain Authors as Melzo and Basta would have the Horse in all their Wheelings to do it by the left which is the readier way unless the ground or other hinderace will not permit it the Wheeling to the Right is here omitted which should in order go first Direction All the Body must move to the left upon the left File-leader who is the Center or Hinge upon which the whole Body turneth To reduce them Command Wheel as you were There is also Wheeling to the Right or Left about Wheeling Wings into the Front c. To reduce them into their first Order Direction First the Ranks are to be opened then the Files which bringeth them to their first form In opening of Ranks the only way is to do it by opening forward These and such like Motions are directed and commanded by the Voice of the Commander but because the Voice cannot at all times be heard especially in gross bodies by reason of the clashing of Armor trampling and neighing of Horses tumultuous sounds and noise of the Multitude and that especially in fight Antiquity hath invented helps making three kinds of Military Signs or Directions 1. Vocal which is by the Commanders Voice pronounced by the inferior Officers to the Ear. 2. Semivocal by Drum Trumpet or other Warlike instrument to the Ear. 3. Mute By Signs to the Eye as by the Ensign Standard c. The Cavalry therefore must be taught distinctly to know the Sounds of the Trumpet as when to clap on their Saddles when to mount when to repair to their 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 louder Voice of the Commander they must perfectly observe and obey Notwithstanding I have here propounded a Troop of 64 Horse to be exercised in their Motions and those of eight in File yet the general opinion is that a Troop ought not to be deeper then five in File though the Troop do consist of 100 Horse Every Troop must be furnished with A Captain A Lieutenant A Cornet A Quartermaster Three Corporals Two Trumpetters A Clerk A Sadler A Ghyrurgeon A Farrier When the Troop is to March they are to be divided into three equal parts according to the number of Corporals which parts are called Squadrons and distinguished by these Names The Captains Lieutenants and Cornets Squadron The first Squadron is to be led by the Captain the second by the Cornet the third by the eldest Corporal the Lieutenant and Quartermaster are to march in the Reer The manner how a Troop of 60 Horse besides Officers should March
into the Field to be Exercised as it is in use at this day Let this suffice for their particular Marching and Drawing up into Battalia as for their Marching in gross we shall next come to speak of that Concerning The MARCHING of an ARMY Both HORSE FOOT With the Train of Artillery Baggage c. Exemplified in an Army of 22000 Foot and 5000 Horse With the manner how the Prince of Orange Marched to besiege Groll The Marching of an Army I Come now to let you see an Army of 22000. Foot and 5000 Horse with thirty pieces of Ordnance to wit eight Half cannon six Quarter-cannon and sixteen Field-pieces march in a Country where they may be charged either in Front or Reer then shall I give you some rules for passing of Straits and Rivers And lastly I will shew you the form and Order that the Prince of Orange observed in some of his Marches You are to observe that the Army is to be divided into Van-guard Battail and Reer and because the Van is the most honourable place they change every day so that he that hath the Van this day hath the Reer to morrow and he that had the Battle marcheth in the Van so likewise he that had the Reer the first day marcheth in the Van the third day and this Order doth the Regiment in every Tertia also follow Being thus divided they are all upon Order given by the General to stand ranged in Battalia either in their several Quarters or in some place of Arms appointed for the whole Army and standing so in readiness Command being given to March There shall first set forwards 500 Horse in one or more Troops as occasion shall require to discover and cleer all the Passage that the Army is to march by they shall advance an English Mile or more according to the Quality of the Country before the Army and send a Corporal out of every Troop which best knows the Country with fifteen or sixteen Horse to search and scoure all suspected ways those Corporals shall also advance as much before their Troops as their Troops are before the Army or thereabouts according as the Country is opened or covered and always keep three or four Horse a Musquet shot before them to prevent any sudden surprise and if they discover any Enemies they are presently to send a Horse-man to advertise their Troops and they likewise to give notice to the Army They must also diligently inform themselves as neer as possibly they can with the strength of the Enemy and still send Messengers with advertisement by whom they shall also receive Order how they shall retire or dispose of themselves After them shall follow 1000 with Fire-locks and Half-pikes divided into several Troops as well to succour the said Horse as to guard the Ordnance of the Van-guard that follow and they shall also send fifty men on either Flank with sufficient Officers to discover and keep off small parties Then shall march two Companies of Pioniers to even the way for the Artillery and with them one Waggon with Materials and an other with Victuals Next eight Field-pieces all ready charged and attended by two Gentlemen four Gunners two Waggons loaden with Powder two with Bullets and one Conductor Then three Quarter-cannon likewise charged and attended by one Gentleman two Gunners one Waggon loaden with Powder one with Bullets and one Conductor After them four Half-cannon upon their Carrages attended by two Gentlemen four Canoniers four Waggons loaden with Powder four with Bullets one with a Bucks head and other Instruments necessary to mount and dismount the Pieces and two Conductors Next shall follow 2000 Horse marching in a good distance by Regiments or Troops and in good Order After them the Van-guard of Foot consisting of 7000 and marching orderly by Regiments at their appointed distances There shall follow them half the Ammunition and Victuals for the Army then the Generals and Chief Officers Waggon and lastly the particular Waggons belonging to the Van-guard and half of that which belongs to the battail marching and taking place in the same Order as do the Regiments they belong unto in their several Bodies Then shall march the Battail consisting likewise of 7000 Foot followed with the rest of the Ammunition Vivers and baggage of the Battail and also with that which belongs to the Reer After them shall march in well ordered Divisions the Reer of the Foot consisting of 6000 Foot and next 2000 Horse as aforesaid Then in the same order as is mentioned in the Van-guard shall march four Half-cannons three Quarter-cannon and eight Field-pieces accomplished with their appurtenances as Powder Bullets necessary Instruments and sufficient persons to manage and attend them Next them 1000 Fire-locks to guard the Ordnance and succour the Forlorn-hope of the Reer as is aforesaid Lastly to close up the Army shall march 500 Horse observing the same Order as is prescribed them in the Van-guard Many there are that dislike the placing the baggage among the Troops especially when the Army is to pass any narrow way or straits because the Waggons take up so much ground and separate the Troops so far that upon occasion they will not be able to succour each other and it is certain that an Army thus divided may easily be affronted But there is no General so ill advertised being to pass a strait that hath not intelligence where his Enemy attends for him whether it be in Front or Reer And if his Enemy waits for him a head he can let his baggage come in the Reer next after the Reer of the Foot If he follow him he may place his baggage before the Van-guard of the Foot ever taking care to appoint a sufficient guard to attend it and in an open Country where the Troops may march in Battalia the Waggons may well march between the Troops placing themselves likewise in Ranks and making a Front as large as the Body they follow so shall they take up but little ground and be no trouble at all and there they are out of danger which otherwise they will be subject to if an Enemy be neer and strong in Horse The Order that the Prince of Orange Marched in going to besiege Groll FIrst marched the Horse belonging to the Van-guard After them two Companies of Pioniers with two Waggons loaden with Victuals and one with Quarter-poles Next the Enginiers and Quarter-masters a Horse-back Then followed the Guards and after them three Field-pieces of six pound Bullet and six Chambred-pieces of twelve pound Bullet with all things belonging to them upon ninteen Waggons five for the Field-pieces and fourteen for the Chambred-pieces Next came the Van-guard of Foot consisting of six Regiments and followed by three Waggons loaden with 3000 pound of Powder one with 1000 pound of Match and one with 1000 pound of Musquet-bullets and upon them sixty or seventy empty bags to deal out the Powder Then followed a Lieutenant with fifty men taken out of the
by consent of the Fiscal and knowledge of the Marshal-General upon forfeit of the Goods the one half to the poor the other to the Marshal 6. No man shall buy any Goods without sound of Drum as also notice to be given to the Marshal upon forfeit of the Goods and six Gilders in money 7. No Sutler Saylor or any other person shall buy any Iron Metal or any other thing belonging to Bells Arms Bullets Powder or any thing belonging to Ammunition or any other forbidden Wares or take any such thing to pawn upon forfeit of the same and also to be openly whipped 8. No man shall make any Arrest or go to Law upon any old Action or Debt made before or without the Leaguer 9. All Prisoners as well of our own men as of the Enemy whether deserving bodily punishment or otherwise are to be delivered to the Marshal-General with true notice of their offences and accusations 10. All Marshals of Regiments Admiralty Artillery Guards or others shall stand under the Marshal-General 11 No man shall set any price upon Victuals or any Leaguer-provision within the Leaguer without the consent of the Marshal-General upon pain of being severely punished 12. No man shall abuse the Marshal-General or his servants by word or deed or offer them any violence upon pain to be hanged without mercy 13. No man shall Suttle in the Leaguer before he hath given up his name to the General of the Victuals and Provision and also to the Marshal upon pain of six guilders 14 All Sutlers that come into the Leaguer shall give notice to the General of the Victuals or to his Commissary of their Wares and must not Suttle without his Commission upon the like pain 15. No Sutler shall set up his Cabbin in any other place then where is appointed by the Marshal upon the like pain 16. No Sutler shall buy any Provision within the Leaguer until it be brought to the place appointed for Market and there prized and taxed upon forfeiture of half the goods so bought or sold to the use of the Poor and Marshal aforesaid 17. No Sutler shall use any Weights or Measures but such as are ordained them by the Marshal-General upon pain of six guilders and those that are found to use false Weights or Measures shall forfeit their goods the one half to the poor in general the other to the poor of the Regiment and also to be severely punished 18. No Sutler shall tap Beer or Wine in the morning before the Sun rise or at night after the Warning-Piece goes off upon pain of forfeiting for every offence three guilders 19. No man shall kill any meat within the Leaguer but shall carry all garbage and filth thereof without the Leaguer and there bury it upon pain of forfeiting of six guilders for every default 20. No man shall do his easment within the Quarter but in the place appointed which must be 100 foot without the Intrenchment and be marked out by the Marshals of every Regiment upon forfeiture of his upper garment Orders for Watching A Company having the Watch at an Avenue or Trench the Souldiers shall place their Pikes in Battalia a little distance from the Parapet and their Muskets in order upon the Parapet No Captain Officer or Souldier whatsoever shall absent himself being in health from his Watch. No Souldier shall be suffered to hire his duty or to put one of his fellows to stand sentinel for him if he do he is to be punished without favour Every Sentinel shall stand full armed and not stir from his station until his Corporal relieve him upon the like pain The Corporals shall instruct the Sentinels how they must behave themselves and be careful to set them out at such a distance as they may see each other A Sergeant-Major or some better qualified Officer shall every night go the Round and see the Watches be well ordered and the Sentinels duly set out and if he find any defect or fault in the Guards he shall acquaint the Sergeant-Major-General with it that it may be amended When the Round comes an Officer accompanied with some Muskettiers shall readily give the Word and not hold the Round long up The Corporal in taking the Word shall do the same Note That some are of Opinion that the Corporal in the Field ought to give the Word to no man but take it from all that pass to prevent the inconvenience that may happen by giving it to an Enemy which coming secretly may pretend to have the Round and I have known that the Prince of Orange hath ordained that the grand Round should give the Word to the Officer that had the Watch. One of the chief Officers of the Company or Troop shall continually keep waking and stirring to keep the men by their Arms and there must be never less then the third part of the Company or Troop afoot to be ready upon all occasions The Officers must have a care and see that the Sentinels be well and orderly placed and must go themselves and often send to visit them The Officers must be careful to keep all their men upon the Guard and to punish such as go off without leave Imbatteling OUr modern Warrs seldome bring Controversies to the trial of Battle for men now make War rather like Foxes then Lyons yet Germany hath of late given us some Examples and necessary it is to know in what order an Army may best receive or charge an Enemy To give you therefore some satisfaction therein I will let you see divers forms of Imbatteling Foot and Horse apart and together as they have been ordered by the Princes of Orange and others whereby you may learn how to range Troops when occasion doth require But I beleeve it will not be impertinent first to give you some observations considerable before and when you come to fight as also to speak a little of a Chase and Retreat Observations IF you be upon Defence venture not your Game at a cast your Enemy can loose but his Army you may loose your Countrey have a care that you be not forced to fight hinder him of Provision by cutting off his Convoys or burning all before him that he may gather none in the Countrey use some means to call him home by diversion or wait upon him in places of advantage as Straits and narrow Passages when he must march in small Divisions and draw his Troops into such a length that they cannot easily succour each other then finding opportunity attach him resolutely so shall you be sure if he be not a vigilant and expert Captain to do him an affront Many Examples there are in History of men that perished by pressing an invading Enemy to fight the Battails of Cressy Poitiers and others are fair warnings to perswade men not to presume or wilfully to hazard all in one day Had the Cardinal Infanta fought with the Prince of Orange and the French when they were in little Brabant without