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A89228 The Scotch military discipline learned from the valiant Swede, and collected for the use of all worthy commanders favouring the laudable profession of armes By Major Generall Monro, being novv generall of all the Scotch forces against the rebels in Ireland, communicates his abridgement of exercise, in divers practicall observations for the younger officers better instruction; ending with the souldiers meditations going on in service. Monro, Robert. 1644 (1644) Wing M2454A; ESTC R231118 380,127 374

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having cast off his loose powder then to cast about his Musket to his left side drawing backe with his Musket his left foote and hand till the mouth of the musket come right to his hand to charge againe in the same place standing firme till his follower marched by him on his right hand standing at the same distance before him that he stood behinde and then to give fire blowing his pan priming casting off and retiring his musket with his left hand and foote and to charge againe as is said and so forth one after another discharging at a like distance till at last the Rot-master should be under-rot and the under-rot Leader and then his follower marching up by him while as he is charging giving fire on the enemy and having discharged standing still also charging till in th' end the Rot-master come to be Leader againe and so forth still advancing per vices till the enemy turne backe or that they come to push of Pike and Buts of Muskets Thus having exercised the Rots apart for a weeke or two doubtlesse they will become expert Souldiers in using their Armes when they are joyned in a strong body lesse or more The Pike-men would be exercised also by Rots apart in the severall Postures thereof till they were acquainted also with their Leaders and were made expert in using their Pikes aright till thereafter the whole body of Pikes might be exercised apart with great ease to their Officers The Musketiers being drawne in a body being sixteene or thirty-two men in Front being but six Rancks deepe the first Rancke discharging at once casting about their muskets and charging all alike the second Rancke marches through every follower going by on the right hand of his Leader standing before him at the distance they were behinde and then being firme they give fire all alike on their enemies blowing priming casting about and charging all alike where they stand till per vices the whole Ranckes have discharged and so forth ut antea successively advancing and giving fire till the enemy turne backe or that they come to push of Pike and being thus well exercised in advancing to the enemy and winning ground if through necessity they be forced to retire from an enemy losing ground they must also keepe their faces to their enemies the Reare being still in fire and the last Rancke having given fire they march through the Rancks till they that were last are first comming off and so per vices till they have made a safe retreate the Reare which is ever the Front coming from an enemy is in fire The manner to exercise a body of Musketiers TO exercise a Squadron of Musketiers how strong soever they be the number of Rancks being no deeper than six the files being even may be so many as your voice can extend to ever observing that your Command be given in the Front otherwise may breede disorder and before you begin to command you would enter first with a Prologue as good Orators commonly doe to reconciliat their hearers attendance even so you ought with an exhortation of attendance entreate but by way of command your Souldiers not to be gazing in time of their exercise but with stedfastnesse to settle their mindes on their exercise that they may the better observe and obey the words of command and above all things you are to command them to keepe silence not babling one to another neither in their motions to suffer their Armes to rattle one against another alwayes to take heede to their Leaders that goe before them and to follow them orderly without disturbance keeping and observing their due distance either of Ranckes or Files which may be easily done if they but duely follow their Leaders and have an eye on their right and left fellow Camerades for keeping their Ranckes even in a like Front Likewise they are to observe when they are commanded to turne any where whether it be by Rancks or Files that their faces may by turned to the hand they are commanded to before they sturre to march and then to march alike and when ever they double Rancks or Files or counter-march they must ever observe to retire to the contrary hand they were commanded to double on if they doubled to the right when they fall off they retire turning to the left hand et contra for avoiding of disorder or hinderance that their Armes would make if they retired to the same hand they were commanded to double or march to In their counter-marches it is also requisit in time of exercise that neither Officer nor Souldier doe presume to command direct or finde fault with the errour but he that commands in chiefe whether he be superiour or inferiour Officer for the time since it is said when many speake few heare Therefore he must command alone suffering no rivall for avoiding of disorder Order therefore of distance being a chiefe point observed in exercising is three fold to wit Open order of Rancks or Files is six foote of distance being betwixt Rancks and Files both alike only requisit to be observed in mustering or while as they stand in danger of Cannon not being in battaile where in battaile order the distance to be observed betwixt Rancks or Files should be three foote where Elbow to Elbow of the side Camerades may joyne where in the open order aforesaid hand to hand can but joyne But in close order used most in conversion or wheeling is shoulder to shoulder and foote to foote firme keeping themselves together for feare to be put asunder by the force of their enemies and then to disorder which is ever to be looked unto chiefely before an enemy Your speech thus ended for your generall directions you begin againe to command silence and to take heed what is commanded to be done saying Height your Musketiers dresse your Rancks and Files to your open order of six foote and take heede To the rìght hand turne as you were To the left hand turne as you were To the right hand about turne as you were To the left hand about turne as you were To the right hand double your Rancks as you were To the left hand double your Rancks as you were The even Rancks or Files double ever unto the odde and the fourth Rancke is the middle Rancke of six To the right hand double your Files as you were To the left han● double your Files as you were Middle-men or fourth Rancke to the right hand double your Front To the left hand retire as you were Middle-men to the left hand double your Front To the right hand as you were Nota. The sixth Rancke is called bringers up or reare or under Rot-masters Bringers up to the right hand double your Front To the left hand as you were Bringers up to the left hand double your Front To the right hand as you were All that doubled turne first about and then they retire falling behinde those were their Leaders before in the same place
or distance This doubling of the bringers up or of middle-men is very requisit in giving a generall salve of Musket and as it is to be observed in rancks that the best men are placed in front reare and middle even so in files every Corporalship being foure files of Musketiers the likeliest are put ever in the right and left files of the foure being also of best experience The doubling of rancks being done and all remitted in good order and to their first distance of open order you are to command and exercise Souldiers in three severall wayes of counter-marching requisit in some respects but in my opinion to be used but seldome except it be in necessity in such parts as the ground will not permit otherwise therefore to avoide disorder Souldiers ought not to be ignorant of any of the three sorts of counter-marching First having commanded the Souldiers to dresse their rancks and files and to carry their Muskets handsomly keeping silence say To the right hand the counter-march without noise or losing of ground To the left hand retire againe to the former ground Then command againe to dresse rancks and files and to right their Armes keeping silence taking heede to what is to be commanded and say To the right hand turne Then the Flancke before being now the Front command To the right hand counter-march and lose no ground To the left hand as you were This is used ordinarily to change one wing of Battaile in place of the other then that the Front may be as it was first before they Countermarcht To the left hand turne dresse your Rankes and Files and be silent Another sort of Countermarch is the Slavonian countermarch where you lose ground the Front being changed also then you command the first Ranke to turne about to the right hand then you say to the rest Countermarch and through to your former distance after your Leaders Then say Leaders as you were and to the rest To the left hand countermarch as you were to your first ground The third sort of countermarch I esteeme most of to be practised being rather a conversion very requisit to be well knowne to all Souldiers in all Armies chiefly to be used before an enemy for as it is most sudden so in my opinion it breeds least disorder and disturbance the Souldiers once used to it of themselves they will willingly doe it on any occasion the body being before in open order or Battaile order say Close the Ranks and Files to your closse order without encumbering one of another every man following right his owne Leader keeping closse to his side man then say To the right hand the quarter turne halfe or whole as the occasion and the ground doth permit and then say Dresse your Armes and follow your Leaders and open againe to your Battaile order Lastly the body of your Musketiers exercised perfectly after this manner for the better bringing of them in exercise and breath that in case any disorder may happen amongst them they may the better afterward be acquainted one with another say to your open order of six foote distances Open both Rankes and Files and set downe your Armes handsomely where you stand then command your Sergeant to goe an hundred paces from the body of your Musketiers and sticke in his Holbert in the ground then admonish your Souldiers that at the tucke of your Drumme they runne from their Armes about the Holbert and to stay there till the Drumme recall them againe to their Armes which being done it makes the Souldiers able in breath to know one anothers place in case they should be brought at any time in disorder to recover themselves the better Thus much for the training of Souldiers in changing of place as you will have them without giving of fire When you have gotten your Souldiers thus experimented in their motions then are you to acquaint them with shot in giving of fire to make them fix against their enemies which is easily done having once apart and singularly used their Muskets after the order of the severall postures belonging thereto as was commanded their inferiour Officers and Leaders to teach them before they were exercised Therefore before you come to the particular formes of giving fire you shall first give some generall directions to be observed by all for avoiding the hurting of themselves or of their Camerades as also how they can best offend their enemies and to this effect you shall admonish in love all brave Musketiers first to have their Muskets cleere and hansome and above all fix in the worke especially every Souldier would be well knowne with his owne Musket and cocke to cocke aright then to hold the mouth or Cannon of his Musket ever high up either being on his shoulder or in priming or guarding of his panne but in giving fire never higher or lower than levell with the enemies middle then your Musketiers being in readinesse your Muskets charged they may be commanded to give fire in skirmish disbandoned as their Officers doe direct them to advance or retire as the occasion offers also to give fire by Ranckes Files Divisions or in Salves as the Officer pleaseth to command to the effect they may be fixed Omni modo though in my opinion one way is the best yet there are severall wayes of giving fire in advancing to an enemy as retiring from an enemy or in standing firme before an enemy either by Rancks or by Files made to Rancks Advancing to an enemy not being disbandoned but in one bodie they give fire by Rancks to Rancks having made readie alike they advance ten paces before the bodie being led up by an Officer that stands in even Front with them the Cannon or mouth of their Muskets of both Rancks being past his bodie The second Rancke being close to the backe of the foremost both gives fire alike priming and casting about their Muskets they charge againe where they stand till the other two Rancks advance before them and give fire after the same manner till the whole Troope hath discharged and so to beginne againe as before after the order of the through-countermarch ever advancing to an enemie never turning backe without death or victorie And this is the forme that I esteeme to be the best as for the rest they are not to be much used but this order can be used winning ground advancing or losing ground in a Retreate When you would command the body of your Musketiers to give fire in a Salve as is ordinarie in Battell before an enemy joyne or against Horsemen then you command the bringers up or Reare to double the Front to the right hand and to make readie having the match cocked and their pannes well guarded having closed the three Rancks though not the Files the Officers standing in equall Front with the foremost Rancke betwixt two Divisions he commands to give fire one Salve two or three and having charged againe and shouldered their Armes they retire to
and the word was given God with us a little short speech made by His Majestie being in order of Battaile we marched towards the enemie who had taken the advantage of the ground having placed his Armie on a place called Gods Acre where their Generall did make choice of the ground most advantagious for his foote Artillerie and horses he also did beset the Dorpes that invironed the ground which was left for us with Dragoniers and Crabbats to incomber our wings by their evill Neighbourhood yet notwithstanding of all the advantages hee had of Ground Wind and Sunne our magnanimous King and Leader under God inferiour to no Generall we ever reade of for wisedome courage dexteritie and good Conduct he was not dejected but with magnanimitie and Christian resolution having recommended himselfe his Armie and successe to God the Director of men and Angells able to give victory with few against many He ordered his Armie and directed every supreame Officer of the Field on their particular charge and stations committed unto them for that day As also he acquainted them severally of the forme he was to fight unto and he appointed Plottons of Musketiers by fifties which were commanded by sufficient Officers to attend on severall Regiments of horse and he instructed the Officers how to behave themselves in discharging their duties on service Likewise he directed the Officers belonging to the Artillery how to carry themselves which orderly done the commanded Musketiers were directed to their stand where to fight his Majestie then led up the foure Briggads of foote which were appointed to be the Battaile of the Armie with a distance betwixt every Briggad that a Regiment of horse might march out in grosse betwixt the Briggads all foure being in one front having their Ordnance planted before every Briggad being foure pieces of great Cannon and eight small whereof foure stood before the Colours that were the Battaile of the Briggad with Amunition and Constables to attend them on the right hand Pikes before the Colours were the other foure pieces of Cannon with Amunition and Constables conforme and on the left wing of Pikes and Colours were placed the other foure pieces of Cannon as we said before Behinde these foure Briggads were drawne up the three Briggads of Reserve with their Artillery before them standing at a proportionable distance behinde the other foure Briggads with the like distance betwixt them as was betwixt the Briggads of the Battaile The Briggads of horse which had Plottons of Musketiers to attend them were placed on the right and left wings of the foote and some were placed betwixt the Battaile of foote and the Reserve to second the foote as neede were other Briggads of horse were drawne up behinde the Reserve of the foote Briggads The Felt-marshall Horne Generall Banier and Lievetenant Generall Bawtish were commanded to over-see the Horsemen his Majestie the Baron Tyvell and Grave Neles were to command the Battaile of foote Sir Iames Ramsey as eldest Colonell had the command of the fore-Troopes or commanded Musketiers and Sir Iohn Hepburne as eldest Colonell commanded the three Briggads of Reserve Our Armie thus ordered the Duke of Saxon and his Feltmarshall Arnhem having ordered their Armie whereof I was not particularly inquisitive of the manner they were ordained to draw up on our left hand and being both in one front thus ordered we marched in Battaile a little and then halted againe till his Majestie had commanded out some commanded Horsemen on the wings of the Armie a large distance from the body to scoure the fields of the Crabbats we marched againe in order of Battaile with Trumpets sounding Drummes beating and Colours advanced and flying till we came within reach of Cannon to our enemies Armie then the magnifick and magnanimous Gustavus the Invincible leads up the Briggads of horse one after another to their ground with their Plottons of shot to attend them As also he led up the Briggads of foote one after another to their ground during which time we were drawne up according to our former plot the enemy was thundering amongst us with the noise and roaring whisling and flying of Cannon-Bullets where you may imagine the hurt was great the sound of such musick being scarce worth the hearing though martiall I confesse yet if you can have so much patience with farre lesse danger to reade this dutie to an end you shall finde the musicke well paide but with such Coyne that the players would not stay for a world to receive the last of it being over-joyed in their flying By twelve of the Clock on wednesday the seventh of September in despight of the fury of the enemies Cannon and of his advantages taken they were drawne up in even front with the enemy and then our Cannon begun to roare great and small paying the enemy with the like coyne which thundering continued alike on both sides for two houres and an halfe during which time our Battailes of horse and foote stood firme like a wall the Cannon now and then making great breaches amongst us which was diligently looked unto on all hands by the diligence of Officers in filling up the voide parts and in setting aside of the wounded towards Chirurgians every Officer standing firme over-seeing their Commands in their owne stations succeeding one another as occasion offered By halfe three our Cannon a little ceasing the Horsemen on both wings charged furiously one another our Horsemen with a resolution abiding unloosing a Pistoll till the enemy had discharged first and then at a neere distance our Musketiers meeting them with a Salve then our horsemen discharged their Pistolls and then charged through them with swords and at their returne the Musketiers were ready againe to give the second Salve of Musket amongst them the enemy thus valiantly resisted by our Horsemen and cruelly plagued by our Plottons of Musketiers you may imagine how soone he would be discouraged after charging twice in this manner and repulsed Our Horsemen of the right wing of Finnes and Haggapells led by the valourous Feltmarshall Horne finding the enemies Horsemen out of Order with resolution he charged the enemies left wing forcing them to retire disorderly on their battailes of foote which caused disorder among the foote who were forced then to fall to the right hand our Horsemen retiring his Majestie seeing the enemy in disorder played with Ordnance amongst them during which time the force of the enemies Battailes falls on the Duke of Saxon charging with Horse first in the middest of the Battailes and then the foote giving two Salves of Musket amongst them they were put to the Rout horse and foote and the enemy following them cryed Victoria as if the day had beene wonne triumphing before the victory But our Horsemen charging the remnant of their horse and foote where their Generall stood they were made to retire in disorder to the other hand towards Leipsigh our Armie of foote standing firme not having loosed one Musket the smoake
the left hand againe every man falling behinde his owne Leader Being on retiring from the enemie the whole bodie having made readie as they march off in order a qualified Officer being in the Reare and qualified Officers in the Van to order them that fall up the last two Rancks in the Reare turne faces about and the whole body with them and the two Rancks having given fire they march through the body to the Van and order themselves as they were before and so successively the whole bodie gives fire ever by two Rancks and falls off till such time as they have made their Retreate sure Thus much of fire-giving by Rancks on two or three as you please at once and no more Now a little for the exercising of the Squadron of Pikes in generall for the generall motion certaine directions are to be observed concerning Pikes that the Souldiers keepe their Pikes cleane and cleere and never to be suffered to cut off the lengths of their Pikes as often is seene upon marches being very uncomely to see a Squadron of Pikes not of one length likewise in all motions with the Pike the hand and foote ought to goe alike and the Souldier would be expert in giving the right pousse with the Pike backwards and forwards Your Squadron of Pikes as they ought to march with the Drumme so they ought to obey the Drumme beating a Troope a Charge a Call a Retreate As also to traile their Pikes to make reverence with the Pike being shouldred and your Squadron of Pikes being but six deepe in Rancke your Files may be so many as can well heare your voyce in Command providing there be no odde File and thus well ordered at their open order of six foote distance command to mount their Pikes then calling for a Drumme beside you let him beate a march then they are to shoulder their Pikes flat or slaunt carried and then to march a little let your Drumme againe beate a Troope then they mount their Pikes and troope away fast or slow as your passe leades them stopping or advancing as you doe then let your Drumme beate a Charge then they charge their Pikes and advance fast or slow as you lead them and retire also backwards their Pikes charged as you will have them then troope againe and they mount their Pikes march and shoulder and haulting let the Drumme beate againe and they order their Pikes on the ground as first being at their distance and trooping againe they mount their Pikes so that you can command them to Battell order or closse order for Wheeling or Counter-marching at your owne pleasure In repayring to their Colours or comming from watch they should ever walke with their Pikes mounted as also they may use this posture on Contrie and your Pikes mounted and at your open order you can use all doublings that your Musketiers used as also to present to Front Reare right or left hand the curiositie of the turnes to the right or left hand in Van or Reare the Pike being shouldred you can also teach them as you will though not much to be used in exercise and the Pikes thus well exercised having seene frequent danger can doe good service against Horsemen and against foote to foote either in battell entering a Towne or breach or retiring or advancing to choake an enemie on walls within Townes or Forts they are very commodious for service providing they resolve to fight well and to abide by their Officers and in my opinion being well led they may beate Musketiers accidently off the Feild and being well lined with shot they are a safeguard against Horsemen having the least advantage of ground Thus much in briefe for the use of the Pike the most honourable of all weapons and my choice in day of battell and leaping a storme or entering a breach with a light brest-plate and a good head-piece being seconded with good fellowes I would choose a good halfe-Pike to enter with CERTAINE OBSERVATIONS VVORTHY THE YOVNGER Officer his consideration being short and practicall for his Highnesse speciall use I. THIS life is a Comedy or a Play wherein every one doth his part we should presse to passe it over with moderate affections that the end be not cruell or dolefull as in Tragedies but full of mirth like a Comedy II. Vnto the Victor the life is sweete and happy but to those that are overcome nothing is more bitter then to put their hopes in their Enemies mercy III. As unto Champions of old lots gave fellowes and not election with whom they should fight so every one of us hath destines in our times where with to strive IIII. As he who goeth a journy doth reckon the miles so he that hath entred the way of this life shall not determine of his yeares For as from the spring flow the Rivers from the roote the branch so from the first education cometh the rest of mans life And if thou wouldst live truely thou must presse to profit thy country to defend the Common-wealth and to live well without liberty thou must preferre death before ignominious shame or slavery For as this life is Rosie so it hath flowers mixed with thornes the one to be plucked up the other to be eschewed so farre as we may V. It is a part of victory to trouble the enemy before we fight and as it is laudable to overcome an enemy it is no lesse praise worthy to have pitty on the miserable For as courage doth merit infinite glory so the love of all and the good will of all merits mercy and meekenesse VI. The feeble and weake minded man is ever pridfull in prosperity for he thinkes his vertues are such as can maintaine the Fortunes which he hath gotten and thinks still he is able to attaine and acquire more and more but when the tempest of adversity doth arise then is he so farre afraid that he becomes voide of all hopes and this oftentimes is the cause of the suddaine change of his fortunes VII Nothing doth diminish more the publishing of praise then when one continually casteth up his owne successe in actions of warre and oftimes striving to get abundance of honour men show their riches of swelling pride for disdaining his former friends he misk nowes his acquaintance pressing to goe before he is greevous or displeasing to all his familiars Our care then should be to want this arrogancy ostentation or pride and pray for humility being more acceptable unto God then detestable pride which is an unprofitable evill a secret poyson a hidden pest the ingenier of deceipt the mother of hypocrisie the parent of envy the beginner of vice the moth of holinesse the blinder of hearts breeding sicknesse out of remedies and begetting langour out of medicine VIII There is ever some fatality incident unto those that desire vaine-glory or ostentation and those that are proud rejecting the prayers of the humble with disdaine they often incurre the indignation of God and fall
hope the storme would not continue being in the middest of August Here we may see by this Christian advertisement that no part of our life is exempted or freed from griefe or sorrow But on the contrary we are exposed to all kinde of miseries and troubles so that we see that children doe sucke with the milke of their Nurses certaine beginnings of the evill to come our misery growing as doth our age and we see it true for the godly they sigh and groane under the burthen of their adversities having no comfort they can enjoy but out of the written word of God a fruit whereof the wicked hath no part Therefore they sayd well who said that Philosophicall precepts were not so powerfull to heale the wounds of the soule as are those of the word of God Men of our profession ought ever to be well prepared having death ever before their Eyes they ought to be the more familiar with God that they might be ever ready to embrace it not caring a rush for it when it came doing good while they may For now we flourish in an instant we wither like Grasse now we stand presently we fall our life carrying with it when we received it the seed of death and that which did begin our life doth open the doore to it to goe away For in our birth our end did hang at our beginning and according to the custome of that worthy Emperour our actions should be ever before our eyes as if presently we were to appeare in Iudgment before the Eternall our God and that cry should never depart out of our eares cryed unto Philip King of Macedon Philippe memento mori Philip remember thou must die For man shall never behave himselfe as he ought in this World except at all times he have death before his eyes thinking on the houre and moment of his departure alwayes contemning the Exteriour things of this World giving himselfe unto the inward cogitations that doe profit the soule and the life thereof rejoycing beyond all things in the Testimony of a good Conscience The second Dutie discharged of our march from Rougenvalde to Colberg and from thence to Shivel-beane and of our service there SIr Iohn Hepburne being sent with his Regiment from Spruce to relieve us I was ordained with my Folks to march before Colberge where Generall Major Kniphowsen did command in the Blockering thereof which I did and being come there a Poaste was assigned for us to watch at In the meane time the Generall Major getting intelligence that the enemies Army lying at Gartts and Griffinbawgen on the Oder had intention to relieve Colberge and so being in his march he must needs passe by the Towne and Castle of Shevelbeane in the Marke being a passe distant but five miles from Colberge he thought expedient to Recognosce the place by sending of Colonell Hepburne thither with a Troope of Horsemen for his guard and convoy who having seene the place advised Kniphowsen to beset it with a Garrison being of consequence to hold up the Enemy if he should march thereon with the Army whereupon I was made choise of with my Folks to beset it being sent for in the night to breake up and to march thither in all haste I had command to speake with Kniphowsen in my going for receiving further Orders The Companies marched by I following my Orders desired to know what the Generall Major had to command me who gave me Orders in writing I should march thither and in case the enemy should pursue me I should fight to the last man and not to give over the Castle though I should be forced to quit the Towne Receiving Orders for some Ammunition I tooke leave of Kniphowsen and continued my march to Shevelbean then layd almost waste with Pestilence the Inhabitants being fled away I had slight quarters for my Soldiers which being quartered having visited the Towne and Castle I appointed the manner of our Watch and did beset the Poastes from our Guards which were kept both in the Towne and on the Castle and then I sent Orders to the Boores of the Graveshaft to come in the next day with Spades Shovels and Axes for to repaire the workes that were almost ruined being a scurvie hole for any honest Cavalier to maintaine his credit by Before my comming two Troopes of Bawtees Horsemen viz. Major Roustene and Long-fretts were quattered there who getting intelligence the Army was to march upon me being Horsemen quit the Garrison to our selves and took them to the Fields to joyne with their Colonels Regiment being neere hand so that our Quarters thus enlarged we were glad to be rid of their trouble as they were to eschew the Enemies comming serving better in the Fields then they could doe within Walles The Horsemen gone I was evill sped for being put on such a place with such orders appointed to fight to the last man where no Cavalier with credit could hold out twenty foure houres being pursued by an Army except the Lord extraordinarily would shew mercy Neverthelesse getting three dayes longer continuation before the enemies comming we did worke all of us night and day till we had Stacketed the Wall about the height of a man above the Parapet having made a breast-worke of earth within the Walles round about with Traverses within for cleering out the Enemy if he had entered at a breach our Work ended and our Ports Ranforced with Earth to resist the force of Pittards we see in the afternoone the Enemies squadrons of Foot and Horse about eight thousand strong marching unto us having Artillery conforme we finding them marching within reach I caused to salute them with two small shot wherewith a Rut-master and a Lievtenant of horse were killed which made the rest march out of distance The Army drawne up in Battell without reach of our Canon they sent a Trumpeter summoning us to a treatie he was answered we had no such Orders but we had Powder and Ball at their service Whereupon they commanded a Captaine with a hundred and fiftie musketiers towards the Porte directing proportionally to the rest of the Portes our souldiers in the beginning before the Portes killed of them above thirtie souldiers and two Livetenants I not being able to maintaine the Towne retired with my folke on the Castle I being retired the Burgers made up set open the Portes to the enemie giving him entrance who did bring in his whole Artillerie and Amunition to the market place and then sent to mee a Drummer to see if I would render up the Castle upon good conditions then they were in my power but if not I should have no quarters afterwards They got their first Answer againe and then the service beginnes anew on both sides and they begunne before night to plant their Batteries within fourtie pace of our walles which I thought too neere but the night drawing on wee resolved with fire workes to cause them remove their quarters and their
of Pikes goes to bring out the Colours to be placed in Front of the Company before they march As also the Colours are to be conveyed againe in this manner at all lodging and dislodging The Company marching to Parad or watch with complete Officers the Captaine leads off six Rots of Musketiers his Drumme beating betwixt the second and the third Ranke then followes up after that division the oldest Sergeant leading up the first five Rots of Pikemen the Ensigne leading up the other Division of Pikes his Furer furing his Colours after him and the second Drummer beating betwixt the two Divisions then the Lievetenant leads up the last Division of Musketiers being six Rots also and coming in equall Front with the rest the Captaine making a signe for the Drumme beating they order their Armes the Captaine standing in Front on the Right hand the Ensigne on his left and the Lievetenant on the left hand of both with a Sergeant on each Flancke and the under-Beifells with halfe Pikes stand in the Reare of the Company Twelve Companies thus complete would make up three Squadrons every Squadron of Pikes and Muskets being drawne up severall apart after the former example of the lesse body Pikes and Colours on the right hand and the Musketiers on the left which three Squadrons thus drawne up and complete would make a complete Briggad of Foote to be divided as followes viz. eight Corporall-ships of Musketiers being thirty-two Rots divided in foure Plottons every Plotton being eight in front led off by a Captaine and every Division after him led up by a sufficient Officer till at a haulte all were drawne in even front after this Division should follow the thirty-six Rots of Pikes being twelve Corporall-ships with their Colours a Captaine leading off the first five Rots before the foure Colours should stirre where betwixt the second and third Ranke of the first Division of Pikes the Drummer should beate then the Ensignes should leade off the other Division their Furers with their Colours following them till they drew up in even Front with the first Division of Pikes which ought to be in one Front with the thirty-two Rots of Musketiers that make the right wing of the Briggad keeping their Armes orderly shouldered till they were commanded otherwise and their Sergeants ought to looke unto the Flanks till such time that the whole Squadron of Pikes being thirty-six Rots were drawne up in even Front with the Musketiers after this manner the other Squadron of Pikes being thirty-six Rots also which should make the Battaile of the Briggad ought to march by Divisions being led up in all respects and order after the manner of the former Squadron of Pikes till they were in even Front with the rest then the other thirty-two Rots of Musketiers belonging to that Squadron which are appointed to be the Battaile of the Briggad ought to be led up as the first Division of Musketiers were in all points which ought to draw up at a reasonable distance behinde their owne Squadron of Pikes appointed for the Battaile of the Briggad where their Sergeants on the Flancks ought to looke to their order and not to suffer them to stirre their Armes till they were commanded And after them should march up the last Squadron of Pikes in all respects observing the order of the former Squadrons in their marching till they were led up in equall Front with the other Pikes and then march up the last thirty-two Rots of Musketiers in foure Divisions observing the order of the former Divisions till they were in equall Front with the whole Pikes and then they making up the left wing of the Briggad the Colonell of the Briggad ordaines the battell of Pikes being the middle Squadron of Pikes to advance in one body before the rest till they are free of the Musketiers and Pikes which makes the wings of the Briggad and then the battaile of Pikes standing firme the thirty-two Rot of Musketiers which were drawne up behinde them march up till they fill up the voide betwixt the Squadrons of pikes standing right behinde their owne pikes that is the battaile of the Briggad and then the Colonell making a signe to the Drummers they beate all alike till the Briggad in one instant doth order their Armes all Officers of the Briggad standing on their stations according as they were directed then the superplus of the three Squadrons of musketiers being fourty-eight Rot are drawne up behinde the Briggad having also Officers to command them they attend orders which they are to obey being commanded out as pleaseth their Officers either to guard Cannon or Baggage or to be Convoyes to bring Amunition or victualls to the rest A direction to Traine single Souldiers apart HAving thus formed a Company and showne the manner to draw up a complete Briggad for the younger Officer his better understanding being a Novice to this Discipline I will set downe briefely the best way suddenly to bring a young Company to be exercised which in my opinion would be thus First since every Rot of the twenty-one whereof the Company doth consist hath allowed a Corporall or a Rot-master as the Leader of the other five which Leader is supposed to be more expert in handling of Pike or Musket then the other five who make up the Rot and the under Rot-master is supposed to be more expert in handling his Armes than the other foure so that he is appointed as a second to the Leader being sometimes a Leader himselfe then after the company is made up for the first weeke I would have every Corporall of the six and the fifteene Rot-masters being Leaders with the helpe of their under Rot-masters in a weekes time to make the other foure as expert in handling of Pike and Musket as themselves or to be punished with Irons in case of their neglect which the Sergeants should see done as they should answer to the Lievetenant the Lievetenant to the Captaine and the Captaine to the Major the Major to the Lievetenant Colonell and they all to the Colonell which they ought to practise in the fields apart till the Rot were acquainted every one with his Leader from the first to the last and while as the under Rot-master should turne Leader then all the followers before were then Leaders also and then the Rot being apart the middle man of the Rot should be taught to double to the Front till their deepe were three that was six before and in falling off againe the middle man should turne to the contrary side or hand he came up upon carrying their Armes handsomly free from others without making noise in their retiring to their former station and orders Likewise I would have the Corporall Rot-master or Leader being a Musketier having his Rot once expert in handling severally the Musket well then to discharge their Muskets in winning ground advancing to an enemy the Leader having discharged his musket standing still to blow his panne and prime againe
without suspition within shot of Cannon But when either Trumpeter or Drummer is sent with letters or message to prisoners he ought before he come neere the Guards sound his Trumpet or beate his Drumme giving advertisment to the Guards before he enter within their outward Centries otherwise he is lyable to the highest punishment but having law fully aduertised the Guard an Officer by command of the Captaine of the watch with a Convoy of Musketiers ought to meete him and having enquired for his commission and passe and seene his open letters having search't him for private letters and finding none then he ought to sile or blinde him up and convay him blinded unto the chiefe Commander who receives his letters reades and delivers them and then after he being siled up againe he is convaied unto the Gavilliger where he is kept till he be ready and suffered to depart againe with open Letters being convayed out as he came in and no Prisoner ought to deliver any letters though open to any man till first he acquaint his Guard who ought to impart it to the Commander of the p●ce and it is ordinary to Governours or Commanders to whom Trumpeters or Drummers doe come having received their answer being brought siled from the Gavilligers unto their lodging first to talke merrily with them and then to cause attenders drinke to them till they be merrry and then being siled againe they are convayed without the whole Contries having their passe they are free to returne Prisoners having agreed for their Ransomes or being exchanged out for others they ought not be suffered to depart without getting first the Generalls passe and then he may goe with a Trumpeter or without one to the next friendly Garrison For quartering an Army in field upon March Dorpe Towne or Leaguer An Observation A Commander ought not be ignorant of the circumstances belonging to the quartering of an Army therefore for the better Information of the younger sort who have not seene such Marches as I have bin at with his Majesty of worthy memory who quartered his Army Summer or Winter according as the occasion or neerenesse of his enemy did offer where many times the whole winters night the Army horse foote and Artillery being without fire did stand in battaile order by their Armes in the fields having placed their Artillery apart with a guard to attend them their baggage also being behinde them apart and well guarded and a maine guard being commanded out apart before the Army of horse and foote And the Armies being neere one another all Officers were commanded to abide on their severall charges as they were commanded on the March to leade Briggads Troopes or Divisions The commanded men being also apart next unto the enemy with their Officers by them which all being orderly quartered in this first manner they entertained one another with such dainties as the time afforded passing the night with variety of merry jests and discourses till day that either Drumme or Trumpet did invite them unto earnest The second forme of our quartering was in the fields not being neere an enemy where we quartered a little more commodiously for our ease being commonly drawne up by foure or five of the clocke in the afternoone neere some Towne or Village in some faire meadow by water if it could be had in the Summer and in the Winter being quartered we drew neere the side of some wood both for fire and for build or shelter The Army drew up in battaile by Briggads as they marched where behinde the place the Briggads drew up unto at a reasonable distance their quarters were marked out severally according as they stood in battaile and before the Briggads removed from their Armes their guards were first commanded out every Briggads guard being placed at a distance of foure score paces from their Colours where they were appointed to watch and the watch being set Centries were put to the Colours and then the Pike-men were ordained to six their Pikes fast in the ground as they stood in battaile the Musketiers also were ordained in dry wether to set up their Muskets in order in even front with their Colours but when it rained they were commanded to keepe them carefully dry by themselves which all orderly done they were suffered part and part to goe and provide themselves of straw and fire providing also many times well for their Officers Kitchins beside The Artillery and Amunition waggons being also drawne up a part and well guarded their horses were sent to grasse for good quarters then the Baggage and wagons as they came up did draw up orderly behinde their owne Regiments and their horses being sent to grasse the Officers Tents were set up orderly at a distance before their Colours and then cookes went to dresse meate and all being returned to quarters before supper the whole Drummes of the Army did beate before their severall Briggads inviting all to publique prayers which were never forgotten And after prayers the Majors of the Regiments did give out orders for that night to the Sergeants and for up-breaking the next morning and then all went to meate first and next to rest and the whole horsmen were drawne up in this fashion and parties were sent out of their quarters to batter the streets two or three mile off the whole night lest we should be surprised by an enemy without intelligence The next morning Drummes having called all to Armes the Briggad that had the Van marched out first in a new ground and drew up the Briggad that had the Van the day before marched out drawing up on their left hand having fallen backe one degree from the Van and then the rest of the Briggads drew out orderly one after another till the left hand of the foote Army were closed up and then they went to prayers and the prayers ended they marched the Baggage marching after being drawne up in order as the Briggads or Regiments did march so did they The Artillery marched with the Briggads in part and the rest marched before the Army with their Convoyes and guard of Musketiers which were changed every two dayes being commanded men out of all Regiments proportionally having Officers commanded them accordingly Thus much of quartering in the fields The third manner of quartering an enemy being a farre off and we neere Townes onely in cold weather quarterings were given for the Hoffestaffe being the King or Generall and their followers and the principall Officers of the Army including his Majesties houshold whose quarters were first appointed by the generall quarter-master in the Townes and next to the Hoffe-staffe the Colonells that commanded Briggads were quartered and next to them the Colonells of Regiments their Officers and Souldiers agreat part and the best of the quarters ordained for the Officers belonging to the Artillery their horses and servants The Artillery and baggage standing without the Towne those who quartered within the Towne had allowance of free meate and drinke