but they also have extended ther length to double their proportion of ground which formerly they did occupie I forbeare to speake more of this doubling untill we come to shew it in motion and now proceed to the next doubling upon this The command is as followeth This doubling of halfe rankes is a more speedy and sure doubling then the doubling of halfe ranks by countermarch but is most commonly used when the body consists but of one sort of Armes being either all Muskettiers or all Pikes But because in my figures I have as well Muskettiers as Pikes I have made use of a Doubling intire and from that have doubled my left flanke to prevent the mixture of Armes However mixture of Armes upon some occasion may be necessary The manner to performe the motion is this The left flanke stands the halfe ranks of the right face to the left and then the inmost file of the right flanke all the files of the right flanke being by this facing become ranks is the leader of this motion marching forth right to their left hands between the intervales of the rankes of the left flank untill that the sixteenth file which now is become a ranke have placed themselves orderly in the two and thirtieth file which is the outmost file of the left flanke The fifteenth in the one and thirtieth the fourteenth in the thirtieth the thirteenth in the nine and twentieth and so likewise of all the rest The places may be perceived by the figure The doubling is of number and not of place For reducement to both these doublings first cause the halfe rankes which last doubled to face to the right and so to march into their places They that last tooke their places in the motion are the first that take their places in the reducement The doubling of halfe ranks being thus reduced next for the reducing of the halfe files which were doubled before for the accomodating of the doubling of halfe-ranks command the halfe files to face about to the left and to march forth into their places Wherewith I will conclude these sort of doublings which require open order in Ranke and File and come next to shew intire doublings which claime a closer distance for their true performance And therfore conceive them closed to their order both in Ranke and File CHAP. XXI The difference betweene intire and divisionall doublings and of doubling halfe-files intire HAving closed our Souldiers to their due distance I will next proceed to shew doublings intire But me thinkes I heare some already inquiring what is meant by intire doublings and therefore without offence to the curious give me leave to be so courteous to the Ignorant to tell them that all Doublings are either intire or divisionall Intire Doublings being these or such like as when the files or halfe-files rankes or halfe-rankes according as the command may be doe march forth joyntly together without division or dissipation to double the part commanded Particle and divisionall Doublings being such as I have formerly shewn as when the files or halfe-files rankes or halfe-rankes are disranked and divided into more parts or places than one This may serve for way of distinction I will now shew intire doublings as they are in action and first beginne with doubling halfe-files The Figure followeth This doubling of halfe-files intire hath beene held a better doubling then either the ordinary doubling of Ranks or the usuall way of doubling by halfe-files or Bringers up some of the causes are these First it makes no disturbance to the other part of the Battalia but that it may either be executed in time of motion exercise or skirmish Secondly it appeares another solid body to the great disheartening of any enemy Thirdly it is very apt for over-fronting being a doubling both of number and place The way to performe the motion is this The halfe-files face to the left and march till they are quite cleere of that part of the body which stands then they face to their Leader and so march up untill they are become even in ranke with those which stand upon the right flanke and then the Figure will be perfect For the reducement the word of command is Halfe Files face about to the right march forth into your places having faced about they march straight forth untill they be cleere of the front halfe-files then they face to the left and march straight forth untill every man hath his right place and then face right after their Leaders The doubling of halfe-files to the right intire is performed after the same manner onely differing in the hand CHAP. XXII Of doubling the Front inward intire DOubling of the Front inward intire hath beene a doubling as usefull as ancient notwithstanding most commonly used by greater bodies as when one Regiment Division or Maniple moveth forward betweene two others thereby seconding or relieving them whereby the Front of all the three divisions become ranged in an even line but I have onely taken upon me to shew the motion in a private Company The Figure whereof followeth as it is in the execution It hath beene the custome amongst ancient Souldiers and great Commanders that in the matter of Exercise they shew some things which are most apt for a private Company some for a Regiment other some most usefull for compleat arms so in like manner it must be the discretion of every Reader whether hereade for apprehension or reprehension to suit and fit each motion to his true end purpose with the wise man rather reade twise than judge once and then perhaps when the intent of the Author is perceived his opinions may be received yet what need I or any other apologize ought in the behalfe of this Figure or any other such like sith they are but the expressions of the various figures which proceed of the words of command used almost by every ordinary Exerciser of a foot Company Neverthelesse if Aesops long ear'd beast passing by should peepe into this Druggists shop and quarrell with the Compounds I shall not studie for a further answer then That the excellent and skilfull Physitian can convert that into an Antidote which the unlearned foole will make his poyson But lest I be taxt for digression the motion of this doubling is thus performed The halfe files of the Front faceth to the right and left and march till they have left a distance between them sufficient to receive the halfe files of the Reere and then stand and face to their Leader Then the halfe files march up and even their Front For the reducement of this Figure there are as there are for all the rest divers waies But because that it is necessary to shew one let the halfe files face about to the Reere and march untill they are cleere of the Front halfe files then stand and face to their Leader then the other halfe files of the Front close their division and they are reduced CHAP.
the Horne-battell how to make it and to reduce it by firing p. 195 74 Of the Demie-hearse Battell The use of the figure how to make it and to reduce it by firing p. 198 75 Of giving fire advancing by way of Introduction with the beneficiall use of the Bow and Pike page 201 76 The way to make the Diamond Battell severall wayes to fire upon it with divers other figures and firings which are thereby produced p. 204 77 Of the Convex Halfe Moone The use of the Figure and of severall wayes of firing upon it p. 211 78 Of Extraduction the severall uses firings and Reducements p. 215 79 Of the Broad fronted Battell with the wayes of firing upon it p. 218 80 Of dismarching or firing in the Reere the severall wayes and how they ought to be performed p. 221 81 Of firings in flanke in generall and more particularly of the gathering firing p. 226 82 The second manner of giving fire to the flanke p. 229 Chap. 83 A firing in flanke led off by the Bringers up page p. 131 84 The difference betweene Firings in Flanke marching and of bringing the Muskettiers on the outside of the Pikes p. 234 85 Of Firing in Flanke aud placing the Muskettiers in the midst of the Battell of Pikes with other firings from thence proceeding p. 237 86 Of firing to the front and reere upon a march p. 242 87 A second way of firing to the front and reere p. 245 88 A firing to the reere and right flanke marching p. 247 89 Of firing to both flanks marching p. 249 90 A firing to both Flanks standing p. 251 91 Captaine Wallers Triple firing to the Front p. 254 92 A firing tripartite doing execution to the front reere and right flanke p. 257 93 Of the Sconce Battell p. 259 94 Of firing by three files at once two of them standing oblique the other direct p. 262 95 A firing oblique by foure files together in forme of a W. p. 264 96 Of the Fort Battell the way to make and to reduce it p. 266 97 Of the crosse Battell the way to make it with a private Company How to fire upon it and to reduce it p. 268 98 Of the hollow-fronted Crosse Battell how to make it with a private Company and the way to fire upon it c. p. 272 99 Of firing upon the square Battell flanked with Pikes p. 274 100 Of the Plinthium or fouá¹™e-fronted-battell by us called the Crosse of Muskets flanked with Pikes p. 276 101 Of the Hollow Square for march p. 280 102 Of the hollow Hearse and the Crosse p. 283 103 Of the Hollow Square 〈◊〉 dled with shot p. 286 104 Of the Sollid Square with Muskettiers in Center and Angles The way to make the figure with a private Companiâ— how to fire upon it and to reduce it p. 291 105 The first dayes Exercise p. 297 106 The second dayes Exercise p. 299 107 The third Dayes Exercise p. 304 108 The fourth dayes Exercise p. 308 109 The fifth dayes Exercise p. 313 110 The sixth dayes Exercise p. 320 FINIS Faults escaped in the Printing PAge 17. line 5. for and reade ad p. 25. l. 32. r. before p. 34. first line of the 11. Chap. 〈◊〉 p. 36. in the margent r. particle p. 64 l. 13. r. armies p 74. l. 9. 4. all 〈◊〉 â—8 l. 8. r. least p. 86 l. 6. r. or p. 86. l. 19 r. to p. 87. l. 8. r. without p. 87. l 2◠〈◊〉 drawne a figure p 89. l 6. r. left p. 89. l. 17. r. file-wise p. 97. l. the last r. 〈◊〉 p. 106. l. 3. r. one p. 108. l. 9. r. in p. 112. l. 5. r. before p. 117. l. 4. r. 〈◊〉 leaders p. 119. l. 19. 20. r. and with the Chorean it holds no affinity p. â—24 the last line r. be as at first p. 127. the 2 m m which stand for the ouâ—â—ost file-leaders to the right stand quite contrary p. 137. l. 5. r. to p. 140. â—he figure seâ— wrong p 152 l. 8. r. â—oo p. 1â—6 l. 11. r. flanks p. 173. l. 13. r. oâ—â—rmost p. 176. l. 32. r. figured p. â—07 l. 14. r. commanded p. 217. l 4. r. uâ— p. 250. l. 8. r. firing p. 269. l 18. r. them p. 271. l. 11. r. armes p 292. l. 13. r. flanks p. 293. the title of the figure r. Plesium p. 296. l. 6. r. to her severall c. p. 297. the marginall note opposite to the aâ— line r. instead of one file and close One file of Muskettiers to give fire and close p. 302 l. the 9. for hâ—â—swise r herswise p. 306. l. 27. for Leader r. Leaders p 311. l. 17 for overhead r. overhand Charge to the Reere is to be understood alwayes to the left about because it is 3. times a nearer way then charging to the right about What is a Ranke What is a File * In the Tacticks of Aeâ—an lib. 1. the Notes of the 10. Chapter In motion of Files you are to observe your Leader In motion of Rankes you are to observe your right hand man In the exercise of the motion of facings you are to be at open order in Ranke and File When you face to any hand in the Reducement you are to returne by the contrary When your Souldiers begin any motion let them advance their Armes When they come to a stand and have performed their motion let them order their Armes Intire Divisionall Angular The distance for particular and divisionall doublings is open order in Ranke and File Note that the ordinary doublings of Rankes and Files is or ought to be performed by three steps first stepping forth with that foot which is next unto the place named and in the reducement to returne by the contrary hand Note that in these doublings of ranks and files if you double rankes to either hand doubling of files to the contrary reduceth them Or in doubling of files to any hand doubling of ranks to the contrary will reduce them Note that upon all motions of doublings that they that are to double before they move from their places are to advance their Armes When they have performed their doubling they are to conforme to the Posture of those whom they double whether it be Order Advance or Shoulder Note that all entire doublings are to be performed at Order both in Ranke and File Note that in the doubling of Ranks the even Ranks are to double into the odde beginning alwaies to reckon from the first Rank In doubling of Files note if the doubling be to the left as in this Figure then every man of the even Files steps behinde his left hand man at three steps every even File doubling into the odde files beginning your account with the outmost File to the hand named as I have formerly said * In this doubling of Ranks by Bringers up as likewise in all other of like nature they that are to move are to adxance their Armes But if the Commander please
skill and worth to the Front halfe file And that the file-leaders and halfe-rankes of the left flanke should be equivalent in worth skill and valour to the right flanke that the Reere division hold like proportion with the Front division and that all parts of the body be ballanced with true proportion so neere as the knowledge of the Souldiers and the number of the men will give you leave and that there may be correspondency in their worth place and dignity you may observe by adding the figures of number together which are in the Margent where you shal finde that the dignity being added together of the Front halfe file makes the number of 18. And the worth of the Reere division being in like manner added makes the like number So likewise shal you finde the dignity and worth of the File leaders of the left flanke to paralell the worth of those on the right flanke by the same rule If you will have it yet more cleere observe that the file leader is the chiefe in his File the bringer up the second the halfe File leader the third the last man of the front halfe file the fourth Now note that as the worth of the first precedes the second so the worth of the third exceeds the fourth Now adde the first worth to the fourth worth and that makes five And the second worth to the third and it makes the same number so that there is equalitie throughout the Battell both in Front Reere and Flankes for it were unreasonable that all the chiefe men should be on the right Flanke and all the worst on the left For the left must be opposed to the enemies right The File leader ought to be worthiest because he hath the command of his File and marcheth the first against his enemy The bringer up ought to be the second because his place of march is in the Reere and is in most danger should the enemy charge on that part The halfe file leader is the third in honour because that when the halfe file is taken off upon any occasion he is the leader unlesse they be commanded to face about the last man of the front halfe file is the fourth man in dignitie for when the Reere division is taken off then he is the Bringer up The next man to the file-leader hath the fift place of honour for that one doubling brings him into the front The next man before the Bringer-up hath the sixt place of honour for that if the body be faced about one doubling brings him into the Front accidentall or keeping the proper front by once doubling of rankes he becomes Bringer-up to his File-leader The seventh place of honour is his that marcheth next after the halfe-file leader for that when the halfe files double the Front or marcheth forth then one doubling ranks him even with the Front The eight and last place of honour is his that is the third from the Front the File being but 8. deepe which may also be made a File-leader though with more trouble than the rest for by counter-marching Front and Reere into the middest and then facing to the former front after doubling of ranks makes him likewise a file-leader Now as every mans dignitie is more or lesse in his File so is all his ranke with him Wherefore this that hath already beene said may suffice to demonstrate unto those which as yet are ignorant of the severall places of dignity both in Ranke and File I might have enforced many other reasons concerning the dignity of number and place but I have insisted longer upon this subject then at first I intended which makes me the more willing though somewhat abruptly to breake from it and come to shew the manner of joyning or drawing up of Files into forme of battell And therefore this may serve for all the Serjeant that hath order to place them is to lead them up according to their worth and honour As first the right hand file then the left hand file and so the other files successively within them according to their severall worths and places As by the following figure you may more plainely perceive If there be any that shall say these are nicities and of no repute amongst Souldiers I dare say they have been well reputed of by good Souldiers no disparagement unto the fault-finders if there happen to be any such As for the noble worthy and well-knowing Souldiers I am almost confident that out of their true-speaking judgements they will eyther conclude that it is so used or at the least that it ought so to be but if this can worke no effect with the I leave every man freely to his owne judgement desiring the judicious alwaies to hold a favourable opinion of my well-meaning CHAP. VI. Of the severall distances NOw that our Souldiers have attained some small knowledge in the use of their Armes me thinkes like some of our little-knowing souldiers of the trained Bands they already begin to be ambitious of File-leaders places therefore that their owne weakenesses may light them to reade their owne follies we will see how they will behave themselves in exercise amongst the Companie Wherein the first thing we are to instruct them in is their distances But because it is held by some a matter disputable whether distance be one of the motions or no We will first declare what is distance To which I answer that indeed Distance it selfe is no motion but there is motion in producing such distance for Distance is the space of ground between man and man either in File or Ranke having relation onely to the place between each partie All the rest of the motions having not onely relation to the one but the other Wherefore not to spend more time in a matter so apparant we will say that the discipline of a foot-companie consists chiefly in distance and motion And therefore seeing that distance is the ground of motion and that no motion can be performed without distance wee will leave to discourse it and fall to the matter it selfe and shew how many sorts of Distance is ordinarily used in our moderne discipline which are these foure here under named viz. Close Order which is One foot and a halfe Order both in Three foot Open Order Rank Sixe foot Double distāce File Twelve foot It hath been the opinion of some ancient Commanders that the distance of Ranke was alwaies double the distance of File although they went both under one and the same denomination As that order in File was three foot order in Ranke sixe foot open order in file sixe foot open order in ranke twelve foot and so of other distances But the best received opinions hold them to be alike both in ranke and file There is to be considered in distance these three especially that is Distance For March For Motion For Skirmish You are to observe thatyour distance for march is to be three foot between file and file and sixe
foot between ranke and ranke distance for motion sixe foot both in ranke and file distance for wheelings and skirmish three foot in ranke and file Onely if you were to receive a charge from the horse it is necessary for your files of Pite-men to be at close order Wherefore we will rehearse all the ordinary wayes for the opening and closing both of files and rankes But in the first place command them to even their Rankes and streighten their Files to be silent attend to their words of command and direction c. Rankes and files to your close order Files open to the right to your order Rankes open forward Files open to the right to your open order Rankes open forward Files open to the right to your double distance Rankes open forward Files close to the right to your open order Rankes close forward Files close to the right to your order Rankes close forward Files close to the right to your close order Rankes close forward Files open to the left to your order Rankes open backward Files open to the left to your open order Rankes open backward Files open to the left to your double distance Ranks open backwards Files close to the left to your open order Ranks close backward Files close to the left to your order Ranks close backward Files close to the left to your close order Ranks close backward Files open right and left to your order Ranks to the front reere Files open right and left to your open order Ranks to the front and reere Files open right and left to your double distance Ranks to the front and reere Files close right and left inward to your open order Ranks to the middest Note that when Files open to the right the left-hand file must stand fast every file taking his distance from the file next his left hand And when they open to the left then the right hand file stands every file taking his distance from the file next his right hand Obserue also that when Ranks open forwards then the last ranke stands every Ranke taking his distance from the Ranke next behinde him And when they open backwards then the first Ranke is to stand every Rank to take his distance from the Ranke next before him You are likewise to take notice in the action that you are either to face to the right or to the right about Note also that in closing of Files if it be to the Right then contrary to the opening the right hand file stands the rest closing to the Right taking their distance from their next right hand file If you close to the left then the left hand file stands the rest of the files closing to the left taking their distance in like manner When Files close to the right and left then they close inward taking their distance from the files within them neerer to the middest of the bodie Also note that when Files are commanded to open to the right and left or by division it must be outward If Ranks close to Front and Reere then the first and last Ranke stand the others taking their distances from them If they close Ranks towards the center or midst then they close towards their two middlemost Ranks It is not required that every Captaine or other Officer that shall exercise a Company shall use all these several openings and closings which are here exprest but rather that he shall make use of so many of them as he shall thinke fit for his present occasion or exercise Although they all may be usefull at some time or other I may spare examples for it must needs be apparant to the meanest capacities CHAP. VII Of marching the Company in Divisions at length the order and places of the Officers and againe drawing them into forme of Battell NOw that our Souldiers are somewhat expert in their distances we will next draw them forth into a long March Wherefore note that our files must be at order and our Ranks at open order The Muskettiers of the right flanke are to make the Van and to march next after the Captaine The Pikes are to make the battell and to march after the Ensigne either in one or two divisions according to their number The Muskettiers of the left flanke sometimes called the second division of Muskets make the Reere Guard which is led commonly by the second Serjeant How beit if there be but one division of Pikes then the eldest or chiefest Serjeant leads the second division of Muskettiers If the Company be but small then it is best to make but two Divisions one of the Muskettiers another of the Pikes For the placing of the rest of the Officers you may perceive by the figure in the margent Wherefore note that M. stands for Muskets p. for Pikes D. for Drummes S. for Serjeants E. for Ensigne L. for Lieutenant and C. for Captaine Note if you have but three Drummes then let the Drumme in the second division of Pikes be wanting If onely two then upon a March the first betweene the third and fourth ranke of the front division of Muskettiers The second betweene the third and fourth ranke of the second division of Pikes Note that betweene each Division in March there ought to be 12. foot distance 6. foot betweene the Officer and 6. foot behinde him CHAP. VIII Of drawing the divisions up into a square WHen you would bring your body againe into Battalia command your front division to make Alt or Stand then give order to your Ensigne either by a Serjeant or by some signe to leade up the first division of pikes on the left of the first division of Muskettiers with his colours flying and the Pikes to continue shouldered so long as the Drumme beats a March But if it beat a Troope then the Pikes are to advance and close their Ranks forward to their order and so the Ensigne to troop them up with his colours fierld The eldest Serjeant is to leadeup the second division of Pikes The second Serjeant in like manner is to leade up the second or reere Division of Muskettiers each division still marching up to the left of that division next before it The manner you may plainly see in the figure where the front division is marked in the Reere with the letter A. The first Division of Pikes with the letter B. The second Division of pikes with C. The second Division of Muskettiers hath in the Reere the letter D. The other figure on the other leafe in form of a square shewes their standing after the Divisions are led up All the file-leaders standing even in front together making one Ranke The discipline of the Art Militarie may rightly be divided into these five generall heads viz. Distance Facings Doublings Countermarches and Wheelings which have beene not unaptly compared to the five vowels For as without one or more of the vowels no word can be spelled so without one or more of these neither
Cretan or Chorean Countermarch The word of Command or Direction is Files to the Right hand Countermarch This Chorean Countermarch is by some called the Moderne Countermarch I conceive their reason to be because that it is more in use than any of the other Or else for antiquitie it might claime many ages It is a Countermarch for maintaining of ground for it worketh its effect on the same ground it stands neither loosing nor gaining But it transferres the file-leaders into the place of the bringers up and the bringers up into the place of the file-leaders withall turning the aspect of the body or battalia to the Reere The way to performe this motion is as followeth Assoone as the word of command is given if it be to the right then all the file-leaders step forwards with their right legges and face about to the right every file-leader with his file following him passing downe towards the Reere through the intervall on his right hand still observing to keepe even in ranke with his right hand man But by the way note that no man must turne untill he come to the ground where at first his file-leader began the Countermarch This motion is then performed when the bringers up have attained unto the place where before their file-leaders stood being faced right after them Files countermarch to the left To countermarch to the left worketh the same effect and is done after the same manner onely differing in the hand For reducement if you countermarch to the right do as much to the left and they will be as they were For any intire countermarch of files will be reduced of what kinde soever by making another intire countermarch to what hand soever CHAP. XLI Of Countermarching to loose Ground The Command is Files to the Right Countermarch every man turning after his Leader on the Ground he stands THis Lacedemonian countermarch is a Countermarch of losse of ground for that it leaves all the ground the Battalia formerly did conteine and in lieu or place thereof taketh the ground behinde the Reere This Countermarch is to be performed when the Bodie is upon a stand And as the Chorean turnes the Aspect towards the Reere The Greekes were wont with this Countermarch to bring their file-leaders to oppose any enemie appearing in the Reere thereby gallantly bearding their enemies in the teeth neither politickly making shew of flight whereby to bring the enemie into disarray nor over providently carefull of the advantage of ground The motion of this Countermarch is to be performed as followeth The file-leaders of each file are to step side wayes to the right and therewithall to face about to the reere and so march even in ranke together downe betweene the Intervalls no man advancing a foot forwards but turning in like manner after their leaders when they are past by them still observing to keep their due distance And so a whole ranke together still turning off to the right each Ranke successively doing the like untill the Countermarch be fully performed Any intire countermarch of files will reduce this But for order sake take one of the same sort to the contrary hand which is Files to the left Countermarch every man turning after his Leader on the ground he stands I shall not need to speake further concerning this Countermarch of losse of ground to the left seeing that it differs from the other onely in the alteration of the hand The substance and effect of both being one and the same onely I will now speake to a second fort of Countermarch which is of the same kinde The Command is Bringers up face about to the Right the rest passe through to the Reere and place your selues before your Bringers up This Lacedemonian Countermarch doth also loose the ground whereon it formerly stood and takes the ground behinde the Reere the manner of the motion is as followeth The last ranke or Bringers up face to the Reere and stand the rest of the Body facing about in like manner and passing through or betweene their bringers up and placing themselues even in ranke before them The motion is begun by the ranke next the bringers up and so continued successively by the rest untill the Countermarch be ended It may be reduced by doing the same to the contrary hand Neverthelesse for brevity sake I will make use of a sprigge from the same bough and reduce this Lacedemon countermarch by another of the same kinde The Command is Bringers up stand the rest passe through to the Right and place your selues behind your Bringers up This Lacedemonian countermarch is thus to be performed the last ranke or bringers up are to stand and the rest of the body to face to the Reere and passe through to the Right and place themselues behinde their bringers up contrary to the countermarch last showne where they placed themselues before The motion is also begun by the second ranke from the reere the rest following successively untill the file-leaders are become the Bringers up Then face them about after their proper file-leaders and they are reduced CHAP. XLII Of Countermarches to gaine ground or the Macedonian Counter-march The Command is File-leader face about to the right the rest passe through to the right and place your selves behinde your Leaders THis Macedonian Counter-march is for gaining ground for that it leaues the ground the Battalia formerly stood upon taking in lieu thereof the ground next before the front It also turnes the aspect towards the reere The motion of this Counter-march is from the reere to the front contrary to the Lacedemon whose motion is from the front to the reere This Macedonian Counter-march makes semblance in the reere of flight but presently produceth an orderly settled front when perhaps the enemy with a too early pursuit hath broken the order of their array The way to performe this Counter-march according to the directions formerly given is as followeth The file-leaders or first ranke face about to the right the rest of the body passe through betweene the Intervalles or distance of files to the left and place themselves behinde their leaders every ranke beginning with that next the file leaders passing through successively and taking their places untill the Counter-march be fully executed It may be reduced as the rest by doing the same to the contrary hand or as I have formerly said by any intire counter-march of file and therefore I will reduce it by another Macedonian counter-march The command is as followeth File-leaders face to the Reere the rest of the body passe through to the left following your bringers up placing your selves behinde your leaders This Macedonian counter-march is rather remembred for its antiquity then excellencie as some more of them be neverthelesse if any will be curious to observe the motion it may be performed as followeth The first ranke or file-leaders face to the reere then the last ranke begin the counter-march passing
more ease and to use them with more delight Neither need they to be altogether ignorant seeing there are divers printed portraitures of the postures of each Armes as also books whereby they may have very ample instruction By which having attained some little skill they will not be contented untill they have better improved it by the instruction of their Officers after which they will proue better proficients in one houre then as they were before in a yeare CHAP. LXXI Of firing by forlorne files The manner and use BEfore I enter upon formes and figures of Battel be pleased to observe with me that all firings are either direct or oblique notwithstanding that the formes are full enough of varietie occasioned most times by the scituation of the place the order of the enemy and the number of men with other Politicall observations for the gaining of winde and Sunne For the manner of firings they are sometimes advancing against an enemy sometimes receiving the enemies charge upon a stand or else retreiting Otherwhiles we give fire in the Reere marching from the Enemy or in Flanke marching by an enemy and it may so fall out that the enemy may charge in severall places at once as in Front and Reere or in Front Reere and Flanke Of which particulars I will severally treat desiring to give content to all not making the least question but that benefit may accrue unto some And therefore hoping that the courteous and best qualified will accept of my good meaning and not refuse my cates although presented unto them in earthen vessels whereby I shall be induced with more willingnesse to proceed in my intended discourses so you be pleased to favour me with your better opinions neither rashly condemning me of prodigalitie for enterprising a worke of such consequence as this nor too suddenly accusing my simplicitie for preferring my rush-light before the Sunne when others suffer their Torches to burne out in darke lanternes whom I confesse to be farre more able were they but halfe so willing to have imparted of their Talents to the benefit of their Countrey But seeing that they will not vouchsafe it and that I like bold bayard have adventured thus farre I shall with your good favour proceed And first I will begin with firings in front advancing and standing and so to the rest And for the more cleare expression of each firing I will deliver them both in words and figures The first whereof shall be a firing by forlorne files which commonly is used in our exercise two manner of waies One way is for the two outermost-files of each flank of Musketiers to march forth being led on by the two junior Serjeants so farre as by the superior Commander shall be thought fit who being there to stand the formost ranks are to give fire wheeling off both to the right or to the right and left if it be so commanded and to place themselues in the Reere of their owne files the rest of the ranks firing and doing of the like untill they have fired once or twice over according to their directions This done the next two outmost-files of each flanke are to march forwards unto the place assigned and to do the like those files which formerly faced in the meane time trooping backe and placing themselues next the pikes on the inside of the divisions of Muskettiers the rest of the Muskettiers in like manner marching up and firing still placing themselues next the pikes as aforesaid When they have fired all over and placed themselues according to these directions they are reduced as at first A second way of firing by forlorne files may be after this maÌ„ner The outermost files of each flank are led forth by the Serjeants according to the charge untill they have brought them unto a fit place for execution and then they command their files to ranke inward and to present and fire all together as you may plainly perceive by the figure following The first two files having ranked iâ—â—ard presented and fired are to wheele off to the right and left following their leaders in single file and placing themselves on the inside of their divisions of Muskettiers next the Pikes the next outmost files which followed the first in the reere in the meane time ranking inward firing and wheeling off as before and placing themselves next the Pikes And so forwards for all the rest of the files still marching up and doing the like so long as the Captaine or Commander shall fee fitting These kinde of firings and all such like are either for the beginning of skirmishes before the Bodies come within shot one of another or to provoke the enemy to battaile to draw them from their Trenches into some ambushment and other such politicall ends the number of men which march forth upon such designes nor the manner are not alwayes certaine but consists sometimes of more sometimes of fewer according to the number time and place CHAP. LXXII Of firings by two Ranks ten paces advanced before the front Next even with the front and lastly even with the halfe files Advancing of two rankes to fire ten paces before the front is most commonly used when one or both Battailes march against each other the Muskettiers being led forth by two rankes together ten or twenty paces before the front of the body that so they may come neere enough to doe certaine execution A Serjeant from each flanke leading up the two foremost rankes according as they shall have order the first ranke of each flanke is to present and give fire wheeling either all off to the right or to the right and left as you may perceive by the following Figure The first ranks having presented fired and wheeled off as aforesaid are to march close downe in single file within three foot of their owne flankes untill they come to the Reere of their owne divisions where every man is to place himselfe in the reere of his owne file The second ranke being at the distance of three foot behinde the first ranke when they first tooke their ground they likewise are to rest their Muskets mounting their muzzles cleere of their Leaders and so to stand with their matches cockâ— and pans guarded that so they may levell and fire as soone as their Leaders are cleere of them and wheele off in like manner placing themselves as they were before The next two rankes are to beginne to advance forwards when they see the last of the two former ranks presented ready to fire And they also having fired wheele off as the others did before them And so successively the rest of the ranks advancing fire and wheeling off againe placing themselves according to former directions This way they may give fire once or oftner over as the enemy doth advance or the Commander shall see fitting All this while that the Muskettiers advance so farre before the front if the body be upon march the Pikes may be shouldered but when the bodies come within
you may cause them to give fire with forlorne files marching forth twenty paces or thereabouts before the front Having all fired over that way they may give fire once over by advancing two rankes together ten paces before the front Then let them give fire even with the front and then with the halfe-files the Pikes porting or charging according to discretion The Pikes being advanced and the Muskettiers marched up even with their front you may either face about wheele about or Countermarch and so give fire in the reere Your Pikes then being shouldered and your Muskettiers having fired over in the reere you may if you please wheele your flankes into the front and so charge Pikes to the reere Which done wheele your front into the midst passe into your place and face them to you Then if you will you may passe your Muskettiers of the left flanke through betweene the rankes of Pikes and place them next to the right flanke of Pikes opening the right flanke of Muskettiers to give them way Then let the Pikes shoulder and Muskettiers give fire to the right upon a march their leaders leading them up betweene the Pikes and their owne divisions of Muskettiers Having fired once over in this way let them continue their firing to the right each leader leading up his file on the outside of the left flanke of Pikes Then let the Pikes advance even whilest the last file is giving of fire and so soon as the Pikes are cleere of the Muskettiers let them face all to the right and charge Having advanced your Pikes and faced your body againe to the left you may then wheele your Battell about to the right and then facing the whole body to the left the Muskettiers will be all in front Then let your Muskettiers give fire and either wheele all off to the right thereby making an Intervalle for the left flanke or else let them wheele off by division placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions of Muskettiers Having given fire once or oftner over that way let them give fire againe and wheele off by division ranking even with their Pikes That being done cause the Pikes to charge the Muskettiers giving fire once over on that Figure The Pikes being advanced face the whole body to the right and cause the Muskettiers to stand and the Pikes to open to the right and left and so to make the hollow square Then you may if you please command the Ensigne to display his Colours in the midst of the hollow in signe of triumph the body either standing or marching After which command the Pikes to close their divisions Which being performed command the reere division of Muskettiers to double their front of Pikes by division and then they will stand in forme of Captaine Wallers Triple firing Let them give fire upon that Figure and fall off againe according to the directions upon that Figure Which being performed and the Pikes charged and readvanced the body will be absolutely reduced as at the first it was before you began your firings These firings may with the motions be sufficient for the first daies Exercise Wherefore for this time we will lodge our Colours untill by the summons of the Drum we are called forth to the second daies practise CHAP. CVI. The second dayes Exercise HAving brought your Souldiers the second time into the field the body being drawne up into the ordinary square and every Officer vigilant in his place the Captaine commandeth silence with some other generall termes of observation both for the leaders and right hand men Having thus commanded them as before to even their rankes and to straiten their files he proceeds to shew as formerly the distances the facings the doublings the Countermarches and the wheelings therewithall instructing them either in all or so many of them as the time will permit and he thinkes convenient Ever by the way observing that in the Proverbe A thing once well done is twice done That Commander that exerciseth his Souldiers with good language and with sollid reasons shall make them better proficients then he that shall use rigid termes and rough hands After the postures distances and severall motions that which next followes for this daies exercise are firings and figures of battell So soone therefore as the Drum begins to beat a preparative the Muskettiers are to begin to make ready And first you may cause them to give fire on the Horne Battell still marching up into their leaders ground by that meanes preserving their Figure Secondly let the Muskettiers close their diuisions before their Pikes and then give fire upon the demie-Hearse-Battell falling off presently either all to the right the one halfe passing downe an Intervalle or to the right and left by division and placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions of Muskettiers The third time of their firing let them wheele off by division and flanke their Pikes and when they have fired over that way let the Pikes charge For the fourth firing let them give fire even with the front of Pikes wheeling off to the right and left and placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions Then let them fire even with the halfe-files wheeling off by division and placing themselves in the reere of the Pikes The Pikes you are to understand ought to charge all the time of the last firing who being advanced you are to wheele your Battell about to the right or left Then your Muskettiers being in the reere of your Pikes let your sixt firing be to the reere the Muskettiers wheeling off by division and placing themselves before the front of their owne divisions of Muskettiers and next behinde the reere of Pikes Having fired once over that way let them give fire ouer againe and flanke their Pikes which being in like manner performed Command them to wheele their flankes into the front and then face to the reere and charge pikes at the inside of the right foot with their swords drawne in their right hands Let the seventh firing be discharged over their pikemen wheeling either all off to the right through Intervals or else by division and placing themselues in the reere of their owne files Otherwise for want of room the first ranke of Muskettiers having given fire let them kneel or crouch low upon the ground and make ready againe the second ranke in like manner firing and kneeling and so for the rest Having all fired once over in that manner let the Pikes advance and put up their swords the Muskettiers in like manner are to rise then to even their ranks and streighten their files For the eighth firing you may face the body to the reere or if you will continue your firing the same way then wheele your battell about and having opened your Intervals your forme will be the broad fronted Phalange or broad fronted Battell Let these give fire the first time falling
firing countermarch to the right and placing themselues in the reere of their pikes The pikes at the same time are to move forwards into the Muskettiers ground where they may charge over head and if need be at the foot the Muskettiers giving fire over them as in the Convex-halfe-moone The firing being ended and the pikes advanced let the Commander march forth of the round Battell at that point where he shall finde all his proper file-leaders Then let the whole body be faced to that part aâ—â— the file-leaders caused to march forth even a breast the Muskettiers and pikemen following their leaders and marching untill the body have atteined their orderly square againe But note that all your Muskettiers are in the midst of the battell For the thirteenth firing make the impaled souâ—d square the way to performe it is as followeth Your 〈…〉 being now the flankers draw forth the 〈…〉 of the â—â—â—es of pikemen from the right flanke crosse the front of the body taking the outmost-files let halfe the files of pikemen of the left flanke be drawne crosse the reere following their bringers up Then face all your Muskettiers to the front reere and flanks The pikes may charge all overhand and if need be at the foot with their swords drawn the Muskettiers firing over them Having fired charged and advanced their Pikes draw off the Pikes againe from the front and reere into their places ⊙ For the fourteenth firing the Muskettiers being still in the middle make the hollow fronted-crossebattell the Pikemen making the hollow upon the flanks of the Muskettiers For the making whereof wheele the front off the 2. first ranks into the midst That being done wheele the reer of the 2 last ranks after the same manner and then face the rest of the body to the right and left and cause them to march untill there be a square hollow in the middest of the battell Then command them to face to the front reere and flanks which being in like manner performed cause the Pikes who are now in the front of the Musketticrs to open to the right and left the last ranke of Pikes ranking even with the first ranke of Muskettiers The Muskettiers may give fire upon this figure wheeling all off to the right and placing themselues in the reere of their owne divisions of Muskettiers If need be the Pikes may close their divisions before their Muskettiers and charge their Pikes Which being done and the Pikes againe advanced we will come to the reducement For which purpose face the whole body about to the Center and cause the flanke-divisions to close to their order This being executed let the front-division wheele together their front into the midst as they now stand faced the reere-division doing the like That being in like manner performed face the whole body to the front proper then wheele off the battell to the right and left after which having closed their divisions they are perfectly reduced as at first And herewith we will conclude this dayes exercise and leave our Souldiers to rest untill that the morrows Sunne and the thundering Drumme shall call us forth againe into the Field CHAP. CIX The fifth dayes Exercise HAving the fift time brought your Souldiers into the Field if you have leasure it will not be amisse for to cause them to be instructed in the first place in the Postures of the Pike and Musket For those Souldiers which by often practice of their Postures are growne perfect will manage their Armes with case surety and celerity when on the contrary the unpractised Souldier will be a trouble to himselfe a danger to his fellowes and a Dormant to his Enemies After the Pastures each file being drawne into his place and the Ensigne according to former directions brought to the head of the Pâ—kes the Rankes evened and the files streitned the Captaine having commanded silence and delivered himselfe in such â—earmes as the present occasion doth require ever preferring the industrious and painfull and on the contrary blaming the carelesse and the slothfull he next proceeds to instruct them in their sevâ—â—aâ—◠〈◊〉 and these indeed are the grounds of all motion seeing that without distance the motion cannot be excected Next to the distances they are to be instructed in the motions ever observing to each motion its due 〈◊〉 Next after 〈◊〉 distance and motions let the rest of the dayes Exercise be spent in firings and figures of Battaile Each Officer having now received his severall Charge The Captaine commands the Drums beat and the Muskettiers make ready The first firing being performed by leading forth the outmost file of each Flanke twenty paces or thereabout before the Front and no◠〈…〉 the place of firingâ— let the second men 〈…〉 the right and leâ—â— inward even with their 〈…〉 so give fire together wheeling off by 〈…〉 the right Flanke to the right the left flanke 〈◊〉 the left placing themselves on the inside of their owne dâ—vissâ—ns of Muskeâ—â—iâ—â—s next the Pikes file-wise as they were when they marchedforth So soon as the first two men of their files have after this manner ranked fired and wheeled off the next second mâ—n ranke even with their Leaders as before giving fire and wheeling away to place themselves file-wise aftertheir â—â—â—ders The residue of their first files are to do the like and so still the outermost files leading forth doing in like mannerâ— and still placing themselves file-wise next to the Pikes For the second firing cause the outermost files to march forth to the former distance before the front And whereas in the last firing they ranked but two and twoâ— and so gave fire now let them ranke foure That is to say the three men next behind the right-hand-file-leader shall ranke inward to the left even with their File-leaders the three next men after the left-hand-file-leader ranking inwards to the right even â—â—rest with the leader of their file the residue of each file keeping themselves in file and closing formardâ— to the distance of order just after their File-leaders The first foure of each file having presented fired and wheeled away the last foure men being the â—eâ—râ—-half-files in the interim of their wheeling off ranke to the â—ight and left inward presentingâ— â—â—â—ing and wheeling off as aforesaid and placing themselves in the 〈◊〉 of the former part of their files which wheeledaway before them The second Files are then to lead forth and to doe the like and so successively the rest untill they have all fired over this way For the third firing let the outermost files lead forth to the same distance befoâ—e the Frontâ— whither being come as tothe place wherein 〈◊〉 doe their executionâ— let the files 〈◊〉 to the right and left inwardâ— and so fire all together 〈…〉 and placing themselves as in the 〈◊〉 fâ—â—â—ngs The residue of the other Files of Muskettiers at the sametime marching forth giving fire and still placing themselves file-wise on the innermost part of their own divisions of
Muskettiers and next to the outside of Pikes For the fourth firing cause your Muskettiers to ranke to the right and left into the front and so the whole body of Muskettiers give fire at once which being performed let them face to the right and left inward and so march into their places They may if you please open the files of Muskettiers to double distance and so cause the files to ranke to the right into the front by Conversion giving fire after that manner which if it be done will make the fift firing After this let them fall backe into their places and having made ready againe before you close their distance cause the halfe-files to face about and then let the files ranke into the front and reere and so give fire which will make the siâ—t firing Having thus fired and being fallen backe into their places let the halfe files face againe to their leader and the files of Muskettiers close againe to their order For the seventh firing let the rankes of Muskettiers open backe to their double distance and the Muskettiers wheele to the right and left by Conversion and so give fire to both flankes The men being returned to their places and having againe closed their rankes to their order after some little pause by marching or otherwise the Muskettiers being all againe ready command your files of Pikes to open to the right and left to their double distance Then command rankes both of Muskets and Pikes to open backward to their double distance Which being done command the Muskets to invert to the right and left outward and then to face outward and present and let the halfe-files of Pikes face about Then cause your files of Pikes to ranke to the front and reere by conversion and let the Muskettiers give fire and the Pikes charge This figure will take up a great quantity of ground because that all the Muskettiers are now become two rankes that is to say to each flanke one all the Pikes being likewise brought into two rankes one to the front and the other to the reere This being performed the body will stand in form of a great hollow square The Muskettiers hauing fired the Pikes being advaneed and each Souldier returned to his place and all faced to their leader let them close their rankes and files to their order Then cause the ninth firing to be performed to both flankes upon a stand facing the whole body to the right and left there firing and wheeling off by division and flanking their Pikes Whilest the two last rankes are giving fire let the Pikes port and when the Muskettiers have fired and wheeled off let them charge Having advanced their Pikes face the whole body to that part where you shall finde your file-leaders of Muskettiers then will all your Muskettiers be in front and reere Next command your halfe-files that then are to double your front to the left entire which being done let them face to the right and left the Muskettiers giving fire and wheeling off to the left and placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions The Pikes may also port and charge at discretion The Pikes being advanced and the whole Company faced to their former front command the halfe-rankes of the right both Muskettiers and Pikes to march and the halfe-rankes of the left flanke to follow in the reere Having given them some time of breathing then for the eleventh firing cause the halfe-files that then are Muskettiers and Pikes to face to the reere Which being done let the Muskettiers give fire to the front and reere upon a stand wheeling off by division and placing themselves in the reere of their Pikes they moving forwards and maintaining the Muskettiers ground The Pikes are then to charge when they are cleered of their Muskettiers Which being done and they againe advanced face them all to their former front For the twelfth firing command halfe-files to double the front inward intire To which purpose open the front halfe-files both Muskettiers and Pikes to the right and left for receiving the halfe-files of both Armes within them which being executed each Armes will stand in three divisions Then command the front halfe-files to face about to the reere and to present The Reere halfe-files keeping still faced to the front and there in like manner presenting and both giving fire together The first time of their firing over they may fall in the Reere of their owne divisions of Muskettiers wheeling off to the right and left The second time of giving fire upon this figure let them wheele off as before and place themselues in the Reere of their following divisions of Pikes Which being in like manner performed let the Pikes charge Being againe advanced face the body to the former front and command halfe-files that doubled to face to the Reere and march into their places The halfe-files being faced about and marched cleare off then are the front halfe-files to close their divisions Thus being all rightly faced the Muskettiers will be in the front and reere For the thirteenth firing make the horned battell to the front and reere For the which cause the halfe-files of Muskettiers and Pikes to face to the reere Then cause the Muskettiers to open to the right and left both in front and reere and so to give fire wheeling off by division and flanking their Pikes The Pikes may also charge Having advanced let them all face to their leader at the proper front Lastly for the fourteenth firing make the Sconce Battell For further directions wherein turne backe to the 93. Chapter where you may finde instructions as well for the making giving of fire and reducing thereof And if you please your Ensigne may display his Colours in the hollow part of the midst of the Pikes Supposing now that by this time the night hath almost overtaken us we will prepare to lodge our Colours with our accustomed Bene-vale and herewith we will conclude this our fifth dayes Exercise suffering our Souldiers to depart to their severall habitations There leaving them to clense their arms and to refresh their bodies untill the morrows clamouring Drum doth invite us forth to our sixth dayes Exercise CHAP. CX The sixt dayes Exercise HAving the sixth time brought your Souldiers into the Field according to the accustomed manner let each File-leader exercise his File in the Postures of such Armes as they carry Which being performed and the Files againe rejoyned into one body the Ensigne being at the head of the Pikes and the rest of the Officers in their severall places The Captaine having commanded silence attention and obeaience three especiall vertues most necessarily requisite to every common Souldier hee proceeds to the severall distances instructing them in the uses of each of them Next after the distances he teaches them the Facings the Doublings the Countermarches and the Wheelings with severall Observations upon each of the Motions After which having so commanded The Drums bcat and the Muskettiers make ready
he useth in the handling of his Armes consisting of severall Motions for atchieving of each Posture The Motion being the working part the Posture the alteration or act either in circumstance or matter As to rest your Musket being one Posture to shoulder your Musket another so likewise for the rest howbeit some perchance will object as formerly hath bin to one of Athens making a long Oration in the praise of Hercules his valour who ever doubted of it So to me who ever questioned these for Postures yet I have known them not only questioned but written against peremptorily concluding that there are but three Postures to be used for the Musket whose errours I shal easily confute But more of this after the Postures of the Musket Wherefore for the more orderly proceeding conceive their Armes to lie before them on the ground and then the first command will be to stand to their Armes The Postures of the Musket TAke up your Bandeliers Put on your Bandeliers Take up your Match Place your Match Take up your Musket and Rest Rest your Musket Now if you please you may performe your saluting Posture Poyse your Musket Shoulder your Musket Take your Rest into your right hand and you are armed ready to March Now to begin to make ready which may be done either standing or marching Take your Match between the fingers of your right hand Put your Rest string about your left Wrist and carry your Rest in your left hand Return your Match between the fingers of your left hand Unshoulder your Musket and Poyse Ioyn your Rest to the outside of your Musket Open your Pan. Cleer Prime Shut Cast off your loose Corns Blow off your loose Corns and bring about your Musket to the left side Treile your Rest ballance your Musket in your left hand Charge with Powder Bullet Draw forth your Scowring stick Shorten Put your scowring stick into your Musket Ram home your Charge Withdraw your scowring stick Shorten Return Bring forward your Musket and Rest Poyse your Musket and recover your Rest Ioyn your Rest to the outside of your Musket Draw forth your Match Blow your Coale Cock your Match Fit Guard your Pan. Blow the Ash from your Coale Open your Pan. Present upon your Rest Give fire brest high Dismount your Musket joyning your Rest to the outside of your Musket Uncock and return your Match Cleer your Pan Shut Poise your Musket Shoulder Take your Match between the fingers of the right hand Take your Rest into your right hand cleering your string from your wrist Return your Rest into the left hand the string loose Return your Match into your left hand Unshoulder your Musket and Poyse Rest your Musket Set the But-end of your Musket on the ground Lay down your Musket and Rest Match Take off your Bandeliers Lay down March from your Armes There is likewise the Sentinell Posture which is The Muskettier having his Musket charged with Bullet his Match cockt his Pan guarded stands with his Musket rested to performe such duty as shall be commanded or given him in charge Some have likewise taught to make ready on or from the Sentinell Posture But note that as none comes to stand Sentinell but comes ready charged So if any occasion happen that he must give fire in the time of his standing Sentinel it causeth a generall Alarme So that he will have no fit time to make ready upon his Rest Wherefore I conceive it superfluous but will ever conforme to better judgement We have also the Funerall Posture which from the Rest is to be performed at 3. Motions which cannot so well be exprest in writing as it will expresse it selfe in Action Wherefore seeing that it is rather an Ornament to Obsequies than truly necessary for Armies I will not spend more time about it but come to the Postures of the Pike Yet before I passe upon them give me leave to answer some which out of a Criticall humour will alwayes be carping at others condemning these Postures saying There are more by halfe then are either good or usefull and that there are no more Postures to be used but Make ready Present Give fire The which wee will not deny that in Service there are any other usefull notwithstanding I would have them to know that Make ready is no Posture but a word of Command including all Postures from the first Arming of the Souldier to the present or if the Muskettier be charged shouldered or both then the word Make ready commands the prosecution of the rest of your Postures which are between the Posture you then immediatly are at when the word is given and the other Posture Present for which reason when wee teach Muskettiers at first it is most necessary to instruct them punctually from Posture to Posture Which being once attained he manageth his Armes more surely more comely with more celerity and with better execution and at the first may as easily be taught the best way But if he have got an habit of doing ill there wil be as much or more pains spent in reclayming his errours as at first to teach him the best safest and readiest way CHAP. II. Of the Postures of the Pike THat which followeth next of course is the Posture of the Pike Wherefore that we may observe order in our proceeding we will likewise conceive their Pikes to lie in like manner before them on the ground And then as before the first Command will be To stand to their Armes Handle your Pikes Order To your open Order close Charge with the But-end of your Pike at the inside of your right Foot your Pike in the left hand drawing your Sword over the left Arme. Charge to the Right Left Reere Order your Pikes and put up your Swords Note that these Charges at the Foot are to receive a desperate Enemy on Horse upon a stand in some strait or other place of advantage the Muskettiers to give fire over the Pikemens heads or else-where at the discretion of the Commander Port your Pikes Comport Cheeke Treile Order Charge to the Front Order as you were Right Left Reere  Shoulder your Pikes Advance your Pikes Port Comport Cheeke Treile your Pikes  Advance as you were Charge to the Front Right Left Reere Shoulder your Pikes Port Comport Cheeke Treile Shoulder your Pikes  Shoulder as you were Charge to the Front Right Left Reere From Comport Cheeke or Treile the Pikeman may at the discretion of the Commander charge either to the Front Reere or both Flanks as shall be necessary or thought expedient Wherfore we shall not need to do it but once over for the Charges will be all alike whether you Comport from Order from Advance or Shoulder And so likewise for Cheek and Treile c. From Comport Charge to the Front Comport as you were Right Left Reere Cheek your Pikes   From the Cheek Charge to the Front Cheek as you were Right Left Reere Treile your
forme nor action can be performed CHAP. IX What is Facing and the use of the word whether to be used or refused BEfore we come to shew the varietie of Facings in the action I thinke it will not be amisse to speake a word or two in the way of definition and therefore what is Facing To which I answer That Facing is a particular turning of the Aspect from one part to another whereby the Front proper becomes a Front accidentall And a Front accidentall may be reduced to his proper Front There are some likewise that by no meanes will allow of the word Face Concluding it altogether unnecessarie And no other word must be given but To the Right To the left c. Yet I wonder that men will stumble at so small a straw which cannot chuse but be better used than refused For the word Face is but one syllable and quickly pronounced and gives so cleare an expression of the intent of the Commander that it concludes it necessary As for example Should you command a Company to double Rankes to the Right and then command them as they were and then say To the Left it might puzzle a good Souldier at the first to discerne whether he should face or double The like mistake might bee among Countermarches Wherefore I conceive that none can justly taxe it for superfluous seeing the easiest expression hath alwayes beene accounted for the best Yet spare me for my intent is not to oversway any man in his opinion but rather to deliver mine leaving all men freely to their owne likings If my intent were to make a great booke with a little matter I might then here insert figures for every particular Facing and their Reducements to their first Posture which would take up divers sheets of paper and to little purpose For I suppose that every man that knows any thing may easily conceive the Idea of any ordinary Facing in his minde Wherefore I will but shew one or two of the hardest You are to note that in the Motion of Facings every man turnes on the Center or Ball of the left foot moving onely the right the other being the keeper both of ranke and file Face to the Right As you were Left Right and left Right about Left about Right and left inward Right angle Left Foure Angles The front halfe files standing it will be requisite for the halfe files to the reere to do as much by themselues whereby they will the more aptly perceive how that the subdivision goeth under the denomination of the halfe files c. Halfe files face to the Right As you were Left Right and left Right about Left Right and left inward There is another word which is ordinarily used and proper for reducements of Facings which is To your Leader There is another Facing sometimes used which is Face to the center and is when the body stands in some circular form or else in an hollow square There is also a Facing which causeth the Body to face to the front reere and flanks which some call Facing square CHAP. X. Of Facing square and how to performe it the usefulnesse of facings and the severall parts thereof WHen we instruct our Souldiers how to face square if the Body be but 8. deepe command the two first ranks stand fast the two last Ranks face about the rest of the Body face to the right and left If the Body be deeper we command more Ranks to the Front and so likewise to the Reere It is very necessary for young Souldiers to move 10. or 12. paces upon every motion of facings whether they are entire or divisionall Now I will pricke two severall figures of facing which will be sufficient to demonstrate all the rest The words of Command commonly used to produce this figure are these as followeth The two first ranks stand The two last ranks face about The rest of the body face to the right and left then march all To reduce them to their first order Face all about to the right march and close your divisions Face all to your Leader who then stands at his front proper Facing square another way marching upon it The words of command customarily used to produce this figure are these as followeth Muskettiers face to the right and left Halfe files of Pikes face about to the right then march all To reduce them to their former order Face all about to the right march and close your divisions Face all to your Leader Facings are so usefull and necessary that you may as well dispense with any one of the grounds of Discipline as with them for they are usefull almost upon all occasions and not onely sooner executed than any other of the motions but may be needfull when Wheelings and Countermarches cannot be used as in a strait There are no more then foure facings intire besides Angular as for Divisionall there be divers and indeed very necessary many of them be as occasion may offer it selfe for their severall uses howsoever peremptorily to say there be so many and no more I conceive hath beene concluded by none but it still rests at the discretion of the Commander to exercise more or fewer of them as he best liketh and the necessity requireth either for action or exercise Intire facings are so called when the aspect of the whole Company are directed one way Divisionall facings are so called when the aspect of the Souldiers is at one the same time directed divers and severall waies as to the front and reere the right and left or to all foure at once c. Angular Facings are so called when the aspect of the Company is directed to the right corner man which is the right Angle or to the left corner man which is the left Angle or to the foure corner men which are the foure Angles Angular facings were of great use among the ancients for their figures called the Diamond the wedge the Sheeres the Saw and such like when they made use of such formes of battell But for the use of them in our moderne Discipline I conceive there is little or none onely thus wee honour the memory of the Ancients in their use And some say they are very fit for exercise for that by their use the souldier is made more apt and perfect in the other Therefore let this suffice to be spoken concerning facings and now be pleased to turne your aspect and take a view how our young souldiers will behave themselves in the performance of the doublings CHAP. XI Of Doublings their use and parts DOublings are of most excellent and singular good use for the strengthening of any part of the battell according to the occasion or discretion of the Commander and consists of these two generals Doublings of length and Doublings of depth all times in quantity of number sometimes both in number and place both sorts having this restriction to be doublings of rankes or flanks
Muskettiers will be together and the Pikes likewise by themselves The Reducement wil be after the same manner But for instruction for the Motion by this figure intended according to the command formerly given The left Flanke stands the right Flanke marcheth forth right untill the Reere of the right Flanke be advanced before the Front of the left Flanke as a foresaid Then face them to the left and cause them to march untill the Pikes are even in Ranke with the Muskettiers which perfects the doubling For the Reducement let the halfe Rankes that doubled face about to the left and march until they are cleere of the left Flanke or standing part of the Battaile then cause them to face to the right and to march strait downe into their places Then the Leader being at his first From faceth them all to him which reduceth them as at first The right Flanke may also double the left Flanke to the left intire And then as the right Flank in this doubling came crosse the Front of the left contrariwise they will come crosse the Reere The left Flanke may double the right Flanke intire to gether hand in like manner But by this that hath already been shown the others may be understood Wherefore I spare the Figures CHAP. XXVII Of doubling of Flankes by Division THis next doubling is a doubling of flanks by division and without question a serviceable doubling and very usefull for some occasions For if you note the figure and conceive rightly what it will produce the motion being ended it makes a strong forme of battaile to give fire three severall wayes at once The figure followeth The motion of this doubling is thus to be performed The Reere-half-files of the left Flanke face about to the right and then both the front half-files and Reere-half-files march forth-right untill they are cleere of that part of the body that stands Then each division faceth that way which they are to double which the Front half-files must doe to the right the Reere half-files to the left And so march forth-right untill the doubling be performed For the Reducement you are to conceive it may bee diversly performed If the Leader be at the right flanke which is the part that was doubled Then the Reducement is as followeth The half-rankes that doubled face about inward and march forth-right untill they are cleere of the right flank which stands Then the Front half-files face to the left the Reere-half-files to the right and then close their division The Leader going to his first front and facing the whole body to him they are reduced as at first If that the right flanke would double the left Flanke by division The matter is the same differing onely in the hand CHAP. XXVIII Of doubling Rankes intire DOubling of ranks to the right intire is a doubling both of number and place and in some sort worketh the same effect as the doubling of half-â—les to the right intire But differeth first in regard of the partias which are the doublers and secondly in the distance left after the doubling For the first which is matter of dignitie The fift and first in honour are ranked together in the front the second and sixt in dignity make the last ranke in the Reere So that the Front precedes the Reere ¼ in worth whereas in the doubling by half-files the Front exceeded the Reere by â…“ Secondly it differeth for the distance by leaving open order at the left betweene all the ranks For further satisfaction observe this figure following The motion of this doubling ought to be performed as followeth namely if the doubling be to the right as is above expressed by this figure Every even ranke faceth to the right The right hand man of each ranke becomming the leader of his ranke file-wise leading them forth and in their march or moving forwards a little bending to the left that when the left hand man of each ranke which are the bringers-up of the motion are cleere of the standing part of the body by onely facing to the front they may stand even in ranke with the rest of the company For reducement of this doubling it may be as followeth Command the ranks that doubled to face to the left and march forth-right into their places Or for variety command halfe-ranks of the right to face to the left and double the left flanke Both which as the company now stand worke one and the same effect The left hand men of each ranke being the leaders of the motion in the reducement To double rankes to the left intire is to be done after the same manner onely observing the difference of the hand This doubling may also be done by division But I spare the figures CHAP. XXIX Of doubling Files intire advancing DOubling of files to the right intire advancing is also a doubling both of number and place for it increaseth the depth to double their former proportion of number as from eight to sixteene from ten to twenty c. It also gaineth so much more ground before the front as formerly the Battell did containe by transferring the even files of the body into the ground before the front of the odde files but this doubling diminisheth the number of the length of your battell although it preserves their place I spare to speake further of it onely thus Let the antiquity of this doubling plead for it's excellencie and if that may hold for a rule then this may be ranked amongst the best For further directions observe the following Figure The motion of this doubling ought to be performed after this manner The odde files are to stand beginning your account from the outmost sile to the hand named The Musketticrs and Pikes of the even files are to advance their Armes and follow their file-leaders every file-leader leading his file forth right before his next file to the right untill the bringers up of the even files are orderly placed before the leaders of the odde files as you may perceive by the Figure For reducement let the files that doubled face about to the left the bringers up of each file leading them forth right downe the Intervales which are on the left hand untill they are come even with the Reere and then stand and face to their leader and they are reduced as at first The doubling of files to the left intire advancing is after the same manner It onely differeth in the hand wherefore I spare the figure They that love to be curious may likewise double files by division advancing CHAP. XXX Of Files doubling their depth THis next doubling is a doubling of the depth to the right intire and is likewise a doubling of files as the other last shewen in the precedent Chapter Being alike both for number and place notwithstanding it differeth from the other both in manner of executing and in some sort of the matter executed For whereas the other doubling by advancing of files did transferre all the
forwarde betweene the Intervalls the seventh ranke following the eighth the sixt following the seventh and so likewise the rest untill the whole body be transferred into the ground before the front and then joyntly together facing to the right about after their leaders the counter marche is ended For reducement observe this for all that any intire countermarch of file may be reduced by another intire counter-march by file of what kinde or to what hand soever These three last Chapters of counter-marches are the originall grounds of all the rest yet I shall shew one in the insuing Chapter which time hath begotten out of the latter two which takes part with either being absolute in neither CHAP. XLIII Of the Bastard counter-march The Command is File-leaders stand the rest passe through to the right and place your selves before your Leader THis passing through or bastard counter-march is partly Macedonian and partly Lacedemonian for first with the Macedon it takes the ground before the front the motion being from the reere forward it is partly Lacedemonian for that they passe through and place themselves before their Leaders and for that it makes semblance of falling on or charging the enemy neverthelesse the Macedonian disclaimes it for that it alters not his aspect The Lacedemonian refuseth it for that it takes the ground before the front and not that behinde the reere or with the Chorean it holds affinitie And many there be that will not allow it for a countermarch for indeed the word it selfe will not beare it notwithstanding seeing that it hath beene long ranged amongst them I will not be he that shall displace it but will passe forwards to shew the manner of the motion which is to be performed as followeth The file-leaders stand according to the former direction the rest of the body advance their armes the second ranke first passing through to the right and placing themselves before the first ranke the third ranke before the second the fourth before the third and so forwards for the rest untill the last ranke or bringers up are become the foremost which perfects the motion It may be severally usefull as to skirmish against an enemy advancing by way of introduction or upon occasion to bring the reere men to march in front and such like For the reducement you may doe as much to the contrary hand onely for order sake I will reduce it by another like it selfe The Command is File-leaders stand the rest passe through to the right placing your selves before your Leaders following your bringers up This motion may be done either to the right or left and is nothing differing from that last shewne but that whereas the other began with the second ranke this contrariwise begins with the last ranke or bringers up every ranke successively following the ranke which came from behinde them untill they which were the leaders are become the last in the reere If this countermarch be first done it may be reduced by any of those formerly shewn c. CHAP. XLIV Of countermarching ranks to maintaine ground The Command is Ranks to the right hand countermarch THis Chorean counter-march of rankes is an altering or changing of one flanke for the other the Battalia still keeping the same ground onely the right flanke becomes the left and the left becomes the right The way to performe this motion is as followeth the command being given then the whole body faceth to the hand named and every man in the outmost file to the right files by this facing being become rankes turnes down through the Intervalle or distance betweene ranke and ranke marching forth right unto the part which was the left flanke with their rankes file-wise following them being come unto their ground they face as before and the counter-march is performed for the reducement let rankes countermarch to the left after the same manner differing onely in the hand and they are as at first CHAP. XLV Of Countermarching Rankes to lose Ground The Command is Rankes to the right-hand Countermarch every man turning after his right-hand-man on the ground he stands THis Lacedemonian-Countermarch of Rankes is a falling on upon the left Flanke the Motion being begun by the right It leaves all the ground the Battalia stood on and takes in place therof the ground beside the left Flanke turning the Aspect to the left The manner or way to performe this Motion is as followeth The whole Bodie faceth to the right and then the right-hand-file being faced becomes a Ranke begins the Countermarch turning downe the Intervals of the Ranks which by this facing is made the distance between the Files and so marcheth forth-right beyond the left Flanke every man following him that was his right-hand-man but not stepping forwards one foot of ground untill the Countermarch be performed For the reducement of this Countermarch do as much to the left and they will he as at first Or if you please take another of the same kind The word of Command or direction is Right-hand-file face to the right the rest passe through to the right and place your selves before your right-hand-men THis Lacedemonian Countermarch of ranks makes a falling on upon the right Flanke the Motion being from the left Flanke to the right leaving all the ground whereon the Battalia stood and taking in lieu thereof the ground beside the right Flanke In those dayes when Countermarches were more usefull for their Discipline then now they are for ours the Lacedemonian Countermarches were of chiefe repute aswell amongst the Macedonians as the Spartans and others the way to performe this Motion is as followeth The right-hand-file faceth to the right and passeth through the Intervals or spaces to the right placing themselves before their right-hand-men untill the left-hand-file become the foremost ranke If you doe this Countermarch by it selfe then for reducement first face them to their Front proper then let the left-hand-files face to the left and do as much to the left and then they will be as at first CHAP. XLVI Of the Macedonian Countermarch by Ranke The Command is Right-hand-file face to the left the rest passe through to the right placing your selves behind your right-hand-men THis Macedonian Countermarch of ranks contrary to the Spartan dismarcheth from the enemy upon that Flanke where hee appeares and presents the contrary Flanke to receive the Charge It is performed after this manner The out-most-file to the right faceth to the left The rest of the body or Battalia faceth to the right every man passing thorough to the right and placing themselves behind their right-hand-men For the reducement of this Countermarch as all the rest there are divers and severall wayes but performe as much to the left as you have done to the right and they will be at first Or if you please this following Bastard Countermand will do the same The word of Command or direction is Right-hand-file stand the rest passe through to the right
twelve score or lesse then it is fit that the Muskettiers give fire even with the front of the Pikes and that the Pikemen advance their Pikes and close forwards to their distance of three foot that so they may be even in ranke with their Muskettiers as you may perceive by the following Figure Now the Pikes being advanced and the rankes closed forwards to their due distance of order the Muskettiers are to present even with the front every ranke successively moving forward untill they come to be even in ranke with the first ranke of Pikes there to give fire and to wheele off to the right and left trooping file-wise downe close to their owne divisions and taking their places in the reere as in the former figures The first ranke of Muskettiers having fired and wheeled away the next ranks are to move forwards at three motions into their places and there to give fire after the same manner wheeling away againe and placing themselves according to former directions every ranke still making good their Leaders ground In this sort the battell may be continued untill they have fired once twice or oftner over and that the Bodies become so close together that the Pikes begin to porte and so at length come to push of Pike Which done the Muskettiers are to give fire either retreiting or else not to advance further then the halfe files of Pikes For in that place the bodies being come so neere together they will doe as much execution as if they were even with the front The manner of the standing you may perceive by the following Figure The Pikes being now come to push the Muskettiers are to advance no further than the halfe files of Pikes that so they may doe execution with their shot and be out of danger of the Pikes This having attained they are there to present and give fire every ranke still moving forwards and maintaining his leaders ground After they have performed their firing they are to wheele off by division as in the former Figures still placing themselves in the reere of their owne files alwaies taking their directions from the Drum either for charging or retreiting c. The battell or charge being ended the reducement is easie The leader of each file being in his place at the head of his file command the Muskettiers to march up even with the front of pikes and then they will be as at first Obserue withall that when the firing is to be performed even with the front then the Muskettiers are stil to make good their leaders ground The want to be in the place of most security which is the Reere as you may perceive by the pricks which I have designed for noting out the empty roomes of such who have closed forwards to make good the ground in the front the others that last fired are wheeled off and trooping downe into their places When the firing is even with the halfe-files they are to do the like unlesse the Drumme beat a retreat for then the Muskettiers neither advance nor retreat but every rank giving fire on the same ground they stand and then wheele off againe that their fellows may do as much Neverthelesse when the forlorne files march forth or that two ranks march forth ten paces or more before the front then they are to give fire as upon a retreit unlesse the enemy flye I will now shew some other wayes of firing in front before I shew the firings in the reere The first whereof shall be the horne Battell as in the Chapter following CHAP. LXXIII Of the Horne-battell how to make it and to reduce it by firing THe Horn-battell may be for the same occasion and use as the firing by two ranks ten paces advancing before the front and is by some held more serviceable because that the muskettiers do their execution more roundly without any intermission of time and keepe themselues without stragling from their bodies Besides the wings of Muskettiers being so advanced are more apt for over-fronting and more easily to be wheeled whereby to charge the enemy in flanke each of these wings or divisions are to be led up by a Serjeant or some other superiour Officer unto the place appointed by the Chiefe But because that it may be performed in time of exercise by the intelligible Souldier observe the Command which produceth this following figure Pikes stand Muskettiers march untill the Bringers up ranke with the front of Pikes The Horne-battell The figure being perfect the firstranke of Muskettiers present and give fire wheeling off either all to the right or to the right and left according as they shall have direction and placing themselues orderly in the Reere of their owne files The next ranke after the same manner firing and wheeling off and placing themselues behinde those which were their leaders Thus is every rank successively to do the like untill they have all given fire If the Commander would still preserve and continue the same figure then let the Muskettiers still move forwards into the ground or place of them that fired before them and the forme will be still the same And if by the Chiefetain it be found necessary that after once or twice firing over the shot should flanke their pikes then the Muskettiers must not advance into their leaders ground but to the contrary every ranke is to present and fire on the same ground they stand and that so soone as they are cleere of their leaders Or if need be the pikes may advance and march up to make their front iâ—tire which being done the file-leaders of Muskettiers being in front they are reduced CHAP. LXXIIII Of the Demie-hearse Battell The use of the figure how to make it and to reduce it by firing THe next firing in Front which I present unto you is the Demie Hearse which is a figure most firme most sollid and most stable yea and doth as much execution as any of the former and that with halfe the danger For the pikes in the former figure they either ranke even with the front of Muskets or else the division of Muskettiers being open they become liable to the danger of the enemies shot themselues not being able to do any thing either offensive or defensive But to the contrary in this figure they are securely covered by their owne Muskettiers untill they approach nearer to the enemy Whereby they may be able to do some service either by sending their showres of arrows amongst them for bringing their array out of order or else by closing neerer come to the shocke and so try the fortune of the day But not to hold you longer in circumstance take the words of command which produce the figure as followeth Pikes stand Muskettiers advance before your Front of Pikes and close your Divisions The Demic-hearse For the firings on this figure they may be divers yet I shall content my selfe onely to shew two of them The first is that the Muskettiers may at the discretion
the right your Battaile may be continued according to the occasion or the Commanders discretion The Figure followeth The Command is Muskettiers give fire in flanke marching up betweene the Pikes and Muskets The way to performe this motion of firing is as followeth The outermost file being commanded to face to the right and present the rest of the body marcheth away as in the other Figure and the standing file gives fire This done and that the body is marched cleere of the standing file the next file presents to the right the file that first gave fire faceth to the first front and is led by a Serieant crosse the reere of Muskettiers and up betweene the Muskets and Pikes the Muskettiers are still to open to the right as they march that so there may be room for one file to march up betweene them and the pikes And so successively each file having fired marcheth up next unto the right flanke of pikes When all your Muskettiers have given fire once over they are reduced as at the first The battell may be continued at discretion The next firing in flanke for the matter of firing it selfe will be all one with this but for the manner of the wheeling off and placing them it will differ CHAP. LXXXIII A firing in Flanke led off by the Bringers up THe next firing in flanke which I propound to your perusall will be nothing differing for manner of execution from the firings in Flanke formerly shewed The onely difference arising betweene them is that the other files of Muskettiers after that they had given fire were led off by their proper file-leaders and this to the contrary must be led off by their Bringers-up And this indeed if the body be upon a slow march is the readiest and quickest way and doth more speedily secure the Muskettiers after that they have given fire The words of Command and direction which produce the firing are as followeth Muskettiers give fire to the Right wheeling off after your Bringers up and placing your selues betweene your Divisions For the manner of execution or way to performe this firing it is as followeth The body must be conceived to be marching upon all these firings in flanke and that with their pikes shouldered This being presupposed the Command being given the outmost-file presents to the right and gives fire then faceth to the right after their bringers up who leadeth them off crosse the reere of Muskettiers marching them up betweene the divisions the bringers up supplying the file-leaders place and marching even in ranke in the front with the file-leaders the file-leader of the same file becomming the bringer up in the Reere The files of Muskettiers or Pikes according as the command shall be given are as they march to open thereby giving way to the Muskettiers after they have fired to come up betweene the divisions and so soone as the first file that fired is cleare from the right flanke the second file presents and fires in like manner wheeling off as before and marching up betweene the Pikes and Muskettiers every file successively giving fire and wheeling off as aforesaid This firing may be performed once twice or oftener over according to the discretion of the Commander Neverthelesse if it be twice performed the men are reduced as at first every man hauing his right place If you fire them but once or thrice or any odde number of times over then you must countermarch your files of Muskettiers to reduce them There is another way for the bringers up to wheele off and each of them to leade off his file untill he comes to the Reere of the division which is betweene the Muskets and the Pikes and there he is to stand and ranke with the bringers up the rest that follow passing on forwards by way of Introduction and every man ranking before him that was his leader in the wheeling off untill the proper file-leader be come into his place againe And after this way they may give fire each firing being his owne reducement CHAP. LXXXIIII The difference betweene Firings in Flanke marching and of bringing the Muskettiers on the outside of the Pikes ALL or the most part of the firings in flanke which are performed marching in point of execution are the same the especiall difference betweene them being â—ither in the manner of the wheeling off after they have fired or in the materiall placing them whereby to make them more offensive or defensive And all this appeareth by this next following firing which is to be used at such time and place when as there may be doubt of the enemies horse And therefore for the more securitie of the Muskettiers having fired they are to be drawne up on the outer-side of the left flanke if haply there may be some hedge ditch river hill marish wood or such like convenient safeguard whereby to shroud them from the furie and violence of the horse that so the pikes making Alt and facing to the enemy may charge and with their armed points strongly and closely coucht receive and abate the furie of the first shocke And if need be the pikes may all charge at the foot closely serried together with their swords drawne and the Muskettiers may give fire over them The manner you may perceive in the figure of the Convex halfe-moone But lest I anticipate my selfe in shewing the use I will returne to shewth e manner of the firing intended by this following Figure Onely first take the words of command and direction which are as followeth Muskettiers give fire to the Right placing your selues on the outside of the left Flanke of Pikes The ovtermost files having presented to the right the rest of the body continueth the march whilest they in the meane time are giving fire Which being done and the body cleere the next outermost file presents the file that last fired in the interim facing to the left after their proper file-leader who leadeth them crosse the reere both of Muskets and Pikes a pretty round pace sleeving up on the out side of the left flanke of Pikes The next file having in like manner fired doth also troupe up on the out side of the file led off before every file giving fire and doing the like When all have given fire and are cleered away then the Pikes may charge Which is very necessary if but to accustome the ⊙ Souldiers unto in times of exercise both for charging on and for retreiting as also to push with their Pikes that so by practise they may be able to doe it orderly either way still keeping their order and array Having given fire upon the right flanke and drawne all your Muskettiers in this manner to the left flanke if you will cause them to give fire on the left flanke and bring them backe againe to the right flanke they will be reduced Or if you would reduce them without a firing then either passe your Muskettiers through between your rankes of Pikes or else let your whole
after the same manner wheeling off and taking their places as aforesaid and so successively the rest both files and rankes give fire observing the same order And having given fire once twice or oftner over they are still reduced to the same they were before the firing began Then draw your Muskettiers from the reere to the left flanke againe and they will have their places as at first CHAP. LXXXIX Of firing to both flankes marching TO give fire to both flankes upon a march must needs be a serviceable firing without exception the time number place and strength of the enemy being alwaies to be considered which may sometimes cause the Muskettiers having fired to march up betweene their owne divisions and the Pikes as in this Figure Or sometimes betweene the midst of the Pikes the better to secure them Divers other such like waies there likewise be at the discretion of the Commander and as the present occasion shall require them But because I insisted somewhat largely upon the firings on the right flanke I shall not need to shew them againe by division on both flankes but will conclude them all in this one The words of Command which produce the Figure are as follow Muskettiers give fire to both flankes marching up betweene the Pikes and your owne divisions The Command being given the outermost file on each flanke presents outward the â—est of the body still continuing the march The presented files in the interim giving fire then facing after their proper file-leaders who led them up betweene the Muskets of their owne divisions and the Pikes in the time of their wheeling away the next two outermost files present firing after the same manner and leading up as before The rest successively doing the like untill they have fired all over which brings them to their former places The firing may be continued at discretion each firing being its owne reducement Neverthelesse it may so fall out that either through the fury of the enemy advantage or disadvantage of ground or some such like accident the body may be forced to make Alt and to face to both flanks and so with fronts accident all to maintaine the fight standing To which end the firing in the succeeding Chapter shal be of that sort Therefore suppose the body faced to the right and left preparing to give fire CHAP. XC A firing to both Flanks standing FIring to both flanks upon a stand is a good and serviceable firing And although it shew but thinne in the figure yet it may be substantiall and usefull for the field especially if there be a larger proportion of number then I have made use of in my formes and figures of Battell The words of command and direction which produce the figure are as followeth Advance your pikes and stand Face to the Right and Left Muskettiers give fire and flanke your Pikes The bodie being faced to the right and left the formost ranks of Muskettiers which were the outermost-files present and give fire and then wheele off by division ranking even with the formost ranks of pikes and leaving sufficient Intervals for the rest of the Muskettiers to march betweene them and the Pikes The next ranke presenting and firing after the same manner but not advancing forwards onely firing upon the same ground and wheeling off by division afterwards passing downe betweene the Intervals and so ranke after their leaders It is herewithall to be noted that they that were outermost when they gave fire are likewise to be so when they have taken their places If these instructions be not sufficient utrne backe to the figure of the Demie-hearse where the manner of the execution is all one with this All the ranks of Muskettiers having fired and wheeled off as before the pikes if need be may charge and the Muskettiers give fire over againe wheeling off outward and placing themselues in the reere of their owne divisions Having advanced your pikes and faced your body to the first front all your Muskettiers will be in front and reere And then if you face your halfe-files about and give fire after the same manner to the front and reere having faced them againe to their first front they will be reduced as at first into their ordinary square Neverthelesse I will reduce it by another firing which was first invented and shewed us by that worthy Citizen and excellent Souldier Captaine Henry Waller now deceassed It is a firing in front the Muskettiers of the reere division opening to the right and left and sleeving up on the flanks of pikes untill the leaders of the reere division who as then are the halfe-file-leaders ranke even with the front of pikes The words of direction that produce the figure follow in the next Chapter CHAP. XCI Captaine Wallers Triple firing to the Front THis Triple firing to the Front hath had the approbation of good and well experienced Souldiers who have all acknowledged it to be both sollid and serviceable Bringing many hands to fight in very good order the pikes being securely covered by their Muskettiers in front Neither need they be idle in time of battell if they have any Bow-pike-men amongst them for that they may send their whistling Archery over their Muskettiers heads without offence to their friends though not without dammage to their enemies If any carpe at the depth of the Muskettiers either in this figure or in any other in this booke I shall request them to suspend their censures and wisely to conceive by a little what a great deale meaneth My intent not being to make my booke monstrous by having little leaves and targe figures Onely I desire with this small number to shew the nature of severall formes and figures of battell the manner of their firings and wheelings off their orderly placings and severall wayes of reducement not having the least conceit to induce any to beleeve that men are able long to continue battell at foure deepe although at sometimes and for stratagems they may be reduced into a lesser number But lest by digression I too farre trespasse upon your patience I will returne to shew the manner of the firing Onely first obserue the words of command and direction which produce the following figure Muskettiers of the Reere double your front of Pikes by Division The Command being given the first ranke of Muskettiers both of front and flanks present to the front and give fire wheeling off to the right and left by division The Muskettiers of the front-division being wheeled off as aforesaid close by the flanks of their owne Muskettiers passe directly downe betweene the Intervals and place themselues even in ranke behinde the Muskettiers of the reere division which are upon the flanks This you may perceive by the pricks that come downe betweene the Intervals the Muskettiers also that fired at the same time on the flanks wheele also off the right flanke to the right the left flanke to the left marching directly downe even with the reere ranke
or wheeling all off to the right and placing themselues in the reere of their owne divisions of Muskettiers The second time of firing let them wheele all off to the right as before and place themselues in the reere of the pikes which follow next after their owne divisions In the interim of the last two ranks firing cause your Pikes to port but when the Muskettiers are cleered away the Pikes may charge When the pikes are advanced for the ninth firing face them to one of the flanks and wheele them into a Semicircle or Convex half-moone where the Muskettiers being outermost give fire upon that figure the first time falling behinde the Muskettiers of their owne divisions The second time of firing cause them to place themselues behinde their pikes For further directions looke backe upon the 77. Chapter which discourseth of the Convex halfe-moone The pikes may also charge and the Muskettiers give fire over againe according to discretion The Pikes being readvanced face the whole body to one of the flanks and march them out horsewise Then command them to double their ranks to the right which being done command that flank which are Muskettiers to double the contrary flanke by division which being performed all the Muskettiers will be in front and reere Then cause the reere-division of Muskettiers to double the front of Pikes by division Then let them give fire on that figure as they may see further directions in the Chapter The pikes having charged and advanced againe For the eleventh firing first face the whole body to the right then cause the halfe-files that then are to face to the reere and so let the Muskettiers give fire to the front and reere wheeling off by division and flanking their pikes The pikes may also charge to the front and reere which being performed face them all againe to their leader For the twelfth firing make the Plinthium or foure-fronted battell the Angles whereof being filled with Muskettiers For further satisfaction looke upon Chapter 100. which gives direction both for the motion and reducing thereof Next face the whole body to that part which was the front before the last firing began Then if you would have your Ensigne to display in an hollow Square cause your Muskettiers to stand and halfe-files of pikes to face to the Reere and so both divisions of pikes to march untill their last ranks are even with the front and Reere of Muskettiers Then face all to their leader If you please the Muskettiers may give fire upon this hollow square as they march to both flanks still leading up their files on the inside of their owne divisions and this will make the 13. firing But by this time our powder being spent our men weary and night approaching We will come to reducement Wherefore first cause the Pikes to close their divisions and the Muskettiers to march up even with their front of pikes Then let the whole body wheele their flanks into the reere which being done all the Muskettiers will be in the Reere Then if you will face to the Reere and give fire causing your Muskettiers to wheele off by division and to flanke their pikes Or else cause your Muskettiers to open to the right and left and double your front of pikes by division Which being done double files to the left and they will be all reduced as at first Wherefore we will now lodge our Colours and conclude our second dayes Exercise c. CHAP. CVII The Third dayes Exercise HAving the third time as formerly brought your Souldiers into the Field it is very necessarie in the first place that they be taught the Postures of each Armes either by the file leaders or some other of the Officers Wherein they must be carefull to instruct them in the firings both to front reere and flanks As to give fire to the front advancing to give fire to the front upon a stand to give fire to the Reere upon a march to fire to either flanke marching or standing As also to instruct them in distance facings doublings countermarches and wheelings that so they may be the more apt and capable when they shall be brought into a body Having spent some time in the exercising of files let the Drumme summon each file-leader to his place the Ensigne be fetcht to the head of the Company the Captaine command silence and the Souldiers tender obedience The ranks being evened and the files streitened the Captaine according to his accustomed manner begins to instruct them in the Distances and Motions And after the performance of so many of them as he shall thinke fit for the present exercise he commands the Drummes to beat and Muskettiers to make ready and so causeth them to give fire three or foure severall wayes after the ordinarie manner of firing in the front Then cause your Muskettiers of the left flanke to give fire to the reere and the Muskettiers of the right flanke to give fire to the right This firing is to be performed upon a march the Pikes shouldered For the second firing let them give fire to both flankes The gathering firing For the third let them fire to both flankes drawing them up betweene the divisions of Muskettiers and Pikes For the fourth firing let them give fire againe to both flankes leading them up after they have fired betweene the midst of Pikes When the last files are firing advance your Pikes and close your rankes forwards to their order Then face to the right and left and charge Pikes Your Pikes being advanced and faced againe to the front proper all your Muskettiers will be in the midst Then open them some Intervalles and let the fift firing be to the front wheeling all off to the right and placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions Then cause the Pikes to charge and when your Pikes are advanced againe let your halfe-files face about to the right And so the fixth firing may be to the front and reere the Muskettiers of the front division wheeling off to the right those of the reere division wheeling off to the left either of them placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions The Muskettiers having fired once or twice over wheele your flankes into the front and cause your Pikes to charge to the front and reere The Pikes being againe advanced and all faced to their former front wheele front and reere into both flankes For the seventh firing make the Plinthium or foure fronted battell the Angles being filled with Pikes and let them giue fire and charge their Pikes according to directions for that Figure As likewise the firing being ended reduce the men backe into their places as they were before this firing Then wheele off your front by division which brings your Muskettiers upon the flankes but doth not reduce your men justly into their places if your number be any thing great From thence make them a perfect crosse battell and let your Muskettiers give fire wheeling
it will be best for the ease of the Musettiers to be shouldered And upon all doubling of Ranks whatsoever lot them be sure to observe their right hand men A part Countermarch is when one Moity or part of the Body countermarcheth thereby not altering the number of the length or depth of the Figure but onely transferring one part into another Note that if the Reere be doubled to the Right the Countermarch must be to the Left if the doubling be to the Left the Countermarch must be to the Right It is at the discretion of the Commander to face the Company which way he pleaseth either for Motion or Reducement of any Motion formerly performed Order in Ranke and File The distance required for intire Doubling What intire Doublingsare What is meant by Particle and dividuall Doublings Note that the left-hand men are the Leaders of the motion in the reducement Inversion Chorean Lacedemon Macedon Bastard Countermarch Bast Count. Lacedemon Lacedemon Cretan or Chorean Lacedemonian B. A Countermarch Lacedemonia Cretan or Chorean Bast Countermarch Lacedemonia Macedonian Bast Count. Chorean or Cretan LacedemoniaÌ„ Macedonian Bast Counter The distance for Counter march is sixe foot or open order in ranke and file Note that when there is a Countermarch commanded without any other addition then it is alwayes intended a Chorean countermarch LacedemoniaÌ„ * An Intervall is the space of ground betweene fils file or ranke and ranke but in this place is intended the space of ground betweene the files LacedemoniaÌ„ Lacedemonian Macedonian Macedonian Bastard Counter-march Bastard Countermarch Chorean Lacedemonian Lacedemonian Macedon Bast Count. Of divisionall Countermarches Note that for Countermarching Front and Reere into the midst the Front-halfe-files ever turne off to the Right the Reere halfe files to the Left which being truely observed they will alwayes meet even in the middle of the Battaile where to the contrary if they turne both off to the Right they can never doe the Counter-march but wrong Bast Counter * Note that as the front half-files empiieth the space of ground betweene the leaders and halfe-file-leaders placing themselues in the ground before the front so in the meane time their places are replenished by the souldiers of the Reere-halfe-files which march up and supply their roomes If you reduce them by another Countermarch first close their divisions Macedonian Note that when the Reere half files face about the last ranke which are the bringers up 〈…〉 â—ill to keep their 〈…〉 Note that upon the Countermarching of flanks into the midst the right flanke must alwayes obserâ—e to turn to the right the left flanke to the left For if they should both turne off to the right they wil never meet right iâ— they turne off both to the left it will be as bad Macedonian Note that if yâ—u please yâ—u mâ—y paste the Pikes alone through and let the Muskettier stand But then there wil lbe a la ge distance betweene the Musketti â—s in the midst Note that the distance for wheelings ought to be three foot betweene Ranke and File Note that upoÌ„ the exercise of the motions whether it be distance facings doublings Countermarches or wheelings the Muskettiers ought to be all upon one and the same posture either poâ—â—ed or shouldered the pikes in like manner either shouldered or advanced Note the direction for angular wheelings Note that wheeling to the rightabout will not be reduced by wheeling back againe to the left about just into the same ground if the wheeling be Anguler but will be â—wise the length of the battell removed to the right of your former standing Vpon al wheelingâ— you must obserue to follow your leaderâ— which must be understood aswell of those which bâ—come leaders accideÌ„â—ally by reason of facings as of those which be the â—â—â—st and proâ—â—â— leaders As in th s wheeling â—or example where the upâ—te â—te become the leaders of the Mâ—â—â—on Note that the two upâ—re â—re the Hingeâ— of this whâ—â—ling Notâ— that if the length of your Batâ—eâ—â— be double the numâ— r of your depth as in this figure then this wheeling of front and reere into the right or left-flanke doth quâ—dâ—uple their formeâ— depth If the number were equall in lengto and depth then by this wheeling they would be but doubled If the number of your length exceed more then double your depth by so much the more will the extension of the depâ—h be beyond quadruple c. * The three motions are Blow your Coalâ— Open your Pan Present Breast high You are to blow your Coalâ— stepping forwards with your left foot Open your Pannel stepping forwards with your right foot Present stepping forwards with your left foot The 〈◊〉 aâ—e to bepetforâ—â—d hand and foot together by every one that advanceth 〈◊〉 to â—ivâ— fire without expecting anydirectiâ—â—â— in time of Skirm sâ— * Note that the second firing will cause the body to fâ—ee to the reer which then becomes a front accidentall and is the cause that the same command reduceth the figure which first made it Note upon all firings in the Reere Blow your colt stepping forwards with your right foot Open your pâ—n stepping forwards with your left foot present to the R ere stepping forwards with your right foot Note that all the Muskettierâ— must be in the midst and the pikes on flankeâ— when you begin to make this figure If your Muskettiers be on the flanke when you make it then the crosse will be Piâ—â—s and the Angles Muskettiers c. The Plinthium is a hollow Square Battell fronted foure waies the number equall in length depth Another kind of Plinthium is to have the depth exceed the length the light Armes to be placed in the miost of the hollow patt See the Taâ—â—icâ— of Aelian the second Books the notes of the forty two Chapter * Note that the odde files on the right flank are the outermost files to the right the third file the fift file the seventh so forward for the rest if the 〈◊〉 be larger beginning your account from the outermost file to the right Note that the odde files on the leâ—t-flanke are the fileâ— the third the fiâ—th the seventh c. so still accounting the odde files beginning with the outermost file to the 〈◊〉 * I is very necessary still so often as time will permit to instruct the Souldiers in the postures and the well handling of their Armes * Each file-leader to lead up his file upon the first Summons of the Drum * Ever to observe to be even in Ranke and strait in file and stand at the true distance * Fetching the Ensigne to the head of the Company * Souldiers ought to be very silent First the souldiers ought to have their due distance given them with directions how most properly to performe * Facings Doublings Countermarches Wheelings wherein the Souldier ought treatably to be instructedâ— the Commander alwayes observing what his Souldiers are hee hath to deale withall and to give h s directions accordingly Never striving to put more into the battle then it can conveniently hold * Observe to march between each firing upon each figure that may be convenient * Face about or wh ele about for to Countermarch if any en my be nâ—â—r iâ— very dangerous * Wheele your Flanks into the Front if your Souldiers have time enough otherwiâ—e face to the Reere and charge Pikes * When the Pikes shoulder the Musketiers must observe to ranke even with them * Vpon this firing advance Pikes when there is but one file and close forwards to the distance of order * These kind of Intervals ought to contain six foot in distance upon some other occasions 12 foot is necessary The hollow Square Captain Wallers firing Silence Vpon all motions be â—ure that the Souldiers stand even in ranke and file Good words more available then blowes or ill language The Muskettie s make ready to give fiâ—e â—etween each firing cause your body to march either in forme of Baâ—talia extended in length or upon any other figure where it may conveniently be done without disorder Whosoever it be that teacheth the postures of the Musket ought to be very diligent in his instruction concerning the well managing of their aâ—mes that they may not only fire to the Front reere and flank But that they observe order in their motion which will better their execution The file-leader if he have time may instruct his file in the distances and the severall motions * By drawing foâ—th â—ff loose files or otherwise You may eiâ— tâ—â—r draw forth the innermost or outermost at discretion