importance that more tolerable it were for all the officers of the company were it the Captaine himselfe to bee vnskilled men and of little experience rather than the Sergeant who of necessitie ought to bee an expert Souldier and of great spirit and diligence Hee is to ranke the Souldiers as hee shall thinke good not suffering them to contend or fall out amongst themselues for the Front or best places THE CORPORALL AS hee is a degree aboue the privat Souldier so ought he in skill let no man that is a Souldier seeke to come to preferment in any office in the Field except hee know himselfe fit to discharge the same or els hee shall become a laughingstock to others and be contemned of all men as he justlie deserues that taketh vpon him more than hee is able to performe I thought to haue written more at large of every officer but for brevities sake I haue but onely touched every one apart hoping God-willing my selfe to showe it more at large by my selfe vnto them in exercise which I hope will worke more in them than writting So wishing all to take this in good part not set foorth for the well experimented Souldier but for such as yet haue not tasted thereof Heereafter followeth how a Company should march as lykewayes the severall words of Commands for exercising a Company with their reasons The order how a company should march of 200 men 100 Picks and 100 Musquets C M M M M M Leaders M M M M M First division Musquets M M M M M D M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M Bringers vp H P P P P P Leaders First division Pickes D P P Bringers vp 1. S P P Leaders 2 division Picks P P Bringers vp 2. S M M Leaders 2 division Musquets D M M Bringers vp L The Company brought vp in battell for the exercising 200 in Company Front  Left division  Right division left wing M M M M M P P P P P * P P P P P M M M M M right wing M P  P M   M P P  P P M  *                    *  6 Ranke or Reare division M P P  P P M 6 Ranke or Reare division    M P P * P P M The Reare Next followeth the handling of Musquet and Picke with the severall words for every posture The words for the Musquet The Musquet shouldered 1. Sinke your Musquet 2 Handell your Musquet with your right hand 3 Vnshoulder your Musquet and hold her vp 4 Fall backe with your right leg and hand 5 Bring your rest to your Musquet 6 Ioyne both in your left hand 7 Hold your Musquet mouth over your leaders right shoulder 8 Open your pan with right finger and thumb 9 Take your pryming wyre and clense your touchholl 10 Blow your pan 11 Morse with powder 12 Clese your pan 13 Grip the but-end of your Musquet and rest with your right hand and shake off the loose powder 14 Bring about your Musquet to your left syde 15 Discharge your measure into your barrell 16 Draw foorth your scrow or ramming sticke with the middle finger and thumb of the right hand 17 Shorten the same at your right pappe within a handfull 18 Ram in your powlder furring and bullet 19 Draw foorth your scrow and shorten it as before 20 Put vp your scrow in its place 21 Recover your Musquet and hold it vp with your left hand 22 Take it bee the butt hard at the pan and shoulder it 23 Your rest being in your left hand with your thumb vpon it aboue the butt 24 Sinke your Musquet 25 Handell your Musquet 26 Vnshoulder your Musquet 27 Hold vp your Musquet 28 Bring your rest to your Musquet 29 Ioyne both in your left hand 30 Take foorth your match with the finger and thumb of the right hand 31 Blow your match vnder your right arme 32 Cocke your match 33 Try your match to your pan 34 Guard your pan with the first two fingers of the right hand and the thumb at the backe of the pan 35 Blow your match againe 36 Take off your pan 37 Present your Musquet vpon your rest your left foote being at the rest vpon the ground 38 Giue fire 39 Fall off either be the right or left hand as the Command is given 40 In going off take foorth your match and returne it in your left hand againe betwixt your little finger and middle finger or in both having two ends lighted In service all this being learned and practised in exercise there is but only three words of Command viz. make reddie 2. present 3. giue fire The postures of the Picke Your Picke lying vpon the ground going to list it vp 1 PVt your toe of your right foote first to it 2 Then your right hand with your thumb at the but-end of it 3 In lifting step forward with your left foote and left hand and so lift it vp 4 Then your Picke is mounted 5 Ordour your Picke at 3. 6 Mount your Picke at 3. 7 Shoulder your Picke at 3. 8 Mount your Picke at 3. 9 Port your Picke at 1. 10 Traile your Picke at 4. 11 Cheeke your Picke at 1 12 Recover your Picke at 4. 13 Port your Picke at 1. 14 Mount your Picke at 3. 15 Sinke your Picke at 1. The but-end being at halfefoote to the ground 16 Hold your Picke vpon your right shoulder with your right hand and your thumb vpon your shoulder the palme of your hand vp and your foure fingers lying aboue the Picke 17 Vpon a long march and vpon double distance in rankes you may carry your Picke levill vpon your shoulder but not so comely as sinked 18 Your Picke being ordoured at close ordour the but-end of it must bee betwixt your feete holding the same with your left hand being ready to present to charge horse and your right hand to draw your sword setting forward your left foote laying your Picke and left hand vpon your left knee the butt being close at the right foote and your sword in your right hand 19 Your Picke being ordered at open ordour your feete must bee a foote a sundrie and your Picke in your right hand with thumb vp and the Picke a foote from your right foote 20 Your Picke being ordered at order your feete may be close at halfe a foote and the butt of your Picke at the toe of your right foote a little distance from it When you come to vnderstand distances of Rankes and strings these Will bee more clearer AS for the presenting and charging of your Picke when wee come to the exercising of the Pickes the whole forme shall bee showne God willing which can not be done but by practise and vse of
either wing closing to the middle leaders 6. Strings close to the right The right hand string moveth not but standeth fast all the rest close to the right string taking their distance one from another from the right hand 7. Strings close to the left Strings closing to the left then the left string stands fast the rest of the strings close and take their distance from the left hand Their is great vse in closing of strings for many causes 8. Strings close to the right and left by division Strings closing to the right and left by division the one half of the strings close to the right string the other half to the left string leaving a space betweene which is done vpon some speciall vse best knowne to the Commander 9. Strings open Being in close order the word is strings open not naming to whether hand and is thus to bee done the middle leaders presse vpon their wingers first taking the distance commanded having then opened both wayes the rest of the company on both wings take their distance from them 10. Strings open to the right The left string is not to moue but standeth fast the next to the left string first taketh the distance pressing vpon the right vntill the distance commanded bee obtained the rest of the strings doe the like pressing vpon their right still opening by the righ vntill they haue all done it 11. Strings open to the left The right string standeth fast the rest open to the left still pressing vpon their left string vntill they are all in distance commanded This word of command is ever given to that hand where there is most ground or fittest ground for conveniencie 12. Ranks close from the front to the Reare After this manner the reare or last ranke moveth not but standeth fast the rest of the ranks fall backe to the reare 13. Ranks close from the reare to the front To doe this the first ranke moveth not but standeth fast all the rest of the ranks close vp taking their distance commanded ranke after ranke from the front or first rank the second ranke to the front beginning first the rest consequently one after another till all haue done it 14. Ranks open from the front to the reare The first ranke moveth not the rest of the ranks fall backe till they haue gained the ground to the distance commanded then stand the second ranke taketh the distance first the rest in like manner one from another vntill they haue all effected it 15. Ranks open from the reare to the front Which is thus done all the body advanceth ford-ward the last ranke onely standeth fast the second to the last taketh the distance first then the rest advancing fordward till they haue done it 16. Strings and ranks close The whole body being at open order the word is strings and ranks close to doe the which your middle leaders of strings close first the rest of the strings close to them the ranks close all vp to the front or the first ranke to such distance as is commanded 17. Strings and ranks open The whole body being close in ranke and string the word is strings and ranks open after this maner the middle leaders of strings open and take the distance first the rest of the strings on either wing from them the ranks fall backe the second to the front taketh the distance first the rest in like maner from the front to the reare backwards 18. Strings countermarch and maintaine ground To countermarch and maintaine ground the leaders of every string having turned to the hand directed which is specially to bee observed passe thorow the company their followers march vp to the leaders ground making the same good then turne and passe thorow the company after their leaders till they haue all done the same 19. Countermarch and lose ground To countermarch and lose ground the leaders of everie string turne to the hand directed passing thorow the company the followers moue not till their leaders are passed by them then they turne and passe after their leaders the ranks doe the same one after another not moving till their leaders are passed by them then they turne in the same ground By countermarch the reare may become the front in the same ground that the front stood in having brought them vp and face about Note The strings must bee in their open order when they countermarch 20. Rankes countermarch from the right to the left The right hand man passeth betweene the first and second ranke all the rest of the same ranke follow the right hand man of the second ranke passeth betweene the second and third ranks passing to the left wing the rest of the ranke follow him all the rest of the ranks doe the like bringing the right to the left 21. Ranks countermarch from the left vnto the right The left hand man of every ranke turneth first passing to the right all the ranke followeth him the rest of the ranks doe the like so bringing the left wing to the right This is done vpon some politick respect of the commander to change the wing doubting the courage of the one by the other or otherwayes best knowne to the Commander 22. Strings ranke 3. 5. 7. or 9. The right hand string first executs the same advancing fordward and fall in ranke to such number as shall bee enjoined the next string doeth the like advancing fordward fall in ranke after the former string the rest of the strings keepe the same forme and order vnto they are all ranked 23. Strings ranke 3. 5. or 7. The left string first advanceth falling in ranke the rest of the strings obserue the like forme till the words of command bee fully executed 24. Ranks ranke 4. 6 or 8. The first ranke executeth the same beginning at the right hand man the first ranke having ended the right hand man of the second ranke beginneth the rest of the ranks doe the like till all haue done it 25. Ranks ranke 2. 4 or 6. The left hand man first beginneth heere the rest of the ranks joyne with him making so many in ranke as shall be commanded every ranke passing vp till they haue all done it 26. Ranks string to the right The right hand man of every ranke stirreth not but the next to the right hand man falleth behind his right hand man the rest of the ranks follow all the ranks doe the same falling behind their right hand man making one string of the whole company 27. Ranks string to the left Every left hand man stands fast the rest fall behind one another to the left hand and so are converted into one string The vse Thus you giue a strong charge vpon the wing by facing to any hand this serveth also for a narrow passage to doe this let the ranks bee in open order and the strings in close order 28. Ranks turne to the right The right hand man turneth in the same ground he stands not moving foorth of
the same the rest of the same ranke turneth altogether and become all aboue him the left hand man being vppermost all the ranks doe this 29. Ranks turne to the left The left hand man turneth in the same ground he stands in the rest become all aboue him the right hand man being vppermost all the ranks doe this The vse By this you may giue a charge by either wing very easily Note To performe this easily and shortly let the strings be in their close order and the ranks in such open order as shall be requisit according to the number of men in ranke 30. Ranks and strings turne to the right the great turne This word of command is spoken to the whole body know that the right hand man moveth not but alittle and slowlie the left wing somewhat faster but all the whole body together till such tyme as the left wing bee brought about and then halt their faces being all one way 31. The great turne to the left Then the left hand man moveth but litle and slowly all the rest of the body turne together the right wing being brought to the left 32. The great turne right about to the reare The right hand man moveth but little and slowlie as it is said before vntill his face be at the reare then standeth 33. The great turne left about to the reare The like doeth the left hand man as the right did before vntill all bee turned The vse Thus the front is brought to either of the wings or to the reare being strongest and best armed Note For turning of this great turne the whole body must bee at their close order both in ranks and strings 34. Reare division half strings sixt ranke or middle-men double the front to the right I haue showed you before of these four words of command but tend all to one purpose Therefore I say reare division double the front to the right the leaders of this division are according to the deepnesse the just half of the number and they passe vp every man of the ranke by the right hand of his leader vntill they haue all done and then stand in the front or first ranke the next ranke followeth and standeth in the second ranke and so the rest till all haue done it 35. Reare division double the front to the left The leaders of this division or first ranke of it passeth vp vpon the left hand of their leaders vnto the front or first ranke of the front and so consequently all the rest vntill all bee doubled The vse There is a speciall vse of this motion for by this the same order in distance of ranks is still observed which can not bee in doubling of ranks The second vse Againe they bring sufficient men into the front and reare The third vse Thirdly it maketh the company to show faire vpon a march thorow a Citie or place of note for faces to any hand being thus doubled and then march and you shall bee brauely winged 36. Reare division double the front to the right and left by division The reare division divide themselues the one halfe of them face to the right hand the other halfe face to the left hand then march out both to the wing of the company then face againe to the right and left then march vp to the front and stand there The vse Thus the front is doubled on either wing and the same distance betweene strings and ranks still observed 37. Reare division double the front to the right enteare The reare division face to the right hand altogether then march foorth then face to the left hand and march vp to the front joyning ranke by ranke and their stand 38. Reare division double the front to the left enteare The reare division face to the left and then passe out then face to the right and march vp to the front joyning ranke by ranke to the wing and stand The vse Thus the front is enlarged by such wing as the commander thinkes fitt and shall bee most vsefull 39. Bringers vp double the front to the right The last ranke as formerly is showne are bringers vp who passe thorow the body by the right hand to the front and there stand the second to the reare follow the bringers vp and stand in the second ranke to the front and so the rest till they haue all done it 40. Bringers vp double the front to the left The last ranke passeth vp by their leaders left hand to the first ranke and their stand the second ranke to the reare follow and stand in the second ranke to the front all the ranks doe the like vntill they haue all done it The vse This is another maner of doubling the front and not the worst for by this their is sufficient men brought to the front to the strengthning of the same By this word of command you may alter the front and bring the reare to the front by causing the reare or last ranke which are bringers vp to passe thorow the company the rest of the ranks following them 41. Ranks string by inversion After this maner the whole body standing in open order especiall in ranks one half of the ranks fall into the right string the other half into the left hand string becomming two strings onely wherein you must note that the two vttermost strings which are called the right and left hand strings they stand fast the rest of the strings invert to them The vse This serues for the avoyding of cannon shot vpon the maine body or for a gaird for some great commander to passe thorow it is vsed also at the lodging of the Handseigne 42 To your first order or as you were These words are words which bring the company to their first station or order after everie motion foresaid wee say either to your first order or els as you were which tends both to one vse But because I vse this first word in my owne practise I would wish all those that vseth this booke to follow it so that there bee no diversitie To your first order This word of command is often vsed to perfect the body after doubling of ranks or strings when the reare division hath doubled the front or bringers vp haue doubled the front after ranks turning the great turne ranks stringing either by conversion or inversion and at other tymes to bring them to their first forme The vse The vse of this is so necessarie that when the company can not vnderstand by any other word of command they can more easily fall to their first order There bee diverse other words of command generally to bee observed by the whole company in tyme of service or vpon any suddaine assault to cause face to any hand or charge to any hand The company standing in battell orderly both in ranks and strings and true distance in both the words of exercising are these viz. Faces to the right To your first order Faces to the left
exercise The first principall in Military instructions bindeth every one that myndes to practise in Military discipline after the handling of his armes to vnderstand the severall soundes of the Drumme without the which no Souldier is able to knowe his commanders pleasure when to march charge or make a retreat c. for when the commanders voyce can not extend to the hearing of the company the Drumme denunceth and expresseth the same The soundes especially to bee learned are these viz. A Gathering A March A Troupe A Charge A Retreat c. THE second principall is to knowe how to offend and and defend after the learning of his Armes the readiest and easiest way with skill The third principall to be learned is the distance and order of standing and marching that is to bee observed betweene strings and ranks which is a speciall poynt of discipline some make fiue sort but I content mee onlie with three most in vse Distance in Strings Order is three foote Open order is six foote Close order is a foote and halfe Distance in Ranks Order is six foote Open order is tuelue foote Close order is three foote Great is the necessitie of the learning of this principall for if order and perfect forme be not observed it can be tearmed no other thing but a disordered company In the next place let the Souldier know how to distinguish betwixt every severall place in the company as followeth The Front The Front is alwayes where the faces of the company are directed all one way The Reare The Reare is ever where the backes of the whole company are turned A String A String is a sequence of men standing one behind another back to bellie and consisteth commonlie of 10 or 8 or sometyme 6 depth A Ranke A Ranke is a raw of men standing one by another shoulder to shoulder their faces being directed all one way Leaders of Strings Leaders of Strings are these that are in the first ranke every one in the same ranke is a leader of a string Bringers vp Bringers vp these that are in the last ranke are called bringers vp every one being a bringer vp of a string Reare division half strings or sixt rank all these three names may bee given to this division The Leaders of the reare division are the sixt ranke if their bee ten depth if but eight the fift ranke Also this division is called by some middle-men but the most sure being what depth they will reare division separats best and is soone knowne The wing The wing is the side of the company from the front to the reare the right side being called the right wing and the left side the left wing Heereafter followeth certaine generall observations Let every Souldier know that in marching they are to follow their leaders in strings as also keepe even with their right hand man which is their leader in ranke the like must bee done vpon a stand to stand right after their leaders in string and ranke even with their right hand man in ranke observing true distance and forme according vnto such order as shall bee enjoyned by the commander Let the Pickeman know that in a march hee must alwayes shoulder his picke either just or sinking as the word shall be given and comming thorow any port or gate hee is to port his pick vpon a troupe hee must carry his picke mounted and vpon a stand let him alwayes set downe or order his picke vnlesse he haue command to the contrary Let the Pickeman further know and obserue that in charging being ten depth half the ranks or front division are to charge or present their pickes the other half or reare division are to carry their pickes mounted or ported over the heads of their leaders that they bee no hinderance to them either in charging or in retiring Obserue likewayes that when they present standing to fall backe with the right foote and marching to present the left foote being stopped fordward The Musquetier must obserue vpon a march to shoulder his Musquet and carry the rest in his right hand except he prepare to giue fire then is he bound to carry his rest in his left hand the like also in a troupe but in a stand let him ever rest his musquet except he haue command to the contrary In exercising of the company first cause the bodie to stand in good order and being in such order as they are enjoyned to let them face to the right or left hand and so looke vpon them round seing them stand right in strings and ranks Ten ranks and fiue strings face them to either hand and then their is as many strings as ranks were before the strings being become ranks and the ranks being converted into strings When you double your strings to any hand by doubling of ranks to the contrary hand they are brought to their first forme likewayes having doubled ranks to any hand by doubling of strings to the contrary hand they become to their first order or as they were Now the next for the fift principall shall bee expressed the most vsuall words of command especially vsed in the exercising of a company with the reasons thereof which every Souldier must bee well acquented with all otherwayes they can never rise vnto any preferment The words of Command following 1. Strings double to the right Doubling of strings to the right is after this manner the vtmost string moveth not but standeth fast the next string vnto the right string moveth into the right string so that of ten in deepe it is now become twentie accordingly every second string moveth into their next string on their right hand 2. Strings double to the left The left string must stand fast and every second string is to moue into their next string on their left hand The vse Thus you strengthen your wings 3. Ranks double to the right In doubling of ranks you must know the formost ranke stands fast the second moveth into the first to the right hand for that is commounlie first done in exercising the third ranke standeth fast the fourth moveth into the thrid and so of the rest every second ranke moveth into the ranke before them that of fiue in ranke they are doubled and become ten in ranke 4. Ranks double to the left Doubling of ranks to the left every second ranke moveth passing vp by their leaders left hand and so stand in the ranke with them beginning at the front first and so take it one from another Note that in doubling to any hand in going to your first order that you fall out with the contrare foote The vse Thus you strengthen your front 5. Strings close Being in open order the word is strings close without nameing to any hand which is thus performed the two middle leaders close first the one to the right the other to the left till they are in the distance commanded the rest of of the company to take their distance from them on
the Sergeant major from the Crowner or Generall if hee bee in place the ordinarie place where the Crowner marcheth is in the Vangard and so the Sergeant major being his officer by whom hee sendeth his commands vnto the Captaines Leiuetennents Handseignes and Sergeants and other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 alwayes to bee neere vnto his person for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 major is guide of the battell Admonitions for a 〈◊〉 Souldier HAving said somewhat concerniâ—â—â—he conditions and qualities which are required in 〈◊〉 severall officer of a privat company Now let vs see 〈◊〉 maner of men are worthy the name of Souldiers First the Souldier of all men 〈◊〉 the feare of God before his eyes to haue a cleare 〈◊〉 to be of honest conversation least in runing vp 〈◊〉 hee fall into hell-fire Secondly hee that loveth right and Iustice is sitte to bee the defender of the same Thirdly hee that pitieth the poore and afflicted is a meete man to succour his country and towne against the violence of oppressours Fourthly hee that tendereth the wedow and fatherlesse he that delyteth to see vertue floorish in his country honour advanced faith and equitie to abyde in every fellowship Fiftly hee that hateth covetousnesse thift extortion murther fornication idlenesse and drunkennesse these and such like men are fit to bee and beare the name of Souldiers or martialists For the first foundation and vse of armes was erected of necessitie to restraine and represse the disorders of lewd and wicked men and to settle and establish peace and justice vpon earth so then as the armed hoast is the remedie to chastice and represse the offences of others it is convenient that the same hoast bee free from the like offences and every vice in a Souldier ought to bee strongly bridled and punished with extremitie A company drawne vp in forme of a triangle battell 200 men M M H M M M M M M M M M M M M M M  P P P P  P P P P P P P P P P P P A company drawne vp with the picks vpon the right hand 200 men M M M M P P P P M M M M P P P P M M M M P P P P M M M M P P A company drawne vp and winged vpon both the wings with Musquetiers 200 men M M P P P P M M M M P P P P M M M M P P P P M M M M P P P P M M This company having their Musquetiers vpon the left wing hath now doubled the right division of Pickes 200 men P P P P M M M M P P P P M M M M P P P P M M M M P P M M P P M M P P M M P P M M P P M M P P M M P P M M This maketh a strong battell for defending and offending an horse troupe by facing to any hand either to the right or to the left A Company presenting to all quarters being 200. 100 Picks 100 Musquetiers Front  Front    M M P P P P P P P P P P Front M M P P P P P P P P P P M P P P P P P P M P P P P P P P M M M M P P P P P P P P P P Front P P P P P P M M  P P P P P P P P P P P P P M M M M   Front  Because I am in opinion that there bee sundrie who will bee desirous to know the maner how to draw vp companies and placing them in battell ranke this being a most difficle and pleasant peace of all the exercise I haue now for their contentment and satisfaction set downe in a table vnder their view diverse sorts and fashions of this kynde out of the which they may bee able easily by their owne industrie according to the occurrences to frame other formes as the number of the companies and occasions that they shall find shall permit Heere is placed the handling of Picke and Musquet with your left hand because there is sundrie of this Towne who are left handed and desirous to learne to handle both Pickes and Musquets therewith The postures of the Picke Your Picke lying vpon the ground going to lift it vp 1 PVt your toe of your left foote first to it 2 Then your left hand with your thumb at the but-end of it 3 In lifting step forward with your right foote and right hand and so lift it vp 4 Then your Picke is mounted 5 Ordour your Picke at 3. Moâ—ion 6 Mount your Picke at 3. Moâ—ion 7 Shoulder your Picke at 3. Moâ—ion Which must bee done this way first fall backe with your left foote and your left hand receaving your Picke vpon your left shoulder so you step vp againe with your left foote vpon your station to the right foote 8 Mounte your Picke at 3. 9 Port your Picke at 1. 10 Traile your Picke at 4. 11 Cheeke your Picke at 1. 12 Recover your Picke at 4. 13 Port your Picke at 1. 14 Shoulder your Picke at 3. 15 Sinke your Picke putting the but-end of it within halfe foot to the ground 16 Hold your Picke vpon your left shoulder with your left hand and your thumb vpon your shoulder the palme of your hand vp and your foure fingers lying vpon the Picke about 17 Your Picke being ordered at close order the but-end of it must be betwixt your feete holding the same with your right hand being ready to present to charge horse and your left hand to drawe your sword setting forward your right foote laying your Picke and right hand vpon your right knee the butt being close at the left foote and your sword in your left hand 18 Your Picke being ordered at open order your feete must be a foote asunder and your Picke in your left hand with your thumb vp towards the poynt and the Picke a foote from the left foote 19 Your Picke ordered at order your feete may bee close at halfe a foote asunder and the but-end of your Picke standing a little from your left toe of that foote 20 Presenting your Picke being shouldred to any quarter obserue that if hee bee a right handed man that his right foote goe alwayes backe to one place and if left handed his left foote alwayes backe to one place at the exercising of these Postures I shall show the reasons but now it were too tedious The words for the handling of the Musquet for a left handed man The Musquet shouldered vpon the right shoulder 1 SInke your Musquet 2 Handle your Musquet with your left hand 3 Vnshoulder your Musquet and hold her vp in your left hand 4 Fall backe with your left leg and left hand 5 Bring your rest to your Musquet with your right hand 6 Ioyne both Musquet and rest in your right hand 7 Bee sure to have the mouth of your Musquet higher then any of your leaders shoulders head and so no harme can bee done 8 Open
To your first order Faces right about to the reare To your first order Faces left about to the reare To your first order PRESENTING Present to the right To your first order Present to the left To your first order Present right about to the reare To your first order Present left about to the reare To your first order Faces to the right and left by division To your first order Faces to the front and reare by division To your first order PRESENTING Present to the right and left by division To your first order Present to the front and reare by division To your first order There is diverse sorts of exercising of Musquetiers by themselues apart which cannot well bee set downe but in action The first is to winne ground vpon the enemie The second is to lose ground or making a retreate and yet offend the enemie The third is in marching by the enemie and discharging vpon them by strings as they march The fourth sort is by divyding the front and reare by divisions six foote distant and marching away by the enemie and discharging vpon them halfe strings the first halfe string marching thorow the division from the right to the left the second halfe string discharging vpon the enemie and falling by the reare or last ranke vnto the left halfe string The fift sort is by divyding the right and left division six foote distant one from another the first halfe rankes discharging vpon the enemie and falling off from the right hand vnto the reare the one halfe ranke falleth off by the right division to the reare the left division falleth downe thorow betweene the divisions vpon the right hand vnto the reare For brevities sake I deferre all or most kynds of frames and motions vntill I come to the practise and exercise my selfe which Godwilling wil be more profitable to the young Souldier than many tables of motions which are hinderance to the mynd Heeretofore I haue set foorth briefly and shortly the dueties and partes that everie particular officer ought to bee endued with that hee may bee found qualified for the fulfilling of his place and discharging the commandement he hath over a private company Now my discourse draweth mee a little higher to the heads and chiefest officers in an army by whom the whole body of the inferior companies are to bee directed for as the senses of our body haue residence in the head to governe the rest of the body and the sense of touching and feeing onely is spred abroad thorow the rest of the parts thereof that every particular member may haue functions for the execution of these offices wherevnto they are appoynted by nature even so it is in the body of an armie from whose chiftane as from the head should bee deryved all sort of sense and in the rest of the inferior members should bee found a ready obedience to bee disposed vpon according to the influence and government that hee shall thinke most expedient Now as the health and good order of the body depend so vpon the constitution of the head that if it bee distempered or the senses troubled the actions of the whole man are of that same kynd confuted and perverted so the proceedings of an army receaue their beginning and successe according to the sense and vnderstanding of those who governe therein and therefore I haue thought it expedient to speake alittle of them lykewayes that everie one at his first entrie into a campe may know how all things ought to bee rightlie governed and to whom hee ought obedience if any thing should fall amisse so that from the lowest degree to the highest they bee not ignorant how the rule of perfection may be aymed at and obteined THE GENERALL THE highest office of all is that of a Generall who as hee is aboue the rest in authoritie and power so ought hee not only to know perfectly the dueties of every officer but also to excell them all in religion wisedome experience policie gravitie secrecie counsell modestie temperance valour magnanimitie vigilancie care constancie liberalitie and resolution with all other good partes incident to a perfect man of warre and how much all these good parts and many more ought to bee in the personage elected to this high and carefull dignitie you may easily conceaue and gather because hee is set over the rest to the end that he being their chiftane and head may not onely know how to governe them both in actions but also in his vertuous lyfe and carriage bee a paterne light and lanterne vnto the whole numbers of the companies to imitate for it is an old proverb such master such man such Generall such officers and followers for commonly a wise valiant and vertuous generall will chuse wise valiant and vertuous captaines and officers good and vertuous captaines will as neere as they can chuse good honest sober and vertuous officers vnder them intertaine their Souldiers with good and faire speeches to command with all allurements to bring them to the due forme of martiall discipline THE CROWNER THE Crowners place and office is to be commander over the Captaines and all other inferior officers of his regiment having jurisdiction and dominion over them all whereby may bee inferred and gathered the parts and qualities which ought to bee in him and the great skill and experience in warre as one who ought to exceede them all for to know how to command rule and governe them with prudencie and valour And forasmuch as in many occurrants and occasions growing and presented in warre hee should know to performe the parts and office of a generall being alone with the companies of his owne regiment as when his generall commands him to the batterie or seige of any fort or citie or to defend any fort or towne or to warre in any open campania to giue battell to the enemie to make incursions to retire and withdraw skirmishers to frame brigs over rivers to fortifie himselfe in campe to conduct artillirie and many other peeces of service to bee performed in him he is greatly to respect and honour his generall obeying and performing his commands and orders with great care and diligence as hee would bee obeyed himselfe and reverenced by his Captaines and other officers of his regiment THE SERGEANT MAIOR HIS office is to bee the generall minister or officer of a whole regiment of sundrie companyes and superintendent of all the Sergeants of the same by whose hand and industrie the crowner doth giue the orders convenient to the due governement of his regiment as in marching encamping imbattelling and in such other matters concerning heerevnto whereby may bee gathered the parts the qulities the valour the great skill experience and great diligence which ought to bee in him who is chosen to this degree of office being of such importance the Sergeant majors office is of much higher degree than any ordinarie Captiane for every Captaine doe receaue his directions from the Sergeant major and