some most conuenient place together then and there to be instructed in the orders how to march how to encampe and how to fight deuiding them into so many parts or battaillions as vnto their chiefe Officer shall seeme good Gent. What course would you wish the Captaine of a single companie to obserue in the trayning of his souldiers Capt. First hauing his companie leauied and chosen of the better sort of people as is said let your rawe Captaine for so I terme those which neuer were in action prouide himselfe if possible he may of a good Lieutenant and a sufficient Sergeant and a skilfull Drummer Then let his people be suted with such sort of weapon as is appointed The which I would wish to be as I haue said before to euery hundred of men 25. muskets 25. Calliuers and 40. or more of pikes and corslets and the rest short weapon as halberds swordes and targets and such like Now hauing suted euery man with a conuenient weapon I would wish your Muster-maister if your Captaine haue not the skil for your Muster-master ought to be a man of experience first to declare vnto them the partes that ought to be in a souldier in generall as before is declared then to ensigne them the right carriage of their armes and weapon then to knowe the seuerall soundes of the Drumme next to learne to keepe his ranke and file orderly and so to march eyther swift or slowe step by step with the sound of the Drumme then how to keep their array being cast into a ring or any other forme with the comming out againe and returning into a counter-ring and out of the same into a march and counter-march then how to make their Alto or stand and how to double their rankes vntill they bring themselues into a iust square of men if their numbers will permit it and how to double their â—â—les eyther vpon the left or right hand and so to fall off againe both from file and ranke and being in squadron how to turne their faces on either or any part making front on any flank or traine as occasion shall be offered Then the perfect vse and managing of euerie weapon in his due nature and kind and so by a continuall vse they may by good instructers become soone to be ready souldiers Gent. Here be manie good parts vnder a few words but they are too briefe for me to vnderstand wherefore I pray dilate more at large thereof and first what meane you by the cariage of his weapon Cap. To discourse vpoÌ„ al these points particularly it wold be ouer long might better be shewed in act theÌ„ in words yet to satisfie you somewhat herein I will speak of the particulars here there as I shal be occasioned shal cal theÌ„ to memory First therfore the soldier that is appointed to cary a calliuer is first to be ensigned how to cary his peece vpon his left shoulder with his flaske at his girdle or haÌ„ging by at Port-flask or Flask-leather vpoÌ„ the right thigh vpoÌ„ the left side of his girdle to haue his touchboxe fastened by the string hanging downe somwhat long by the strings sufficient to be taken and to prime his peece with touch-powder and on his right side a Bullet bagge or purse of canuas or leather for bullets Also some three or foure yards of match in seuerall peeces hanging at his girdle with one peece of match of a yard long in his left hand holden fast by the third finger of the same hand hauing the one or both the endes of the same lighted or fired Also to be prouided of a priming iron or wyer of a steele and flint stone to strike fire vpon any suddaine occasion either to spare the burning of match or to fire their matches if the same do chance to go out Then how to charge his peece either with his flask or bandelier theÌ„ to let slip the bullet down into the barrell after the powder and to ramme the same with paper tow or such like thrusting the same downe with the scouring stick if time will permit or else a more readier way thus After that the bullet is slipped downe vnto the powder to put after the same some two or three cornes of powder which will wedge fast the bullet This being done let him hold his Calliuer with his left hand as in his charging hee ought to do the like griping the same by the stocke somewhat neare vnder the cock betwixt his thombe and foure fingers then holding the nose of his peece somwhat vpward for not to endaÌ„ger his fellows to take the one end of his lighted match with his forefinger midle finger thoÌ„be of his right haÌ„d so to cock the same hauing a regard that it may fall due within the pan finally if it be a crooked stock peece to set the same vnto the left side of his breast retiring his right foot some halfe step behind the left or aduancing the left foot some halfe pace before the right and so to take his due leuel holding the hindermost part of the stocke betwixt the thombe and fore-finger of his right hand with the other three fingers to draw to the serre so to discharge his peece with agility hauing done the which to retire souldier-like and charge againe giuing place to his next fellow or seconder But being a straight stocked peece the which I hold for the better he is to place the same vpon the right side of his breast fast against his shoulder leuelling and discharging as aforesaid And for other armes he is to be fitted with a short sword and meane dagger and a Spanish morion Now the musketier is to cary his musket vpon his left or right shoulder for it importeth not much on whether so they obserue the order of the first rancke with his Forke or rest in his left hand fastned about his hand wrest or little finger by a string hauing his flask and touchbox fitted as before is sayd or hauing a bandalier the same to be ouer the left shoulder and vnder the right arme Now to charge the same he must hold his musket with his left hand hauing his rest trayling by the string and put the but end of the stocke vpon the ground then with his flaske or bandalier to charge his peece with powder slipping downe the bullet into the barrell after the same and to fasten it with two or three cornes of powder as is aforesayd then to clappe the musket into his forke planting the lower end or pike of the rest into the ground neare vnto his left foote and resting the but ende of the stocke vpon his left thigh then to prime his pan with touch powder And hauing his match ready as before is sayd to take the peece of match that hangeth by the midle or third finger of his left hand betwixt the thombe
in his warres of Gelderland and Fraunce Gent. What people and officers are necessary to attend vpon and to conduct these cartes and carriages Capt. First the principall person ouer all the said horses with 2 halberdiers attending vpon him a clarke to take the account and muster of all these cariages with his halberdier attendant a Harbenger and a Mayorall which goeth with euery thousand beasts a Cill Maister or Lieutenant to the Mayorall ouer euery 200 horses or beasts a Prouost ouer the horses which draw the Artillery two Carpenters and two ferriers or smithes Gent. There would neede a great number of people and strength to lade and vnlade all these cariages and to helpe about the Ordinance Capt. True and therefore the Generall of the Artillery hath vnder his charge a great number of labourers or Pioners which of necessity must be had in a camp and follow an Army to make trenches Rampiers Minings Countermines ditches caues to make plaine the wayes for the army to march to accommodate the passages for the Artillery to passe to raise mounts to plant ordinance vpon to place and fill the gabbions to digge earth for the same to vndermine wals and townes and to raze those of any gained places downe to cut timber to fortifie withall to digge wells for water and great pits to bury and to cast therein the garbedge filthinesse and offalls of the campe and seruing to a number of such necessary vses Ouer the sayd Pioners there are Captaines appointed to gouerne them which should be men very expert in fortifications trenching mining counter mining and in all sorts of engines concerning a campe and battery actions and therefore besides their experience they ought to be learned and well skilled in all maner of fortifications both in campe towne or fortresse These Pioners do go before the campe with a sufficient band of souldiers for their guard carrying with them mattockes spades shouells pikaxes crowes of iron barrells baskets hampiers and such other tooles and ouer euery three or foure hundred Pioners a Captaine The gunners ought to haue ouer them a Maister-gunner to rule and commaund them and to see that they do their duties and to be men sufficient in their art He ought also to see all things prouided and necessary for the Artillery as carriage axletrees wheeles ladles spunges rammers iron crowes leauers shouells mattocks gabions baskets ropes chaines coynes for the breetch of euery peece to coyne it vp or downe powder both serpentine and corne powder cotton match lintstockes priming irons their rules or instruments to take the leuell Taladros that is engines to mount and dismount the ordinance shot of all sorts and sizes and heights cartages of all sizes trunckes arrowes and balles of wild-fire and stuffe to make the same with all things necessary to his charge office and art giuing still his diligent attendance vpon the Maister of the ordinance to know his orders and commands executing the same with all diligent care and fidelity It behoueth the Generall of the Artillery to procure and see all these aforesaid matters prouided and good orders kept in the same as superiour commander therof that there be sufficiēt prouisions of al kind of munitions armes as well defensiue as offensiue both for the infantery and Cauallery that there be wonderfull care had in the conseruing of the same giuing order and charge thereof vnto the Mayordomes the which they are to distribute and deliuer out by Librazas or Tickets from the sayd Generall of the Artillery or else not The Gentlemen of the Artillery attending vpon his person ought to be men of great sufficiency to execute any orders by him cōmanded being men very discreete and modest for many inconueniences do follow being grosse headed and disordered persons The Captaine Generall of the Artillery besides the afore recited parts ought to bee learned and well read in histories and stratagems of warre seene in speculation of Geometrie Mathematikes with the practike therof to know grounds distances waights measures qualities and the effects of the Artillery to iudge where is the most conuenient part of any place to be battered how to conuay his ordinance thither the place where to plant them the planting of the same for to take any cōmoditie that might helpe the defendants and regard that the enemy may not surprise his Ordinance fencing them with gabbiōs maunds trenches and guarded with appointed troupes of shot pikes and short weapons hauing a respect first to dismount the enemies Artillerie that might in any manner annoy the campe then to bend his batteries from two or three plantings vpon most places of aduantage as cause shall require to ruinate their Curtine and make good breaches lastly well regarding that before any assault be giuen to cut off all flankers and trauesses of annoyance He ought also himselfe to be skilfull in myning and counter-myning and in all artificial fire workes and shooting in great Ordinance not giuing ouermuch credite vnto others vnlesse they be men well knowen to be of experience and skill Gent. Then it seemeth he should be a Maister-gunner also Capt. It is most requisite that he be well skilled in the arte being maister ouer all the which may easily be attained hauing good speculation therein annexed with some practise knowing the names of euery particular peece and their seuerall waights lengths bignesse and boares of the cylinder their true dispart the height and poize of euery their bullet the quantitie of powder seruing to euery one their distance at point blanke their best vantage at Randon their seuerall raunges the goodnesse and difference of powder the simples and compounds thereof the ladles sponges and rammers befitting euery one the making of all these with a number of other points belonging to the arte Gent. What powder doth each peece require according to his shot Capt. It consisteth much in the goodnesse or badnesse of the powder for the powder being good the lesse will serue is sooner fiered doth better execution heateth not the peece so much The cōmō vse is vnto euery double Cannō of 58 64 or 70 pound Bullet to allow in powder the ⅔ of the waight of the shot and to euery Demy-Cannon after the same rate as for example a Cannon of 64 pound shot to allow 41⅓ pound of powder for his due charge and so of the rest and to euery whole Culuerine and demy Culuerine being peeces double fortified with mettall to allow them in powder the ⅘ of the waight of the bullet as for example a Culuerine of 20 pound waight bullet to giue of good corne powder 16 pound for his charge And vnto the Saker Mynion and Falcon somewhat better allowance as almost to the waight of their bullet The Ladle twise equally filled to all these abouesaid peeces is their due charge in powder With the artillerie and munition there is alwayes
thereof seeing that all practices of mechanicall Artes do follow the same order and course to come to the cunning of their craft Gent. Good Captaine you haue largely discoursed vpon the points and parts in generall which ought to bee in a souldier and mee thinkes so many good parts are hardly to be found in one man Capt. True it is and very rare in deede yet euery honorable souldier that resolueth to follow warres ought with all his endeuour to trie to attaine to all those good partes according to his capacitie and wit and although his abilitie be not able to attaine all yet vnto some some better then fewe fewe better then none at all the first to be honoured the next to be accepted the third to be reiected Thus may you see how many good partes are requisite to a perfect souldier not learned by hearesay nor gayned with ease but with care diligence industrie valour practise and continuance and most of all perfected with learning annexed with long exercise and vse Gent. Then I see you would haue a souldier to be learned withall which you seemed to dislike in our booke Captaine at the first Capt. You mistake me farre for I euer allow and honour the learned souldier for what famous Commaunders haue there yet bene vnlearned and without letters Themistocles Alcibiades Alexander Caesar Scipio with all the rout of the braue Romane Commaunders and as many braue men as euer were since were men learned and read Thus I rest for this time till a new day to beginne The end of the first Booke THE SECOND BOOKE OF WARRE DISCOVRSES AND MARTIAL DISCIPLINE The first Dialogue VVherein is declared the particular parts of sundrie Martiall Officers from the Caporall to the Captaine of Infanterie Gentleman CVrteous Captaine your yesterdayes Discourses haue giuen vs such content that we are now inflamed to know further herein Wherefore I beseech you to proceede with your Martiall matters describing vnto vs each office in particular whereunto my selfe and these other Gentlemen will giue our diligent attention Capt. The orders obserued by Antiquitie I let passe falling in few tearmes to our Moderne customes wherein you shall vnderstand that all Campes are framed of Men Weapons Munition and good Chieftaines wherein there is some difference in euery Nation but the course which herein I meane to follow shal be most after the Italian Spaniard who haue had the chiefe managing of warres in Europe these 50. or 60. yeares and with whom I haue most frequented and serued A Royall campe therefore being leuied and gathered the Prince with his Councell of warre appointeth a most sufficient Generall then a Campe-master generall a Captaine generall of the Cauallerie a Captaine generall of the Artillerie the Campe is deuided into sundry Tertios or Regiments ouer euery regiment a Campe-maister or Colonell the Campe-maister deuides his regimēt into companies ouer euery company a Captaine also euery Regiment hath his Sergeant Maior and ouer the whole armie a Sergeant Maior Generall Touching the number of a seuerall Company some thinke 100. some 150. sufficient but whether it be of 100.150.200.300 or more or a Regiment of such seuerall companies being fitted with Captaines and Officers of sufficiencie it importeth not much for some Captaines can better gouerne 300. then some others 150. Now the Captaine hauing his cōpany appointed which he is to direct gouern and cōmaund he chuseth his Lieutenant Ensigne Sergeant Drumme Phifes Cabos de squadra or Caporals and Cabos de camera Now for sundry often occasions offred in warre the which must be encountred with order policy gouernmēt of nūbers more or lesse it is necessary to deuide the cōpanies into Squadras as well pikes as shot conteyning each Squadron twentie fiue men and ouer each squadron a Cabo de squadra with which office I meane to beginne The Caporall his election and office Capt. When the Captaine electeth his Caporals he ought to do it with such consideration that amongst his souldiers one chosen to this office none should excell him in valour vertue experience and diligence yea and in age also to the end he might be respected with more loue and reuerence so that he deport him selfe among them as a father with his children his conditions being a patterne vnto them asswaging and ending their debates and quarrels reducing them vnto amitie with louing one another in such sort that they may all be of one will desire and ligue Let him learne perfectly euery souldiers name and to know the qualitie valour of euery one in particular be earnest with them to keepe their armor neat cleane and bright and often to practise the weapon they carrie he himselfe ensigning and teaching the Bisognios and rawe men for besides that it concerneth euery one in particular for his owne defence and thereby the better to know his valour and skill nothing doth more reioyce and glorifie a Campe then the glittering shew and shining of their armour He shall perswade them to goe neat and cleane in their apparell but with modestie and profite He shall reprehend them for swearing and lewd speeches and shall not permit them any prohibited games the which he must doe with such sagacitie and warie meanes that they result not against him and so reiect and contemne his reputation thereby loosing their loue and his former respect for the punishment remaineth not in his hands nor in any other inferiour Officer but it appertaineth to the Campe-maister or Lord high Marshall In presence of his superior Officers he is to obserue array order obedience as the rest of the souldiers doe but being with his Squadron alone in any skance trench Ambuscado or abroad at the watch or to such other effects he beareth at that time his Captains authoritie as being at watch or guard in any open place he is to enscance and fortifie as commodity and the place will permit to resist the attempt of the enemie being by them charged ordering and appointing all his companie to stand with their weapon readie bent still without rumor and resolute to defende And being at watch in the Corps de guard let him prouide fire cole and wood to make light as well by day as by night especially if his Squadron be shot to spare the ouer much wasting of match whereof he must see they be well prouided as also of powder and bullet and concerneth to him the distribution of the same amongst them Being appointed to ward or watch let him prouide to be first refreshed with victuals and his Camarada also then enter thereunto orderly from whence neither he nor any of his Squadron is to depart vpon paine of life vntill the Sergeant doe call and commaund him from the same In placing of the Sentinels there are so many aduertisements to be giuen as there are differences of situations and places and therefore it is to be remitted
it is his part to apprehēd the offenders yet in such sort that he dismeasure himselfe with none but execute the same with great moderation It is also his office to set remoue the watches conducting them to the place where they are to remain counselling the Caporals what they are to do communicating his opinion in placing the Sentinels and to giue them the Word with all circumspection and secrecie as was deliuered to him by the Sergeant Maior And although it toucheth the Caporals to knowe the prouisions which the Souldiers haue of powder shot and match and other munitions and armes yet the Superintendencie thereof resteth in him for besides that it importeth the Princes commodity the bad distribution thereof doth hazard manie times the safetie of the whole Armie comming to faile and want in time of necessitie When occasion is offered he is to fight as well as the rest chusing his place which shall seeme him fit to returne to his office and accomplish the dutie of a true and perfect Souldier therefore hee shall go alwayes gallantly armed with a faire Millan Corslet and Burgonet and his weapon a Halbard or Partizan but by reason of his continuall motion not ouer heauie his Halbard borne after him vnto his lodging thereby to be the better respected and knowne If there want victuals to bee sould in the Campe it toucheth him to procure from the Armies store to the end that his Companie fall not into want the which being procured he shall distribute the same vnto the Caporals who are especially to diuide it amongst the Camaradas The like he is to do for match powder and shot and other conuenient things that his Companie may bee well ordered and well prouided In the absence of his Captaine he is to vse the like obedience vnto his Lieutenant or Ensigne who remaine in his roome to gouerne the Companie and particularlie he ought to carie great respect vnto the Sergeant Maior readilie accomplishing all his orders and commaunds and verie often to come in his presence reknowledging him for his superiour officer well remembring and marking what he shall ordaine and command in all occasions offered considering the desseignes and courses that are taken to the end that by such semblable instructions and examples and by his good diligence and valour he may deserue and ascend to higher degree and place The Ensigne-bearer or Alferes his election and office In the choise of the Ensigne bearer the Captaine is to haue manie great considerations for that it is not onlie enough for such a one to be a good Souldier bolde and valiant but to be his equall if it may be in valour discretion counsell because many times in his and his Lieutenants absence the gouernement of the Companie doth belong to this Officer And for as much as the Ensigne is the verie foundation of the Companie and therein consisteth the honour his his souldiers reputation it is necessarie that he vnto whō this office is incommended committed haue in him the parts of a perfect Castellano or Captaine of a castle in noblenesse estimatiō of honor to know how to keepe it and die in the defence thereof neuer abandoning the same as many valiant honourable Ensigne-bearers haue done to their immortall praise and fame When a Companie is newly leuied and erected the Captaine causeth his Ensigne to be made of what colour it seemeth him best and if the seruice be for the field he maketh it somewhat lesse the lighter and easier to be handled but in Garrisons it is made somewhat larger because it is most often camped vpon the wall Gent. Why are they called Ensignes and from whence came that name Cap. The ancient Romanes reparted the people of their Armies into Legions Cohorts Centuries and Maniples and to be seuerallie knowne they caried vpon speares or pikes ends the figures of Eagles Dragons and such like and some the pictures of their Emperour and called the same Signa whereupon the Italian and French calleth them Insignes but the Spaniard nameth them Vanderas from the Almaine word Vanderen and we English-men do call them of late Colours by reason of the variety of colours they be made of whereby they bee the better noted and knowne to the companie Now the Ensigne made and finished fastened vnto a speare-headed staffe sharpe pointed with iron the Captaine with his own hands deliuereth it vnto his Ensigne-bearer encharging him the custodie defence therof with a solemne oth to be true to his Prince and Captaine accompanied with manie honourable words the which he is bound to returne to the Captaine if the Companie be dissolued or casht before any notable peece of seruice perfourmed either at breach batterie encounter or battell wherein he hath valiantly fought and honourably defended the same for from thence forward it is the Alferes due as deserued for his manhood valour but yet to receiue the same from the Captaine as an honourable gift He shall alwaies go gallant well armed with a faire Corslet Burgonet short sword and meane dagger which are his proper arming with a faire Halberd when he beareth not his Colours borne after him to his lodging or elsewhere thereby to be the better respected and knowne He must shew himselfe dreadfull and terrible to the Enemie with his drawne sword in his right hande and in his left the Ensigne brauely displayed and vaunced In cases where he is obliged and bound to fight and to follow with the souldiers as when the Enemie shall haue broken the Squadron euen vnto his Front and ranke or if to run in array and in the scaling assaults of batteries or walles or in such other conflicts he must push and thrust with the point of his Ensigne and therefore let him procure to haue to his Camaradas most valiant and expert Souldiers for although that euerie Souldier of the companie be bound to his succour defence and aide for their common honour yet those that are most obliged will most aduenture themselues therein as well appeared at the assault of the citie of Aphrica in Barbarie in Charles the fift his time when Iohn de Vega Viceroy of Sicilia and the Lord Garcia de Toledo gained it where the Ensigne-bearer of Captaine Moreruela being his brother being ouerthrowne and sore wounded was by the Sergeant who was also brother vnto them seconded and succoured causing him to retire himselfe remaining with the Ensigne and passing forward with the same like a valiant souldier was slaine the Captaine seeing him fall tooke vp the Ensigne perfourming the Ensigne-bearers office dutie vntill the place was entred wherein he was so sore hurt and wounded that few dayes after he died thereof and his Alferes also so three braue brethren valiantly died in the defence of one Ensigne Some such examples haue we had amongst the braue souldiers of our Nation to their
renowne and fame Gent. If in fight the Ensigne be broken and the Enemie do carie away a part thereof doth the Ensigne-bearer lose thereby his reputation Capt. No not a iot so that hee keepeth the verie trunke of the staffe in his hand When the Companie doth march the Ensigne-bearer may carie his Colours resting vpon his shoulder eyther open or folded vp but making a stand or Alto he is bound by dutie to aduance the Ensigne and not to campear it or pitch it on the ground for that is the tricke of a Bisognio and doth repugne the authoritie and grauitie of his office In fights in encounters in musters and in presence of the Lord Generall he must cary his Colours displayed passing by him he must aduance it only bowing the point somewhat downward without any more ceremonies but if he passe by the king or Prince he shall withall bow somewhat one of his knees as a difference from the Generall In Ordinances or framed battels alwayes the Ensignes do march in one large or long ranke iointly in the middest of the Squadron the most place of honour is the left and right out-sides the Ensigne on the right hand carying the preheminence who giueth direction and order to the rest in this sort if hee beareth his Ensigne on his shoulder loose so are all the rest to carie theirs and if fardled vp all they are to do in the like order and so imitating him in all other maners and shewes and if he deliuereth his vnto his Abanderado and take the Halberd the rest are to do the like and the selfe same orders are to be obserued by the Auanderados for it is an vnseemly shew to see in a ranke of Ensignes different orders one from another The Abanderados are vsed to be souldiers and some do set their owne seruants to that office These ought to go well apparelled and well armed for I haue seene sometimes amongst the Spaniards the Alferes themselues to passe into other ranks to fight leauing the Ensigne with the Abanderado but I like it not for it is not lawfull for the Ensigne-bearer to leaue his Colours neither to fight but with the same in his hand and that vpon such occasions as before I haue declared no though it were to shew his valour and prowesse In the lodging the Ensigne shold be accompanied with a Corps de garde although it be in place of quiet and out of all suspition as well for the authoritie and reputation of the same as to auoyd manie inconueniences which happen to succeed through mutinies brawles and frayes It is also conuenient that the Ensigne-bearer haue alwayes with him a Drum to call his companie together and for such occasions as shall be offered for the Ensignes should be of such veneration and haue bene so respected of the Souldiers that there hath seldome bene seene any one flying to the sanctuarie thereof auoyding the Souldiers furie to bee pursued or hurt esteeming their Ensigne a thing inuiolable as it fell out in Brescia when the mutinous souldiers wold haue slain the Lord Lewes Yearts their Generall who flying to the Ensigne it was enough to cause them to leaue off so shamefull and so abhominable attempt When the Souldiers do enter into any Corps de gard either in Castle towne fortresse or campe they ought not to disarme themselues vntil they see their Alferes first vnarmed vpon whom they should haue their eyes fixed to imitate as they haue vpon the Ensigne he beareth to follow wherefore the Ensigne-bearer is not to disarme vntil the gates of the Fort or place of defence wherein they are be first shut if it be in campe or field when it seemeth that he may safely do it not otherwise to the end that the souldiers take not example from him of vnsoldiarie negligence and slouth but rather of all vigilancy care and paine Gent. You haue largely set downe the aduertisements touching this Officer wherein you haue notified many martiall points vnknowne to vs therfore I pray proceed to the Lieutenants office and dutie Capt. This Officer amongst the Spanish companies is not vsed but amongst vs the Italians French therfore I will touch somewhat of him by the way The Lieutenant his office and duty He therefore that is chosen to this office ought to be a man of great experience fidelity and valour who in the absence of his Captaine carieth his roome charge and command vnto whom the souldiers and vnder-officers are to obey for the time as vnto the Captaine himselfe notwithstanding he must vse it with such discretion and moderation that he arrogate not too much vnto himselfe but at his Captaines returne he shall with all loue truth and dutie enforme him of all things and matters passed If any questions and ciuill debates do arise amongst the souldiers of his band he is to pacifie iudge and determine the same with grauity and good speeches whereby he shall binde them more firmely vnto him in obedience and loue and when as he cannot concert and agree them he is to referre them ouer vnto his Captaine but the most faultie and offenders hee may cause to be apprehended and send them to the Colonell or Marshall It is his charge and office to see that the Company be prouided of all necessaries aduertising the Caporals to see well to their charges and aduising the Sergeant to be diligent carefull and ready in his office wherein he shall ayd help assist him both in ordering the company and in setting the watch the which he is precisely bound to perform himself in the Sergeāts absence or time of infirmity He is to passe with the Companie vnto the Corps de garde to see the watch and Sentinels set and often times to visite and reuisite the same and to perswade the souldiers to respect with obedience their Sergeant and Caporals wherefore it importeth him to be well spoken discreet and wise to moue perswade them with sound reasons to the obseruation and obedience of Militarie discipline disburdening thereby his Captaine of manie and sundrie toiles It toucheth him also to see the souldiers appointed to their lodgings giuing order for the same vnto the Harbenger and how he shall distribute the baggage and cariage amongst the particular souldiers and the sicke men carefullie to bee looked vnto not suffering these Harbengers or Furriers to rob purloine and filch as they are wont to do whereby great scandals do arise as at the rising of the Vlishingers and in sundrie other places hath appeared His place of march his Captaine being present is in the Rere-ward of all the company but after any fight or skirmish in retiring marching out of the field he is to passe before and the Captaine in the rere-ward Now for as much as by that as shall be declared in the ordinarie Captaines office may easily bee vnderstood the dutie of this officer hauing the whole
execution of that weapon for one good musket may be accounted for two calliuers Gent. But the musket is a heauie cariage and painfull to be handled not fit but for strong and mighty men Capt. You would not be of that mind had you euer seene any good seruice especially amongst the Spaniards who vse them almost generally and I am assured that for courage and strength we are comparable yea do excell them but manie of vs want their practise yea and happily their obedience Now considering that the musket hath his rest the heauinesse thereof is many times eased and againe for the handling Practise maketh perfect as in all other weapons Gen. What officers think you necessary for a CoÌ„pany of three hundred men Cap. One Lieutenant one Ensigne-bearer two Sergeants twelue Caporals after the reckening of 25 souldiers to euerie squadron the Captaine squadron accounted for one one harbinger or furrier one Chyrurgian skilfull in his arte his seruant three Drummes and as many Phifes Gent. The Company newly leuied and officers chosen what is the Captaine to do first before he march with the same Capt. Hauing prouided his Colours he shall with solemnity incoÌ„mend it vnto his Alferes or Ensigne-bearer as before is declared and then shall diuide his souldiers into squadrons chusing for his owne squadron the most experimented men and of best sort Gent. Wherfore doth the Captaine chuse a squadron to himselfe being commander of the whole Companie Capt. Because it is a matter of much importance and necessarie in respect that this squadron standeth in such predicament that any Gentleman though neuer so illustrious and any Alferes Lieutenant or Sergeant may serue as soldier in the same without any disparagement or blemish to their reputation although they themselues haue had men vnder their charge for such ought to be aduantaged in their payes the Captaine to respect and esteeme them as his owne person and counsell and consult with them chusing officers out of them when any do want And if any peece of seruice be presented wherein hee shall be occasioned to vse some part of his company he chuseth of those such as he shall think good incoÌ„mendeth the action vnto them to giue breathing vnto men of lesse account in encounters skirmishes which are offred euen for very shame of them the coÌ„mon souldiers knowing they shal be marked noted will fight more resolute and ready Besides men of such sort are a great beauty to the band being commonly better armed then the rest He is theÌ„ to procure what he can that his souldiers be good Christians men fearing God for God knoweth there be a nuÌ„ber neither regarding their creation nor Christianity For no action is either good or like to be where this foundation is not first laid If there be any banding secting or passionating amongst them he is to appease compound the same those that do liue dishonest infamous or tatched with foule crimes let him first charitablie reprehend them whereupon if they amend not yet more seuerely if not then and all necessarie preuentions vsed let them be cashed out of the band for a few bad do soone corrupt a number of good He must diligently vse his soldiers to the often exercise of their Armes seeing them well furnished therewith shewing them the vse of euerie kind of weapon and what orders they are to obserue at encounters and battels according to the nature of their opposite enemy for there is a difference between the Germane the French the Italian and Spaniard being nations of different humors natures courage policie conduction Also that he see them practise all other exercises necessary for wars so that nothing be done disorderly in the CoÌ„pany carefully in all actions obseruing military discipline being equal with his souldiers in al perils paines which is a great encouragement to the souldiers an encreasing of their loue towards their Captaine not to send them out like headlesse men himselfe remaining behind safe vnder couert as such sometimes haue bene seene He shall often times muster shew and traine his Companie causing them to march in good order keeping well their arayes in march countermarch in ring in S. D or G. formes all which are framed by the only order of marching and bring them into squadrons of battels of sundry sorts and formes shewing them how to march orderly therein how to charge either against horse or foot how to retire with their faces still toward the enemie and how to turne their faces making front of either flanke or traine and to wheele about if occasion should serue but a thing hard and not easie to be perfourmed how to disband and how to fal into troupes By these meanes he shall know his Companie the better be better reputed of and make his men more apt and ready for action a thing very important for a Captaine When hee marcheth with his Company he must be carefull that his souldiers breake not out of ranke although it be in their own countrie or in country of our friends out of danger or suspect of the enemie to the end that they neither rifle spoile nor rob houses gardens or orchards and other places of corne fruites for therby do rise and result many times great scandals and tumults amongst the naturals of the country wherein they march is cause that they are but badlie â—ntertained at their lodgings wherin he is to haue great care vigilancy that his soldiers grow not licencious vpon their poore hosts neither offer them abuse for their meat and prouision but be contented with such as is giuen them according to the abilitie of their poore hostes chastening with great seuerity the offenders herein for in so doing he shall acquist gaine the name reputation of a Christianlike vertuous discreet Captaine but Captaines doing the contrarie suffering their souldiers to grow ouer licentious and lewd haue procured to theÌ„selues their companies great hatred infamies grudgings with their throats many times cut by the country Boores examples hereof too too many both in France and the Low-countries Now his band being of compound weapons hee himselfe may vse and carie either Calliuer Musket or Pike as he shall fancie most but the Pike is most honourable deuiding his shotte into fore-ward and rere-ward of the pikes contayning in their center the Ensigne and Halbards But if the band be al pikes or all shot alone which order I haue seene obserued amongst the Spaniards then being pikes he is by dutie to carie a pike himselfe armed in a Corslet complete wherein he shall be curious to haue them gallant and good which will cause his Company to imitate him therein But if his Companie be all shot then is he in like sort bound by dutie to carie a peece either Musket or Calliuer gallantly furnished and neatlie kept
in the tauerns and victualing houses in the butchery in the bakery among the Gun-makers the Gun-powder-makers Armourers and such like And of all such as he findeth there he giueth account and notice vnto the Captaine or Alferez or Sergeant and these againe do aduertise the Castellane and in his absence the Lieutenant And in the day time a Gunner with an other officer goeth to reknowledge and view all the Artillery of the Castell as wel those within as those without in the Rauelines In the morning after that the drumme hath striken the Aluarado or breaking vp or discharging of the watch the Alferes with twenty souldiers and foure Caporals goeth vnto the lodging of the Castellane to receiue the keyes and then goeth to open the Tenaza and Rauelines and then commeth the Corps de guard of the principall gate and ringeth a little bell to call together and assemble those that are at the watch and after being together they do open the Castell gates with all the watch and other officers present in this maner The Castellanes Lieutenant remaineth at the first gate in the inner part thereof with one troupe or part of the souldiers and the rest of the guard being issued out they shut the same againe and goe to open the second gate where a Captaine and Sergeant with another troupe of souldiers do stay and remaine and then the guard of the third gate being issued out with the Alferez they shut also the second and doe open none of these neither do the souldiers disarme themselues vntill the place of the Castell be very well reknowledged and thoroughly viewed In the first gate of the principall bridge there remaines in the day time 50 souldiers at the ward with a Caporall who taketh account and charge of the opening and shutting thereof and there is ioyntly with them the Alferez who keepeth account and reckening with those which enter in from abrode and if it be any stranger that commeth for some affaires or businesse into the Castel there goeth with euery such one souldier of the guard notwithstanding that they haue passed thorough the hands of the Lieutenant or in his absence through the hands of the Captaine of Infantery At the middle gate there is another Corps de guard containing other 30 souldiers with two Caporals and with these doth continually assist the Lieutenant of the Castell a Captaine of infantery and a Sergeant And there is the assembly and concourse of all the souldiers so that besides those which be of the watch there is continually 70 or 80 other souldiers or more At the gate within the Castell there is 16 souldiers and with them one Capoporall Betwixt ten and eleuen of the clocke in the day time they shut the gates to go vnto their dinner and then there goeth vpon the walles eight souldiers with an officer which do go the Round and Contra Round whilest the rest bee at dinner The souldiers do remaine at their dinner time one houre and in opening the Castell gates againe they chaunge the postes or wardes vntill three of the clocke and at that houre againe they go and chaunge them a fresh vntill it bee night And in the opening of the gates after dinner they obserue the same order as they did in the morning They haue a consideration and reguard if the day do increase or diminish as concerning the deuiding of the houres and in opening and shutting the gates according to the same order There hangeth at euery post or watch turret vpon the walles a little bell at each of seuerall soundes wherewith the Sentinels do answer one another euery quarter or halfe houre All the day there goeth continually two souldiers the Round and Contra â—ound the which do chaunge and are relieued by their quarters as are in like sort the Sentinels vpon the walles hauing a care and reguard vnto the Artillery and to see if any persons not belonging to the Castell doth come vp vpon the same without licence of the Castellane or his Lieutenant and finding any such person in such manner they giue knowledge thereof vnto the Castellane or vnto his officers to the end that the cause might be knowne why any such doth mount vp vnto the walles Euery one of the Caporals that are within the Castell hath his quarter assigned him with his squadra and euery night doth visite the souldiers in the same and see whether they haue their bullets powder match and all other armes in a readinesse and whether any souldier do lodge or sleepe without the Castell by night without leaue and licence of his superior officer And euery morning before the opening of the gates the said Caporals do giue an account particularly vnto the Captaine of al the faults in this sort committed the which are punished according to the orders that be prouided and made for euery matter concerning the sayd Castell Also the higher officers and Caporals haue their quarters deuided appointed where euery one doth know whither to repaire with the soldiers of his charge if the Alarme be giuen Euery Saturday doth an officer with sixe souldiers go and visite and reknowledge all the Contra Mines The Castellane hath one key of the chest where all the keyes are locked and the Lieutenant keepeth another to the end that if any suddaine occasion be offered repaire might be made vnto him which is next at hand these keyes are not the ordinary keyes And thus all these things being knowne and well considered any Castellane or Captaine of any Fortresse or place of defence may alter adde or diminish that which vnto him shall seeme good for the good gouernement and defence of his place of charge The Conclusion Thus hauing finished in fine these Military discourses wherein I haue marched farther then I meant at the first drawne on Gentlemen by your diuerse and curious demaundes and what reformations I haue herein desired or what amisses errors I haue herein committed I yeelde the same to be considered and reformed by the wisedome of those whose experience authority and good indeuour may be answerable to the performance therof desiring that the same may be deemed as proceeding from a soldier who more of zeale then of any desire to offend hath penned these rough discourses wishing that himselfe and all others may take occasion thereby to amend what is in euery of vs amisse Beseeching our heauenly Chieftaine Iehouah thas as herein so in all other inconueniences any waie hindering the florishing state of our Noble Common-weale the necessitie of this euery other action may take such roote in the beholders thereof as that with such conuenient regard as they ought they will endeuour euery man in his degree the redresse and wished reformation of the same with the due regard of our daungerous times each honest man of what degree soeuer inuesting himselfe with the honourable habite of the true feare of God