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
onely differing in the Aspect for the Lacedemonian turned the Aspect outward The Macedonian turned the Aspect inward And this keeps the Aspect still directed the same way He that knows every way may when time serveth make use of those wayes which are most necessarie and sutable to his present occasion The Proverbe saith Knowledge is no burthen The way to performe this Countermarch is as followeth according to the Command the outmost-file of each flanke stands the rest of the Body faceth to the right and left outward the right flanke passing through to the right the left flanke to the left those of the right-flanke placing themselues on the outside of their right-hand-men in like manner those on the left flanke placing themselues on the outside of their left-hand-men If may be reduced either by any of the foregoing divisionall Countermarches of Ranks or else being faced to any of the flanks then the rankes become files And by divisionall Countermarches of files you may reduce divisionall Countermarches of Ranks or by ranks files onely you must observe some facings Yet for this figure if you please Command the two innermost-files stand the rest face to the right and left inward and so march into their places The next shall be a Countermarch of interchanging of Flanks CHAP. LVI Of Interchanging Ground by the Flanks and bringing the innermost-files of Pikes to become the outmost-ranks The Command is Interchange Flanks THis exchanging of Flanks or Bastard Countermarch is differing from all the other divisionall Countermarches of Ranks for this transferres the right-flanke into the place of the left and the left-flanke into the place of the right It is very apt for to receive a sudden charge from the horse for as soone as they shall be commanded to interchange their flanks they face to the right and left inward and then the innermost-files of the pikes begin the Motion the rest of each flanke following orderly file-wise the pikes porting so soone as they begin to move and charge as they see occasion If need be the pikes may charge at the foot the Muskettiers giving fire over their shoulders If any object that the Pikes have too large a distance they may close at their owne pleasures as soone as they have past through For the reducement you may if you please interchange ground againe neverthelesse if you would reduce it by some other way Countermarch your Flanks into the midst and then an intire Countermarch either of ranke or file will reduce them I might have further enlarged my selfe upon this subject both in Command and Figure but it may be that some will finde fault with these which I have already penned concluding them for nicities and for no service because they cannot presently apprehend for what use or service they may be fit Notwithstanding I would intreat such if any such happen to be my overlookers that they would suspend their censures untill they have fully enformed their judgements Yet thus much I will conclude with them that Countermarches might the best be spared of all the Motions as being least beneficiall to this our Moderne discipline And yet to very good use many of them might serve if our Souldiers were well practised in them Neverthelesse such is the wilfull stupidity of the times that many good and usefull things are disreputed and accounted of no use because the Souldier wanting skill cannot performe them as they ought which would the Officers take more paines by often instructing their Souldiers the hardest Motions would become facile and easie And to say truth the greatest fault is want of skill in those which should give instruction to others and yet they will not sticke to carpe at such as shall shew more than they concluding such things for superfluous and improper which they themselues do not rightly understand But lest I be taxed for digression I will conclude this branch of Discipline with these few lines following SOme burthened are with more command than skill Which had they power suting to their minde You then should see Reason inthral'd to will Nor any 'bove their knowledge should you finde For rather than they 'le study to learne better They wish all wanting none to know a letter So be there many Officers in Bands That neither know themselves nor care for those That skilfull are in Postures and Commands Nor are they carefull which end formost goes They thinke to dice to drabbe to sweare and swill Is skill enough for them Learne more that will And if that any man more forward be For to instruct the Souldier as is fit With such a fellow they cannot agree He is vaine-glorious strives to shew his wit They will be sure to quarrell and deprave him And in their cups perhaps they 'll Such honest hearts as spend both meanes and time To practise others for their Countries good Why should this good be counted for a crime To those that for their Prince would spend their bloud That Countrey sure will best be kept from harmes Whose Subjects pleasure take to practise Armes But on this Subject I 'le no longer bide Of Countermarches Here I 'le take my leave To shew the Wheelings next I shall provide Which follows next of course as I conceive And though with verse my Countermarches close Beginning Wheelings I returne to Prose CHAP. LVII Of wheelings their kindes and uses with their severall words of Command THe next Branch springing from this root of Discipline are wheelings which are of two kindes viz. wheelings Angular and wheelings on the Center as also they are to be conceived in manner of action either intire or divisionall the use of intire wheelings is to turne the aspect of the front proper to the right to the left or reere either for the gaining of the Winde Sunne or some such like advantage or to confront the enemy with their best souldiers Most of the divisionall wheelings being indeed more properly doublings either extending the length or depth of the Battell notwithstanding because I wold not be taxed with innovation or alteration I have according unto the usuall received way placed them amongst the wheelings and now I will shew their words of command or direction But before I enter upon them give me leave to lay downe an observation or two for the better instruction of the Souldiers in their wheelings The first is That before you enter upon your wheelings you close both Rankes and Files to their order which is three foot both in ranke and file The other that upon all wheelings you must be sure to observe your leader and follow him keeping your due distance your Muskettiers being all either poyzed or shouldered your Pikes ought to be advanced The words of Commands are as followeth Wheele your Battell to the Right   Left   Right about  Left  Right  on the same ground Left  Right about Left Wheele off your Front by division   your Front
of pikes and there place themselues againe even in ranke with the last ranke of pikes This done the rest of the ranks successively give fire and do the like every Ranke taking his place after the ranke which fired last before them the other ranks moving one ranke forwarder The Muskettiers having given fire once over and falling off according to this direction they will be reduced to the flanks againe as they were at the first The firing may be continued or the pikes may charge at discretion of the Commander CHAP. XCII A firing tripartite doing execution to the front reere and right flanke FIgures and formes of Battell may bee infinite according to the judgements of the Commanders and the various workings of the divers motions no arte nor science yeelding more content unto the studious practitioners none more honourable and beneficiall for the good of our Countrie none more neglected and lesse countenanced then the Practisers of the Art militarie nor none more screwed up in the places of their abiding then those men this way affected The rich cubb'd gowne men holding it as a maxime that Souldiers though never so poore yet they must be taxed in the parish bookes like Gentlemen Thus much incouragement we have for spending our money and our time for our Countries good and this in good time I hope will be amended but of this no more The next firing being a firing Tripartite doth execution to the front reere and right flanke at one and the same time For the use I shall referre it to the judgement of the Iudicious for the instruction how it is to be made the words of Command and direction shew it which are as followeth Halfe rankes of the left double your right flanke by division For the direction looke backe to the 27. Chapter which treats of this doubling Onely remember to face the divisions that way which you intend they shall give fire For the manner of the firing it is ordinary the foremost Ranke of Muskettiers on each part having fired they wheele off to the right or to the right and left according as directions shall be given placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions the next ranks in the meane time moving forwards into their leaders ground there in like manner firing wheeling off and placing themselves as before the rest of the rankes successively doing the like This firing may be continued aâ— pleasure of the Commander The Pikemen as advantage may be given in the interim either porting charging or sending their fatall showers amongst the thickest of their enemies Lastly for reducement face them all to their front proper then Command halfe rankes that doubled to face to the left and so to march into their places For further directions turne backe to the 27. Chapter which shewes the reducement of the aforegoing Figure c. CHAP. XCIII Of the Sconce Battell THe Sconce Battell is a Figure most properly fit for a whole Regiment at least for a larger pro portion of number then is here exprest it neither being good nor safe to divide a smal Company into so many divisions and Maniples And yet to give satisfaction unto some I have placed it here amongst my Figures yea and shewne the way how to make it with a private Company For the manner or way how to fire upon it may be divers The Muskettiers being so placed that they may give fire to the front and reere to the right and left or to all foure together at the discretion of the Commander If your Muskettiers give fire to the front and reare every ranke making good his leaders ground then the Figure will still continue the same If they give fire without advancing into their leaders ground then the Muskettiers will ranke even againe with their Pikes and the Figure will become an hollow crosse the Muskettiers making the Angles The words of Command and direction which produce the Figure are as followeth Halfe files of Muskettiers face to the Reere That being done Command all the Muskettiers to march to the Angles of their Pikes Next cause The two first and two last rankes of Pikes to stand The rest to face to the right and left and march untill they are cleere of the other pikes then stand Lastly Command The two first and last rankes of Pikes which did not move to double their Files to the right These words of Command and direction being executed perfect the Figure as followeth Many and severall are the firings which with some little alteration may be drawne from this Figure Neverthelesse not to spin out time with discourse the firing now intended to be shewne is to be performed to the front and reere To which purpose the one halfe both of Muskettiers and Pikes are to face about to the right there presenting and giving fire those of the right flanke wheeling off to the right the left flank to the left and placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions The next ranke still moving forwards into their leaders ground the other rankes successively doing the like After this manner the firing may be continued and the Figure still preserved For reducement First face them all after their proper file-leaders Secondly cause the front and reere divisions of Pikes to double their rankes to the left Thirdly command the Pikes of the flankes to face in opposition close their divisions and then to face after their leaders Next coÌ„mand the Muskettiers of the front division to face to the reere Lastly command the Muskettiers both of front and reere to close their divisions And then being faced to their leader they are perfectly reduced as at first CHAP. XCIIII Of firing by three files at once two of them standing oblique the other direct WHen I began the formes and figures of Battell I noted all fâ—rings to be either oblique or direct and now for satisfaction to the curious I shall insert two or three oblique formes amongst the rest The first whereof shall be a Firing to the Front by drawing forth the outermost file on each flank obliquely or the innermost as shall seeme best to the Commander untill the bringers up of the files stand even with the right and left angle-men over the front of pikes They may also beadâ— a file of Muskettiers crosse the front of pikes when having placed and faced them as they ought for execution they will stand in manner of this following figure The two files of Muskettiers which were led forth having obliquely presented inwards and the file drawn crosse the front of pikes being presented direct Rank-wise upon the first Command they are all to give fire together and then to face after their bringers up who leade their files directly into their places This done they face to their proper front againe the other files in the meane time leading forth after the same manner These having done their execution are to returne into their places being led off by their bringers up as is aforesaid The
rest of the files after the same manner firing and returning untill they have all given fire and then they will be all reduced as at first CHAP. XCV A firing oblique by foure files together in forme of a W. ALL the commendations that may be given of these oblique Figures is that they powre out a great deale of shot at once and may quickly be reduced to their places Notwithstanding they are a great weakening to the bodie if any sudden accident should happen before they are setled in their former stations Neverthelesse I shall leave them to themselues and if they be found to hold out weight I shall not grudge that I have given them roome amongst the rest But if they prove too light let them be as lightly respected yet beare somewhat with them for their antiquitie The way to make the figure is as followeth The two innermost files of Muskettiers on each flanke march forth each of them being led by an Officer untill they have taken their places Then the Officers that led forth the two middlemost files are to returne to their places againe the Serjeants that led forth the outermost files standing to see them do their execution Yet before the Muskettiers have order to give fire obserue the manner of their standing by the following Figure The Muskettiers having presented according to their directions they give fire all together and then suddenly facing after their bringers up march downe into their places the next two files of each flanke in the interim of their marching away are to move forwards to their ground where they are in like manner to give fire and then to take their places as aforesaid The rest of the files of Muskettiers if you have more must then move forwards and do the like And in this sort may the Muskettiers give fire once twice or oftner over each firing being a reducement to it selfe CHAP. XCVI Of the Fort Battell the way to make and to reduce it THe figure of the Fort-battell is an oblique firing and taketh its denomination rather from the 〈…〉 the strength of a Fort. It s chiefe use is for the entertainment of some great personage or Commander in the field who being received into the midst of the divisions of Pikes the Muskettiers may present and give fire altogether in one vollie Or if they would have the Muskettiers give fire one after another then the vollies by succession which some call the Peale will be the best If there be more Muskettiers then will serve to make up the figure single they may also give fire with the rest presenting obliquely betweene the distance of their leaders The way to make this figure is as followeth First draw forth the outmost files of Muskettiers on each flanke in forme of an hollow wedge before the front of pikes Then cause the next two outmost files to face about and to follow their bringers up in the same forme to the Reere Then let the last two files of Muskettiers on each flanke be drawne after their file-leaders in the same manner and forme to the flanks The Muskettiers being thus ordered and all presented obliquely outwards command the two first and two last ranks of Pikes to stand the rest of the Pikes to face to the right and left and so to march untill they are cleare off the other pikes which stand Then command the Pikes which moved to double their files to the right Lastly command all the Pike-men to face outward each division of Pikes after their hollow 〈◊〉 of Muskettiers Or else let them face all inward to the Center and then the Body will stand in forme of the following figure Having fired upon this figure there is no manner of wheeling off because the forme is still to be continued But when you come to reducement first face all the Pikes to their proper front that is unto the place where you finde the proper file-leaders Secondly let the Pikes which are flankers double their rankes to the left and so close their divisions Then the Pikes will be reduced For the Muskettiers first command those on the flanke to leade up their files in their due places close to the Pikes Next command the Muskettiers of the reere to sleeve up on each flanke by division Lastly command the Muskettiers before the front of Pikes to face after their bringers up and to march downe into their places Lastly facing to their leader they are all reduced as at first CHAP. XCVII Of the crosse Battell the way to make it with a private Company How to fire upon it and to reduce it THe Crosse Battell though it must needs shew thinne in regard that the number is not sufficient to expresse the worth of the Figure yet may the forme be very usefull with a larger body and the Muskettiers may give fire two three or foure waies at once upon it Yea if the number were as opulent as the Figure is excellent then they might fire twelve severall wayes together This notwithstanding I spare to speake further to what may be done and come to shew what I intend in it Concerning this Figure the waies to fire upon it are ordinarily two The first when the Muskettiers give fire and then place themselves in the reere of their owne divisions of Muskets The second way is after that they have fired to place them in the reere of their Pikes the Pikes maintaining the Muskettiers ground The words of Command which produce the Figure are as followeth The two first rankes wheele your front into the midst The two last ranks wheele your reere into the midst The rest of the body face to the right and left and so march untill the reere-Angles meete Then let the Commander goe into the midst or Center and face the whole Company to him giving tm such direction as is meete Lastly being all faced about to the right the body will stand like the following Figure This crosse Battell being faced to the front reere and flankes and the Muskettiers commanded to give fire one way of placing them is in the reere of their own divisions of Muskettiers for that hereby the Muskettiers will still continue their places For the second way after that the first rankes have given fire let them wheele all off to the right or to the right and left if the number be large and place themselves in the reere of their Pikes each ranke moving forwards and maintaining their leaders ground The second ranke in like manner is to fire and to take their places after the Muskettiers which fired and wheeled off last before them The rest successively are to doe the like untill all the shot have fired and are wheeled away againe Then let the Pikes charge c. If any object that it is dangerous to have so large distance betweene the fronts of each firing then if you have files enow yo u may draw two or three files of each Arme crosse the divisions from the Angle of one front
for Skirmish Then if you please you may cause three or foure of the first firings to be performed by light Skirmishing before the Front and that with loose Ranks or Files or both either some of those or such like as I have formerly spoken off in the preceding Exercises After which for your next firing cause your Half-files to open to the right and left by equall division untill the Reere Divisions of Pikes stands right after the Muskettiers of the Front-division Now the Muskettiers standing in foure Divisions let them all present and give fire to the Front wheeling all off to the right and placing themselves in the Reere of their own divisions of like Armes each Ranke still making good the Leaders ground Having given fire once or twice over on this Figure For the second firing cause the Front-division to give fire to the Front and the two Reere divisions to each Flanke in a March The Front-division with fires in Ranke wheele all off to the right placing themselves in the Reere of their ownc Divisions of Muskettiers the other Divisions with fire in flanke leading up their files betweene their owne divisions of Muskettiers and the Pikes Having given fire once or oftner over according to discretion this way let the third firing be performed upon a stand For the which cause your reere-divisions to facc to the right and left outward the front-division still to continue the same aspect Then let the Muskettiers give fire those of the right flanke wheeling off to the right and the contrary flanke to the contrary hand the Muskettiers of the front division placing themselues in the reere of their owne divisions of Muskets the Muskettiers of the reere divisions placing themselues in the reere of the reere divisions of Pikes each ranke of Muskettiers still making good his leaders ground When they have fired all over let the Pikes charge to front and both flanks Having advanced your Pikes againe and faced your body to the front proper each Armes still standeth in three divisions Then let the fourth firing be to the reere and both flanks upon a march And to that end open your front-divisions of Muskettiers to the right and left untill they are cleere of the reere-divisions of Pikes that so they be not troublesome unto them in their march Then let your pikes shoulder and the Muskettiers give fire the front divisions of Muskettiers firing in flanke and leading up on the inside of their owne divisions The Muskettiers of the reere division giving fire in the reere in ranke wheeling off by division and placing themselves in the front of their owne divisions of Muskettiers Having fired once over and the Pikes charged let your fifth firing be to the Reere and both flankes upon a stand In the which let the half-files both Muskettiers and Pikes face to the Reere the Front-division to the right and left and so give fire one each part those that fire to the flankes wheeling off and placing themselves in the Reere of their divisions of Pikes and the Muskets of the Reere divisions wheeling off to the right and left and placing themselves in the Reere of their owne divisions of Musketties each Ranke moving forward into their Leaders ground Having fired over let the Pikes charge The Pikes being againe advanced face the whole body to the proper front and then all the Muskettiers will be in the midst and the Pikemen on the flankes For the sixth firing cause your half-rankes of the left double your right flanke by division For further directions looke back to the tripartite firing which you shall find Chap. 92. Having fired over that way charged and re-advanced your pikes face the whole body to their former front For your seventh firing cause the front and reere divisions of Muskettiers and Pikes to face to the right the rest of the body both Muskets and Pikes to the left Let the Muskettiers give fire and wheele all off either to the right or left and place themselves in the reere of their following divisions of Pikes each ranke still moving up into their leaders ground When there rest but two rankes of each division to fire let the Pikes port Having all fircd and wheeled away let the Pikes charge Then face the whole body to their first front and command the first and last foure rankes to face to the left and to march untill they are cleere of the standing part of the Body Then cause the front halfe-files to face to the left the reere halfe-files to the right and so to close their divisions and after that to face towards their leader For the eight firing make the sollid Square girdled with Muskettiers For the which draw halfe the files of the right flanke of Muskettiers crosse the front and halfe the files of Muskettiers of the left flanke crosse the reere Then face the whole body both Muskets and Pikes to the front reere and flankes This done let the Muskettiers give fire and wheele off by division placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions of Muskettiers All the time of this firing the Pikemen being in the middle of the Muskettiers have good opportunity if the enemy be neere to gall them with their thicke showers of feathered shot The Muskettiers in the meane time having fired once twice or oftner over on this Figure draw your files of Muskettiers backe againe into their places Then having faced the whole body to the proper front let your ninth firing be Captaine Wallers double firing to the front and reere after this manner First wheele front and reere into the right flanke then face them all the same way they were before which done cause the halfe-files to face to the reere and command the Muskettiers which are in the reere of each division of Pikes to double their front of Pikes by division Then let them face about and close their divisions and so having refaced them as they were let them give fire wheele off and charge according to directions on Captaine Wallers Figure For the tenth firing let them face to the right and left and give fire to both flankes upon a stand wheeling off by division and flanking their Pikes When the Pikes have charged and are againe advanced let the Captaine passe to the front accidentall of the left flanke and face the rest of the body to him and in the next place wheele their flanks into the front and so all the Muskettiers will be in the front and by facing the whole body to the left all the Muskettiers will be on the right flanke Let the eleventh figure be the Diamond Battell Having given fire two or three severall wayes according to the directions upon that figure charged Pikes and reduced them againe into the Square face the body about to the right and passe the Muskettiers which belong to the right flanke betweene the ranks of pikes into their places Then the Muskettiers of the left flanke being closed to their Pikes the Body will stand
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
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.
over some But marvell not the cause I do not show them It is not much materiall for to know them Those that are Skilfull in the Art of Warre And take delight to exercise their men Shall find more pleasure in these doublings farre If that they intermixe them now and then And so contrive their doublings in these cases That lastly one word brings them to their places Why in our Country do we Captains chuse That have no skill nor artfull inclination They do themselves and Country much abuse Thus to deceive them in their expectation I thinke the Cause of this fault in our Nation Is that our Gentry holds it not in fashion But some perhaps will say I am too bold There 's no such need for Captains to have skill The Muster-masters have enough some hold The Captains and the Counties for to fill So whilest the Muster-master doth the labour The Officers may play upon a Tabour But stay me thinks one puls me by the sleeve And tels me that I have my selfe forgot Wherefore of doublings here I take my leave Intreating those that read mistake me not Let Muster-masters take their money then But let the Captains exercise their men CHAP. XXXIX Of Countermarches Their Antiquity and words of direction THe next branch of Discipline which offers it selfe to your perusall are Countermarches which are of three kinds To wit Chorean Lacedamonian Macedonian which is Maintaining Loosing and Gaining Each of them are to be performed two manner of waies One by File the other by Ranke There are also Counter-marches Intire and Divisionall But divers men are divers for their opinions concerning the Macedonian and Lacedamonian Counter-marches Some will have the Macedonian A Counter-march of gaining of ground because that it transfers the Battalia into the ground before the Front Others will have it A Counter-march of losse of ground because say they the Enemy being in the Reere it makes a semblance of flying Some will have the Lacedamonian A Counter-march of gaining of ground because the Enemy appearing in the Reere it makes a semblance of Charging or falling on Others call it A Countermarch of losse of ground because it looseth all that ground the Battalia stood upon taking in stead thereof the ground behind the Reere There are others of opinion That there are Counter-marches of losse and gaine in either of them All these are furnished with reasons to backe their opinions But if I should stand to shew their many and severall reasons I might well be thought to be without reason my selfe My opinion is That taking the ground before the Front is gaining ground and that to leave the ground we stood on to take the ground next behind the Reere is losse of ground And yet to take either whereby there is advantage gotten must needs be gaining But where the matter it selfe is so indifferent it were fondnesse to spend longer time about it Wherefore note That Countermarches were of ancient use amongst the Greekes many hundred of yeeres since from them learned and practised by many other Nations and so still continued unto this day But as the Snow-ball by much rowling becomes the greater So in like manner these Counter-marches have received addition in all ages So that the three originall ones are now become more then thirty accounting those divisionall And yet are all of them fathered upon one or other of the three kinds Though some of them will scarcely be owned or acknowledged as you shall perceive when I come to shew them in their severall places But amongst all the Motions this might be the best spared as being least beneficiall to this our moderne Discipline But because that knowledge is no burthen and that at some times they may be usefull Therefore first take the words of command or direction which are as followeth Intire Countermarches by file Files to the right left hand countermarch Files to the light left countermarch every man turning on the ground he stands File-leaders face about to the right left the rest passe through to the right left and place your selues behind your Leaders File-leaders stand the rest passe through to the your Leaders right left placing your selues before File-leaders stand the rest passe through to the right left placing your selues before your Leaders following your Bringers up Bringers up face about to the right left the rest passe through to the right left and place your selues before your bringers up Bringers up stand the rest of the Body passe through to the right left placing your selues behinde your bringers up Intire Countermarches by Ranks Ranks to the right left Countermarch Ranks to the right left countermarch every man turning on the ground he stands This right hand file face to the left the rest passe Macedonian through to the right placing your selues behind your right hand men This left hand file may face to the right and do as much This light left hand file stand the rest passe through to the right left placing your selues on the our side of your right left hand men This right left hand file face to the right left the rest passe through to the right left placing your selues before your right left hand men Divisionall Countermarches by Files Countermarch front and â—e cre into the midst File-leaders and halfe-file-leaders stand the rest passe through to the right and place your selues before your Leaders File-leaders and Bringers up stand the rest passe through to the right and place your selues before your Leaders and Bringers up File-leaders face about Bringers up stand the rest passe through to the Right and place your selues behinde your Leaders and Bringers up Front-halfe-files interchange ground with the Reere Divisionall Countermarches by ranks Countermarch your wings or Flanks into the middest or Center The out-most-file of each Flanke face outward the rest passe through to the right and left placing your selues behinde your out-side men The out-most file of each Flanke face inward the rest passe through to the right and left placing your selues behinde your outside men The out-most file of each flanke stand the rest passe through to the right and left and place your selues on the outside of your outside men Interchange your Flanks Note what is done by the out most files may be reduced by converting the command to the innermost files but must be done before they have closed their divisions c. CHAP. XL. Of the Chorean Countermarch and the way to performe it I Could willingly have prickt a Figure for each of these severall countermarches but that they will take up too much roome And therefore I will onely pricke some few of the hardest of them and for the rest I will endeavour by words to make them as facile as I may that so they may be apprehended by the meanest capacitie And first I will begin with the Persian
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
stands the Reere-halfe-files face about and so the front-division passe forwards and place themselues behind the file-leaders the reere-halfe-files behinde their Bringers up The manner you may perceive the plainer if you note the figures of number which are placed on the flanks of the figure their number shewing the places they had from the front before the motion began This figure may be reduced either by the same word of command which produced it or else by any of the foregoing divisionall countermarches Our next shall be a countermarch of exchange of ground The words for command or direction are as followeth CHAP. LI. Of Interchanging Ground The Command is Front-halfe-files interchange ground with the Reere passing through to the Right Bast Countermarch In Motion This Bastard Countermarch may not rightly be said to be derived from any one of the particular grounds of Countermarch but rather participating of them all And yet considering it as it is to be it is different from them all for whereas the other countermarches of files in division although they bring the Front and Reere into the middest yet the front-halfe-files continue still on the same part and the Reere-halfe-files do not alter into the places of the other But this contrary to any other of the divisionall countermarches transferres the front-halfe-files into the ground or place of the Reere-halfe-files and them into the contrary part bringing the file-leaders and bringers up together into the midst The way to performe this Motion is as followeth The front-halfe-files face about passing forwards to the right being led by the bringers up of the front-halfe-files betweene the Intervalles towards the reere The Reere-halfe-files at the same instant in like manner marching forwards betweene the Intervalles on their right hands into the Front untill the Front-division have attained the places of the Reere and they contrariwise the places of the Front For the reducement of this countermarch do as much backe againe Or if you would reduce it some other way you may first make an intirc countermarch of files and then countermarch front and reere into the midst for under two countermarches it will not be reduced Now I will passe to shew divisionall countermarches of Ranks or Flanks The first shall be Chorean as in the Chapter following CHAP. LII Of counter-marching the flanks or wings into the midst of the Battell The Command is Countermarch your flanks into the midst THis Chorean counter-march of the flanks into the midst is of ordinary use when the Commander would have the outermost files to become the innermost the motion to bee performed on the same ground and is as followeth The command being given the whole body faceth to the right and left by division the outermost files by this facing becomming rankes every man in the right hand file being a leader in his halfe ranke file-wise and so likewise in the left hand file the same then they countermarch the right flanke to the right the left flank to the left which you must alwaies observe to doe and your flanquers will meet just in the midst of your Battalia Lastly having faced them to their first front the counter-march is ended To reduce them they may either use the same Counter-march againe or any of these following divisionall countermarches of flankes unlesse it bee that of interchanging of ground The next shall be Lacedemonian the Command or words of direction are as in the Chapter following CHAP. LIII Of Countermarching to take the ground before the flanks The Command is The outermost file of each flanke face outward the rest passe through to the right and left placing your selves before your out-side men THis Lacedemonian Countermarch of halfe ranks or flanks makes 〈◊〉 of charging on upon both flanks but leaves a wast distance of ground unoccupied betweene the two outmost-files or midst of the battell The way to performe this Motion is as followeth The right-hand-file faceth to the right the left-hand-file to the left the rest of the body faceth to the right and left the right-flanke passing through to the right and placing themselues before their right-hand-men The second file from the right begins the Motion on the right-flanke the left-flanke in like manner passing through to the left and placing themselues before their left-hand-men the second file accounting from the left begins the Motion on the left-flanke But you must note that the files become ranks with the facing For the reducement of this figure if you will first face them to their proper front you may then command the two inmost-files stand the rest passe through to the right and left inward and take their places Or if you please make use either of a Chorean or a Macedonian Countermarch of Ranks by division and with a facing and closing their divisions they will be perfectly reduced CHAP. LIV. Of Countermarching to take the ground on the outside of the Flanks and to direct their Aspects inwards The Command is The outmost file of each Flanke face inward the rest passe through to the Right and Left placing your selues behinde your outside men THis Macedonian Countermarch differeth nothing from that last shewed but onely in the turning of the aspect inwards whereas the other directed their aspect outwards The Motion is thus performed The outermost-files of each Flanke face inward the rest of the body face to the right and left outward those of the right flanke passing through to the right and placing them selues behinde their right-hand-men Those of the left flanke passing through to the left and placing themselues behinde their left-hand-men The Motion is begun by the second file from each flank I might here shew these Countermarches beginning their Motion from their middlemost-files But I am willingly silent hoping that these may suffice to the courteous not much forcing my selfe to give satisfaction to the curious For the reducement of this Countermarch having faced them to their first front you may if you please command the two innermost files to face outward the rest passe through to the right and left inward placing themselues behinde their right and left-hand-men which being done the whole body will stand faced to the right and left outward Then being faced to their Leader they are reduced If you would reduce it by some other way you may make use either of the Countermarch which is next before or of that which next followeth Or of any other divisionall Countermarch of Ranks which doth not interchange ground Our next two which follow will be Bastard Countermarches with the which we will conclude this our fourth branch of Discipline CHAP. LV. Of taking the ground on the outside of the flanks not altering the Aspects The Command is The outmost-file of each Flanke stand the rest passe through to the right and left and place your selues on the outside of your right and left-hand-men THis Divisionall bastard countermarch produceth the same effect which the other two next before it wrought
make him that was the eighth man leade the file-ranks to the left double and files to the left double and the file will stand like that led by the figure of 8. For to reduce them cause the first ranke to stand the rest to advance forwards to the right placing themselves before their leaders CHAP. LXIX Of making men file-leaders successively the files being but sixe deepe SOme will be inquisitive to know for what use the making of leaders by succession serveth or whether it be not a meere Curiosity to which I thus answer That it is not only pleasant but profitable Pleasant to the leader of a file who having sufficiently exercised his file in Postures to give some time of respite or delectation for the recreating of their almost tyred spirits brings each man successively to leade the file by proper words of Command And lastly reduceth each man to his former standing It must needs be profitable and much availeable in discipline when the skilfull Commander can thereby with much ease change and interchange bring what rankes he pleaseth to lead in front and exchange them afterwards for others yea and lastly at his owne pleasure bring the proper file-leaders againe into their places This following table shewes each mans severall place as they stand still being altered according to their various Leaders By the figures of number which are placed over the heads of those Columes wherein are writ the words of Command understand that those words under the figure of 2. are to make the second man file-leader Those words under the figure of 3. make the third man leader And so forward for the rest The front of each file as they come to be Leaders 1 2 3 4 5 6 2 1 2 5 6 5 3 4 6 1 3 4 4 3 1 6 4 3 5 6 5 2 1 2 6 5 4 3 2 1 The words of Command which produce each severall Leader  Files 2 Ranks to the left double 3 Half-files double your Front to the right Files to the right double 4 Facc to the Reere or let the first ranke stand the rest passe thorough c. 5 Ranks to the right double Files double your depth to the right  Files 6 Ranks to the left double 7 Face to the Reere and they are reduced The first man is the leader of the file For to make the second man leader Command file ranke two to the left If there be more files then one ranks to the left double and files to the left double which makes the second man leader every man in the file being disposed as you may perceive by that file led by the figure of 2. For to make him that was the third man leader command halfe files double the front to the right and files to the right double by which meanes the file will stand like that led by the figure of 3. For to make him that was the fourth man leader Face to the reere and then hee leads But if you will keepe the same front command the first ranke to stand the rest to passe through to the left placing your selves before your leaders Thus will the file stand like that led by the figure of 4. For to make the fift man leader command rankes to the right double and files to double their depth to the right intire by which meanes the file will stand like that led by the figure of 5. For to make the sixt man file-leader cause rankes to the left double and files to the left double and then the file wil stand like that led by the figure of 6. For to reduce them there needs no more but face to the reere notwithstanding if you would have the front the same way the Command is the first rank stand the rest passe forwards to the right placing your selves before your leaders For to make sixe men successively leaders by sixe words of Command besides Facings The first is leader for the second file Ranke 2 to the left and files to the left double For the third Countermarch front and reere into the midst and face to that part which was the reere For the fourth face about to the right For the fift countermarch front and reere into the midst and face to that which was the reere For the sixt ranke two to the right and files to the right double face them about and they are reduced CHAP. LXX Of drawing the Files againe into a Body and preparing them for a skirmish BY this time me thinkes I heare the Drums beat a Call which summons each file-leader to his place every man observing his order both in ranke and file The Officers having taken their due places the Captaine and Ensigne in the front of Pikes the Lievetenant in the reere the Serjeant on the flanks the Drums on the front and reere Angle s of the Pikes as you may perceive by the square figure next following Now the Drums beat a march the Ensigne flying at the head of the Pikes the Pikes and Muskets shouldered marching at their distance of order in file at open order in ranke presently by a signe from the Captaine the Drums beat a preparative the Ensigne furl-up retiring into the midst betweene the Pikes the Pikes advance the rankes close forwards to their order the Muskettiers makes ready and every man prepares himselfe for Battell or Skirmish And here the Eyes of the Drum must be very vigilant to observe his Captaine or Commander that by the least signe either of his hand leading-stafâ—e or whatsoever else he carries hee may either continue his charge retreat or else charge home and every Souldier ought to be so well trayned and practised that in the time of Battell he may receive ample instructions from the sound of the Drum The Body drawne into a square with the Officers in their places Thus many Officers may serue for a larger Company if the souldiers be expert and skilfull and to the contrary they are all too few if they be raw and unexperienced I have seene some Companies which have been so absolutely ignorant that each man would have needed an Officer to have kept him orderly in his place Neverthelesse I make no doubt but that by the carefull oversight of the Lord Lieutenants the good assistance of their Deputies and the diligence of the Captains and their Officers this fault will quickly be amended And this might easily enough be done if that those which are owners of Armes would but meet one houre or two in a fortnight at their best leisures and practise the postures of the Pike Musket first and the motions and firings when they are more expert If any shall object That how ever this may be done in Townes and Cities yet it cannot be in the Countrey Villages I answer That if they meete not above foure sixe or eight in a place although they have no Officer to instruct them yet by conferring and trying and often practising they will begin to carry their Armes with
would still preserve the Figure then let every ranke before they give fire march up into their leaders ground Having either marched or skirmished upon this Figure or both and then would come to reducement First face all the whole body to the proper front and cause the Pikes that are flankers to face inwards and to close their divisions This being done cause the Muskettiers which are in the middle part of the Battaile to double their files to the right Secondly let them face inward and close their division Next let them face all to their leader and wheele front and reere into the right flanke which being done and they faced again to the front proper they will be reduced into the ordinary square the Pikes being flanked with the Muskettiers as at first CHAP. CIII Of the Hollow Square girdled with shot THe Hollow Square Girdled with shot is a Figure to be used at such times of necessity as the Commander shall see occasion who well knowing that hee shall be enforced to fight having found some commodious advantage or ground drawes forth his battell into this forme and array The use whereof is that within the hollow parts of it he may convey such of his carriage or whatsoever else may not prove usefull for the strengthening of some part of the battell Having drawne his men speedily into this forme lest that the enemy should take the advantage to breake their order by entring at any of the Angles they are speedily to cast up a Rampart of earth in each of those parts of the Angles Or if they have not time or that the ground be not fit they may supply that defect by placing some of their Wagons Carts or other of their Carriage so orderly that it may be sufficient to fortifie those parts which are the weakest This Figure may be as well made with the Pikes foremost but because that the Musketiers may more commodiously fight before their Pikes and with lesse danger to their owne body therefore I conceive it fittest at first to place them in front of their Pikes And if the enemy shall too hotly presse them with his horse then at the discretion of the Commander they may safely retreate behinde their Pikes the Pikemen making good the ground of the Muskettiers For better satisfaction observe the direction to make the following Figure First command a Serjeant to draw forth all the odde files of the right flank both Muskettiers and Pikes and wheele them to the left crosse the front That being done command the odde files of the left flanke as well Muskettiers as Pikes to face to the reere and let them in like manner be wheeled to the left crosse the reere following their Bringers up For the rest of the body that remaines undrawne forth let them close to the right and left outward untill the Reere-Angles of each division stand diagonally opposite to each other Then let them be all commanded to face to the Center or midst of the hollow square where the Commander is to give them such incouragement directiōs as shal be meet Lastly let all face about to the right and present For the manner of firing upon this Figure it is as followeth The first ranke of Muskettiers to each front having presented and given fire they are to wheele all off to the right And because that eight or tenne men are too many to wheele downe one Intervalle for that they will bee so long before they can cleere the front therefore you may cause Intervalles to be made betweene the midst of each division as you may perceive in the Figure The first ranke having fired and wheeled off the next ranks are to move forwards into their ground they which wheeled off in the meane time placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions of Muskettiers The next ranke of Muskettiers having fired in like manner are to wheele off and to place themselves as aforesaid the rest of the rankes of Muskettiers successively are to doe the like untill they have all given fire once or oftner over that way according to the occasion And in this interim may the Bow-pikemen be bountifull in bestowing their showers of arrowes amongst the thickest of their enemies If the horse prevaile so much that the Muskettiers may not endure to beare the brunt of them then let the Muskettiers after they have fired wheele off and place themselues in the reere of their following divisions of pikes they moving forwards and maintaining the Muskettiers ground charging with their pikes as they see occasion for securing the Muskettiers in the midst This notwithstanding if the enemies horse shall still presse forwards and with their shot shall continue to annoy the body the pikes on this figure being especially defensive then cause the Pikemen to charge at the foot and your Muskettiers to give fire over them according to former directions on the Convex halfe-moone After this manner the battell may be continued to the last ranke When you have given fire in this order your Muskettiers being all in the reere of your pikes and that you be minded to reduce them into the first orderly square this is one way for it Passe through your Muskettiers before your front of pikes as they were before the firing that being done let the Commander face the whole body to the left Angle of the front-division by which meanes he shall there finde the halfe of his file-leaders This being performed let them march and so even their ranks and straiten their files the reere division of Muskettiers and Pikes orderly following after the front division of the like Armes After this let the halfe-files which then are which indeed are the residue of the file-leaders double their ranks forwards to the left which being performed the men are reduced as at first If you would reduce them some other way without passing through your Muskettiers as I have formerly said then first let the whole body face to the left Angle of the front-division and march evening their ranks and files as aforesaid Which being done cause the halfe-files which then are to double their front to the left which being in like manner performed all your Muskettiers are still in the midst Your next worke is to cause your Muskettiers to face to the right and left outward and your pikes contrariwise to face inward and so to passe through and interchange ground Thus being faced to their front proper they will be reduced as at first If any will be practising of this forme of battell with a smaller number of men as with 64. or fewer whereby they will be constrained to double their halfe-files then they will be reduced the same way onely they shall not need to double their halfe-files againe in their reducement as they must needs do were the number larger CHAP. CIIII. Of the Sollid Square with Muskettiers in Center and Angles The way to make the figure with a private Companie how to fire upon it and to
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
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
placing your selves on the outside of your Right-hand-men THis passing thorough or Bastard Countermarch of Ranks doth alter both ground and flanke still reserving the Aspect without alteration It is to be performed as followeth The out-most or right-hand-file stands the rest of the body facing to the right passe thorough to the right every man placing himselfe on the right side of his right-hand-man and so standing euen in Ranke the Motion still continuing untill the left-hand-file is become the right the right the contrary If this Countermarch be done alone for the reducement let the left-hand-file stand and do as much to the left as before to the right and they will be as at first CHAP. XLVII Of Countermarching Front and Reere to the middest FOr the Intire Countermarches I have indeavoured to expresse them as well as I could in words but for the divisionall Countermarches I intend to expresse both in word and figure whereby they may be the more easily apprehended by such as shall be desirous to know them notwithstanding before I enter upon the divisionall Countermarches I would willingly cleere one thing which by some will be carped at which is the using of the word Middest insteed of the word Center The word Center I confesse hath been the more usuall word amongst us and yet it is not altogether so proper to our use as the other wherefore give me leave without offence to use those words which are not only more proper but more significant The Midst of the Battaile is to be understood either from the Front Reere or from both Flanks or wings If between Front and Reere the Midst must be betweene the half-file-leaders and the Reere ranke of the Front half-files extending it selfe from Flanke to Flanke The Midst betweene the Flankes is betweene the two innermost files continuing the whole depth from Front to Reere Our first Countermarch shall be Chorean the word of command or direction is This divisionall chorean countermarch brings our File-leaders and Bringers up together in the midst and the ranks that were in the midst in the Front Reere It is a countermarch mayntayning ground for every man marcheth up into his leaders ground before he faceth about to countermarch The way to performe the Motion is as followeth The command being given to countermarch either let the commander or some other of the Officers command the half-files to face about then the file-leaders stepping forwards with the right legge and face about to the right passing downe the Intervals on the right hand the rest of the Front-halfe-files following their Leaders and not turning untill they come to the ground where their Leaders turned down before them The bringers up with the Reere-half-files at the same instant turning downe their Intervales on the left hand the rest of their division following them untill the file-leaders and bringers up meet together in the midst of the Battaile and then having faced all to their Leader the Motion is performed For the reducement of this figure doing the same thing over againe will reduce it Or any other divisionall countermarch of File CHAP. XLVIII Of bringing Front and Reere together into the midst by the Bastard Countermarch The Command is File-leaders and half-fileaders stand the rest passe thorough to the right and place your selves before your Leaders THis Bastard Countermarch doth bring the Leaders and bringers up together into the midst and saves two facings and is quicklier performed then the other last done or any other in the precedent Chapters The way to performe the Motion is as followeth The first ranke stands and the half-file-leaders stand then those of the Front-half-files passe thorough their Intervals to the right placing themselves before their File-leaders The second ranke before the first the third before the second the fourth before the third The Reere-half-files at the same instant doing the like and placing themselves before their half-file-leaders as the other did before their File-leaders This Motion may be either reduced by doing the same over againe to the contrary hand or else by countermarching front and Reere into the midst or by any other of the divisionall countermarches of files The next shal be a Lacedemonian countermarch the word of command or direction is as shall be exprest in the ensuing Chapter CHAP. XLIX Of Countermarching to make a large Intervale between the first and last Ranks The Command is File-leaders and Bringers up stand the rest passe thorough to the right and place your selves before your Leaders and Bringers up Lacedemonian THis divisionall Lacedemonian Countermarch makes semblance of falling on or charging both to the Front and Reere and leaves all the ground which was occupied by the Souldiers which stood betweene the front and reere transferring them into the ground before the front and behinde the reere the ground or place of their former standing being vacant onely demonstrated in this figure by the pricks The Motion may be thus performed The Reere-halfe-files are commanded to face to the Reere and then the front-halfe-files passe through to the right placing themselves before their Leaders The second Ranke before the first the third before the second the fourth before the third the Reere-halfe-files at the same instant passing through to the Reere after the same manner and placing themselues before their Bringers-up You may perceive by the figures of Number placed on the Flanks of the figure of battell both how the men stood before the Motion began as also how and in what place they stand the Motion being ended For the reducement if you have not closed their distance you may face them about and so let them passe againe into their places Or else by doing the same Countermarch over againe or to the contrary hand or any such like way will reduce them This next following Countermarch will also reduce them or this will reduce that The word for the Command or direction is as you shall finde it placed over the front of the figure CHAP. L. Of making a large Intervalle betweene the first and last ranks by the Macedonian Countermarch THis divisionall Macedonian Countermarch is little different from that next before it onely the other turned the Aspect outward to the front and Reere this Countermarch turnes the Aspect inwards towards the midst It may be usefull if the Commander would shew or publish ought before his best Souldiers for that it not onely leaves a large distance but that it brings the best Souldiers into the midst with their Aspects directed inwards It may also serue to conduct any great personage crosse the length of your battell whereby to shew them the braverie of your Souldiers c. The figure followeth The Command is File-leaders face about Bringers up stand the rest passe through to the Right and place your selues behinde your file-leaders and Bringers up This motion may be thus performed The first ranke or file-leaders face about the last ranke
you would bring more hands to fight double rankes to any hand and the body for forme and number will stand like the figure here next following But the speediest way and I thinke the best I am sure with expert Souldiers is to wheele both â—lanks into the front which is the way intended by this Figure For the manner of the firing it selfe you may partly perceive that there are intervalles made for each division to wheele off to the right that so they may either fall in the reer of the Muskettiers there continue the firing or else fall in the reer of the pikes be therby secured from the horse It may be done one or both wayes according to the occasion or discretion of the Commander Neverthelesse before I shew the firing observe these words of Command which produce the Figure Wheele your flanks into the front Face to your leader The broad â—â—onted Battell The first ranke having presented and given fire let them wheele off to the right all passing down the Interualâ—es to the right and placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions of Muskettiers The Muskettiers making good their leaders ground and the next ranâ—es firing wheeling off and placing themselves as before Having fired once or twice over this way a second way may be to place themselves in the reere of their Pikes either standing or advancing the Pikemen in the meane time clouding the cleere skie with their ayrie Armorie The Muskettiers having all given fire and placed themselves in the reere if need bee the Pikes may close their divisions and charge over hand and if the enemy shall still presse forwards the Pikes may charge at the foot the Muskettiers giving fire over them c. For reducement there are divers waies by firings but because I would make every thing so plaine and easie that those that reade for instruction may receive benefit it hath caused me to reduce each figure by it selfe and not to multiply one upon another whereby to make them too ambiguous And therefore if you make this Figure by wheeling your flankes into the front and then fire as aforesaid the reducement may be either to fire them over againe and so to fall into their former places and then to wheele your flankes into the front againe and lastly face about to the right and they will be as before Or else if you would reduce them without giving fire over againe then command your Muskettiers to double your front by division that done wheele both flankes into the reere then face to your leader and command your Muskettiers to double your front by division againe and they are as at first If I should proceed to shew the many and sundry wayes of firings which may be done in front my Booke had need to have as many leaves as lines and yet all too little But that I may keepe my selfe to my promise and my Booke to its compasse I will next come to shew some firings in the reere and amongst my divisionall firings I shall insert some other sorts of front firings which here I have omitted CHAP. LXXX Of dismarching or firing in the Reere the severall wayes and how they ought to be performed HAving so long maintained Battaile in the front I will now face them about and see how they will behave themselves upon their firings in the reere Which kinde of firings may be very beneficiall and serviceable many wayes For by keeping an orderly march and firing in the reere the eager enemy by a too hasty pursuit may be disordered Or if it so happen as many timesit doth that you have a disadvantagious place to imbattell on by this firing you may march away still preserving your order and array untill you have brought your adversary into some ambushment or such like inconvenience For the manner of comming of the firing it must either be by facing about wheeling about or countermarching the Pikes are to be shouldered The figure followeth A firing in the Reere The Bodie being upon a march if the enemy appeare in the Reere let the last ranke of Muskettiers face about and give fire wheeling off by division file-wise marching up toward the Front and there placing themselues before the foremost ranke of Muskettiers the outmost man of each ranke being the leader up of those which have fired where first taking their places on the outside the rest wheeling about them and ranking even with them on the inside ever observing that they ranke even with the second ranke of pikes The rest of the Muskettiers also doing the like and in this manner to continue the firing as occasion shall require Neverthelesse of all the figures and firings that ever I have seene this hath beene the worst performed in all places which might easily be amended if the Souldiers would observe this following order in their execution namely when the last ranke of Muskettiers have presented to the Reere and are giving of fire the ranke which marched next before them do then blow open and present at three motions still keeping along even with the Body untill that lastly they present to the Reere by which time the ranke that last fired will be wheeled away The next ranke so soone as the other hath presented is likewise at 3. motions to do the same and so successively for all the rest every ranke observing upon each ranks firing to loose one and to march one ranke neerer to the reere of the Battell that so that part may still be kept absolute This giving of fire towards the reere for service is to be continued according to the qualitie of the place the occasion for fight and the discretion of the Commander In exercise we commonly do it but once over and then if you please you may make Alte and face your Bodie about giving fire over againe and charging your pikes upon it if need so requireth Notwithstanding if the horse shall still continue to pursue you in the reere you having gained some strait or place of advantage may wheele your flanks into the Front then face to the reere and with your charged pikes defend your Muskettiers which the body being so wheeled will be in the reere The body standing in this forme the Muskettiers may sleeve up by way of Extraduction The manner you may perceive in the Chapter which treats of that figure If the horse still presse forwards cause the pikes to charge at the foot the Muskettiers giving fire â—ver them as in the Convex halfe Moone Lastly to reduce them having thus fired command them to wheele their flanks into the fron and to face about after their proper file-leaders and they are reduced Sometimes we give fire in the reere having all our Muskettiers marching in the reere of the pikes For the manner of the motion it is as before but for placing of the men after they have fired it may be different As to wheele off by division placing themselues in the front of
the Muskettiers next behinde the reere of pikes Or if the body be large to wheele all off to the right through Intervals and so to march into the front of pikes Or else they may wheele off by division flanke their pikes and so fire over againe as before If you have brought your Muskettiers by firing to the Reere before the front of pikes then to reduce them you may either wheele the body about and give fire in front causing your Muskettiers to fall off by division and to flanke their pikes as you may perceive by the figure of the Demie-hearse Or else if you will reduce them without a firing cause your Muskettiers to open to the right and left and the pikes to march up in the miast after which facing all to your Leader they are as at first I might have shewne a Figure for each of these severall firings in the reere which would have delivered them with more variety but I conceive that this here already exprest may suffice especially this being the ground of what may be spoken Concerning firings in this nature many men are of many mindes about this firing in the reere Some will have it that the last ranke shall at one motion face to the reere and there present and give fire Others will have it at two motions but either of them have their inconveniences For however they pretend a more sudden execution they are decerved for would they make tryall by causing the Muskettiers of one of the flanks to give fire at one motion and the Muskettiers of the other flanke at three motions as I have here set downe they should soone finde that the firing upon three motions were the best and that the other would be cast so farre behinde their body that they would be in some danger to be cut off Besides this they are longer in clearing themselves from their owne men which all the whilst must stay untill they are marched off or else kill them in stead of the enemy whereas in this other firing upon three motions they still keepe along with their Body doing their execution more suddenly and more safely Neverthelesse there be many so much wedded to â—heir own wilfull opinion that they will more willingly persist in knowne errour then be seene to alter what they have seemed to maintaine But leaving such to steere by their owne compasse I will here conclude my firing in the reere And the next I shew shall be firings in flanks to which purpose I passe all my Muskettiers to the right flanke The words of direction for it are these Muskettiers of the right flanke open to the right or face to the right and march When they have opened to a sufficient distance then stand Muskettiers of the left flanke passe through betweene your rankes of Pikes to the intervalle on the right flanke then stand and face all to your leader CHAP. LXXXI Of firings in flanke in generall and more particularly of the gathering firing THe Muskettiers being all on the right flanke as in the last Chapter is directed it would be needlesse to make a Figure whereby to demonstrate the standing of the body seeing that none can be so ignorant but must needs know that all the Muskettiers being upon the right the Pikes must be upon the left Neverthelesse I shall endeavour to shew what is meant by firing in flankes Which for the generall are of these two kindes The first is when the enemy skirmâ—sh with us in flanke as we march the other when as by some sudden attempt or ambushment the whole body is engaged and so forced to stand and to face to the right or left or both By which facings the flanks become fronts accidentall and their firings wil be after the same manner of the firings in front Wherefore seeing I have already spoken sufficiently of them I will now shew firings in flanke marching the particulars whereof are as followeth The first is for the outmost file to give fire and stand untill the next file have fired which by some is called the gathering firing Secondly firings in flanke and leading them up between the Muskettiers and Pikes firing in flanke being led off by the bringers up firings in flanke sleeving up on the contrary flanke of Pikes firing in flanke and drawing them up betweene the innermost files of Pikes All these firings in flanke are to be performed upon a march the Pikes are to be shouldered Our first firing in flanke followeth The Command is Muskettiers give fire to the right and gather up your files This kinde of firing on the flanke I have seene and knowne used by many good and able souldiers Neverthelesse in my opinion the men stand in a great deale of danger when having given fire they can doe no good but stand like so many markes for their enemies shot Notwithstanding it may be that such whom I have frequently seene to use it in their practise may be able to render good reasons for the service though as yet I cannot conceive it I will therefore surcease any further prosecution my opinions and shew the manner of execution which is to be performed as followeth The Command being to give fire to the right presently the outermost file to the right faceth outward and presents the rest of the body still marching forwards Then the presented file gives fire and stands facing againe to their first front By thattime the body will be marched cleere of the standing file then the next outermost file presents and fires in like manner the body marching as before Having fired they in like manner face to their first front and stand a Serjeant leading up the file that first fired on the out side of the file that last fired Then they both stand together untill the third file hath given fire after the same manner And then the Serjeant leads up the two files even with the third which last fired And after this manner the â—â—â—es of Muskettiers face to the flanke and give fire sâ—câ—essively and stand untill the Serjeant leads up the rest of the files which fired even with the front of the file which last fired Thus having all fired over they are to march up againe even with the front of Pikes and this reduceth them as at first CHAP. LXXXII The second manner of giving fire to the flanke IF you would fire in flanke a more secure way then that last shewne take this way of firing And this shall be full as serviceable for matter of execution and shall farre precede it in way of preservation both in securing the Muskettiers after they have fired from the danger of their enemies shot as also in continuing the body intire without separation It is especially usefull when two enemies are divided by a River or by some such like meanes secured from the incursions of the horse For then by this way of drawing the Muskettiers up betweene the innermost file of Muskettiers and the outermost file of Pikes to
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