for we often see Soldiers carry their Arms sometimes upon one shoulder and sometimes upon another and sometimes under their Arms which ought not to be suffer'd without cause for whoever neglects small things in time will also neglect greater things for neglect will turn into an habit and for that reason the under Officers ought to view their Soldiers Arms to see if they are fixed and in good order and in case they be not so after they have had warning of it they must be got mended and cleansed at their own cost and charge which they might do themselves if they were vigilant which is the mark of a good Soldier The Captains ought not altogether to trust to their inferiour Officers they ought from time to time to take a review of their Companies and at the same time to view their Arms and in case they don't find them as they ought to be after they have commanded the Serjeants to have a care of it they must get them to be mended at the charge of all the under Officers They shall no sooner have done it once but that every one shall mind his Duty according to his post For there must be some subordination in an Army CHAP. II. The manner how to Form a Battalion and the terms which are to be used with an easie method to learn the Military motions In the first Place THe terms of a square Battalion of Men. The Battalion is made up of a File Leader and a Bringer up of a half File Leader and of a Bringer up of a half File of a right hand File and of a left hand File The fore part of the Battalion is called the Head or the Front The hinder part is called the Rear The Explication of it The manner how to form a Battalion and the terms which are to be used 1. The first File of a Battalion is that which is on the right hand of the Battalion upon which all the rest are to order themselves 2. A File is so many Men directly behind one another all in a direct line so that no man leaneth neither to the right nor to the left 3. To keep a streight line every Souldier in his File shall look his file-File-leader on the right hand and on the left and shall bend his body of neither side 4. To even the Ranks is to post the Men of every Rank in a direct line side by side and all of a Front so that none be too much forward nor too backward 5. To even the Ranks the Men of each Rank shall look before and behind their right hand Man without leaving their post or as we shall shew hereafter they shall turn to the right or to the left afterwards they shall post themselves as it is order'd in the third Article 6. A Battalion is to be drawn up six deep when it is to fight But when you exercise more carefully you must put eight men to a File that you may have quarter Files 7 The depth of the Battalion is divided into quarter Files one is called the Front quarter File and the other the Rear quarter File or the out quarter File and the other the Center quarter File 8. When a Souldier turns it must always be upon the same foot which is commonly the left to observe the distances and when he changes place he must always begin to step with the right foot foremost 9. If a Souldier will march backward he must first turn to the right about 10. To the right is to turn a quarter turn towards the right hand and then to stand 11. To the left is to turn a quarter turn towards the left hand 12. To the right about is to turn half a turn to the right hand so that the man that was behind you may then be before 13. To the left about is to turn half a turn to the left hand and to stand as above 14. It is to observed that when the word of Command is given without further explication it is to be always understood to be forward 15. When the word of Command is to the Right or to the Right about it must be afterwards to the left as you were and if the word of Command is to the left or to the left about it must be afterwards to the right as you were and you must take care to keep your Ranks even and your Files streight 16. To double your Ranks to the right the second Rank must come up to the first the fourth to the third the sixth to the fifth and so in order come up upon the right hand of the Men that are before you and shall be as before only two Ranks shall make but one 17. To double your Ranks upon the left you must do as before the second Rank must come up to the first but instead of coming up upon the right you must come up upon the left 18. To double your Ranks upon the right by half Files the half Files must march forwards to the Front and pass between the Bringers-up of half files and every half file Leader must joyn upon the right 19. To double your Ranks upon the left by half Files you must march forward to the Front and follow as before taking the left hand of every half file Leader of them who are to follow 20. As you were is to take the same post you had before 21. Having doubled your Ranks single or by half Files upon the right you must quitting their Ranks turn to the right about and having taken your post to your first distance you must turn again to the right about and having doubled upon the left single or by half Files you must quiting your Ranks turn to the right about and having taken your distance turn to the left about and thus every man shall find himself behind him who did march before him 22. To double your Files to the right is when the second File of the right joyns to the first and of two makes but one and likewise the fourth to the third the sixth to the fifth and so of the rest by order as many Files as there is 23. To double your Files to the left is when the second File of the left joyns to the first the fourth to the third the sixth to the fifth in the same order as above 24. To open your Ranks is to make the distance of the Ranks wider 25. To close your Ranks is to make the distance of the Ranks less 26. The Ranks may be open three several ways to the Front to the Rear and to the Front and and Rear all at once and often at double distance 27. To open your Ranks to the Front at double distance is when all the Ranks do advance forward except the Bringers-up till they have taken a requisite distance which ought to be double of what it was before you opened your Ranks 28. To open your Ranks to the Rear at double distance is when all the Ranks
as you were You must do as above in the sixteenth Command only you must bring your foot and hand forward and shoulder your Pike 19. Charge to the right Charge as before in the seventeenth Command after you have carried your Pike back raise it with your right hand bring the but-end of it forward turning your body and right foot take hold of the but-end with your right hand and charge 20. Shoulder as you were Bring your Pike as before you charged that is you must bring the but-end of it raising it and bringing your right foot to the left as if you were to turn a quarter turn to the left stretching your arm and hand to receive the Pike afterwards turn to the left to lay it on your shoulder as it was before 21. Charge to the right about Bring your Pike as before in the Seventeenth Command but when your Pike is back you must turn to the left bringing the but-end of your Pike before you then taking it with your right hand charge 22. As you were You must do as above when you turned to the right about only you must return as you were by the left 23. Charge to the left You must do as above in the nineteenth Command but after you are fallen back with your Pike bring it over your head bringing your right foot as above as if you were to turn to the left 24. As you were To return as you were you must bring your Pike again over your head turning to the right the rest as above in the Seventeenth Command 25. Charge to the left about You must do as above in the Seventeenth and three and twentieth Command all the difference there is is only that in this Command you must turn half a turn instead of a quarter turn 26. As you were It is the same as above in the four and twentieth Command instead of a quarter turn you must turn half a turn 27. Comport To observe this word of Command from shoulder you must lay your left hand on your Pike which you hold upon your shoulder with your left hand then raising it draw back your foot a little of the same side carrying your Pike back then thrust it back with your left hand turning your Pike forward with your right hand so that it may fall under your arm the Spear formost then turn to the left 28. Charge to the Front To observe this word of Command you must advance your Pike your arm and right foot forward then lay your left hand on your Pike between your body and right hand and forsaking it with that hand take hold of the but-end of it carrying it back and your right foot your left arm cross your belly your Pike lying along upon the fork of your left hand as above in the ninth Command 29. As you were Advance the right foot forsaking the but-end of your Pike which you hold in your right hand carry it forward without moving the left hand then take hold of your Pike with your right hand and lay it under your arm your right foot even with the left 30. Charge to the right Advance your Pike your arm and right foot forward lay your hand on your Pike between the right side and the hand you hold it by then forsake it with your right to bring it to the but-end of it drawing back your right foot You must observe that your Pike being as if you were to charge to the Front as soon as you bring it to that posture to raise it carrying it forward your arms extended the right foot to your left instep but at the same time â—ou must turn to the right and charge 31. As you were To return as you were having charged to the right raise your Pike extend your arm turn to the left forsake the but-end of your Pike backward which you held in your right hand then advance your foot and right hand forward to take hold of your Pike to bring it back with your arm setting your foot as if you were to turn to the left so that you find your self with your Pike forward under your right arm one foot even with the other 32. Charge to the right about You must observe that this word of Command is the same as when you turn to the right only in stead of turning a quarter turn you must turn half a turn and the rest as a bove in the nine and twentieth Command 33. As you were You must do as above in the two and thirtieth Command only you must return as you were by the left 34. Charge to the left This word of Command is the same with the nine and twentieth but in stead of turning to the right you must turn to the left 35. As you were You must do as above as when you turn to the left only you must return as you were by the right 36. Charge to the left about This Command is the same as when you turn to the right about all the difference is that you must turn to the left about See above the nine and twentieth Command 37. As you were You must do as above when you turn to the left in the six and thirtieth Command only you must return as you-were by the right 38. Dart your Pike To perform this word of Command from Comport you must cast back your arm and Pike turning to the right turn your Pike passing your Fingers under so that your Pike may lie upon your hand to receive it between your Thumb and Fore finger the Spear formost you must bring it forward turning to the left 39. Charge to the Front To perform this word of Command you must advance your right foot forward bringing your right hand and Pike over your head take hold of your Pike with your left hand between the but-end and your right hand bringing it before you turning to the right taking the but-end of the Pike in the palm of your right hand to charge 40. As you were To return as you were you must bring your Pike forward again advancing your right foot and body at one motion then quit the but-end which you held in your right hand take hold again of your Pike above your left hand and bring it again over your head to bring your self in the same posture as you were when you charged to the Front 41. Charge to the right about You must observe that this word of Command differs much from the others because that in stead of turning two quarter turns you must turn three quarter turns to perform it well you must cast back your Pike stretch that arm you hold it with stepping with your right foot that way that you cast your Pike stretching your arm so that your Pike falls between your thumb and second finger then turn to the right bringing your Pike over your head turning your second Finger Thumb and the three other Fingers over your Pike afterwards extend your arm advancing your
Pike along your right arm the Spear also to the right you must still keep your eye upon the Spear of your Pike and lay your left hand between the but end of your Pike and your right hand raising your Pike and turning it let it fall upon the left hand taking hold with your right hand of the but end then charge 42. As you were To return as you were after you have turn'd to the right you must turn to the left about observing the following motions turn to the right raising your Pike with your left hand quitting the but-end which you hold with your right hand turn your Pike and lay it along your right arm you must lay it in your hand the second finger above the other bend your Wrist turn it inward your nail upward then turning to the left bring your Pike over your head extend your arm advancing the but end of your Pike towards your right foot so that you may bring at one motion forward your foot to the Pike turning to the left so that the Pike be upon your Shoulder the Spear forward between the Thumb and second Finger which we call the fork 43. Charge to the left Step forward with your right foot and the hand you hold your Pike with bringing it over your head your arm extended and your Pike forward lay your hand between the but-end and your right hand raise the Pike before you then lay your hand on the but-end and advance your right foot as you would turn to the right then charge to the left 44. As you were You must do as above when you turn to the left as in the forty third Command only you must return as you were by the right 45. Charge to the left about This Command is the same as when you turn to the left all the difference is that you must turn to the left about 46. As you were You must do as above when you turn to the left in the five and fortieth Command only you must return as you were by the right 47. Advance your Pike Bring your Pike over your head advancing your foot your right hand and your Pike forward bringing the left hand between the but-end of your Pike and your right hand then raise it bringing your right hand to the but-end and turning to the right then lay your Pike against your right Shoulder extend your arms and let your left hand fall carelesly along your thigh 48. Charge to the Horse Bring your left hand to your Pike even to your Shoulder then bring it forward advancing both your arms and your right foot quitting the but end of your Pike then bring your right-hand above the left sink your Pike bringing the but-end of it close to the lachet of your left shoo your right foot must be forward bending your body upon your right thigh and the Spear of your Pike to the height of the horse's poitrel 49. Draw your Swords Bring your right hand over your Pike and left arm with which you draw your Sword then bring it cross upon your Pike your arm extended 50. Return your Swords Draw back a little your foot and Pike bringing your Sword and right arm under it thon quit your Pike which you hold in the left hand laying it upon the right arm take the Scabbard with your left hand to return your Sword with more ease then take hold of your Pike with both hands at two foot distance 51. Advance your Pike Draw your right foot even with the other bring up your body streight raising your Pike with the right hand slipping it into the left quit the top of your Pike which you held in your right hand which hand you must bring to the but-end then lay it against your right shoulder your left arm along your thigh 52. Charge to the Front You must do as above in the ninth Command 53. March Step forward with your right foot and take heed you do not step more forward then the rest you must always cast your eyes to the right and left without bending your body of either side 54. Halt Stop all at once as if you were all link'd together 55. Push your Pikes To push your Pike well your must stretch your arm strongly not tossing the Spear but pushing it streight to the body of him you aim at you must bring the but-end near your left shoulder you must push and draw back as fast as you can that your strokes may be quick 56. Trail You must quit the but end of your Pike facing to the right about 57. March Step with your right foot forward and march till the word of Command Halt is given 58. As you were You must return as you were before facing to the left taking hold of the but-end of your Pike with your right hand 59. Advance your Pike Bring your right foot even with the other stretch your arms and bring your Pike forward then bring it to your right shoulder your left arm along your thigh CHAP. VI. The Exercise of the Foot WHen you have drawn up your Regiment in Battalia you must Command silence to be observed and your Soldiers to carry their arms well Then you Command the Battalion to open their Files Take heed to open your Files Let the right hand File stand To the left Open your Files at a pace distance March Halt To the reght CHAP. VII The Exercise of the Musket MVsketeers have a care of the Exercise Lay your right hand on your Musket Poise your Musket Rest your Musket Handle your Match Blow your Match Cock your Match Try your Match Guard your Pan with your two fore-fingers Blow your Match Open your Pan. Present At this word of Command the Pikes must charge Fire Recover your Arms. At this word of Command the Pikes must advance Handle your Match Return your Match Blow your Pan. Handle you Primer Prime Shut your Pan. Blow your Pan. Cast about to Charge Handle your Charger Open it with your Teeth Charge with Powder Draw forth your Scourer Hold up your Scourer Shorten it against your breast Put your Scourer in your Barrel Ram down Recover your Scourer Hold up your Scourer Shorten it against your breast Return your Scourer Lay your right hand to your Musket Poise your Musket Shoulder your Musket CHAP. VIII The Exercise of the Pike PIkes take heed Pikes to your outside order To the right to the right to the right to the right To the right about As you were To the left to the left to the left to the left To the left about As you were Advance your Pike Charge to the Front To the right to the right to the right to the right To the right about As you were To the left to the left to the left to the left To the left about As you were Advance your Pike Charge to the Front To the right to the right to the right to the right To the right about As you were To the