after they are reduced Command From your Advance Charge to the Front Right Left Reer Advance as you were Command Shoulder Port Comport Cheek Trail your Pike Shoulder as you were Note This is useful upon a March It is likewise useful in time of Fight provided the Pikes be upon a stand it doth not only preserve the Pikes but the Soldiers also Command From your Shoulder Charge to the Front Right Left Reer Shoulder as you were Command Port Comport Cheek Trail your Pikes Port as you were Note That Port is only fit for the Soldiers to enter a Gate or Sally-Port and likewise to ease the Reer in time of Battel when the Front are at Charge Command From your Comport Charge to the Front Right Left Reer Comport as you were Note That Comport is only necessary for a Soldier upon his March to ease himself up a Hill Command Cheek Trail your Pikes Cheek as you were The Pike Cheeked is the right Sentinel Posture which ought always to be made use of upon that occasion Command Trail your PIKES From your Trail Charge to the Front Right Left Reer Trail as you were Note That this Posture is only useful in a Trench to move for security of any Breach undiscovered likewise in the Marching through a Wood and upon Funeral occasions Command Order your Lay down your Pikes Here is to be observed by this method That all the Postures of the Pike are performed particularly not Commanding one Twice and no one be he never so Skilful ought to slight any of these Postures being that at one time or other he will have occasion to use them CHAP. IV. NOW that our Soldiers are well Trained and that they rightly understand the several Postures of the Pike before recited and are ready to march into the Field before their Enemies I shall contract the Postures and Charges of the Pike into a shorter way fit for the Service of the Field The Pikes lying on the ground the first word of Command will be Stand to your Handle your Arms. Command Raise up your PIKES To your Open Order Order Close Order Note As before I shall omit the Charges of Close Order to the Horse and with brevity proceed Command Order as you were Command Advance Port your Pikes Charge to the Front Command Shoulder your Pikes Charge to the Front Command Comport your Pikes Charge to the Left Command Cheek Trail your Pikes Charge to the Reer CHAP. V. HAving now done with the Pike in the next place it will be convenient to shew you the Postures of the Musket or Calliver together with the Rest which shall be shewed you at large as it was exercised and still is in the Military Gardens and after in as short a method as possible the way shall be shewed you how it is now exercised both with the Match and without the Match and Rest The Musket lying on the ground the first word of Command will be Col. Wil. Barriffe in his young Artillery-Man p. 2. Stand to your Arms. Take up your Put on your Bandaliers Take up your Place your Match Take up your Musket and Rest Rest your Musket Now if you please you may perform your Saluting Posture Poyse Shoulder your Musket Take your Rest into your right Hand and you are Armed ready to march Take your Match between the Fingers of your right Hand Put your Rest String about your left Wrist and carry your Rest in your left Hand Return your Match between the Fingers of your left Hand Vnshoulder and Poyse your Musket Joyn your Rest to the outside of your Musket Open Clear Prime Shut your Pan. Cast Blow off your loose Corns Bring about your Musket to the Sword side Trail your Rest and Balance your Musket in your left hand Charge with Powder Draw forth Shorten your Scouring-stick Charge with Bullet Put your Scouring-stick into your Musket Ram home your Charge Withdraw Shorten Return your Scouring-Stick Bring forward your Musket and Rest Poyse your Musket and recover your Rest Joyn your Rest to the outside of your Musket Draw forth your Match Blow your Coal Cock and Fit your Match Guard your Pan. Blow the Ashes from your Coal Open your Pan. Present upon your Rest Give Fire Breast high Dismount your Musket joyning your Rest to the outside of your Musket Vncock Return your Match Clear Shut your Pan. Poyse Shoulder your Musket Take your Match between the Fingers of your right Hand Take your Rest into your right hand clearing your String from your Wrist Return your Rest into your left hand the String loose Return your Match into your left hand Note This causes the Soldiers to be in a fit capacity for to March but if you are to lay down your Arms upon the Ground proceed Vnshoulder Poyse Rest your Musket Set the But-end of your Musket on the Ground Lay down your Musket and Rest Lay down your Match Take off Lay down your Bandaliers Face about to the left and march from your Arms. Face about to the right and stand to your Arms. This is principally used to make the Soldiers apt and ready to find their places if upon a sudden Alarm they be called Here endeth the Postures of the Musket together with the Rest beginning from the taking them up from the Ground and by an orderly proceeding to make ready and so to lay them down again CHAP. VI. NOW having shewed you the Postures of the Musket and Rest according to the formal way of Exercise of late used and still is in those learned Schools of Discipline the Military Grounds which I wish may flourish for ever with good able and loyal Soldiers that may be ready to do their King and Country Service let us see how we can handle the Musket without the Rest and likewise with and without the Match The Musket lying on the ground the words of Command will be as before Stand to your Handle your Arms. Now you are to take notice That in taking up the Bandaliers putting them on the taking up of the Match placing of it and the taking up of the Musket these or the like are not Postures but Motions to the first Posture Therefore I will leave out the words of Command tending to the Motions and proceed to the Postures themselves The Mukettier being shoulder'd Command Snaphance Matchlock Slope Let slip your Muskets Sloping and Slipping of the Musket is only Motion not Posture Vnshoulder and Poyse your Muskets Palm Rest your Muskets Secure your Cock Draw back your Hammer Clear Prime your Pan. Put down your Steel Hammer It is not needful to insert every Command but only add such as are now in use for the Matchlock The Match being placed in the left hand Open Clear Prime Shut your Pan with a full hand Cast Or Blow off your loose Corns Bring about your Musket to the Sword side Handle your Charger Open your Charger with your Teeth Charge with Powder Draw forth your Scourer Shorten your Scourer to
Half-File 4 3 Half File-Leader 5 6 Middlemen 6 2 Bringer up Number 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Place 2 6 7 3 4 8 5 2 Number 6 5 4 3 2 1 8 3 Place 2 6 3 4 5 2 4 4 Â Â Â Â Â 4 3 3 5 Â Â Â Â Â 3 4 7 6 Â Â Â Â Â 6 5 6 7 Â Â Â Â Â 2 6 2 8 A Rank 654321 A Rank dignified 263451 Now for as much as several Authors are of several opinions in this point so I will leave them to their own fancies and only set down the opinion of Captain Bingham in this point which is very clear Aelion's Tacticks lib. 1. the Notes of cap. 10. His Analogy is thus That if four Magnitudes be propounded in proportion that which ariseth of the first and fourth is equal to that of the second and third so that the first Tetrarch is allowed the first place of Dignity and is placed on the right hand Wing the second is placed on the outside Point of the left hand Wing the third next him in the left Wing on his right hand toward the middle Section the fourth in the right Wing on the left hand of the first toward the middle Section thus 2 3 4 1 5 5 Which cometh out of a Geometrical Proportion which Proportion giveth Law to the ordering of the rest of the Commands be they never so many and likewise for the Soldiers be they never so many the Rule is this Eucl. l. 7. pr. 19. Four Magnitudes which equally exceed the one the other being compared together that which ariseth of the first and the fourth is equal to that which ariseth of the second and third and if the Number produced of the first and fourth be equal to that produced of the second and third those four Numbers shall be in proportion CHAP. IX Reasons for precedence of Dignity in Ranks and Files BEING that perhaps some may stumble at this and say that it is superfluous and not necessary in Discipline I will endeavour to give some Reasons for the several places of Dignity in Rank and File It is the received opinion of the greatest Commanders that Geometrical Proportion gives both Life and Being to orderly Discipline if that be allowed then consider that all parts of the Body ought to be answerable for seeing that the joyning of Files and Ranks produce greater Bodies it is necessary that a true proportion should be kept throughout the whole Battel so that the left Wing may be equivalent in all respects of worth skill and valour to the Right the Reer to the Front and the Reer half Files to the Front half Files and that all parts of the Body be ballanc'd with true proportion so far as the knowledge of the Soldiers and number of Men will give you leave Otherwise it would be very unreasonable that all the chief Men should be on the right Flank and all the worst on the left who must oppose the right Flank of their Enemy and likewise the Front to have in it all the best Men and all the worst to be in the Reer who are principally to defend that part if that at any time the Enemy approach upon the Reer it would be certainly thought a very indiscreet thing of that Commander that should so order his Battel First therefore the File-Leader ought to be the worthiest because he not only Commands his File but makes the first onset against his Enemy Secondly The Bringer-up ought to be the second place in Honour because he is the last Man in the Field marching in the Reer which upon all occasion of danger he ought to defend Thirdly The Half File-Leader is the third place of Honour because he is the Leader of the Reer half Files upon several Motions as doubling the Front either intire or divisional or upon any other doubling to the Front Fourthly The last Man or Bringer up of the Front half Files is the fourth Man in Dignity for when the Reer half Files are commanded off he hath the Honour of defending the Reer Fifthly The next Man to the File-Leader hath the fifth place of Honour for one Doubling brings him to the Front Sixthly The next and last place of Honour is before the Bringer up for if the Body be faced about one Doubling brings him into the accidental Front or keeping his proper Front by once doubling he becomes Bringer up to the File-Leader So that it is plain by this Geometrical Proportion the whole Body is equivalent in skill and worth and as it were and indeed ought to be Seconds the one to the other so long as life endureth And then it may be said of them as Plutarch writeth of the holy Band of the Thebans Plutar. in Pelop. A. That it was never beaten until the Battel of Cheroea after which Battel Philip the Father of Alexander surveying the dead Bodies and coming to the place where these 300 lay all close mingled one with another and struck through with the Macedonian Pikes he wonder'd greatly but hearing that it was the Band of Lovers and belov'd wept and said Evilly may they perish that suspect any filthiness in deed or suffering to have been practised amongst such Men. So that you see that in all Ages care hath been taken to bestow Honour upon those Soldiers who have made it their employ to deserve it and on the other hand what indign Punishment hath been inflicted upon all those who either carelesly or wilfully neglect their Duty I might have inserted the several Punishments that have been inflicted upon the disobedient Soldier but being not material I shall wave it and proceed CHAP. X. Of the DRVM IT is requisite in the next place that care be taken that every Soldier be rightly instructed in all Military Signs and Directions for Experience hath sufficiently taught that the neglect and errour in the right understanding thereof hath not only brought great inconveniencies but the overthrow of great Enterprizes Therefore the Captain ought to be very circumspect that his Soldiers be well acquainted with all the signs of War which are only these three used viz. a Vocal a Semivocal and a Mute First A Vocal Sign is that when a Captain or some other Officer so immediately Commands that every Soldier shall hear him distinctly A Semivocal Sign is that which is distinguished by a Drum or other Warlike Instrument in which as to Foot-Service according to modern Discipline the Drum is the only Instrument that the Soldier is to take notice of and ought well to understand these several Beats or Points of War viz. 1. A Call 2. A Troop 3. A March 4. A Preparative 5. A Battalia 6. A Retreat Besides these there are two other Beats of the Drum viz. 7. A Tato 8. A Revally The Tato as some call it but rather Tapto that is to shut or make fast your Doors for when this is beaten all persons ought to
and after close March Note Every even Rank from the Front face outward and double the odd March Next follows to shew some Divisional Doublings by the same C. Double your Ranks to the right and left by Division March R. The outmost Files upon each Flank that moved face inward and strengthen the Body March C. Double your Ranks to the right and left by Division every Man placing himself on the outside of his right and left hand Man March R. The outmost Files upon each Flank that moved double the inmost Files to the right and left inward every Man placing himself on the inside of his right and left hand Men. March C. Half Files double your Front by Division March Half Files face outwards and march clear of the Body face to your Leader move up and double the Front R. The outmost Files upon each Flank that moved double entire the depth of the inmost Files March Entire Doublings to the Front by Wheelings C. Wheel off your Reer half Files and double your Front to the right entire March Half Files face about and wheel to the left R. Wheel off your Right half Ranks and double your left Flank entire to the left C. Wheel off your Reer half Files and double your Front to the left entire Face outward and Left half Ranks wheel about to the left R. Wheel off your Left half Ranks and double your right Flank to the right entire C. Wheel your Reer half Files inward into the midst and double your Front inward entire March R. The inmost Files that doubled wheel about to the right and left outward and double entire the depth of the outmost Files after face to your Leader and close Files to the midst to order Divisional Doubling to the Front by Wheeling C. Wheel off your Reer half Files and double your Front by Division March R. The outmost Files upon each Flank that doubled wheel about to the right and left inward and double entire the depth of the inmost Files face to your Leader March CHAP. XV. Of Conversion and Inversion with some few words of Command and Reducements THE difference betwixt Inversion and Conversion is this Inversion doth always produce File or Files and Conversion Rank or Ranks Inversion consists of Files filing or of Ranks filing Conversion of Ranks ranking to the right or to the left or by increase of Files ranking by even or uneven parts Note That what is commanded to the Right the same may be performed to the Left The words of Command for Inversion are as followeth C. Files file to the right R. Files file six to the left C. Files file to the right and left by Division R. Files file six to the right and left C. Files file to the right entire advancing R. File six to the right towards the Front C. Files file inward into the right Flank The right hand File stands the rest move away placing themselves in a direct File before the Front R. Front half Files file three to the left Reer half Files face about and file three to the right face to your Leader and close your Divisions C. Files file to the right by Division R. Front half Files file three to the right and Reer half Files face about and file three to the left face to your Leader and close your Divisions C. Files file inward into the right and left Flank by Division R. Half Files face about to the right Front and Reer half Files file three to the right and left inwards face to your Leader and close your Divisions For filing inward the half Files are to face about and so the left hand File of the Reer and right of the Front are to move away 'till they become one File Filing by Division is the same only the right hand File stands the rest move away Filing inward into the right Flank by Division half Files are to face about then the File-Leaders and Bringers up of the right and left are to lead and so successively fall into the Reer of each other Of Ranks filing Ranks filing is sooner performed and reduced than Files filing and will be more ready to make resistance against any opposition in the Front C. Ranks file to the right or to the left placing your selves behind your right hand Men. Direction If they be upon a stand they may open to their distance each Ranke and so place themselves behind their right hand Men. If upon a March as to pass some narrow Defile the readiest way to perform it and draw up in order again as soon as past is to make the Ranks file if to the right the right hand Man files first and the rest of his Rank follow him 'till the Defile be past For larger Defiles the Commander draws off as he judges the way will easily receive R. Files rank as you were C. Ranks file to the right and left by Division Tacticks of Aelian c. 30. p. 6. Direction It is the same with the last differing only in this the half Ranks to the left fall behind their left hand Men to the left the half Ranks to the right behind their several right hand Men. R. Files rank to the right and left inward as you were The words of Command for Conversion are as followeth C. Files rank three to the right Direction In this Motion the File-Leader is first to move to the Hand commanded and the half File-Leader is to advance the same way R. Ranks file as you were C. Files rank six to the left March Direction In this Motion close Ranks forward to order and open Files to double Distance then let every Man in his File move up to the left of his File-Leader so every File will become one Rank This if the Company be small will make it seem more large Battalion like C. Ranks rank outward into the Front Direction The first Rank stand the rest face outward placing your selves successively into the Front after face to your Leader R. Ranks rank twelve to the right and left inward as you were C. Ranks rank inward into the Front The twelve middlemost men stand which is the first Rank the rest move successively after the first Rank Direction The first Rank is to move away to the right and left the next Rank moving up into his ground doing the like and so all the rest until the last Rank be come up entire into the Front R. Ranks rank six to the right and left outward Direction The first six upon the right and the first six upon the left stand the rest move outward falling in the Reer of the first Rank ranking six to the right and left and after closing their Divisions C. Files rank to the right into the Front Direction Open to the left to your double Distance and Ranks close forward to close Order and move up to the right into the Front R. Ranks file six to the left Direction To perform which the first six upon the left
are to fall into a File the rest doing the like until they are all converted into Files C. Ranks rank outward into the Front every Man placing himself on the outside of his right and left hand Man This Ranking is by Countermarch Direction The first Rank stand the rest move forth to the right and left successively and advance into the Front every Man placing himself on the outside of his right and left hand Man R. Ranks rank twelve to the right and left inward every Man placing himself on the inside of his right and left hand Man Note The twelve middle men are to stand the rest to move six to the right hand and six to the left inward C. Ranks rank inward into the Front every Man placing himself on the inside of his right and left hand Man Direction Right and left half Ranks open from the midst to twice double Distance the first Rank of each Division is to stand the rest are to move to the right and left inward into the Front R. Ranks rank six to the right and left outward every Man placing himself on the outside of his right and left hand Man and after to close their Divisions C. Files rank to the right by wheeling into the Front Direction Files open to the left to your double Distance Ranks close forward to your close Order face to the right and wheel 'till all the whole Body be brought into one entire Rank R. Ranks file as you were C. Files rank into the Front and Reer by Division Direction Files open to the left to your open Order Ranks close forward to your close Order half Files face about to the right and left then move all in Front and Reer and make two entire Ranks R. Front half Files face about to the left Reer half Files face about to the right then wheel half Files into the midst as they were then face them to their Leader and close their Files at discretion Observe that those in motion are to face to the right Flank C. Ranks rank two to the right This may be observ'd with any even number Direction The two first in Rank advance forwards to the right the next two in the Reer of them until the first Rank have performed the Command all the rest of the Ranks is to perform the like R. Ranks rank as you were C. Ranks rank two to the right and left outward Direction The two outmost Men upon the right and left hand advance forwards the next in the same Rank are to follow dividing themselves two to the right hand and two to the left 'till the Motion be finished R. Ranks as you were Or Rank twelve to the right and left inward C. Ranks rank two to the right and left inward Direction The two inmost Men of the right and left hand in the midst of the Battel advance forwards the next in the same Rank are to follow two from the right hand and two from the left until all have performed the Command C. Ranks rank 1 3 5 7 9 c. by increase and decrease as they stand in a Body Direction The right hand Man of the first Rank march forth then the three next of the same Rank follow him then five more out of the same Rank to make the third and what is wanting in the first Rank of the Body to make good the fourth in Figure must be taken out of the second in Body and so to proceed in the remainder both for its increase and decrease until your Command be produced R. Right hand Men Rank as you were C. Ranks rank to each Flank by wheeling to the right and left into the same by Division Observe they are to be at double Distance in Rank and at Order in File Direction Face them to the Reer and then let them wheel into their places R. Ranks rank as you were face to your Leader But if you would avoid mixture of Arms you may place all your Muskettiers either in Front and Reer or else wheel only the Muskettiers first and leave the Pikes standing Otherwise it may be performed in marching and then the Reducement as before Rank as you were C. Ranks of your Front and Reer half Files wheel outwards to your right and left Flank by Division Note They are to observe the same distance as in the former Command Direction Half Files face about Ranks open to your double Distance then Front and Reer half Files wheel to the right and left outwards into both Flanks R. Front and Reer half Files face to the right and left inwards and Rank as you were and close Ranks forward to order C. Files rank three first then by increase to the Right two in each Division of Muskettiers and Pikes These are termed half Rhombs or Wedges R. Ranks file as you were C. Files rank first two and by increase two from the whole Body You may make a Wedge of all together R. Ranks file as you were Note You may alter the mixture of Arms at pleasure C. Files rank first two and by increase and decrease two in each Rank divisionally both of Muskets and Pikes Tacticks of Aelian pag. 108. R. Ranks file as you were CHAP. XVI Of Countermarches with their several sorts and kinds THE next branch of Discipline which offers it self are Countermarches which we read in the Tacticks of Aelian Tacticks of Aelian cap. 28. were of use amongst the Grecians and Persians only these three kinds to wit 1. The Chorean maintaining ground 2. The Lacedemonian losing ground 3. The Macedonian gaining ground The distance for Countermarch is open Order in Rank and File Note When there is a Countermarch commanded without any other addition then it is always intended a Chorean Countermarch The Chorean C. Files to the right hand Countermarch Direction The word of Command being given all the File-Leaders step forwards with their right Legs and face about to the right every File-Leader with his File following him towards the Reer passing through the interval on his right hand observing to keep even in Rank with his right hand Man and not to turn until he come to the ground where at first his File-Leader began the Motion The Command is performed when the Bringers up have attained unto the place where before their File-Leaders stood R. Files to the left hand Countermarch C. Ranks to the right hand Countermarch Direction Face them to the right then the right hand File is to turn off to the right and to march even to the Ground of the left hand File R. Ranks to the left hand Countermarch Note That any entire Countermarch of Files and Ranks will be reduced by making another entire Countermarch to what hand soever but if you desire to have them not only reduced to the same Aspect but also precisely to the same place then if the Countermarch be to the right Countermarch again to the right so to the left
C. Countermarch Front and Reer into the midst Direction Half Files face about and turn off to the left Front half Files turn off to the right and face to your Leader R. Countermarch your Front and Reer into the midst again will reduce the last Command or else by any other Divisional Countermarch of Files C. Front and Reer half Files Countermarch to the right Direction Front half Files Countermarch to the right following your File-Leaders Reer half Files Countermarch to the right following your Half File-Leaders R. Countermarch Front and Reer into the midst then face to the first Front and they are reduced C. Countermarch your Flanks into the midst Direction Face to the right and left outwards the right Flank turn off to the right the left Flank turn off to the left March and close your Divisions R. Countermarch your Flank into the midst again and they are reduced C. Right and left half Ranks interchange your Ground Direction Face to the right and left inward March and interchange your Ground face to your Leader R. Interchanging of Ground back again will reduce them or Divisionally to Countermarch their Flanks into the midst of the Battel The Lacedemonian Countermarch losing Ground C. Files to the right hand Countermarch placing your selves before your Bringers up to your Leader Direction Bringers up face about to the right the rest Countermarch to the right every Man turning on the Ground he stands following their Leaders placing themselves before their Bringers up R. Bringers up stand the rest pass through to the right and place your selves before your Bringers up C. Files to the right hand Countermarch every Man turning on the Ground he stands Direction The File-Leaders of each File are to step sideways to the right and so march even in Rank together every Man following his Leader and turning on the Ground he stands R. Files to the left hand Countermarch every Ma turning on the Ground he stands C. Bringers up face about to the right the rest pass through to the right and place your selves before your Bringers up Direction Face all to the right about Bringers up stand the rest of the Body pass through the right and place your selves before your Bringers up Note This Motion is begun by the Rank next the Bringers up and so continued successively by the rest 'till the Command be ended R. This Countermarch may be reduced by doing the same to the contrary hand or if you please C. Bringers up stand the rest pass through to the right and place your selves behind your Bringers up Note This Command is performed by the Rank next the Reer until the File-Leaders become the Bringers up then face them to the proper Front and they are reduced Direction The last Rank or Bringers up are to stand the rest of the Body to face to the Reer and pass through to the right placing themselves behind their Bringers up then face them all about after their proper File-Leaders and they are reduced as at first C. Ranks to the right hand Countermarch every Man turning after his right hand Man on the Ground he stands Direction Face all to the right which being performed the right hand File together with all the rest becomes Ranks and so begin the Countermarch every Rank turning after his right hand Man on the Ground he stands and so marcheth forth-right beyond that which was the left Flank R. Right hand File face to the right the rest pass through to the right and place your selves before your right hand Men. The Macedonian Countermarches gaining Ground C. File-Leaders face about to the right the rest pass through to the right and place your selves behind your Leaders Note This Motion beginneth with that Rank next the File-Leaders Direction File-Leaders face about to the right the rest pass through the intervals to the right and place themselves behind their Leaders every Rank successively passing through and taking their places R. File-Leaders face to the Reer the rest pass through the left following your Bringors up placing your selves behind your Leaders Note This Countermarch may be reduced as the rest by doing the same to the contrary hand or by an entire Countermarch of Files Direction File-Leaders face to the Reer then the Bringers up begin the Countermarch passing forward between the intervals turning on the Ground they stand the 5 following the 6 and so likewise the rest until the Countermarch is ended then face them to their first Front and they are reduced as at first R. For Reducement observe this for all That any entire Countermarch of File or Rank may be reduced by another entire Countermarch by File or Rank of what kind or to what hand soever This may suffice to be spoken of all the several sorts and kinds of Countermarches they being the least useful of any part of the Art Military and of late not so much as practised upon Service either abroad or at home very little in any of our Annual Exercises Therefore in the next place I come briefly to treat of Wheelings being a Subject more profitable for the intelligible Soldier CHAP. XVII Of Wheelings with their several Uses BEfore you begin to wheel close both Ranks and Files to their Order Two things are to be observed in all Wheelings by the Soldier 1. That they keep their due Distance which is in all Wheelings three Foot both in Rank and File 2. That upon all Wheelings you must be sure to observe your Leader and follow him keeping your due Distance your Muskettiers being all either shoulder'd or palmed which is the Sentinel Posture your Pikes to be either shoulder'd or advanced conformable to the Muskettier for if he be palmed the Pike may be advanced and then he is ready either for Port or Charge Entire Wheelings C. Wheel your Battel to the Right Left Right about Left about Direction The right or left hand Men in the Front are the Hinges of these Motions who with a small Motion move to the right or left the rest the more their places are remote from the right or left Angle the more swift must every Man's Motion be to bring their Aspects unto the place commanded following their Leaders and keeping their due Distance R. For Reducement if you wheel your Battel to the right wheel it again to the left and they are reduced but not to the same Ground if to the right about wheel to the left about but if you would reduce them as well to the first Ground as their first Aspect face them to the right and then wheel them to the left about which being done face them to the left and they are perfectly reduced as at first But the nearest Reducement of Aspect and Place is If you wheel to the right about then wheel to the right about again if to the left about then to the left about in like manner C. Wheel your Battel on the same Ground to the Right Left Right about Left about Direction Left
falling off to the left into the Reer the rest successively doing the like until they have fired all over which being done you may face them to the right and left outward then facing them to the Front proper you may cause them to march up and even the Front of Pikes Next you may Fire by Ranks ranking into the Front or Files ranking into the Front and filing or ranking as they were After you have fired them by Ranks you may do the same by Files wheeling outward or inward into the Front and filing again as they were Then you may fire by the outmost Files wheeling or ranking outward into the Front falling off likewise being lead off by Bringers up leading up next the Pikes this done twice reduceth The proper Firings to lose ground are these following Firings to lose ground The Muskettiers being supposed to be all in the front command the first Rank to make ready Present give Fire falling off to the right and left by Division each part falling Fileways down close by their Flanks of Muskettiers until the Leaders of the Ranks of Muskettiers have ranked even with the first Rank of Pikes observing always to leave an interval between the innermost Files of Shot and the outermost Files of Pikes So soon as the first Rank hath given Fire and wheeled away the second Rank is to do the like passing down between the intervals on the Flanks placing themselves after their Leaders The same is every Rank successively to do until they have all fired over and flanked their Pikes The Muskettiers being now all upon the Flanks command the first Rank to make ready Present and give Fire after they have fired command the first Rank both Muskets and Pikes to Countermarch to the right every Man turning on the ground he stands the second Rank is to give Fire as they stand observing to turn after their Leaders to the right hand on the ground they stand placing themselves behind their Bringers up following their Leaders If you please you may Fire even with the half Files and fall in the Reer of themselves Thus much briefly of Firings to the Front Firings to the Reer The Reer challengeth the next place where suppose all the Muskettiers to be in the Reer of the Pikes the Body marching Fire 1. To the right or left about which is thus performed If the Enemy appear in the Reer let the last Rank of Muskettiers face about and give Fire wheeling off by Division Fileways falling in the Front of their own Divisions When the first Rank are giving of Fire the next Rank are to be in readiness observing always that so soon as the first Rank hath fired they immediately blow and open their Pans stepping forward with their right Feet a little inclining to that hand to which you are to face about advancing your left Feet and to the Reer Present giving your Body a nimble turn and so give Fire to the rest successively doing the same at three Motions Note That in this Firing the Reer must be kept full leaving a vacancy of one Rank in the Front for the Rank that fired to place it self still keeping along with the Body the Muskettiers observing always to advance their right Legs and blow advancing with the left open their Pans then turning upon the Ball of their left Foot to the right about cast their right Leg backward and Fire This is the nimblest way for this Firing 2. Fire and fall off to the right and left and rank with the first Rank of Pikes into the Front 3. Fire even with the Reer and fall off before the Front of your own Divisions 4. Fire even in the Reer or last Rank falling off to the right and left with a swift Motion placing your selves 10 or 20 paces before the Front of Pikes still facing to the Body and making ready again whilst the Pikes make good the Retreat observing always to open to the right and left to give room for the Pikes then suddenly closing again you may 5. Fire losing ground falling off to the right and left about just before the Front of Pikes still facing to the Body as before and making ready as before the Pikes still continuing the Charge 6. Fire by Introduction to the Reer until they come down even with the Reer and stand making ready again 7. Fire by commanding the first Rank to Present and give Fire both Muskettiers and Pikes turning on the ground they stand by way of Countermarch sleave down the intervals placing themselves before the Front of their own Divisions the rest keeping their own ground and after having given Fire successively turn down after their Leaders on the ground they stand on Lastly If you are pursued eagerly so that you cannot make a safe Retreat by marching face all about and Fire by way of Extraduction If you be hard pressed upon by the Enemies Horse command the Muskettiers to double their Pikes and Fire falling off to the right and left placing themselves in the Reer of their own Divisions And thus much for Firings in the Reer In the next place it will be convenient to shew some Firings to the Flanks whereby the ingenious Commander may defend that part if attakced by an Enemy either upon a March or other ways Firings to the Flanks upon a March. 1. Fire to the right File-Leaders leading up their Files next to the Pikes 2. Fire to the right Bringers up Leading away next the Pikes and their own Division which being twice done reduceth them 3. Fire to the right leading up on the contrary Flank either by the File-Leaders or Bringers up 4. Fire by facing to the right and doubling the Pikes to the right and so fall off to the right and left by Division as before the rest still moving up and evening the Front of Pikes 5. Fire by Extraduction to the right or by half Ranks drawn forth and falling Rank after Rank in the Reer of the Pikes After to reduce them cause them to double their Front by Division so they will be as at first These Firings may be performed as well to both Flanks as to one the Body being faced accordingly likewise to Front and Reer at the same time or to Front Reer and both Flanks as shall be shewed in their proper places But these already may be sufficient to explain the ordinary way of Firings which any ingenious Capacity may augment or alter according as time and place will give leave And so much for plain Firings to the Front Reer and both Flanks and likewise for the second day's Exercise CHAP. XX. The third Days Exercise HAving the third time brought your Soldiers into the Field as formerly it will be very necessary in the first place that they be taught the Postures of each Arms either by the File-Leaders or some other of the Officers which must be careful to see the same decently and neatly performed and in a comely manner which is not
only the Ground-work of all Exercise but it is a means whereby many are brought in to be true Lovers of Military Exercise as being well pleased with the sight thereof which being performed every File-Leader ought to lead up his File and to joyn into a Body upon expectation of farther Command from his Captain who being at the Head of the Company commands Silence the Officers being all at their several Posts he may proceed to instruct them in their several Distances and Facings which being performed the next thing requisite will be to gratifie the deserving Soldier who earnestly desires to understand his place of Dignity and Honour To perform which the Captain Commands as followeth CHAP. XXI A Doubling to make every Man a File-Leader by Dignity C. HAlf Files double your Front to the left Files double to the right entire advancing every Man placing himself before his Leader This Doubling causes the Bringers up to become the File-Leaders being second Man in Dignity C. Front half Files double your Reer to the left Double your Files to the left entire advancing every Man placing himself before his Leader This Doubling makes the half File-Leaders of the Reer half Files to become the File-Leaders being the third Man in Dignity C. Bringers up double your Front to the right Files double your Depth to the right every Man falling behind his Bringer up This Doubling causes the Bringers up of the Front half Files to become the File-Leaders being the fourth in Dignity C. Half Files double your Front to the right Files double to the left entire advancing Files to the right double Files to the right double This Doubling causes the second Rank to become the File-Leaders being the fifth in Dignity C. Bringers up double your Front to the left Files double your Depth to the left every Man falling behind his Bringer up This Doubling causes the Rank next before the Bringers up to become the File-Leaders and are the sixth and last in Dignity R. Ranks to the left double Files to the left double And they are reduced The Soldiers being satisfied now they know each his place of Dignity the Captain may proceed to shew these Doublings or such other as the time will permit and he shall think convenient CHAP. XXII Eighteen several Doublings with their Reducements C. HAlf Files double your Front to the left C. Double your Files to the right entire advancing C. Front half Files double your Reer to the right entire C. Left half Ranks double your right Flank to the left Direction Face all to the right and left half Ranks move forward and double your right Flank to the left To your Leader C. Double your Ranks to the left entire C. Right half Ranks double your left Flank entire advancing C. Left half Ranks double your right Flank inward entire Direction Half Files of the right half Ranks face about right half Ranks move clear of the standing part face all to the right Left half Ranks move forward into the right Flank to your Leader C. The three first and the three last Ranks double the six middlemost entire to the left Flank Direction The three first and the three last face to the left march clear of the standing part face inward move and close your Divisions to your Leader C. Right half Ranks double your left Flank to the right Direction Face all to the left and right half Ranks move forwards and double your left Flank to the right to your Leader C. Double your Ranks to the right entire C. Right half Ranks double your left Flank inward entire C. The three first and the three last Ranks double the six middlemost Ranks entire to the right Flank C. Left half Ranks double your right Flank entire advancing C. Front half Files double your Reer to the left entire C. Half Files double your Front to the right C. Double your Files to the left entire advancing every Man placing himself before his Leader C. Front half Files double your Reer to the right following your Leaders Direction Half Files face about File-Leaders turn off to the left and move down upon the right of the Reer the rest following successively to your Leader C. Files double your Depth to the left entire and they are reduced being faced to their Leader CHAP. XXIII Twelve several Countermarches with their Reducements C. FIles to the right hand Countermarch losing ground C. Ranks to the right hand Countermarch losing ground Direction Face all to the right C. Front and Reer half Files interchange ground Direction Front half Files face about to the left C. Right and Left half Ranks interchange ground Direction Face inward C. File-Leaders face about the rest pass through to the right and place your selves behind your Leaders face to the Front C. Countermarch your Front and Reer into the midst C. Countermarch your Flanks into the midst face outward C. File-Leaders and Half File-Leaders stand the rest pass through to the right and place your selves before your Leaders and Half File-Leaders Direction The second Rank from the Front and from the Half File-Leaders are to begin the Motion C. The outmost File upon the right and the second File from the left stand the rest pass through to the right and place your selves on the outside of your right hand Men. C. Files to the left hand Countermarch losing ground C. Front and Reer half Files Countermarch to the right Direction Front and Reer half Files turn off distinctly by your selves on the ground you stand face to your Leader C. Right and Left half Ranks Countermarch to the right Direction Face to the right and right and left half Ranks turn off distinctly to the right face to your Leader and they are reduced CHAP. XXIV Twelve several Wheelings with their Reducements C. VVHeel your Reer half Files inward into the midst and double the Front inward entire Direction Right and Left half Ranks open from the midst to double Distance Reer half Files face about and wheel your Reer inward into the midst moving forward doubling the Front inward entire C. Wheel off your Right half Ranks and double your left Flank to the left entire Direction Face outward Right half Ranks wheel about to the right and double your left Flank to the left to your Leader C. Right and Left half Ranks double the length of your Battel by wheeling outward into the Front Direction Face outward and Right half Ranks wheel to the left and Left half Ranks wheel to the right and after close Files into the midst to order C. Wheel off your Right half Ranks and double your left Flank by Division Direction Face outward Right half Ranks wheel about to the right and left outward moving forward and doubling the left Flank to the right and left outward C. Wheel your Left half Ranks inward into the right Flank Direction Face outward and open from the midst to double Distance the Front and Reer half Files and after the Left half Ranks
Division of Pikes placing themselves before the Pikes then stand present and give fire the next moving up as before which will reduce them Note That this last Firing must be performed with the last Rank first and so the next to the last so that the first Rank must be last in this Firing Command The first Rank of Muskettiers both in Front Reer and both Flanks face to the right and move two paces The next Rank of Muskettiers of each Division face to the left and move likewise two paces then wheel to the right and left outwards Oblique before each Division of Pikes as in the following Figure For firing upon this Figure the Muskettiers being faced all outwards are to stand and present and fire all together in one Volley or if you would have the Muskettiers give fire one after another then the Vollies by succession which is commonly called The Peal will be best beginning at the right hand of the Front and so taking it round from one another 'till they have fired over the rest in the interim making ready again Reducement 1. Cause all the Ranks of Muskettiers to face to the right and left inward and take their places the left hand Ranks being the first beginners of the Motion 2. Command the Front and Reer Divisions to wheel Front and Reer inwards into both Flanks and face to their Leader 3. Divisions on the right and left Flank face inwards and close your Divisions after cause Ranks to double to the right and left outward Files closing inwards to order and and Ranks closing forward to order and they will be reduced as at first Command Half Files of Pikes face to the Reer and march until you are clear of the last Rank of Muskettiers Half Files of Muskettiers face outwards and wheel your Reer to the right and left by Division and march between the Division of Pikes Left half Ranks of the first Division of Muskettiers face to the Reer and march between the Reer Divisions of Pikes then even your Ranks and streighten your Files and close your Divisions to an equal distance and face all to the right about they will stand as in the Figure Note That all the Muskettiers must be in the midst and the Pikes on the Flanks when you begin to make this Figure if your Muskets be on the Flanks when you make it then the Cross will be Pikes and the Angles Muskets and your Command must be contrary as now you Command Half Files of Pikes in this you must Command Half Files of Muskettiers to face to the Reer as aforesaid The manner of Firing upon the aforesaid Figure may easily be apprehended every Division is to fire by Ranks wheeling all off to the right placing themselves in the Reer of their own Division For the second Firing if your Reer be secure you may reserve the Front half Files entire and so fire either to Front alone or to Front and both Flanks or to each at pleasure For a third Firing if your Muskettiers be in the Angles which will be very advantagious you may then give fire which way soever the Enemy approaches each Division being ready to assist the other Command Reducement of the Plinthium into the Solid Square flanked with Pikes Reer Division of Muskettiers face about march up on the left of your own Division of Muskettiers in Front the Pikes being first opened to give them place Divisions of Muskettiers upon each Flank face inwards and close your Divisions by wheeling into the midst face to your Leader Reer Divisions of Pikes face about march up and place your selves right after your Leaders Reer Division or Reer half Files of Muskettiers face to the Reer Muskettiers march all 'till clear of your Pikes then face to your Leader and close your Divisions which produceth this Figure For the first Firing let them fire to the Front every Rank of the Front Division after they have fired to fall off to the right and left into the Reer of the Reer Division of Muskettiers the rest advancing into their Leaders ground and so firing and falling off as before the Reer Division at the same time moving up into the Front and fire falling off into their places For the second Firing if your Reer be secure Command the Reer Division of Muskettiers to open to the right and left and sleeve upon the outside of the Pikes into the Front then presenting and firing at the same instant with those Muskettiers of the Front Division each part wheeling off and placing themselves in the Reer of their own Divisions the rest moving forwards into their Leaders ground or the two outmost Divisions may fall off to the right and left into the Reer You may likewise fire to both Front and Reer at discretion or to both Flanks as the discreet Commander shall think fit But the firing to both Flanks at this present time shall be a Reducement by commanding the Muskettiers both in Front and Reer to face outwards Pikes face inwards march and close your Divisions which being performed they will be reduced to their proper Square flanked with Muskettiers as at first Command Half Ranks of the left double your right Flank Front Proper Front of the Reer Front of the right Flank Front of the left Flank You may fire upon this Figure to Front and Reer by commanding the two last Ranks of the Division of Muskettiers upon the right Flank to wheel to the right and left into Front and Reer For a second Firing let them fire as now they stand either to the right or left Flank or to both at once as occasion shall serve falling of in the Reer of their own Divisions Reducement Command Half Ranks that doubled to face to the left march and take your places to your Leader Command Half Files of Muskettiers face to the Reer Muskettiers march to the Angles of your Pikes The two first and two last Ranks of Pikes stand and double Files to the right The rest face to the right and left and march 'till clear of the other Pikes Note If you Command the two last Ranks of the Front and Reer Division of Pikes to wheel to the right the other to the left the Cross will be equal in Pikes Reducement After the two last Ranks have wheeled into their places and the Front and Reer Divisions have doubled to the left they will stand as in the following Figure Note These two foregoing Figures are both as one only the two first and two last Ranks are not doubled to the right according to the word of Command For Firing upon these two foregoing Figures you may produce several with some little alteration either to Front or Reer alone or to either Flank or to both Front and Reer at the same time by commanding the one half both of Muskets and Pikes to face to the right about and so give fire these of the right Flank to wheel off to the right the left Flank to the left