and left inward double Files to the right and left as you were 11 Halfe Files to the right hand double the Front Halfe Files to the left hand as you were 12 Halfe Files to the left hand double the Front Halfe Files to the right hand as you were Gentlemen take notice of this Rule Always observe your right hand man And your leader 13 Bringers up to the right hand double the Front Bringers up to the right hand as you were 14 Bringers up to the left hand double the Front Bringers up to the right hand as you were Silence and even your Ranks 15 Files to the right hand countermarch Files to the left hand as you were 16 Files to the left hand countermarch Files to the right hand as you were Silence and straighten your Files Gentlemen always in your countermarches observe this rule to come up to your Leaders ground before you wheele Silence and observe the word of command 17 Files close to the right and left to your close order 18 Ranks close forwards to your close order 19 Half Files to the right and left double the Front by division Half Files to the right and left as you were 20 Half Files to the left hand double the Front entire Half Files to the right hand as you were Silence 21 Close your Files with your right knee fast lockt Under your right hand mans left hamme Silence 22 To the right hand wheele close your Files to the Right hand men move easily and let Your left hand men come about To the left hand wheele close your Files to the right 23 Left hand men move easily and let your Right hand men come about Troop on and close your Files 24 Ranks File Rank as you were March eâ—sily Troop on Stand Now when the Troop lieth in Garrison or continueth long in any Town it should be their constant course if neither they nor their horses be overburthened with going forth upon parties to exercise twice a weeke at the least I shall therefore now according to my promise give you a plain demonstration by Figures with the reasons of each motion of the manner of exercising the Horse as for the common marching of a Troop through a Town or high way or straight passage or the like the first Figure sheweth how the second Figure sheweth the manner of their marching when they come into an open Field or Common or the like convenient place when the Troop is commanded forth to exercise marching into the field after that manner as is demonstrated by the two former Figures when they come into the field the Officers are to march forth from between the Divisions then they are to close the Divisions and stand at their open order of six foot distance as is represented by the third Figure It is proper in all commands to begin with the right first which is presented by this fourth Figure the first command in Facings is to the right hand face which serveth to receive the Charge of the Enemy comming on one the right Flank the Command to Reducâ— them is to the left hand as you were Fig. 1. Fig. 2. If any shall seem to remain unsatisfied in the placing of my Officers as it seemeth some already have I shall presume to render them these reasons for it submitting my selfe unto the judgement of the learned 1 Each Officer in these figures assumeth no other then their proper places of honour or dignity peculiar unto each of them 2 Each Corporall is therefore appointed to march on the right of his perticular Squadron that they might with the more facility sometimes suffering the Troop to advance discerne any disorder or disproportion of the troops marching and thereby the easâ—ier cause them to march in good order 3 It hath been the most ancient and moderne custom of the Netherlands thus to place the Quartermaster as in this figure during the time of his residing with the Troop and then in his absence the youngest Corporall assumeth the place as substitute Fig 3 Fig 4. Fig. 5. The next command is to the left hand face which is here presented by this fift Figure and differeth nothing from the 4 Figure but by the hand being usefull as the former to reduce them the command is to the right hand as you were Fig. 6. Now if the enemie come on the Reere somâ—â—thing inclining to the Right you are to coâ—â—mand to the right hand about face or if the â—â—nemie come on the Reere something incliniâ—â— to the left you are to command to the left 〈◊〉 about face which is both demonstrated by the sixth figure to reduce them you are to command to the right or left as you were Alwayâ— note this that when they performe any motioâ— to the right you must reduce them by the lefâ— or to the left you must reduce them by the right reducing them alwayes by the contrarie hand they perforâ—med that motion by Fig. 7. Rank to the right hand double to performe this Motion every â—n Rank passeth into the odde upon the right hand of his Leader the second Rank into the first and so all the rest successively as â—his seventh Figure is plainly demonstrated to reduce them the per word of Command is Ranks to the left hand as you were 〈◊〉 may be done the best way for the Horse by causing those 〈◊〉 that doubled to stand and those that stood to advance to the â—â—per place and distance this Motion and likewise all the rest conâ—â—â—ning doubling of Ranks doubling by halfe Files and doubling Bringers up is usefull for the strengthening of the Front now â—â—cause this Troope consists of 72 Horsmen which is an equall â—â—mber to be divided into three equall Squadrons of 24 men a 〈◊〉 there will remain in all these doublings of Ranks on odde 〈◊〉 in the Reere which always is to stand in their proper places 〈◊〉 this Figure sheweth you may observe also the places from â—â—ich the way by which those Ranks that double doe advance by 〈◊〉 round oes and small pricks â—â—g 8. This Motion differeth nothing from the former but by the doâ—â—bling one the contary hand being commanded Ranks to the 〈◊〉 hand double and is usefull as the former the proper word of coâ—mand to reduce them is Ranks to the right hand as you were the eighth Figure plainly sheweth the manner how to perform it Fig. 9. Doubling of Files is usefull for the strenthening of the Flanks the first Command by way of Exercise in doubling of Files 〈◊〉 Files to the right hand double which is plainly demonstrated by this ninth Figure to reduce them the Command is Files to the lefâ— hand as you were note this that 〈◊〉 man that moves must givâ— place to him that stands â—ig 10. This motion differeth nothing from the former but by the doubling to the contrary hand it being of the same use as the other the proper word of Command is Files to the left hand Double and to Reduce them
the Command is Files to the right hand as you were and a plain description how to performe this Motion is seene by this tenth Figure every even number passeth into the odd as the eighth into the seventh the sixt into the fifth and so all the rest successively Fig. 11. This motion is very usefull for the avoyding of Canon-shot or sometimes for the suffering of the enemy when he charges with full career to passe in between and so hâ—ve you the greater advantage of the enemie it is performed by commanding files to the right and left outwards double to reduce them the command is files to the right and left as you were The speculation of this 11 figure will shew you the usefulnesse of this motion and likewise how to performe it Fig. 12. This motion is usefull for the drawing of the Troope into a closer sentor then the former and is performed by commanding files to the right and left inwards double to reduce them the command is files to the right and left as you were let this 12 figure be your guid for the attaining of the usefulnesse and manner of performing of this motion Fig. 13. This motion as hath been formerly shown is usefull for the strengthening of the Front but performed differently from the oâ—ther the proper word of command is halfe files to the riâ—â—t hanâ— double the front to reduce them the command is halfe files to the left hand as you were The best way to performe it for the horâ—â— is as hath beene formerly shown to command those halfe filâ—â— that stood to advance and those that advanced to stand this 〈◊〉 teenth figure will shew you how to performe it Fig. 14. The difference betwenne this and the former motion is only by advansing on the contrary hand the command being halfe files to the left hand double the front it being of the like use as the former to reduce them the word is halfe files to the right hand as you were all which is plainly shown by this 14 figure Fig. 15. This motion is of the same use as the former but performed differently from it here the bringers up advance into the front and the next ranke after them and so all the rest successively as the reere ranke figure one into the front ranke figure one and so likewise all the rest The command being bringers up to the right hand double the front reducing them as is formerly shown this 15 figure plainly demonstrates the manner how to performe it Fig. 16. This motion and the former is of one use all the difference being the advancing on the contrary hand being commanded bringers up to the left hand double the Front reduceing them as before let this 16 figure be your guid Fig. 17. The use of countermarching as hath been shown before is 〈◊〉 the sodain reducing of the file-leaders into the place of the bringers up so that by that means the best and ablest men which ought to be frontiers may be ready to receive the charge of the enemie in the reere the proper command being files to the right hand countermarch as is plainly demonstrated by this 17 figure to reduce them the command is files to the left hand countermarch as you were â—ig 18. he difference of this motion from the former as hath beene shown in all the left hand motions is only changeing of hands being of the same use as the former the manner of performing it is described by this 18 figure the command being files to the left hand countermarch reducing them by the right into their proper places as before Fig. 19. This motion is usefull for the drawing of the files into their close Order every mans right knee being close locked under his right-hand-mans left ham the command is files to the right and left close inwards to your close Order you may see the manner of performing it by this 19. figure Fig. 20 This motion is useful for the drawing up of the Rankes into their close Order the command being Rankes close forward to your close Order as is demonstrated by this 20 figure Fig. 21. These two motions differ from any of the former and is usefull for the drawing up of the Troop into the lesser batalia of 16 for there is the battalia consisting of 24 and three deep now when it shall fall out that this Troop shall be just in the midst between other two Troops it may be usefull to draw them up on either flanke as this 21 figure sheweth how the comand being half files to the right and left double the front by division and it may be performed by commanding reare halfe files to the right and left face outward theâ— command rear halfe files march cleere of either flanke then command rear halfe files advance even with the front to reduce them command Rear halfe files to the right and left as you were Fig. 22. This motion differeth from the former but is of the same use now if it shall fall out that this Troop shall bee placed on the left wing of the grosse body or that there be a scarcitie of ground on the right flanke it will be proper to command halfe files to the left hand double the front intire the manner of performing it being plainly shown by this 22 figure and it may be performed after the same manner as the former you may reduce them the best way by commanding front halfe files march off and rear halfe files fall into your places Fig. 23. The use of wheeling as hath been formerly shown is for the spedy bringing of the front which should always consist of the ablest souldiers to receive the charge of the enemie on either flanke or else sodainly to give the charge to the enemie on the Reare this motion is performed by commanding to the right hand wheele and close your files to the left right-hand-men move easily and let your left-hand-men come about all which is plainly demonstrated by this 23 figure Fig. 24 Now if it shall happen that the enemie shall come on the left it will be proper to command to the left hand wheele and close your files to the right left hand men move easily and let your right hand men come about this 24 figure sheweth the manner how to performe it The 〈◊〉 motion which may â—ometimes prove very usefull â—as the commander shall see fit occasion is to command Ranks File which is performed after this manner when the Troop is wheeling command to Troop on then sodainly commaâ—d Rankes file that is the right hand man of the Troope marches off his next left hand man marches after him and so all the rest of the Troop successively the whole Troope making but one entire file to reduce them command Rankes as you were This motion is usefull to fire all at once on a company of foot but it must be performed with much speed and agility The last motion is ro draw up into batalia now it is to
to keepe him a little while in that motion as when you bid him stand to stand a while when you face to either hand to stand in that posture a while giving him sometimes as a reward when hee hath well done a piece of bread or the like for the voice you must use him to these words as advance hold turn stand or the like but it were farre better to use him chiefly to the motions of the hand and legs because the voice cannot always be heard as in the time of fight or the like now to teach him to go side-ways which is very usefull for closing of your Files you must lay his provender at a distance from him in the Manger keeping him from turning his head towards it you must use him to the smell of Gunpowder a sight of fire and armour hearing of Drums and Trumpets and shouting of Guns but by degrees when he is eating of his Oats you may fire a little traine of Gunpowder in the Manger at a little distance from him and so neerer by degrees In like manner you may fire a Pistoll at a little distance from him in the stable and so neerer by degrees and so likewise a Drum or Trumpet may be used to him in the stable the Groom may sometimes dresse him in armour using him sometimes to eat his Oats on the Drum head In the fields when you are on his back cause a Musquet and your selfe to fire on each other at a convenient distance thereupon riding up unto him with speed making a sodain stand also you may use to ride him up against a compleat armour set on a stack a purpose that hee may overthrow it and so trample it under his feet so that by these meanes the horse finding that hee receiveth no harme may become bold to approach any object you must use him to ride one Mountaines and on even ways and to be exercised to leap swim run and stop sodainly and the like The next thing in order to teach the Cavalier is the use of the Armie now for brevity sake I shall purposely omit the postures of the horseman it being of little use in service and only acquaint you with those things that are materiall Now if you use Cartrages you shall finde in your Crattreg case a turned wooden pin which you must take having cut lengths of white paper something broader then the pin is in length and roule the paper on the pin then twist one end of the paper and fill it almost full of powder then put the bullet on the top of the powder twisting that end also then put it into your Carttreg case now when you come to lade your Carbine or Pistols with these Cartreges you must bite off that end of the paper where the powder is powring it into your Carbine or Pistol then put in that bullet and some of that paper will serve for a wad after it and Ram home but alwayes observe that your bullet be not too big but that it may roule home to the Powder for if there be any distance between the bullet and the powder it is likely to breake the barrell of your Carbine or Pistoll But if you use a flaske which in my judgement is far better then Carttreges because that many times the trotting of your horse in long march shaketh out all the powder out of your Carttrages and thereby causes you to bee unprovided for the sodain charge of the enemie you must gage your flaske and so lade your Carbine or Pistol with powder and bullet as before but never prime before you have spand and never span before you have just need because many times the firelock pistols will nor goe off if they have stood long spand Now the quantity of powder usually required for the lading of either Carbine or Pistol is halfe the weight of the bullet but to avoid the cariage of either Cartrage case or flaske there is a new invented spanner which contains some sixe charges with priming powder which is more many times then is used in our skirmiges The next thing in order is to shew you the exercise of the horse in their motions wherein is to be understood the true distance betweene Horse and Horse which is to be six foot at their open order and three foot at their close order the distance being taken from the head and tail of the Horses in the File and the like distance in rank now the Motions for the Cavalrie are of foure kinds as Facings Doublings Countermarchings and Wheelings the use of Facings is to make the Troop perfect to be sodainly prepared for a Charge on either Flank or Reare Doublings of Ranks or by half Files or by Bringers up serveth to strengthen the Front Doubling the Files serveth to strengthen the Flanks Countermarching serveth to reduce the File-leaders into the place of the Bringers up that so the best men may be ready to receive the charge of the Enemy in the Reare the use of Wheelings is to bring the Front which commonly consists of best and ablest men to receive the charge of the Enemy in the Reare the use of Wheelings is to bring the Front which commonly consists of best and ablest men to receive the Charge of the Enemy on either Flank or Reare and also unexpected to Charge the Enemy on either Flanke or Reare these motions for the more easier apprehending of them as represented in Figures by a Troop of Horse consisting of 72 Horsmen the Fileleaders and Bringers up are distinguished by a different Letter but because it may be profitable unto some I shall first give you the proper words of Command together that belong unto the Excercising of a Troop of Horse and afterward insert the Figures with the words of Command and the Reasons of a very Motion First march into the field foure in Rank when you come into the Field command to double their Ranke which make eight in Ranke then command to open to the right and left as they they march to their open Order of six foot distance then command to stand and silently hearken unto the word of Command 1 To the right hand face To the left hand as you were 2 To the left hand face To the right hand as you were Silence and even your Ranks 3 To the right hand about face To the left hand about as you were 4 To the left hand about face To the right hand about as you were Silence and straighten your Files 5 Ranks to the right hand double Ranks to the left hand as you were 6 Ranks to the left hand double Ranks to the right hand as you were Silence and even your Ranks 7 Files to the right hand double Files to the left hand as you were 8 Files to the left hand double Files to the right hand as you were Silence and straighten your Files 9 Files to right and left outward double Files to right and left as you were 10 Files to the right
intire motion Thus having shewn what an ordinarie horsman needs to know for I will not presume to instruct Commanders though there be some that make great brags need instructions in martiall Discipline but I shal forbear to be larger for the Reasons I have alreadie shewn FNIS. An Appendix COurteous Friend Whosoever thou art unto whose view these my unpolisht lines of young Horsmanship shall come let me beg this favour at thy hand that thou make the most favourable construstruction of those things which thou shalt suppose although weakly to be erronius in this ensuing Tract and if there be any that shall prove positive errours impute it rather to the unskilfulnesse of me the unworthy Authour then unto the unwillingnesse of him whose onely aime for the publike good hath invited to set forth this ensuing Discourse of Horsmanship I am very unwilling to be of the judgment of those men whose priâ—ate positions themselves esteem to be infallible or unerring but my self shall rather desire to submit unto the judgment of the judicious I have for the most part tendred a reason of each particular throughout the whole Tract if then they shall seem emptie and of no value unto them who have beeâ— more anciently educated or longer inured unto the Discipline of Forreign States then my selfe I shall presume also to intreat this favour at their hands that they would in love as aiming at the publike good subscribe their contradictory Reasons which if authentick I shall be willing to acknowledge mine errour and crave their pardon if not let mee friendly prevail withall men who are inclinable to finde faults though very unwilling to amend what is amisse to suspend their censure of him who had rather be profitable to the State then iniurious to any Thy loving Friend IOHN VERNON THE AUTHORS APOLOGIE KInde Reader I am forced to acquaint thee with one thing more which is that having passed the copie out of my hand the Printer without my privity caused the impressions of the severall figures inserted to be cut in wood my selfe having no knowledge thereof was thereby disinabled of the giving directions for their better and more sircumspect cutting In the curious survey of these figures thou maist finde many mistakes as in the 3 4 5 6. figures not placed at their open Orders as they should have beene in the doubling of Rankes by halfe files or by bringers up the file leaders and bringers up should have been distinguished by these two different letters h·◠or the like as I have leneally incerted in the copie In the 14 figure the omitting of the figures on the right flanke as in figure the 13 the misplacing of the Rear piece in fig. 18. turning the heads of the aâ—hes the contrary way â— and some other mistakes both in the copie and figures weich I was not able to correct by reason that the whole number of shects were printed off before I had a view of them All which mistakes both in the copie and figures I humbly intreat thee to correct with thy pen as thou shalt come at them supplying each defect by thine own industery and thou shalt always command me to the utmost of my power to serve thee in what I am able Thine Iohn Vernon ERRATA To the Reader line 22 for lately read largely l. 23 for the r. there Pag. 1. l. 4. for socet fox roe r. sorell Rone l. 14 for the r. that p. 2. l. 1. put in at l. 6 put out no good l 8. for selves r. selfe l. 11 for gird r. guid l. 16. for shot r. ball l. 26· for stand r spand l. 27. for foced r. forced l. 32 for behoves r. behoveth l. 33 for these r. their p. 3. l 1 for pâ—rts r. places l. 27 put in the l. 31 for annew r. annuer l 32 put in the l. 33. for these r. there p. 4. l. 18 for these r. those l. 19 for the Pistolers r. their particuiar l. 29. for these r. those l. 31 put in and p. 5 l. 31 for conmmunicating r. communicate· p. 6 l. 1. for place r. places l. 12. for resemble r. re-assemble p. 7. l. 6. for the r. there l. 26. for loud r. louder l. 27. for it r. of its p. 8. l. 8. put in by l. 16. for cassets r. cussets l. 17. for calves r. Râ—yns l. 25. for har qubeses r. harbuyâ—sers l. 26. for as r. arc l. 27. put in A l. 28. put in or l. 29 put out and l. 29. for and spans r. spanner l. 29 â—ut in to l. 34 for and cock r. lock p. 9. l. 3 for the r. there l. 6. for for r. soe l. 10. for the r. there l. 16. for the r. a. l. 29. for ever r. every p. 10. l. 14. for Muâ—quâ—t r. musuetteir l. 22. for the r. there l. 23. for Armie r. Armes p 11. l. 1 for that r. the l. 19. for our r. one l. 33 put out the use of wheeling two lines unto the word Reere p. 12. l. 2. put in the l. 5. for as r. are p. 13. l 6.7 put in the l· 18. for right r. left p. 14. l. 5. put in left p. 15. l. 3 for render r. tender p. 17. l. 1. for further r. something p. 20 l. 2 for and r it l 5 put out and