3. For Counter-marches which is but the reducement of File-Leaders into the place of bringers up or one flank into the place of another which is more proper for the foot service than useful in the exercise of the Horse yet because some have used it in their exercise therefore I shall demonstrate one Counter-march by Figure in his place 4. For Wheelings They are of most excellent use in the service of the Horse and ought to be very carefully exercised by every Commander they serve in some respect to execute what is to be performed by Counter-marches which is to bring the Frontiers who are always supposed to consist of the ablest men thereby to be ready to receive the Charge of the Enemy in either Flank or Reer which by Counter-marches you cannot do Accordingly the Motions shall follow that the untutoured Souldier may the better apprehend them It shall be represented by the Letter h. All Motions are to be done intirely at one and the same time for in our Military Exercises they are the very life of an Army and the only means being truly performed that giveth Victory without which all preparations of Forces are in vain and avail nothing in the field to the end for which they were levied And this among experienced Souldiers is of inestimable reputation 1. To the Right Hand Note That in all Motions before a second be commanded I mean in all single Motions the body must be reduced to his first proper form To Reduce them command To the left or To your Leader or As you were 2. To the Left Hand To reduce them command To the Right or To your Leader or As you were 3. To the right hand about 4. To the left hand about This is by turning to the left hand until their Faces front the Reer The proper Front To reduce them To the right hand about 5. Ranks open forward to your double distance 6. Files to the right double 7. Files to the left double It is most convenient for the Horse to move from the right hand To reduce them Ranks to the right double or Files rank as you were 8. Files to the right hand Counter-march 9. Files to the left hand Counter-march Foot pa. 60. To perform this Direct That all the file Leaders move their Horses intirely a little forwards and so likewise turning off to the left hand they march even in rank down to the Reer and none of the rest to turn off until he come to his Leaders ground To Reduce them Counter-march to the left As this is for the maintaining of the same Ground so there may be a Counter-march for the gaining of Ground but I conceive them wholly useless but where you have not ground to make your Wheels Therefore not knowing what necessity may force us unto it is convenient the Souldier should be sometimes exercised therein Note That in your Counter-marches for gaining of ground the Souldier is to turn off the ground his Horse stands upon and so passing through each is to follow his Leader 10. Ranks close forwards 11. Files close to the left 12. Files close to the left to your close Order Observe in closing to the left the left File is to stand fixt the next are to move to the left 13. Ranks close forward to your close Order In performance of this Command the first Rank is to stand the second moving and taking its distance stands likewise and so the third It cannot be expected that any Wheeling of the Horse should be so exactly performed in so little a compass as is taken by the foot therefore every Commander ought discreetly to take larger room for the compass of his motion so that all his Wheelings may be performed intirely without distraction Note That Wheeling to the left for the Horse is the readiest way except you are prevented by some hinderances c. 14. Wheel to the left hand In this motion the whole body moveth to the left upon the left hand file-leader as the center And so you may keep wheeling until you have brought them to their proper front So if you wheel them to the left about the Reer then will be their accidental Front 15. Wheel to the right and left by Division The Wheelings of the accidental Fronts upon both Wings into the proper Front and close their Divisions will reduce them 16. Trot large and wheel to the left Wheeling to the right will Reduce them or by a circular Wheeling of them until they are brought into their proper form 17. Trot and wheel to the left about This bringeth the ablest men to be in the Reer for any speedy On-set and Wheeling to the right about will reduce them c. The word Alt doth signifie to make a stand and is derived from the Dutch word Halt which is as we say hold c. Observe that in all motions you make an Alt that the Souldery may settle themselves in their places both in Rank and File before you put any fresh Command upon them 18. Gallop and wheel to the left 19. Gallop and wheel to the left about To reduce both these is by wheeling to the contrary All these being performed to reduce them to their first form Open first your Ranks and then your Files and in opening of your Ranks the best way is to open them forwards CHAP. IX Of Firings I Had thoughts to have treated of Encampments and Embattelings but that being not my work at present I shall pass them by because it is my business to treat only of the exercise of a single Troop In the first place I shall set out one firing of Walhausens When your Enemy chargeth you in a full career Cruso fol. â—9 you are suddainly to open to the right and left facing inwards and charge them in the flanks and when the Enemy is past your body you are to wheel to the right and left inward and so charge him with a full career in the Reer but here you must observe their files to be six and eight in depth and so his Figure is represented as followeth This he commends very much for whilst the Enemy is upon his Career you are but upon your Trot and then opening to the right and left This he speaks of Cuirasiers either he must run through and do but little execution or else Alt in his career and so disorders himself which is advantageous to you But I am of another opinion as to our Mode of fighting being but three in depth we must rather sink than suffer any Voluntary Breach The same Author would have our Harquebuziers to give fire by Files either right or left advancing before the Body in a full career towards the Enemy but many do wholly reject it as being dangerous in Field service But now for the private exercise of a single Troop which may be necessary to bring the Souldier to a more ready and complete use of his Arms I shall demonstrate of Files firing
close your body by command to Distance to action let every Captain or chief Officer Command his Souldiers to streighten their Files and to even their Ranks In the next place to be silent that thereby they may be attentive to the words of Command Which for the several distances are as followeth Commands 1. Files to your close Order 2. Ranks to your close Order there might be abreviated into a shorter method but my intents is for plain capacities 1. Files open to the right 1. To your Order 2. To your open Order 3. To your double distance 2. Ranks open forward 1. To your Order 2. To your open Order 3. To your close Order 3. Files open to the Left 1. To your Order 2. To your open Order 3. To your double distance 4. Ranks open to the reer or backwards 1. To your Order 2. To your open Order 3. To your double distance 5. Files open to the right and left 1. To your Order 2. To your open Order 3. To your double distance 6. Ranks open to the right and left 1. To your Order 2. To your open Order 3. To your double distance Reducements 1. Files close to the right 1. To your open Order 2. To your Order 3. To your close Order 2. Ranks open forward 1. To your open Order 2. To your Order 3. To your close Order 3. Files close to the left 1. To your open Order 2. To your Order 3. To your close Order 4. Ranks close to the reer c. 1. To your open Order 2. To your Order 3. To your close Order 5. Files close to the right and left inward or to the midst 1. To your open Order 2. To your Order 3. To your close Order 6. Ranks close to the right and left inward 1. To your open Order 2. To your Order 3. To your close Order These are useful and may be used at the discretion of the Commander And for your better performance in the closing and opening of Files and Ranks take these following Observations 1. When Files open to the right the left hand File must stand fast every File taking his distance from the File next his left hand 2. When they open to the left the right hand File stands fast c. 3. When Ranks open forward the last rank stands every rank taking his distance from the rank next behind him 4. When they open backward or to the reer the first rank stands c. 5. When Files close to the right the right hand file stands the rest close to the right taking their distance from the right hand file 6. And if Files close to the left the left hand file stands the rest of the Files close to the left and take their distance c. 7. When Files close to the right and left then they close inward taking their distance from those Files within them nearest to the midst of the Body 8. When files close to the right and left by Division it must be outwards according to the fift and sixt observation 9. When Ranks close to the front and reer then the first and last Ranks stand the other taking their distance 10. If Ranks close to the midst then they close towards their two midlemost Ranks I have not used the word Center in any of these Commands because it is conceived that the word is more proper to a circle and not to a square or a broader fronted body It is not of absolute necessity that a Commander in the exercise of a private Company shall use all these openings and closings to those several distances mentioned but so many of them as may be thought fit for his present Exercise intended although it cannot be denied but that they may be useful at some time or other CHAP. VI. Of Marching and Drawing up of a Company THe Souldier being informed of the Dignity of Place together with the several Beats of the Drum and their respective distances I shall march a Company of Foot and draw them up which Company shall consist of twelve Files four Files of Pikes and eight Files of Musqueteers But the Deputy Lieutenants for the County of Sommerset have allotted some files more to each Company and it is a rare thing to have them compleat in the Field so that it hath been too apparent because there hath not been an equality in Files their Companies have been wholly unfit for Exercise but I hope these errors will be better looked into and amended hereafter A Company marching A Company drawing up Files are to be at their Order and Ranks at their open Order When the Company is drawing up the Drum is to beat a Troop the Pikes to be advanced the Musquets to be poised and being in a Body are ready for Command A Company drawn up A number of Men being thus drawn up and completed consisting of Pikes and Musquets there is in them according to the rules of Art a Front a Reer a right and left Flank Front half files Reer half files Right half ranks and left half ranks there is the length and depth of the Battel and these are extended in their number of men The front in this Figure is first of all to be taken notice of There are in all exercises a proper Front and an accidental Front the Company being drawn up and standing in a body with faces to their leader maketh a proper Front Vide Chap. of facings And the accidental front is as the Cheifetains shall command the face of the whole body In short the front is where the faces of the Company are directed one way The first Rank or row of men they are termed File leaders who have the command of their respective Files and are to Exercise them severally Observe that from and with the right hand file leader to and with the left hand file leader is the extent of the Front and is termed the length of the Battel And the Souldiers standing severally from and with their File leaders in a sequence to and with their Bringers up are termed Files or the depth of the Battel The Reer of the body is so termed where ever the back of the Company are turned Every File leader hath his bringer up that by death or other absence next in point of honour is to succeed them both in Place and power The extent and length of the Reer last rank or bringers up is the same with the Frontiers The right and left Flanks are the outmost Files upon either hand of the body from the Front to the bringers up There is in a body drawn up front half files and Reer half files the Front half files extend themselves three in depth to and with the third Rank and the Reer half files is the fourth Rank to and with the last both which have their extents divided in the whole length and depth of the body Half Ranks are from the midst of the Files so taking their length or bounds to the outmost man or file
move down to the Reer even in breast with the last Rank If this be for service you may face them all to the Reer If only for Exercise you may reduce them as they now stand by Commanding Front half files face about to the right and advance forwards until they are clear of the standing part then face them to the right and left inwards and close your Divisions 4. Command Front half files double your Reer to the 1. Right 2. Left by Countermarch To performe this If the Command given for the left face the standing half files to the Reer and the rest Countermarch to the left and lose ground But if it be only for Exercise you need not face the standing part to the Reer at all To reduce this as being only for Exercise Command Front half files face about to the left and march forth into your places But if it be upon service that they are all faced to the Reer then all upon the Reducement are to face about to the left and the front half files to march into their places Object But Some may object here and say that this is a countermarch and no doubling and so ought not to be demonstrated in this place Answ To which I answer that what is done by the Front half files in short is a Lacedemonian Countermarch of losing ground but if it were a direct countermarch they ought not to stand mixed with any other part of the body by passing through to the Reer but only to Countermarch into the midst and there remain so that now passing through into the Reer makes it an absolute doubling What I have mentioned in the beginning of this Chapter may be sufficient to the ingenious Artist having concluded what I intended for the strengthening of the Reer I thought to have inserted here a strengthening of the Front and Reer but being in the Chapter of Wheelings Command the tenth the inquisitive may be better satisfied CHAP. VI. Which is the last in order to shew how a Battalia may be strengthened in both Flanks THe Flanks are doubled by 1. Files 2. Half ranks 3. Division 4. Wheelings 1. First by Files 1. Command Files to the Right or Left double If to the left to perform this Command Every even ranks from the left move with three steps into the odd To reduce this Command Ranks to the right double OR Files as you were In all motions observe to move that leg first to which the Command guideth 2. Command Files to the 1. Right or 2. Left double advancing To perform this if to the right Command Every even file from the right advance three steps forward and double the odd To reduce this Command Ranks to the left double OR Files as you were 3. Command Files to the right and left double outward In doubling outward the outmost File of each Flank stands and the even File each flank doubles the odd To reduce this Command Double your Ranks to the right and left inwards OR Ranks as you were 4. Command Files to the right and left double Inward To reduce this Command Double your Ranks to the right and left outwards OR Ranks as you were 5. Command Double your Ranks to the 1. Right 2. Left 1. Outwards advancing 2. Inwards This will be performed as in the third and fourth Command only instead of falling behind their right or left hand men here they are to advance before them as in the second Command 6. Command Double your Files to the 1. Right or 2. Left intire advancing To performe this to the right The even files from the right advance so far until they be clear and double the odd files to the right To reduce this Command Files that doubled face about to the left and march forth into your places OR Front half Files double your Reer to the left OR Half Files double your Front to the right 7. Command Double your files to the 1. Right or 2. Left Intire advancing every man placing himself before his leader To perfom this to the right The reducement Command Front half Files face about to the left and march forth into your places OR Front half files turn off by countermarch and double your Re ex to the right Face all to your leader 8. Command Files double your depth to the right intire To perform this Command Even files from the right face about to the right and march until they are clear of the Reer placing themselves after their bringers up then face them to their leader To reduce this Command Half files double your Front to the left OR Front half files double your Reer to the right 9. Command Files double your depth to the right placing your selves behind your bringers up To perform this Command Every even File from the right face about to the right and double the remaining files behind their bringers up To reduce this Command Bringers up double your Front to the left OR Half files double your Front to the left each placing themselves before their half file Leaders There is but a small difference between the Figures of some of the precedent Commands as some may at first sight guess them to be yet if you would but well observe them the words of Command are several and in the Battalia there is difference in the Dignity of place but not in quantity or number Secondly How the flanks are doubled by half ranks 10. Comand Half ranks of the left double your right flank to the 1. Right or 2. Left To perform this to the right Left half ranks face to the right and move to the right forward and double your right flank To reduce this Command Face to the left and march forth into your places OR Double your Ranks to the left intire You may face them at discretion I shall demonstrate another Figure to the left shewing how it may be performed without mixture of Arms c. 11. Command Half Ranks of the right double your left flank to the right To perform this Command Half ranks of the right face to the right turn off to the right and double your left flank To reduce the 11. Command Ranks double to the right intire every man placing himself on the outside of his right hand man 12. Command Half ranks double your right flank to the right and left 1. Outward 2. Inward 1. To perform this Outward Face all to the right then the left half ranks move to the right and left outwards doubling your right flank face to your Leader To reduce this Command 1. Front and Reer half files double your ranks intire to the left flank OR Half ranks that doubled face about to the right and march forth into your places OR Half ranks face about to the right and the even ranks from the midst move forth and double your left ranks intire to the left flank face to your Leader 2. To perform the 12. Command inward Face all to the right then the left
this motion they will flank their Pikes But otherwise being to be performed in a standing Body the Pikes will flank the Musquetteers and may easily he performed The File-leaders of the right flank with their respective Files are to wheel about to the right and the File-leaders of the left flank are to wheel about to the left and close their Divisions Figure performed To reduce them wheel them off by Division again from the Reer of by the fourth Command 4. Command Wheel your Body inward to the Reer If this be to reduce the former it is presupposed the Commander is in the head of the first proper Front then the Pikes will be in the midst of the Battle as at first again But if reduced without this Command the Pikes will be in the Flanks ready to defend the Musquetteers from the fury of the Horse To perform this Command the Body to open from the midst to the right and left to such a distance as they may turn off to the right and left This I shall not demonstrate to you in Figure because the precedent Figure performed will give light to the execution of this and so for the next Command 5. Command Wheel off your Body from the Reer into the Front To perform this face them to the Reer then to the right and left and wheel them inward to the Front To reduce the fourth Command and this also Wheel them off again to the right and left by Division 6. Command Wheel off your Front and Reer into the right Flank These Commands following will produce the same Figure Wheel of your Body by Division from the left Flank OR Wheel your left Flank into the Front and Reer OR Wheel your right Flank into the midst To perform this sixth Command Command them to face to the right this done they must wheel together about the third and fourth men in the right hand File the Front Division wheeling to the right and the Reer Division to the left until the Bringers-up meet with the File-leader Figure 6. To reduce this it may be performed several ways as the Body may be faced If they stand faced to the right then wheel your Flanks into the Reer and being faced to their proper Front they are reduced But if faced to the Front then wheel the Front and Reer into the left Flank But for the performance of the same Command into another Figure It is but to pass through your Musquetteers from the left Flank to the right then the same Command will bring all the Pikes into the Front 7. Command Wheel your Body inward to the right Flank from the left To perform this Command To face to the right then open to the right and left to a convenient distance c. Figure 7. To reduce this it may be done several ways as the former at the discretion of the Commander This produceth the same Figure as the sixth only it is altered in motion therefore I thought good to demonstrate it although Wheelings in this nature is difficult 8. Command Wheel off to the right and left inward to the Front To perform this let them open to the right and left from the midst and then wheel c. This Figure when performed is serviceable against the Horse because all the Pikes are in the Front and stand according to this Figure To reduce them is by wheeling them off to the Reer 9. Command Wheel your Flanks into the Front This is perform'd folio 62. Command 16. where you may see the diversity of words of Command for the producement of it 10. Command Wheel your Flanks into the Reer The former Command folio 60. being reversed will serve for your better intelligence herein 11. Command Wheel Front and Reer into the right Flank This is performed folio 78. Command 19. 12. Command Wheel both Flanks into the Front and Reer OR Front and Reer half files wheel off by Division inwards into the midst of Ranks To reduce it by another word of Command Right and left half Ranks wheel from the midst inward to the Front and Reer To perform this Command Half files face to the Reer Front half files and Reer half files move all together and wheel off your Divisions to the right and left Then face them to their proper Front and close their Divisions To reduce them The reducement of the next Figure will serve for both 13. Command Wheel Front and Reer into both Flanks To perform this from the precedent Figure Face to the right and left outward observing the former direction and giving due distance for the motion There are several Commands that will produce this Figure Wheel off your Body by Division from the midst of the Battle into the right and left Flank OR Wheel the midst of your Body by Division into the Front and Reer OR Wheel your right and left Flank into the midst OR Right and left Ranks wheel off by Division to the midst of Files To reduce this Wheel Front and Reer into the midst of the Battle OR By Wheeling the Flanks into the midst of the Battle if faced OR If you please to face the Body to one of the Flanks then wheel Front and Reer into both flanks and face them to their proper Front and close their Divisions 14. Command Left half Ranks wheel off to the right and left and double your right Flank by Division Folio 79. Command 20. 15. Command Front and Reer half Files wheel off by Division Folio 78. and Command 19. 16. Command Right and left half Ranks wheel off by Division from the midst of Files To perform this Command them to face to the right and left inwards and then let them move backwards to such a convenient distance as to wheel off from the midst of Files To reduce them wheel off to the right and left inwards I need not trouble you with more Angular Wheelings either wheeling them outwards to the right and left about from the midst of the Battle Part of Aelian's Tacticks chap. 36. 34. 46. or inwards to the midst because the demonstration of the former may give light unto all such c. and I conceive them not of such absolute necessity But I must advise that those Intire and Divisional Wheelings may be diligently learnt and practised as being of great use in this Military Art I have in all my method demonstrated the Commands by their Figures to the right hand you may easily command the same to the left hand and the Reducements accordingly You will find to several Countermarches and Wheelings no Reducements directed for them because they may be reduced the same way back as was commanded or by some other Command as directed I know but little more to be invented for the secure Exercise of a Foot Company and because I would not be singular I have demonstrated some that may be better spared than practised in service however here is for all Some may make use of what is necessary to the
to the left and the Reer half files file three to the right Face all to your leader and close your divisions 4. Command Files file to the right and left by Division To perform this Command The file leaders of each flank march away with your files until they are clear of the Body then the next file leaders from the right and left are to fall in after the bringers up of the first moveants until the Body become two files upon each wing To reduce them Command File leaders lead up your files to the right and left OR Files file six to the right and left 5. Command Files file inward into the right and left flank by Division Figure 5. You may the better understand this by the directions for the third Command But To perform this Command Half files face about then file leaders and bringers up of each file both from the right and left and fall successively into the reer of each other until they have made two intire files on each flank Face to your leader To reduce this Command Reer 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 6. Command Files by countermarch file to the right every man placing himself in the reer of the right hand file Figure 6. To perform this Command The right hand file stand the rest of the Body face about to the left then every particular file march forward to the left and place themselves behind the bringers up of the right hand file To reduce this Command Files file fix to the left each placeing themselves before their leader 7. Command Files by countermarch file to the right by division each placing himself before his leader and bringer up To perform this Command Reer half files face about the right hand file is to keep his ground the rest moving forwards to the right placing themselves before their File leaders and Bringers up To reduce this Command Front half file â—â—ce about and file three to the right every man placing himself before his bringer up And the Reer half files file three to the left placing your selves before your leaders I have with as much brevity as conveniently I could set forth by demonstration the first part of Inversion which is of Files filing I proceed to the second part of Inversion which is of Ranks siling For the performance of which observe that in all these motions your files are to be at their Order or otherwise as may be thought most convenient and their Ranks to be opened either forwards or backwards at the discretion of the Commander but at twice double distance or more as may be required to his number of men The distances being set let every rank move according to Command 8. Command Ranks file to the right placing your selves before your right hand man To perform this Command The right hand man of each rank is to stand the rest are to move forwards with their right leg and so place themselves before their right hand men 8. Figure Te reduce them Command Files rank twelve to the left OR Ranks as you were Observe Ranks filing are sooner executed in the commands and reducements than files filing For they will sooner be in readiness to receive any opposition with a suteable resistance in the Front for in files filing it will be some long time before the file leaders will be able to do it 9. Command Ranks file to the right placing your selves behind your right hand men To perform this Direct If they be upon a stand they may open backwards to their distance for the work as by example But if they be upon a march then the right hand man marcheth first and all his rank so facing as to march to the right file-wise after their leader The right hand man of the second rank is so to do and fall in the reer of the left hand man of the first Rank To reduce this Command Files rank twelve to the left OR Ranks as you were Aelian Tact. Ch. 30. p. 6. 10. Command Ranks file to the right and left by Division The two former are directions enough for this And may also be performed with the two former either before their right hand men or otherwise To reduce this Command Files convert into Ranks as you were OR Files Rank to the right and left inward as you were OR Files rank twelve to the right and left inward This Figure as by the Notes of Captain Bingham hath been of great use amongst the Graecians and judged by our ingenious Artists not to be slighted by us for the avoydance of the great Ordinance or showers of small shot In Cities I have seen it often used for lodging of the Colours It is also a large Interval for the reception of any Honourable Person Some may dislike in this last Inversion of Ranks filing because there is a promiscuous mixture of Arms This may be easily prevented by bringing both Divisions of Musquetteers into the Front of Pikes or otherwise upon a march at the discretion of the Commander There yet remain divers words of Command of Ranks filing Vide Conversion By wheeling your Ranks into the right Flank or into both Flanks c. But the prolixity of them have made me to abbreviate and being more out of curiosity than of necessity I have shewed what is meant by Inversion both in Files and Ranks and have demonstrated them by their Figures so many as I conceive may be sufficient for the knowledge thereof Many I have heard to use the word Inversion to some of the precedent Commands but I think it very convenient to be left out in the Exercisings of our Rural Militia's It is a word not suitable to a Rustick capacity and a word that may be spared CHAP. XIII Of Conversion and the several Parts thereof COnversion I have declared to consist of a Rank or Ranks And that is performed either by 1. Increase of Files ranking by Even or Vneven Parts 2. Increase or decrease of Files ranking by uneven Parts 3. Files ranking intire into the Front and wheeling into the same 4. Ranks ranking to the right or left 5. Wheeling into both Flanks And of these I shall declare unto you as briefly as I may that your delight in the true understanding of them may not be neglected by the least obscurity Now the reason that I have demonstrated most with Figures is that the young Souldier may see how many Commands produce one and the same Figure their difference being only in quality and not in quantity 1. I shall begin with Files ranking by even parts that is when they rank two three or four keeping the same number in Rank all being in an equal proportion and if more what is wanting to make up the Ranks in the Command must be made good by the next Rank 1. Command Files rank three to the right Observe
in this motion the File leader is first to move unto that hand the Command is given And if six deep the half file leader is to advance the same way To reduce this Command Ranks file or invert to the right Then every File-leader lead up his File and rank to the right OR As you were 2. The uneven parts of Files ranking is when there is such an increase either of two three or more in each Rank so exceeding the Rank before it and these exceedings are termed in Arithmetick A Progressional Increase Or else by the decrease of each Rank following after 2. Command Files rank three first then by increase to the right two in each Division of Musquetteers and Pikes These are termed half Rombes or Wedges For Exercise sake you may make a Wedge or half Rombe of all twelve by 3. Command Files rank first two and by increase two from the whole Body You may alter the mixture of Armes at your discretion 4. Command is in the nature of a Rombe Files rank first two and by increase and decrease two in each Rank Divisionally both of Musquetteers and Pikes The reducement of these three last Commands is Ranks file as you were These Rombes and half Rombes or Wedges were much of use in the Graecian Wars Read the Tact. of Aelian pag. 108. But being not now so much in use I shall not spend much time in them but leave the desirous to the view of Captain Ward 5. Command Files rank to the Right or Left into the Front 6. Command Files rank to the Right or Left by wheeling into the Front I shall demonstrate both in this by Wheeling only observe there must be so much distance between each file as will contain each in rank To perform them Command Files open to the left to your double distance Ranks close forward to your close Order face to the right wheel all to the left until the whole Body be brought into one intire Rank 5. 6. Figure To reduce this Command Face to the Reer then the first six to the right wheel to the right When all have wheeled by sixes to the right then face them to their Leader and close their Files at discretion 7. Command Files rank into the Front and Reer by Division To perform this Command Files open to the left to your order Ranks close forward to your close order Half files face about to the right and face to the left then move all into the Front and Reer and make two intire Ranks When the distance is set Observe that those in motion are to face to the right flank To reduce this Command Front half files face about to the left reer half files face about to the right then wheel all into their respective Files then face them to their Leader and close their files at discretion Here might be inserted for variety and curiosity some more words of Command of Conversion of files ranking into the midst by Countermarches and by Wheelings But by what is demonstrated already you 'l find enough in them and I must look to be censured by some for what is done and conceiving the remainder to be useless I shall omit them to avoid a further censure and proceed to the Conversion of Ranks ranking in equal Parts 1. Conversion of Ranks ranking in equal Parts Observe that in Ranks ranking you may perform it with any number more or less as place and occasion may serve containing in every Rank an equality in Number And it is to be understood after this manner When there is twelve more or less marching a breast and by reason of some narrowness of passage or some other intent the Commander causeth his Souldiers to rank either two three five or seven c. according to the place or occasion 8. Command Ranks rank two to the right To perform this Command The two first in Rank to the right advance forwards the next two of the same Rank in the Reer of them until the first Rank have made six Ranks and in all 36 Ranks To reduce this Command Ranks rank twelve to the left Observe that the first rank stands the rest are to advance two and two until the whole rank of twelve be complete in one rank 9. Command Rank two to the right and left 1. Outward then 2. Inward To perform this outward Command 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 hand so when the Work is finished there will be eighteen Ranks in each Division To reduce this Ranks as you were OR Rank twelve to the right and left inward 2. To perform it Inward Ranks rank two to the right and left inwards Command The two inmost men of the right and left hand in the midst of the Battail advance forwards the next in the same Rank are to follow two from the right hand and two from the left until the Work be finished making eighteen Ranks To reduce this Command Ranks as you were OR Ranks twelve to the right and left outwards I shall demonstrate one Figure of Ranks ranking in unequal parts which is rather to satisfie the curious than of any absolute necessity Vnequal Parts 10. Command Ranks rank 1 3 5 7 9 11. by increase and decrease as they stand in a Body To perform this The right hand man of the first rank march forth then the three next of the same rank follow in the reer of 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 To reduce this Command Right hand men rank twelve as you were 11. Command Ranks rank intire to the Right or Left into the Front To perform this Let the first rank stand every rank else face to the right and move away to the right successively placing themselves on the right hand of each rank until they all stand in one intire rank in the Front Figure 11. To reduce this Command Ranks rank as you were OR Ranks rank twelve to the left the second falls into the reer of the first the third into the reer of the second and so all successively until they be reduced 12. Command Ranks rank intire into the Front every man placing himself on the outside of his Right or Left hand man by Countermarch To perform this to the right hand man The first rank stands the rest moves away to the right on the outside of the right hand man The precedent reducement will reduce this OR Ranks rank twelve to the left each placing himself on the outside of his left hand man 13. Command Ranks rank 1. Outward 2. Inward into the Front 1. To
the left and then the rest of the body to turn their aspects accordingly place themseves before their right left hand men To reduce them Command them to Countermarch to the right and left into the midst of the Battel OR Command If they be faced to the proper Front The two inmost files to stand the rest pass through to the right and left inward and close their divisions 8. Command The two outmost files of each flank face to the right and left inward the rest pass through to the right and left and place yourselves behind your outside men To perform this Command The right and left hand file of each flank face inward and the rest of the Body are to face to the right and left outwards then all are to move forwards and to place themselves behind their right and left hand men Else the motion is the same as the former To reduce this Command The two innermost files face to the right and left outwards and the rest pass through to the right and left inwards placing themselves behind their right and left hand men Then face them to their leaders Now if it be the Commanders pleasure to reduce them by any other word of Command it may be done by the precedent words of Command or of the next following or of any other divisional Countermarch except interchanging of ground 8. Command The outmost file of each flank stand the rest pass through to the right and left and place your selves on the outside of your right and left hand men The ninth figure is the same as this if faced to their leader To perform this The outmost files of each flank stands the rest of the body faceth to the right and left outward and so passing forwards through the intervalls into each flank place themselves on the outside of their right and left hand men To reduce this may be performed by any of the foregoing Countermarches of ranks Or else being faced to any of the flanks then the Ranks become files and by divisional Countermarches of files you may reduce divisional Countermarches of Ranks OR By Ranks files only some facings must be observed For the proper Reducement Command The two inmost Ranks to stand the rest to face to the right and left inward and so march into their places 9. Command The right and lelft hand files upon each flank stand the rest pass through to the right and left and place your selves on the outside of your right and left hand men following your inmost files Observe in the performance of this the two inmost-files are to be first in motion But first Command The two outmost files of each flank to stand and the rest of the Body to face to their right and left outwards so moving away first from the midst until they have successively placed themselves on the outside of their right and left hand men you may close their files into the midst to open Order The reducement of the eight figure will reduce this also 10. Command Front and Reer half files Countermarch to the 1. Right or 2. Left hand interchanging ground To perform this Command Half files to face about and turn off to the right front half files doing the like move forwards until they be clear one of an other six foot then face to their leader if you please and close their divisions A Countermarch interchanging of ground will reduce them and then close c. 11. Command Front and Reer half files to the right hand interchange ground You may reduce this interchanging of ground as they were or by some other word of Command Thirdly Countermarches to gain ground 1. Command The file leaders stand the rest pass through to the 1. Right or 2. Left and place your selves before your leaders The Command is so plain that there needeth no directions Only if your command be to place your selves behind your leaders then the file leaders are to face about and the rest are to execute it as the former only in placing themselves they are to turn their aspect behind their leaders And then Commanding them to place themselves before their leaders will reduce them 2. Command File leaders face about to the right and stand Bringers up with the rest following them pass through to the right and place your selves behind your leaders Face to your leaders To reduce this you may do it by the same Command or by the first Command 3. Command File leaders stand and the rest pass through to the 1. Right or 2. Left placing your selves before your file leaders following your Bringers up This is the same with the second figure only in their work they are to keep their aspect to the Front And the reducement the same also 4. Command File leaders and half file leaders stand the rest pass through to the right and place your selves before your file leaders and half file leaders You may reduce this by the same Countermarch or any other Divisional Countermarch 5. Command File-leaders and half file-leaders stand the rest pass through to the right and place your selves behind your Leaders and half file-leaders following your Bringers-up The file-leaders and half file-leaders are only to face about to the right and to stand the motion is the same with the fourth Figure but in taking their places they are to face to the Reer The Reducement as the former 6. Command File-leaders and half file-leaders stand the rest pass through to the right and left and place your selves behind your Leaders and half file-leaders c. I need not demonstrate this it being the same with the fifth and sixth only in the motion they are to pass to the right and left outwards And is reduced as the former 7. Command File-leaders to face about the rest pass through to the right and place your selves behind your Leaders and Bringers up To perform this Command The first Rank is to face about and stand then the two last Ranks from the Reer i. e. the fourth and fifth Ranks are to face to the Reer and move all c. The former Directions upon any Divisional Countermarch will reduce this 8. Command The outmost File of the right face to the right the rest pass through to the Right or Left and place your selves Before or Behind your right hand men If your Command be behind your right hand men then the right hand file is but to face to the left I shall not trouble you with them conceiving them of no great use You may reduce these by a contrary Countermarch 9. Command The outmost File of the right hand stand and the right hand File of the left half Rank stand and the rest pass through and place your selves on the outside of your right hand men Face to your Leader The same is done on the left hand And if you place them before their left hand men then face them all to the right and so let them pass through observing the
for the maintenance of them I may truly terme them like a Ship without a Rudder which being let at liberty to every gust of Wind will be ruined upon the Rocks of Rebellion Or like some curious Edifice erected without a roof which cannot withstand the violence of any storme Constantine the Great by the perswasions of some peaceable Subjects cashier'd his antient Legions by which he overthrew the best of his Military Discipline and so left an open gap for the barbarous Nations to invade the Empire Solomon in the time of Peace provided for War What Nation dare to meddle with that People who are prepared and well exercised in this Art of War Therefore let every one Gentlemen and Farmours Rich and poor that intend to approve themselves true English men and Loyal Subjects not only imbrace honour and cherish Armes but also exercise and be exercised and diligently learn this Military Art that in case any Rebellion or treachery may arise they may be fit to defend His MAJESTIES person with all his rights and Prerogatives That such as our late intestine ruines may be for ever hereafter prevented That the Armed servant may no more command the unarmed Master Nor the Rebellious armed Subject his unarmed Prince Let us not be overwhelmed in security but when any suddain Alarme may sound in our ears there may be alwayes found such ready and fit both to command and obey Solomon doth in effect tell us that it is not the great number of untrained men that are sufficient for defence when he saith A wise man is ever strong Pro. 14. yea a man of understanding increaseth in strength for with Wisdome must War be taken in hand and where there are many that give Counsel there is victory It is impossible for any Kingdome or Dominion to live in peace without the use of the Sword As Idleness and the neglect of Warlike Discipline hath been the ruine of many States so the Order of the antient Romans resolved not to lie as sluggards nor to delight in Idle or wanton pastimes but at certain times allotted them in a year for the bettering of their experience in Warlike Exercises they did it with delight and pleasure so that no labour herein was burdensome to them and being become by the practice thereof most ready and expert in the same became at last as History hath declared great and mighty Conquerours I wish the same of us that our reputation may not scornfully be laid aside as if we minded more our Carpets and the following products thereof than the Musquett That through the Exercise of this Military Art we may become so mighty and Valiant as that we may be able to withstand any opposition both Forraign and Domestick Thus wishing prosperous successe in all Martial affairs that may be for the good both of King and Countrey I conclude and subscribe not onely to be a well-wisher to all Military Arts but in the quality of Your fellow Souldier and Servant Tho. Venn Introductive Collections OR INSTRUCTIONS For the Young Souldier IN Art Military CHAP. I. Military Observations for the Exercise of Horse NOtwithstanding what these late Rebellious Times have made to appear yet there is so much of self-willed Ignorance with more than the common sort of people not only to think but to say that in all services and Exercise of Arms there needeth no more Action but by these words of Command Make ready Present and Give fire All other words of Command to be but as tendances to them and all other postures are by them judged to be but superfluous and may well be spared or but trifles of small consequence Whereas the life and well being of every well ordered Troop of Horse and Company of Foot consisteth wholly of form and those received Ceremonies belonging to every Posture cannot in the least in the prime of Exercise be neglected but with the hazzard of Confusion Matth. 15.14 Quod si coecus coecum per viam duxerit ambo in foveam cadent The crooked deformity of the bones is covered with the flesh for the better adorning of the body so are Ceremonies which by experience the Antient have made Reverent are the life and being of a Kingdom And here by way of digression give me leave to say that which is but truth that the neglect of Ceremonies formerly used and commanded proved most injurious to this Kingdom and yet to this day is an evident demonstration of Faction and Rebellion It is the ambition of many men striving to be Captains before they be Souldiers labouring after Command before they know how to obey and being well considered what more is the Mother of Errour but Ignorance It is well scited out of Vegetius That knowledge in all things belonging to Warr giveth Courage Nemo facere metuit quod se bene didioisse confidit No man feareth to do that which he hath well learned how to do Without a true knowledge in the single Accidence in this Art Military as I may term it you will never be able to judge of the Syntaxis thereof without experience in all the Postures belonging to Horse and Foot none can be capable of exactness in that which is most of use in this Art for Military Discipline where with care it is observed is but a true confirmation of Souldiers in their Valour and Vertue and in short is performed By Exercise Order Compulsion Example 1. By Exercise Good Instructions are nothing without they be followed by care and diligence for what breeds more strong and resolved gallantry in Gentlemen than Industry It excelleth nature it self All the labour and exercise of a Commander from time to time is not of any value as to the Execution of this Art either in courage or strength in their Souldiers without he be industrious to teach and they also willingly labour after a perfection in the exercise of such Instructions as shall be commanded them for experience with Instruction is the best way to perfection Vegetius saith Paucos viros natura fortes procreat bonâ Institutione plures reddit industria Nature brings forth very few strong men but Industry by good Instruction breeds up many None ought to be called for to exercise this Art but such who are able to produce what they know to action for that Souldier that is not well taught can never expect the fruit of his labour to be couragious in his Enterprizes Exercitium Importeth nothing else but exercising an Army c. And it is most certain that the Souldery who are often and well exercised are much the better as Varro saith Exercitus dicitur quòd melius fit exercitando Thus being willing to be exercised begetteth knowledge knowledge begets courage courage obtained makes perils contemned calamities despised and death it self conquered 2. By Order There hath been so much writ of this by many Authours that I shall only say in short Polibius Vegetius c. It consisteth in dividing disposing and
when he heareth it sounded in the Field he must retire to them with all Speed 4. Tucquet Or March When this is sounded he is presently to March in which he is to observe his right-hand man and to follow after his Leader 5. Charga Or Charge When this is sounded by and with the examples or directions of his Commander the Souldier is to give proof of his valour in the speedy charging of his Enemy 6. Auquet Or Watch When this is sounded at night the Souldier is to repaire to the place for mounting of the Guard for Watch Or at the morning for dismounting of the Guards I have read of another sound called Attende Hoe for listening unto A call for summons A Senat for State and the like This when sounded the Souldier is to hearken unto it that he may the better be able to perform those Edicts that shall be then commanded The third and last Military Signe is 3. A Mute That is by signes to the eye as by the Cornets Colours or other motions by the hand of the Commander c. You see there are two principal senses of Advertisements the Eare and the Eye the true observation and use of these signes availeth much in Warr for he that is negligent in either may not only lose himself but be the cause of the loss of many others so that by being careless herein Victory it self is often lost How careful ought every Souldier then to be that by silence he may the beter hearken to all Commands that by the Vigilancy of his eye he may the better observe Vide Chap. 5. every sign that may by given For Vegetius saith that nothing profiteth more to Victory than to obey the Admonitions of signes CHAP. V. For the Marching and drawing up of a Troop of Horse EVery Troop of Horse must be furnished with a Captain Lieutenant Cornet and a Quartermaster two Trumpeters a Clark a Sadler a Chirurgeon and a Farrier And every Troop is usually divided into three equal parts each of which is called a Squadron and are severally known by the Captain 's Lieutenant's and Cornet's Squadron acordingly there are three Corporals There are as great diversitie of judgements almost as Authors about the placing of some Officers either in their marchings of a single Troop or being drawn up into a Battalia Some would have the Captain and one Trumpet in the front Then the Cornet leading of his Squadron and the third to be lead by the Eldest Corporal and the Junior Corporal in the reer Ward fo 26. with the Lieutenant who hath the command of a Trumpet with him Markham varieth something from this and but little only the two junior Corporals to be extravagant in the March who are so ordered on purpose to keep the Souldiers in their Ranks and to be orderly in their March Both Ward and Markham marcheth six in file but Ward marcheth Five in Rank and Markham Four only Others again differ in placing of Officers both in March and Battalia as Walhawsen would have the Harquebuzier to March eight in File and the Cuiraster ten in File But Markham and Ward being later Discipliners in this Art Military I shall only insert two platformes accordingly These of Markham and of Captain Ward are decyphered six in File and a File so drawn is distinguished according to their dignity of Place a Leader a Follower two Middlemen a Follower and a Bringer up The Ancient Dignity of a File 1 Dignity of place 1 H Leader 2 5 h Follower 3 4 H Middle man to the front 4 3 H Middle man to the reere 5 6 h Follower 6 2 H Bringer up Cruso exerciseth eight deep and therefore useless to our mode of fighting for our Custome is to make the Horse but three in File I shall not stand to answer the objections on both sides but shall leave it to the most expert in this Art I conceive it enough that our late experience hath taught otherwise And our present discipline being in practice to the Contrary Accordingly here shall follow a Troop of threescore Horse marching with each Officer in his respective place and also the form of a Troop drawn up in a body And when you march through any City or Town Observe your Pistols must be loaded and so fixed that you may be in a readyness to fire when ever occasion may be offered and command given having one of your Pistols drawn forth of your Holster mounting your muzzel and resting the butt end thereof upon your Thigh A Troop marching to our present mode A Troop drawn up In the March some place the Quartermaster to lead up the Lieutenant's Squadron and the two other Corporals to be extravagant that is to view and see each Souldier to keep his place In private exercises it is not denied but the Quartermaster may lead up the Lieutenant's Squadron But it is conceived best to place the Quarter-master in the Reere for it is presupposed that he is or may be to take up Quarters c. CHAP. VI. The Exercising of a Troop as Armed with a Carabine and Pistol THe Horse being in a body to exercise and to make the Souldier more able to handle his armes when he shall be called forth to fight The words of Command shall follow Notwithstanding there is but little difference between the words of Command for the Pistol with a Snaphans and the Carabine I shall however give them severally Although Mounting to Horse is no Posture of Arms and but a preparative to exercise and Service I shall presuppose the Souldiers to be dismounted annd stand ready by their Horses in a body The word of Command according to our English mode is To horse Now all being ready to Mount must be careful that his Horse be well girt c. And as a preparative to Exercise there is another word of Command Silence Without there be silence in the body the Souldier in no wise can distinctly hear what is commanded by the chief Officer It is the Souldiers Ear and care to preserve the body from fractions and where Silence is not diligently performed the Souldier doth not only fail in his motions but the event will be naught for it is the very footstep to rashness And it is as Livius saith Temeritas praeterquam quòd stulta est etiam infoelix not only foolishness but infortunate The words of Command for the Carabine All the Carabines being dropt let fall and hanging by their Swivells The Postures are as followeth Silence being commanded 1. Handle your Carabine Postures 2. Mount your Carabine Some terme this Order and others against that because it 's proper to the Pike placing your butt end upon your Thigh 3. Rest your Carabine in your bridle hand 4. Bend your cock to half bent 5. Guard or secure your cock 6. Prime your Pan. 7. Shut your pan or fix your hammer 8. Sink your Carabine on your left side 9. Gage your flask 10. Lade your
you were From your shoulder charge to the Front Right Left Reer Shoulder as you were 4. Port your Pikes This is useful when the Souldiers are to enter either Gate or Sally-port and it is an ease for the Reer half Files to Port their Pikes when the Front is at their Charge From your Port Comport Cheeke Trail your Pikes Port as you were From your Port charge to the Front Right Left Reer Port as you were 5. Comport your Pikes This is necessary for a Souldier upon his March up a Hill to have his Pike Comported From your Comport Cheek Trail your Pike From your Comport charge to the Front Right Left Reer Comport as you were 6. Cheeke your Pikes This is useful for the Sentinel Posture From your Cheeke Trail your Pikes Cheeke as you were From your Cheeke charge to the Front Right Left Reer Cheeke as you were 7. Trail your Pikes This is useful in a Trench to move for security of any breach undiscovered and is seldom used else but marching through a Wood c. From your Trail charge to the Front Right Left Reer Trail as you were From your Trail Order your Pikes 8 Lay down your Pikes Oberve that if your Pikes be laid down when you begin your exercise then your Command must be 1. Handle 2. Raise your Pike to your Open order Order Close order c. You may observe that the Postures of the Pike some are for conveniency and ease to the Souldier as to expedition either in Marchings or other services commanded and the several charges serve either for defence or offence none ought to slight any of these Commands but to put them into practice for at some one time or other they may be useful Here followeth the Postures of the Musquet or Calliver In which I do affirm that the word of Command generally used Make ready is no Posture but a word for brevity presupposing the Souldier to be expert in all and doth include those postures precedent to that Present your Musquet and so from the Presenting of your Musquets the other postures following unto that Give fire which is the completement of all the rest of the Commands given Therefore for the better handling of Arms no Judicious Practitioner in this Art but will confess it is better to be Instructed from Posture to Posture for more comely and swifter execution thereof The Musquetteer being shouldered Command Snap-haunce Sloop your Musquets Let slip your Musquets 1. Vnshoulder your Musquet and Poyse 2. Palm or rest your Musquet 3. Set the Butt end of your Musquet to the ground 4. Lay down your Musquet 5. Take off your Bandeliers 6. Lay down your Bandeliers 7. Face about to the left march 8. Face about to the right and march to your Arms or stand to your Arms. 9. Take up your Bandeliers 10. Put on your Bandeliers 11. Take up your Musquet 12. Rest or Palm your musquet 13. Secure or Guard your cock 14. Draw back your hammer or steel 15. Clear your pan 16. Prime your pan 17. Put down your steel or hammer 18. Blow or cast off your loose corn 19. Bring or cast your musquet about to your left side Handle your Charger Open your Charger 20. Charge with Powder 21. Draw forth your scowring stick 22. Shorten your scowring stick 23. Charge with Bullet 24. Put your scouring stick into your Musquet 25. Rain home your charge 26. Withdraw your scouring stick 27. Shorten your scouring stick 28. Return your scouring stick 29. Bring forward your Musquet and poise 30. Palm or rest your Musquet 31. Fit your hammer or steel 32. Free your cock 33. Bend your cock 34. Present your Musquet 35. Give fire 36. Palm or rest your Musquet 37. Clear your Pan. 38. Shut your Pan. 39. Poyse your Musquet 40. Shoulder your Musquet Match-lock I need not here insert every Command but only add such as are used for the Match-lock wholly laying aside the rest Take your Match from between the fingers of your left hand Lay down your Match Take up your Match with your right hand Return or place your Match into your left hand Open your Pan. Clear your Pan. Prime your Pan. Shut your Pan. Draw forth your Match Blow your Coal Cock your Match Fit your Match Guard your Pan. Blow the ash from your Coal Open your Pan. Uncock and return your Match So you are ready for a March or in the Posture upon the first motion That which is called the Saluting Posture is to be performed from the resting or palming of the Musquet when he shall have an occasion as a Souldier to salute his Friend or to the honouring of any other person deserving And the Sentinel Posture is for the Musquet to be in the Palm of the left hand at his Resting posture But his Musquet to be charged with Powder and Bullet his Cock freed and to be secured with his Thumb so to be ready to execute his charge and commands given c. There is indeed a word of Command sometimes used Reverse your Musquet which is the marching Funeral Posture That is to put the butt end of your Musquet upwards under your left arm holding it in your left hand about the lock of your Musquet Thus I have finished the Postures of the Musquet or Caliver with a Snap-hance and with a Match-lock without a Rest for your further inquiry if there need be I refer you to Lieutenant Barriffe or Captain Ward If I should forget to say something of the excellency as to the use of the Half-Pike and Musquet that is now of use in the Artillery Garden Half-Pike first invented by Lieutenant Barriffe and Mr John Davis of London whatsoever is performed in the exercise thereof it is with greater ease than the Rest and Musquet is And knowing how far it hath been the care of many Souldiers by invention to make the Musquetteers as well defensive as offensive but none amongst many of their Projects was received like this all falling to the ground and this standing as the best being of most excellent service for it serveth as a Rest as a Pallisado to defend the Musquetteer from the Horse When the shot is all spent they may with that Weapon fall in among the Enemy and in the pursuit of an Enemy by reason of the lightness thereof and their nimbleness in Action may do great execution and in Trenches they are good seconds for the Souldiers preservation Those Souldiers that are thus Armed are the best to be commanded out upon any Party because they are the best able to defend themselves and offend their Enemies And when any hedges are to be lin'd with shot West Country that the Musquetteers by their forced service become silent and the ways deep and narrow then the Half-Pike will be of singular service And last of all the Souldâ—er so marching with his Half-Pike and Musquet It is not only a Grace to the Souldier but a Terrour to the Enemy Besides this hath
Division yet he is there misplaced for by the same rule in the second and third Opinion as you place the Collonel in the Dignity of a file leader the Lieutenant Collonel hath his Dignity in the place of a Bringer up the Major in the place of the half File leader the first Captain in the place of the Bringer up to the Front half-files Thus far all three joyntly go together and because there is no difference in number of men but equal in both parties they need not stand so much upon an equal opposement but that the second Captain Numb 5. may have his just place of honour immediately next unto his Collonel If it were not for this mode of Dignity according unto a File in the marching of a Regiment and so unto a Rank in a Body I might as well and better require satisfaction the number of each Company being equal in Souldiers why there may not be two field officers in the Collonels Division as well as in the Lieutenant Collonels which I leave to better judgments For the proof of my assertion as joyning with Barrife Ward and others in apointing the second Captain whose is the fift place of Honour next to the File leader or next to the Collonels own company both in Rank and File Bar. pa. 17. 1. The File leader ought to be the worthiest because he hath the Command of his File and marcheth first against the Enemie 2. The Bringer up ought to be the second place of Honour because his place of March is in the reer and is in most danger should the Enemie charge on that part 3. The half file leader is the third place of Honour because when the Front half files are taken off upon any occasion he is the leader unless he be commanded to face about 4. The last man or Bringer up of the Front half files is the fourth man in dignity for so he is when the Reer Division is taken of 5. The next man to the File leader hath the fift place of honour for one doubling brings him into the Front 6. The sixt place of Honour is before the Bringer up for if the Body be faced about one doubling brings him into that accidental Front or keeping of his proper Front by once doubling he becomes bringer up to the File leader 7. The seventh Dignity of place is his who marcheth next after the half file leader for when the half files double the Front or march forth then one doubling ranks him even with the Front 8. The eight place of Honour the File being but eight in depth is the third from the front for he may be made a File leader also although it may be with more trouble for by countermarching of the Front and Reere into the midst and then facing to the first Front and after doubling of Ranks makes him a File leader also I desire to speak nothing here to tye up the Ingenious to any particular fancy when his own reason shall guide him in this Military Discipline as may not be irregular and contrary to the rules of Art Now each Souldier being well exercised in the Postures of the Pike and Musquet and knowing their Dignity both in File and Rank will not stand still here but must be labouring to march farther in this field of Military Discipline that by the knowledge thereof his undaunted courage might conduct him to some higher worth or place of Dignity CHAP. IV. Of the Drum I Come in the next place to advise every Souldier to be careful and endeavour to know the several Beates thereof or else he may often fall short of his Captains Commands There are these several Beates to be taken notice of as Military signs for the Souldier to walk or guide his actions by and are termed Semivocall signes as you may see in the Horse service pa. 9. The several Beates or poynts of War are 1. A Call 2. A Troope 3. A March 4. A Preparative 5. A Battalia 6. A Retreit Besides these six there are two other Beats of the Drum 7. A Ta-to 8. A Revally The Ta-to is beaten when the Watch is set at the discretion of the Governour after which in most places or Garrisons of note there is a Warning piece discharged so that none are to be out of their houses without the word is given them c. A Revally is beaten in the morning by day light at which time the subofficers are to take off their out Sentinels It is when by reason of the great noyse of Guns men armes and Horses the Commanders voyce for it can neither be heard or obeyed without the beat of the Drum And the action of the Souldier whether valiant or otherwise is to be guided by it And For the better performance hereof it is the Captains duty to teach his Souldiers distinctly the several beats of the Drum that they may be the better able to perform their respective duties when ever they shall be so commanded by the Drum CHAP. V. Of Distances HErein I shall shew you what distance is and the several sorts of distances Without distance no motion can be performed Although distance in it self is not motion yet there is a motion in that action that produceth our several distances of place between man and man or that space or intervall of ground either in File or Rank And I may truly assert that the Discipline of a Foot Company c. consisteth so much in distance and motion that there is great necessitie of learning this very principle for they are not fixed in one station but are mutually interchanged one with another as occasion is offered by command and so are all brought into Order by their distances for if a perfect form of order be not observed disorder must necessarily follow the effect of which produceth confusion In our Modern discipline there are these four distances in use 1. Close Order 2. Order 3. Open Order 4. Double distance 1. Close Order which is both in File rank one foot and half 2. Order which is both in File rank three foot 3. Open Order which is both in File rank six foot 4. Double distance which is both in File rank twelve foot There are several distances to be performed in 1. March 2. Motion 3. Skirmish 1. The distance of marching between File and File is three foot between Rank and Rank is six foot 2. The distance for motion as for doubling of Files and Ranks for facings and Countermarches between File and Rank is six foot 3. Distances for intire doublings and skirmishes between Rank and File is three Foot 4. Distances for prevention of Cannon shott is 12 Foot or 24. Foot the double double distance Note that the close Order is useful 1. To the Files of Pikes to the charge of Horse 2. Before you Command any Wheelings 3. When the Commander is to deliver somewhat to the Souldier that all may hear Observe Before you open or