onely differing in the Aspect for the Lacedemonian turned the Aspect outward The Macedonian turned the Aspect inward And this keeps the Aspect still directed the same way He that knows every way may when time serveth make use of those wayes which are most necessarie and sutable to his present occasion The Proverbe saith Knowledge is no burthen The way to performe this Countermarch is as followeth according to the Command the outmost-file of each flanke stands the rest of the Body faceth to the right and left outward the right flanke passing through to the right the left flanke to the left those of the right-flanke placing themselues on the outside of their right-hand-men in like manner those on the left flanke placing themselues on the outside of their left-hand-men If may be reduced either by any of the foregoing divisionall Countermarches of Ranks or else being faced to any of the flanks then the rankes become files And by divisionall Countermarches of files you may reduce divisionall Countermarches of Ranks or by ranks files onely you must observe some facings Yet for this figure if you please Command the two innermost-files stand the rest face to the right and left inward and so march into their places The next shall be a Countermarch of interchanging of Flanks CHAP. LVI Of Interchanging Ground by the Flanks and bringing the innermost-files of Pikes to become the outmost-ranks The Command is Interchange Flanks THis exchanging of Flanks or Bastard Countermarch is differing from all the other divisionall Countermarches of Ranks for this transferres the right-flanke into the place of the left and the left-flanke into the place of the right It is very apt for to receive a sudden charge from the horse for as soone as they shall be commanded to interchange their flanks they face to the right and left inward and then the innermost-files of the pikes begin the Motion the rest of each flanke following orderly file-wise the pikes porting so soone as they begin to move and charge as they see occasion If need be the pikes may charge at the foot the Muskettiers giving fire over their shoulders If any object that the Pikes have too large a distance they may close at their owne pleasures as soone as they have past through For the reducement you may if you please interchange ground againe neverthelesse if you would reduce it by some other way Countermarch your Flanks into the midst and then an intire Countermarch either of ranke or file will reduce them I might have further enlarged my selfe upon this subject both in Command and Figure but it may be that some will finde fault with these which I have already penned concluding them for nicities and for no service because they cannot presently apprehend for what use or service they may be fit Notwithstanding I would intreat such if any such happen to be my overlookers that they would suspend their censures untill they have fully enformed their judgements Yet thus much I will conclude with them that Countermarches might the best be spared of all the Motions as being least beneficiall to this our Moderne discipline And yet to very good use many of them might serve if our Souldiers were well practised in them Neverthelesse such is the wilfull stupidity of the times that many good and usefull things are disreputed and accounted of no use because the Souldier wanting skill cannot performe them as they ought which would the Officers take more paines by often instructing their Souldiers the hardest Motions would become facile and easie And to say truth the greatest fault is want of skill in those which should give instruction to others and yet they will not sticke to carpe at such as shall shew more than they concluding such things for superfluous and improper which they themselues do not rightly understand But lest I be taxed for digression I will conclude this branch of Discipline with these few lines following SOme burthened are with more command than skill Which had they power suting to their minde You then should see Reason inthral'd to will Nor any 'bove their knowledge should you finde For rather than they 'le study to learne better They wish all wanting none to know a letter So be there many Officers in Bands That neither know themselves nor care for those That skilfull are in Postures and Commands Nor are they carefull which end formost goes They thinke to dice to drabbe to sweare and swill Is skill enough for them Learne more that will And if that any man more forward be For to instruct the Souldier as is fit With such a fellow they cannot agree He is vaine-glorious strives to shew his wit They will be sure to quarrell and deprave him And in their cups perhaps they 'll Such honest hearts as spend both meanes and time To practise others for their Countries good Why should this good be counted for a crime To those that for their Prince would spend their bloud That Countrey sure will best be kept from harmes Whose Subjects pleasure take to practise Armes But on this Subject I 'le no longer bide Of Countermarches Here I 'le take my leave To shew the Wheelings next I shall provide Which follows next of course as I conceive And though with verse my Countermarches close Beginning Wheelings I returne to Prose CHAP. LVII Of wheelings their kindes and uses with their severall words of Command THe next Branch springing from this root of Discipline are wheelings which are of two kindes viz. wheelings Angular and wheelings on the Center as also they are to be conceived in manner of action either intire or divisionall the use of intire wheelings is to turne the aspect of the front proper to the right to the left or reere either for the gaining of the Winde Sunne or some such like advantage or to confront the enemy with their best souldiers Most of the divisionall wheelings being indeed more properly doublings either extending the length or depth of the Battell notwithstanding because I wold not be taxed with innovation or alteration I have according unto the usuall received way placed them amongst the wheelings and now I will shew their words of command or direction But before I enter upon them give me leave to lay downe an observation or two for the better instruction of the Souldiers in their wheelings The first is That before you enter upon your wheelings you close both Rankes and Files to their order which is three foot both in ranke and file The other that upon all wheelings you must be sure to observe your leader and follow him keeping your due distance your Muskettiers being all either poyzed or shouldered your Pikes ought to be advanced The words of Commands are as followeth Wheele your Battell to the Right   Left   Right about  Left  Right  on the same ground Left  Right about Left Wheele off your Front by division   your Front
every particular doublings pointing at one of these although there be sundry and divers waies for the doing of them each of them being to very good purpose for some consideration or other Doublings of Ranks from what forme soever it be done doth make the number double so much as was before and sometimes doth extend the length of the battell to double the proportion of ground as well as well as number Doublings of files or flankes doe also double the number in depth and sometimes becomes a doubling both of number and place Wherefore for the better understanding of the doublings observe with me these sixe usuall waies following The severall parts or branches of Doublings Doublings of 1 Ranks 2 Halfe-files 3 Bringers-up 4 The Reere 5 Files 6 Halfe-rankes The first is the doubling of rankes and is when every even ranke doubleth into the odde the second is when the halfe-files double their ranks forwards into the Front the third when the Bringers-up double their ranks forwards into the Front The fourth when the Front-halfe files doubleth the Reere These first foure being doublings of ranks the length of the battell being by them extended either simply in number or both in number and place The next two are doublings of flanks the first whereof is the ordinary doublings of files every one of the even files being inserted into the odde files accounting from the hand named The next is the doubling of halfe-rankes which is to be understood when one flanke doubleth the other either by passing through countermarch doubling intire or divisionall You are to note in this motion of doubling that as there is one part of the body stands so the other part moves the standing part is to be doubled the part moving are those that double as you may perceive by the figures which shew the manner of each doubling That which next followes are the words of command and direction for doublings with their severall reducements following next after them The words of command for Doublings Ranks to the right double  left  Rankes as you were Files to the right double  left  Files as you were Bringers up double your ranks forward to the right Bringers up face about to the left march forth into your places Bringers up double your ranks forward to the left Bringers up face about to the right march forth into your places Files to the right and left double outward Files as you were  inward  Halfe files double your rankes forward to the right Halfe files face about to the left march forth into your places Halfe files double your ranks forward to the left Halfe files face about to the right march forth into your places Front halfe files face about to the left and double the reere to the right march forth into your places Front halfe files face about to the right and double the reere to the left march forth into your places Front halfe-files double the reere to the right by counter-march Front halfe-files face about to the left march forth into your places Front halfe-files double the reere to the left by counter-march Front halfe-files face about to the right march forth into your places Halfe-rankes to the right by counter-march double your left flanke Halfe-rankes that doubled face to the right march forth into your places Halfe-rankes to the left by counter-march double your right flanke Halfe ranks that doubled face to the left march forth into your places Halfe-ranks of the right double your left flank Halfe-ranks that doubled face to the right march forth into your places Halfe-ranks of the left double your right flank Halfe-ranks that doubled face to the left march forth into your right places Halfe-files double your front to the right intire Halfe-files face about to the left march forth into your places Halfe-files double your front to the left intire Halfe-files face about to the right march forth into your places Halfe-files double your front inward intire Halfe-files face about to the right march forth into your places Halfe-files double your front by diuision Halfe-files face about to the right and left march forth into your places Front halfe-files double your reere by division Front halfe-files face about to the right and left inward march forth into your places Front halfe-files double your reere to the right intire Front halfe-files face about to the left march forth into your places Front halfe-files double your reer to the left intire Front halfe-files face about to the right march forth into your places Halfe-ranks of the right double your left flank intire to the right Halfe-rankes that doubled face about to the left march forth into your places Halfe-ranks of the left double your right flanke intire to the left Halfe-ranks that doubled face about to the right march into your places Halfe-ranks of the right double your left flanke by division Halfe-rankes that doubled face about the right and left inward march forth into your places Double your ranks to the right intire Ranks that doubled face to the left march forth into your places Double your ranks to the left intire Ranks that doubled face to the right march forth into your places Double your ranks by division Ranks that doubled face to the right and left inward march forth into your places Double your files to the right intire advancing Files that doubled face about to the left march forth into your places Double your files to the left intire advancing Files that doubled face about to the right march forth into your places Files double your depth intire to the right files that doubled as you were left Files double your depth to the right every man falling behinde his bringer-up Files that doubled as you were CHAP. XII Of inversion and conversion and of doubling Ranks THere is yet another doubling of the depth which is called Inversion But because some out of their ignorance make little or no difference betwixt Inversion and conversion Give me leave for the clearing of the doubt to place Conversion and Inversion together that by their contrary effects the difference may be the more perspicuous to such as shall be desirous to know it Yet before I either enter upon figure or command for Inversion or Conversion I hold it necessary to shew some of the figures of those doublings for which I have already given the words of command and reducements And then next after them I will place both the words of Command and the figures belonging to Inversion and Conversion This figure next following is a doubling of rankes to the right where you may perceive how the even rankes are inserted into the odde rankes the pricks denotating the places they stood in before the doubling began the little line or stroke drawne from the pricks shewing the manner of the doubling I thinke it would be needlesse to make another figure to shew the doubling of rankes to the left for the meanest judgement
even-files into the ground before the Front Contrariwise this doubling doth transferre them into the ground next behind the Reer And as in the other doubling you may perceive halfe the file-leaders to remaine in the Front the other halfe to be halfe-file leaders This doubling hath halfe the file-leaders in the front the other halfe being the last ranke of the Reere Those which were the former Bringers up being become the two innermost or middlemost ranks The figure followeth being demonstrated as the body stands the motion being ended The manner of the motion for this doubling is as followeth The command being given files double your depth to the right intire every man falling behinde his bringer up then the even files accounting from the hand named immediately face about to the right and the bringers up of each of the even files turne behinde the Bringers up of the odde files that stand And so every man as he commeth down to the Reere turneth to the left behinde him that marcheth downe the next before him untill those that were the leaders of the even files are become the bringers up to those which were the odde files The reducement is as followeth Bringers up that now are double your ranks forward to the left Which being performed they are as at the first If you would be instructed in the manner turne backe and see it where the bringers up double their ranks forward into the front It is the fourteenth Chapter I have willingly past over another doubling of the depth because it is much after the manner of that which is done by advancing file upon file which is the doubling of the last Chapter It differeth onely thus In the last figure the even files marched forth placing themselves before the odde files And in this which I have omitted the even files are to face about and march forth right towards the reere untill the file-leaders of the even files have placed themselves just behinde the bringers up of the odde files and then every man to face to his leader Some have a doubling of the depth by countermarch Which I conceive scarce worth penning yet willing to leave every man to his owne liking as I do nothing in it so I 'le say nothing of it There are others that have written concerning doublings of place nevertheles because they are nothing but the opening of ranks files wherby length or depth of your battell is extended and so doubled in place and not in number I forbeare to write further of them desiring not to treate of such things which are more curious then necessary CHAP. XXXI Of Conversion and Inversion with their words of Command and Reducements ACcording to my promise I will next shew the difference betweene Inversion and Conversion the very names whereof is such a puzzling unto many that they are more troubled with the words then the worke Some are of opinion that they are both one differing in letter not in matter Others would have a difference if they could tell how or where But generally they are so chopt and changed one for the other that the Souldier cannot in truth tell which is either But that you may not be deceived take this for a rule that Inversion doth alwaies produce file or files and Conversion ranke or rankes Inversion consists of the files filing or of rankes filing Conversion of ranks ranking to the right or left Or by increase of files ranking by even or uneven parts and of ranks wheeling to the right or left I shall speake further of them in their severall places But by the way you are to observe that Inversion and Conversion require larger distances of Ground then any other Motions which must be the Officers care to open the ranks or files to such distance as shall be necessary to containe the rankes or files so to be Inverted or Converted whether it be double-distance or twice double-distance for any other lesser or larger quantity of ground The words of Command with their severall Reducements are as followeth Inversion Files file one to the Right File-leaders lead up your files as you were Left Files file to the right and left by division Ranks file to the Right Files ranke as you were Left Right left Conversion Ranks ranke 3 5 7 or 9 to the right Ranks ranke as you were 4 6 8 or 10 to the left by increase 2. 4. 6. 8. c. to the right by increase 1. 3. 5. 7. c. to the left intire to the right into the front intire into the left into the front by division into the front Ranks wheele to the Right Left Right and Left Files rank 3 5 7 or 9. to the right Ranks file as you were 4 6 8 or 10. to the left by increase to the right 1 3 5 7 c. by increase to the left 2 4 6 8 c. to the right into the front to the left To avoid the words of Inversion and Conversion I have delivered the directions with once naming either of them Onely I have exprest the six first words of Command to be Inversion and these last sixteen to be Conversion For I conceive it not to be so necessary to adde to every word of Command Inversion or Conversion For by so doing the unlearned and ignorant Souldier will be so transported with the strangnesse of the word that he will scarce by any meanes be made capable of the matter For my own part I have ever held this opinion that the easiest expressions are ever to be preferred in the way of instruction to young Souldiers I might have much inlarged my self in the words of direction concerning this subject but these being perfectly attained others by practice wil be gained I at the first intēded to have drawn figure for every one of these words of Command but I have better considered that some of them will require so much roome and againe are so easie to be understood without their figures that I conceive I may both spare the pains and cost and onely deliver the figures of some few of them which will be the most necessary And for the others I will expresse in words what they will produce in figure CHAP. XXXII Of Files filing in sequence The Command is Files file on to the right TO performe this word of Command or Direction The right hand file marcheth away single The second file from the right falleth into the Reere of the first The third behind the second The fourth behind the third And so consequently all the rest of the files fall into the Reere of their next right-hand-files untill all the whole Company become one file It may bee usefull to passe some narrow bridge or thicket or else-where where but one at once can passe the Commander being willing to preserve his files intire and whole The way for the Reducement may be after this manner The place being convenient every file-leader is to lead up his file to the
stands the Reere-halfe-files face about and so the front-division passe forwards and place themselues behind the file-leaders the reere-halfe-files behinde their Bringers up The manner you may perceive the plainer if you note the figures of number which are placed on the flanks of the figure their number shewing the places they had from the front before the motion began This figure may be reduced either by the same word of command which produced it or else by any of the foregoing divisionall countermarches Our next shall be a countermarch of exchange of ground The words for command or direction are as followeth CHAP. LI. Of Interchanging Ground The Command is Front-halfe-files interchange ground with the Reere passing through to the Right Bast Countermarch In Motion This Bastard Countermarch may not rightly be said to be derived from any one of the particular grounds of Countermarch but rather participating of them all And yet considering it as it is to be it is different from them all for whereas the other countermarches of files in division although they bring the Front and Reere into the middest yet the front-halfe-files continue still on the same part and the Reere-halfe-files do not alter into the places of the other But this contrary to any other of the divisionall countermarches transferres the front-halfe-files into the ground or place of the Reere-halfe-files and them into the contrary part bringing the file-leaders and bringers up together into the midst The way to performe this Motion is as followeth The front-halfe-files face about passing forwards to the right being led by the bringers up of the front-halfe-files betweene the Intervalles towards the reere The Reere-halfe-files at the same instant in like manner marching forwards betweene the Intervalles on their right hands into the Front untill the Front-division have attained the places of the Reere and they contrariwise the places of the Front For the reducement of this countermarch do as much backe againe Or if you would reduce it some other way you may first make an intirc countermarch of files and then countermarch front and reere into the midst for under two countermarches it will not be reduced Now I will passe to shew divisionall countermarches of Ranks or Flanks The first shall be Chorean as in the Chapter following CHAP. LII Of counter-marching the flanks or wings into the midst of the Battell The Command is Countermarch your flanks into the midst THis Chorean counter-march of the flanks into the midst is of ordinary use when the Commander would have the outermost files to become the innermost the motion to bee performed on the same ground and is as followeth The command being given the whole body faceth to the right and left by division the outermost files by this facing becomming rankes every man in the right hand file being a leader in his halfe ranke file-wise and so likewise in the left hand file the same then they countermarch the right flanke to the right the left flank to the left which you must alwaies observe to doe and your flanquers will meet just in the midst of your Battalia Lastly having faced them to their first front the counter-march is ended To reduce them they may either use the same Counter-march againe or any of these following divisionall countermarches of flankes unlesse it bee that of interchanging of ground The next shall be Lacedemonian the Command or words of direction are as in the Chapter following CHAP. LIII Of Countermarching to take the ground before the flanks The Command is The outermost file of each flanke face outward the rest passe through to the right and left placing your selves before your out-side men THis Lacedemonian Countermarch of halfe ranks or flanks makes 〈◊〉 of charging on upon both flanks but leaves a wast distance of ground unoccupied betweene the two outmost-files or midst of the battell The way to performe this Motion is as followeth The right-hand-file faceth to the right the left-hand-file to the left the rest of the body faceth to the right and left the right-flanke passing through to the right and placing themselues before their right-hand-men The second file from the right begins the Motion on the right-flanke the left-flanke in like manner passing through to the left and placing themselues before their left-hand-men the second file accounting from the left begins the Motion on the left-flanke But you must note that the files become ranks with the facing For the reducement of this figure if you will first face them to their proper front you may then command the two inmost-files stand the rest passe through to the right and left inward and take their places Or if you please make use either of a Chorean or a Macedonian Countermarch of Ranks by division and with a facing and closing their divisions they will be perfectly reduced CHAP. LIV. Of Countermarching to take the ground on the outside of the Flanks and to direct their Aspects inwards The Command is The outmost file of each Flanke face inward the rest passe through to the Right and Left placing your selues behinde your outside men THis Macedonian Countermarch differeth nothing from that last shewed but onely in the turning of the aspect inwards whereas the other directed their aspect outwards The Motion is thus performed The outermost-files of each Flanke face inward the rest of the body face to the right and left outward those of the right flanke passing through to the right and placing them selues behinde their right-hand-men Those of the left flanke passing through to the left and placing themselues behinde their left-hand-men The Motion is begun by the second file from each flank I might here shew these Countermarches beginning their Motion from their middlemost-files But I am willingly silent hoping that these may suffice to the courteous not much forcing my selfe to give satisfaction to the curious For the reducement of this Countermarch having faced them to their first front you may if you please command the two innermost files to face outward the rest passe through to the right and left inward placing themselues behinde their right and left-hand-men which being done the whole body will stand faced to the right and left outward Then being faced to their Leader they are reduced If you would reduce it by some other way you may make use either of the Countermarch which is next before or of that which next followeth Or of any other divisionall Countermarch of Ranks which doth not interchange ground Our next two which follow will be Bastard Countermarches with the which we will conclude this our fourth branch of Discipline CHAP. LV. Of taking the ground on the outside of the flanks not altering the Aspects The Command is The outmost-file of each Flanke stand the rest passe through to the right and left and place your selues on the outside of your right and left-hand-men THis Divisionall bastard countermarch produceth the same effect which the other two next before it wrought
following Chapter CHAP. LXVII Of wheeling the flanks into the midst of the Battaile The Command is Wheele front and reere into both Flanks The direction is Face to the right and left THis divisionall wheeling of the front and reere into both flankes may also be termed a doubling of the depth by reason that from 8 deepe it maketh them double numbers By this motion the Muskettiers which before were flankers are now transferred into the midst betweene the front and reere of the Pikes And whereas in the other figure the wheeling was about the two middlemost file-leaders and Bringers up this wheeling contrariwise is about the two halfe file-leaders of the outmost files of each flanke In the other wheeling the file-leaders and bringers up made the innermost file in this the innermost file of each flanke as you may easily perceive by the figure This motion being performed it leaves a large Intervalle or division from front to reere betweene the flankes which if the Commander passe into the midst betweene each division and face them all to him causing them to close their divisions and to march forth into his first place directing their aspects the same way then will the Pikes be in the front and reere For the reducement of this Figure of wheeling to its former posture you may face the body to one of the flanks Which being done command them againe to wheele front and reere into both flankes when being faced to their former front and having closed their division they are reduced But if you would make use of some other wheeling for reducement then wheele both flanks into the front and reere and they are as at first having faced to their leader and closed their division And thus as briefly and as plainely as I could have I runne through the severall motions and grounds for the disciplining of a foot-company And although I neither can nor hope to give satisfaction to all yet I shall intreat the better qualified that where I am wanting there they will supply my defects with their goodnesse Or if it so happen that I undergoe the censure of needlesse superfluitie I would have such to make use of so much of it as they shall thinke fit for their owne turnes and to leave the residue unto such as may have opportunity for to use it THus Courteous Reader have I past the grounds And various motions of the Infantry Where thou maist gaine the skill cost others wounds Though from a young one of th' Artillery Reade and consider if thou nothing gaine I aske as little from thee for my paine If thou the distances dost well peruse The severall facings and the doublings too The Counter-marches which of course ensues And then our wheelings which we lastly doe These being practis'd learn'd and understood The benefit turnes to thy Countries good These like the vowels are in number five With which me spell all words that can be nam'd So with these motions we all formes contrive And from these grounds are all our figures fram'd Then frame thou no excuse but learn to know them And with as free an heart as I doe shew them Now next of all I should some firings show But lest perhaps I hold you over long I thinke it fit some respite to be stow Lest that our Souldiers thinke I doe them wrong So please the Reader but to pause the whiles And see our Leaders exercise their files For now each Leader is so courteous growne He strives to bring another to his place But they as modestly would keepe their owne And each prefers his follower to the grace So please you then but winke at the digression And you shall see each Leader by succession CHAP. LXVIII Of making men file-leaders successively the files being eight deepe IN the making every man in file successively leader according to their first standing may as well and easily be done in great bodies as by single files Yea and with the same words of Command and direction as you may perceive by the Table where the figures of number shew the succession of each mans leading The words of Command which produce each leader being placed in the Columes beneath In the first Colume of the Table the file stands as at first with his proper file-leader in front each man having his right place The rest of the files demonstrating the places of the men according to their standing upon the making of every severall file-leader The Commands are figures which produce the like leaders The front of each file as they come to be File-leaders successively 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 2 1 4 3 6 5 8 7 3 4 1 2 7 8 5 6 4 3 2 1 8 7 6 5 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 6 5 8 7 2 1 4 3 7 8 5 6 3 4 1 2 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 The severall words of Command which produce each File-leader 2 Ranks to the right double  Files 3 File-leaders and half-file-leaders stand the rest passe thorough to the right and place your selves before your Leaders  4 Ranks to the left double  Files 5 The first Ranke stand the rest passe thorough to the right and place your selves before your Leaders  6 Ranks to the left double  Files 7 Countermarch Front Reere into the midst then face to your Leader  8 Ranks to the left double  Files 0 Then face about or Countermarch your Files and they are as at first  The first are the proper leaders of the files For to make the second leade if there be but one file then file ranke two to the right if there be more files than rankes to the right double and files to the right double By which meanes the second man is become leader of his file every man being disposed as you may perceive by that file whose leader is the figure of 2. To make him that was the third man leader let file-leaders and halfe-file leaders stand the rest passe through to the right place themselves before their leaders Thus will the file stand like that led by the figure of 3. For to make him that was the fourth man leader Rankes to the left double and files to the left double whereby the file will stand like that led by the figure of 4. For to make him that was the fift man leader let the first ranke stand the rest passe through to the right and place themselves before their leaders by which meanes the file will stand like that led by the figure 5. For to make him that was the sixt man leader double your rankes to the left and files to the left double and then the file will stand like the file led by the figure of 6. For to make him that was the seventh man leader of the file Countermarch front and reere into the midst and face them to the former front whereby the file will stand like that led by the figure of 7. For to
make him that was the eighth man leade the file-ranks to the left double and files to the left double and the file will stand like that led by the figure of 8. For to reduce them cause the first ranke to stand the rest to advance forwards to the right placing themselves before their leaders CHAP. LXIX Of making men file-leaders successively the files being but sixe deepe SOme will be inquisitive to know for what use the making of leaders by succession serveth or whether it be not a meere Curiosity to which I thus answer That it is not only pleasant but profitable Pleasant to the leader of a file who having sufficiently exercised his file in Postures to give some time of respite or delectation for the recreating of their almost tyred spirits brings each man successively to leade the file by proper words of Command And lastly reduceth each man to his former standing It must needs be profitable and much availeable in discipline when the skilfull Commander can thereby with much ease change and interchange bring what rankes he pleaseth to lead in front and exchange them afterwards for others yea and lastly at his owne pleasure bring the proper file-leaders againe into their places This following table shewes each mans severall place as they stand still being altered according to their various Leaders By the figures of number which are placed over the heads of those Columes wherein are writ the words of Command understand that those words under the figure of 2. are to make the second man file-leader Those words under the figure of 3. make the third man leader And so forward for the rest The front of each file as they come to be Leaders 1 2 3 4 5 6 2 1 2 5 6 5 3 4 6 1 3 4 4 3 1 6 4 3 5 6 5 2 1 2 6 5 4 3 2 1 The words of Command which produce each severall Leader  Files 2 Ranks to the left double 3 Half-files double your Front to the right Files to the right double 4 Facc to the Reere or let the first ranke stand the rest passe thorough c. 5 Ranks to the right double Files double your depth to the right  Files 6 Ranks to the left double 7 Face to the Reere and they are reduced The first man is the leader of the file For to make the second man leader Command file ranke two to the left If there be more files then one ranks to the left double and files to the left double which makes the second man leader every man in the file being disposed as you may perceive by that file led by the figure of 2. For to make him that was the third man leader command halfe files double the front to the right and files to the right double by which meanes the file will stand like that led by the figure of 3. For to make him that was the fourth man leader Face to the reere and then hee leads But if you will keepe the same front command the first ranke to stand the rest to passe through to the left placing your selves before your leaders Thus will the file stand like that led by the figure of 4. For to make the fift man leader command rankes to the right double and files to double their depth to the right intire by which meanes the file will stand like that led by the figure of 5. For to make the sixt man file-leader cause rankes to the left double and files to the left double and then the file wil stand like that led by the figure of 6. For to reduce them there needs no more but face to the reere notwithstanding if you would have the front the same way the Command is the first rank stand the rest passe forwards to the right placing your selves before your leaders For to make sixe men successively leaders by sixe words of Command besides Facings The first is leader for the second file Ranke 2 to the left and files to the left double For the third Countermarch front and reere into the midst and face to that part which was the reere For the fourth face about to the right For the fift countermarch front and reere into the midst and face to that which was the reere For the sixt ranke two to the right and files to the right double face them about and they are reduced CHAP. LXX Of drawing the Files againe into a Body and preparing them for a skirmish BY this time me thinkes I heare the Drums beat a Call which summons each file-leader to his place every man observing his order both in ranke and file The Officers having taken their due places the Captaine and Ensigne in the front of Pikes the Lievetenant in the reere the Serjeant on the flanks the Drums on the front and reere Angle s of the Pikes as you may perceive by the square figure next following Now the Drums beat a march the Ensigne flying at the head of the Pikes the Pikes and Muskets shouldered marching at their distance of order in file at open order in ranke presently by a signe from the Captaine the Drums beat a preparative the Ensigne furl-up retiring into the midst betweene the Pikes the Pikes advance the rankes close forwards to their order the Muskettiers makes ready and every man prepares himselfe for Battell or Skirmish And here the Eyes of the Drum must be very vigilant to observe his Captaine or Commander that by the least signe either of his hand leading-stafâ—e or whatsoever else he carries hee may either continue his charge retreat or else charge home and every Souldier ought to be so well trayned and practised that in the time of Battell he may receive ample instructions from the sound of the Drum The Body drawne into a square with the Officers in their places Thus many Officers may serue for a larger Company if the souldiers be expert and skilfull and to the contrary they are all too few if they be raw and unexperienced I have seene some Companies which have been so absolutely ignorant that each man would have needed an Officer to have kept him orderly in his place Neverthelesse I make no doubt but that by the carefull oversight of the Lord Lieutenants the good assistance of their Deputies and the diligence of the Captains and their Officers this fault will quickly be amended And this might easily enough be done if that those which are owners of Armes would but meet one houre or two in a fortnight at their best leisures and practise the postures of the Pike Musket first and the motions and firings when they are more expert If any shall object That how ever this may be done in Townes and Cities yet it cannot be in the Countrey Villages I answer That if they meete not above foure sixe or eight in a place although they have no Officer to instruct them yet by conferring and trying and often practising they will begin to carry their Armes with
he useth in the handling of his Armes consisting of severall Motions for atchieving of each Posture The Motion being the working part the Posture the alteration or act either in circumstance or matter As to rest your Musket being one Posture to shoulder your Musket another so likewise for the rest howbeit some perchance will object as formerly hath bin to one of Athens making a long Oration in the praise of Hercules his valour who ever doubted of it So to me who ever questioned these for Postures yet I have known them not only questioned but written against peremptorily concluding that there are but three Postures to be used for the Musket whose errours I shal easily confute But more of this after the Postures of the Musket Wherefore for the more orderly proceeding conceive their Armes to lie before them on the ground and then the first command will be to stand to their Armes The Postures of the Musket TAke up your Bandeliers Put on your Bandeliers Take up your Match Place your Match Take up your Musket and Rest Rest your Musket Now if you please you may performe your saluting Posture Poyse your Musket Shoulder your Musket Take your Rest into your right hand and you are armed ready to March Now to begin to make ready which may be done either standing or marching Take your Match between the fingers of your right hand Put your Rest string about your left Wrist and carry your Rest in your left hand Return your Match between the fingers of your left hand Unshoulder your Musket and Poyse Ioyn your Rest to the outside of your Musket Open your Pan. Cleer Prime Shut Cast off your loose Corns Blow off your loose Corns and bring about your Musket to the left side Treile your Rest ballance your Musket in your left hand Charge with Powder Bullet Draw forth your Scowring stick Shorten Put your scowring stick into your Musket Ram home your Charge Withdraw your scowring stick Shorten Return Bring forward your Musket and Rest Poyse your Musket and recover your Rest Ioyn your Rest to the outside of your Musket Draw forth your Match Blow your Coale Cock your Match Fit Guard your Pan. Blow the Ash from your Coale Open your Pan. Present upon your Rest Give fire brest high Dismount your Musket joyning your Rest to the outside of your Musket Uncock and return your Match Cleer your Pan Shut Poise your Musket Shoulder Take your Match between the fingers of the right hand Take your Rest into your right hand cleering your string from your wrist Return your Rest into the left hand the string loose Return your Match into your left hand Unshoulder your Musket and Poyse Rest your Musket Set the But-end of your Musket on the ground Lay down your Musket and Rest Match Take off your Bandeliers Lay down March from your Armes There is likewise the Sentinell Posture which is The Muskettier having his Musket charged with Bullet his Match cockt his Pan guarded stands with his Musket rested to performe such duty as shall be commanded or given him in charge Some have likewise taught to make ready on or from the Sentinell Posture But note that as none comes to stand Sentinell but comes ready charged So if any occasion happen that he must give fire in the time of his standing Sentinel it causeth a generall Alarme So that he will have no fit time to make ready upon his Rest Wherefore I conceive it superfluous but will ever conforme to better judgement We have also the Funerall Posture which from the Rest is to be performed at 3. Motions which cannot so well be exprest in writing as it will expresse it selfe in Action Wherefore seeing that it is rather an Ornament to Obsequies than truly necessary for Armies I will not spend more time about it but come to the Postures of the Pike Yet before I passe upon them give me leave to answer some which out of a Criticall humour will alwayes be carping at others condemning these Postures saying There are more by halfe then are either good or usefull and that there are no more Postures to be used but Make ready Present Give fire The which wee will not deny that in Service there are any other usefull notwithstanding I would have them to know that Make ready is no Posture but a word of Command including all Postures from the first Arming of the Souldier to the present or if the Muskettier be charged shouldered or both then the word Make ready commands the prosecution of the rest of your Postures which are between the Posture you then immediatly are at when the word is given and the other Posture Present for which reason when wee teach Muskettiers at first it is most necessary to instruct them punctually from Posture to Posture Which being once attained he manageth his Armes more surely more comely with more celerity and with better execution and at the first may as easily be taught the best way But if he have got an habit of doing ill there wil be as much or more pains spent in reclayming his errours as at first to teach him the best safest and readiest way CHAP. II. Of the Postures of the Pike THat which followeth next of course is the Posture of the Pike Wherefore that we may observe order in our proceeding we will likewise conceive their Pikes to lie in like manner before them on the ground And then as before the first Command will be To stand to their Armes Handle your Pikes Order To your open Order close Charge with the But-end of your Pike at the inside of your right Foot your Pike in the left hand drawing your Sword over the left Arme. Charge to the Right Left Reere Order your Pikes and put up your Swords Note that these Charges at the Foot are to receive a desperate Enemy on Horse upon a stand in some strait or other place of advantage the Muskettiers to give fire over the Pikemens heads or else-where at the discretion of the Commander Port your Pikes Comport Cheeke Treile Order Charge to the Front Order as you were Right Left Reere  Shoulder your Pikes Advance your Pikes Port Comport Cheeke Treile your Pikes  Advance as you were Charge to the Front Right Left Reere Shoulder your Pikes Port Comport Cheeke Treile Shoulder your Pikes  Shoulder as you were Charge to the Front Right Left Reere From Comport Cheeke or Treile the Pikeman may at the discretion of the Commander charge either to the Front Reere or both Flanks as shall be necessary or thought expedient Wherfore we shall not need to do it but once over for the Charges will be all alike whether you Comport from Order from Advance or Shoulder And so likewise for Cheek and Treile c. From Comport Charge to the Front Comport as you were Right Left Reere Cheek your Pikes   From the Cheek Charge to the Front Cheek as you were Right Left Reere Treile your
foot between ranke and ranke distance for motion sixe foot both in ranke and file distance for wheelings and skirmish three foot in ranke and file Onely if you were to receive a charge from the horse it is necessary for your files of Pite-men to be at close order Wherefore we will rehearse all the ordinary wayes for the opening and closing both of files and rankes But in the first place command them to even their Rankes and streighten their Files to be silent attend to their words of command and direction c. Rankes and files to your close order Files open to the right to your order Rankes open forward Files open to the right to your open order Rankes open forward Files open to the right to your double distance Rankes open forward Files close to the right to your open order Rankes close forward Files close to the right to your order Rankes close forward Files close to the right to your close order Rankes close forward Files open to the left to your order Rankes open backward Files open to the left to your open order Rankes open backward Files open to the left to your double distance Ranks open backwards Files close to the left to your open order Ranks close backward Files close to the left to your order Ranks close backward Files close to the left to your close order Ranks close backward Files open right and left to your order Ranks to the front reere Files open right and left to your open order Ranks to the front and reere Files open right and left to your double distance Ranks to the front and reere Files close right and left inward to your open order Ranks to the middest Note that when Files open to the right the left-hand file must stand fast every file taking his distance from the file next his left hand And when they open to the left then the right hand file stands every file taking his distance from the file next his right hand Obserue also that when Ranks open forwards then the last ranke stands every Ranke taking his distance from the Ranke next behinde him And when they open backwards then the first Ranke is to stand every Rank to take his distance from the Ranke next before him You are likewise to take notice in the action that you are either to face to the right or to the right about Note also that in closing of Files if it be to the Right then contrary to the opening the right hand file stands the rest closing to the Right taking their distance from their next right hand file If you close to the left then the left hand file stands the rest of the files closing to the left taking their distance in like manner When Files close to the right and left then they close inward taking their distance from the files within them neerer to the middest of the bodie Also note that when Files are commanded to open to the right and left or by division it must be outward If Ranks close to Front and Reere then the first and last Ranke stand the others taking their distances from them If they close Ranks towards the center or midst then they close towards their two middlemost Ranks It is not required that every Captaine or other Officer that shall exercise a Company shall use all these several openings and closings which are here exprest but rather that he shall make use of so many of them as he shall thinke fit for his present occasion or exercise Although they all may be usefull at some time or other I may spare examples for it must needs be apparant to the meanest capacities CHAP. VII Of marching the Company in Divisions at length the order and places of the Officers and againe drawing them into forme of Battell NOw that our Souldiers are somewhat expert in their distances we will next draw them forth into a long March Wherefore note that our files must be at order and our Ranks at open order The Muskettiers of the right flanke are to make the Van and to march next after the Captaine The Pikes are to make the battell and to march after the Ensigne either in one or two divisions according to their number The Muskettiers of the left flanke sometimes called the second division of Muskets make the Reere Guard which is led commonly by the second Serjeant How beit if there be but one division of Pikes then the eldest or chiefest Serjeant leads the second division of Muskettiers If the Company be but small then it is best to make but two Divisions one of the Muskettiers another of the Pikes For the placing of the rest of the Officers you may perceive by the figure in the margent Wherefore note that M. stands for Muskets p. for Pikes D. for Drummes S. for Serjeants E. for Ensigne L. for Lieutenant and C. for Captaine Note if you have but three Drummes then let the Drumme in the second division of Pikes be wanting If onely two then upon a March the first betweene the third and fourth ranke of the front division of Muskettiers The second betweene the third and fourth ranke of the second division of Pikes Note that betweene each Division in March there ought to be 12. foot distance 6. foot betweene the Officer and 6. foot behinde him CHAP. VIII Of drawing the divisions up into a square WHen you would bring your body againe into Battalia command your front division to make Alt or Stand then give order to your Ensigne either by a Serjeant or by some signe to leade up the first division of pikes on the left of the first division of Muskettiers with his colours flying and the Pikes to continue shouldered so long as the Drumme beats a March But if it beat a Troope then the Pikes are to advance and close their Ranks forward to their order and so the Ensigne to troop them up with his colours fierld The eldest Serjeant is to leadeup the second division of Pikes The second Serjeant in like manner is to leade up the second or reere Division of Muskettiers each division still marching up to the left of that division next before it The manner you may plainly see in the figure where the front division is marked in the Reere with the letter A. The first Division of Pikes with the letter B. The second Division of pikes with C. The second Division of Muskettiers hath in the Reere the letter D. The other figure on the other leafe in form of a square shewes their standing after the Divisions are led up All the file-leaders standing even in front together making one Ranke The discipline of the Art Militarie may rightly be divided into these five generall heads viz. Distance Facings Doublings Countermarches and Wheelings which have beene not unaptly compared to the five vowels For as without one or more of the vowels no word can be spelled so without one or more of these neither
forme nor action can be performed CHAP. IX What is Facing and the use of the word whether to be used or refused BEfore we come to shew the varietie of Facings in the action I thinke it will not be amisse to speake a word or two in the way of definition and therefore what is Facing To which I answer That Facing is a particular turning of the Aspect from one part to another whereby the Front proper becomes a Front accidentall And a Front accidentall may be reduced to his proper Front There are some likewise that by no meanes will allow of the word Face Concluding it altogether unnecessarie And no other word must be given but To the Right To the left c. Yet I wonder that men will stumble at so small a straw which cannot chuse but be better used than refused For the word Face is but one syllable and quickly pronounced and gives so cleare an expression of the intent of the Commander that it concludes it necessary As for example Should you command a Company to double Rankes to the Right and then command them as they were and then say To the Left it might puzzle a good Souldier at the first to discerne whether he should face or double The like mistake might bee among Countermarches Wherefore I conceive that none can justly taxe it for superfluous seeing the easiest expression hath alwayes beene accounted for the best Yet spare me for my intent is not to oversway any man in his opinion but rather to deliver mine leaving all men freely to their owne likings If my intent were to make a great booke with a little matter I might then here insert figures for every particular Facing and their Reducements to their first Posture which would take up divers sheets of paper and to little purpose For I suppose that every man that knows any thing may easily conceive the Idea of any ordinary Facing in his minde Wherefore I will but shew one or two of the hardest You are to note that in the Motion of Facings every man turnes on the Center or Ball of the left foot moving onely the right the other being the keeper both of ranke and file Face to the Right As you were Left Right and left Right about Left about Right and left inward Right angle Left Foure Angles The front halfe files standing it will be requisite for the halfe files to the reere to do as much by themselues whereby they will the more aptly perceive how that the subdivision goeth under the denomination of the halfe files c. Halfe files face to the Right As you were Left Right and left Right about Left Right and left inward There is another word which is ordinarily used and proper for reducements of Facings which is To your Leader There is another Facing sometimes used which is Face to the center and is when the body stands in some circular form or else in an hollow square There is also a Facing which causeth the Body to face to the front reere and flanks which some call Facing square CHAP. X. Of Facing square and how to performe it the usefulnesse of facings and the severall parts thereof WHen we instruct our Souldiers how to face square if the Body be but 8. deepe command the two first ranks stand fast the two last Ranks face about the rest of the Body face to the right and left If the Body be deeper we command more Ranks to the Front and so likewise to the Reere It is very necessary for young Souldiers to move 10. or 12. paces upon every motion of facings whether they are entire or divisionall Now I will pricke two severall figures of facing which will be sufficient to demonstrate all the rest The words of Command commonly used to produce this figure are these as followeth The two first ranks stand The two last ranks face about The rest of the body face to the right and left then march all To reduce them to their first order Face all about to the right march and close your divisions Face all to your Leader who then stands at his front proper Facing square another way marching upon it The words of command customarily used to produce this figure are these as followeth Muskettiers face to the right and left Halfe files of Pikes face about to the right then march all To reduce them to their former order Face all about to the right march and close your divisions Face all to your Leader Facings are so usefull and necessary that you may as well dispense with any one of the grounds of Discipline as with them for they are usefull almost upon all occasions and not onely sooner executed than any other of the motions but may be needfull when Wheelings and Countermarches cannot be used as in a strait There are no more then foure facings intire besides Angular as for Divisionall there be divers and indeed very necessary many of them be as occasion may offer it selfe for their severall uses howsoever peremptorily to say there be so many and no more I conceive hath beene concluded by none but it still rests at the discretion of the Commander to exercise more or fewer of them as he best liketh and the necessity requireth either for action or exercise Intire facings are so called when the aspect of the whole Company are directed one way Divisionall facings are so called when the aspect of the Souldiers is at one the same time directed divers and severall waies as to the front and reere the right and left or to all foure at once c. Angular Facings are so called when the aspect of the Company is directed to the right corner man which is the right Angle or to the left corner man which is the left Angle or to the foure corner men which are the foure Angles Angular facings were of great use among the ancients for their figures called the Diamond the wedge the Sheeres the Saw and such like when they made use of such formes of battell But for the use of them in our moderne Discipline I conceive there is little or none onely thus wee honour the memory of the Ancients in their use And some say they are very fit for exercise for that by their use the souldier is made more apt and perfect in the other Therefore let this suffice to be spoken concerning facings and now be pleased to turne your aspect and take a view how our young souldiers will behave themselves in the performance of the doublings CHAP. XI Of Doublings their use and parts DOublings are of most excellent and singular good use for the strengthening of any part of the battell according to the occasion or discretion of the Commander and consists of these two generals Doublings of length and Doublings of depth all times in quantity of number sometimes both in number and place both sorts having this restriction to be doublings of rankes or flanks
left of him that marcheth before him untill all the file-leaders are even in ranke together their files orderly following them The word for the Reducement is File-leaders Lead up your files as you were For files to file on in sequence to the left may be performed after the same manner but differeth in the hand Yet works the same effect only the right-hand-file-leader led the other and the elft-hand-file fell last of all into the Reere This contrariwise ' is led forth by the left-hand-file and the right-hand-file is the last that taketh place in the Reere of the extended file Files file to the Right and Left by Division This files filing by division is wrought after the same manner but differeth in this That the right-hand-file of the Company and the left-hand-file of the same begin to lead forth at one and the same time in their severall places The files of the right flanke falling likewise behind the Right-hand-file the files of the left flanke falling in like manner behind the left-hand-file So that if the body be flankt with Muskettiers then this filing by division bringeth all the Muskettiers into the front-division and the Pikes in the Reere of them If there be an odde file it most commonly falleth to the right The word for Reducement is File-leaders lead up your files as you were This sort of Inversion is called filing in sequence I will now shew another sort of Inversion which is by Ranks filing The which I will demonstrate unto you by two figures which will be sufficient to instruct the desirous CHAP. XXXIII Of inverting Rankes or Rankes filing THis following figure of Inversion is of Ranks filing to the right where all the Ranks are to be inverted into the out-most-file to the right For the doing whereof let all your files be closed to their order or close order as shall bee thought most necessary the ranks opened either forward or backward to double-distāce or twice double-distance more or lesse as the Commander shall see most convenient according to his number Having closed your files and opened your ranks unto their due distance then let every ranke move after his right-hand-man untill every ranke stand right in file after the right-hand-leader of his rank In this figure I have onely opened the foure first ranks to their distance and inverted but two of the foure By which it may easily be perceived both the manner of the worke and the matter which is to be wrought But if the Commander will performe it upon a March then they shall not need to open to any distance but to take their distance in the executions which is the easiest way and will be thus performed The right-hand-man of the first ranke marcheth forth right all his ranke facing to the right and marching file-wise after him The right-hand-man of the Second ranke falling immediately after the left hand-man of the First ranke all his ranke in like manner following of him The right-hand-man of the Third ranke after the left-hand-man of the Second his ranke likewise following of him And so for all the rest untill they are all become one file Place this Figure in Chapter 33. betweene folio 90 and 91. This Rankes fileing is sooner performed and reduced then Files fileing and in the Reducement will presently be ready to make resistance against any opposition in the Front Whereas if Files file it will be a great while before the File-leaders will be able to make good the Front The manner of the Reducement of this figure is as followeth If they were Eight men before in ranke then the first Eight men ranke to the Left into the front The next Eight men ranke next after them which makes the second ranke The third Eight men ranking to the left make the third ranke And so forward for the rest untill they are reduced as at the first But it may be that some will object That in this figure there is mixture of Armes which if they will avoyd they may either March forwards their Muskettiers of each division and close them before the Pikes and invert them first Or they may March forwards their Pikes first and leave their Muskettiers to come in the Reere Or if they please they may upon a long March first invert the front-division of Muskettiers then their Pikes and last the Reere-division of Muskettiers which way so ever it be done The Word for the reducement will be Files ranke as you were Rankes file to the Left is performed after the same manner It differeth from this last done but onely in the hand And whereas the Right-hand-file-Leader was the Leader of the last this would be led by the left-hand-file-Leader The left-hand-Leader of each ranke leading forth his ranke file-wise as before it was performed but to the contrary hand I spare the figure CHAP. XXXIIII Of Rankes filing by division and how vsefull THis next figure of Inversion is Rankes filing by division is a doubling of the depth by unequall proportion For whereas in most of all other doublings the Number of the Length or Depth is augmented but to double their former proportion of Number this doubling of Inversion makes their Depth so many times more in number as there are files to double Or halfe so many times if it be done by Division as in the next following figure It hath beene of ancient use amongst the old Grecians and in these our latter times it hath beene held of speciall use to avoyd the shot of the great Ordnance when of necessity we are to march against any Battery It hath also been held good to prevent the eminent danger of some great shower of small shot likely to be powred out upon the Front of your Battalia It may also serue for an Honourable passage large interualle street or gallery as some call it for any great Personage or Commander to passe through It is also of common use for the lodging of the Colours or Ensigne And many other such like Place this Figure in Chapter 34. betweene folio 92 and 93. For instruction how to performe this Motion It is the same with the last figure differing onely in this That as in the other figure all the whole rankes turned to the right behind their right-hand-men In this Motion the left-flanke or halfe-rankes to the left fall into the outmost file to the left The halfe-rankes to the right behind their severall right-hand-men as you may perceive in part by the figure I have shewen the figure in the manner of the action not fully performed The pricks ranke-wise denoting the places from whence they came The Quarter-circles shewing the way of the Motion The prickes file-wise directing or shewing their Places they are going too For reducement to the figure it is no more then this The Rankes which before inverted into files now againe convert into rankes as they were The word of Command for it is Files ranke to the right and left inward as you were I hope this
that hath already been shewen will be sufficient at least in some small measure to give satisfaction to those which as yet have not knowne what is meant by Inversion Yet I could wish that such as exercise the Companies of the Trained-Bands of this Kingdome would rather make use of the plainer word of demonstration which is Rankes file or Files file and leave out the word Inversion as a word not sutable with the Capacity of divers of our Souldiers of the Trained-Bands Especially of this City where Porters Colliars Water-bearers and Broomemen are thrust into the roomes of men of better quality as though they themselves were too good to doe the King and Country service CHAP. XXXV Of the severall parts of Conversion and how they-are to be understood THe next branch of Discipline which I offer to your view shall be of Conversion and of its severall parts wherein if there be any that thinke me tedious let them turne it over and settle on some other part which may be to them more delectable whilest I in the meane time shall endeavour to give content to all neither stuffing out my booke with needlesse discourses nor yet too much abbreviating the matter whereby to render it too obscure unto the commonest capacity Wherefore take their parts as they hereafter follow Conversion consists of these parts viz. Of Ranks ranking in equall parts 1 in unequall parts 2 intire into the Front 3 by division into the Front 4 by wheeling to the Flanks 5 Files ranking by equall parts 6 by unequall parts 7 intire into the Front 8 First of ranks ranking in even or equall parts Which is to be understood when there are twelve or twenty more or lesse marching abreast and the Commander either for the narrownesle of a passage or for some other intent causeth his rankes to ranke three or sixe abreast or five ten or any other number either according to the place or occasion every ranke holding equality of number Secondly rankes then ranke by unequall parts when they ranke by increase or decrease As when the first ranke shall be three the next five then seven nine c. which is commonly used for the making of Diamond and Triangular figures Thirdly ranks then ranke intire into the front when the first ranke stands the second ranke placeth it selfe on the right or left of the first the third by the second the fourth by the third and so forward for all the rest untill all the rankes either to the right or left according to direction are become one ranke in the front Fourthly rankes then ranke by division into the front when the second ranke and all the rest of the rankes behinde open to the right and left the one part going to the right the other to the left ranking even with the first as before and all together making one ranke Fiftly Ranks then ranke to the flanke or flankes when either the right hand man of each ranke or the left hand man or both together are as it were the Hindge of the motion the rest of each ranke wheeling about them to the right or left or each hand by division untill that every ranke be brought into the distance which was before the ranke betweene the right hand-man of the ranke next before and the right hand-man of the same ranke you stand in If it be to the left then they wheele into the distance between the left-hand-leaders of each ranke If it be by division then halfe the ranke wheeleth to the right the other halfe to the left and produceth two rankes Sixthly Files then rankes by equall parts when they rank three foure or five abrest more or lesse still keeping the number of men in ranke of due proportion If you ranke three abrest either to the right or left and your files be but eight deepe then the first sixe men make two rankes the third ranke must be made up by the leader of the second file And so for all the rest If you ranke foure and the files be eight deepe then every file makes two rankes If you ranke five the files being 8 deep then the first five men make a ranke and the first two men of the second file from the hand named make up the second ranke Five of the other sixe make up the third ranke And so forward for the rest If the depth of the file were ten men then it would make two even rankes Seventhly Files then ranke by unequall parts when they either ranke by progressionall increase or by decrease As when every ranke exceeds the ranke before it by two three or foure be it more or lesse Or else that each ranke decreaseth after the same manner Eightly Files then ranke intire into the front when there is so much distance betweene file and file as will containe each file ranke-wise every man in the file marching forwards to the right or left as shall be commanded untill he stand even in ranke with the leader of his file which brings the body into one ranke CHAP. XXXVI Of Rankes wheeling by Conversion IF I would strive to bee curious I should need no other subject to lengthen my discourse but onely this of Inversion and Conversion which of it selfe would yeeld matter sufficient to make a Booke of But I have taken a large taske And therefore like the Artists in Geography who sometimes by a spot present a Town and by a wrinckled line a large River so must I crave of the favourable Reader that in this small Treatise of Discipline he will not expect that I should inlarge my selfe so amply as I might upon every part For then my booke would grow beyond his bounds and I beyond my promise but lest I be taxed for digression this that hath already beene shewne may suffice for Conversion But because it may be expected that I should shew Conversion in Figure as well as the other Motions therefore to gratifie such I shall demonstrate two Figures unto them which may serve for all the rest The one shall be of rankes wheeling by Conversion the other of files ranking foure to the left The word of command for the first stands placed right over the figure This foregoing figure of Conversion is of Rankes wheeling to the right and left or ranks ranking to each flanke by wheeling It differeth from ranks filing both in manner and matter In the manner thus Whereas in ranks filing to the right and left the right and left-hand file-leaders preserve and continue their places and with that their honours In this wheeling by Conversion to the right and left contrariwise the innermost file-leaders become the outmost men in that pure where the front stood the other file-leaders ranking even within them Some men have called this Rankes filing by Conversion to the right and left but corruptly For conversion alwaies produceth rankes as I formerly said and inversion files But their mistake groweth from this that when rankes wheele to the right or right and
left then say they they by wheeling become file or files which is a palpable mistake For when we have any command for wheeling it is a maxime for us to wheele our aspects unto the hand or part named By which doing we either become ranke or rankes and not files as some have sought formerly to maintaine One use among many for this motion is It is the speediest way for a great body if they have their due distance to give fire to one or both flanks that as yet I know of The way to performe this motion is as followeth The right and left-hand-men of every ranke became the Hindges of the motion the rest of each ranke wheeling by equall division to the right and left about and above their right and left-hand Leaders untill they become ranks to the flanks As you may perceive by the Figure where the pricks denote unto you the places they stood in before the motion the quarter circles shewing the way of their motion themselves being converted into two ranks sheweth the motion executed I have onely converted three of the rankes for it would have taken too much roome to have wheeled all the ranks And it is easie by this that is shewne to conceive the rest If you would avoid mixture of Armes then place all your Muskettiers either in Front or Reere or else wheele onely your Muskettiers and leave your Pikes standing Or else it may be done the body marching at length the Muskettiers being in the front and reere Divisions The word for the reducement is rankes ranke as you were The easiest way for the reducement will be first for to face to the reere and then to wheele backe into their places Then face to their leader and they will be reduced as at first Now we will come to shew the next figure of Conversion which is of files converted into ranks by equall proportion CHAP. XXXVII Of Files ranking in equall parts IN this Chapter I intend to shew the manner of files ranking by Conversion in equall parts which Motion I have seene used by some Commanders at such times as their Companies have been but small having not had above two or three files of Muskettiers upon a flanke and being willing to march forth their Companies in divisions And this because that two a brest would be somwhat improper unlesse it were upon necessity in some narrow passage and that three a brest is also somewhat with the thinnest Therefore to augment the front of their march they have shartned somewhat of their depths in each division by causing their files to ranke foure or five according as their depth may be when the Command shall be given This Motion of Conversion may also be usefull for larger bodies For if upon a March you are to passe thorough some streight where not above foure or five can march a brest and that being past thorough you are to direct your course to the right or left If your way be to the right then cause your files to ranke to the left If to the left then let the files ranke to the contrary hand For by so doing having past the streight and faced your body that way which you intend your March by commanding the File-leaders to march and the half-files to stand and take their places your body will be led again by their proper file-leaders all a brest the Musketiers becomming again the Flankers which in the passage of the streight were in the Front and Reere For the better understanding the manner of the Motion observe the following figure The way to performe this Motion is as followeth The Command being first given as abovesaid the right-hand-file-leader leadeth forth his file the three next men behind him move forwards to the left of each other untill they ranke even a brest with their file-leader The next foure in like manner ranking to the left make the second ranke The file-leader of the second file placeth himselfe next after him that was the half-file-leader of the first which now is become the right-hand-man of the second ranke the three next men behind him making up of his rank in like manner And so forward for all the rest untill the Motion be fully perfected This converts each file into two ranks and brings all the proper file-leaders and half-file-leaders to make the outmost file to the right the Bringers-up both of the Front and Reere-half-files make the outermost file to the left The figures of Number which are on the left flanke of the figure in which the word file added to each of them demonstrate places of the first second third and fourth file and so consequently for all the rest according to their former standing and the places they now occupy being converted into ranks The letters f and h which are placed on the right flanke shewes the places of those which were the file-leaders and half-file-leaders each of the propex file-leaders having now his half-file-leader next after him I have showne this figure partly performed partly performing and partly standing as before the Motion began For reducement of this Motion of files ranking foure to the left One way is to cause your ranks to file or invert to the right which being done Command every File-leader to lead up his file to the left and so every man will have his place For another way Face the whole body to the right and command the File-leaders to march and half-files to stand and take their places and then they are all reduced onely the file-leaders of the right-flanke are on the left and the file-leaders of the left-flanke are on the right which is reduced by any entire Countermarch of ranke or file CHAP. XXXVIII The conclusion of doublings THere are yet another sort of Doublings both of length and depth which are performed by divisionall wheelings Which because they have ever been accounted for wheelings I will not displace them but stil rank them in their former places although in truth they are doublings The working part indeed is wheeling but the intent or thing wrought is Doubling I will speake further of them when I come to shew them in their severall places And here I mean to set a Period to our Doublings Concluding that those Souldiers who can put every one of these to his right use as also give to each his right reducement must needs be skilfull and expert in this part of the Art Military And contrariwise they that are ignorant in these Doublings can never truly attain to the right managing of a Foot-company either for exercise or service For doublings indeed are the only Motions for varicty and alteration of figures or formes of battaile No other Motions doing the like And therefore Doublings must needs be accounted the most excellent amongst all the Motions You that have eyes to read and skill to judge And have perus'd these doublings I have done Though I have tedious been yet do not grudge For you know well I have skipt
over some But marvell not the cause I do not show them It is not much materiall for to know them Those that are Skilfull in the Art of Warre And take delight to exercise their men Shall find more pleasure in these doublings farre If that they intermixe them now and then And so contrive their doublings in these cases That lastly one word brings them to their places Why in our Country do we Captains chuse That have no skill nor artfull inclination They do themselves and Country much abuse Thus to deceive them in their expectation I thinke the Cause of this fault in our Nation Is that our Gentry holds it not in fashion But some perhaps will say I am too bold There 's no such need for Captains to have skill The Muster-masters have enough some hold The Captains and the Counties for to fill So whilest the Muster-master doth the labour The Officers may play upon a Tabour But stay me thinks one puls me by the sleeve And tels me that I have my selfe forgot Wherefore of doublings here I take my leave Intreating those that read mistake me not Let Muster-masters take their money then But let the Captains exercise their men CHAP. XXXIX Of Countermarches Their Antiquity and words of direction THe next branch of Discipline which offers it selfe to your perusall are Countermarches which are of three kinds To wit Chorean Lacedamonian Macedonian which is Maintaining Loosing and Gaining Each of them are to be performed two manner of waies One by File the other by Ranke There are also Counter-marches Intire and Divisionall But divers men are divers for their opinions concerning the Macedonian and Lacedamonian Counter-marches Some will have the Macedonian A Counter-march of gaining of ground because that it transfers the Battalia into the ground before the Front Others will have it A Counter-march of losse of ground because say they the Enemy being in the Reere it makes a semblance of flying Some will have the Lacedamonian A Counter-march of gaining of ground because the Enemy appearing in the Reere it makes a semblance of Charging or falling on Others call it A Countermarch of losse of ground because it looseth all that ground the Battalia stood upon taking in stead thereof the ground behind the Reere There are others of opinion That there are Counter-marches of losse and gaine in either of them All these are furnished with reasons to backe their opinions But if I should stand to shew their many and severall reasons I might well be thought to be without reason my selfe My opinion is That taking the ground before the Front is gaining ground and that to leave the ground we stood on to take the ground next behind the Reere is losse of ground And yet to take either whereby there is advantage gotten must needs be gaining But where the matter it selfe is so indifferent it were fondnesse to spend longer time about it Wherefore note That Countermarches were of ancient use amongst the Greekes many hundred of yeeres since from them learned and practised by many other Nations and so still continued unto this day But as the Snow-ball by much rowling becomes the greater So in like manner these Counter-marches have received addition in all ages So that the three originall ones are now become more then thirty accounting those divisionall And yet are all of them fathered upon one or other of the three kinds Though some of them will scarcely be owned or acknowledged as you shall perceive when I come to shew them in their severall places But amongst all the Motions this might be the best spared as being least beneficiall to this our moderne Discipline But because that knowledge is no burthen and that at some times they may be usefull Therefore first take the words of command or direction which are as followeth Intire Countermarches by file Files to the right left hand countermarch Files to the light left countermarch every man turning on the ground he stands File-leaders face about to the right left the rest passe through to the right left and place your selues behind your Leaders File-leaders stand the rest passe through to the your Leaders right left placing your selues before File-leaders stand the rest passe through to the right left placing your selues before your Leaders following your Bringers up Bringers up face about to the right left the rest passe through to the right left and place your selues before your bringers up Bringers up stand the rest of the Body passe through to the right left placing your selues behinde your bringers up Intire Countermarches by Ranks Ranks to the right left Countermarch Ranks to the right left countermarch every man turning on the ground he stands This right hand file face to the left the rest passe Macedonian through to the right placing your selues behind your right hand men This left hand file may face to the right and do as much This light left hand file stand the rest passe through to the right left placing your selues on the our side of your right left hand men This right left hand file face to the right left the rest passe through to the right left placing your selues before your right left hand men Divisionall Countermarches by Files Countermarch front and â—e cre into the midst File-leaders and halfe-file-leaders stand the rest passe through to the right and place your selues before your Leaders File-leaders and Bringers up stand the rest passe through to the right and place your selues before your Leaders and Bringers up File-leaders face about Bringers up stand the rest passe through to the Right and place your selues behinde your Leaders and Bringers up Front-halfe-files interchange ground with the Reere Divisionall Countermarches by ranks Countermarch your wings or Flanks into the middest or Center The out-most-file of each Flanke face outward the rest passe through to the right and left placing your selues behinde your out-side men The out-most file of each Flanke face inward the rest passe through to the right and left placing your selues behinde your outside men The out-most file of each flanke stand the rest passe through to the right and left and place your selues on the outside of your outside men Interchange your Flanks Note what is done by the out most files may be reduced by converting the command to the innermost files but must be done before they have closed their divisions c. CHAP. XL. Of the Chorean Countermarch and the way to performe it I Could willingly have prickt a Figure for each of these severall countermarches but that they will take up too much roome And therefore I will onely pricke some few of the hardest of them and for the rest I will endeavour by words to make them as facile as I may that so they may be apprehended by the meanest capacitie And first I will begin with the Persian
forwarde betweene the Intervalls the seventh ranke following the eighth the sixt following the seventh and so likewise the rest untill the whole body be transferred into the ground before the front and then joyntly together facing to the right about after their leaders the counter marche is ended For reducement observe this for all that any intire countermarch of file may be reduced by another intire counter-march by file of what kinde or to what hand soever These three last Chapters of counter-marches are the originall grounds of all the rest yet I shall shew one in the insuing Chapter which time hath begotten out of the latter two which takes part with either being absolute in neither CHAP. XLIII Of the Bastard counter-march The Command is File-leaders stand the rest passe through to the right and place your selves before your Leader THis passing through or bastard counter-march is partly Macedonian and partly Lacedemonian for first with the Macedon it takes the ground before the front the motion being from the reere forward it is partly Lacedemonian for that they passe through and place themselves before their Leaders and for that it makes semblance of falling on or charging the enemy neverthelesse the Macedonian disclaimes it for that it alters not his aspect The Lacedemonian refuseth it for that it takes the ground before the front and not that behinde the reere or with the Chorean it holds affinitie And many there be that will not allow it for a countermarch for indeed the word it selfe will not beare it notwithstanding seeing that it hath beene long ranged amongst them I will not be he that shall displace it but will passe forwards to shew the manner of the motion which is to be performed as followeth The file-leaders stand according to the former direction the rest of the body advance their armes the second ranke first passing through to the right and placing themselves before the first ranke the third ranke before the second the fourth before the third and so forwards for the rest untill the last ranke or bringers up are become the foremost which perfects the motion It may be severally usefull as to skirmish against an enemy advancing by way of introduction or upon occasion to bring the reere men to march in front and such like For the reducement you may doe as much to the contrary hand onely for order sake I will reduce it by another like it selfe The Command is File-leaders stand the rest passe through to the right placing your selves before your Leaders following your bringers up This motion may be done either to the right or left and is nothing differing from that last shewne but that whereas the other began with the second ranke this contrariwise begins with the last ranke or bringers up every ranke successively following the ranke which came from behinde them untill they which were the leaders are become the last in the reere If this countermarch be first done it may be reduced by any of those formerly shewn c. CHAP. XLIV Of countermarching ranks to maintaine ground The Command is Ranks to the right hand countermarch THis Chorean counter-march of rankes is an altering or changing of one flanke for the other the Battalia still keeping the same ground onely the right flanke becomes the left and the left becomes the right The way to performe this motion is as followeth the command being given then the whole body faceth to the hand named and every man in the outmost file to the right files by this facing being become rankes turnes down through the Intervalle or distance betweene ranke and ranke marching forth right unto the part which was the left flanke with their rankes file-wise following them being come unto their ground they face as before and the counter-march is performed for the reducement let rankes countermarch to the left after the same manner differing onely in the hand and they are as at first CHAP. XLV Of Countermarching Rankes to lose Ground The Command is Rankes to the right-hand Countermarch every man turning after his right-hand-man on the ground he stands THis Lacedemonian-Countermarch of Rankes is a falling on upon the left Flanke the Motion being begun by the right It leaves all the ground the Battalia stood on and takes in place therof the ground beside the left Flanke turning the Aspect to the left The manner or way to performe this Motion is as followeth The whole Bodie faceth to the right and then the right-hand-file being faced becomes a Ranke begins the Countermarch turning downe the Intervals of the Ranks which by this facing is made the distance between the Files and so marcheth forth-right beyond the left Flanke every man following him that was his right-hand-man but not stepping forwards one foot of ground untill the Countermarch be performed For the reducement of this Countermarch do as much to the left and they will he as at first Or if you please take another of the same kind The word of Command or direction is Right-hand-file face to the right the rest passe through to the right and place your selves before your right-hand-men THis Lacedemonian Countermarch of ranks makes a falling on upon the right Flanke the Motion being from the left Flanke to the right leaving all the ground whereon the Battalia stood and taking in lieu thereof the ground beside the right Flanke In those dayes when Countermarches were more usefull for their Discipline then now they are for ours the Lacedemonian Countermarches were of chiefe repute aswell amongst the Macedonians as the Spartans and others the way to performe this Motion is as followeth The right-hand-file faceth to the right and passeth through the Intervals or spaces to the right placing themselves before their right-hand-men untill the left-hand-file become the foremost ranke If you doe this Countermarch by it selfe then for reducement first face them to their Front proper then let the left-hand-files face to the left and do as much to the left and then they will be as at first CHAP. XLVI Of the Macedonian Countermarch by Ranke The Command is Right-hand-file face to the left the rest passe through to the right placing your selves behind your right-hand-men THis Macedonian Countermarch of ranks contrary to the Spartan dismarcheth from the enemy upon that Flanke where hee appeares and presents the contrary Flanke to receive the Charge It is performed after this manner The out-most-file to the right faceth to the left The rest of the body or Battalia faceth to the right every man passing thorough to the right and placing themselves behind their right-hand-men For the reducement of this Countermarch as all the rest there are divers and severall wayes but performe as much to the left as you have done to the right and they will be at first Or if you please this following Bastard Countermand will do the same The word of Command or direction is Right-hand-file stand the rest passe through to the right
placing your selves on the outside of your Right-hand-men THis passing thorough or Bastard Countermarch of Ranks doth alter both ground and flanke still reserving the Aspect without alteration It is to be performed as followeth The out-most or right-hand-file stands the rest of the body facing to the right passe thorough to the right every man placing himselfe on the right side of his right-hand-man and so standing euen in Ranke the Motion still continuing untill the left-hand-file is become the right the right the contrary If this Countermarch be done alone for the reducement let the left-hand-file stand and do as much to the left as before to the right and they will be as at first CHAP. XLVII Of Countermarching Front and Reere to the middest FOr the Intire Countermarches I have indeavoured to expresse them as well as I could in words but for the divisionall Countermarches I intend to expresse both in word and figure whereby they may be the more easily apprehended by such as shall be desirous to know them notwithstanding before I enter upon the divisionall Countermarches I would willingly cleere one thing which by some will be carped at which is the using of the word Middest insteed of the word Center The word Center I confesse hath been the more usuall word amongst us and yet it is not altogether so proper to our use as the other wherefore give me leave without offence to use those words which are not only more proper but more significant The Midst of the Battaile is to be understood either from the Front Reere or from both Flanks or wings If between Front and Reere the Midst must be betweene the half-file-leaders and the Reere ranke of the Front half-files extending it selfe from Flanke to Flanke The Midst betweene the Flankes is betweene the two innermost files continuing the whole depth from Front to Reere Our first Countermarch shall be Chorean the word of command or direction is This divisionall chorean countermarch brings our File-leaders and Bringers up together in the midst and the ranks that were in the midst in the Front Reere It is a countermarch mayntayning ground for every man marcheth up into his leaders ground before he faceth about to countermarch The way to performe the Motion is as followeth The command being given to countermarch either let the commander or some other of the Officers command the half-files to face about then the file-leaders stepping forwards with the right legge and face about to the right passing downe the Intervals on the right hand the rest of the Front-halfe-files following their Leaders and not turning untill they come to the ground where their Leaders turned down before them The bringers up with the Reere-half-files at the same instant turning downe their Intervales on the left hand the rest of their division following them untill the file-leaders and bringers up meet together in the midst of the Battaile and then having faced all to their Leader the Motion is performed For the reducement of this figure doing the same thing over againe will reduce it Or any other divisionall countermarch of File CHAP. XLVIII Of bringing Front and Reere together into the midst by the Bastard Countermarch The Command is File-leaders and half-fileaders stand the rest passe thorough to the right and place your selves before your Leaders THis Bastard Countermarch doth bring the Leaders and bringers up together into the midst and saves two facings and is quicklier performed then the other last done or any other in the precedent Chapters The way to performe the Motion is as followeth The first ranke stands and the half-file-leaders stand then those of the Front-half-files passe thorough their Intervals to the right placing themselves before their File-leaders The second ranke before the first the third before the second the fourth before the third The Reere-half-files at the same instant doing the like and placing themselves before their half-file-leaders as the other did before their File-leaders This Motion may be either reduced by doing the same over againe to the contrary hand or else by countermarching front and Reere into the midst or by any other of the divisionall countermarches of files The next shal be a Lacedemonian countermarch the word of command or direction is as shall be exprest in the ensuing Chapter CHAP. XLIX Of Countermarching to make a large Intervale between the first and last Ranks The Command is File-leaders and Bringers up stand the rest passe thorough to the right and place your selves before your Leaders and Bringers up Lacedemonian THis divisionall Lacedemonian Countermarch makes semblance of falling on or charging both to the Front and Reere and leaves all the ground which was occupied by the Souldiers which stood betweene the front and reere transferring them into the ground before the front and behinde the reere the ground or place of their former standing being vacant onely demonstrated in this figure by the pricks The Motion may be thus performed The Reere-halfe-files are commanded to face to the Reere and then the front-halfe-files passe through to the right placing themselves before their Leaders The second Ranke before the first the third before the second the fourth before the third the Reere-halfe-files at the same instant passing through to the Reere after the same manner and placing themselues before their Bringers-up You may perceive by the figures of Number placed on the Flanks of the figure of battell both how the men stood before the Motion began as also how and in what place they stand the Motion being ended For the reducement if you have not closed their distance you may face them about and so let them passe againe into their places Or else by doing the same Countermarch over againe or to the contrary hand or any such like way will reduce them This next following Countermarch will also reduce them or this will reduce that The word for the Command or direction is as you shall finde it placed over the front of the figure CHAP. L. Of making a large Intervalle betweene the first and last ranks by the Macedonian Countermarch THis divisionall Macedonian Countermarch is little different from that next before it onely the other turned the Aspect outward to the front and Reere this Countermarch turnes the Aspect inwards towards the midst It may be usefull if the Commander would shew or publish ought before his best Souldiers for that it not onely leaves a large distance but that it brings the best Souldiers into the midst with their Aspects directed inwards It may also serue to conduct any great personage crosse the length of your battell whereby to shew them the braverie of your Souldiers c. The figure followeth The Command is File-leaders face about Bringers up stand the rest passe through to the Right and place your selues behinde your file-leaders and Bringers up This motion may be thus performed The first ranke or file-leaders face about the last ranke
Battalia and your Pikes on the out side or flankes If any question the depth of the number of this figure I have doubled files to make the figure more perfect The way to perform this motion is easie for all the file-leaders of the right flanke wheele about to the right the rest of each file following their leaders the file-leaders also of the left flanke wheeling about to the left in the same manner and then joyne or close their divisions This being done if you would then reduce them wheele them off againe by division after the same manner and they will be as before But if you would doe it some other way make use of this wheeling next following which will also bring them as they were The word of Command or direction followeth as in the next Chapter CHAP. LXI Of wheeling the Front inward towards the Reere The Command is Wheele your Front inward to the Reere THis divisionall wheeling of your front inwards to the reere is here placed as a reducement unto the other foregoing wheelings and so it brings the Muskettiers to the flankes againe But if you will doe it the Company being first reduced then it brings the Pikes to the flankes Some say it may be good if you be annoyd with horse in the Reere upon a march and that you have gained some side of a hill or other place of advantage then to wheele your front inward to the Reere to the enemy will make shew of disbandoning or flight But contrariwise you march toward him with a settled and orderly body your Muskettiers being all in the midst and so firing upon their enemy the Pikes being their flankers thereby defending the shot from the fury of the horse This motion will hardly be well done if your body hold too large an extension of length But at what depth soever it is easie The motion is to be performed as followeth The right hand file-leader with all the leaders of the right flanke advance forwards and so wheele about to the left every file still keeping close to their right hand file The left hand file-leader likewise with all the leaders of the left flanke advance forwards and wheele about to the right every file of the left flanke closing close to the left Thus the outmost files of each flanke will meete and become the innermost the front falling perpendicularly to the reere For the reducement of this figure you may if you please either wheele them off to the right and left by division or else wheele your front inward againe to the reere These two last wheelings have beene demonstrated with their files doubled whereby the figures might be the â—ore perfect but with men it would have beene needlesse wherefore double rankes to the contrary hand and they will be as at the first CHAP. LXII Of bringing the Flanks into the Front of the Battell The Command is Wheele your Flanks into the Front Wheele your Flanks into the Front Wings Front Front Battell Front Midst Front Center Reere Flanks THis divisionall wheeling of the Flanks into the Front is properly a doubling performed by wheeling It brings all your Muskettiers from the flankes into the front So that whereas this bodie before could do execution but with 8. Muskettiers at once by this Motion they may powre on 16. shot together If they were deeper before the Motion began then it would bring the more hands to imployment If upon some passe you should be chased in the Reere by horse by this motion of wheeling your flanks into the front you not onely secure your Muskettiers but also barricado up the passe with your pikes if it be not above fifty foot over Some call this a wheeling on the center because they wheele about the middle-men of the front But I rather conceive it an angular because upon the first Motion of dividing every division wheeleth about his owne angle untill the outmost-file-leaders of each flanke meet together in the midst You may perceive how by the figures of number where the figure 1. meets the number 16 2 with 15 3 with 14. and so for all the rest Then being faced to their leader every two files that met being now joyned make one ranke There must be the like order and decorum kept in the motion of wheeling each flanke as I shewed in the instruction of intire angular wheelings For reducement of this Motion wheele your flanks into the Reere Or else foure times the same as I have seene some do although somewhat the further way about Divers men are diversly opinionated concerning the best word of Command or direction for this Motion These I have known used which I have placed in the Margent by the figure And if any man like one better then the other be it at his owne choice either to use or refuse while I passe to shew the next wheeling CHAP. LXIII Of wheeling the Reere into the midst of the Battell The Command is Wheele your Flanks into the Reere The Direction is Face all about to the Right Wheele yâ—â—r Flâ—â—kâ— into the Reere Wing Reere Reere Battell Reere Midst Reere Center Front â—lanks THis divisionall wheeling of the Flanks into the Reere is also a doubling and performed as the other And whatsoever might be said in the behalfe of the wheeling of the front into the middest the same may be also spoken concerning the wheeling of the Reere into the middest For this wheeling brings your two outmost-files to be the first ranke the Bringers up of the right and left-hand-files meeting together the bringers up of the left flanke meeting face to face with the Bringers up of the left-flanke And so being faced to their leader they which before were complete files are now become halfe-ranks either to the right or left But you must note that before you begin to wheele you must face your body about to the Reere and then the action will be all one as if you wheeled your flanks into the front Wherefore I shall not need further to explaine it having spoken fully to it in the precedent Chapter For the reducement of this wheeling the Commander being at his Front accidentall may command them to wheele their wings into the Reere and so passe through to that part where his proper file-leaders are and then face them to him and they are reduced Or else when he hath past through to the reere and faced his Company to him then his pikes being formost let him wheele his flanks into the front who being faced to their leader they are reduced For this motion there are also divers and severall words of Command And because it may be that some will better approve of some of the other words of Command then of this that I have made use of therefore I have placed others in in the margent That so any that will may take their choice while I passe to shew the next wheeling Whose word of Command and direction you shall finde over the figure of
of the Commander give fire in front and so wheele off by division or all to the right as shall best please him that commands in Chiefe placing themselues in the Reere of their owne divisions and files of shot which is just before the front of pikes The next ranks then moving forwards into their leaders ground are to present fire wheele off and place themselues after the same manner the rest of the ranks of Muskettiers doing the like untill they have all given fire which firing doth nothing alter the forme or figure of battell Having fired once or twice over this way the second firing shall serue for reducement which is indeed the firing intended to be exprest by this figure And that I may by words the more clearly explaine the worke take these directions following The first ranke having given fire are to wheele equally off by division each part falling file-wise downe close by their flanks of Muskettiers untill the leaders of the ranks of Muskets come downe as low as the first ranke of pikes which being performed they are to face outwards and to move so farre forth in a strait line untill they have ranked even with the first ranke of pikes But herewithall are they to observe that they must leave an Intervall betweene the innermost-musket of each flanke and the outermost-file-leader of the pikes So soone as the first ranke hath given fire and wheeled away the second ranke is to give fire wheeling off as before and passing downe betweene the Intervals on the flanks placing themselues after their leaders The same is every ranke successively to do untill all the Muskettiers are drawne from before the front and placed on the flanke of their pikes But when there are not above two ranks of Muskettiers to give fire then the pikes may port and when the Muskettiers have fired and are wheeled away they may charge And lastly the pikes being re-advanced the body stands reduced as at first CHAP. LXXV Of giving Fire advancing by way of Introduction with the beneficiall use of the Bow and Pike I Shall next offer to your perusall a figure of Introduction which is a passing through or betweene Being a firing by way of advancing against the enemy and of gaining ground I will not dispute how usefull it is but sure I am it is over-ballanced with danger As for such whom I haue seene to practise it they have rather used it for varietie in a well experienced Company then for any knowne excellency it hath in it selfe But if these lines happen to be over-lookt by any that preserues a better opinion of this firing by introduction then I do I shall be willing to leave them to their owne liking while I in the meane time proceed to shew the manner of the execution which is usually one of these two wayes The first when the Motion is begun by the second ranke from the front The other when it is begun by the Bringers up Neverthelesse you must note that your files of Muskettiers must be opened to their open order before the firing begin that so the Muskettiers may passe betweene the Intervals of each file to give fire in the front And therefore take the words of Command and Direction which will produce this Figure following Muskettiers make ready to give fire by introduction to the right Files of Muskettiers open by Division to your open order This firing by introduction may be thus performed The Pikes being flankt with their Muskettiers the first ranke of each flanke present and give fire having fired they stand and make ready againe in the same place The second ranke passing forwards before the first doe there fire and stand the third rank then passing forwards after the second and standing even in ranke with them that first fired that so soone as the second ranke hath fired they may quickly step before them and fire in like manner In this firing still the ranke which is next to fire stands even in ranke with them which last fired untill those which stand presented have likewise given fire after which they then passe before them the Ranke which was their next followers passing forwards and ranking with those which last fired every man following his Leader successively untill the Bringers up give fire stand and then the Figure will become a Horne battell All the while that this firing by Introduction is continued the Pikes may be shouldered if there be no feare of horse or otherwise at discretion If you continue this firing twice over the Muskettiers will have their right places which being done march up your Pikes to ranke even with your Muskettiers in front and they are reduced For the other way of firing by introduction the first ranke or file-leaders are to give fire as before and to stand the last ranke or bringers up in the interim of their firing marching up and ranking even with the second ranke the rest following their Bringers up as they do when Bringers up double their front The first ranke having fired the Bringers up step immediately before them present and give fire the rest stil successively doing the like untill every rank have given fire once over Observe withal that the file-leaders are to give fire twice over being the first the last then to stand the Pikes marching up even with their front of Muskettiers And thus they are reduccd as at first The Pikemen all the time of this firing doe no service Notwithstanding if one halfe of them had bowes fastened unto their Pikes being able and well practised men they might whilest the Muskettiers are in firing be dealing of their doles about and although their arrowes did not happen to wound mortally yet the whisteling noyse the terrour of the sight and the severall hurts which could not chuse but be many would be a great abatement to the stoutest courages And great pitty it is to see the lusty Pike-man poorely to droppe downe by the Musket-shot himselfe not being able to hurt his enemy at that distance nor defend himselfe CHAP. LXXVI The way to make the Diamond Battell severall waies to fire upon it with divers other figures and firings which are thereby produced THe Diamond Battell is also a firing in front though more for shew then moderne service yet because that some hold it in venerable respect I thought fit to place it amongst the rest leaving every man to his liking either to use it or refuse it It may be that some will looke that I should make the Sheere Battell the Wedge the Saw and many such like which might be made either hollow or sollid But I shall intreate such to spare me for I would not willingly spend time to so small purpose chusing rather to insist on Figures more profitable for them and commendable for mee Yet if any man have a minde to practise any of them by observation of this Diamond Battell he may easily make them But not to hold you longer with circumstance
you would bring more hands to fight double rankes to any hand and the body for forme and number will stand like the figure here next following But the speediest way and I thinke the best I am sure with expert Souldiers is to wheele both â—lanks into the front which is the way intended by this Figure For the manner of the firing it selfe you may partly perceive that there are intervalles made for each division to wheele off to the right that so they may either fall in the reer of the Muskettiers there continue the firing or else fall in the reer of the pikes be therby secured from the horse It may be done one or both wayes according to the occasion or discretion of the Commander Neverthelesse before I shew the firing observe these words of Command which produce the Figure Wheele your flanks into the front Face to your leader The broad â—â—onted Battell The first ranke having presented and given fire let them wheele off to the right all passing down the Interualâ—es to the right and placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions of Muskettiers The Muskettiers making good their leaders ground and the next ranâ—es firing wheeling off and placing themselves as before Having fired once or twice over this way a second way may be to place themselves in the reere of their Pikes either standing or advancing the Pikemen in the meane time clouding the cleere skie with their ayrie Armorie The Muskettiers having all given fire and placed themselves in the reere if need bee the Pikes may close their divisions and charge over hand and if the enemy shall still presse forwards the Pikes may charge at the foot the Muskettiers giving fire over them c. For reducement there are divers waies by firings but because I would make every thing so plaine and easie that those that reade for instruction may receive benefit it hath caused me to reduce each figure by it selfe and not to multiply one upon another whereby to make them too ambiguous And therefore if you make this Figure by wheeling your flankes into the front and then fire as aforesaid the reducement may be either to fire them over againe and so to fall into their former places and then to wheele your flankes into the front againe and lastly face about to the right and they will be as before Or else if you would reduce them without giving fire over againe then command your Muskettiers to double your front by division that done wheele both flankes into the reere then face to your leader and command your Muskettiers to double your front by division againe and they are as at first If I should proceed to shew the many and sundry wayes of firings which may be done in front my Booke had need to have as many leaves as lines and yet all too little But that I may keepe my selfe to my promise and my Booke to its compasse I will next come to shew some firings in the reere and amongst my divisionall firings I shall insert some other sorts of front firings which here I have omitted CHAP. LXXX Of dismarching or firing in the Reere the severall wayes and how they ought to be performed HAving so long maintained Battaile in the front I will now face them about and see how they will behave themselves upon their firings in the reere Which kinde of firings may be very beneficiall and serviceable many wayes For by keeping an orderly march and firing in the reere the eager enemy by a too hasty pursuit may be disordered Or if it so happen as many timesit doth that you have a disadvantagious place to imbattell on by this firing you may march away still preserving your order and array untill you have brought your adversary into some ambushment or such like inconvenience For the manner of comming of the firing it must either be by facing about wheeling about or countermarching the Pikes are to be shouldered The figure followeth A firing in the Reere The Bodie being upon a march if the enemy appeare in the Reere let the last ranke of Muskettiers face about and give fire wheeling off by division file-wise marching up toward the Front and there placing themselues before the foremost ranke of Muskettiers the outmost man of each ranke being the leader up of those which have fired where first taking their places on the outside the rest wheeling about them and ranking even with them on the inside ever observing that they ranke even with the second ranke of pikes The rest of the Muskettiers also doing the like and in this manner to continue the firing as occasion shall require Neverthelesse of all the figures and firings that ever I have seene this hath beene the worst performed in all places which might easily be amended if the Souldiers would observe this following order in their execution namely when the last ranke of Muskettiers have presented to the Reere and are giving of fire the ranke which marched next before them do then blow open and present at three motions still keeping along even with the Body untill that lastly they present to the Reere by which time the ranke that last fired will be wheeled away The next ranke so soone as the other hath presented is likewise at 3. motions to do the same and so successively for all the rest every ranke observing upon each ranks firing to loose one and to march one ranke neerer to the reere of the Battell that so that part may still be kept absolute This giving of fire towards the reere for service is to be continued according to the qualitie of the place the occasion for fight and the discretion of the Commander In exercise we commonly do it but once over and then if you please you may make Alte and face your Bodie about giving fire over againe and charging your pikes upon it if need so requireth Notwithstanding if the horse shall still continue to pursue you in the reere you having gained some strait or place of advantage may wheele your flanks into the Front then face to the reere and with your charged pikes defend your Muskettiers which the body being so wheeled will be in the reere The body standing in this forme the Muskettiers may sleeve up by way of Extraduction The manner you may perceive in the Chapter which treats of that figure If the horse still presse forwards cause the pikes to charge at the foot the Muskettiers giving fire â—ver them as in the Convex halfe Moone Lastly to reduce them having thus fired command them to wheele their flanks into the fron and to face about after their proper file-leaders and they are reduced Sometimes we give fire in the reere having all our Muskettiers marching in the reere of the pikes For the manner of the motion it is as before but for placing of the men after they have fired it may be different As to wheele off by division placing themselues in the front of
the Muskettiers next behinde the reere of pikes Or if the body be large to wheele all off to the right through Intervals and so to march into the front of pikes Or else they may wheele off by division flanke their pikes and so fire over againe as before If you have brought your Muskettiers by firing to the Reere before the front of pikes then to reduce them you may either wheele the body about and give fire in front causing your Muskettiers to fall off by division and to flanke their pikes as you may perceive by the figure of the Demie-hearse Or else if you will reduce them without a firing cause your Muskettiers to open to the right and left and the pikes to march up in the miast after which facing all to your Leader they are as at first I might have shewne a Figure for each of these severall firings in the reere which would have delivered them with more variety but I conceive that this here already exprest may suffice especially this being the ground of what may be spoken Concerning firings in this nature many men are of many mindes about this firing in the reere Some will have it that the last ranke shall at one motion face to the reere and there present and give fire Others will have it at two motions but either of them have their inconveniences For however they pretend a more sudden execution they are decerved for would they make tryall by causing the Muskettiers of one of the flanks to give fire at one motion and the Muskettiers of the other flanke at three motions as I have here set downe they should soone finde that the firing upon three motions were the best and that the other would be cast so farre behinde their body that they would be in some danger to be cut off Besides this they are longer in clearing themselves from their owne men which all the whilst must stay untill they are marched off or else kill them in stead of the enemy whereas in this other firing upon three motions they still keepe along with their Body doing their execution more suddenly and more safely Neverthelesse there be many so much wedded to â—heir own wilfull opinion that they will more willingly persist in knowne errour then be seene to alter what they have seemed to maintaine But leaving such to steere by their owne compasse I will here conclude my firing in the reere And the next I shew shall be firings in flanks to which purpose I passe all my Muskettiers to the right flanke The words of direction for it are these Muskettiers of the right flanke open to the right or face to the right and march When they have opened to a sufficient distance then stand Muskettiers of the left flanke passe through betweene your rankes of Pikes to the intervalle on the right flanke then stand and face all to your leader CHAP. LXXXI Of firings in flanke in generall and more particularly of the gathering firing THe Muskettiers being all on the right flanke as in the last Chapter is directed it would be needlesse to make a Figure whereby to demonstrate the standing of the body seeing that none can be so ignorant but must needs know that all the Muskettiers being upon the right the Pikes must be upon the left Neverthelesse I shall endeavour to shew what is meant by firing in flankes Which for the generall are of these two kindes The first is when the enemy skirmâ—sh with us in flanke as we march the other when as by some sudden attempt or ambushment the whole body is engaged and so forced to stand and to face to the right or left or both By which facings the flanks become fronts accidentall and their firings wil be after the same manner of the firings in front Wherefore seeing I have already spoken sufficiently of them I will now shew firings in flanke marching the particulars whereof are as followeth The first is for the outmost file to give fire and stand untill the next file have fired which by some is called the gathering firing Secondly firings in flanke and leading them up between the Muskettiers and Pikes firing in flanke being led off by the bringers up firings in flanke sleeving up on the contrary flanke of Pikes firing in flanke and drawing them up betweene the innermost files of Pikes All these firings in flanke are to be performed upon a march the Pikes are to be shouldered Our first firing in flanke followeth The Command is Muskettiers give fire to the right and gather up your files This kinde of firing on the flanke I have seene and knowne used by many good and able souldiers Neverthelesse in my opinion the men stand in a great deale of danger when having given fire they can doe no good but stand like so many markes for their enemies shot Notwithstanding it may be that such whom I have frequently seene to use it in their practise may be able to render good reasons for the service though as yet I cannot conceive it I will therefore surcease any further prosecution my opinions and shew the manner of execution which is to be performed as followeth The Command being to give fire to the right presently the outermost file to the right faceth outward and presents the rest of the body still marching forwards Then the presented file gives fire and stands facing againe to their first front By thattime the body will be marched cleere of the standing file then the next outermost file presents and fires in like manner the body marching as before Having fired they in like manner face to their first front and stand a Serjeant leading up the file that first fired on the out side of the file that last fired Then they both stand together untill the third file hath given fire after the same manner And then the Serjeant leads up the two files even with the third which last fired And after this manner the â—â—â—es of Muskettiers face to the flanke and give fire sâ—câ—essively and stand untill the Serjeant leads up the rest of the files which fired even with the front of the file which last fired Thus having all fired over they are to march up againe even with the front of Pikes and this reduceth them as at first CHAP. LXXXII The second manner of giving fire to the flanke IF you would fire in flanke a more secure way then that last shewne take this way of firing And this shall be full as serviceable for matter of execution and shall farre precede it in way of preservation both in securing the Muskettiers after they have fired from the danger of their enemies shot as also in continuing the body intire without separation It is especially usefull when two enemies are divided by a River or by some such like meanes secured from the incursions of the horse For then by this way of drawing the Muskettiers up betweene the innermost file of Muskettiers and the outermost file of Pikes to
thereby I may expresse farre more matter in fewer lines and shorter time CHAP. LXXXVI Of firing to the front and reere upon a march THe Muskettiers being all placed in the front and reere according to the directions in the last Chapter I will now shew the manner of firing to the front and reere upon a march Which however that it may bee rare and seldome usefull in service yet it must needs be excellent for practise For by the often using it the Souldier may be made capable of any firing The Pikes you are to understand are to be shouldered The Command for the firing is Muskettiers give fire to the front and reere and flanke your Pikes The Command being given as above said to give fire to the front and reere the first ranke presents the last ranke faceth about to the reere and doth the like and so both giving fire together wheele off by division The one halfe of the ranke following after the right hand man of the same ranke the other halfe after the left hand man who leads them close downe by the side or flanke of the Muskettiers untill they come to the Pikes The first ranke of Muskettiers now ranking even with the first rank of Pikes the last ranke of Muskets with the last ranke of Pikes leaving a sufficient intervalle betwixt them and their Pikes for the other Muskettiers to march betweene And here you must note that he that was outermost when they gave fire must likewise be outermost when they have taken their places on the flanke The first and last rankes having fired and wheeled off the next rankes the body marching on three or foure steps are in like manner to present and give fire wheeling off by division and passing betweene the divisions there placing themselves they of the front division behinde those which fired last before them and they of the reere division before them which fired last behinde them And so they may continue to give fire after the same manner untill they have all given fire once over Then may the body make a stand and the Pikes charge to the front and reere if need be Or if the Commander would continue his firing to the front and reere still upon the same figure Then let the Muskettiers of the front place themselves after they have given fire behinde the Muskettiers of their owne division those of the reere division placing themselves betwixt the reere of Pikes and the Muskets of their owne division and so the body moving but flowly forwards they may continue the firing Having given fire to the front and reere and flanked their Pikes if the occasion offer or the Commander please they may give fire to the front and reere upon that Figure which indeed I hold the better as you may perceive in the ensuing Chapter CHAP. LXXXVII A second way of firing to the front and reere THis second way of firing to the front and reere upon a march may easily be performed if the Souldiers bee well and often instructed Without which all matters in the Art militarie will seeme difficult and by which all things will be made facile and easie I could instance in divers motions and figures by some reputed superfiuous niceties which were the true uses knowne to the Commander and the way to execute to the Souldier would be found to be of singular good service Neverthelesse because to the ignorant nothing beyond their capacities may seeme excellent many good and serviceable motions are slighted and not accounted fit for service But I could well wish that some good course might be taken that the Souldiers of our trayned Bands might have a little oftener practise that so they might be able at least in some reasonable way to understand and exercise what shall bee commanded them But I have strayed from the matter And therefore take these words of Command and direction which being orderly executed produce this following firing Muskettiers give fire to the front and reere placing your selves betweene your Divisions The way to performe this firing is as followeth the Command being given the first ranke presents to the front the last ranke of Muskettiers facing about and doing the like towards the reere This done they both give fire wheeling off by division and place themselves betweene the Muskettiers of their divisions Those namely which were of the front halfe files falling into the reere of their owne division those of the reere halfe files contrariwise falling before their halfe file leaders and ranking even with the halfe file leaders of Pikes the next rankes successively firing and wheeling off after the same manner Having fired once over they are reduced every man to his place These two last firings to be performed upon a march would seeme very difficult to unexperienced Souldiers but by often exercising they may be made capable of these or of any other CHAP. LXXXVIII A firing to the Reere and right flanke marching HAving shewed firings in front reere and flanke some marching some standing I will shew one firing to the reere and right flanke upon a march which without question must needs be very serviceable at such times as the enemy shall skirmish with the body to annoy them in their passage in flanke and reere at one time I shall not need with arguments to inforce the usefulnesse of the firing for none that knowes any thing in the Art military but will ingeniously confesse that for some services it must needs be necessary You may if you please give fire to the flanke and reere your Muskettiers being in their ordinary places on the flankes of their Pikes Neverthelesse a securer way for the Pikes will be to draw the Muskettiers from that flanke which is in least danger crosse the reere of Pike-men And this shall be the way I will observe in this firing The words of Command and direction for this firing are as followeth Muskettiers give fire to the right and reere placing your selves betweene the Pikes and your owne divisions The Command being given to fire to the reere and right flanke the outermost file of Muskettiers presents to the right and the last rank of Muskettiers presents to the reere and so both give fire The rest of the Body in the meane time marching a reasonable pace The right hand file and last ranke having fired the file faceth to the left after their file-leader and so marcheth up between the Muskettiers of the same division and the Pikes the ranke wheeling off to the right and placing it selfe next after the reere of Pikes and before the first rank of Muskettiers of the same division If you please you may make an Intervalle betweene the Muskettiers that so part may wheele off to the right on the out side and the other part wheele off to the right and march up betweene the Intervalle into their places The first file and ranke that presented having given fire and wheeled cleere off the body the next file and ranke present and give fire
after the same manner wheeling off and taking their places as aforesaid and so successively the rest both files and rankes give fire observing the same order And having given fire once twice or oftner over they are still reduced to the same they were before the firing began Then draw your Muskettiers from the reere to the left flanke againe and they will have their places as at first CHAP. LXXXIX Of firing to both flankes marching TO give fire to both flankes upon a march must needs be a serviceable firing without exception the time number place and strength of the enemy being alwaies to be considered which may sometimes cause the Muskettiers having fired to march up betweene their owne divisions and the Pikes as in this Figure Or sometimes betweene the midst of the Pikes the better to secure them Divers other such like waies there likewise be at the discretion of the Commander and as the present occasion shall require them But because I insisted somewhat largely upon the firings on the right flanke I shall not need to shew them againe by division on both flankes but will conclude them all in this one The words of Command which produce the Figure are as follow Muskettiers give fire to both flankes marching up betweene the Pikes and your owne divisions The Command being given the outermost file on each flanke presents outward the â—est of the body still continuing the march The presented files in the interim giving fire then facing after their proper file-leaders who led them up betweene the Muskets of their owne divisions and the Pikes in the time of their wheeling away the next two outermost files present firing after the same manner and leading up as before The rest successively doing the like untill they have fired all over which brings them to their former places The firing may be continued at discretion each firing being its owne reducement Neverthelesse it may so fall out that either through the fury of the enemy advantage or disadvantage of ground or some such like accident the body may be forced to make Alt and to face to both flanks and so with fronts accident all to maintaine the fight standing To which end the firing in the succeeding Chapter shal be of that sort Therefore suppose the body faced to the right and left preparing to give fire CHAP. XC A firing to both Flanks standing FIring to both flanks upon a stand is a good and serviceable firing And although it shew but thinne in the figure yet it may be substantiall and usefull for the field especially if there be a larger proportion of number then I have made use of in my formes and figures of Battell The words of command and direction which produce the figure are as followeth Advance your pikes and stand Face to the Right and Left Muskettiers give fire and flanke your Pikes The bodie being faced to the right and left the formost ranks of Muskettiers which were the outermost-files present and give fire and then wheele off by division ranking even with the formost ranks of pikes and leaving sufficient Intervals for the rest of the Muskettiers to march betweene them and the Pikes The next ranke presenting and firing after the same manner but not advancing forwards onely firing upon the same ground and wheeling off by division afterwards passing downe betweene the Intervals and so ranke after their leaders It is herewithall to be noted that they that were outermost when they gave fire are likewise to be so when they have taken their places If these instructions be not sufficient utrne backe to the figure of the Demie-hearse where the manner of the execution is all one with this All the ranks of Muskettiers having fired and wheeled off as before the pikes if need be may charge and the Muskettiers give fire over againe wheeling off outward and placing themselues in the reere of their owne divisions Having advanced your pikes and faced your body to the first front all your Muskettiers will be in front and reere And then if you face your halfe-files about and give fire after the same manner to the front and reere having faced them againe to their first front they will be reduced as at first into their ordinary square Neverthelesse I will reduce it by another firing which was first invented and shewed us by that worthy Citizen and excellent Souldier Captaine Henry Waller now deceassed It is a firing in front the Muskettiers of the reere division opening to the right and left and sleeving up on the flanks of pikes untill the leaders of the reere division who as then are the halfe-file-leaders ranke even with the front of pikes The words of direction that produce the figure follow in the next Chapter CHAP. XCI Captaine Wallers Triple firing to the Front THis Triple firing to the Front hath had the approbation of good and well experienced Souldiers who have all acknowledged it to be both sollid and serviceable Bringing many hands to fight in very good order the pikes being securely covered by their Muskettiers in front Neither need they be idle in time of battell if they have any Bow-pike-men amongst them for that they may send their whistling Archery over their Muskettiers heads without offence to their friends though not without dammage to their enemies If any carpe at the depth of the Muskettiers either in this figure or in any other in this booke I shall request them to suspend their censures and wisely to conceive by a little what a great deale meaneth My intent not being to make my booke monstrous by having little leaves and targe figures Onely I desire with this small number to shew the nature of severall formes and figures of battell the manner of their firings and wheelings off their orderly placings and severall wayes of reducement not having the least conceit to induce any to beleeve that men are able long to continue battell at foure deepe although at sometimes and for stratagems they may be reduced into a lesser number But lest by digression I too farre trespasse upon your patience I will returne to shew the manner of the firing Onely first obserue the words of command and direction which produce the following figure Muskettiers of the Reere double your front of Pikes by Division The Command being given the first ranke of Muskettiers both of front and flanks present to the front and give fire wheeling off to the right and left by division The Muskettiers of the front-division being wheeled off as aforesaid close by the flanks of their owne Muskettiers passe directly downe betweene the Intervals and place themselues even in ranke behinde the Muskettiers of the reere division which are upon the flanks This you may perceive by the pricks that come downe betweene the Intervals the Muskettiers also that fired at the same time on the flanks wheele also off the right flanke to the right the left flanke to the left marching directly downe even with the reere ranke
of pikes and there place themselues againe even in ranke with the last ranke of pikes This done the rest of the ranks successively give fire and do the like every Ranke taking his place after the ranke which fired last before them the other ranks moving one ranke forwarder The Muskettiers having given fire once over and falling off according to this direction they will be reduced to the flanks againe as they were at the first The firing may be continued or the pikes may charge at discretion of the Commander CHAP. XCII A firing tripartite doing execution to the front reere and right flanke FIgures and formes of Battell may bee infinite according to the judgements of the Commanders and the various workings of the divers motions no arte nor science yeelding more content unto the studious practitioners none more honourable and beneficiall for the good of our Countrie none more neglected and lesse countenanced then the Practisers of the Art militarie nor none more screwed up in the places of their abiding then those men this way affected The rich cubb'd gowne men holding it as a maxime that Souldiers though never so poore yet they must be taxed in the parish bookes like Gentlemen Thus much incouragement we have for spending our money and our time for our Countries good and this in good time I hope will be amended but of this no more The next firing being a firing Tripartite doth execution to the front reere and right flanke at one and the same time For the use I shall referre it to the judgement of the Iudicious for the instruction how it is to be made the words of Command and direction shew it which are as followeth Halfe rankes of the left double your right flanke by division For the direction looke backe to the 27. Chapter which treats of this doubling Onely remember to face the divisions that way which you intend they shall give fire For the manner of the firing it is ordinary the foremost Ranke of Muskettiers on each part having fired they wheele off to the right or to the right and left according as directions shall be given placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions the next ranks in the meane time moving forwards into their leaders ground there in like manner firing wheeling off and placing themselves as before the rest of the rankes successively doing the like This firing may be continued aâ— pleasure of the Commander The Pikemen as advantage may be given in the interim either porting charging or sending their fatall showers amongst the thickest of their enemies Lastly for reducement face them all to their front proper then Command halfe rankes that doubled to face to the left and so to march into their places For further directions turne backe to the 27. Chapter which shewes the reducement of the aforegoing Figure c. CHAP. XCIII Of the Sconce Battell THe Sconce Battell is a Figure most properly fit for a whole Regiment at least for a larger pro portion of number then is here exprest it neither being good nor safe to divide a smal Company into so many divisions and Maniples And yet to give satisfaction unto some I have placed it here amongst my Figures yea and shewne the way how to make it with a private Company For the manner or way how to fire upon it may be divers The Muskettiers being so placed that they may give fire to the front and reere to the right and left or to all foure together at the discretion of the Commander If your Muskettiers give fire to the front and reare every ranke making good his leaders ground then the Figure will still continue the same If they give fire without advancing into their leaders ground then the Muskettiers will ranke even againe with their Pikes and the Figure will become an hollow crosse the Muskettiers making the Angles The words of Command and direction which produce the Figure are as followeth Halfe files of Muskettiers face to the Reere That being done Command all the Muskettiers to march to the Angles of their Pikes Next cause The two first and two last rankes of Pikes to stand The rest to face to the right and left and march untill they are cleere of the other pikes then stand Lastly Command The two first and last rankes of Pikes which did not move to double their Files to the right These words of Command and direction being executed perfect the Figure as followeth Many and severall are the firings which with some little alteration may be drawne from this Figure Neverthelesse not to spin out time with discourse the firing now intended to be shewne is to be performed to the front and reere To which purpose the one halfe both of Muskettiers and Pikes are to face about to the right there presenting and giving fire those of the right flanke wheeling off to the right the left flank to the left and placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions The next ranke still moving forwards into their leaders ground the other rankes successively doing the like After this manner the firing may be continued and the Figure still preserved For reducement First face them all after their proper file-leaders Secondly cause the front and reere divisions of Pikes to double their rankes to the left Thirdly command the Pikes of the flankes to face in opposition close their divisions and then to face after their leaders Next coÌ„mand the Muskettiers of the front division to face to the reere Lastly command the Muskettiers both of front and reere to close their divisions And then being faced to their leader they are perfectly reduced as at first CHAP. XCIIII Of firing by three files at once two of them standing oblique the other direct WHen I began the formes and figures of Battell I noted all fâ—rings to be either oblique or direct and now for satisfaction to the curious I shall insert two or three oblique formes amongst the rest The first whereof shall be a Firing to the Front by drawing forth the outermost file on each flank obliquely or the innermost as shall seeme best to the Commander untill the bringers up of the files stand even with the right and left angle-men over the front of pikes They may also beadâ— a file of Muskettiers crosse the front of pikes when having placed and faced them as they ought for execution they will stand in manner of this following figure The two files of Muskettiers which were led forth having obliquely presented inwards and the file drawn crosse the front of pikes being presented direct Rank-wise upon the first Command they are all to give fire together and then to face after their bringers up who leade their files directly into their places This done they face to their proper front againe the other files in the meane time leading forth after the same manner These having done their execution are to returne into their places being led off by their bringers up as is aforesaid The
rest of the files after the same manner firing and returning untill they have all given fire and then they will be all reduced as at first CHAP. XCV A firing oblique by foure files together in forme of a W. ALL the commendations that may be given of these oblique Figures is that they powre out a great deale of shot at once and may quickly be reduced to their places Notwithstanding they are a great weakening to the bodie if any sudden accident should happen before they are setled in their former stations Neverthelesse I shall leave them to themselues and if they be found to hold out weight I shall not grudge that I have given them roome amongst the rest But if they prove too light let them be as lightly respected yet beare somewhat with them for their antiquitie The way to make the figure is as followeth The two innermost files of Muskettiers on each flanke march forth each of them being led by an Officer untill they have taken their places Then the Officers that led forth the two middlemost files are to returne to their places againe the Serjeants that led forth the outermost files standing to see them do their execution Yet before the Muskettiers have order to give fire obserue the manner of their standing by the following Figure The Muskettiers having presented according to their directions they give fire all together and then suddenly facing after their bringers up march downe into their places the next two files of each flanke in the interim of their marching away are to move forwards to their ground where they are in like manner to give fire and then to take their places as aforesaid The rest of the files of Muskettiers if you have more must then move forwards and do the like And in this sort may the Muskettiers give fire once twice or oftner over each firing being a reducement to it selfe CHAP. XCVI Of the Fort Battell the way to make and to reduce it THe figure of the Fort-battell is an oblique firing and taketh its denomination rather from the 〈…〉 the strength of a Fort. It s chiefe use is for the entertainment of some great personage or Commander in the field who being received into the midst of the divisions of Pikes the Muskettiers may present and give fire altogether in one vollie Or if they would have the Muskettiers give fire one after another then the vollies by succession which some call the Peale will be the best If there be more Muskettiers then will serve to make up the figure single they may also give fire with the rest presenting obliquely betweene the distance of their leaders The way to make this figure is as followeth First draw forth the outmost files of Muskettiers on each flanke in forme of an hollow wedge before the front of pikes Then cause the next two outmost files to face about and to follow their bringers up in the same forme to the Reere Then let the last two files of Muskettiers on each flanke be drawne after their file-leaders in the same manner and forme to the flanks The Muskettiers being thus ordered and all presented obliquely outwards command the two first and two last ranks of Pikes to stand the rest of the Pikes to face to the right and left and so to march untill they are cleare off the other pikes which stand Then command the Pikes which moved to double their files to the right Lastly command all the Pike-men to face outward each division of Pikes after their hollow 〈◊〉 of Muskettiers Or else let them face all inward to the Center and then the Body will stand in forme of the following figure Having fired upon this figure there is no manner of wheeling off because the forme is still to be continued But when you come to reducement first face all the Pikes to their proper front that is unto the place where you finde the proper file-leaders Secondly let the Pikes which are flankers double their rankes to the left and so close their divisions Then the Pikes will be reduced For the Muskettiers first command those on the flanke to leade up their files in their due places close to the Pikes Next command the Muskettiers of the reere to sleeve up on each flanke by division Lastly command the Muskettiers before the front of Pikes to face after their bringers up and to march downe into their places Lastly facing to their leader they are all reduced as at first CHAP. XCVII Of the crosse Battell the way to make it with a private Company How to fire upon it and to reduce it THe Crosse Battell though it must needs shew thinne in regard that the number is not sufficient to expresse the worth of the Figure yet may the forme be very usefull with a larger body and the Muskettiers may give fire two three or foure waies at once upon it Yea if the number were as opulent as the Figure is excellent then they might fire twelve severall wayes together This notwithstanding I spare to speake further to what may be done and come to shew what I intend in it Concerning this Figure the waies to fire upon it are ordinarily two The first when the Muskettiers give fire and then place themselves in the reere of their owne divisions of Muskets The second way is after that they have fired to place them in the reere of their Pikes the Pikes maintaining the Muskettiers ground The words of Command which produce the Figure are as followeth The two first rankes wheele your front into the midst The two last ranks wheele your reere into the midst The rest of the body face to the right and left and so march untill the reere-Angles meete Then let the Commander goe into the midst or Center and face the whole Company to him giving tm such direction as is meete Lastly being all faced about to the right the body will stand like the following Figure This crosse Battell being faced to the front reere and flankes and the Muskettiers commanded to give fire one way of placing them is in the reere of their own divisions of Muskettiers for that hereby the Muskettiers will still continue their places For the second way after that the first rankes have given fire let them wheele all off to the right or to the right and left if the number be large and place themselves in the reere of their Pikes each ranke moving forwards and maintaining their leaders ground The second ranke in like manner is to fire and to take their places after the Muskettiers which fired and wheeled off last before them The rest successively are to doe the like untill all the shot have fired and are wheeled away againe Then let the Pikes charge c. If any object that it is dangerous to have so large distance betweene the fronts of each firing then if you have files enow yo u may draw two or three files of each Arme crosse the divisions from the Angle of one front
to the other and so facing of them outward they will make reasonable good defence on those parts c. Having given fire upon the crosse battell and brought your Muskets to the reere of the Pikes if you would reduce them passe into the midst of Center of the Figure and face all both Muskettiers and Pikemen to you and cause those which were the flankers to close their divisions Next wheele the fronts into the midst of the two other divisions then move to the front proper and face the whole body to you and so you shall have all your Muskettiers in the midst flanked with Pikes If you would reduce them into their right places command the Muskettiers to face to the right and left outward the Pikes to face to the right and left inward and so to passe through and interchange ground thus being rightly faced they are reduced CHAP. XCVIII Of the hollow-fronted Crosse Battell how to make it with a private Company and the way to fire upon it c. THis next Figure shall be of the hollow-fronted Crosse which is a stronger forme than that last shewne and yet thus much let me warne you of that there can be but little expectation of strength to be perceived in Battels formed with so small a number This notwithstanding the ingenious Martialists can easily discerne those things which in warre may prove most usefull for his owne and his Countries benefit although they are here expressed to the publique view in so meane array and in such thinne numbers Wherefore setting aside all Apologies and excuses I will briefly shew the words of Command and direction which will produce the following Figure The two first rankes wheele your front into the midst The two last ranks wheele your reere into the midst The rest face to the right and left and march untill they have made the perfect Crosse Lastly cause the Muskettiers to flanke their Pikes according to this following Figure The severall directions for firing upon this Figure may be divers But to avoyd distraction I will shew onely one way and that directed to the front reere and flankes Neverthelesse for varieties sake you may cause them to give fire once over wheeling off by division and placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions still moving forwards into their leaders ground thereby to preserve the Figure in the same order At the second time of firing cause the Pikes to move softly up even with the front of Muskettiers porting as they advance forwards The Muskettiers having fired and wheeled off are to place themselves in the reere of their divisions of Pikes whom before they flanked every ranke of Muskettiers firing wheeling off and placing themselves as aforesaid Lastly the Pikes having charged and againe readvanced the body will stand in the Figure of a perfect Crosse For the reducement it is the same with the Crosse-Battell delivered in the 97 Chapter Wherefore I shall need to adde no further directions in this place for the said reducement then that the flanke divisions are to be closed and the front and reere divisions to be wheeled that the body may be againe returned into a square with the Muskettiers in the middle All this being here taught I now proceed to shew one firing with the Muskettiers in that order CHAP. XCIX Of firing upon the square Battell flanked with Pikes THe square battell flanked with Pikes must needs bee very safe for the Muskettiers as being a very able defence for the flankes against the incursions of the enemies horse The Figure followeth just â—s the Muskettiers are in motion The wayes or manners of giving fire upon this figure are ordinarily three The first firing is with the Aspect being directed to the front the Muskettiers wheeling either all off to the right or to the right and left as you perceive by this figure The second is for the Muskettiers to give fire to the reere upon a march which they may easily do from this figure The third is to give fire to the front and reere upon a stand the halfe-files being faced about If the firing be performed to the front then every ranke is to march up into their leaders ground If the firing be to the Reere upon a march then the ranks contrariwise close backwards towards the Reere to make good the Battell on that part If it be to the front and reere upon a stand then the Muskettiers march up into their leaders ground and those which have fired and are wheeled off place themselues in the Reere of their owne divisions To write further of this firing were more then necessarie no one of these firings any wayes altering the figure but the Aspect onely Neverthelesse if the Commander please he may after the firing in front wheele both flanks into the front and so charge pikes and from thence proceed to other firings If the firing were in the reere he may wheele the flanks into the Reere and cause his pikes to charge that way If the firing were to the front and reere he may wheele both flanks into the front and reere and so charge with his pikes both wayes Which by Captaine Bingham is called Amphistomus Before I come to reducement I shall proceed to the next firing in the ensuing Chapter CHAP. C. Of the Plinthium or foure-fronted-battell by us called the Crosse of Muskets flanked with Pikes THe Foure-fronted Battell is a figure both steady and serviceable being usefull as well for a march thereby securing the carriage and all other such like necessaries as for fight For if it should so happen as it often doth that you should be charged in front reere and flanks all at one and the same time then are there both Muskets and Pikes so placed that each Armes is assisting to the other For seeing that neither Muskettiers nor Pikemen alone can be singly sufficient of themselues to withstand the able and resolute horseman without great advantage of ground on the contrary the Muskettiers and Pikes being conjoyned into one body and being well ordered they are not onely able to defen'd themselues against their furie but also to put them to the worser Yet this must not be understood of raw and unskitfull Souldiers whose ignorance is cause of diffidence but of hardy experienced and well exercised men such as know well how to demeane themselues couragiously in time of fight The words of Command and direction which produce the figure are as followeth Halfe-files of Pikes face to the Reere and march untill they are cleare of the last ranke of Muskettiers Secondly command Halfe-files of Muskettiers face to the right and left then march betweene the divisions of Pikes Thirdly command Left halfe-ranks of the first division of Muskets face to the Reere and march betweene the Reere divisions of Pikes Lastly Having evened their ranks straitened their files and closed their divisions to an equall distance and being rightly faced the body will stand like the following figure The
at their first order For the twelfth firing make the hollow Square girdled with shot let them give fire upon that figure both without and within according to the directions for that firing Let the Pikes charge and reduce them in the same manner as I have discoursed upon that figure For the thirteenth firing Make the Plesium as you shall finde directions in the 104. Chapter Having made it given fire upon it and reduced it as at first Let the fourteenth and last firing for this exercise be the Hollow Hearse and Crosse Turne backe to the 103. Chapter where you may finde ample instructions for the making firing and reducing of it And lastly that you may conclude with triumph cause your Ensigne to be displayed in the middle of the Hollow Crosse and then having fired charged pikes and reduced your men according to the directions on that figure your men will be as at first And therefore seeing that by this time night is come and our powder gone we will here give conclusion to our sixth dayes Exercise Wherefore that you may observe some forme in the lodging of our Colours cause your Muskettiers to march in the front of your pikes Then as as they march let them invert to the right and left which is when the Ranks file to the right and left by division Then cause all your Muskettiers to face in opposition to cocke their Matches guard their Pans and rest their Muskets In the meane time let the pikes advance and close their ranks and files to their order Which being done the Captaine Lieutenant Ensigne and Drummes beating a Troope at the head of the pikes passe through this Guard into the appointed place for the alledgement of the Ensigne Then the Serjeants cause the Muskettiers to face all about to the right and present and upon the first beat of the Drumme they all give fire in one Volley And now having performed our sixth dayes Exercise the Drumme beats a Call and makes proclamation that every man may depart unto his severall home untill his next Summons into the Field FINIS The Contents of every Chapter contained in this Booke Chap. 1. COncerning Postures and handling of Armes page 1. The Postures of the Musket page 3 2 Of the Postures of the Pike page 7 3 Of the Drum page 11 4 Of Rankes and Files their places and dignities p. 13 5 Reasons for precedency of dignity in Rankes and Files page 15 6 Of severall Distances page 20 7 Of marching a Company in divisions at length the order and places of the Officers and againe drawing them into forme of battell p. 24 8 Of drawing the Divisions up into a square p. 26 9 What is facing and the use of the word whether to be used or refused p. 28 10 Of facing square and how to performe it the usefulnesse of Facings and the severall parts thereof page 30 11 Of Doublings the use and parts p. 34 12 Of Inversion and Conversion and of doubling Rankes p. 40 Chap. 13 Of doublings of Ftles page p. 42 14 Of doublings by Bringers up p. 43 15 Of doublings of Files outward and inward page 46 16 Of doubling by halfe Files p. 48 17 Of doublings the Reere by Front halfe Files page 50 18 Of doubling the Reere by Countermarch p. 53 19 Of doubling Flankes by wayes of Countermarch page 54 20 Of doubling halfe Files to the right intire to accommodate the doubling of halfe Rankes p. 57 21 The difference betweene intire and divisionall doublings and of doubling halfe Files intire p. 61 22 Of doubling the Front inward intire p. 63 23 Of halfe Files doubling the Front by division page 66 24 Of doubling the Reere by division p. 67 25 Of doubling the Reere intire by the front halfe Files p. 70 26 Of doubling by halfe ranke intire p. 72 27 Of doubling of Flankes by division p. 75 28 Of doubling Rankes intire p. 77 29 Of doubling Files intire advancing p. 79 30 Of Files doubling their depth p. 82 31 Of Conversion and Inversion with their words of Command and reducements p. 85 32 Of Files siling in sequence p. 88 33 Of inverting Ranks or Ranks filing p. 90 34 Of Ranks filing by division and how usefull page 92 Chap. 35 Of the severall parts of Conversion and how they are to be understood page p. 94 36 Of Rankes wheeling by conversion p. 97 37 Of Files ranking in equall part p. 101 38 The conclusion of Doublings p. 105 39 Of Countermarches The antiquity and words of direction p. 108 40 Of the Chorean Countermarch and the way to performe it p. 112 41 Of Countermarching to loose ground p. 114 42 Of Countermarches to gaine ground or the Macedonian Countermarch p. 117 43 Of the Bastard Countermarch p. 119 44 Of Countermarching Rankes to maintaine ground p. 121 45 Of Countermarching Rankes to loose ground p. 122 46 Of the Macedonian Countermarch by Rank p. 124 47 Of Countermaching Front and Reere to the middest p. 125 48 Of bringing Front and Reere together into the middest by the Bastard Countermarch p. 128 49 Of Countermarching to make a large intervall between the first and last Ranke p. 130 50 Of making a large Intervall between the first last Rankes by the Macedonian Countermarch p. 132 51 Of interchanging ground p. 134 52 Of countermarching the flanks or wings into the midst of the Battell p. 136 Chap. 53 Of countermarching to take the ground before the flankes page p. 138 54 Of Countermarching to take the ground on the out side of the Flankes and to direct their Aspects inwards p. 140 55 Of taking the ground on the outside of the flanks not altering the Aspects p. 142 56 Of Interchanging Ground by the Flanks and bringing the innermost files of Pikes to become the outmost rankes p. 144 57 Of wheeling their kindes and uses with their severall words of Command p. 148 58 Of wheelings Anguler p. 150 59 Of wheeling on the Center p. 152 60 Of wheeling off by division p. 154 61 Of wheeling the Front inward towards the Reere p. 156 62 Of bringing the Flanks into the Front of the Battell p. 158 63 Of wheeling the Reere into the midst of the Battell p. 161 64 Of wheeling the right flanke into the midst of the Battell p. 164 65 Of wheeling the left Flanke into the midst of the Battell p. 167 66 Of wheeling Front and Reere into the midst of the Battell p. 169 67 Of wheeling the flanks into the midst of the Battell p. 172 68 Of making men file-leaders successively the files being eight deepe p. 176 Chap. 69 Of making men file-leaders succesâ—ively the files being but sixe deepe page p. 179 70 Of drawing the Files againe into a Body and preparing them for a skirmist p. 183 71 Of firing by forlorne files The manner and use page 186 72 Of firings by two Ranks ten paces advanced before the front Next even with the front and lastly even with the halfe files p. 190 73 Of