Captain joyned unto him and makes his number 13 And so comparing all the rest dividing them by two's they will stand as followeth 2 11 5 8 10 3 4 9 6 7 12 1 13 13 13 13 13 13  39   39  Thus much I conceive may give a right understanding to any coming-on Souldier of the true and right stating of a Rank twelve abrest being a thing very needful for to know in respect that there are many Regiments which do consist of twelve Companies and when in course as in the sequel of this Book when as I shall shew the manner of drawing up of twelve Companies there will a little more light appear unto them to their farther knowledge of the same But thus much for the present as concerning a Rank twelve abrest And now I shall come to speak or to touch a little of a Rank ten abrest and a File ten deep CHAP. XVII Brief reasons to be given of the Dignity of places of a Rank ten abrest and of a File ten deep WHat hath been formerly declared concerning a Rank twelve abrest as before shewed by every particular place of honour as they stand with the reasons for the same it may give a cleer understanding by the same rule to find the Dignity of places ten abrest For walking by the same way and rule of examination and you will find them to carry by dividing by two's being added to the four first places of honour and they will carry sutable proportions as underneath is set forth 2 9 5 8 3 4 7′ 6 10 1 11  11 11  11.  27   28  But for as much that in this Range of ten abrest there will fall out some odd we must then of necessity-sake place it upon the right and not on the left for the reasons as formerly for a File six deep declared I might now here conclude with other flourishing Tables which might be little profitable unto the souldier though holding out discourse more fuller in an Arithmetical way But I have no desire to fill this subject with plenty of unprofitable words and frothy flourishes but rather driving really in a souldierly way to make all things both plain and easie to every courteous Reader that shall be pleased for to peruse the same And therefore here for present I shall conclude what more might here be spoken by Dignities of Ranks and Files leaving what shall remain until such time in course I shall again meet with them by the way in drawing up of Regiments CHAP. XVIII What Distance is and the reasons for the first beginning of the same with all their several uses HAving thus now passed over several reasons and with as much brevity as I could to satisfie the longing desire of the young souldiers request of every particular place of honour as they stand in dignity both in Rank and File which being passed over the next will follow by course before we come to joyn the Files into a Body to satisfie the souldier of each particular Distance with the several reasons and uses of the same for next to the Postures it is the first thing or part of the Military exercise and most necessary for the souldier to be knowing in Yet I must confess no Commander is so tied up or limited in the exercising of his men at all times to begin with Distances first so as to shew them all throughout but nevertheless in all and every one of the motions in the exercising of a Body care must be taken that the souldier have his proper distance for performance of the same Neither can any Leader exercise his men but first he must command them to some distance sutable to what he will begin As some I have seen begin their exercises with Facings some other with Doublings others with Counter-marches and with Wheelings Yet nevertheless whoever they be that will so begin as I said before must command his souldiers to some Distance which may be proper for the same But for my own part my purpose is to go throughout all parts of the Military exercise of Foot and therefore will go on in order as they lie and first as most properest I shall begin with Distances to shew them all throughout and what the nature of them be Distance therefore really considered in it self is no Motion but there are several motions to the attaining of each particular Distance both in length and depth Therefore briefly thus Distance is a place or interval of ground between every particular File and File and betwixt every Rank and Rank as they stand and attained by the several motions of Ranks and Files and consisting of several proportions of ground as easily may be understood by their several words of command as they follow CHAP. XIX The several sorts of Distances which are fit and proper for the Souldier to be exercised in CLosest Order Which is both in Rank and File Half a foot Close Order Which is both in Rank and File One foot and half Order Which is both in Rank and File Three foot Open Order Which is both in Rank and File Six foot Double Distance Which is both in Rank and File Twelve foot Twice double Distance Which is both in Rank and File Twenty four foot Having thus set down every Distance with their several proportions of ground I shall next proceed to the words of command to the opening of the Ranks and Files from their closest Order and after satisfie the Souldier with Reasons and the uses of every particular Distance as they go along in order CHAP. XX. Words of Command for the opening of Ranks and Files to all their Distances with their closings again THe Commander craving silence and that they be commanded to close Ranks and Files to their closest Order the words of command for Distances are as followeth Files open to the right to your Close Order Ranks open backward to your Close Order Files open to the left to your Order Ranks open backward to your Order Files open to the right and left to your Open Order Ranks open backward to your Open Order Files open to the left to your Double Distance Ranks open backward to your Double Distance Files open from the midst to Twice double Distance Ranks open backward to Twice double Distance The Ranks and Files being thus opened unto their twice double Distance from their closest Order I conceive it to be a more souldierly-like way in the Opening and Closing of Files that the discretion of the Commander do vary and alter the hand in the commanding of them then alwayes from every Distance to tie himself to any particular hand as to open to the right and close to the right But as concerning the opening of Ranks the properest way in my judgment is to open them alwayes to the Reer in respect it is performed with more facility For every Rank from the first takes his due Distance as he is commanded without any
them if disorderly they swerve awry from what he first intended He must likewise order all his words of Command so as that they may be proper and clearly pronounced forth unto the Souldier without any faltering And in every one of these to see the Souldier leasurely and easily perform the same in a compleat manner He must not be too quick in his words of Command but carefully see what before commanded well done and then he may proceed unto the next In time of his Exercise he must seriously mind what he is to do and not to have his thoughts extravagantly carried away upon any other Subject for fear he be out but if any such thing should happen through forgetfulness he ought not to be daunted but to pull up the spirit of a Souldier as well as he can and endeavour to reduce them again For it is a rare thing to be found for a Leader to be so exquisite in his Exercising as not to be sometimes out and in my observation of most at one time or another I have found them so to be His discretion also ought to be such as to cull out and chuse those things that be chiefest as flowers out of a Garden to fit and compleat up his Exercise in a Souldier-like way which may be most properest for service and use which will bring to him far more commendations and praise in the judgement of every knowing Souldier then to spend his time upon unnecessary toyes but yet sometimes to please the fancy of the curious at their private meetings he may use some things for delight to support and uphold their private Exercises which have nurst up here in London many able Souldiers and Commanders who have been serviceable to our Nation It is a very necessary thing likewise that a Leader sometimes do acquaint the Souldiers of the use of their several Distances Facings Doublings Counter-marches and Wheelings and of all things else he shall command but in such a manner that he dwell not too long upon any thing he shall declare unto them for dulling of the Souldiers who rather would be pleased with more actings then by too much talkings which spins out the time as sometimes ordered to very little purpose He must be very careful of every word of Command he gives that the Souldiers be ordered in their due Distance sutable to the same of what kind soever it be and if it shall be lost in their movings or marchings he must endeavour to bring them to it again He is likewise to acquaint the Souldiers when they are drawn up to look about them and to mind their several places how they stand in the Body whether they be in even Ranks from the Front or odd if even and upon any doubling of Ranks they are the men to double the odd if half-file-leaders that they be commanded to double the Front they must advance their Arms and are Leaders of that Motion to come up to double the Front if Bringers-up commanded to double they are alike to do the same if Bringers up of the Front-half-files and that they be commanded to double the Reer they likewise are to advance their Arms to face about and are to begin to lead them down to the Reer They should likewise take notice how they stand in their Files whether even from the right or no if even and there be any command to double Files to the right they all are to move and double the odd if commanded to double to the left they then stand odd and the others are to move and double them They likewise are to mind their places who are upon the Flanks for a doubling either to Front or Reer by the half-Files they first begin to march and how they stand there as right and left-hand men in even Ranks for by any doublings of Ranks entire or by Division they likewise are the Leaders of the Motion There ought also advice be given to the middle File-leaders to know their places for if there should be any doublings of the half-Ranks they then are first to move and to begin the motion This caution being sometimes quickly run over in advising of the Souldiers that they should ever mind when they are first drawn up into a body these particular places they would not stand so carelessy and so ignorantly in a Body as many times they do not knowing which way to move without a great deal of pains and directions from their Leader for there being so many occasions of doublings of these kinds that it is a necessary thing for every Souldier to be acquainted with the same Yet it is not only sufficient that the Souldiers do mind their places as they stand in a body according to the direction of their Leader as before set forth unto them but that they be likewise in the time of their Exercise very silent in the body and helpful unto their fellow-Souldiers by pointing out unto them with signs with the hand where they should march to perform what was before commanded and to be very civil and orderly in their carriage to each other and to mind their Exercise so as a matter of great weight and high consideration in the well regarding of the same And if a word of command as sometimes may happen slip out of order as by the mistaking of a hand or the like yet nevertheless it should be their modest care if not prevented by their Leader to be ready to execute what they conceive he intended and walking along in this civil and respective way unto him that shall lead them it will not only be a great encouragement unto him but they will also reap much benefit unto themselves And thus much briefly may be spoken in way of advice unto every Leader before his beginning of his Exercise and unto each particular Souldier as shall by him be exercised CHAP. XXVII Of Facings of their several kinds and of their use with the words of command for performance of the same FAcing is the altering or turning of the Aspect to either hand upon the ground they stand according to the words of Command whether it be to the right left Front or Reer or to the midst of Files or Ranks or to any of the outward or inward Angles or to the Center The manner of execution of the same it is a particular turning of every Souldiers countenance unto each of those hands or places as above exprest and to be performed after this manner The left foot is always to be kept fixed like the hinge of a door and unto what hand or part they shall be commanded to face every particular Souldier is immediately to turn his body upon the Ball or Centre of his left foot by wheeling until he hath brought his Aspect unto the place commanded Facings is one of the most necessary and usefullest motions amongst all the rest for when the body shall be in such a streight that they cannot bring their faces against an enemy
to their Order Ranks ranking by Countermarch Command Ranks rank outward into the Front Reer and Midst every man placing himself on the outside of his right and left-hand-man Direction The two last Ranks face about the first and last Rank and the third Rank from the Front stand the rest move forth to the right and left ranking into Front Reer and Midst placing themselves on the outside of their right and left-hand-men face to your Leader Reducement Ranks rank twelve to the right and left inward placing your selves on the inside of your right and left-hand-men the last Rank face about the twelve middlemost men in each Rank are to stand and the outmost six men in each Rank are to move to the right and left inward placing themselves in the Reer of the former Ranks and on the inside of their right and left-hand-men facing to their Leader Command Ranks rank inward into the Front Reer and Midst every man placing himself on the inside of his right and left-hand-man Direction Right and left half-Ranks open from the midst to twice double distance standing then at Order in each division in Rank and File the two last Ranks face about and the first last and third Rank from the Front stand the rest move inward placing themselves on the inside of their right and left-hand-men after the last Rank may face about and move forward to open Order Reducement Ranks rank six to the right and left outward every man placing himself on the outside of his right and left-hand-man the last Rank face about the six outmost men of each Rank stand and the twelve middlemost men in each Rank are to divide themselves six to the right and six to the left falling in the Reer of the outmost men placing themselves on the outside of their right and left-hand-men after face to the Front and Ranks and Files close to the midst to Order Of Files ranking into Front Reer and Midst Command FIles rank outward into Front Reer and Midst Direction The two last Ranks face about the first last and third Rank from the Front stand the rest move to the right and left after the manner of doubling of Ranks and rank to Front Reer and Midst as before commanded and after the last Rank face to the Front closing forward to Order Reducement Ranks file six to the right and left inward the last Rank face about and the even men from the midst of Files are to fall in behind the odd after the manner of doubling Files to the right and left inward and after the two last Ranks are to face to the Front Command Files rank inward into Front Reer and Midst Direction They standing at the distance of Order in Rank and File command right and left Half-ranks to open from the Midst something more then to open Order after the two last Ranks are to face about and the first last and third Rank from the Front are to stand the rest are to move to the right and left inward after the manner of doubling Ranks to the right and left inward after the last Rank is to face to the Front and to close forwards to open Order Reducement Ranks file six to the right and left outward the last Rank face about and every man from the Flanks is to move outward after the manner of doubling Files to the right and left outward then the two last Ranks are to face to the Front and the whole Body may close their Ranks and Files into the Midst to Order CHAP. XLIII Of Files ranking by Wheeling Command FIles rank outward into Front Reer and Midst The Ranks must be at Close Order and the Files at Open Order for these three words of Command following and it would be better to divide them into three Divisions that is to say between every two Ranks to have some six foot of ground interval that they may more distinctly perform the same by Wheeling Direction The two last Ranks face about after face all outward and wheel to the right and left by two and two until they be ranked into Front Reer and Midst the last Rank may after move forwards unto the same distance the former stands at being first faced to their Leader Reducement Ranks file six to the right and left inward by wheeling the first two Ranks face about and then every particular Rank to wheel by two and two towards the midst of Files until they have made twelve Files as at first and after face all to the Front Command Files rank inward into the Front Reer and Midst by wheeling Direction Right and left Half-ranks open from the midst something more then to open Order the two last Ranks of each Division face about after face all inward and wheel by two and two to the right and left until they have ranked into Front and Reer and Midst to the right and left inward the last Rank is after to face to the Front taking his distance conformable to the rest Reducement Ranks file six to the right and left outward by wheeling the two first Ranks face about and each particular Rank is to wheel by two's towards the Flanks until they have made twelve Files as at first after facing all to the Front and closing their Ranks and Files into the midst to Order Command Files rank inward into the midst by wheeling Direction Right and left Half-ranks open from the midst to twice double distance after face inward and let them know that the Bringers-up of the Front Half-files and the Half-file-Leaders are the hinges of the Motion after face them to the Front and they will be in two Ranks Reducement Ranks file six to the right and left outward by wheeling the last Rank face about and both Ranks wheel to the right and left by threes until they have made twelve Files as at first after face all to the Front and close Files into the midst to Order Command Files rank outward into the Front and Reer by wheeling Direction Right and left Half-ranks close into the midst to Order after face outward and wheel to the right and left the Bringers-up and the Leaders are the hinges of the Motion and when they are brought into two Ranks one in the Front and the other in the Reer face them to the Front Reducement Ranks file six to the right and left inward by wheeling the first Rank face about and both Ranks are to wheel by threes towards the midst of Files until they have filed according unto Command after facing to their Leader evening their Ranks and straightning their Files And thus much of Conversion or Ranks ranking or Files ranking they having more variety in them then many times can be useful except it be to present unto the Souldiers some things that are new in the Motions which many times they love to see I could upon this Subject have much more enlarged my self but conceiving what is already set down may be sufficient for
by Counter-march or by a Wheeling to bring their best Souldiers there to fight and likewise being debarred of room that they cannot double it nevertheless Facings are of such excellent use that they may with ease although standing at close Order turn every particular face to charge upon that part where they shall be assaulted by an enemy and farther this motion is performed with more facility then all the rest of the motions For in the others they alter the form of the Battail or changeth the place but in this they preserve both and it is ready for any attempt of an enemy if they should be charged all at once in Front Reer right and left Flanks they may be commanded so to face as to answer them all in every one of their charges Facings likewise are so necessary that they can hardly be spared in any other of the motions having relation in one kind or other to them all for to be used There is likewise farther to be understood that there are Entire-Facings and divisional Entire Facings are when they turn their Aspects all one way Divisional Facings are when they divert or turn their faces several ways as to the Front Reer and both Flanks all at one instant of time as shall be commanded There are likewise facings to the Front and Reer Angles that is to say of their outward and inward Angles Outward Angles are when they are commanded to face to the right Angle or to the left or both facing to the inward Angles as when they are commanded so as to face to the inward Angles towards the midst of Files There is likewise facing to the inward Angles towards the midst of Ranks as to the Center where note when there is any use of these Facings unto the inward Angles it is occasioned by some former words of command that hath made some large intervals in the midst of Ranks or Files and therefore they may give them such commands as these for to open or stand so that they may march and close again as at first This Facing to the Center I do conceive to be very useful when the Captain or Leader hath any thing of importance to speak unto the Company they standing at close order he may side-wise move down into the midst of the Ranks and Files and command them to face all to the Center they standing all round about him so close cannot chuse but hear and know what his pleasure and command will be and in obedience thereunto be very ready in performance for the execution of the same But before I come to set down the words of Command for Facings I shall desire all Leaders not to tye themselves up so as not to begin in their Exercise to command Facings until they have brought the Souldiers to stand at open order both in Rank and File as if it were not proper for them to command them to face till then Therefore rather for the reasons before set forth command them to chuse upon such close Distances to face that they may know the true use of them and at such times when they want ground that the other motions cannot be performed CHAP. XXVIII The words of Command for Facings Face to the RIght Left To both Flanks Right about Left about To Front and Reer Midst of Files Midst of Ranks Right Angle Left Angle Outward Angles in the Front Inward Angles in the Front Right Angle in the Reer Left Angle in the Reer Outward Angles in the Reer Inward Angles in the Reer Inward Angles of the right Flank Inward Angles of the left Flank Outward Angles both of Front and Reer Inward Angles both of Front and Reer Inward Angles of both the Flanks to the Center Front Reer and both Flanks from the Center To the outward Angles of Front and Reer from the Center As you were or To your Leader Having concluded the words of Command for performing of plain Facings there must be notice taken when any word of Command shall be given to face to any of the Reer-Angles they must be first faced to the Reer and they will make more easier performance of the same and likewise if any word of Command be given to face to the inward Angles upon the Flanks they must face them there likewise first and it will be easier fulfilled and likewise if any command be given to face to the four Angles or to Front Reer and Midst from the Center care must be first had that they may be first faced to the Center I might have proceeded a great deal farther in this place upon this Subject of Facings to have shewn several figures of Battail that might be produced and drawn forth affording much variety of forms and number and with much ease to be performed upon their several marchings according as they are ordered to face which might be very useful for service and affording much matter for any particular Exercise to use several firings upon the same But I shall have occasion in another place to make use of divers of them and setting them forth in the view when I shall begin to set down in any particular Leadings of my own which I have performed in our private meetings at Town-Ditch in London every Thursday-morning for the satisfaction of those loving Gentlemen who still do Exercise there and to such which shall come after CHAP. XXIX The many variety of Doublings with their parts and uses set forth for the practice of any Commander to make use of according unto his own discretion SInce there is in the true account no other dimension of a Battail but the Length and Depth so likewise it is to be understood that the Length of the Battail is doubled by the doublings of Ranks and half-Files and the Depth of the Battail is doubled by the doubling of Files and of the half-Ranks Now there are several Words of Command for the performance of each of these as to double Ranks and Files which do consist either of the doubling of number of men and persons and not of place or else the doubling both of number and place As for Example command either the Ranks the half-files or Bringers-up to double the Front to the right here only is the doubling of number of men and not of place for it adds but one man more to that hand whereunto they were commanded and gains but his particular place Again double Ranks to any hand entire or double the Front by the half-Files to the right entire it will be not only a doubling of the number of men but a doubling of the place and the Length of the Battail The use of doubling the Length of the Battail may be for two Reasons the one to over-wing an Enemy the other to avoid over-winging our selves Yet there must be care taken that in doubling of the Length that we fail not or be too weak in our Depth for the want of both either Length or Depth may be very dangerous to our selves and
half-Ranks double entire the Depth of your left-Flank Command Half-files double your Front to the left entire Direction Half-files face to the left and march clear of the standing part after face to your Leader march up and even the Front Reducement Left half-Ranks double entire the Depth of your right Flank Command Half-files double your Front inward entire Direction Front half-Files face outwards and march clear of the standing part facing after to their Leader the Reer half-Files may move up and double the Front Reducement The inmost Files double entire the Depth of the outmost Files and after close These are as I conceive the properest and plainest Doublings for any Souldier to use in his Exercise out of which he may chuse as many of them as he shall think fit being all entire Doublings to the Front Next follows to shew some Divisional Doublings to the same CHAP. XXXI Divisional Doublings to the Front Command DOuble your Ranks to the right and left by Division Direction Every even Rank from the Front face outwards march forth and double the odd Reducement The outmost Files upon each Flank that moved face inward march in and strengthen the Body Command Double your Ranks to the right and left by Division every man placing himself on the outside of his right and left-hand-man Direction Every even Rank from the Front move forth to the right and left outward and double the odd placing your selves on the outside of your right and left-hand-men Reducement The outmost Files upon each Flank that moved double the inmost Files to the right and left inward every man placing himself on the inside of his right and left-hand-man Command Half-files double your Front by Division Direction Half-files face outwards and march clear of the standing part after face to your Leader move up even abrest and double the Front Reducement The outmost Files upon each Flank that moved double entire the Depth of the inmost Files CHAP. XXXII Entire Doublings to the Front by Wheelings Command WHeel off your Reer half-Files and double your Front to the right entire Direction Half-Files face about and wheel about to the left march up and even the Front Reducement Wheel off your right half-Ranks and double your left Flank entire to the left Face outward and right half-Ranks wheel about to the right moving forward until they range even abrest with their left Flank to your Leader Command Wheel off your Reer half-Files and double your Front to the left entire Direction Half-files face to the Reer and wheele about to the right move forwards and double the Front to the left entire Reducement Wheele off your left half-Ranks and double your right Flank entire to the right Face outward left half-Ranks wheel about to the left and move forward until you have doubled the right Flank to your Leader Command Wheel your Reer half-files inward into the midst and double your Front inward entire Direction Front-half-files open from the midst until you be clear of the standing part then face to your Leader half-files face about and wheel your Reer inward into the midst move forward until you have doubled the Front Reducem nt The inmost Files that doubled The inmost Files must have distance from the outmost Files before they can begin to wheel wheel about to the right and left outward and double entire the Depth of the outmost Files after face to your Leader and close Files to the midst to Order CHAP. XXXIII A divisional Doubling to the Front by Wheeling Command WHeel off your Reer half-files and double your Front by Division Direction Half-files face to the Reer and wheel about to the right and left move forward and double the Front Reducement The outmost Files upon each Flank that doubled wheel about to the right and left inward Here likewise must convenient distance be given from the midst for the outmost Files to wheel about and double entire the Depth of the inmost Files face to your Leader Here endeth the Doublings that properly belong unto the Front according to the practise of these times whether they be Entire or Divisional and of their several kinds as first take them of themselves in the plain way after by Counter-marches as by the Bringers-up Lastly by Wheelings and that first by Entire after by Divisional But here by the way no Leader is tied to do all these Doublings in his Exercise at once but to use part of them what he shall think fit Yet again if he desire to be throughly knowing in all the Doublings of Front Reer and both Flanks and to shew them unto the Souldiers he may then begin first to go over all the words of Command for Doublings to the Front informing his Souldiers of their several uses for service at one time or another and then proceed to shew the use of the several Doublings to the Flanks and next to the Reer which in this place I hold needless to give words of Command for the Doubling thereunto in regard the former words of Command used to the Front with small alteration will serve to the Reer CHAP. XXXIV Entire Doublings to the right Flank Command FIles to the right double Direction Every even file from the right by a half-turning at three steps double the odd Reducement Ranks to the left double or Files as you were Command Files to the right and left double outward Direction Every even File from the Flanks move and by three steps double the odd Reducement Ranks to the right and left double inward or Files as you were Command Double your Files to the right and left inward Direction Every even File from the midst move inward side-wise and double the odd Reducement Ranks to the right and left double outward or Files as you were Command Double your Files to the right advancing Direction Every even File from the right move forwards and by three steps double the odd Reducement Ranks to the right double Command Double your Files outward advancing Direction Every even File from the Flanks move forwards and by three steps double the odd Reducement Ranks to the right and left double outward Command Double your Files to the right and left inward advancing Direction Every even File from the midst move forwards and by three steps double the odd Reducement Ranks to the right and left double inward Command Left half-Ranks double your right Flank to the right Direction Face all to the right and left half-Ranks move forwards to the right and double your right Flank to your Leader Reducement Double your Ranks to the Left entire or left half-Ranks march forth into your places Command Left half-Ranks double your right Flank to the left Direction Face all to the right and left half-Ranks move forwards to the left until you have doubled the right Flank to your Leader Reducement Double your Ranks to the right entire to the Reer face to the Reer and the even Ranks from the Reer move forth and
a short time will reduce them to their former places without using these thred-bare words As you were variety being more profitable and delightful unto them provided they understand it then to accustom them in an ordinary and plain way of reducing But here some men will be ready to carp and say that I have troubled my self to little purpose in setting down more Doublings then are used abroad upon service To whom I answer that there are none if rightly understood but are of singular use one time or another either in private Meetings or in those great Nurseries of Military Discipline the famous Academies of this our Island the Artillery and Military Gardens who for Field-service have train'd up and sent forth many worthy able and gallant Souldiers into the Armies lately raised in our Nation between the King and Parliament whom I pray God happily to reconcile But suppose many of these Doublings have not been seen by some to be used in the field Are they not therefore useful perhaps not at such time they have had no occasion for to use them all which if not must they be rejected I answer positively that being rightly enquired into they have in them very useful and serviceable things against an Enemy whether it be in the Field or in Garrison As for Example the Muskettiers being brought either all into the Front or Reer or upon one of the Flanks which often hapneth an Enemy appearing there then they would be of sigular good use for our advantage and very disadvantageous to the Enemy The like may be spoken of the Pikes who are by several of these Doublings brought into those places being there very serviceable to receive a desperate Charge of Horse if upon any of these parts they should fall on Observe further that in many of these Doublings as the one arms shall face or charge against an Enemy so contrariwise the other lies more secure in safety to be preserved from danger of the shot Moreover according unto the number of men either in Length or Depth a Leader may by these words of Command or the like at the same time double his Front Reer or Midst by doubling of Ranks and may farther make use of them at one and the same time to double by Files his right left Flank and Midst all at one instant But I shall not need to set down words of Command for the doubling Front Reer Flanks and Midst after this manner but leave that unto the apt Souldier to make use of such words of Command formerly shewen and to frame them suitable for any such purpose so intended But before I shall conclude concerning the use of these Doublings as I said before there are many of them which by command will bring any men in the Body to fight unto that part which shall be most weak or assaulted by an enemy And again he may cast them so into the Body by a doubling as shall preserve from danger whom he shall think fit And to say more there is no part of the Body or Arms but by words of Command in doublings may be brought forth as Frontiers against the enemy and may be placed again into the midst of the Body for more security and others in like manner may be brought forth for their relief Therefore it much concerns all Souldiers and Commanders to be truly knowing in all the several kinds of Doublings out of which he may make singular good use according to his discretion at all such times as need shall require whether it be in Field or otherwise in Garrison CHAP. XXXVIII Of Inversion and Conversion NOt to omit any thing which may be beneficial for the knowledge of all them that intend to be good proficients in the Art of Military Discipline my subject in this Chapter shall be of Ranks filing and Files filing and Ranks ranking and Files ranking which are by some called Inversion and Conversion yet seldom mentioned by any Leader in the time of his Exercise for this reason as I suppose because the Souldiers for the most part are unacquainted with them which causeth all our Leaders in our private Meetings here in London to deliver forth unto their Souldiers such words of Command as may readily and aptly be understood by them which are Ranks File to the right or left or Files File to any hand which is no other then Inversion And again Ranks rank to the right or left either in equal or unequal parts or entire to the Front or Files to rank in the like kind may be termed Conversion And in my opinion they do the better that shall thus express themselves to the capacity of every Souldier then for to puzzle them with the words Inversion Conversion I intend therefore without curiosity plainly to set down their several Commands Directions and Reducements keeping my former method concerning Doublings For in all and every one of them they do either double the length or depth of the Front Reer Midst or Flanks no part of the Military Exercise affording more plenty of matter then they carrying always along with them many things of excellent use For example suppose a Prince General or any other person of quality were to pass thorow the Company a discreet commander would presently command their Ranks to invert or file to the right and left outward which immediately becomes as it were a Street or Gallery for the honouring and securing of their persons Moreover it is of use for the lodging of the Colours or upon Funeral-occasions or taking their leave from their Captain where they may pour forth their Volleys of shot all at one and the same time To be short being necessitated to march against a Battery it avoids the danger of the great Ordnance and likewise secures the Front of the Battalia from the imminent danger of any great shower of small shot poured forth by the Enemy As likewise it is of excellent use to march over a narrow Bridge or thorow a Lane Thicket or Salliport or such like difficult passages or if any Commander have a desire to use ancient Figures by it he may make the Saw Sheers or Diamond or being in one File they may aptly be drawn into a Ring where he that is an able posture-man standing in the midst may shew unto them their several postures and after easily reduce them again and thus much briefly of Inversion or Ranks filing Next come we to shew the excellent uses and services which may be performed by Conversion as first perceiving any man of worth to stand before the Front of the Battail or to pass by either of the Flanks then Ranks ranking or Files ranking into the Front or Ranks wheeling to either of the Flanks by these Commands the Souldiers aspects are thither brought to present unto him a volley of shot It is likewise very useful for the making of a Line against a Breast-work or lining of Hedges carrying it self several ways secretly to lie in Ambuscado
the Front every man placing himself on the outside of his right-hand-man Direction The first Rank stand the rest move away to the right successively into the Front placing themselves on the outside of their right-hand-men Reducement Ranks rank twelve to the left every man placing himself on the outside of his left-hand-man the first twelve upon the left are to stand the rest are successively to fall in behind the first Rank placing themselves as before commanded or Ranks rank as you were placing your selves on the outside of your left-hand-men Command Ranks rank entire to the left into the Front every man placing himself on the outside of his left-hand-man Direction The first Rank stand the rest move away to the left successively placing your selves on the outside of your left-hand-men Reducement Ranks rank twelve to the right every man placing himself on the outside of his right-hand-man or Ranks rank as you were every man placing himself as before Command Ranks rank outward into the Front every man placing himself on the outside of his right and left-hand-man Direction The first Rank stand the rest move forth to the right and left and successively to fall into the Front every man placing himself on the outside of his right and left-hand-man Reducement Ranks rank twelve to the right and left inward every man placing himself on the inside of his right and left-hand-man the twelve middle men are to stand the rest are to move to the right and left inward six to one hand and six to the other making twelve in Rank and falling behind the first Command Ranks rank inward into the Front every man placing himself on the inside of his right and left-hand-man Direction Right and left Half-ranks open from the midst to twice double Distance the first Rank of each Division is to stand the rest are to move successively to the right and left inward into the Front making one entire rank Reducement Ranks rank six to the right and left outward every man placing himself on the outside of his right and left-hand-man the first Rank of each Division stand the rest move to the right and left outward ranking as before commanded falling successively in the reer of the first rank and after to close their Divisions CHAP. XLI Files ranking into the Front by Wheeling Command FIles rank to the right into the Front by wheeling The Files are to be at double distance and ranks at close a Order Direction Face to the right and wheel to the left until they stand even abrest in one entire Rank in the Front Reducement Ranks file six to the left by wheeling face all to the Reer and the first six men then upon the right wheel to the right and so consequently all the rest wheeling by fixes to the right their Leaders that were before being the hinges of the motion and after face to their Leader Command Files rank to the left into the Front by wheeling Direction Face to the left and wheel to the right until they make all one entire Rank in the Front Reducement Ranks file six to the right by wheeling face to the Reer and the six outmost men upon the left wheel to the left the next six are to follow and consequently all the rest until they have made twelve Files as at the first and after face to their Leader Command Files rank outward into the Front by wheeling Direction Right and left half-Ranks close into the midst to Order and face outward wheeling to the right and left until you are one entire Rank Reducement Rank file six to the right and left inward by wheeling face about to the right and the twelve middlemost men are to wheel to the right and left inward and the rest are likewise to do the same by Sixes until they have made themselves into twelve Files after face to their Leader Command Files rank inward into the Front by wheeling Direction Right and left half-Ranks open from the midst to twice double distance after face inward and wheel to the right and left inward until they are all in one Rank in the Front Reducement Ranks File six to the right and left outward face all about and wheel by Sixes to the right and left the Leaders being the hinges of the Motion after face to the Front and right and left half-Ranks may close into the midst again to their double distance Here endeth the ranking into the Front with all their several kinds the Reer challengeth next place but I shall spare the pains and labour to set them down in regard that he who hath a mind to rank his men thither may if he please make use of all the former words of Command for the performance of the same facing them upon every Command to the Reer I come therefore in the next place only to mention the ranking into the midst by Ranks and Files which may likewise be performed by the former words of Command provided they have convenient distance and be faced to the midst and after the Command is executed to face them to their first Front Yet there is remaining a ranking unto all these places at once for the performance of which observe these few words of Command following CHAP. XLII Ranks ranking or Files ranking at one and the same time into Front Reer and Midst They are to stand at Order in Rank and File Command RAnks rank outward into the Front Reer and Midst Direction The two last Ranks are to face about the first Rank and the last Rank and the third Rank from the Front are to stand the other three are to move forth six to the right and six to the left until they have ranked unto all these places after face to the Front and the last Rank moving f r ward to open Order Reducement Ranks rank twelve to the right and left inward the last Rank face about the twelve middlemost men of each Rank are to stand the six outmost men of each Rank are to face inward to move and fall into the right and left behind the middlemost men after the two last Ranks are to face to the Front Command Ranks rank inward into the Front Reer and Midst Direction Right and left half-Ranks open from the midst to twice double distance the two last Ranks face to the Reer the first and last Rank and the third Rank from the Front stand the rest move to the right and left inward ranking into Front Reer and Midst after that the last Rank is to face to the Front and to close forward to open Order Reducement Ranks rank six to the right and left outward the last Rank face about and the outmost six men upon each Rank are to stand and the middle men are to divide themselves six to the right hand and six to the left and to fall in the Reer of the first last and middle Rank after the last Rank is to face to the Front and then to close Ranks and Files
left to your Leader Reducement Front-half-files rank 12 to the right Reer-half-files face about and rank 12 to the left face to your Leader march up and close forwards to your due Distance Command Ranks wheel inward into the right Flank Direction Half-files face about Front and Reer-half-files march from the midst to twice double distance after Front and Reer-half-files face about Front-half-files wheel your Ranks to the left Reer-half-files wheel your Ranks to the right to your Leader Reducement Front-half-files rank 12 to the left Reer-half-files face about and rank 12 to the right face to your Leader and close your Divisions The left Flank challengeth the next place but I shall spare that pains in regard it is to be done by the same words of Command onely altering the hand I come therefore in the next place to shew how Ranks and Files may file outward to both Flanks and midst at one and the same time by proper words of Command as followeth CHAP. XLVI Of Files filing or Ranks filing to both the Flanks and the Midst at one and the same time Command FIles file to the right and left of both Flanks and the midst of Files Direction The outmost File upon each Flank and the two middle Files are to move away the rest are to fall in successively behind to the right and left filing to both Flanks and to the midst after to stand and even their Ranks and streighten their Files Reducement Files file six to right and left inward moving between the Flanks and the middle files Command Files file to both Flanks and to the midst of Files advancing Direction The outmost File upon each Flank stand and so likewise the two inmost Files the rest move forth and place themselves successively filing advancing toward both Flanks and the midst of Files Reducement Files file six to the right and left inward to the Reer placing yourselves between the Flanks and the middle files the moving part is to face about and to march down according to command as before exprest after face to their Leader Command Files file to both Flanks and the midst by Division They must be at order both in rank and file Direction The outmost File upon each Flank and the two inmost Files stand Half-files of the other Files face about and march forth and file by threes to the right and left into both Flanks and the midst facing to their Leader they will stand in four Files eighteen deep Reducement The six middlemost men in each File stand the three first and the three last Ranks file six to the right and left inward the three first Ranks face about then moving by threes between the outmost File of each Flank and the middle Files after facing to their Leader Command Files file inward into both Flanks and into the midst of Files Direction Half-files face about march all and open from the midst to twice double distance face all about to the right the two inmost and the two outmost Files stand the rest move successively by threes until they file into both Flanks and into the midst face to your Leader Reducement Files file three to the right and left inward into the Front and Reer Half-files face about the three first and the three last Ranks stand the 12 middlemost men move inward by threes into Front and Reer between the outmost and the middlemost Files face to your Leader and close your Divisions Command Files file both Flanks and to the midst of Files every man placing himself before his Bringers-up Direction Face all about the two outmost Files and the two middlemost Files stand the rest move forth to the right and left placing themselves successively before their Bringers-up filing towards both Flanks and the midst of Files face to your Leader Reducement Files file six to the right and left inward following your Bringers-up between the Flanks and the middle Files the first six Ranks are to stand Command Files file to both Flanks and to the midst of Files advancing every man placing himself before his Leader Direction The outmost File upon each Flank and the two middlemost Files stand the rest advance forward placing themselves successively before their Leaders filing both Flanks and to the midst of Files Reducement Files file six to the right and left inward into the Reer following your Leaders between the Flankers and the middle Files the six last Ranks face about and after they have filed they are all to face to their Leader Command Files file to both Flanks and to the midst by Division every man placing himself before his Leader and Bringer-up Direction The outmost File upon each Flank and the two inmost stand Half-files of the other Files face about and then command them to move filing to both Flanks and into the midst placing themselves before their Leaders and Bringers-up to your Leader Reducement The six middlemost men in each File stand the three first and the three last Ranks file six to the right and left inward every man placing himself before his Leader and Bringer-up the three first Ranks face about and then with the three last they are to move forward between the outmost and the middlemost Files that is by threes to place themselves before their Leaders and their Bringers-up face to your Leader Command Files file inward into both Flanks and into the midst every man placing himself before his Leader and Bringer-up Direction Half-files face to the Reer march all and open from the midst to twice double distance face all about to the right the two inmost and the two outmost Files upon each Flank stand the rest move successively by threes placing themselves before their Leaders and Bringers-up filing into both Flanks and the midst face to your Leader Reducement Files three to the right and left inward into Front and Reer every man placing himself before his Leader and his Bringer-up Half-files face about the three first and three last Ranks stand the 12 middlemost men move forwards by threes between the outmost and the middle Files placing themselves as aforesaid face to your Leader and close your Divisions CHAP. XLVII Of Ranks wheeling to both the Flanks They are to be at double distance in Ranks and at order in Files Command RAnks wheel to the right and left to both Flanks advancing Direction The outmost men upon the right and left in every Rank are the hinges of the Motion the rest are to divide their Ranks by wheeling six to the right and six to the left until they have brought their Aspects unto both the Flanks after face to their Leader Reducement Files rank 12 to the right and left inward into the Reer face all to the right and left about inward and begin the Motion from each File to rank six to the right and six to the left making up 12 abrest in the Reer the rest following until they have made six Ranks in a brest face to your Leader Command
lie under the censure my self of mispending time I come therefore briefly in the next place to treat of Wheelings being a subject more profitable for the intelligible Souldier CHAP. LV. Of Wheelings with their several uses HAving proceeded thus far in shewing all the several sorts and kinds of Military Motions it will now in the next place be expected that I speak somewhat of Wheelings and as formerly so now to set before the Souldier their several kinds and uses Wherefore take notice of two sorts Wheelings Angular and VVheelings on the Center which latter is commonly called the Prince of Orange his VVheeling being acted or performed by the Souldier two several ways that is to say Intire or Divisional Intire VVheelings to the Angles are when the Souldiers turn their Aspects from the Front proper to either of the Flanks or Reer whereby they may gain the VVind or Sun or some like advantage bringing their best Souldiers thither for to encounter an Enemy For the better performance of this Motion it will be convenient to close Ranks and Files into the midst to order and to keep their due distance both in Rank and File observing in their Ranks their right and left-hand-men following their Leaders always conforming themselves in their Motion to the most commendable Posture which is Pikes advanced Muskets poysed Wheeling the Battail on the Center is when they are so straightened with ground that they have not room to wheel to the right or left as in the former which gaineth as much more ground before the Front as formerly they stood on This Wheeling brings their best Souldiers to either of the Flanks or Reer I could wish that this Wheeling were more often practised amongst us for by it the Souldiers are better kept together in their Motion being not so apt to flie out as in the former Divisional Wheelings provided they have sufficient number of men are of singular good use to encounter several Enemies at one and the same time which the Front of our Battalia bringing our best Souldiers for to skirmish with them It is likewise useful to bring either Arms into Front Reer or both the Flanks for suppose the Muskettiers to be upon the Flanks and fearing a desperate charge of the Horse to fall upon them by a Division of Wheeling the Pikes are thither brought to receive their on-set and in the mean space the Muskettiers have time to recruit their Bandiliers again Much more might be spoken but my intent is not to fill my Book with impertinent discourses knowing what is already spoken is sufficient for the intelligible Souldier CHAP. LVI Intire Wheelings Command WHeel your Battail to the Right Left Right Left about Direction The right or the left-hand-men in the Front are the hinges of these Motions the rest have a greater compass to march then they to bring their Aspects unto the place commanded following their Leaders Command Wheel your Battail on the same ground to the Right Left Right Left about Direction The Left-half-ranks moveth forwards wheeling to the right and the right Half-ranks contrariwise faceth to the left side-wise falling backward moving still unto the place commanded CHAP. LVII Divisional Wheelings Command WHeel the Battail off by Division from the Front Direction Turn off to the right and left Command Wheel the Battail off by Division from the Reer Direction Face to the Reer and turn off to the right and left Command Wheel the Battail inward to the Reer Direction Open from the midst to convenient distance and turn off to the right and left Command Wheel the Battail inward to the Front from the Reer Direction Face to the Reer open from the midst and wheel inward to the Front Command Wheel off the Body by Division from the right Flank Direction Face to the right Command Wheel off the Body by Division from the left Flank Direction Face to the left Command VVheel the Body inward to the left Flank from the right Direction Face to the right and open outward to convenient distance to wheel inward to the left Flank Command Wheel the body inward to the right Flank from the left Direction Face to the left and open outward to convenient distance to wheel inward to the right Flank Command VVheel off your Front and Reer-half-files by Division Direction Half-files face about Front Reer-half-files turn off by Division Command Wheel your Front and Reer-half-files inward to the midst of Ranks Direction Half-files face about and Front and Reer-half-files open outward to convenient distance to wheel inward to the midst of Ranks Command Wheel off your Front and Reer-half-files by Division from the midst of Ranks Direction Front-half-files face about and Front and Reer-half-files wheel off to the right and left by Division Command Wheel Front and Reer-half-files inward both to the Front and Reer from the midst of Ranks Direction Front-half-files face about and Front and Reer-half-files open from the midst to convenient distance and wheel inward into Front and Reer Command Wheel off your right and left Half-ranks by Division Direction Face outward and wheel off to the right and left by Division Command Wheel your right and left Half-ranks inward to the midst of Files Direction Face outward and open to the right and left to convenient distance to wheel inward to the midst of Files Command Wheel off your right and left Half-ranks by Division from the midst of Files Direction Face inward and cause them to move backward to convenient distance to wheel off by Division from the midst of Files Command Wheel your right and left Half-ranks inward to both Flanks from the midst of Files Direction Face inward and open to the right and left to convenient distance to wheel inward to both Flanks Command Wheel the outward Angles to the right and left about to the Center Direction Face to the outward Angles and close Ranks and Files to close order and the Angles on the right turn off to the right the Angles on the left turn off to the left Command Wheel the inward Angles to the right and left about inward from the Center Direction Face to the inward Angles or to the Center and wheel about to the right and left inward from the Center These are all the intire and divisional Wheelings that have hitherto been practised by any according to my best observation there are other Wheelings which may properly be term'd Doublings which I have placed amongst the Doublings where they more properly belong Now if any shall demand of me a reason why I have omitted the Reducements to each particular Command my answer thereunto is easie for as in the Counter-marches so in these they may be reduced by three or four words of Command except a Commander shall of set purpose keep them off from the same to make some experiment After any wheeling is performed face them after to the first Front and command them to even their Ranks and straighten their Files they will
I have here set down words of Command to make every man a File-leader both by Succession and Dignity a Commander is not thereby tyed up but may if he please practise the same upon a whole Company altering but a little some words of Command As for Example we cannot say in a File Double your Ranks there being none until there be some other Files joyned thereunto and therefore if we intend a doubling by a single File we command it to rank two to the right or left which in a Company must be exprest Ranks to the right or left double Thus you see with a little alteration every man is brought up into the Front either by Succession or Dignity whether the Files be even numbers or odd great bodies or small But here by the way I must crave pardon to speak something in commendation of these Doublings in answer to them that account them but Toys to whom I will be so bold as to tell them that it is not for want of ignorance they so slightly esteem of them for were they truly knowing in the Art of Drilling they must of force confess abundance of variety in them affording much delight to him that shall command and great content unto them that are commanded perceiving themselves to be made File-leaders by the skill and worth of their Leaders And besides there may be just cause at one time or other many times to alter the Ranks exchanging the one for the other bringing thereby their best deserving Souldiers into the chiefest places of honour and casting others into their rooms at the discretion of the Commander Therefore I could wish all Leaders whatsoever to be well skill'd and verst in these Doublings the frequent practice whereof will make them more apt in the Exercise of more difficult things in the Art Military To which ingenious study I leave them and in the next place proceed to shew them several Figures of Battail to be performed by single Files consisting of several Depths of men CHAP. LXIV Concerning Figures of Battail to be performed by singles Files with some admonitions to those that shall practice themselves therein THe great plenty and variety of matter that may be performed in the exercising of a single File makes me wonder at the ignorance of those who are famed abroad for able knowing Souldiers who after they have passed over the Postures are at a stand as if there were nothing else to be done with the same But did they truely understand what dishonour and disparagement it is unto them they would not be so idle and backward but set times a part often inuring themselves to the practice thereof going through all the Motions Distances Facings Doublings Counter-marches and Wheelings and may farther if he please with his single File draw forth divers Figures of Battail declaring unto his Souldiers their several reasons and uses The exercising his Company after this manner affords unto them both content and delight and it is likewise very useful in greater Bodies when time of need shall require as shall appear in the sequel of this Book But here me thinks I hear some say Of what use are your Figures seeing for the most part in pitcht Battails or skirmishes in the field they commonly fire one against another in Square or by Forlorns drawn forth from the Body and being relieved return into their places again To whom I answer that in one respect it is true there being scarce any pitcht Battail in the field fought in these latter times but it hath been with even Fronts who are first engaged whether it be by Divisions drawn off by way of Forlorns Wings or Battail they fight with even Fronts or Squadrons as having every five or six Files divided a part from each other having six foot ground interval betwixt the abovesaid number of Files for the conveniency of the Ranks wheeling off after they have fired As concerning such Figures as are framed like the Wedge Saw Sheers or Diamond I must confess there is little or no use at all except it be for delight or for the practice and experience of some young Souldier whereby he may plainly see the custom of the Ancients in setting forth such ancient Figures But to let this pass and to come to the place where we left I shall shew unto the Souldier how needful it is for him to be well skilled in the framing of Figures of Battail and likewise to be throughly acquainted with their several uses Wherefore take this for a general rule that there was never any pitcht Battail but there were Reserves appointed out unto all the parts thereof whereby they might bring off and at time of need relieve each other and if so certainly they must of necessity carry along with them several forms and Figures of Battail according to the discretion of the Major-general or the Commanders in chief whom it shall concern It will therefore be expedient since there is a necessity of Figures of Battail and for the setting apart of Divisions for the relieving of each other for every Commander that will be truely knowing to have always some imprinted in his memory that in time of need he may not be to seek or wanting in them To which purpose I have collected some few putting them to their view being formerly practised by me for the satisfaction of those loving Gentlemen which have private Meetings in London but more especially for those of the Town-ditch unto whom I am especially bound And therefore without more delay I shall lay before them certain Figures of Battail upon all the Depths of Files set forth in the former Table leaving them to their own discretion to make use of what shall best comply and suit to their intended purpose CHAP. LXV Military experiments upon a File six deep branching forth eight several Figures of Battail with their reducement Command FIle rank two to the left 2 1 4 3 6 5 Command The middlemost Rank open to the right and left to open order  2 1  4   3  6 5  Command The last Rank advance forward into the next Rank that is before you and to open from the midst to open order and the first Rank move forward one pac e.   2 1   4 6   5 3 Command The first Rank open outward two foot beyond open order the last Rank close forward to Order  2   1  4  6 5  3 Command Division upon the left face about march all till you be clear each of other face all to the left and march two paces face to your Leader the last Rank open outward to double distance  1  5  3  2  4  6 Command The first Rank open outward to double distance the first man in the Front face about move down and double the middlemost man to the right Rank-wise 5   3  2 1  4   6
would say Command To the left hand Direction It is done by turning towards the left hand until their faces front to that place which was before the Reer To reduce them to their first form as that must be observed the word is Command To the right hand about as you were Command To the left hand about Command Ranks to the right double The use hereof hath been shewed before but to perform it this is the Direction Every other Rank that is every even Rank is to pass into the odd upon the right hand of his Leader the second Rank into the first and so successively To reduce them the Word is Command Ranks as you were Direction It is best done by causing those Ranks which doubled to stand and those that stood to advance Command Ranks to the left double Direction The difference of this Motion from the former is nothing but that here they which double do it to the left hand of their Leaders which before they did to their right hands as the Figure maketh it plain This done they must be reduced by commanding Command Ranks as you were Command Files to the Right Double Direction Let the second File pass into the First every man behinde his side-man accounting from the right hand the fourth into the third and so the rest which must be done through the whole Company at one instant But because the first Rank of the Troop is as the edge and the Files are for the most part appointed but five deep there seemeth no great necessity of doubling Files To reduce them the Word is Command Files to the left as you were Command Files to the left double Direction The Difference between this and the former Motion is the difference of hands only And by this means those Files which stood before must move now and they which moved before now stand as appears by the Figure They are reduced by commanding Command Files as you were or Ranks to the Right double Command Half Files to the Right hand double the Front Direction Middle Men double the first Rank on the right hand the other three Ranks double the threee following Ranks To reduce them the Word is Command Half files as you were But it is better to cause them that doubled to stand and the first Division to advance Command Half-Files to the Left hand double the Front Direction This Motion differs from the former in the hand only There is also doubling of Ranks by the Half Files entire to the right or left or both by Division but because the Files especially of Guirassiers are seldome above five deep the doubling of Ranks Half-files c. is little used The reducing of them is shewed in the former Motion Command Bringers-up to the right hand double the Front Direction The last Rank must pass into the first and so successively every one by the right hand of his Leader as in the figure It is of goood use but troublesome for the Horse to perform especially in the reducing so it may be used or omitted as shall be thought fit To reduce them Command Bringers-up as you were Command Files to the Left hand Countermarch Though it were fit to begin with the right hand yet for the convenient turning of the Horse to the left I think it not amiss to prefer the left Direction The Figure sufficiently represents the manner of the Motion which represents the Choraean manner there be also Countermarches after the Macedonian and Lacedemonian ways which for brevity are here omitted Command Files close to the right and left to your close Order Direction Being about to wheel the Troop they must be closed first the Files and then the Ranks And being to open them again the Ranks are first to be opened and then the Files All the Files close to the right and left towards the middle of the Body Command Ranks close forward to your close Order Direction All the Ranks move forward saving the first which stand The second Rank having their distance stand and so all the rest The Horse being to wheel it must be conceived that it cannot be performed by them in so exact a manner nor in so strait a room as the Foot therefore the Commander is to ride a reasonable compass that so the Horse may do it with convenience Command To the left hand Wheel Certain Authors as Melzo and Basta would have the Horse in all their Wheelings to do it by the left which is the readier way unless the ground or other hinderace will not permit it the Wheeling to the Right is here omitted which should in order go first Direction All the Body must move to the left upon the left File-leader who is the Center or Hinge upon which the whole Body turneth To reduce them Command Wheel as you were There is also Wheeling to the Right or Left about Wheeling Wings into the Front c. To reduce them into their first Order Direction First the Ranks are to be opened then the Files which bringeth them to their first form In opening of Ranks the only way is to do it by opening forward These and such like Motions are directed and commanded by the Voice of the Commander but because the Voice cannot at all times be heard especially in gross bodies by reason of the clashing of Armor trampling and neighing of Horses tumultuous sounds and noise of the Multitude and that especially in fight Antiquity hath invented helps making three kinds of Military Signs or Directions 1. Vocal which is by the Commanders Voice pronounced by the inferior Officers to the Ear. 2. Semivocal by Drum Trumpet or other Warlike instrument to the Ear. 3. Mute By Signs to the Eye as by the Ensign Standard c. The Cavalry therefore must be taught distinctly to know the Sounds of the Trumpet as when to clap on their Saddles when to mount when to repair to their Cornet when to Troop away when to give a Charge when to retreat when to attend the Watch and the like All which being the louder Voice of the Commander they must perfectly observe and obey Notwithstanding I have here propounded a Troop of 64 Horse to be exercised in their Motions and those of eight in File yet the general opinion is that a Troop ought not to be deeper then five in File though the Troop do consist of 100 Horse Every Troop must be furnished with A Captain A Lieutenant A Cornet A Quartermaster Three Corporals Two Trumpetters A Clerk A Sadler A Ghyrurgeon A Farrier When the Troop is to March they are to be divided into three equal parts according to the number of Corporals which parts are called Squadrons and distinguished by these Names The Captains Lieutenants and Cornets Squadron The first Squadron is to be led by the Captain the second by the Cornet the third by the eldest Corporal the Lieutenant and Quartermaster are to march in the Reer The manner how a Troop of 60 Horse besides Officers should March
kinds of Facings and their use with the words of Command to perform the same Pag. 21 The Words of Command for Facings Pag. 23 The varieties of Doublings with their parts and uses ib. The words of Command for Intire Doublings to the Front Pag. 24 Divisional Doublings to the Front Pag. 26 Intire Doublings to the Front by Wheelings ibid. A divisional Doubling to the Front by Wheeling Pag. 27 Intire Doublings to the right Flank ibid. Divisional Doublings to the right Flank Pag. 30 Intire Doublings to the right Flank by Wheeling ibid. A divisional Doubling to the right Flank by wheeling Pag. 31 Of Inversion and Conversion Pag. 32 The words of Command for Ranks Ranking and Files ranking to the Front they being 12 abrest 6 deep Pag. 33 Ranks ranking into the Front by Countermarch Pag. 35 Files ranking into the Front by Wheeling ibid. Ranks ranking or Files ranking at one and the same time into Front Reet and Midst Pag. 36 Of Files ranking into Front Reer and Midst Pag. 37 Of Files ranking by Wheeling ibid. Of Ranks filing or of Files filing or of Inversion with their several sorts and kinds Pag. 38 Ranks wheeling into the Flanks Pag. 40 Of Files filing or Ranks filing to both Flanks and the Midst at one and the same time ibid. Of Ranks wheeling to both Flanks Pag. 42 Of Ranks wheeling to the midst of Files ibid. Of Ranks wheeling to both Flanks and into the Midst at one and the same time ibid. Of Countermarches with their several sorts Pag. 43 Intire countermarching of Files Pag. 44 Divisional countermarching of Files Pag. 45 Intire Countermarches of Ranks Pag. 46 Divisional Countermarches of the right and left half-ranks Pag. 48 Of Wheelings with their several uses Pag. 49 Intire Wheelings Pag. 50 Divisional Wheelings ibid. Of Filings either for delight or service Pag. 51 Several firings to be performed with any number of men Pag. 52 The way to make every man in a File six deep according to succession a File-leader by doublings not using one word of command twice Pag. 56 The way to make every man in a file six deep File-leader according to dignity by a doubling not using one word of command twice ibid. The way to make every man in a File eight deep File-leader by succession and that by doubling not using one word of command twice ibid. The way to make every man in a File eight deep a File-leader according unto dignity by doubling Pag. 57 Figures of Battail to be performed by single Files with some admonitions to those that shall practise themselves herein ibid. Military experiment upon a File six deep branching forth eight several figures of Battail with their reducement Pag. 58 Words of command to produce the first eight Figures of Battail with their reducement Pag. 59 Words of command for the second eight Figures of Battail with their reducement Pag. 60 Words of command for the third eight Figures of Battail with their reducement Pag. 61 The way to make twelve several Figures of Battail with a File ten deep with their reducement Pag. 62 Twelve several Figures of Battail with a File twelve deep with their reducement Pag. 64 The Second Book Concerning the Artillery and Military Gardens together with the Private Meetings in and about the City of London Pag. 67 The first Exercise of four files six deep Pag. 68 A doubling consisting of 16 in number every one differing from the other and not reduced until the last word of Command ibid. Eight several countermaches with their reducement Pag. 69 Ten several Wheelings with their reducement ibid. Six figures of Battail with several firings thereunto belonging Pag. 70 The second Exercise with four files six deep Pag. 73 Eighteen several doublings with their reducements ib. Twelve several countermarches with their reducements Pag. 74 Twelve several wheelings with their reducements ib. Several plain firings upon this Exercise of 24 men with figures of Battail belonging to the same Pag. 75 The third Exercise with four files six deep Pag. 79 Thirty several words of Command of Inversion and Conversion Pag. 80 Next followeth several figures of Battail with firings upon the same for the performance whereof Pag. 82 The fourth Exercise consisting of four files eight deep Pag. 87 The fifth Exercise with four files eight deep Pag. 93 Thirty several doublings with their reducement Pag. 94 Plain firings and figures of Battail Pag. 95 The sixth Exercise with four files eight deep Pag. 99 Thirty doublings by countermarches with their reducement ibid. Plain firings and figures of Battail Pag. 101 The seventh Exercise consisting of 64 men eight files eight deep Pag. 104 Two and twenty doublings by wheelings with their reducement Pag. 105 Several firings and figures of Battail with 64 men Pag. 106 The eighth Exercise consisting of 64 men eight files eight deep Pag. 110 Several figures of Battail Pag. 112 The ninth Exercise consisting of 64 men eight files eight deep Pag. 116 Eight several countermarches with their reducement Pag. 117 Ten several wheelings with their reducement ibid. Plain firings and figures of Battail Pag. 118 The tenth Exercise consisting of 24 files being six deep according to the first drawing up of a private Company Pag. 122 Eight entire several doublings with their reducement ibid. Eight several countermarches with their reducement ibid. Eight entire doublings by wheelings with their reducement ibid. Plain firings and figures of Battail Pag. 123 The eleventh Exercise with 24 files six deep Pag. 127 Eight countermarches with their reducement ibid. Eight several wheelings with their reducement Pag. 128 Plain firings and figures of Battail ibid. The twelfth Exercise consisting of 24 files six deep Pag. 133 A doubling to make every man a File-leader by dignity ibid. Several wheelings with their reducements Pag. 134 Plain firings and figures of Battail ibid. The Third Book Concerning the drawing up of Regiments with their several numbers forms manner and ways Pag. 139 The manner of drawing up a Regiment consisting of six Companies containing in it a Colonel a Lieut. Colonel a Major and three Captains every one having 108 men in a Company and the three Field-officers 144 which makes compleatly up 756 men whereof two thirds are Muskettiers and one third of Pikes the Files being six deep Pag. 140 The reasons follow for the placing of the Captains their Colours and their Lieutenants after the manner before set down Pag. 142 More particular reasons for the placing of the Captains and Lieutenants of the first grand Division ibid. Reasons for the placing of the Officers of the second grand Division Pag. 143 The ordering of a Regiment to the long-march with the placing of the Officers and the leading of carriages Pag. 144 The first Exercise of a Regiment in the plainest and easiest way Pag. 146 A second way of Exercising Regiments of the same number of men Pag. 147 Doublings belonging to a Regiment Pag. 149 Four several wheelings with their Reducement Pag. 150 Countermarches not
the pains to be a good Muskettier certainly cannot be idle but hath gained something more to make him capable of such praise To conclude I shall desire the Gentlemen of the Pikes and the Gentlemen of the Muskettiers to go hand in hand in love like dear Brothers and neither of them to envy each other and in so doing God will give a blessing to their undertakings But now fearing I have dwelt too long upon this discourse of the Arms I shall next proceed to set down first the postures of the Pike then the postures of the Musket with all the words of command tending to their Motions after collect them in order in a brief way and then set forth unto you the equality of number that the one Arms hath with the other in the postures as followeth CHAP. III. The Postures of the Pike THE Pike lying on the ground the first word of Command will be Stand to your Arms. Handle your Pike to your Open Order Handle your Pike to your Order Raise up your Pike to your Close Order Charge with the But-end of the Pike at the inside of the right foot your Pike in the left hand drawing your Sword over your left arm Charge to the Front Right Flank Left Flank Reer Order your Pikes and put up your Swords This way of charging to the Horse I have set down as being practised sometimes amongst us in our private Meetings but I conceive it to be of little use to receive a desperate charge of the Horse for by these charges the Souldiers are in so lame and weak a posture that the Horse cannot choose if they come on with a full career but beat the Pikes and Pike-men down to the ground Therefore in my opinion the best way of opposing the Horse-charge is that which we learned of our ever-honoured Captain Major Henry Tillier in the Military Garden which was Files closing to the midst to their closest Order insomuch that there was not above half a foot interval of ground between File and File the Pikes Porting and after closing their Ranks forwards so close that they locked themselves one within another and then charged on Which in my judgment is so secure a way from routing that it is impossible for any Body of Horse to enter therein and farther to my best remembrance I never could meet with any Souldier that hath been a broad upon any service that ever saw any charging of the Pikes at the Foot therefore I will further proceed From Order Advance Shoulder Port Comport Cheek Trail Your Pike Order as you were From your Order charge to the Front Right Left Reer Order as you were Advance your Pike Shoulder Port Comport Cheek Trail Your Pike Advance as you were From your Advance charge to the Front Right Left Reer Advance as you were Shoulder your Pike Port Comport Cheek Trail Your Pike Shoulder as you were From the Shoulder charge to the Front Right Left Reer Shoulder as you were Port your Pikes Comport your Pikes Cheek Trail your pikes Comp. as you were From the Comport charge to the Front Right Left Reer comport as you were Cheek your Pikes Trail your Pikes Cheek as you were From the Cheek charge to the Front Right Left Reer Cheek as you were Trail your Pikes from your Trail charge to the Front Right Left Reer Trail as you were Order your Pikes Lay down your Pikes Here is to be observed by this Method an endeavouring to perform all the postures of the Pike from each particular posture only shortning it by degrees leaving out what was before commanded until we come unto the Trial. Yet notwithstanding I spared not the charges but have shewn them from every posture in their due order Next followeth the postures of the Musket wherein in answerableness to the Pike I shall lay them down in full and afterwards contract them in a shorter way CHAP. IV. The Postures of the Musket THE Musket lying on the ground the first word of Command will be as to the Pike Stand to your Arms Take up your Bandiliers Put on your Bandiliers Take up your Match Place your Match Take up your Rest Put the string of your Rest about your left wrist Take up your Musket Rest your Musket Here the Souldier may perform the saluting posture if he shall find any occasion so to do for the honouring of a friend or any Gentleman of worth Poyse your Musket Shoulder your Musket Un-shoulder your Musket and Poyse Joyn your Rest to the outside of your Musket Open your pan Cleer your pan Prime your pan Shut your pan Cast off your loose corns Blow off your loose corns and bring about your Musket to the left side Trail your Rest Ballance your Musket in your left hand Find out your charge Open your charge Charge with powder Draw forth your Scouring-stick Turn and shorten him to an Inch Charge with Bullet Put your scouring-stick into your musket Ram home your charge With-draw your scouring-stick Turn and shorten him to a handful Return your scouring-stick Bring forward your Musket and Rest Poyse your Musket recover your Rest Joyn your Rest to the outside of your Musket Draw forth your Match Blow your Coal Cock Your Match Fit Your Match Guard your Pan Blow the ashes from your Coal Open your Pan Present upon your Rest Give fire brest-high Dismount your Musket joyning the Rest to the outside of your Musket Vn-cock and return your Match Cleer Your Pan Shut Your Pan Poyse Your Musket Rest Your Musket Take your Musket off the Rest and set the Butt-end to the ground Lay down your Musket Lay down your Match Take your Rest into your right hand cleering the string from your left wrist Lay down your Rest Take off Your Bandiliers Lay down Your Bandiliers Here endeth the postures of the Musket from the taking of them up from the ground to make ready and the proceeding in them to the laying of them down again Now if the Souldier will take his Rest into his right hand for to be a support and help to him in his march he must observe the following words of command Lay your right hand upon the Butt-end of your musket The Musket being shouldered you may proceed in these words of command to recover the Rest into the right hand Lay your left arm over your musket Shift your match between the fingers of your right hand Take your Rest into your right hand cleering the string from your left wrist Return your match and take your Rest into your right hand 't will cause you to be in a fit capacity for to march CHAP. V. The Postures and Charges of the Pike to be performed in a shorter way all things acted in order and nothing done twice THE Pike lying on the ground the first word of Command will be Stand to your Arms Handle your Arms Raise up your Pikes to your Open Order Order Close Order From your close Order charge to the Horse Front Right
Left Reer Recover your Pikes and put up your Swords Advance your Pikes Charge to the Front Port your Pikes Charge to the Front Shoulder your Pikes Charge to the right Comport your Pikes Charge to the left Cheeke your Pikes Charge to the Reer Trail your Pikes Charge to the Reer After lay the narrow end of the Pike to the ground face about to the left to your first Front and move forward with the butt-end of your Pike on your right side in your Funeral posture After face about to the right raise up your Pike face then again to your first Front you may lay down the Pike to the ground and march from your arms having ended all the postures charges in their due courses And here Fellow-Souldier whoever thou art thou maist perceive that there are no more then eight Postures of the Pike and four Charges that is to say to the Front Reer and both Flanks There are some would fain have another posture added to these which they call the Lazie posture which somtimes I have perceived upon a Stand that then the Pike-man le ts slip his Pike from the shoulder until the butt-end rest upon the ground then laying his right arm over it he stands in an ill-favour'd lazie way Such postures as these are not fit to be ranged among the former but rather to be condemned in regard the Souldier will be apt enough to find out such postures as these of himself if not prevented by the discretion of the careful Officers for upon a Stand the Souldiers properest posture is to Order his Pike And thus much in brief concerning the postures of the Pike CHAP. VI. The Postures of the Musket collected in a brief way ACcording to my former promise I shall endeavour to give the best satisfaction I can to the Muskettiers as well as to the Pikes that there is an answerableness of number in the proper postures of the Musket to them of the Pike and they are eight as I conceive and may be proceeded on in order from the taking up to the laying down of the Musket and nothing acted twice The words of Command for the postures followeth Stand to your Arms Handle your Arms. Now you are to take notice that in taking up the Bandiliers putting them on taking up the Rest putting the string about the left wrist the taking up of the match placing of it the taking up of the musket these or the like are no postures but motions to the first posture Therefore I will proceed upon them all in order as they lie leaving out the words of command tending to the Motions 1 Order your musket 2 Rest your musket 3 Poyse your musket 4 Shoulder your musket 5 Ballance your musket and Rest on the right side with the barrel upwards 6 Trail your Rest and ballance your musket on the left side with the barrel downwards 7 Recover your musket and perform your Sentinel-posture 8 From this perform your funeral-posture This being ended a man may recover his musket and rest that knows how to perform this last posture without bringing him again upon the Rest and may lay down his Arms again observing the former Rule where the postures of the musket are set down at large CHAP. VII There is also a conformity of Posture with the Musket to those of the Pike and Words of Command to be given as may in many things be received by both Arms. THe musket and pike lying on the ground these words of Command may properly be imployed to both That is to say Stand to your Arms Handle your Armes The butt-end of the musket standing or resting on the ground at the outside of right foot is conformable to the Pike ordered The musket poysed to the pike advanced The musket shouldered to the Pike shouldered The musket porting to the pike porting The musket reverst as in the funeral-posture to the Pike trailing The musket rested to the pike cheeked which is his proper sentinel-posture The musket presented to the pike charged As for the motions of posture which conduce to the lading and priming of the musket as to cast about trail recover and the like they are all included in that general word of Command properly to the muskettiers belonging which is to make ready Now methinks I hear some ingenious Souldier begin to ask me What are the use of these postures so fully laid down by you To whom I shall be so courteous as to satisfie them according to my former Method beginning with the Pike as followeth CHAP. VIII The use of the Postures of the Pike The use of Ordering the Pike THe Pike being ordered is the proper posture of a Souldier upon a stand which he ought ever to mind upon any such occasion so to make use of it And I have likewise seen in many places in the day-time this posture to be used by the Souldier standing sentinel The use of Advanceing the Pike The Pike advanced is useful for the Souldier upon a Troop when they are to march swiftly either for the relieving of some Court of Guard or to repair to their place of Randezvous or upon some sudden approaching to an Enemy to make a Charge for then he will be in a fit capacity to clap down quickly his pike upon the breast of the Enemy It is likewise very useful in the time of exercise to the half-files and bringers up upon any doubling to the Front for then they are always to be advanced in respect of a longer march in their doublings then those that double ranks and files but having doubled they must always conform in posture to the part doubled The use of Porting The use of Porting was invented for the ease of the reer half-files upon a charge for the front half-files are only for to charge the reer half-files in the mean time are to port It is likewise very useful at such times when the souldiers are marching through a gate or sally-port from whence I conceive it doth derive its name porting The use of Shouldering The use of shouldering the pike is only properest upon the march in some kind very useful upon a stand in time of Fight provided they are at convenient distance from the Enemy For it much preserveth the pikes and pike-men from the danger of the shot the bullets then gliding off from their Arms which if they stood at such times either ordered or advanced the bullets would make such a clattering amongst the Pikes that what with breaking of them and the shivers flying from them may much endanger the souldiers which carry them The use of Comporting The comporting of the Pike is only useful to the souldier marching up a hill for if then he should be shouldered the butt-end of the Pike would always be touching of the ground to hinder him in his march and much endanger his fellow-souldiers that shall come after him Neither can he march advanced for if there should be any
further trouble or to a half-facing to the right by taking it from the Reer if from that place they shall be opened and so likewise it were a great deal better in the closing of Ranks to close them forwards in respect it is for the more conveniency of their closing then to the Reer For then again they must perform a half facing which is not only unhandsome but troublesome to the souldier All that can be said to maintain it as I conceive in opening Ranks forwards is because they have not room in the Reer which seldome happens so in any exercise if discreetly ordered by him that leads them As for closing of the Ranks backwards I cannot conceive any solid reasons to confirm the same and therefore will pass over it and come to close our Ranks and Files to such Distance from whence they first were opened Files close to the right and left inward to Double Distance Ranks close forwards to Double Distance Files close to the right to your Open Order Ranks close forwards to your Open Order Files close into the midst to your Order Ranks close forwards to your Order Files close to the left to your Close Order Ranks close forwards to your Close Order Files close to the right to your Closest Order Ranks close forwards to your Closest Order Concerning the words of Command for Distances in the openings and closings of Ranks and Files what before is set down may be sufficient for any souldier to use in time of his exercise But now it will be expected to give some reasons for every one of these to shew them in their proper uses CHAP. XXI The use of each particular Distance and at what time to be used WHerefore first note that your distance of closest Order is of chiefest use unto the Pike in these particulars as first Charging against the Horse for that the Ranks then clapping in their left legs behind their Leaders right locking themselves so firm and stedfast one within another which 't were impossible for any Body of Horse to enter in amongst them Secondly it is of excellent use for to maintain a breach and to keep out an enemy Thirdly it is very useful to both Arms at such time when a Commander hath any thing of consequence to discover unto his Company which he may have many occasions so to do as before his Exercise to advise them to silence to observe their words of command and their directions and when they are to fight against an Enemy to perswade and keep them off from fear by assuring them good reasons of hopes of overcoming These or such-like speeches many times a Captain may have just occasion to express himself unto his Company and being at so close a Distance they may more aptly hear his words and obey his Commands But here now by the way too much preaching upon the head of a Company concerning matters of Exercise is too much a dulling of the souldier who rather would fall into action then so to be confounded with much talking Close Order may be of very good use also for most things which have been spoken of the closest Order only here the souldier hath a little more liberty in the handling of his arms by being at a wider distance This distance also is of good use before wheelings because many times upon their moving they are apt to flie out to their proper distance of Order which they alwayes should be at in their wheelings where note if first they were at Order they would flie out to wider distance Order is the distance which the souldier doth fight upon and is to be used skirmishing against an enemy it is also useful at such a time when the Drum shall beat a Troop and that the souldiers are marching to relieve some Court of Guard or making some expedition against an enemy for then they are in a fit capacity of distance for to fight It is also very useful and to be observed upon facings for all intire doublings and for wheelings Order likewise in File and open Order in Rank is to be used at such time when the Drum shall beat a March and the Body upon the moving or marching Open Order is the distance proper for all doublings of Ranks and Files by the half-files or by the bringers-up wherein they have interval of ground sufficient to move in It is also a very proper distance for facings and ever to be observed in time of Counter-marches It is the properest distance for the Ranks to be in upon a march but the Files are then to be at Order as is before exprest The use of double Distance is to be observed at such times when the souldiers shall stand or happen to be in some eminent danger of the Cannon-shot from the Enemy for standing then so thin they may be much preserved from danger it is likewise very good for Inversion and Conversion You may take notice of these brief directions in openings of Ranks and Files when the Files are commanded to Open to the right the left-hand File stands and all the Files take their distance from the left observing alwayes in the motions of Files their Leaders and to move altogether along with them If it be an opening of Files to the left then contrary-wise the right-hand File stands and they take their distance from the right So likewise for closings unto what hand soever they be commanded to close the out-most File is to stand the rest are to move and close to that In opening or closing of Ranks the first Rank is alwayes to stand the rest are to move either opening or closing according as is commanded alwayes observing in their motions their right-hand-men and moving altogether CHAP. XXII Directions of the way and manner of drawing up a private Company THe Postures being formerly described forth the dignity of places in a File and words of Command made known unto the souldier for their several distances It next followeth to shew the joyning of Files and drawing up a Company where first pray mind at such times when the Drums are beating about the Quarters and in several places make Proclamation as by order from their Captain for all Gentlemen Souldiers that are under his Command to repair unto his Randezvous unto such a place and at such an hour then it must be the immediate care of every Officer under his Command punctually at that hour and place thither to repair for the more incouraging of the souldiers as they shall come in and not to stir themselves from thence without some order from their Captain for fear of giving bad examples unto others And when they shall perceive some considerable number of men to come in the Serjeants then may take advice with their Lieutenant and Ensign which of them they will appoint out to draw forth the Muskettiers and which the Pikes and whom they shall make the right-hand File-leader of the Muskettiers and who shall be the left and again who
may give great advantage to the Enemy For if there should want a sufficient Depth by gaining much Length in the Front we may perhaps be so weak there that an Enemy may quickly break through whereby much danger may ensue upon the same if not timely prevented by the discretion of the Commanders There is likewise in the doubling of Files or the half-Ranks doubling to either Flank a doubling of number of men and not of place carrying much variety of words of Command but the doubling of Files and of the left half-half-Ranks entire the Depth of the right Flank is not only a doubling of the number but a doubling of the place and Depth of the Battail In this doubling of the Depth care likewise must be had that we make not the Front too narrow lest we give opportunity to the Enemy to encircle and encompass it To conclude therefore take notice that Doublings were invented to strengthen any part of the Body that shall be weak whether in the Front or Reer-right-flank or left whether it be in number of men or place Length or Depth it is to be used according to the discretion of the Commander There is likewise farther to be considered in Doublings whether they double the number or place Length or Depth it is to be performed by one of these two either entire or divisional Doublings therefore I shall proceed and go on to shew what I conceive to be the properest way in the progress of them in a right order and therefore I will begin to set down the words of Command First to double the Front and so farther proceed to shew the Doublings of the Flanks And first of entire Doublings and next of the divisional and in the mean time I shall crave pardon from the courteous Souldier that I put not down several Pricks or Figures to set forth the same endeavouring rather to give him the words of Command for each particular Doubling with directions for performance of the same together with their several Reducements leaving it to his ingenious study and practice to make use of what he pleaseth where he may cull and chuse out such as shall be convenient and fit either for service or delight by the way advising him to retain in his memory what he intends to practise and not to meddle with any thing but what he assuredly knows will carry such weight and able reasons for their use and service as shall admit of no controlment from the judicious Souldier CHAP. XXX The words of Command for all Entire Doublings to the Front to be performed one time or other in time of Exercise Command RAnks to the right double Direction Every even Rank move forward with the right-leg and with three steps double the odd Reducement Files to the left double Or Ranks as you were Command Ranks to the left double Direction Every even Rank from the Front move forwards with the left-leg and at three steps double the odd Reducement Files to the right double or Ranks as you were Command Ranks to the right and left double outward Direction Every even Rank move outward from the midst and at three steps double the odd Reducement Files to the right and left double inward or Ranks as you were Command Ranks to the right and left double inward Direction Every even Rank from the Front move inward from the Flanks and at three steps double the odd Reducement Files to the right and left double outward or Ranks as you were Command Half-files double your Front to the right Direction Half-files advance your Arms and move forwards to the right into the Front Reducement Files double your Depth to the left or Half-Files as you were Command Half-files double your Front to the left Direction Half-files advance forwards to the left into the Front Reducement Files double your Depth to the right or Half-Files as you were Command Half-files double your Front to the right and left outward Direction Half-files advance forwards to the right and left from the midst and move up into the Front Reducement Files double your Depth to the right and left inward or half-Files as you were Command Half-files double your Front to the right and left inward Direction Half-files move forwards from the Flanks inward into the Front Reducement Files double your Depth to the right and left outward or Half-Files as you were Command Bringers-up double your Front to the right Direction Bringers-up advance your Arms and move forwards with the right leg into the Front Reducement Files double your Depth to the left every man falling behind his Bringer-up Command Bringers-up double your Front to the left Direction Bringers-up advance forward to the left into the Front Reducement Files double your Depth to the right every man falling behind his Bringer-up Command Bringers-up double your Front to the right and left outward Direction Bringers-up advance forward from the midst of the Reer to the right and left into the Front Reducement Files double your Depth to the right and left inward every man falling behind his Bringer-up Command Bringers-up double your Front to the right and left inward Direction Bringers-up advance forwards from the Flanks inward into the Front Reducement Files double your Depth to the right and left outward every man falling behind his Bringer-up Command Double your Ranks to the right entire Direction Every even Rank from the Front face to the right march forth and double the odd Reducement Right half-Ranks double your left Flank or Ranks as you were Command Double your Ranks to the left entire Direction Every even Rank from the Front face to the left march forth and double the odd Reducement Left half-Ranks double your right-Flank or Ranks as you were Command Double your Ranks inward entire Direction Every even Rank from the Reer move away outward until you be clear of the standing part and after every even Rank from the Front move forwards and double the odd Reducement The inmost Files double your Flanks to the right and left outward and after close Command Double your Ranks to the right entire every man placing himself on the outside of his right-hand-man Direction Every even Rank from the Front move away to the right and place your selves on the outside of your right-hand-men and double the odd Ranks Reducement Right half-Ranks double your left-Flank every man placing himself on the inside of his left-hand-man Command Double your Ranks to the left entire every man placing himself on the outside of his left-hand-man Direction Every even Rank from the Front move away to the left and double the odd Ranks by placing your selves on the outside of your left-hand-men Reducement Left half-Ranks double your right-Flank every man placing himself on the inside of his right-hand-man Command Half-files double your Front to the right entire Direction Half-files face to the right and march clear of the standing part after face to your Leader move up even abrest and double the Front Reducement Right
first and the three last Ranks double the three middlemost Ranks to the left the three first Ranks face about and march down by your own right hands into the midst of Ranks and the three last Ranks move forwards to the midst to your own left hands face to your Leader Command Double your Files to the right by Division every man placing himself before his Leader and his Bringer-up Direction Half-files of the even Files from the right face to the Reer the even Files march and double the odd every man placing himself before his Leader and Bringer-up face to your Leader Reducement The three first and the three last Ranks double the six middlemost Ranks to the left every man placing himself before his Leader and his Bringer-up the three first Ranks face about to the left and move down to the midst of Rrnks by your own right hands placing your selves before your Bringers-up and the three last Ranks march forwards unto the midst placing your selves before your Leaders to your Leader Command Left half-Ranks double your right Flank by Division Direction Half-files of the left half-Ranks face about to the right the left half-Ranks move clear of the standing part after face all to the right-Flank the left half-Ranks moving forward until they have ranged even abrest with the right-Flank face to your Leader Reducement The three first and the three last Ranks double the six middlemost Ranks entire to the left-Flank the three first and the three last Ranks face to the left-Flank and move clear of the standing part after face inward march and close your Division face to your Leader CHAP. XXXVI Entire Doublings to right Flank by Wheeling Command WHeel off your left half-Ranks and double your right Flank entire to the right Direction Face outward and left half-Ranks wheel about to the left and move forward until you have doubled the right Flank entire to the right face to your Leader Reducement Wheel off your Reer half-Files and double your Front to the left entire half-Files face to the Reer and wheel about to the right and march forwards until you have ranged your selves even with the Front Command Wheel off your left half-Ranks and double your right Flank entire to the left Direction Face outward left half-Ranks wheel about to the right move forward until you have doubled the right flank entire to the left face to your Leader Reducement Wheel off your Front half-Files and double your Reer to the right entire half-Files face about and Front half-Files wheel about to the left move down and double the Reer to the right face to your Leader Command Wheel the left half-Ranks inward into the midst and double your right Flank inward entire Direction Half-files of the right half-Ranks face about right half-Ranks move clear of the standing part then face to the right and the left half-Ranks face to the left and wheeling inward into the midst moving forward until they have doubled the right Flank inward entire to your Leader Reducement In wheeling the six middle Ranks from the right Flank they must have ground sufficient for them to wheel about Wheel off from the right Flank the six middlemost Ranks and double your Front and Reer entire to the left Flank the six middle-Ranks face to the right and wheel about to the right and left moving forward until they are clear of the standing part and after facing to the Front and Reer they move again and double the Front and Reer toward the left Flank face all to your Leader march forwards and close your Divisions Or if they continue their Aspect to the right Flank then command the six middlemost Files to wheel off to the right and left and to double entire the depth of the outmost Files then face to their Leader and close their Divisions CHAP. XXXVII A Divisional Doubling to the right Flank by Wheeling Command WHeel off your left half-Ranks and double your right Flank by Division Direction Face outward and left half-Ranks wheel off to the right and left about and move forward until you have ranged even and doubled the right Flank to your Leader Reducement Wheel off the three first and the three last Ranks and double the six middlemost Ranks entire to the left Flank the three last Ranks face about and wheel to the right about moving up towards the midst of the left-Flank and the three first Ranks at the same time wheel about to the left and move down to the midst of the left Flank face to your Leader Or if they continue their aspect to the right Flank then command the outmost Files too that doubled to wheel about to the right and left inward and double entire the Depth of the inmost Files to your Leader Here endeth all the plain Doublings to the right Flank performed by several Counter-marches and Wheelings which to any ingenious Souldier are sufficient directions to know how to double the left Flank only altering the hand by the words of Command And here fellow-Souldier endeth all the several kinds of Doublings which if any shall seem hard or difficult unto thee either in their Commands Directions or Reducements thou mayst care being taken with much ease and delight perform the same And here the Captain is to take special notice when he comes to the point of Doublings that his properest way will be first to double the Front as being the most honourable part of the Body and next the Reer and after either to the right or left Flank leaving it to his discretion to use as many of them as he shall think fitting and convenient for his Exercise And although I have somewhat varied from the practise of former times in using more plenty of words of Command the ripeness and curiosity of Wits in these our days enforced me unto it for they having much refined the Military Discipline will not be pleased with ordinary stuff as to say As you were which I confess would save the Captain a great deal of pains and be more easie to the apprehension and capacity of every private Souldier for his returning back unto his place again Yet if Command should be given to double any part of the Body that Leader would quickly lie under a hard censure and be judged in most mens opinions insufficient that could not find out some other words of Command to reduce them again Endeavouring therefore to give full satisfaction to both parties I have taken the pains to set down other words of Command for Reducement whereby those which shall profess themselves curious may cull out such plenty as may best please their genius advising them withal not to presume in the exercising of their private Companies before themselves be first well verst and truly knowing in all and every of the several Commands Directions and Reducements before mentioned which being obtained they may confidently and boldly proceed so to inure their Souldiers in the practise thereof that their own knowledge in
whereby they may fire upon the Enemy as he marcheth by Or approaching against any Fort or place of danger they may daringly make a large Front and firing upon them after filing to the right or left making large Intervals they much preserve themselves from the danger of the great shot proceeding from the Enemy Again Ranks ranking either in equal or unequal parts is of singular good use upon a narrow passage where they can march but two three four or six abrest the Commander notwithstanding they marched before twenty abrest may by it bring them to such small numbers whereby he may much preserve them in time of imminent danger and peril To dwell no longer upon this discourse Inversion and Conversion many times require larger distance then any other of the Motions as sometimes double distance or twice double distance wherefore being so many occasions for the use of them both I hold it requisite for a Leader frequently to practise his Souldiers in them no part of the Art Military affording more commendations to the Souldiers that shall readily and handsomly perform the same Briefly therefore passing over what might be more spoken concerning them I shall in the next place set them all forth in their full view leaving every discreet Souldier to his own liberty to make use of as many of them as he shall think fit and to use them after what manner he pleaseth CHAP. XXXIX The words of Command for Ranks ranking and Files ranking to the Front they being twelve abrest and six deep Command RAnks rank to the right 2 3 4 or 6 as occasion shall require Direction If to two the two outmost men upon the right are to move away the next two to fall behind them until the first Rank hath made six Ranks and the rest doing the like until the first six Ranks are become thirty six Reducement Ranks rank twelve to the left the first Rank is to stand the rest are to move away two and two until they have made up twelve in one Rank and the rest are to do the like until they are made up all again as at first or command Ranks rank as you were The same rule is to be observed if you rank to any of the other numbers to divide them accordingly Command Ranks rank three to the left Direction The first three men upon the left are to move away the next three are to fall in behind toward the left until the first Rank have made four Ranks the rest are to do the like until they have made them 24 Ranks Reducement Ranks rank 12 to the right the first Rank is to stand the rest are to move forth by three and three until they have made twelve in one Rank the rest are to do the like until they be as they were at first or Ranks rank as you were Command Ranks rank three to the right and left outward Direction The three outmost men of the first Rank upon the right and the three outmost men upon the left move away the next three of each hand in the same Rank are to do the like and every Rank throughout to follow successively dividing themselves three to one hand and three to the other until they have made twelve Ranks in each Division and falling in the Reer successively to each hand of the first Rank Reducement Ranks rank 12 to the right and left inward or Ranks rank as you were Command Ranks rank intire to the right into the Front Direction The first Rank stand the rest face to the right and move away every Rank placing it self successively to the right until they stand all in one Rank in the Front Reducement Ranks rank 12 to the left the first 12 men upon the left are to stand the next 12 are to face to the left and to move and fall in the Reer of the first and so consequently all the rest or else to command Ranks rank as you were Command Ranks rank intire to the left into the Front Direction The first Rank stand the rest face to the left and move until they have successively placed themselves and made one intire Rank into the Front Reducement Ranks rank 12 to the right the 12 outmost men upon the right stand the rest face to the right and move making 12 in every Rank or Ranks rank as you were Command Ranks rank outward into the Front Direction The first Rank stand the rest face outward and place your selves successively into the Front facing after to your Leader Reducement Ranks rank 12 to the right and left inward the 12 middlemost men stand the rest face inward and move ranking 12 successively behind the first Rank and after facing to their Leader and to even their Ranks Command Ranks rank inward into the Front Direction The first Rank is to move away to the right and left the next Rank moving up into his ground doing the like and consequently so all the rest until the last Rank be come up intire into the Front Reducement Ranks rank six to the right and left outward the first six upon the right and the first six upon the left stand the rest move outward falling in the Reer of the first Rank ranking six to the right and left and after closing their Divisions Command Files rank to the right into the Front Direction Files open to the left to your double Distance and Ranks close forwards to Close Order and move up to the right into the Front Reducement Ranks file six to the left the first six upon the left are to fall into a File the rest doing the like until you have made 12 Files as at first or command Ranks file as you were Command Files rank to the left into the Front Direction Every man is to move forward to the left into the Front beginning from the Leader of the Files and moving up successively making one intire Rank Reducement Ranks file six to the right the six outmost men upon the right are to fall into a File the rest in like manner are to do the same or Ranks file as you were Command Files rank outward into the Front Direction Right and left Half-ranks close into the midst to Close order after move to the right and left outward until they be come up into the Front Reducement Ranks file six to the right and left inward the middle men are to stand the rest are to move side-ways to the right and left inward and to file as before commanded or Ranks file as you were Command Files rank inward into the Front Direction Right and left Half-ranks open from the midst to twice double distance and Files move up to the right and left entire into the Front Reducement Ranks file six to the right and left outward the outmost men stand the rest move to the right and left outward filing according to Command and after to close their Divisions CHAP. XL. Ranks ranking into the Front by Countermarch Command RAnks rank entire into
Ranks wheel to the right and left towards the Reer Direction Face all about The outside-men are the hinges of this Motion who are to wheel from the Reer to the right and left until they have brought their Aspects unto both the Flanks face to your Leader Reducement Files rank 12 to the right and left inward the Right-hand-file is to begin to rank six to the left the Left-hand-file is to rank six to the right making up even abrest 12 in number the rest doing the same Command Front and Reer-half-files wheel your ranks outward into both Flanks Direction Half-files face about and Front and Reer-half-files wheel outward into both Flanks until you have brought your Aspects unto the right and left face to your Leader Reducement Front and Reer-half-files rank 12 to the right and left inward towards the midst of Ranks Front-half-files face about and begin the Motion from the Bringers-up of the Front-half-files and the Half-file-leaders ranking six to the right and left from each File making 12 abrest face to your Leader Command Front and Reer-half-files wheel your Ranks into both Flanks Direction Half-files face about and march all until you be at twice double distance in the midst then face all about to the right and wheel to the right and left until you have brought your Aspects unto both Flanks by wheeling inward to them face to your Leader Reducement Files rank 12 to the right and left inward into Front and Reer Half-files face about and rank in Front and Reer six to the right and six to the left making 12 abrest after face to your Leader CHAP. XLVIII Of Ranks wheeling to the midst of Files Command FRont and Reer-half-files wheel your Ranks inward to the midst of Files Direction Half-files face about and Front and Reer-half-files wheel your Ranks to the right and left inward until they face in opposition to your Leader Reducement Files rank six to the right and left outward unto the midst of Ranks Front-half-files face about and Rank six to the right and left outward Reer-half-files do the same to your Leader Command Front and Reer-half-files wheel your Ranks inward into the midst of Files Direction Half-files face about Front and Reer-half-files march until you have attained twice double distance in the midst of Ranks face all about to the right and wheel to the right and left inward into the midst of Files to your Leader Reducement Files rank six to the right and left outward into Front and Reer Half-files face about and Front and Reer-half-files rank six to the right and left outward as before commanded to your Leader move forward and close your Divisions to your double distance CHAP. XLIX Of Ranks wheeling to both Flanks and into the midst at one and the same time They ought to be at more then Open order in Ranks and at order in Files Command FRont and Reer-half-files wheel your Ranks to the right and left into both Flanks and the midst of Files Direction Half-files face about to the right and the middle Files and the outmost Files upon each Flank are the hinges of this Motion the rest are to wheel their Ranks to the right and left towards both the Flanks and to the midst of Files face to your Leader Reducement Files rank six to the right and left inward to the midst of Ranks and between the Flankers and the middle Files Front-half-files face about and rank six to the right and left inward towards the midst of Ranks between the Flankers and middle Files the Reer-half-files doing the same face to your Leader Command Front and Reer-half-files wheel your Ranks inward into both Flanks and into the midst of Files Direction Half-files face about and Front and Reer-half-files march until you be at double distance in the midst after face all about to the right and wheel your Ranks to the right and left inward into both Flanks and into the midst of Files face to your Leader Reducement Files rank six to the right and left inward into Front and Reer between the Flankers and the middle Files Half-files face about and rank six to the right and left inward to the Reer between the Flankers and the middle Files the Front-half-files doing the same to the Front after facing to their Leader Half-files move forwards closing their Divisions to the distance of the former Ranks Having dwelt thus long upon this subject of Inversion and Conversion occasioned thereunto by their great variety and difficulty in the performance of them I hold it convenient to give a breathing space unto the wearied Souldier whilst I in the mean time prepare further matter for his longing desire Yet before I enter in any other discourse of the Art Military I hold it requisite to give some admonitions to those that shall venture upon them For being very difficult they are not easily understood by every puny my advice therefore is to wave such things in time of Exercise which the Souldiers are unacquainted with providing for them such matter as is both plain and easie and being frequently practised in such he may after drill them on to harder till by degrees he hath brought them unto such perfection and knowledge that they shall be able to perform and execute what is commanded not gazing upon one another as I have often observed neither knowing their Leaders meaning or if they did they are altogether ignorant how to fulfil his commands Frequent practice therefore makes the Souldier expert witness our gallant Souldiers and Citizens of London who are most of them so well grounded by frequent practice that their Leaders can scarce give a word of Command which is not easily apprehended by them they being in their exercises so often inured to such difficult expressions as these of Inversion and Conversion CHAP. L. Of Counter-marches with thâ—ir several sorts and kinds affording much variety in time of Exercise THose which have a longing desire to be throughly knowing in this part or branch of Military Discipline must take notice of these four sorts viz. Counter-marching of Files next of Ranks after the Front and Reer-half-files and lastly of right and left Half-ranks all which are performed either by intire or Divisional Counter-marches or else by the intire changing of ground and that by many ways the Front-half-files with the Reer the right Half-ranks with the left So that an expert Leader may venter so far in them as to continue his Exercise without reducing almost for an hour and not to express himself twice in any one word of Command they affording such plenty and variety in them that with pleasure using but four words of Command he may bring each Souldier into his proper place again observing these directions following As first to look down in the Body where his File-leaders are and where his Bringers-up likewise marking the several places of his Half-file-leaders the Bringers up of his Front-half-files together with his Flankers his middle
they therefore be rejected and carelesly thrown away nay rather they ought frequently to practice themselves in the use thereof which if they did they would finde the same very serviceable unto them in the time of skirmishing wherewith they Fire better and in a more comely and graceful way far more securing both themselves and Fellow-souldiers from danger and likewise upon their March it is both a help and support unto them Fourthly their eyes ought likewise in time of Battail to be fixed stedfastly upon their Captain always conforming to him in Posture when he shall prepare to charge or retreat and likewise they ought to be knowing and well verst in the several Beats of the Drum which if well observed by all there would not be so much confusion in time of Battail amongst them as many times by sad experience hath been found when disregarding their Officers commands and the bearing of the Drum they ignorantly and rashly run on in a disorderly manner by which means they have cut off their own Officers and Fellow-souldiers many times more then they have dangered the Enemy Thus you see what great necessity there is of instructing and training up the Souldiers in their Postures and how requisite it is to conform themselves to their Officers in time of Battail performing thereby better execution against their Enemies and by their decent and comely array preserve themselves from eminent dangers and perils The Souldiers having now all the ground-work of the exercising a Body of men laid down before them in the next place he labours to make experiment thereof but being no Officer he cannot attain thereunto without special leave from his Superiours and therefore being a File-leader he craves leave for to exercise his single File both in their Postures and Motions contenting himself for present with that small number whereby he is able to run through many plain things of Distances Facings Doublings Counter-marchings and Wheelings But being not fully satisfied he presumes upon the former favour had from his Superiours to go on to make every man in his File a File-leader first by succession and after being not called away by the beat of the Drum or by his Officers to lead up his File and to joyn into a Body according unto Dignity and after endeavours to reduce them again by proper words of command This liberty being granted at convenient times unto a File-leader much indeers the Souldiers good affections unto their Officers and is a means whereby many others are brought in to be true lovers of Military Exercise as being much taken and well pleased with the sight of the former things And therefore I could wish that they were not hereafter prevented as formerly I have observed by the malice of some who have had places of command bestowed upon them more through favour or by reason of their riches then for any worth or desert found in them They perhaps hold it a great dispargement unto them to be eclipsed but a judicious and discreet Captain accounts it a great honour to lead such gallant men that are as able and as well knowing as himself CHAP. LX. The way to make every man in a File six deep according to succession a File-leader The file by doublings not using one word of command twice Command FIles rank two to the left Bring the second man into the Front File to the left double Command Half-files double your Front to the left Files double your depth to the left Command Bringers-up double your Front to the right Double your Files to the left intire advancing Command Bringers-up double your Front to the left Double your Files to the right intire advancing Command File rank two to the right Files to the right double Reducement File rank to the left into the Front Rank file six to the left CHAP. LXI The way to make every man in a File six deep File-leader according to dignity The Dignity of the File by a doubling not using one Word of command twice Command HAlf-files double your front to the left Files double to the right intire advancing every man placing himself before his Leader Command Front half-file double the reer to the left Files double to the left intire advancing every man placing himself before his Leader Command Bringer-up double your Front to the right Files double your depth to the right every man falling behind his bringer-up Command Half-files double your Front to the right Files double to the left intire advancing Files rank two to the right Files to the right double Bringer-up double your Front to the left Files double your depth to the left every man falling behind his bringer-up Reducement File rank two to the left Files to the left double CHAP. LXII The way to make every man in a File eight deep File-leader by succession The File and that by doubling not using one Word of command twice Command FIle rank two to the left Ranks invert to the left Command Half-file double your front to the right Double your files to the right intire advancing every man placing himself before his Leader Command Files rank two to the right Files to the right double Command Front half-files double your reer to the right Double your files to the left intire advancing Command Files rank two to the right into the reer Ranks invert to the right Command Half-files double your Front to the left Double your files to the left intire advancing every man placing himself before his Leader Command File rank two to the left into the Reer Face to your Leader Double your Files to the right advancing Reducement File rank to the right into the Front Rank file eight to the right CHAP. LXIII The way to make every man in a File eight deep The Dignity of the File a File-leader according unto dignity by a doubling Command BRinger-up double your Front to the left Double your Files to the right intire advancing Command Half-files double your Front to the left Double your Files to the left intire advancing Command Bringer-up double your Front to the right Files double your depth to the right Command Files rank two to the right Double your Files to the right intire advancing every man placing himself before his Leader Command Front-half-files double your Reer to the right following your Leaders Double your Files to the right by Division every man placing himself before his Leader and his Bringer-up Command Front-half-files double your Reer to the left following your Leaders Double your Files to the left by Division every man placing himself before his Leader and his Bringer-up Command The two first and the two last men double the four middle-most men to the right following your Leaders and your Bringers-up Files double your depth to the left Reducement Half-files double the Front to the right Bringers-up double your Front to the right Files to the right and left double inward Double your Files to the left intire advancing Although
Command The left-hand-man of the middlemost Rank face about the middlemost Rank march two paces before the Front and Reer face to your Leader and close Ranks and Files to Order  1  5  3 4  6  2  Command The second Rank from the Front double the first to the right and left outward by Division the last man in the Reer close forward to Order   1   4 5  3 6   2   Command The out most men of the middle Rank face about and move down even with the Reer to your Leader   1    5  3  4  2  6 Reducement The middlemost man in the Reer advance forwards to the left into the Front Files close inward to your Order Files to the right double Half-files double your Front to the left Files double your Depth to the right every man falling behind his Bringer-up Files rank two to the right Ranks rank entire to the left into the Reer every man placing himself on the outside of his left-hand-man Direction Face about and after being faced to their Leader they will stand after this manner 6 5 4 3 2 1. Rank file to the right they are reduced CHAP. LXVI Words of Command to produce the first Eight Figures of Battail with their Reducement Command HAlfe-file double your Front to the left 5 1 6 2 7 3 8 4 Command The last Rank face about the two middle Ranks face outward march all some two paces to your Leader  5 1  6   2 7   3  8 4  Command The first Rank move forwards two paces the third Rank close inwards to open Order   5 1   6     2  7   3    8 4   Command the third Rank from the Front face outward march all three paces to your Leader The first Rank stand the rest face outward and move two paces to your Leader    5 1     6     2  7  8   4  3 Command The first Rank face about march all until you be clear one of another to your Leader  6     2  7  8   4  3    5 1    Command The last Rank move to the right and left and place your selves three foot behind the Front-Divisions  6   2  7  8 4  3  5   1  Command Division on the right face about march all until you be clear one of another then face to the right and march until you stand even abrest of each other face to your Leader  6  7  8  5   2  4  3  1  Command Reer-Division face about the last man in each Division move forwards into the midst of the Rank that is before you face to your Leader aâ—â— close your Divisions to Order  6  7 5 8 4 2 3  1  Command The last man in the 〈◊〉 move forwards to the right in the Rank of him that stands before you the last Rank open outwards to Order to your Leader    6     7  5  8  4  2  1  3 Redueement Face all about the last man in the Reer move forwards on the left into the Rank that is before you even your Ranks and straighten your Files to your Leader Files double inward by Division Double your Ranks to the left entire into the Front and Reer Direction Halt-files face about after face to your Leader and the last Rank close forward to Order and even your Ranks and straighten your Files Wheel Front and Reer to the left Flank Direction The last Rank face about then face to your Leader and Counter-march the File they are reduced CHAP. LXVII Words of Command for the second Eight Figures of Battail with their Reducement Command FIle rank to the left one three and four the last Rank face outwards and move three paces to your Leader    1      4 3 2   8 7    6 5 Command The two inmost men of the last Rank close inward to close Order the two outmost men of the last Rank fall back two paces    1     4  3  2    7  6   8      5 Command The middlemost man in the first Rank face about march all till you are clear one of another to your Leader    1     4    2    7  6   8      5    3    Command Files close into the midst to Order the last man move forward to Order  1  4  2 7  6 8  5  3  Command The middlemost Rank open to the right and left to double distance   1    4  2  7    6  8  5    3   Command The outmost men upon the Flanks face inward the last man in the Reer face about the first and the last Rank face to the four Angles move all three paces to your Leader   1   4    2  7  6  8    5   3   Command The first man in the Front and the last man in the Reer stand the rest face outward and march three paces to your Leader   1   4    2  7  6  8    5   3   Command The last men of the outmost Files move forwards to the right and left until you range even abrest with the middle-men    1     4    2  8  7  6  5    3    Reducement The last man in the Reer move forward and range even abrest with the first Rank Ranks file to the right following your Leader they are reduced CHAP. LXVIII Words of Command for the third Eight Figures of Battail with their Reducement Command BRingers-up double your Front to the left 8 1 7 2 6 3 5 4 Command The first and the last Rank stand the third Rank double outward Rank-wise the Middle-rank face outward march all two paces to your Leader   8 1   6 7   2 3   5 4   Command The middle Rank stand the rest double to the right File-wise face all to the Center and march some two paces to your Leader   1     8  Â
face to your Leader It might be expected that I should shew the several Charges upon all these Figures but in regard I may perhaps meet with some of them again in greater Bodies or the like I shall for present pass them over and in those places endeavour to give them the best satisfaction I can In the mean time they may with ease finde out in every one of them such Charges as may instruct the Souldiers how to fight whether it be Front Rear both Flanks or Angles they may be shewn and exercised in them according to the discretion of him that shall command them whether they be Muskettiers or Pike-men And therefore thus much shall suffice concerning the exercising of a File for matter of Figures In the next place followeth Exercise of greater Bodies The end of the first Book THE COMPLEAT BODY OF The Art Military The Second BOOK CHAP. I. Concerning the Artillery and the Military Gardens together with the Private Meetings in and about the City of LONDON THe great delight in handling of Arms in Military Exercises makes the City of London and the Suburbs thereof famous through the whole World by reason as I conceive of those two great Nurseries or Academies of Military Discipline the Artillery and Military Garden from whom as out of pure Fountains all other our Private Meetings as of Townditch and Cripplegate c. are derived The Artillery Gardens deserves the first place in respect it is the greatest Meeting from whence as it were out of a Nursery have been transplanted many able knowing Souldiers both at home and in foraign Countries to the great honour of our Nation The Military Garden is famous likewise for the great improvement of divers worthy persons of quality daily thither resorting whose excellent skill in Military Exercises hath raised many of them to high preferment here at home and to places of honourable command abroad The Captains in chief of these Academies are Major General Skippon and Major Henry Tyllier which later was the first that ever shewed in the Military Garden of which I am a member the marching of the Souldiers in a Regimental way whose great pains amongst us deserves much honour and high commendation shewing unto us such variety of matter in a Souldier-like way as was never before seen by any member thereof Not to eclipse the fore-mentioned Private Meetings in London but to give them that due which belongs unto them they likewise are of great honour and fame for their frequent exercising of their Souldiers in the handling of their Arms whether it be of the Pike or Musket and instructing them in the knowledge of Drilling and drawing up of Companies and Bodies of men furnishing both Kingdoms with able knowing Souldiers My hearty wishes therefore are that all and every one of them may be propt up and supported to all ages that when need shall require we may draw from these Fountains such skilful and experienced Commanders and Officers as may be as it were a Bulwark to this our Nation Not to dwell any longer upon this discourse I come therefore briefly to set forth several Exercises formerly practised by me amongst those loving Gentlemen of Town-ditch according to the usual numbers there appearing whether they be great or small practised for the most part with 24 or 32 men and sometimes although seldom with 64 men unless it were upon general days when they were drawn forth into the field at such times perhaps there might be an appearance of greater numbers as 120 and upwards My purpose therefore is to pitch upon and to make use of all and every one of these numbers making 12 Exercises dividing them by threes until I have run over them all conceiving them sufficient for the industrious to gather from thence matter enough for his intended Exercise And for the more enabling of them I shall endeavour in these curious times to walk along in as plain a way as possibly may be giving directions unto all Words of Command for the better performance of the same wishing all my loving fellow-Souldiers to conceive well of my good meaning intended to them desiring withall to be rightly informed of what part soever they fall upon that they proceed leasurely and orderly in the same which will not only be an encouragement unto the Author from whom they gather their Exercises but will bring much praises and commendation to themselves But to leave every one to their own best thoughts whilest I proceed to practise what before promised concerning the several Exercises following CHAP. II. The first Exercise of four Files six deep EAch File-leader as being his duty having gone over the Postures shewing and instructing his File with their uses and neat handling of their Arms hearing the Drums beat a Call for all to repair and stand to their Arms begin to lead up their Files according to Order the Leader then closing their Ranks and Files to close Order craving their silence may proceed to shew unto them all their several Distances and Facings according unto the former rule set down and after he may proceed to Doublings if he pleaseth as followeth CHAP. III. A Doubling consisting of sixteen in number every one differing from the other and not reduced until the last Word of Command Command FIles file to the right intire advancing Command Bringers-up double your Front to the left Command Half-files double your Front to the left Command Front-half-files double your Reer to the right intire Command right-half-Right-half-ranks double your left Flank intire advancing Command Half-files double your Front to the right intire Command Left-half-ranks double intire the Depth of your right Flank Command Files file to the left intire advancing Command Bringers-up double your Front to the right Command Front-half-files double your Reer to the right and left outward following your Leaders Direction Reer-half-files face about the File-leaders are to turn off to the right and left the rest are to follow them until they are marched down into the Reer and have doubled it to the right and left outward Command Half-files double your Front inward intire Command The two outmost Files upon each Flank double intire the Depth of the inmost Files Direction The two outmost Files face about inward and move streight down cleer of the standing part afterwards face inward march and close your Divisions to your Leader Command Front-half-files double your Reer inward intire Direction Reer-half-files face about and move outward cleer of the standing part Front-half-files face about march down and even the Reer to your Leader Command The two outmost Files upon each Flank double intire advancing the four inmost Files Direction The two outmost Files move forward cleer of the standing part face inward march and close your Divisions face to your Leader Command Double your Files inward intire advancing every man placing himself before his Leader Direction The two inmost Files stand the two outmost Files move forwards and double your inmost Files intire advancing
ought to meddle with his File in matter of motions without consent of the superior Officers neither ought the Leader either through favour or out of malice when all the Files are joyned into one compleat Body to Countermarch the Files and after proceeding to other Motions depriving thereby the Leaders thereof of their due honour for else why just in the time of Exercise or Marching should one single File as the right or left be Countermarched if he bore not malice to some thrusting them by this unsouldier-like way out of their places and through favour or affection often times putting men of little desert into their places To leave this discourse not pleasing to some let the Commander draw forth one File of Pikes and double it by the Half-file and send a Serjeant to fetch the Colours and after closing his Ranks and Files to Order he may begin to make some alteration in the exercising of them in their Motions spending his time altogether upon Inversion and Conversion CHAP. XIII Thirty several Words of Command of Inversion and Conversion Command RAnks rank entire to the left into the Front Direction The first Rank stand the rest face to the left and successively move into the Front Command Ranks rank four to the left Direction The first four upon the left stand the rest face to the left and by fours fall successively behind the first four upon the left Command Files rank outward into the Front Direction The inmost Files stand the rest open outward to double distance and after rank outward into the Front Command Ranks file three to the right and left outward by wheeling Direction The three outmost men upon the right and left wheel to the right and left outward the rest doing the like by threes after close into the midst to Order and face to their Leader Command Files rank inward into the Reer Direction Face to the Reer and move to the right and left inward into the Reer to your Leader Command Ranks file six to the right and left outward advancing Direction The outmost man upon the right and left stand the rest move outward until they be six in a File and the next outmost men are to stand the other doing the like and after close Files into the midst to Order Command Files rank inward into the midst of Ranks Direction Front Half-files face about and right and left Half-ranks open from the midst to double distance the rest open outward to Order and move to the right and feft inward to the midst of Ranks to your Leader and close Files inward to Order Command Ranks file 12 to the right and left inward every man placing himself before the Leaders and Bringers up of the middle Files Direction Ranks open backward to double distance the middle File stand the rest advance forwards and file twelve to the right and left inward placing themselves before the Leaders and Bringers-up of the middle Files Command Files rank six to the right and left inward Direction Files open from the midst to double distance and move three to the right and three to the left inward until you have made four Ranks six abrest after close Ranks forward to Order Command Ranks rank outward into Front and Reer every man placing himself on the outside of his right and left-hand-man Direction Half-Files face about and rank to the right and left outward into Front and Reer as is commanded face to your Leader and close Ranks forward to Order Command Ranks file 12 to the right and left inward every man placing himself behind the Leaders and Bringers-up of the middle Files Direction Ranks open backward to double distance the middle Files stand the rest move side-ways to the right and left and place your selves behind the Leaders and Bringers up of the middle Files Command Files rank six to the right and left inward into Front Reer and Midst Direction The three last Ranks of the Front and Reer Half-files face about and Files open outward to double distance and move to the right and left inward into Front Reer and Midst making four Ranks six abrest after face to your Leader and close Ranks forward to Order Command Ranks rank outward into the Midst Direction Front Half-files face about and move outward and rank to the Midst and face to your Leader Command Ranks wheel to the right and left outward Direction Half-files face about and wheel to the right and left outward into both the Flanks face to your Leader and close Files into the midst to Order Command Files rank six to the right and left outward into Front Reer and Midst Direction The three last Ranks of the Front and Reer Half-files face about and rank outward three to the right and three to the left into Front Reer and Midst face to your Leader and close Ranks and Files to their distance of Order Command Ranks file to the right entire advancing Direction The outmost File stand the rest move forward and file to the right entire advancing Command Files rank three to the right Direction The first three men from the Front rank three to the right the rest successively doing the same closing Ranks forward to Order Command Ranks wheel to the left Direction Ranks open backward to open Order and wheel to the left Command Files rank six to the left Direction The first six men rank six to the left the rest successively doing the same until they have made four Ranks six abrest then close Ranks forwards to Order Command Ranks rank outward into the midst every man placing himself on the outsidst of his right and left-hand-man Direction Front Half-files face about and Front and Reer Half-files rank outward into the midst placing your selves on the outside of your right and left-hand-men face to your Leader Command Ranks wheel three to the right and left outward Direction The last Rank face about and wheel by threes to the right and left outward towards both Flanks face to your Leader and close Files to the right to Order they will stand four abrest and six deep Command Files file outward entire advancing Direction The outmost File stand the rest advance forward and place your selves before the outmost Files after close Files into the midst to Order Command Files file to the right Direction The right-hand-File stand the rest face about and fall in the Reer of your right-hand-File to your Leader Command Files file twelve to the right Direction The first twelve stand the other move forward filing twelve to the right Command Files wheel inward into Front and Reer Direction Files open from the midst to twice double distance after face inward and wheele six to the right and six to the left until you have made two Ranks twelve abrest face to your Leader and close Ranks forwards to Order Command Ranks wheele inward to both the Flanks Direction Ranks open from the midst to twice double distance the first Rank face about the first and the
fire by Extraduction Extraduction and the Pikes may after charge on and then retreat back again into their places Command Each division as they are faced to move forward three paces Half-files of each division open to the right until they be cleer of the standing part they will stand as followeth Upon the former Figure being faced to Front Reer and both Flanks fire then according unto all those places the formost Divisions fire first and let them wheel off to the right and left and fall in the room or place of them in the next Divisions firing twice in this kind Then let the formost Divisions fire and fall in the Reer of the Pikes then let the Pikes port and the Muskettiers in each Division may move forth again and give fire by Extraduction then let the Pikes charge on and after charge at foot and let the Muskettiers give fire over their heads which being ended let the formost Rank of Muskettiers in Front Reer and Flanks move forward and interchange ground with the Pikes and face all to the Front and after the third Divisions from the Front and the third Divisions from the Reer face inward and move three paces then face to their Leader and close Files outward and Ranks forward to Order in each Division and stand straight and even in their Divisions both Rank-wise and File-wise and then proceed to the next Figure Command The outmost Divisions upon the Flanks face about and move down two paces to your Leader Half-files of the two outmost Divisions double to the right and left inward Rank-wise and after move that part that doubled two paces to the right and left inward face all to your Leader Upon this Figure let the first and the last Rank of Muskettiers double to the right and left inward File-wise then let the first Division give fire to the Front and fall in the Reer of themselves then wheel off to the right about down into the Reer and let every Division that are in the midst move up successively into the Front until all have fired and fallen off in like manner as the first and every Division become again into his place and the Front and Reer-Divisions have doubled Ranks to the right and left outward then command the first and the last Rank of Muskettiers from the Front and Reer to double to the right and left outward File-wise and let them give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves and after fall off into the Reer in like manner and form of the firing of the former Divisions either of these firings may be continued twice over after command the first Division of Muskettiers from Front and Reer to double to the right and left inward Rank-wise and then proceed Command The third Division from the Front and the third Division from the Reer to face outward and to move three paces until they stand straight in Front and Reer between the middle Divisions and after face to their Leader Then let the Front-Divisions face about and Front and Reer-Divisions move forward until they range even abrest with the second Divisions that stands before them and then face to their Leader it occasioneth the next Figure Upon this Figure you may fire them to Front Reer and both Flanks therefore face the two outmost crosses to the Flanks which contains on each side four divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers and let the rest face to Front and Reer and let all the Muskettiers in the Reer of each division of Pikes move forth to the Angles of the Pikes give fire and fall back again into their places and whilst the Pikes are charging on the Muskettiers may make ready again and fire in like manner as before and fall back again into their places the Pikes charging on to Front Reer and both Flanks as before and retreating again into their places Then face them all to the Front and let the second division from the Reer face about and then the second division from the Front and the second division from the Reer move forward until they be three foot cleer of the Front and Reer then face them to their Leader and they will stand in a convenient Figure for marching wherein the Colours may display so long as a Commander shall think fit Reducement The two middle-divisions face to the right and left outward and march cleer of the standing part to your Leader then let them double to the right and left outward file-wise After let them face to Front Reer and both Flanks and close their Files into the midst to Order Then command Front and Reer-divisions that formerly wheeled to the left to wheel back again to the right then face all to the Front and let the Front-division face to the right and move three paces and then face to their Leader then let the Reer-division move up upon the left of them in the Front and let the Pikes in each division double their depth to the right and left outward and let them close files into the midst to order ranks forward to order to move up even with else front they standing in their distance of order both in rank and file let the half-files double their Front inward intire and after Files to double their depth intire to the right they are reduced Then the Leader may appoint one of the Serjeants to draw off the Muskettiers and file them away to the right and left outward either by Ranks filing or Files filing and every Muskettier to poyse his Musket then the Pikes may advance their Arms and the Drums beat a Troop and the Commander may lead them away and lodge his Colours CHAP. XXVI The ninth Exercise consisting of 64 men eight Files eight deep IN this Exercise a Commander may in matter of Motions present unto the Souldiers farther variety to delight them withal in bringing each man into the Front to be a File-leader according unto succession and dignity by proper words of Command by doublings with their Reducement Therefore to avoid any further circumstance we will pass over the Postures and fetching of the Colours and suppose the Souldiers standing in a condition to be exercised begin first to make them all File-leaders by succession as followeth Command Ranks to the left double Command Files to the left double Command Half-files double your Front to the right Command Double your Files to the right intire advancing every man placing himself before his Leader Command Ranks to the right double Command Files to the right double Command Front-half-files double the Reer to the right Command Double your Files to the left intire advancing Command Double your Ranks to the right into the Reer face all about Command Double your Files to the left advancing Direction Every even File from the left move forward to the left and by three steps double the odd advancing Command Half-files double your Front to the left Command Double your Files to the left intire advancing every man placing himself
their charge and being retreated back into their places will produce the following Figure After the Figure is reduced unto his first aspect command the Muskettiers or Divisions upon the wings to face to the right and left inward and to march until they stand as in the first Figure then face to their Leader and command the eight first Divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers to face outward marching until you perceive an interval for the eight Reer-divisions to move up and make an even range with the Front-divisions which being done they will appear as followeth Upon this Figure let the Front-divisions of Muskettiers give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves then wheel off to the right into the room of them in the Reer they at the same time firing and wheeling off into their places again Then let the Commander face them all to the right and they will stand in four crosses with Muskettiers on the wings File-wise upon which facing they may march the Officers being placed according unto discretion and after they have marched let them face again to their first Front Command Front-divisions of Muskettiers face to the right and move two paces to your Leader Reer-divisions of Muskettiers move up and double the Front-Divisions to the left Rank-wise which produceth the next Figure Upon the former Figure let all the Muskettiers give fire together and fall off to the right and left in the Reer of themselves the Pikes after charging through the intervals and after retreating again Then command Muskettiers that doubled to face about and to move down into the Reer until they be clear of the Pikes and stand then let the Muskettiers both in Front and Reer face to the left and march until they stand straight in their Divisions then face to their Leader and they will stand as in the former Figure then proceed Command The four inmost Divisions both of Pikes and Muskettiers on the left face to the Reer inmost Divisions both of Pikes and Muskettiers both upon the right and left march clear of the standing part then let them face to the left and move three paces to your Leader The four outmost Divisions both of Pikes and Muskettiers upon the right wheel to the right the four outmost Divisions upon the left both of Pikes and Muskettiers wheel to the left which will set forth the next Figure Tht first firing Let them face to the Front Reer and both Flanks and give fire and fall in the Reer of themselves after wheeling off to the right your Divisions on the outside of the Pikes into the place of the Reer-Divisions which are to advance forward into the Front performing the like as the other Front-Divisions The second firing Let the Front-divisions of Muskettiers move to the right two paces after command Divisions of Muskettiers to double to the left Rank-wise and let them give fire in Front Reer and both Flanks all together the Pikes may after charge to all these places whilest the Muskettiers make ready again and retreat again into their places The third firing Let them give fire again and fall in the Reer of themselves which being ended you may proceed to another Figure Command The left Division of Muskettiers wheele off to the left and place your selves in the left interval between the Pikes which occasioneth the next Figure Upon this Figure let the Muskettiers give fire in the Front Reer and Flanks and Angles falling in the Reer of themselves and the Pikes may after charge on Many other firings might be performed upon this Figure but I shall not be tedious to relate any more but leave them to the discretion of every Leaders genius and shall now shew the way to reduce them Reducement Divisions of Muskettiers upon the Angles face to the Center and move three paces after wheel the Divisions a little to the right until they be brought in the Reer of their own Divisions of Muskettiers which being done command the four Divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers on the right to wheel to the left and the four Divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers upon the left to wheel to the right After command the four Divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers upon the left to face to the left and march to such a convenient distance as that the four last Divisions both Pikes and Muskettiers may move up on the left to range even with the Front they on the Flanks moving up also until they stand all even abrest After command the inmost eight Divisions to face to the Reer and let them all move until they be clear one of another then face to their Leader and let the eight Front-divisions face inward and to move until they stand straight with the Reer-divisions After let the Pikes in the Body in each Division open their Ranks to Front and Reer to their open Order And then command Divisions of Pikes upon the Flanks to face to the right and left inward and march in and strengthen the Body of Pikes which being done let the Front-divisions of Muskettiers face to the Reer commanding them all to close their Ranks forward to Order and face to their Leader they are reduced Which being performed the Leader may lodge his Colours having finished his ninth Exercise CHAP. XXXI The tenth Exercise consisting of 24 Files being six deep according to the first drawing up of a private Company THere being a greater number appearing upon this days Exercise then in the former it concerns a Leader more especially to give special charge to the inferiour Officers to be careful in the drawing forth the Files that they make no man a File-Leader Bringer-up Half-file-Leader or Bringer-up of the Front-half-files but such able Souldiers as may be deserving of the same whose diligence and care upon all motions is principally required being as it were the hinges of the Leaders several words of Command Wherefore supposing them to be drawn up in Battalia and the Colours being brought to the head of the Company the four Serjeants ready at hand attending their Captains commands and the body being closed in Ranks and Files to their distance of Order and silence craved at the Company he that shall exercise them may begin after Distances and Facings shewen with this or the like doubling following CHAP. XXXII Eight entire several Doublings with their Reducement Command FRont half-files double your Reer inward entire Command The twelve inmost Files double entire the depth of the six outmost Files Inmost Files face about Command Half-files double your Front to the right Command Double your Files to the right entire advancing Command Half-files double your Front inward entire Command The six outmost Files upon each Flank double entire advancing the twelve middle Files Command Half-files double your Front to the right entire Command Right half-ranks double your left Flank entire advancing which being performed they are reduced CHAP. XXXIII Eight several Countermarches with their Reducement Command FIle-Leaders stand the rest pass through to the right and
set forth to your view in Folio 147. Before the Major shall begin his Exercise he shall do well to appoint unto each Division the Captains and their Ensigns whose Colours in the mean time may be stuck in the ground or given to any of the File-leaders of Pikes to hold during the time of Exercise to take charge of them to order them according unto every word of command and the Lieutenant and Serjeants to each Division of Muskettiers that after silence is craved throughout the whole Regiment the Major by stretching out his voice in every word of Command the rest as his Eccho are immediately to give it out along the whole Front and from thence unto the Reer and every Officer to lead his men accordingly The Major having stated all things according to the former directions may if he please either face double counter-march or wheel to Front Reer or both Flanks in every particular Division And may after fire them by way of Divisions drawn off ten or twenty paces before the Front firing them 7 or 8 times over relieving them by other supplies marching up into their ground And may after face the Reer-divisions about and fire them to Front and Reer on the same ground they stand there being sufficient intervalls for their wheeling off in the Reer of themselves And after several firings in this kinde the Pikes may charge on but before they begin their firings the Pikes must close into the midst to order and Muskettiers to close their Pikes to open order and every Division to preserve so much ground betwixt each other for their conveniencie that after firing they may wheel off Now if you will fire or skirmish the one with the other then draw off the Reer or second grand Division and move them away and draw them up in opposition 100 foot distance of ground betwixt each Front and let the Lieutenant-Colonels Company be drawn up upon the right and the Majors upon the left of that grand Division that it may carry some answerableness with that of the Colonels The Muskettiers having six foot interval of ground betwixt each other before they begin to fire they may continue their firings of this nature as long as they please and the Pikes may after charge on to such convenient distance as that they come not within three Pikes length one of another for avoiding doing hurt the one to the other the Muskettiers still continuing their firing and falling in the Reer of themselves and when they come within distance not to present above knee-height for the above-named reasons Now the Souldiers being almost tired and all their Powder spent and retreating from each other that side which falls out to be strongest as being the Colonels grand Division or party may beat a parley to invite the weaker to come in to mercy offering them all fair Quarter provided they timely and presently receive it and that they will cheerfully and willingly go along with them and never any more revolt but be on their side to fight with them upon all just occasions as shall be required After which the Lieutenant-Colonel yeilding they may wheel about and march into the same ground from whence they were first drawn forth and be reduced to the same order and condition as they were before they began to skirmish And thus much shall suffice concerning the ordinary plain way of exercising of Regiments but those that shall desire a little more curiosity they may observe such Exercises as in the next place shall be set forth unto them CHAP. VIII A second way of exercising Regiments of the same number of men THe first grand Division being in the Front and clear of the second 12 paces every five Files being 18 foot of ground a part from each other and at their distance of order both in Rank and File in their own particular divisions as was mention'd in Folio 146. comes in this place to be set forth to their view And having past over some of the distances to bring them to this Station in standing in 24 Maniples or Divisions the next thing that I shall shew for Exercise shall be four several Figures of Battail branched from thence by proper words of Command with their reducement Command Divisions of Muskettiers face outward Pikes and Muskettiers march all twelve paces and stand to your Leader The two middle Divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers in the Reer next the Flanks face about outmost Divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers in Front and Reer face outward march all four paces and stand Again let the outmost Divisions of Pikes and Muskettiers face about to the right then march all three paces then stand and face to their Leader it produceth the first Figure Each of the former Divisions containing five Files apiece excepting the outmost Division of Pikes upon the right in Front and Reer and they contain six Files in each of them Command Divisions of Muskettiers face outward Pikes face about to the right march all until the Pikes range even with the Reer then face to their Leader occasioneth the next Command The four last Divisions of each Arms in the midst face about the six outmost Divisions of each Arms face outward the two middle Divisions of Pikes in the Front face about march all four paces and stand then face the six outmost divisions about to the right and the four middle Divisions of Pikes about to the left then march all four paces and face to their Leader Command The two next Divisions of Pikes in the midst from the Reer face about middle Divisions of Pikes move forward six foot before the Front and Reer to your Leader Reducement The twelve last Divisions face about then set every Division march forward until they range even abrest with the Front and Reer and face to their Leader then let the Reer-divisions move forward within eighteen foot of the Front-divisions and they will be in two grand Divisions the one in the Reer of the other as at first when they began their facings Having past over part of the Distances and Facings the next which in order falls to be handled is Doublings and having by command gained eighteen foot distance betwixt every five Files if in their former motions they should chance to lose it you may then proceed to Doublings by way of Divisions as shall be in the next place set down CHAP. IX Doublings belonging to a Regiment Command DIvisions double to the right File-wise Direction Every even Division from the Front face to the right and march down clear until you stand straight with the next Interval then face to the left and move in and double those Divisions on the right File-wise to your Leader Command Divisions double to the right Rankwise Direction Every even Division from the Front face to the right and march forward six paces then face to the Front and move forward and double your Divisions to the right Command Divisions double the Length of the Battail to
to come up with more courage to fall on upon the Charge Therefore the best way amongst the ancient experienc'd Souldiers is that the Artillery be divided some here some there both before the Front between the Battalions and upon the Flanks and to be placed some 50 or an 100 paces one from another and then there will be no danger when the Enemy shall come up to shock to encounter you or to offend our own men Especially when they are fastned to them by drawing Ropes and Iron Rings that upon an instant they may be removed and turn'd for the advantage of our own Troops giving fire as fast as they can charge and discharge against the Enemies Troops it being a matter of great moment for the obtaining of a Victory and gaining the day from the Enemy But that many times the Ordnance cannot be planted in such convenient places as could be wished for in respect an Army may be driven into such places as the Ordnance must be planted according to the best ground it will afford by reason of Woods Hills or Marish-grounds and such like disadvantageous places may be oftentimes met withal for which no certain Rule may be given but that the General by his wisdom and discretion may make choice of the best advantages which might annoy an Enemy most and give the least offence to his own men either by dazling them by the Sun or by raising of the dust observing the winde which drives the Smoak both of the Ordnance and Small-shot full upon them To conclude it is conceived the best way for every Captain of the Ordnance and Master-Gunner to use some light Field-peeces and small Drakes which upon any occasion may be removed from one place to another being with ease planted upon such places of advantage as may most annoy the Enemy In the next place 3000 Horse may be a good proportion for 10000 or 12000 foot which ought to be equally divided in their Troops and placed upon the Flanks of the foot in such good order as the Troops may come with conveniencie to fight for the relieving of each other But in case you shall perceive the Enemies Horse as sometimes through necessity of ground or by other political ends may be interlaced and placed between the Intervals and Divisions of their foot it will be needful then that we should observe the same form and likewise have Horse to come forth and encounter with their Horse lest they should break in upon our Divisions of Foot which by this means and good order may be timely prevented Next follows the Figure of the Army as before described and ordered to be drawn up Folio 176. CHAP. XXIII The several duties belonging to the Foot in a Regiment as followeth by degrees from a private Souldier unto a Colonel of the same and first of a Private Souldier A Private Souldier ought to be very active not slothful and idle informing himself of his duty learning from his Corporal or other Officers the true use and well handling of his Arms always keeping them neat clean and well fixed Upon the beat of the Drum he is to repair to his Colours Squadron or Company upon the march he must observe his Leader and his right and left-hand-men that he may march streight in file and even in rank in time of Exercise he must be silent in the Body well minding the words of Command and Directions which are given forth by the Leader He ought likewise to be well vers'd in all the ordinary words of Command and to mind the place wherein he stands that he may the more readier move and not be to seek at such time when he shall be commanded whether it be to face double counter-march or wheel He must inform himself of all the several beats of the Drum as first or a Call second a Troop third a March fourth a Preparative fifth a Battle or Charge sixth a Retreat and also of the Revalley and the Tattoo By the first he is summoned to hear present Proclamation or else commanded to repair to his Colours upon the beat of the second he is to advance his Arms and to close in Rank and File to the distance of Order and to Troop along unto such places and services as he shall be commanded unto upon the hearing of the third he is presently to shoulder his Arms and to take his distance of six foot in Rank and three foot in File upon the fourth he is to close both in Rank and File unto the fighting distance which is called Order and to prepare himself for skirmish upon the beat of the next he is undauntedly to move forward boldly stepping in good Order into the place of his fellow-Souldier that shall happen to fall down dead before him upon the beat of the last he must orderly fall back either for relief or advantage of ground or other political ends whereby he may draw the Enemy into a snare The first of the remaining two gives warning in the morning for some of the Sentinels to fall off or to be taken in the latter is used in the night to give notice unto the Souldiers or others for their repairing to their several Guards Watches and Lodgings To conclude a private Souldier ought to avoid all Quarrelling Mutinies Swearing Cursing or Lying and to be content with his wages and likewise to be a good Husband in the well managing of his means keeping himself neat and handsome in his apparel avoiding drunkenness and all manner of gaming truely to serve and fear God and to be obedient unto all the commands of his superiours cheerfully going on upon all Duties and to be loving kind and courteous unto all his fellow-Souldiers The duty of a Sentinel A Sentinel must be very vigilant carefully casting his eyes about him and harkning whether he hear the noise or approach of any drawing neer him which if he perceive he is presently to command them to stand presenting his Musket or Pike to their brest after calling his Corporal for to take the Word unless he should be commanded to come in silently He is not to come off until he be relieved by the Corporal or Lanspassadoe His proper Posture being a Muskettier is to have his Musket rested and loaded with Powder and Bullet his Match cockt and his Pan guarded being a Pike-man if he stand Sentinel in the night he must have his Pike cheek'd if in the day his Pike ordered Or it may be a very proper Posture for a Pike-man to stand Sentinel with his Pike in his left-hand holding it a little below the cheeks thereof and with his Sword drawn being held in his right-hand which I leave to judge or to be made use of according to discretion and as occasion shall require Of a Gentleman of a Company A Gentleman of a Company ought to have such worth in him as may make him capable to be a File-leader or Captain of his File and he more especialy above the rest
they turn their backs He is also to distribute to the Captains and other Officers such Orders as he shall receive from his Colonel or other Superior Officer In marching with the Regiment not alone but with the Army he must know from the General Martial or Major-General whether the Regiment be to march in the Van-guard Battail or Reer He ought to have some knowledge or information of the Country whether it be long or streight thereby judging how to order his marching so as he may not be disturbed by the enemies Horse or Artillery Being troubled with Baggage if there be any difficult passage he ought to be there present to prevent such disorders as may happen giving directions for their placing and marching as they may not be any hinderance to the Regiment putting them in order again before the Regiment shall enter into their Quarters at which time he may give license to the Captains and their Ensigns to take their lodgings excepting only those who are appointed for Guardians who must enter the Corps du guard and place their Sentinels until such time as they shall be relieved by others Now if a Regiment be to be quartered or lodged either in the Field or under shelter if in the Field he must cause it to be barracado'd or intrenched by the Waggons or other defences of the Field after which he is to place his Corps du guard round about the Quarters and the Sentinels at so near a distance that they may hear one the other speak being about 80 or 100 paces off from the Corps du guard being placed double a Pike and a Musket and five paces from them other single Sentinels are to be placed which are called Perdues And in case of Alarm the Sentinel Perdue shall retreat to the double Sentinel and in case of necessity all together having given fire are to retreat to the Corps du guard He must likewise at divers hours of the night visit the Corps du guard and if an Alarm be given in the Field he is to betake himself to the Alarm-place of the Regiment and there to form his Battalion and to send men to double the Guards on that part where the Alarm was given and to give notice thereof to his Colonel or other Superior Officer if they be present of what passeth The Ensigns ought not to retreat unless their Colonel or he give leave no Order at any time ought to be altered but by him in respect he giveth none but such as he receiveth from the Colonel It is his duty to speak for Ammunition as Powder Bullets Match and for Victuals if there shall be any want in the Regiment which provisions ought to be delivered unto him and he to see it equally distributed unto the Companies according unto the proportion given out And likewise he is to give Order what proportion or number of workmen or commanded men shall be drawn forth to work If under shelter then he is to view the place both within and without appointing the places for the Corps du guards and Sentinels and the way of the Rounders that it be free It will be expedient for him to chuse the Alarm-place whither the Companies upon the Alarum given are to repair being the Rendezvous for the whole Regiment being careful to place sufficient Guards both upon the Walls and about the Gates for their more security Which being ended he may give leave to the Captains to go to their Lodgings and several Quarters there to remain until they shall be called upon Duties for the due performance whereof he is to cause them to cast Lots whereby they may know what part of the Walls may fall to their turn He is to command the Captains to enter the Guards about ten or eleven a clock in the morning he is likewise to open and shut the Gates at the rising or setting of the Sun and to place the Watches upon the Walls presently upon the shutting of the Gates and to relieve them upon the opening thereof And as he doth receive his directions for marching imbattelling viewing of ground and placing of Guards from the Serjeant-Major-General or Serjeant-Major of that Brigade so he is to deliver them over to the Captains and Officers of that Regiment and to call upon them to whom it appertains to see them duly executed In the presence of his Colonel and Lieutenant-Colonel he is to be an assistant unto them in seeing all orders and directions duly performed and in their absence he hath the same authority and command as they He ought after he hath received the Word and Orders from the Serjeant-Major-General or Serjeant-Major of the Brigade he presently delivers them to his Colonel and Lieutenant-Colonel and afterwards to the Serjeants of every Company drawn in a Ring according to the Seniority of their Captains which are to come and attend upon him for the same In the absence of his Superiour Officers he giveth the Word himself every night he is to visit all the Guards of the Regiment commanding them duly to keep the turns of their Watches and Marches seeing that one Captains Company perform not more duty than another to the end that both the honour and labour may be equally divided among so he may exercise the whole Regiment being thereunto required by his Colonel or Lieut. Colonel in all their Distances Facings Doublings Wheelings and False firings or in their absence of himself he hath full power so to do To conclude he ought to be well grounded in all Military Affairs and to be both wise and valiant Of a Lieutenant-Colonel HE that is a Lieutenant-Colonel to a Regiment hath a very honourable place having power and command over all the Regiment in the absence of his Colonel and may also at such time exercise the Regiment in all the Military Motions and is to lead the Regiment upon the head thereof but when his Colonel is present he bringeth up the Reer if they march in one Division but if in two in some places he leadeth the second as his Colonel doth the first or if in three as formerly is shewen he commands the Van-guard the Colonel the Battail and the Major the Reer-guard His place is not of so great pains and toyl as the Majors is therefore he ought in the drawing up of the Regiment to be helpful and assisting unto him in that particular and in all others where he shall think fit To conclude the greatest affairs of the Regiment being carried forth by the Major there is the less remaining to be spoken concerning him but that he see all things duly observed throughout the Regiment according unto such orders received from those which are above him Of a Colonel IT concerneth every Colonel to take care that his Companies be full and compleat if it may be that they be well provided of Arms and to take cognizance what Exercises are continually performed by them communicating Orders and commanding all Officers of his Regiment what is
your Musket Ram home your Charge Draw forth your Scowring-stick Turn and shorten him to a handful Return your Scowring-stick Bring forward your Musket Poyse Ballance your Musket in your left hand with your Barrel upward Draw forth your Match Blow your Coal Cock your Match Filt your Match Guard your Pan Blow the Ashes from your Coal Open your Pan. Present upon your left hand Give fire Brest-high Dismount your Musket holding him still in your left hand Uncock and return your Match Clear your Pan. Shut your Pan. Set the Butt-end of your Musket to the ground Lay down your Musket Lay down your Match Take off your Bandeliers Lay down your Bandeliers An Advertisement to the Souldiery of the Nation WHereas this Book in the several Tracts thereof with much variety doth set forth at large as to their several kinds and changes all your Military Motions and Postures which may not only serve to give light to the unexperienced and lead them by the hand into the Military Gardens of Honour and other * Place this Sheet betwixt Bb and Cc * places where they are trained up until by degrees they arrive unto perfection but may delight and confirm the most able and most knowing Souldiers whilst here they read over those several forms in which heretofore they stood when in so many Battails with such admirable success they have both opposed and overcome their Enemies And whereas even from hence may be extracted many excellent Directions and Rudiments of War which may incourage and fully inable all active and gallant Spirits in this City of London to perform such Commands and to follow those Conducts to which they shall be disciplined by those exquisite and most expert Souldiers who shall train them up either in the new Artillery or any other ground of such Honorable Imployment and hereby be so fitted and furnished with all directions that the performance of them shall render them most acceptable yet I cannot but confess that through the usual variety of this most Noble Profession proceeding from the great plenty which these times afford thereof the exercise of Arms being every where so frequently shown that the most plain and ordinary Rules though far more useful are not so well rellished many men looking more in such your publick Trainings after novelty and delight then solidity which was purposely contrived by the Authors of it only for variety and for drawing of one another to the love of Arms and not for any prejudice to the Fundamentals of War on which the Ruine or the Safety of the Kingdom and Commonwealth of the World depends If peradventure it be alleadged that he who can perform things of difficulty will be more apt to carry on things of more facility It may be speedily answered that the plain Rudiments and Principles of War being of greatest use and importance and practised in all Armies both in this and other Nations they are by no means to be neglected or omitted but to be preserved and esteemed in that high manner which they do deserve for the ability in the performance of them will no doubt more readily prefer a man and render him more capable of any imployment then the practice of any useless or impertinent things in War Add unto this that the more easie and plain a man is in his command the more readily it is received by the Souldiers and more promptly obeyed for new coined and Sesquipedalian words of Command do so puzzle and torment the apprehensions with directions and expositions to have them understood that not only they oftentimes transcend the reach of those that are to give them but they do much amaze and confound the capacities of those who are to be led and ordered by them I do the rather make mention of this in this place that a discreet care be taken that no man make himself ridiculous in his undertakings or Commands but that he may be able to give an absolute account of any Branch which in the whole Body of the Art Military shall be propounded to him to give satisfaction therein to any judicious Souldier as concerning the use purpose and property of it for otherwise it would signifie nothing at all But when a man being required thereunto can render a sufficient reason for what he doth or shall voluntarily give it himself as to this or that management of any service in War it will very much both content him and inform them who shall be under his Command and give them a just encouragement to proceed in it but if he should fail in this point of Knowledge and Judgment there is but little benefit to be expected from his Conduct for it were far better that a man did but a little in a Souldierly way which is proper and carrying good approbation to men of understanding then to spin forth a long thred with new expressions and inventions that are of no use or profit but tend rather unto laughter and to the loss of time and the offence of many and to the bringing of a generall contempt upon the Art And although there be many Rules which may be sufficient forms to direct and to teach to be expert in War and doubtless are of great concernment to them who have both the. Theorick and the Practick part yet nevertheless there is no rule but at some time or other doth admit of some exception there being espepially so many cross events in War that no Commander can positively tie himself up to any Rule for occasions do vary so in several places that the chiefest Rule a man can walk by is his Eye and his Intelligence wherein accordingly he must accommodate himself to encounter his Enemies And although a Commander should be qualified with much Knowledge Courage and Faithfulness the only accomplishments of a true Souldier yet they are to be attended with diligence for in all his undertakings and performances delays being always dangerous it is usually said That which is soonest done and well done is best done But above all he is to have an eye to order which is the very life of an Army And in acting against an Enemy great care is to be taken not to puzzle the Souldiers by confounding their understandings which may occasion their utter overthrow And this makes me to reflect on what hath been mentioned heretofore Let every Commander that truly delights in Military exercises study to be exact in all plain things and practice the Souldiers much in the exercise thereof for this is the only use and is altogether practised and observed in the Field If a man will be curious in new fancies there are stratagems enough to be found out in which he may exercise himself with much variety to delight the curious and find much matter in them to be highly valued and esteemed But this is to be carried on in a plain way the study whereof would ask some time and it is not easily obtained by ordinary capacities which should
where he lodgeth When he commandeth in the Army in absence of the Lord General upon occasion of fight his place is in the Battle that he may the better give Order to all Usually he hath a Company to lodge with him to serve him as his Guard and six or more of his Company attending on him He should not resolve upon any enterprize unless he consider of all that might happen and propound to himself greater difficulties in the action then in reality there be and so prepare remedies surpassing the said difficulties it being a singular benefit to be able to foresee with good judgement those things which might succeed in the uncertain and variable accidents of War As Sertorius saith A good Commander should rather look behind him then before him II. Of the Lieutenant-General of Horse THe Charge of the Lieutenant-General of the Horse is of great importance and must therefore be supplied by a Souldier of known Experience and Valour careful and vigilant he must be he marcheth and lodgeth for the most part with the Cavalry he ought to be well versed in the ways of the Country that he may either meet or avoid his Enemy as occasion shall required He must be always busied about his Enemies motion considering with himself from what place they may shew themselves with what number whether Infantry or Cavalry in what time they may probably come upon him and where to place himself to advantage to prevent them He must be circumspect and wary in the choice of the place appointed for Quarters in preparing good Guards causing the High-ways to be cleared and by-ones discovered placing men on those places where he supposes the Enemy may make head sending forth Scouts continually and placing Sentinels omitting no diligence to secure the Quarter where the Cavalry findeth it self to be exposed to most danger especially if they be lodged without Infantry He must be sure to have Spies in and about his Enemies Quarters He must look that the Captains wrong not their Souldiers but that he see them well armed and kept in good Order and that they and his Officers observe good Orders and Discipline As he ought to be severe in punishing so he must be ready and willing to hear his Souldiers just complaints and relieve them He must not suffer any extortion to be used by himself or others by which the Country is ruined and the Souldiery hated for too great liberty of the Souldiers produceth bad effects He ought to be knowing in the command of the Infantry for upon occasion of sending a good part of the Cavalry to several places he hath the charge not only of the Horse but of the Foot also And in the absence of the General the Orders from the Lord General or Lord Marshal come to him and to him are all reports made of the occurrences of the Cavalry and Army He may suspend a Captain of his command upon just cause but cannot restore him again without order from the General who must first give notice thereof to the Lord General When he passeth the Quarters of Cavalry the Trumpets sound but not in the presence of the General or in his Quarters When the General of Horse commands the whole Army and therefore takes his place in the Battle the Lieutenant-General placeth himself in the Van-guard of the Cavalry where otherwise the General useth to be III. Of the Commissary-General HE ought to be a good and experienced Souldier for that in the absence of the Lieutenant-General he is to have the command He must reconcile Differences which at any time arise among the Souldiers as having most to do with the Souldiery He is to keep Lists of the Guards Convoys and other services and is to distribute the Orders Every evening he is to go and receive the Orders and the Word and having given it to the General and Lieutenant-General he is to give it to the Quartermaster-General for him farther to distribute He is upon all occasions of singular use and entrusted with the Execution of the Orders In appointing the places or lodgings in several Exploits he must be free from partiality and such as at one time have cause of discontent he must make them amends the next that so he may see it was of necessity not of partiality His place being of great importance ought therefore to be supplied by one knowing and experienced IV. Of the Quartermaster-General THe Office of the Quartermaster-General is to a appoint the Lodgings or Quarterings wherefore he must be well acquainted with the Countrey with the Towns and Villages about it not only by Maps which in some measure will inform him but by his own experience that he may the better know where to place the Corps-du-gards and Sentinels and visit them by day and night and order what ways to secure them and is to keep a List of all the Guards Convoys Cavalcadoes or exploits by Horse He must shew the Allarm-place to the particular Quarter-masters when they receive the Word of him in the Evening He must be very cautious in giving in his reports true and if any Order for haste be delivered him by mouth he must not trust it to others but must himself deliver it V. Of the Captain A Captain ought to be a man Sober Continent and modest in his Apparel aiming rather at good Arms and Horses then gorgeous Apparel to see his Souldiers punctual in their respective Duties and often calling them to exercise Let him be generous and not given to Gaming lest the Souldiers pay by that means be diminished which will overthrow his credit He is diligently to observe the Orders he receives and to be punctually ready with his Troop where appointed himself being first on Horsback seeing his Troop compleat and full before he march He ought to know every Souldier in his Troop by name that upon any Exploit he may draw forth such as he discerns most fit for the business he hath in agitation The Captains taking notice of a Souldier does very much animate and encourage him He must cherish his well-deserving Souldiers and cashier the idle and debauched Let him always have 2 or 3 of his Souldiers well skilled in the Countrey for they may serve him as Guides for that those of the adjacent Towns or Villages are not always to be had nor is it at all times safe to intrust them to these Souldiers he is to contribute something extraordinary besides their pay Out of his Troop he is to chuse his Lieutenant Cornet c. impartially by their merit and not for favour or affection by which he shall be beloved of his Souldiers and not be forced to alter his choice by the Generals Order In the absence of the Captain the Lieutenant commands the Troop VI. Of the Lieutenant THe Lieutenant of a Troop ought to be an experienced Souldier having attained thereunto by the experience he attained in being a Corporal and Cornet from which by desert he attained to be
yet in regard the Harquebus differeth nothing from the Carbine in length only in the Bore the manner of using them is one and the same In Marching he is to carry his Carbine hanging at his Belt by his right side or else to order it upon his right thigh In Fight he is to strive to gain the left side of his Enemy contrary to the Curassier because that in presenting he is to rest his Carbine on his bridle-hand placing the butt-end on the right side of his Breast neer his Shoulder He must exercise himself that he may use his Carbine with exactness and dexterity and be exquisite in shooting at Marks For the manner of handling the Harquebus or Carbine the directions before delivered may serve for sufficient Instruction but forasmuch as now adays our Carbines are made with Snaphans and somewhat differ from the former I will set down the order of handling of it in the several words of Command Postures for the Snaphans-Carbine 1. Order your Carbine 2. Sink your Carbine into your Bridle-hand 3. Bend your Cock 4. Guard your Cock 5. Prime 6. Shut your Pan. 7. Cast about your Carbine 8. Guard your Flasque 9. Lade your Carbine 10. Draw your Rammer 11. Shorten your Rammer 12. Lade with Bullet and ram home 13. Withdraw your Rammer 14. Shorten your Rammer 15. Return your Rammer 16. Recover your Carbine 17. Order your Hammer 18. Free your Cock 19. Present 20. Give fire He is to use his Sword in all respects as the Curassier Of Exercising the Dragoon THe Dragoon is of special use and service to assist the Cavalry as Infantry for there be many considerable Exploits which cannot be effected by the Cavalry alone The Muskettier must therefore exercise himself to give fire on Horsback When they come to guard a Passage or do other the like service they are to alight and to demean themselves as Infantry and being alighted to do their service every of them is to cast his Bridle over the neck of his Sides-mans Horse in the same order as they marched keeping them so together by some purposely appointed to attend them Of Exercising the Cavalry in their Motions THe Horsman being sufficiently instructed in the managing of his Horse and in the use of his particular Arms it is time now that he be taught how to demean himself being joyned in a Body The Horse being to be exercised is to be drawn up into a Body not by Ranks as in the Infantry but by Files and those of 5 deep according to most Authors or of 6 deep according to others that of 5 being a number not divisible by 2 so that in doubling of Ranks or Half-files or the like there will always remain an odd Rank Others would have them especially the Harquebusiers to be 8 in File making the Troop to consist of 64 Men being drawn up into a square Body Being thus put into Battalia the first thing they are to be instructed in is Distance and herein there is a disagreement among Authors Some making Close order to be 2 paces Open order 4 paces and so forward to a triple quadruple Distance proportionable Others make but two kinds of Distances Close order which is 3 foot and Open order which is 6 foot And here a difference is to be observed between the manner of taking the Distance of the Cavalry and that of the Infantry for in the Foot the Distance is taken from the Center or middle of the Souldiers Body which here cannot be understood but only of the space of Ground between Horse and Horse But the best and latest Authors are of opinion that the Cavalry being to be exercised in their Motions should be at their Distance of 6 foot or Open order standing right in their Ranks and Files The Motions which belong to the Exercising of the Cavalry are principally four viz. 1. Facings 2. Doublings 3. Countermarches 4. Wheelings And here note that in the exercising of the Cavalry we use to this day the same words that the Graecians and Romans did of old for a File the Romans called Versus and Decura a Rank Jugum a File-leader Ducanus because their Decurae or File consisted of 10 Bringer-up they termed Tergi-ducor a Leader being every odd man in a File Phrastes a Follower which is every even number Substes a Side-man Astes Their Distances also were the same with ours their two Cubits every Cubit being a Foot and a half of our Measure agrees with our three Foot their four Cubits our six Foot and so increasing upon occasion They ordered their Horse-troops at six Foot Distance between File and File in March and three Foot in fight In all the motions we also retain the same words of Command which they used Facing they called Declinatio to the Right Left Hastam Scutum Facing about Immutatio Doubling by Ranks Files Duplicandi duo genera per juga versus Their Countermarches the same which we use Evolutio Chorica Macedonica Laconica per Decurias Scutum Wheelings the same with us Conversio ad Hastam Scutum Reversio est conversionis restitutio Inflexio Wheeling about The use of Facings is to make the Troop perfect to be suddenly prepared for a Charge on either Flank or in the Reer Doubling of Ranks or doubling by Half-files or by Bringers up is used upon occasion of strengthning of the Front Doubling of Files or doubling by Half-ranks serveth to strengthen the Flanks Countermarches serve either to reduce the File-leaders into the place of Bringers-up and so have the best men ready to receive the charge of the Enemy in the Reer or to bring one Flank into the place of the other or Front and Reer or either Flank into the middle of the Body The use of Wheelings is to bring the Front to be ready to receive the Charge of the Enemy on either Flank or Reer For the better information and satisfaction and for the easie apprehending of what hath been said those several Motions are here following represented in Figures by a Troop of Harquebusiers of 64 men and in every Figure the file-leaders are represented by this kind of A. the Bringers up by this kind of a. and the rest of the Body by this kind of a. The form of the first standing To face them to the Right is done by commanding Direction This is done by turning all at one and the same time to the right hand The Front is where the right Flank was To reduce them to their first form the word is Command As you were Direction It is performed by turning to the left hand From thence to face them to the left the Word is Command To the right hand Direction It is performed by turning to the left From hence they are to be reduced by saying Command As you were Direction It is performed by turning to the right Now to face them to the Reer though it be proper first to do it by the right hand yet for the more ready way I
passage you may give fire at pleasure and in the ordering of your Gun for this Stratagem let it if possible be parallel with the plain of the Horizon that so it may shoot short especially if the place be stony for the grazing of the bullet among the stones may do more execution then the shot it self but above all have a special care you shoot not wide nor over What hath been said concerning an Enemies passing by Land the like may be done by an Enemies Ship sayling along a River For if you plant your Gun and direct it to some mark as Tree Beakon c. on the other side of the River then when the fore-part of the Ship shall come between your sight and the mark you observed immediately give fire And thus much for shooting in great Artillery The composition making and use of the two Principal Fire-works belonging to WAR viz. THE GRANADO and PETARD I. Of the Granado OF Granadoes there are several sorts some to cast with mens hands others to be shot out of great Guns and others so large that they require a Morter-piece on purpose for the discharging of them Granada The Shell is made of Copper cast in form of a Sphere or Globe allowing half an inch and sometimes more according as the Shell is in bigness for the thickness of the Metal which ought to be cast very exactly to be equally thick in all parts They are to be filled with fine powder they are to have a pipe screwed into them which is to be filled with a slow composition to prime it the composition of which I shall shew you anon These Granadoes are made proportionable to the weight of the bullet belonging to the piece out of which they are to be shot and if they in bigness exceed the bore of a Cannon then they are to be shot out of a Morter-piece II. Of the Petard THese Petards are made of Copper and brass mixed and their dimensions are fitted according to the use for which they were prepared there being three chief uses of them and so many sorts there are viz. Some for blowing up and breaking of bridges Others for Gates that have Perculles belonging to them And the third sort for ordinary Gates The Petard 1. Those for Bridges are commonly eleven inches long and at the breech seven inches and an half about and five inches wide within the Metal at the breech must be one inch and a quarter thick and at the neck half an inch thick besides the muzzle-ring The mouth must be ten inches wide and to the Touch-hole must be added a pipe as in the Figure 2. The second sort for Gates with Perculles must be nine inches long almost half an inch thick at the neck and an inch thick at the breech the mouth must be about seven inches wide and the outside of the breech must be six inches wide and the inside four inches 3. The third sort which is for Gates and Palisadoes must be seven inches long one fifth part of an inch thick at the neck and three quarters of an inch thick at the breech the mouth must be four Inches wide at the outside of the breech it must be three inches and an half and at the inside thereof three inches The Charges for these Petards are to be of the finest powder that can be got beaten hard into the Petard yet not to break the Gun then must it be stopped close in with a Wooden board of about an Inch thick justly fitted thereunto with wax melted to stop the crevise about to keep out water You must not charge it up to the top but leave the breadth of almost two inches empty which must be filled up with tow close stopped in and a linnen Cloath bound about the Petards neck to keep it close in The Touch-hole must be stopped with a Cork and over that a Sear-Cloath to keep it from wet The charge for the greater sort of Petards is five or six pound of powder Those of the second from three to four pounds And for the smallest from one pound and an half to one pound To prime your Petards and Granadoes use this following Composition TAke of fine Powder three parts of Sulphur six parts and of Salt-Peter nine parts beat all of them severally into fine powder and mix them together putting to them Oyl of Peter by little and little till it become a paste dry this leasurely but throughly and with it lade your pipe FINIS The CONTENTS of the Chapters The First Book A Discourse of the Postures and the handling of Arms. Pag. 1 Several reasons why the Pike is the more honorable arms ibid The Postures of the Pike Pag. 2 The Postures of the Musket Pag. 3 The postures and charges of the Pike to be performed in a shorter way all things acted in order and nothing done twice Pag. 4 The Postures of the Musket collected in a brief way Pag. 5 There is also a conformity of posture with the Musket to those of the Pike and words of command to be given as may in many things be received by both arms ibid. The use of the postures of the Pike Pag. 6 The use of the postures of the Musket ibid. How a Muskettier shall perform the Sentinel-posture Pag. 7 The manner and way to do the Funeral-Posture ibid. The reducement of a Musket from the Funeral-posture ibid. The Souldiers desire to know every particular place of Dignity as they stand in rank and file ibid. Reasons for the places of dignity both in rank and file for the first four in a file eight deep Pag. 8 Reasons of the place of the second four as they stand in rank and file the file being eight deep Pag. 9 Other reasons to clear it further to the Souldier ibid. Reasons given for the last Table of every particular place of Honour and Dignity as they stand Pag. 10 Reasons likewise to be given for the Table 12 abrest and 12 deep Pag. 11 Brief reasons to be given of the Dignity of the places of a rank ten abrest and of a file ten deep ibid. What distance is and the reasons for the first beginning of the same with all their several uses Pag. 12 The several sorts of distances which are fit and proper for the Souldier to be exercised in ibid. Words of command for the opening of ranks and files to all their distances with their closings again Pag. 13 The use of each particular distance and at what time to be used ibid. Directions of the way and manner of drawing up a private Company Pag. 14 Several reasons given for the placing of the Serjeants after this manner Pag. 16 Reasons given for the placing the Serjeants and Drums of lesser Companies Pag. 17 A description of a Body of men throughout with all their several parts and kinds Pag. 18 Directions to all such as shall desire to exercise a Foot-Company and admonitions to the Souldiers to be exercised Pag. 20 Of the several