The English MILITARY Discipline.
Of the Exercising of the FOOT.
WHen a Body of Men are drawn up to Exercise, the distance of their Ranks must be at Six Foot, and their Files at Three Foot, [Page 2]that they may have liberty to use their Arms.
The Officers of the Body (he onely excepted that is to give the Words of Command) are to draw off to the Right and Left, forming a Rank on each Wing, opposite the one to the other.
The Officer Commanding is to place himself before the middle of the Pikes, about ten Foot distance from them, the better to observe what is done, and to be the more easily understood by the whole Body.
The Words of Command must be given leisurely, that the Souldiers may perform their Postures without confusion.
The Officer must first command Silence, and then proceed (as followeth) to the
Exercise of the Musquet.
- SHoulder your Musquet.
- Lay your Right Hand on your Musquet.
- [Page 3]Poise your Musquet.
- Rest your Musquet.
- Handle your Match.
- Cock and try your Match.
- Guard your Pan.
- Blow your Match.
- Open your Pan.
- Present.
- Give Fire.
- Recover your Arms.
- Return your Match.
- Clean your Pan with your Thumb.
- Handle your Primer.
- Prime your Pan.
- Shut your Pan with a full Hand.
- Blow off your loose Corns.
- Cast about to Charge.
- Handle your Charger.
- Open it with your Teeth.
- Charge with Powder.
- Draw forth your Scowrer.
- Shorten it to an Inch against your right Breast.
- Charge with Bullet.
- Ram down Powder and Ball.
- Withdraw your Scowrer.
- Shorten it to a Handful.
- [Page 4]Return your Scowrer.
- Poise your Musquet.
- Shoulder your Musquet.
- Order your Musquet.
Exercise of the Pikes.
- ADvance your Pikes.
- Charge to the Front.
- To the Right.
- To the Right.
- To the Right.
- To the Right.
- To the Right about.
- To the Left about as you were.
- Charge to the Left.
- To the Left.
- To the Left.
- To the Left.
- To the Left about.
- To the Right about as you were.
- Advance your Pikes.
- From Advance, shoulder your Pikes.
- From Shoulder, Charge to the Front.
- Shoulder as you were.
- From your Shoulder, Charge to the Right.
- [Page 5]Shoulder as you were.
- Charge to the Right about.
- Shoulder as you were.
- Charge to the Left.
- Shoulder as you were.
- To the Left about.
- Shoulder as you were.
- From your Shoulder, Port.
- From your Port, Comport.
- From your Comport, Charge to the Front.
- From your Charge, Trail, Facing to the Right about.
- Charge as you were.
- Advance your Pikes.
Exercise of the Musquet and Pike together.
SHoulder your Musquet.
Musquetteers make ready.
At which time the Musquetteers must leisurely and distinctly perform every particular Posture of the Musquet together.
The Musquetteers being ready, the Pikes are to Charge as the Musquetteers are Faced.
- To the Right.
- To the Right.
- To the Right.
- To the Right.
- To the Right about.
- To the Left about as you were.
- To the Left.
- To the Left.
- To the Left.
- To the Left.
- To the Left about.
- To the Right about as you were.
- Advance your Pikes.
- Return your Matches.
- Shoulder your Musquets.
- Order your Arms.
- Pikes to your Inside Order.
- Lay down your Arms.
Which Posture is to be performed with their left Legs, and stooping all together, their Arms being upon the Ground, they must take care to Rise all together, every one observing his Right-hand Man, at the Word of Command.
- Quit your Arms.
- Face all to the Right about.
- [Page 7]March clear of your Arms.
- To the Left about to your Leader.
- March to your Arms.
- Handle your Arms.
Which must be done stepping forward with their Left-legs, and stooping, laying their Hands upon their Arms, expecting the Word of Command.
- Order your Arms.
- Pikes, to your Out-side Order.
- Poise your Musquets.
- Advance your Pikes.
- Shoulder your Musquets.
- Musquets, March.
This way of Exercise is not altogether the same with what hath been hitherto in use, wherein it was thought fit to make some Alteration, by leaving out some Words as Superfluous, and Changing some of the Postures, for others that are of greater Use and Readiness.
Closings and Openings.
- Ranks, Close forward to Order.
- Ranks, Close forward to Close Order. March.
- Ranks, open backwards to Order.
- March.
- Ranks, open backwards to open Order. March.
- Ranks, open backwards to double Distance. March.
- The Ranks fall back without changing Aspect.
- Files, Close to the Right.
- Files, Close to the Left.
- Files, Close to the Center.
- Files, Open to the Right.
- Files, Open to the Left.
- Files, Open from the Center.
For performing of which, the Body Faces to the Hand named, and moves. If to the Right, the Second File from the Right first takes its Distance by moving slower than its Leader. The rest of the Files do the like successively, and the Left-hand File moves not at all.
Doublings.
- Ranks, to the Right-hand Double.
- March.
- Ranks, to the Left-hand as you were.
- March.
- Ranks, to the Left-hand Double.
- March.
- Ranks, to the Right-hand as you were.
- March.
The Ranks that Double are to observe their Right-hand Man, to move at the same time with him: They begin their Motion with the Foot next the Hand named, and are to come into their Places at Three Steps. In this Doubling, the Even Ranks double into the Odd; and if you would have the Odd Ranks also double, Face the Body to the Rere, and the same Words of Command will perform it.
To Reduce the Ranks.
The Ranks that Doubled, are first to Face to the contrary Hand, then begining with the contrary Foot, at [Page 10]Three Steps to come into their former Ground. Files Doubling is performed in the same manner, and is the same thing with the Reduction of Doubled Ranks: The Reduction of Doubled Files is the same thing with Doubling Ranks.
Doubling of Half-Files with the Reduction.
- REre Half-Files to the Right, double your Front.
- March.
- To the Left about as you were.
- March.
- Rere Half-Files to the Left, double your Front.
- March.
- To the Right about as you were.
March. If you do it upon a March, let your Rere Half-Files move into the Front with a quicker Motion; the Front Half-Files still continuing theirs. And for Reduction, let the Rere Half-Files, without Facing about, stand [Page 11]till the Front Half-Files have passed them, and then fall after their proper Leaders.
Firings by Two Ranks Advanced.
THe Commander in Chief gives no Command nor Direction besides,
- Make Ready.
- Present.
- Give Fire.
And the First of these he uses but once.
The Souldiers are to be Instructed and Minded by Subaltern Officers, that when the Two first Ranks make Ready and Advance forward; The Body of the Musquettiers is to make good the Front of Pikes, and the Two next Ranks Unshoulder and make Ready, without any Word of Command; And when the last Rank Presents, or both; if both Fire together, to Advance; and this also without any Word of Command. If the Ranks be at Six Foot, they are also at their Advancing, to close forward to Three Foot, without any Word of Command.
If you Fire by single Ranks, the First presents at three Motions, begining with his Left-foot, which as he Advances, he Blows his Match: At advancing his Right, he opens his Pan, presenting at the Third Step. Afterwards they File into the Rere within Three Foot of the Body. Every Souldier is to be careful to place himself in his own File, which is also taken care of by the Officers in the Rere.
Firing to the Flanks.
TO the Right and Left, Present, falling off after your Bringers up. For this you leave Six Foot between your Divisions of Musquetteers and your Pikes; which the Officers must have a great care to keep open, by causing the Musquetteers to incline to the Right and Left after every Firing to the Flank; the Two outermost Files are to make Ready, keeping along with the Body, and not to Present, nor Face to the Flank, till ready; as soon as they have Fired, they
A Souldier on his Guard.
The Efpadon or two Handed Sword.
The Shable.
The Cimeter
The Bayonet.
The Ponyard.
[Page 13]Face to the Rere, and are by an Officer led athwart it, and so up between their own Division and the Pikes. As soon as the Outermost Files face to the Flanks, the Two next Files are to make ready without any Word of Command, and keep along with the Body, till the Outermost Files be Wheeled clear off them. The Files that Fire to the Left, are to Blow, Advancing with their right Leg.
Firing to the Rere.
LAst Rank make ready. To the Rear present. The last Rank makes ready, keeping along with the Body; the Musquetteers Advancing with their right Legs, Blow, Advancing with the left; Open their Pans, then turning upon the Ball of their left Foot to the right about; cast their right Leg backward, and Fire then immediately at a good round rate; within Three Foot of their Body March up into the Front. As soon as the last Rank faces about [Page 14]to Present, every other Rank of Musquetteers falls back to the Rank of Pikes that marched behind it, so to keep the Rere full, and leave a Vacancy of one Rank in the Front of the Musquetteers, for the Rank that fired to place it self.
The Word, Make Ready, is made use of but once; afterwards when the last Rank faces about, the next to it is to make ready, keeping along with the Body.
Firing the Street-way.
WE that have fewer Pikes, should cause the Half Files of Pikes to double, that they may Cover the Musquetteers.
The Colours and Drums are to be between the Pikes and Musquetteers; the Captains with the Pikes, and the Lieutenants with the Musquetteers.
Lieutenants or Serjeants cause the two first Ranks of the Musquetteers to Face to the Right or Left, and make ready; then Two and Two to File [Page 15]up to the Front, and March athwart it; then to Present. The Pikes ought to be Charged, and the Musquetteers to stoop very low, and be careful to carry the Muzzles of their Musquets low: When they have Fired, they pass away, still stooping to the contrary Flank; and within three Foot of it, into the Rere of the Musquetteers. As they move away by the left Flank, the next by the right succeed them. If the Horse give you time, let the Pikes Port or Advance to ease themselves. That you may always reserve some Fire, it is best to fire but one Rank at a time; as soon as that Wheels off, the Second steps into its place, and a Third Rank comes in between it and the Pikes. If the Street you are to defend be very broad, you must of necessity make an Interval, besides those on the Flanks, wide enough for Two Men A-breast, One to March up, the other down; for otherwise the long Intermission between the Firings, will give the Horse opportunity to Attaque you. The [Page 16]Musquetteers in presenting are to fall back with their right Legs, and by no means to Advance.
Swedes Way.
REre Half-Files of Musquetteers to the Right or Left, Double your Front; Then divide them into equal Sub-divisions to Rank even with the Front of the hinder-most; the Rere of the hinder-most with the Front, one Half Advancing Interchangeably. Great Care is to be taken that they return well their Rammers, lest they hurt those that stand before them: Presenting either all Three Ranks, or Two onely, and One standing Guarded; they which have Fired rise up, and make ready on their Ground, and the Rere Sub-divisions passing through the Intervals, fire in like manner.
The Intervals to be very little wider then to permit passage to the Subdivision of the Rere. They are also to fall back with their right Legs, without Advancing.
Swords of all Sorts.
Reduction.
- MUsquetteers to the Right aabout.
- March all till even with your Rere of Pikes.
- To the Left about all.
- Front Half-Files; March till even with your Front of Pikes.
A Solid Square.
TO draw a Solid Square, make it first Equal on all Sides by the Square Root, then Girdle it with Shot, which is speedily performed by these Words of Command,
- Rere Half-Files of Shot, to the Right about.
- Musquetteers March all till clear of the Pikes.
- Face Inwards, and March till you Close in the Center.
- Musquetteers that are Clear of Front and Rere, Wheel into the Flanks.
Reduction.
MUsquetteers that Wheel'd into the Flanks, Wheel into Front and Rere: Face all Outwards, and March till clear of the Pikes, then Face in Opposition and Close.
To make a Square.
PIkes, Face to your Four Angles.
The Intervals between the Half Ranks and Half Files divide the Body into Four Parts; if there be an odd File it Faces with the Right Half Ranks.
To your proper Front.
In all Facings, the Souldiers are to keep their left Foot fixed, turning round on the Ball of it, and bringing about their right.
The Armiture of a Musketeer presenting to fire.
The Musket.
The Fire Lock
Double headed shot.
To make a Hollow Square.
- LEt the Three outermost Files of Pikes of each Flank stand.
- Rere Half Files, to the Right-hand about.
- Front and Rere Half-Files. March.
- Flanks of Pikes Face inwards.
- March.
- Rere Half-Files of Musquetteers to the Right-hand about.
- Musquetteers, March All till clear of the Pikes.
- Musquetteers, Face Inwards and March till you Close in the Center of the Pikes.
Musquetteers that are clear of your Pikes, Face in Opposition, and Flank your Pikes.
Reduction.
- MUsquetteers that Flank the Pikes, Wheel into Front and Rere.
- Musquetteers Face to the Right and Left outwards, and March till clear of your Pikes, then Face inwards and Close.
- Pikes of the Flanks, Face outward, and March till clear of the Front and Rere Half-Files.
- Front and Rere Half-Files, Face inwards and Close.
For greater Expedition, the Words of Command may be given at the same time to Pikes and Musquetteers by Two Officers.
Of Marching.
In Marching, the Officers are to Observe that the Ranks be at Twelve Foot distance, and that the Files be closed Shoulder to Shoulder; unless when a Battalion marches in a Body, in which case the Files must keep such a distance, that they may have the Liberty of their Arms.
The Souldiers must always begin to March with their Right-foot first, which is Observed to conduce most to keep the Ranks even.
The Captains are to March with their Pikes shoulder'd; a Lieutenant to March with a Patizan; and an Ensign to March with his Pike Comported, which is to be the Distinction between the Captains and other Officers.
Serjeants have no Place assigned them in Marching, but are to be moving up and down, to observe that the Ranks and Files be at their due Distance.
Of Drawing up a Body of Men, and the Place of the Officers.
WHen a Regiment is to be drawn up, the easiest and readiest way of placing the Companies is, that the Eldest Company Draw up on the Right-hand, and the Second Company on the Left, the Third next to the First, the Fourth next to the Second, and so consequently to the Youngest, which is to be in the Center; for which the Words of Command are;
- Musquetteers, to the Right and Left outwards.
- Pikes, to the Right and Left inwards.
- Interchange Ground.
- March.
When a Regiment hath so taken its Ground, to place the Officers, you must divide the Lieutenants, equally placing one Half at the Head of the Right Wing of Shot, and the other [Page 23]at the Left: The Ensigns are to be at the Head of the Pikes, upon the same Line with the Lieutenants and each of them at Four Foot distance from the Body.
The Captains are likewise to be divided equally, and placed on each Wing Four Foot before the Lieutenants: None must stand before the Ensigns, but he onely that Commands in Chief, he is to be Ten Foot before the Pikes; There must be a Serjeant placed at the Right and Left of every Rank, and the rest of the Serjeants are to be in the Rere, at Twelve Foot distance from the Boly, making a Parallel Line to the last Rank.
The Drums must be Divided likewise, one Half on the Right Wing, and the other on the Left, and are to [...]tand on the same Line with the First Rank of the Souldiers.
It is to be understood, that this way of placing the Officers, is one [...]y for ordinary Drawings out, either or Musters or Parades; For upon [Page 24]any occasion of Service, they are to be otherwise placed, as shall be shewn hereafter.
But if the Regiments march in a Body, this Order of the Officers must be changed; for then the Lieutenants are to be removed from the Front to the Rere, the rest of the Officers keeping still their same Post: and the Serjeants that were in the Rere, must be moving up and down, to see that the Ranks and Files March according to the Rules above given.
And if the Regiment March in Division, the difference is yet greater; for then one Half of the Captains are to March at the Head of the First Division of Shot, and the other in the Rere of the Last Division: One half of the Lieutenant's likewise are to be in the Rere of the First Division of Shot, and the other at the Head of the Last. The Ensigns are to March before the Pikes, and no other Officer at their Head.
The Armature of a French Trooper.
The Musqu [...]
The Pistoll.
The Carabine.
The Armature of a Pike man on his Guard.
The Pike.
The half Pike.
The Quarter Staff.
The Halbard.
The Partisan.
The Officers in Marching are to Observe the same Distance from the Body, as when they were drawn up.
Of Salutes.
WHen a Regiment is Drawn up, the Officers are to Salute one after another, as the Person passes by whom they are to Salute.
If the Regiment March in Division, the Officer that Commands must begin first to Salute, and the Captains that March in a Rank just behind him, must not Salute till he hath done, and then they must Observe All One Motion; The Lieutenants likewise when they Salute, must keep the same time, as also the Ensigns; which is much more Gracefull than doing it one after another.
The Ensigns must further Observe in their Salutes, to bring their Colours all the same way, otherwise [Page 26]they will be apt to Meet and Entangle.
In making a Guard when the King or Queen passes by, the Pikes must be Advanced; Otherwise onely the Drums Beat, the Musquetteers are Shouldered, and the Pikes Ordered.
When the King or General comes, in the Rere, the Colours or Officers are not to March through the Ranks, but to keep still at the Front. If it be in the Field, and the whole Army Drawn up, then as the King Marches by, every Battalion is to Charge their Pikes, and rest their Musquets; which is a Posture of more Guard.
The Pensioners Halbard
The Hungarian Partisan.
The Battle Axe
Partisans and Halbards according to the Swisse and Antient Custome.
Pole Axes
Of Wheeling, when a Body Marches in Division.
VVHen the Word of Command is given to Wheel (if it be to the Right) the Right hand Man is to keep his Ground, and onely turn upon his Heel; whilest at the same time, the Left-hand Man moves about quick, till the Officer bids him stand.
The Second Rank doth not begin to Wheel till they have taken the Ground of the First; so every Rank is to take the Ground of that which is before them: upon which depends this way of Wheeling.
Of the Exercise of HORSE.
THE Exercise of the Horse consisting in fewer Words of Command than that of the Foot, is more generally known, and there is little need of any Alteration to be made therein, but what is rather for Shew than Use.
When a Troop or Squadron are to Exercise, they must first have Charg'd their Carabins and Pistols; and when the Corporals have been thorow the Ranks, and seen that they are all ready, the Officer must Command Silence, and proceed as followeth.
- Lay your Hands upon your Swords.
- Draw your Swords.
- Put your Swords into your Bridlehands.
- [Page 29]Lay your Hands upon your Pistols.
- Draw your Pistols.
- Cock your Pistols.
- Hold up your Hands.
- Give Fire.
- Return your Pistols.
Note, after they have given Fire, they must still keep their Hands up, till the Word of Command be given to return their Pistols.
The same Words of Command are given for the other Pistol, and then as followeth.
- Lay your Hands upon your Carabins.
- Advance your Carabins.
- Cock your Carabins.
- Present your Carabins.
- Give Fire.
- Let fall your Carabins.
- Take your Swords from your Bridlehands.
- Return your Swords.
All which Motions the Officer must take care to see done exactly at the same time, and therefore must not give the Words of Command too fast.
When a Body of Horse is Drawn up, the Officers must stand close to their Men; onely he that Commands must be a Horse length before the rest of the Officers: And they must Observe the same thing in Marching; for nothing is more unseemly, than to see the Officers at too great a Distance from their Men.
It is thought necessary to make a Difference or Alteration in the manner of Wheeling of Horse: For, whereas formerly, when a Squadron of Horse was Commanded to Wheel, (if it were to the Right) the Righthand Men closed to the Left; which way was found subject to put the Ranks out of Order: And therefore the Practice now is, That the Righthand Men should keep their Ground, [Page 31]onely turning their Horses-heads to the Right, whilst the Left comes about: In which Motion they must Observe their Left-hand Man.
When a Squadron of Horse is to Charge another, it is better they should do it with their Swords drawn in their Hands, than either with their Pistols or Carabins.
Advertisement.
AS for the Way and Method of Conducting Armies, Encamping, Besieging, and giving of Battel; with the particular Duties and Functions of all the Officers of Horse and Foot, Artillery and Provisions, from the General of the Army, to the Private Souldier: I Refer you to a small Treatise called THE ART OF WAR, lately Printed for Robert Harford at the Angel in Cornhil; Where you will have it very Largely Explain'd.