CHAP. I. Military Observations for the Exercise of Horse.

NOtwithstanding what these late Rebellious Times have made to appear, yet there is so much of self-willed Ignorance, with more than the common sort of people, not only to think, but to say, that in all services and Exercise of Arms, there needeth no more Action, but by these words of Com­mand; Make ready, Present; and Give fire: All other words of Command to be but as tendances to them; and all other postures are by them judged to be but superfluous, and may well be spared; or but trifles of small conse­quence: Whereas the life and well being of every well ordered Troop of Horse, and Company of Foot, consisteth wholly of form; and those received Ceremonies belonging to every Posture, cannot in the least, in the prime of Exercise be neglected, but with the hazzard of Confusion;Matth. 15.14. Quod si coecus coecum per viam duxerit ambo in foveam cadent. The crook­ed deformity of the bones is covered with the flesh, for the better adorning of the body; so are Ceremonies which by experience (the Antient have made Reverent) [Page 2] are the life and being of a Kingdom: And here by way of digression, give me leave to say, that which is but truth, that the neglect of Ceremonies formerly used and commanded, proved most injurious to this Kingdom, and yet to this day is an evident demonstration of Faction and Rebellion.

It is the ambition of many men striving to be Captains before they be Souldiers, labouring after Command, before they know how to obey; and being well con­sidered, what more is the Mother of Errour, but Ignorance? It is well scited out of Vegetius, That knowledge in all things belonging to Warr, giveth Cou­rage; Nemo facere metuit quod se bene didioisse confidit; No man feareth to do that which he hath well learned how to do: Without a true knowledge in the single Acci­dence, in this Art Military, (as I may term it) you will never be able to judge of the Syntaxis thereof; without experience in all the Postures belonging to Horse and Foot, none can be capable of exactness in that which is most of use in this Art; for Military Discipline (where with care it is observed) is but a true confirmation of Souldiers in their Valour and Vertue, and in short is performed By

• Exercise,
• Order
• Compulsion,
• & Example.

1. By Exercise: Good Instructions are nothing without they be followed by care and diligence; for what breeds more strong and resolved gallantry in Gentlemen than Industry? It excelleth nature it self: All the labour and exercise of a Commander from time to time, is not of any value as to the Execution of this Art, either in courage or strength in their Souldiers, without he be industrious to teach, and they also willingly labour after a perfection in the exercise of such Instructions as shall be commanded them; for experience with Instruction is the best way to perfection. Ve­getius saith, Paucos viros natura fortes procreat, bonâ Institutione plures reddit industria; Nature brings forth very few strong men, but Industry by good Instruction breeds up many: None ought to be called for to exercise this Art, but such, who are able to produce what they know to action; for that Souldier that is not well taught, can never expect the fruit of his labour (to be couragious in his Enterprizes.)

Exercitium, Importeth nothing else but exercising an Army, &c. And it is most certain that the Souldery, who are often and well exercised, are much the better; as Varro saith, Exercitus dicitur quòd melius fit exercitando: Thus being willing to be exercised begetteth knowledge, knowledge begets courage; courage obtained, makes perils contemned, calamities despised, and death it self conquered.

2. By Order: There hath been so much writ of this by many Authours, that I shall only say in short,Polibius, Vege­tius, &c. It consisteth in dividing, disposing and placing of men so fit; that upon all occasions they may be apt and ready to be commanded, by their Superiours as they shall direct.

3. By Compulsion: That Souldier that makes not this Military Art his delight, but is given to other pleasures and pastimes, (and being accustomed thereunto) con­tracts an unmanly effeminacy, and degenerates from courage; as Tacitus saith, Degenerat à robore ac Virture miles assuetudine voluptatum: Now all such Souldiers, as are vainly given, and mind pleasure more than commands, ought to be bridled and governed by compulsion.

4. By Example,

And they are either in

• Reward
• or Punishment.

[Page 3]1. In Reward: That Souldier that expects advancement from his Commander, must be so stout in his resolutions, as perfectly to perform what is commanded: And when he shall answer his Commanders expectation, in the execution of some singular service, he ought to receive Fame, Honour and Riches, as a reward for it.

1. And first, That Souldier whose care is, that at all times his behaviour be such as to endeavour after all vertuous habits, and being so adorned, he ought to have that which vertuous Souldiers most desire and labour after; That is Good Fame: for it is the food of his reputation, and nourisheth towards Honour in the highest Atchievements.

2. There is a second reward; and that is Honour: It is not the nature of a true Souldier to hunt after Honour, or to buy it with Bribes; It is blood and not gold, that hath been the price of Honour: Therefore that Souldier that shall thus deserve, ought not to be voyded of it, but according to his merits and quality, ought to have his preferment.

3. And lastly; but not the least, the good, saithful, and stout Souldiers reward is Wealth; that when they are preferred they may not be despised, but to be in ability, as to the greatness and smallness of place, to hold up to his Rank and advancement; without These a Souldier can neither perform nor continue the duty of his calling;M. D. 1. p. 27. and therefore the bestowing thereof deserveth great consideration, that the well deserving Souldier at no time should be neglected.

It must be acknowledged that Rewards are seldome seen, for Offices are more often known to be bestowed for favour (if not for money) than for desert: What makes many brave spirits to give up their services; but when they see their way of Ad­vancement cut off, and their pay it may be hard to come by; in regard that some Pay-Masters, or Treasurers have been corrupt, that the souldier shall not have his pay without some unknown fees? And rather than to commit any base action in his Country, he is forced to desert the service; or when their service is ended, with­out they'l give one part of their just dues, that they may have the other, they shall be delayed. &c. And this is one reason there are so many unwilling hearts to serve their Country; and what makes a Souldier so despicable in his Country, as to be forced to use extremity even for necessity sake? How base a thing is it for some Deputy Chieftains that make it their study to rob Honours Workmen of their hire? And if it be so in our Country affairs, and in times of Peace; What can be expected from such in times of trouble? Let such know that Honours trumpet shall never sound their prayses.

But to such as shall not in the least debar it from the deserved, but (as I may terme it) are rather willing to disburthen themselves of their Souldiers stipend; to such, I say, not only remains the obsequious diligence of their Souldiers to serve them in all hazzardous attempts; but also the glorious title of a faithful Steward, which draws after it both the affection of Prince and People.

2. There are also Punishments due to those that are Vicious and Cowardly; for nothing more holds a Souldier in his due obedience than the severity of Discipline.

Souldiers (as Vegetius saith) ought to stand more in awe of their Generals, than in fear of their Enemies: Discipline being once infringed, either by a slightment of Re­ward, or neglect of a Souldiers just pay, will cause the Vertuous to desist, and to others 'twill prove a spur, to necessitate them to base Actions; which with other cor­ruptions, when seen by superiour Officers, and shall not according to Martial Law endeavour to punish such vicious Actions; I say the Souldier instead of submitting to the Commands of his Leader, oftentimes breaketh forth into Mutinies and Re­bellions. I must confess when, and where Reward and Punishments are not slighted, the wellfare of a Country will be so supported, that no Vice shall be able to stag­ger it: So in an Army, what maketh a Souldier to forget obedience, more than the want of Pay and the execution of good Laws? which being duly performed, the Souldier will undoubtedly, the better know his Duty and Discipline.

Here, by the way, I cannot but infert some few things that are prejudicial to the Souldier, and Army, &c.

First, When the Publique Service of God is so neglected, that the whole Souldery, under a Christian Prince are not tyed to be Exercised in the same Religion his Prince is of; for Faction amongst them will do more hurt, than bullets against them.

Secondly, When high debauchery is not severely punished.

Thirdly, When Gaming is not most strictly forbidden; because it is not only a waste of Maintenance, and an Introduction to Quarrels, but a Prophanation of God's holy name.

And Fourthly, When Muster-masters are so careless in their Office, as to suffer any Captain, upon wilful absence of Souldiers, to receive some out of other Com­panies, or hired men out of the Town and Country; this being well considered will prove prejudicial both to King and Country.

And lastly, When those strict Laws against Duelling are not better observed, that for every trivial quarrel, the life of a stout spirited Gentleman must drop.Fol. 183. &c. For better satisfaction, read Ward's Discourse of unjust Valour against Duels.

CHAP. II. Of the Souldier, and Officers in General.

IT is not my intention to run through the description of every particular Officer at large, of his duty in his respective place; it being set forth at large in seve­ral Authours: I shall therefore briefly pass them over; hoping it will be the en­deavour of all that undertake any Office Military, in the service of his King and Country, to labour after a true form of Discipline, that is now in exercise by Authority in general; That when it shall please our Gracious King to call for us, we may not be uncapable of Command: What greater dishonour can there be than for a Com­mander to be commanded by his inferiour Officers? Therefore it behoves all in their several Capacities, who are willing to win Honour; not to be wanting in their en­deavours after the Exercise of Arms.

CHAP. III. Of the Arming of the Cavalry.

THe Cavalry are required in their Persons, Arms, and Horses, to be suitable to their several ends and Imployments: There were among the Graecians and Romans two bodies of Horse, a light-armed body, and a heavy-armed body; the light-armed were to give the first onset to the Infantry, to make way (as I con­ceive) by disordering the Enemy; then the heavy-armed Horse were to take their ad­vantages for Victory.

There were and are to be taken notice of five several kinds of men at Arms for the Horse service

• Lanceirs,
• Cuirasiers,
• Harquebuziers,
• Carabiniers,
• Dragoniers.

1. Lanciers, they were offensive, but chiefly defensive, and were armed Capa pe, with Swords and Peternels, somewhat longer than our ordinary Pistols now in use, with a Lance of about sixteen or eighteen foot long. It hath been adjudged by our Roy­al Generals, and found by experience of late years not so serviceable, because not so nim­ble for any suddain enterprizes, or field services as our light-armed Horse-men are; therefore wholly laid aside: Besides they were not always of effectual use in a body, for execution, but in a straight line, upon a Carreer, and where they must have both leasure, and room enough to work their designs; which I leave to the Judicious to give their Verdicts herein: for if men in our days should be laden with such Arms, how would they be able to command a Lance at that length: If there were such in­conveniences in the weight of the Armour and Weapons as the then after experienced found many; yet our men are much weaker, and wholly unable to undergo the bur­den thereof; upon these considerations the use of the Lance was then left off; so that the Horse were called

2. Curasiers, who were both for Horse and Armes in no wise inferiour to the Lan­ciers (his Lance excepted) and are also offensive but chiefely defensive; but not sub­ject to those inconveniences as the former with their Lances: He is to have under his Armour (which is Capa pe) a good Buff coat, and good Peternels with a Sword whose point must be stiff, and sharp, his Sadle and bitt strong, and his bridle with an Iron chain to prevent cutting: he is to have a boy to carry his armes, and to for­rage for him. These are the heavy-armed for the Horse service which are not used amongst us, especially in our settled Militia, nor but few of the next, which are termed.

3. Harnuebuziers, who are very serviceable and are to be armed defensive with a [Page 8] good Buff coat, and to have a back, breast and pot, Pistoll proofe: and for his offen­sive armes, he is to have a good Harquebuz, hanging on a Belt, with a swivel, and serviceable Pistols, as is set forth in the Horse service by Act of Parliament for the service of the Militia, but rather somewhat larger, and a good cutting sword; His Horse should be somewhat better than the Militia Horses, as is set forth in the said Statute, with a strong Sadle, and bitt; and his bridle to be made with a chain that the cutting thereof may be prevented.

4. Carabiniers are to be armed defensive as the Harquebuziers, their Horses may be somwhat lesser, but for the offensive Armes instead of the Harquebuz, a good Cara­bine, hanging on a belt with a swivel, by the ring of the Carabine; but for Pistols and Swords, they must be according to the Act of Parliament for the Arming of a Militia Trooper, as in the said Act more at large appeareth.

The service of them in execution is not to be disputed; the Experienced Souldier can testifie enough of the singular benefit they are of in service; although it is not regarded in some places in the Country, I believe it is not their Judgements, but rather their unwillingness to put themselves (the rich men of the Country) to such a charge, and not to walk one step further than the bare words of the Act of Parliament will impower them.

I hope when his Grace the Duke of Somersett shall appear in the head of the Militia of the County of Somersett all defaults of Men, Horses and Armes will then be most regularly amended: And then the Souldrie in general and the Horse in particular, being made compleat Carabiniers, the men and horses to be one and the same, kept, preserved, managed, and made fit for service, his Majesty may the better trust to his Militia, who may be also capable of doing him and their Country ser­vice. Wounds are never feared by them, who are well horsed, well armed, and well exercised. I crave pardon of the Ingenious Reader if I digressively propound a question or two, and I wish the guilty would answer them by their good examples in better perfomances hereafter.

How many of those Gentlemen that should find Horses for his Majesty in the ser­vice of the Militia, will send no other, but such as are common for all uses? In­stead of keeping them in their stables, well meating, and managing of them fit for service, they'l send them long journies, set them to plough, or other carriages and draughts, not regarding how suddainly they may be called for service.

How many send in their Armes restie and unfixed, not fit for service? some have sent base pads, ordinary hackney sadles; others for covetousness have sent their servants with snafle bridles; How many are there that borrow Horses and Armes one of another?

And I am truly sorry to see some sufficient Gentlemen that have taken so much paines to ride for to ease themselves, or to be freed from reasonable assessments upon them. I wish some could clear themselves that command us, whose Horses ought to be the first that should apear, and best equipt, from being the worst and last, nay not at all to some Musters; for this the Country murmurs at: And how can our re­turns of defaults be executed against the Criminal, when Justice it self is guilty of the same errors? It is the good examples of our Superiours, that should make the Inferiour tremble to do amiss, &c. I could wish that all neglects for the com­pleating of His Majesties Militia might be amended hereafter, according as Authori­ty hath commanded; and for such as must be subject thereunto, they would most willingly be obedient, and to close with their Commanders in any thing that may advance the publique service, and not to be stupidly secure, and basely to underva­lue the use of Armes: Let such know that I doe boldly affirme it for a truth to be a symptom of disobedience and disloyalty.

5. The Dragonier. Dragoones are but Foot, (to be) on horseback and are so mounted for the expedition of their march, who are to have large leather belts, for the more easie carriage of their Pikes and Musquets, in some extraordinary ser­vice, for making good of passes, linening of hedges, and other ambushments: But if you raise any Regiments of Dragoons, and so are to march, and to be in a readi­ness, [Page 9] for the like expedition; their Musquets are to be somewhat wider in the bore than the Field Musquet, and about two foot and nine inches in length, and Pikes (if allowed) not to be above thirteen foot in length; his Horse must be of a good met­tle and nimble, but of a less price and stature.

And in the execution of any service (when commanded) they are to alight, and to every ten souldiers there is one to be allowed to hold their Horses. Some have been of an opinion that he is of such excellent service as that the duty of the Carabi­nier may be wholy laid aside; whose arguments have been judged frivolous by the judicious in this Art, that I need not trouble you any more with them, but do de­clare that Musquetiers on horsback to be made Dragooners upon some special service; or that the Dragooner himself may be very usefull for expedition and inclosed Countries, &c.

I have treated of the Souldier, and of arming of him. I humbly insert; Seeing the whole burden lyeth upon the Loyall hearted subject, and the discontented par­ty sit still, grow rich and laugh at it, therefore it hath been the opinion of some Gen­tlemen, that the discontented party should be armed in the Trained Bands, and made to performe and execute all commands whatever. I am of an other opinion, but shall not presume a determination in this place.

CHAP. IV. Of Military Signes.

IT is requisite that every Souldier should understand (or learn) all Military signes, and directions; for experience hath taught, that the neglect and errour in the right understanding of Signes, hath brought great inconveniences, and quite overthrown enterprises in hand.

There are three signes used in War

• Vocal
• Semivocal
• A Mute.

1. A vocal Sign is that when a Captain shall so immediatly command, as that every Souldier shall heare him distinctly; or else by some inferiour officer to the ear of the Souldier.

A Semivocal Signe is that which is distinguished by the Trumpet, or other war­like instruments: In which as to the horse service; the Souldier is to take notice of six points of War, which are Commands to the ear by the sound of the Trumpet; And it ought to be performed with care and diligence. Those Commands that are by the Trumpet sounded out to them are as followeth.

The six points of war are

• Butte Sella
• Mounte Chavallo
• A la Standardo
• Tucquet
• Charga
• Anquet.

[Page 10]1. Butte Sella; Or Boutez-selle; when sounded is, Clap on your Sadles. The Souldier must then make himself ready, and horse with all expedition.

2. Mounte Chavallo; Or Chevall; when sounded is, Mount on Horse-back. The Souldier then bridles his Horse, leads him forth, and mounts him.

3. A la Standardo; Or A Standart; when sounded is, Repair to your Colours, or Cornet. Upon this the Souldier must go to his Colours, in order to his march: But when he heareth it sounded in the Field he must retire to them with all Speed.

4. Tucquet; Or, March: When this is sounded he is presently to March; in which he is to observe his right-hand man, and to follow after his Leader.

5. Charga; Or, Charge: When this is sounded, by and with the examples, or di­rections of his Commander, the Souldier is to give proof of his valour in the speedy charging of his Enemy.

6. Auquet; Or, Watch: When this is sounded at night the Souldier is to repaire to the place for mounting of the Guard for Watch; Or at the morning for dismounting of the Guards.

I have read of another sound called Attende Hoe, for listening unto, A call for summons, A Senat for State; and the like. This when sounded, the Souldier is to hearken unto it, that he may the better be able to perform those Edicts that shall be then commanded.

The third and last Military Signe is

3. A Mute; That is by signes to the eye, as by the Cornets Colours; or other mo­tions by the hand of the Commander, &c. You see there are two principal senses of Advertisements, the Eare and the Eye; the true observation and use of these signes a­vaileth much in Warr: for he that is negligent in either, may not only lose him­self, but be the cause of the loss of many others; so that by being careless herein, Victory it self is often lost: How careful ought every Souldier then to be, that by silence he may the beter hearken to all Commands; that by the Vigilancy of his eye, he may the better observe,Vide Chap. 5. every sign that may by given. For Vegetius saith, that nothing profiteth more to Victory than to obey the Admonitions of signes.

CHAP. V. For the Marching and drawing up of a Troop of Horse.

EVery Troop of Horse must be furnished with a Captain, Lieutenant, Cornet, and a Quartermaster, two Trumpeters, a Clark, a Sadler, a Chirurgeon and a Farrier. And every Troop is usually divided into three equal parts; each of which is called a Squadron; and are severally known by the Captain's, Lieute­nant's and Cornet's Squadron; acordingly there are three Corporals.

There are as great diversitie of judgements almost as Authors about the placing of some Officers either in their marchings of a single Troop, or being drawn up into a Battalia.

Some would have the Captain and one Trumpet in the front; Then the Cornet leading of his Squadron, and the third to be lead by the Eldest Corporal; and the Junior Corporal in the reer,Ward fo. 26. with the Lieutenant who hath the command of a Trumpet with him.

Markham varieth something from this and but little, only the two junior Corpo­rals to be extravagant in the March, who are so ordered on purpose to keep the Souldi­ers in their Ranks and to be orderly in their March: Both Ward and Markham marcheth six in file, but Ward marcheth Five in Rank, and Markham Four only: O­thers again differ in placing of Officers both in March and Battalia; as, Walhawsen would have the Harquebuzier to March eight in File, and the Cuiraster ten in File. But Markham and Ward being later Discipliners in this Art Military, I shall only insert two platformes accordingly.

These of Markham and of Captain Ward are decyphered six in File; and a File so drawn is distinguished according to their dignity of Place, a Leader, a Fol­lower, two Middlemen, a Follower, and a Bringer up.

Cruso exerciseth eight deep, and therefore useless to our mode of fighting; for our Custome is to make the Horse but three in File. I shall not stand to answer the objections on both sides, but shall leave it to the most expert in this Art; I con­ceive it enough that our late experience hath taught otherwise; And our present discipline being in practice to the Contrary.

Accordingly here shall follow a Troop of threescore Horse marching with each Officer in his respective place, and also the form of a Troop drawn up in a body. And when you march through any City or Town,Observe. your Pistols must be loaded, and so fixed, that you may be in a readyness to fire when ever occasion may be offered and command given; having one of your Pistols drawn forth of your Holster, mounting your muzzel, and resting the butt end thereof upon your Thigh.

In the March some place the Quartermaster to lead up the Lieutenant's Squadron, and the two other Corporals to be extravagant, that is to view and see each Souldier to keep his place. In private exercises it is not denied but the Quartermaster may lead up the Lieutenant's Squadron; But it is conceived best to place the Quarter-master in the Reere; for it is presupposed that he is or may be to take up Quar­ters, &c.

CHAP. VI. The Exercising of a Troop, as Armed with a Carabine, and Pistol.

THe Horse being in a body to exercise, and to make the Souldier more able to handle his armes, when he shall be called forth to fight; The words of Command shall follow.

Notwithstanding there is but little difference between the words of Command for the Pistol with a Snaphans, and the Carabine; I shall however give them severally.

Although Mounting to Horse is no Posture of Arms, and but a preparative to exer­cise and Service, I shall presuppose the Souldiers to be dismounted, annd stand ready by their Horses in a body; The word of Command (according to our English mode is) To horse.

Now all being ready to Mount must be careful that his Horse be well girt, &c. And as a preparative to Exercise there is another word of Command [Silence] With­out there be silence in the body, the Souldier in no wise can distinctly hear, what is commanded by the chief Officer; It is the Souldiers Ear, and care to preserve the bo­dy from fractions, and where Silence is not diligently performed, the Souldier doth not only fail in his motions, but the event will be naught, for it is the very footstep to rashness; And it is as Livius saith (Temeritas praeterquam quòd stulta est etiam in­foelix) not only foolishness, but infortunate.

CHAP. VII. Of Distance.

EVery Troop consisteth of Ranks and Files.

Note, That in drawing up of a Troop it must be performed by files (not by Ranks) and by squadrons; as Chap. 5.

In Order to distance, I must briefly declare what a File and a Rank is.

A File is a sequent Number certain,See Foot, Ch. 3. standing head to crupper in a straight line from the Front to the Reer; and according to our Mode of Discipline consisteth of three Persons.

A Rank is a Row of men uncertain in Number; Pouldron to Pouldron; even in [Page 16] breast, be they more or less, according to the quantity of Souldiers, as it falls out, to make a Rank.

There are to be observed two sorts of distances, or orders in File and Rank.

Viz.

• Close
• & Open

Order.

Close Order in Files is three foot, or as occasion serveth, closing knee to knee: Open Order in files is six foot; Close Order in Ranks is three foot, or as occasion serveth closing to the Horses crupper: Open Order in Ranks is six foot.

And herein you must further know, that there is a difference between the manner of taking the distance, of the Cavalry and the Infantry: In the Foot the distance is taken from the Souldiers body; which cannot be understood in this place, but only of space of ground between Horse and Horse.

CHAP. VIII. Of Motions.

There be four kind of Motions,

• Facings,
• Doublings,
• Counter-marches,
• Wheelings.

BUt some of these being not of use to our present mode of Discipline; there­fore I shall treat no more of them, but what may be useful.

1. Facings are used to make the Company perfect, and to be suddainly prepared for a Charge, on either Flank or Reer.

With 10. 8. and 6. in depth.2. Doublings, There hath been used in the Horse service these following, as

1. As to strengthen the Front.

There were used to strength­en the Flanks

• 1. Doublings of Ranks.
• 2. Doublings of half Files.
• 3. Doubling of the Front by bringers up.
• 4. Doublings of Files.
• 5. Doublings of half Ranks.

The three first as to our Mode of Exercise may be wholly laid aside, in regard they cannot be performed, the Troop being but three in depth.

It is conceived the other two may be necessary; either for Exercise sake, or in re­gard of some suddain Onset, on the Flanks, thereby to strengthen them; but I otherwise think this may be prevented by a speedy wheeling.

3. For Counter-marches, which is but the reducement of File-Leaders into the place of bringers up, or one flank into the place of another; which is more proper for the foot service, than useful in the exercise of the Horse: yet because some have used it in their exercise; therefore I shall demonstrate one Counter-march by Figure in his place.

4. For Wheelings; They are of most excellent use in the service of the Horse, and [Page 17] ought to be very carefully exercised by every Commander; they serve in some respect to execute what is to be performed by Counter-marches; which is to bring the Fron­tiers, who are always supposed to consist of the ablest men, thereby to be ready to receive the Charge of the Enemy in either Flank or Reer; which by Counter-marches you cannot do.

Accordingly the Motions shall follow; that the untutoured Souldier may the better apprehend them; It shall be represented by the Letter h.

All Motions are to be done intirely, at one and the same time: for in our Military Exercises they are the very life of an Army; and the only means being truly perform­ed that giveth Victory; without which all preparations of Forces are in vain, and a­vail nothing in the field to the end for which they were levied: And this among experienced Souldiers is of inestimable reputation.

1. To the Right Hand.

Note, That in all Motions, before a second be commanded (I mean in all single Motions) the body must be reduced to his first proper form.

To Reduce them command

• To the left,
• or To your Leader,
• or As you were.

2. To the Left Hand.

To reduce them command

• To the Right,
• or To your Leader,
• or As you were.

3. To the right hand about.

4. To the left hand about.

This is by turning to the left hand until their Faces front the Reer.

To reduce them. To the right hand about.

5. Ranks open forward to your double distance.

6. Files to the right double.

7. Files to the left double.

It is most convenient for the Horse to move from the right hand.

To reduce them.

• Ranks to the right double,
• or Files rank as you were.

8. Files to the right hand Counter-march.

9. Files to the left hand Counter-march.

To perform this Direct, That all the file Leaders move their Horses intirely a little forwards, and so likewise turning off to the left hand, they march even in rank down to the Reer; and none of the rest to turn off until he come to his Leaders ground.

To Reduce them. Counter-march to the left.

As this is for the maintaining of the same Ground, so there may be a Counter-march for the gaining of Ground; but I conceive them wholly useless but where you have not ground to make your Wheels: Therefore not knowing what necessity may force us unto; it is convenient the Souldier should be sometimes exercised therein.

Note, That in your Counter-marches for gaining of ground, the Souldier is to turn off the ground his Horse stands upon, and so passing through each is to follow his Leader.

10. Ranks close forwards.

11. Files close to the left.

12. Files close to the left to your close Order.

Observe in closing to the left, the left File is to stand fixt, the next are to move to the left.

13. Ranks close forward to your close Order.

In performance of this Command the first Rank is to stand; the second moving, and taking its distance, stands likewise; and so the third.

It cannot be expected that any Wheeling of the Horse should be so exactly per­formed [Page 20] in so little a compass as is taken by the foot; therefore every Commander ought discreetly to take larger room for the compass of his motion, so that all his Wheelings may be performed intirely without distraction.

Note, That Wheeling to the left for the Horse is the readiest way, except you are prevented by some hinderances, &c.

14. Wheel to the left hand.

In this motion the whole body moveth to the left, upon the left hand file-leader as the center

And so you may keep wheeling until you have brought them to their proper front: So if you wheel them to the left about, the Reer then will be their accidental Front.

15. Wheel to the right and left by Division.

The Wheelings of the accidental Fronts upon both Wings into the proper Front, and close their Divisions, will reduce them.

16. Trot large and wheel to the left.

Wheeling to the right will Reduce them, or by a circular Wheeling of them until they are brought into their proper form.

17. Trot and wheel to the left about.

This bringeth the ablest men to be in the Reer for any speedy On-set; and Wheeling to the right about will reduce them, &c.

The word Alt doth signifie to make a stand, and is derived from the Dutch word Halt; which is as we say, hold, &c.Observe that in all motions you make an Alt, that the Souldery may settle themselves in their places, both in Rank and File, before you put any fresh Command upon them.

[Page 21]18. Gallop and wheel to the left.

19. Gallop and wheel to the left about.

To reduce both these is by wheeling to the contrary: All these being performed to reduce them to their first form; Open first your Ranks, and then your Files: and in opening of your Ranks, the best way is to open them forwards.

CHAP. IX. Of Firings.

I Had thoughts to have treated of Encampments and Embattelings, but that being not my work at present I shall pass them by, because it is my business to treat only of the exercise of a single Troop: In the first place I shall set out one firing of Wal­hausens; When your Enemy chargeth you in a full career,Cruso fol. [...]9. you are sud­dainly to open to the right and left, facing inwards and charge them in the flanks, and when the Enemy is past your body, you are to wheel to the right and left inward, and so charge him with a full career in the Reer; but here you must observe their files to be six, and eight in depth; and so his Figure is represented as followeth.

This he commends very much, for whilst the Enemy is upon his Career, you are but upon your Trot; and then opening to the right and left,This he speaks of Cuirasiers. ei­ther he must run through, and do but little execution, or else Alt in his career, and so disorders himself, which is advantageous to you. But I am of another opinion as to our Mode of fighting, being but three in depth; we must rather sink than suffer any Voluntary Breach.

The same Author would have our Harquebuziers to give fire by Files, either right or left, advancing before the Body in a full career towards the Enemy; but many do wholly reject it, as being dangerous in Field service.

But now for the private exercise of a single Troop, which may be necessary to bring the Souldier to a more ready and complete use of his Arms, I shall demonstrate of Files firing in the Front and Reer, and then of firing by Ranks. And first of Files firing in the Front.

The right hand File and the left hand File March some distance before the head of the Troop, and Rank themselves to the right and left inward, and so Present and Give fire; which being performed, let them wheel off to the right and left outwards into the Reer of their first Station, and so set themselves in their respective places even with the remainder of the Body, leaving distance for every Rank to march into his proper place, after they have once fired over.

When they have thus fired they are immediately to fall off to the right and left, and March forth into their places. As you observe in each firing both the Files do rank themselves and then fire: Now a further exercise you may Command for each File to face in opposition, and fire each to the other.

I shall now demonstrate one platforme of firing by Rank.

But in firing by Rank, observe the first Rank may advance upon a larg Trot Gal­lop, or Carrere, as Command is given between thirty or fourty paces from the Body. The first Rank having fired wheels off to the left (if occasion will permit) and falls into the Reer; and immediatly upon the wheeling off of the first Rank, the second ad­vanceth according to Command and fireth, and so the third.

You may fire also by divisions which is of singular use in the exercise of Horse; either by firing by single divisions both in Front and Reer, or in opposition both in Front and Reer also, as in firing, of the Files before mentioned; so that I need not trouble you with any platformes of them.

After that these firings have been performed and the Souldier is grown expert in the handling of his Arms, and well managing of his Horse; there is one thing that ought not to be forgot by any Commander, which is of most excellent use; That is, for the Souldier to be well exercised, both with his Carabine and Pistol to shoote with Bullet at Marks; which if it be not well exercised and taught, it will be to little purpose as to the Executive part of this Art.

So it ought to be the care of every Chief Officer to exercise those Troops under his Command, sometimes, as occasion may serve, in a Regimental way; leaving sufficient distances betwen each Troop, that each other may be relieved orderly; and so to retreat in due order, to avoid Confusion.

CHAP. X. The Conclusion.

BEfore I conclude these few spent hours about the Exercise of the Horse, and that my demonstrating of them but three in depth; I hear many brave Soul­diers (but old ones) to make some objections against me. As first, in medl­ing with that which is of too high a concern for me.

My answer to that is breifly; That those that have writ Books of this Art, al­though they have been gallant Souldiers if they had been in Command now, and of late years to have seen what have been performed in the Executive part of the Horse service, they would correct their Judgements, and amend their Mode of Ex­ercise, [Page 24] finding in it much error, and serviceable for nought, but to prolong Execution; as if all experienced genus's in this Art should be tyed up to the Low Country ser­vices: And what I have done is but my duty if accepted, else for my own private use, also for my friends and relations that come after me; And because there ought to be a great deal of care had in a work of this nature, I leave the correction hereof to the better Learned and more Experienced in this Military Art.

And for the drawing of the Horse but three in File; I say, If the Grecian Writers were alive, and some of our Modern Writers that have Commented upon them and made Collectives out of them, which they have published for authentick Maximes in this Art, would now much admire to see our Mode of Exercise so changed for the better.

64 in a Troop. When as our late Cruso in his Military instructions in his platformes of Exercise demonstrates then Eight in depth, and Eight in rank: And Captain Ward in his Drilling and exercise of Horse is six in File and twenty in Rank,Leo Ch. 7. Sect. 81. Ch. 14. Sect. 78. 108, 109. and alleadgeth it for the best, and is taken out of Poli­bius, General of the Achaeans Horse: Leo writeth almost the same; That if there be many horse to be exercised, they are to be ordered ten in File, and if but few no more but five, giving this reason; That if the Body be but shallow, the Body will be so weak, that it is subject it self to fraction: Then Livie verifieth that of Leo, and saith the Souldiers had then Speares of four and twenty foot in Length, which was to match the Pikes of the Infantry: But in some pro­cess of time as History makes it appear, the Macedonians found great inconveniency in the length of those Spears, and made some of them to be fifteen foot in length; and being then at that length, determined that five Horse in depth was too many, as to be offensive to their Enemies: but notwithstanding these results endeavoured to make their Battalias seem to be square, and for their better advantage in shew, order ten in Rank and five in File to every Troop of Horse; And these depths were only in those dayes used when the Horse fought only with Spears, and Guns not at all used.

Now if they had the use of Guns so much as we, and should fire in Ranks, five, six, eight or ten in depth (and our mode of fighting being but three in File) their exercise would be so long in the performance thereof, that it would not only be te­dious but hazzardous to us; for of late years it hath been experienced, and seldome known any Troops to stand it out, as may be thought that time, in competition for victory: for we know that the ordering of our Horse, in making a large Front, as occasion and ground will give leave, and thereby over-winging our Enemies Batta­lia, hath proved Victorious.

And whereas they alleadge when they are six and eight in File, they can make their body to shew powerful against their Enemy by commanding them to double their Fronts by their Middle-men (or half-file-leaders) and can if occasion serve take away a party in the reer, and file the Enemy in their Flank, or Flanks, &c. But this I con­ceive to be dangerous and of ill consequence: for when we are settled in Battalia three deep, we are then fixed for service, and need not be troubled in doubling of the Front, thereby we are free from distraction, and other disturbances which are most inci­dent by suddain motions to the breaking of Ranks and the like, which contrarywise is with us; for our fighting is not by wheeling off as formerly, but by charging at Pistols length, and so to charge through; every man betaking himself to his Sword; or otherwise as occasion shall serve: For when we assault our Enemy with our Carabines, and if time will permit it with one Pistol, what need have we of such tedious firing by Files or by Ranks,I shewed those firings only for exercise sake. which the experienced Souldier thinks useless; for when our Horse are in a readiness for execution, they must fire intire, which I conceive to be most offensive: except the Enemy retreates, and wheels off, there will be but little use of a se­cond Pistol.

Tacticks of Aelian. 107. There was also among the Grecians used divers formes of Buttalia's, called Rombes of Horse, and a wedge of Horse.

Some were made of Files and Ranks, some neither filing nor rank­ing, others ranking but not filing; as Captain Ward hath set it out at large. Likewise in those dayes they used the Wedge, which they ac­counted to be of more singular service than the Rombes, and is thus described.

But neither of these being used in our Exercise and Mode of fighting, I shall give you Euclid's definition of a Rombe. That a Rombe is a square figure that hath the sides equall, but the Angles not right, two of them become sharp and two of them blunt, &c.

Thus I have passed over the several formes of the Exercise of the Horse, briefly, both in their facings and Battalia's: and I shall conclude these Collectives of the Ca­valrie, as is needfull for the Exercise of a Country Troop; it being but one part as an Introduction to Military Art.

I need not plead any thing for this Art; In it selfe it is commendable. Empire­doms, Kingdomes, Nations, Princes and People can testifie enough: no Nation can sub­sist without experience in it.

It being asked the question; What part of the world brought forth the most Va­liant men for War?Aelians Ta­cticks. 38. Answer was made they were found to be in all places, where youth was bred up in the shame of Vice, and had audacity to undergo any Peril for Vertues sake.

The Lacedemonians were accounted the most valiant People of Greece; History will tell you the reason: Therefore to conclude; None are born Souldiers, one may have an Inclination to War more than an other, but experience cometh not with­out Industry; and pardon me if I boldly affirme, that the English Nation are a War­like Nation; which if we should neglect our duties herein, the Commander to be industrious, and the Souldier diligent, we shall make our selves a by word, (or scorn) to other Nations: And our Gracious Soveraign at a loss in his designes, and ex­pectations: The more we ingrave this Art in our minds, the more courage we shall have, and the better enabled to fight for, and pray,

God save the King.

I cannot but give you the saying of M. T. Cicero, in Commendation of this Art, a­bove any other Art whatsoever. Rei Militaris virtus, praestat caeteris virtutibus; and fur­ther saith after many other reasons to prove the same; That all other Arts do rest in safety under the Banners of this

Art Military.

CHAP. I. By way of Introduction.

HAving passed some few Collectives to the service of the Horse, I was desired to do the like for the foot; figuring out each Command, or platforme after the proportion of Six in File, which is according to our late Mode of discipline.

There have been many Books writ of this Military Art, in the Exercise of the Foot, both ancient and Moderne; but of our later writers, I referr our new commission'd Gentlemen to the perusal of Bingham, Hexham, Barrife and Ward; I would not have Elton (although a Parliament Officer) wholly to be laid aside; for I have received informations of the great Worth and parts of the Gentleman.

To them whose experience have been their masterpiece, I am silent; desiring with all submission rather to learn from such, than presume to direct.

Those Gentlemen are to be commended that will bestow time in reading of this Art, but especially such as put in practice what they read; which is the readiest way to make men fit for the service of their King and Country: For what maketh a man more confidently Couragious, than knowledge?

There are many Gentlemen that are greater Readers of the Wars, than Practitioners of the same; who have had some cavelling disputes, about the discipline thereof; not considering the great change that time hath made, and experience hath found out in Martial affaires.

In the reading of the Roman and Grecian Orders, Discipline, and Government of their Armies, I had thought to have given you a tast thereof, but deserving a bet­ter Pen than mine to set forth the Gallantry of them, I shall be silent: And yet if it were possible to renew them, it would never work the like effect, as it did against their Enemies; One great cause thereof is supposed, that they made better pay-men in those dayes; Vice was severely punished, Vertue most bountifully rewarded: and when the Wars were ended, such as deserved well, were both regarded and rewar­ded; or else remained inrolled in pensionary pay; so by that meanes the Exercise of Armes continued. It is to be observed that where Payment and Reward cease, there Discipline and good Order ceaseth also.

As for the Exercise of Armes belonging to the Infantry, it is the part of the young Souldier to learn and practise, in the first place, the Postures, and well handling of Armes: Which I may term to be the single Accidence of this Art, be­fore he enters his Syntaxis: and it must be done by endeavouring to set some time apart for the exercise thereof.

There have been many that have not only disputed, but have writ against the many Postures now used; but being shamefully confuted by our Moderne Writers I shall be silent; and proceede to those Postures belonging to such Armes that are now in use in the Country, which are far short of what is com­pleat in Exercise in the Cities of London and Westminster, and therein of those Ho­nourable Societies of the Artillery and Military Gardens, and also now of late (The Criple) with out Criplegate.

CHAP. II. Of the postures of the Pike and Musquet.

BEfore I give you the postures of them both, I shall give you a brief definition of a Posture.

A Posture is a mode or Garb that we are fixed unto, in the well handling of our Armes: In which there are motions attendant unto the same for the better grace.

Presupposing your company to be in the Field and drawn up in a ready way for Exercise, then the best way, is to Exercise them apart, by drawing of the body of Pikes from their Musquets; that each may be Exercised in their particular Postures by themselves.

Only there are some Postures of the Pike and Musquet which are answerable to each other by conformity; which ought to be performed in a Body, or upon a March, as occasion serveth: as for Example.

In Marching, All are to be shouldred; In Trooping, or in any other Motion, the Pikes are to be advanced, and the Musquets poysed: In Porting of the Pike, the Musquet to be rested; In Trailing of the Pike, the Musquet to be reversed; which is the Funeral Posture: When the Pike is Cheek'd, the Musquet is to be rested at the Sentinel Posture; when the Musquet is presented to fire, the Pike is to be charged; And when the Pike is Ordered, most commonly; (especially in a stand or for Exercise) the butt end of the Musquet is to be set to the Ground &c.

[...] is most proper for the Captain to Exercise the Pikes himself: I do not deny but he may Exercise both; as he ought sometimes to do: and the Ensign and Lieute­nant [Page 35] are not to be negligent herein when they are commanded, or in the absence of their superior Officer.

The next for the Exercise of the Pike, in point of Antiquity and Honour, the Gentle­man of the Pikes craveth the precedency.

I have declared in the Exercise of the Horse, what an excellent Vertue, Silence is; which ought in the first place to be commanded; and most diligently observed.

The Body of Pikes from their March, and standing all shouldered, Command as followeth.

1. Order your Pikes, to your

• 1. open
• 2. close

order.

This ought to be made use of always upon a stand: And in the daytime it may serve for a Sentinel Posture: And for the abatement of the fury of the Horse, having the butt end of the Pike on the inside of the right foot, Charge then to the Horse, drawing your swords over your left arm, having your Pike in your left hand, you may then receive them by Com­manding; either to Charge to the

• Front,
• Right,
• Left,
• Reere,
  • 1. Order your Pikes.
  • 2. Put up your swords.

This is only useful upon a stand of Pikes; and by some able Souldiers it is not thought to be the securest charging against the Horse, or of strength to make the greatest resistance in their full Career. Therefore it hath been thought fit to be most convenient, to close your files to your close Order, and Ranks closing forward, and being thus semented (as it were) will be the better able to ward any resistance.

From your Order,

• Advance
• Shoulder
• Port
• Comport
• Cheeke
• Traile

your Pikes.

Order as you were.

From your Order charge to the

• Front,
• Right,
• Left,
• Reere.

Order as you were.

2. Advance your Pikes.

This is useful upon all occasions when the Drum shall beat a Troop. It is also useful in all motions of Doublings, &c. Only remember when they are reduced they put themselves, or be commanded into the same Posture the standing Party was in.

From your Advance,

• Shoulder
• Port
• Comport
• Cheeke
• Trail

your Pikes.

Advance as you were:

From your Advance, charge to the

• Front,
• Right,
• Left,
• Reer.

Advance as you were.

3. Shoulder your Pike.

This is useful and most proper upon a March: It is useful in time of fight, provided the Pikes be upon a stand, for it doth not only preserve the Pikes from shattering, but the Souldier also.

From your shoulder,

• Port
• Comport
• Cheeke
• Trail.

your Pikes.

Shoulder as you were.

From your shoulder, charge to the

• Front,
• Right,
• Left,
• Reer.

Shoulder as you were.

4. Port your Pikes.

This is useful when the Souldiers are to enter either Gate or Sally-port; and it is an ease for the Reer half Files to Port their Pikes when the Front is at their Charge.

From your Port,

• Comport
• Cheeke
• Trail

your Pikes.

Port as you were.

From your Port, charge to the

• Front,
• Right,
• Left,
• Reer.

Port as you were.

5. Comport your Pikes.

This is necessary for a Souldier upon his March up a Hill, to have his Pike Comported.

From your Comport,

• Cheek
• Trail

your Pike.

From your Comport, charge to the

• Front,
• Right,
• Left,
• Reer.

Comport as you were.

[Page 37]6. Cheeke your Pikes.

This is useful for the Sentinel Posture.

From your Cheeke, Trail your Pikes.

Cheeke as you were.

From your Cheeke, charge to the

• Front,
• Right,
• Left,
• Reer.

Cheeke as you were.

7. Trail your Pikes.

This is useful in a Trench to move for security of any breach undiscovered; and is seldom used else, but marching through a Wood, &c.

From your Trail, charge to the

• Front,
• Right,
• Left,
• Reer.

Trail as you were.

From your Trail, Order your Pikes.

8 Lay down your Pikes.

Oberve that if your Pikes be laid down when you begin your exercise, then your Command must be—

• 1. Handle
• 2. Raise

your Pike to your

• Open order,
• Order,
• Close order, &c.

You may observe that the Postures of the Pike, some are for conveniency, and ease to the Souldier, as to expedition either in Marchings, or other services com­manded; and the several charges serve either for defence or offence; none ought to slight any of these Commands, but to put them into practice; for at some one time or other they may be useful.

Here followeth the Postures of the Musquet, or Calliver.

In which, I do affirm, that the word of Command generally used (Make ready) is no Posture, but a word for brevity presupposing the Souldier to be expert in all, and doth include those postures precedent to that (Present your Musquet) and so from the Presenting of your Musquets the other postures following unto that (Give fire) which is the completement of all the rest of the Commands given.

Therefore for the better handling of Arms no Judicious Practitioner in this Art but will confess, it is better to be Instructed from Posture to Posture for more comely, and swifter execution thereof.

The Musquetteer being shouldered Command

• Snap-haunce.
• Sloop your Musquets.
• Let slip your Musquets.
• 1. Vnshoulder your Musquet, and Poyse.
• 2. Palm or rest your Musquet.
• [Page 38]3. Set the Butt end of your Musquet to the ground.
• 4. Lay down your Musquet.
• 5. Take off your Bandeliers.
• 6. Lay down your Bandeliers.
• 7. Face about to the left & march.
• 8. Face about to the right and march to your Arms, (or stand to your Arms.)
• 9. Take up your Bandeliers.
• 10. Put on your Bandeliers.
• 11. Take up your Musquet.
• 12. Rest (or Palm) your musquet.
• 13. Secure (or Guard) your cock.
• 14. Draw back your hammer, (or steel.)
• 15. Clear your pan.
• 16. Prime your pan.
• 17. Put down your steel, (or hammer.)
• 18. Blow, or cast off your loose corn.
• 19. Bring or cast your musquet about to your left side.
  • Handle your Charger.
  • Open your Charger.
• 20. Charge with Powder.
• 21. Draw forth your scowring stick.
• 22. Shorten your scowring stick.
• 23. Charge with Bullet.
• 24. Put your scouring stick into your Musquet.
• 25. Rain home your charge.
• 26. Withdraw your scouring stick.
• 27. Shorten your scouring stick.
• 28. Return your scouring stick.
• 29. Bring forward your Musquet and poise.
• 30. Palm (or rest) your Musquet.
• 31. Fit your hammer, or steel.
• 32. Free your cock.
• 33. Bend your cock.
• 34. Present your Musquet.
• 35. Give fire.
• 36. Palm (or rest) your Musquet.
• 37. Clear your Pan.
• 38. Shut your Pan.
• 39. Poyse your Musquet.
• [Page 39]40. Shoulder your Musquet.

Match-lock.

I need not here insert every Command, but only add such as are used for the Match-lock, wholly laying aside the rest.

Take your Match from between the fingers of your left hand.

Lay down your Match.

Take up your Match with your right hand.

Return (or place) your Match into your left hand.

• Open your Pan.
• Clear your Pan.
• Prime your Pan.
• Shut your Pan.

Draw forth your Match.

Blow your Coal.

• Cock your Match.
• Fit your Match.

Guard your Pan.

Blow the ash from your Coal.

Open your Pan.

Uncock, and return your Match.

So you are ready for a March; or in the Posture upon the first motion.

That which is called the Saluting Posture, is to be performed from the resting (or palming) of the Musquet; when he shall have an occasion: as a Souldier to salute his Friend, or to the honouring of any other person deserving.

And the Sentinel Posture, is for the Musquet to be in the Palm of the left hand, at his Resting posture: But his Musquet to be charged with Powder and Bullet, his Cock freed, and to be secured with his Thumb, so to be ready to execute his charge, and commands given, &c.

There is indeed a word of Command sometimes used, Reverse your Musquet; which is the marching Funeral Posture; That is to put the butt end of your Musquet upwards, under your left arm, holding it in your left hand, about the lock of your Musquet. Thus I have finished the Postures of the Musquet or Caliver with a Snap-hance, and with a Match-lock without a Rest; for your further inquiry, if there need be, I refer you to Lieutenant Barriffe or Captain Ward.

If I should forget to say something of the excellency as to the use of the Half-Pike and Musquet, that is now of use in the Artillery Garden;Half-Pike. first invented by Lieutenant Barriffe and Mr John Davis of London; whatsoever is performed in the exercise thereof, it is with greater ease than the Rest and Mus­quet is.

And knowing how far it hath been the care of many Souldiers, by invention to make the Musquetteers, as well defensive as offensive, but none amongst many of their Projects was received like this, all falling to the ground, and this standing as the best, being of most excellent service; for it serveth as a Rest; as a Pallisado to de­fend the Musquetteer from the Horse: When the shot is all spent they may with that Weapon, fall in among the Enemy, and in the pursuit of an Enemy, by reason of the lightness thereof, and their nimbleness in Action, may do great execution; and in Trenches they are good seconds for the Souldiers preservation.

Those Souldiers that are thus Armed are the best to be commanded out upon any Party, because they are the best able to defend themselves and offend their Enemies: And when any hedges are to be lin'd with shot,West Country. that the Musquetteers by their forced service become silent, and the ways deep and narrow; then the Half-Pike will be of singular service.

And last of all the Sould [...]er so marching with his Half-Pike and Musquet; It is not only a Grace to the Souldier but a Terrour to the Enemy: Besides this hath been ap­approved of by some of the ablest Souldiers in this Kingdom.Vic. Wimbal­don, Sir Tho. Genham. If once the Countrey saw the practice of it, and what a strong preservation it is against the incursion of the Horse, and in all other respects rather an advantage to the Souldier than disadvantageous to him; it would be not only esteemed good but carefully put into practice.

As the Musquetteer is secured by the gallant invention of the Half-Pike;Bow and Pike. any strange eye would think it very unjust that such Numbers of the Pike-men should be slain by the shot, and not able to resist and offend again; I could therefore say much for the Long Bow to be joyned with the Pike, how their showers of Arrows will gaul and terrifie the Horse, wound and hurt the Souldiers both on Horse and Foot; So if this should be duly performed all hands would be fighting, and all in a readiness for self preservation. History is full of the great slaughters and Atchievements in those days, when the Bow was most in use; but be­cause it is laid aside I shall be silent, hoping the practice will never be forgotten.

CHAP. III. The Places of Dignities both of Files and Ranks.

IN this Military Age, who would have thought that few or any could be so igno­rant of the difference between a File and a Rank; but finding in our Annual Ex­ercises many (Farmor like) Souldiers to be much guilty thereof, I shall speak a a little thereunto; shewing what is required to the making up of a File, and also of a Rank, with the dignity of each as they stand both in File and Rank.

A File. First, Know that a File is a sequent Number of men, standing one be­hind an other Front to the Reer.

Or from the first which is termed a File-Leader, unto the last which is termed a bringer up, which shall be demonstrated according to our mode of Discipline.

A Ranke. Secondly, A Rank is a Row of men be they more or less, standing or marching, shoulder to shoulder in a direct Line from the right hand to the left, (and from the left to the right) even a breast.

And by the way observe that in all preparations to exercise, Files must be made up first, and being then drawn forth, and the Files joyned together, Ranks are made.

Both which are according to Barriffe, Ward, and others; but in giving their Dignities to a file of eight deep there are various opinions, yet all endeavouring after a Geometrical proportion; and it is that which Commanders should chiefly follow as near as possibly they can.

And because the Sages of our Times do differ in their Judgments, more in this particular than in any one thing that I know of; I shall set down what Rules I have know or heard, leaving it to the more experienced that can command better.

Here followeth the Rule of Barriffe, Ward, and others in placing the Dignities, for six, eight, and ten, both in File and Rank.

I shall here insert those various Opinions of the Dignities of Souldiers eight in File, and so for eight Companies in a Regiment; by all which you may dignifie each Offi­cer in his due place of Honour; either in March, or in a Body: The consideration that there is, or ought to be an answerableness in the Reer to the Front, in the left flank to the right, by an equitable right in their true Dignity, is that which giveth life and being to orderly Discipline; for the worth of one must be answerable to the other in Skill, Valour, and in Number.

This amongst the Graecians was antiently put into practice, as you may see at large in the Notes of Captain Bingham upon the Tacticks of Aelian; and de­scribed after this proportion.

Two and three on the left hand, is equal in Number to four and one on the right, each making but five in Number; as it is thus in a little Number, so it may and ought to be made good in a greater.

The equality in this opposition is thus; As (1) and (4) makes five in the Colonels Division, so (3) and (2) in the Lieutenant Colonels Division makes five also: Then as in the first (5) and (8) makes thirteen; so the second (7) and (6) is thirteen, which is an equal opposition.

As inform'd Mr. Elton's Rule. A Second Opinion for the Dignity of eight Companies, is as followeth.

These oppose as the first, and somewhat more in the equality of their Number; as one and six is seven in the right Wing of the Colonels Division, so two and five is equal to that in the right Wing of the Lieutenant Colonels Division; and six and seven is equally thirteen, in the first, as five and eight in the second.

But according to the Rules for the Dignity of a File, the second Captain hath lost his place of Honour.

For those of that Opinion who place the second Captain in the Lieutenant Colo­nels Division, affirm that there may be a Geometrical equality (in length and breadth) in File and Rank; yet in point of Honour according to first Rule in the Co­lonels Division, the second Captain being placed loseth his Dignity; for if the eldest Captain in priority is placed upon the Head or first Division, Body or stand of Pikes, leading the Colonels Colours, then by the self same Rule of Equity, the second Captain Numb. (5) may and ought to be in the head of the Lieutenant Colonels Divi­sion, Body or stand of Pikes.

To which I conclude that the second Captain hath as much Honour to bring up the Reer of the Colonels own Division of Pikes when so marched; but if marched (in­tire) Regimentally, there to bring up the Reer of the whole Body or stand of Pikes is a greater Honour, and the second Captains Dignity.

A third Opinion for the Dignity of eight Companies.

This is the most received Opinion of the other two of late years, and the Reasons may be as followeth: First, their opposement is more upon a direct equality than the form­er, as for example, 1 and 8 stands upon the right Wing of the Colonels Division which maketh 9; now equally to oppose this there is 3 and 6 on the left Wing of the Lieutenant Colonels Division, that maketh 9 also; then upon the Right Wing of the Colonels Division there is 4 and 5 that maketh 9; and to oppose that there is 2 and 7 which is 9 also; all this makes out the justness of this opposement, and in that particular exceeds both the former, for what can be said for the second may be alleadg'd for this third also.

The differences in them as to their opposements may hereby be discerned, and how that all three make equal in numbers, as in half Files and half Ranks, 18 is equal to 18, and in Rank and File making (36.)

Indeed when the Seignior Officers of a Regiment had more Souldiers in their re­spective Companies, there was then great reason to stand upon an equal opposement; or else one Wing might be too strong for the other.

All this being now laid aside and there being of Souldiers an equality of number in each company, why then should our first rule for the dignity of a File be laid aside for the marching of a Regiment either intire or divisional? In the second Opinion the second Captain is placed in the Lt. Colonel's divisions in the third he is [Page 44] placed in the Collonels; although I conceive he ought to be in that Division yet he is there misplaced: for by the same rule in the second and third Opinion, as you place the Collonel in the Dignity of a file leader, the Lieutenant Collonel hath his Dignity in the place of a Bringer up, the Major in the place of the half File lea­der, the first Captain in the place of the Bringer up to the Front half-files: Thus far all three joyntly go together, and because there is no difference in number of men, but equal in both parties, they need not stand so much upon an equal opposement, but that the second Captain Numb. 5. may have his just place of honour immediately next unto his Collonel.

If it were not for this mode of Dignity according unto a File in the marching of a Regiment, and so unto a Rank in a Body, I might as well and better require satisfacti­on (the number of each Company being equal in Souldiers) why there may not be two field officers in the Collonels Division as well as in the Lieutenant Collonels; which I leave to better judgments.

For the proof of my assertion, as joyning with Barrife, Ward and others in apoint­ing the second Captain, whose is the fift place of Honour next to the File leader, or next to the Collonels own company both in Rank and File.

Bar. pa. 17.1. The File leader ought to be the worthiest because he hath the Com­mand of his File, and marcheth first against the Enemie.

2. The Bringer up ought to be the second place of Honour, because his place of March is in the reer; and is in most danger, should the Enemie charge on that part.

3. The half file leader is the third place of Honour, because when the Front half files are taken off upon any occasion, he is the leader unless he be commanded to face about.

4. The last man (or Bringer up) of the Front half files is the fourth man in digni­ty, for so he is when the Reer Division is taken of.

5. The next man to the File leader hath the fift place of honour, for one doubling brings him into the Front.

6. The sixt place of Honour is before the Bringer up, for if the Body be faced about, one doubling brings him into that accidental Front, or keeping of his proper Front by once doubling he becomes bringer up to the File leader.

7. The seventh Dignity of place is his who marcheth next after the half file leader, for when the half files double the Front, or march forth, then one doub­ling ranks him even with the Front.

8. The eight place of Honour (the File being but eight in depth) is the third from the front, for he may be made a File leader also, although it may be with more trouble, for by countermarching of the Front and Reere into the midst, and then facing to the first Front, and after doubling of Ranks makes him a File leader also.

I desire to speak nothing here to tye up the Ingenious to any particular fancy, when his own reason shall guide him in this Military Discipline, as may not be irregular and contrary to the rules of Art.

Now each Souldier being well exercised in the Postures of the Pike and Musquet, and knowing their Dignity both in File and Rank, will not stand still here, but must be labouring to march farther in this field of Military Discipline, that by the know­ledge thereof his undaunted courage might conduct him to some higher worth or place of Dignity.

CHAP. IV. Of the Drum.

I Come in the next place to advise every Souldier to be careful and endeavour to know the several Beates thereof, or else he may often fall short of his Captains Commands.

There are these several Beates to be taken notice of as Military signs, for the Souldier to walk or guide his actions by; and are termed Semivocall signes, as you may see in the Horse service, pa. 9.

The several Beates or poynts of War, are

• 1. A Call.
• 2. A Troope.
• 3. A March.
• 4. A Preparative.
• 5. A Battalia.
• 6. A Retreit.

Besides these six there are two other Beats of the Drum.

• 7. A Ta-to.
• 8. A Revally.

The Ta-to is beaten when the Watch is set at the discretion of the Governour; af­ter which in most places or Garrisons of note, there is a Warning piece discharg­ed, so that none are to be out of their houses, without the word is given them, &c.

A Revally is beaten in the morning by day light, at which time the subofficers are to take off their out Sentinels. It is, when by reason of the great noyse of Guns, men, armes, and Horses, the Commanders voyce for it can neither be heard or obeyed without the beat of the Drum: And the action of the Souldier whether valiant or otherwise is to be guided by it.

And For the better performance hereof it is the Captains duty to teach his Souldiers distinctly the several beats of the Drum, that they may be the better able to perform their respective duties, when ever they shall be so commanded by the Drum.

CHAP. V. Of Distances.

HErein I shall shew you what distance is, and the several sorts of distances: Without distance no motion can be performed: Although distance in it self is not motion; yet there is a motion in that action, that produceth our se­veral distances of place, between man and man, or that space or intervall of ground, either in File, or Rank.

And I may truly assert that the Discipline of a Foot Company, &c. consisteth so much in distance, and motion, that there is great necessitie of learning this very principle; for they are not fixed in one station, but are mutually interchanged one with another, as occasion is offered by command, and so are all brought into Or­der by their distances; for if a perfect form of order be not observed, disorder must necessarily follow; the effect of which produceth confusion▪

In our Modern discipline there are these four distances in use.

• 1. Close Order.
• 2. Order.
• 3. Open Order.
• 4. & Double distance.

• 1. Close Order which is both in File & rank one foot and half.
• 2. Order which is both in File & rank three foot.
• 3. Open Order which is both in File & rank six foot.
• 4. Double distance which is both in File & rank twelve foot.

There are several distances to be performed in

• 1. March.
• 2. Motion.
• 3. Skirmish.

• 1. The distance of marching
  • between File and File is three foot.
  • between Rank and Rank is six foot.
• 2. The distance for motion as for doubling of Files, and Ranks, for facings and Countermarches between File and Rank is six foot.
• 3. Distances for intire doublings and skirmishes between Rank and File is three Foot.
• 4. Distances for prevention of Cannon shott is
  • 12 Foot, or
  • 24. Foot, the double double distance.

Note that the close Order is useful

• 1. To the Files of Pikes to the charge of Horse.
• 2. Before you Command any Wheelings.
• 3. When the Commander is to deliver somewhat to the Souldier that all may hear.

Observe. Before you open or close your body by command to Distance to action; let every Captain or chief Officer Command his Souldiers to streighten their Files, and to even their Ranks: In the next place to be silent that thereby they may be at­tentive to the words of Command,

Which for the several distances are as followeth.

Commands.

• 1. Files. to your close Order.
• 2. Ranks. to your close Order.

• there might be abrevi­ated into a shorter me­thod but my intents is for plain capacities.
  1. Files open to the right.
  • 1. To your Order.
  • 2. To your open Order.
  • 3. To your double distance.
• 2. Ranks open forward.
  • 1. To your Order.
  • 2. To your open Order.
  • 3. To your close Order.
• [Page 47]3. Files open to the Left.
  • 1. To your Order.
  • 2. To your open Order.
  • 3. To your double distance.
• 4. Ranks open to the reer, (or) backwards.
  • 1. To your Order.
  • 2. To your open Order.
  • 3. To your double distance
• 5. Files open to the right and left.
  • 1. To your Order.
  • 2. To your open Order.
  • 3. To your double distance.
• 6. Ranks open to the right and left.
  • 1. To your Order.
  • 2. To your open Order.
  • 3. To your double distance.

Reducements.

• 1. Files close to the right.
  • 1. To your open Order.
  • 2. To your Order.
  • 3. To your close Order.
• 2. Ranks open for­ward.
  • 1. To your open Order.
  • 2. To your Order.
  • 3. To your close Order.
• [Page 47]3. Files close to the left.
  • 1. To your open Order.
  • 2. To your Order.
  • 3. To your close Order.
• 4. Ranks close to the reer. &c.
  • 1. To your open Order.
  • 2. To your Order.
  • 3. To your close Order.
• 5. Files close to the right and left inward, (or) to the midst.
  • 1. To your open Order.
  • 2. To your Order.
  • 3. To your close Order.
• 6. Ranks close to the right and left in­ward.
  • 1. To your open Order.
  • 2. To your Order.
  • 3. To your close Order.

These are useful and may be used at the discretion of the Commander.

And for your better performance in the closing and opening of Files and Ranks, take these following Observations.

1. When Files open to the right, the left, hand File must stand fast; every File taking his distance from the File next his left hand.

2. When they open to the left the right hand File stands fast, &c.

3. When Ranks open forward, the last rank stands; every rank taking his distance from the rank next behind him.

4. When they open backward, (or to the reer) the first rank stands; &c.

5. When Files close to the right, the right hand file stands, the rest close to the right, taking their distance from the right hand file.

6. And if Files close to the left, the left hand file stands; the rest of the Files close to the left, and take their distance, &c.

7. When Files close to the right and left, then they close inward, taking their distance from those Files within them, nearest to the midst of the Body.

8. When files close to the right and left by Division, it must be outwards, according to the fift and sixt observation.

9. When Ranks close to the front and reer, then the first and last Ranks stand; the other taking their distance.

10. If Ranks close to the midst then they close towards their two midlemost Ranks.

I have not used the word [Center] in any of these Commands, because it is conceived that the word is more proper to a circle, and not to a square, (or a broader fronted body.)

It is not of absolute necessity that a Commander in the exercise of a private Company shall use all these openings, and closings to those several distances men­tioned; but so many of them, as may be thought fit for his present Exercise in­tended; although it cannot be denied but that they may be useful at some time or other.

CHAP. VI. Of Marching and Drawing up of a Company.

THe Souldier being informed of the Dignity of Place, together with the se­veral Beats of the Drum; and their respective distances: I shall march a Company of Foot, and draw them up: which Company shall consist of twelve Files; four Files of Pikes, and eight Files of Musqueteers.

But the Deputy Lieutenants for the County of Sommerset have allotted some files more to each Company, and it is a rare thing to have them compleat in the Field, so that it hath been too apparent, because there hath not been an equality in Files, their Companies have been wholly unfit for Exercise; but I hope these errors will be bet­ter looked into and amended hereafter.

A number of Men being thus drawn up, and completed (consisting of Pikes and Musquets) there is in them according to the rules of Art; a Front, a Reer, a right and left Flank; Front half files; Reer half files; Right half ranks, and left half ranks; there is the length and depth of the Battel, and these are extended in their number of men.

The front in this Figure is first of all to be taken notice of: There are in all exercises a proper Front and an accidental Front: the Company being drawn up and standing in a body, with faces to their leader, maketh a proper Front.

Vide Chap. of facings.And the accidental front is as the Cheifetains shall command the face of the whole body: In short the front is where the faces of the Company are directed one way.

The first Rank, or row of men, they are termed File leaders; who have the com­mand of their respective Files, and are to Exercise them severally.

Observe, that from, and with the right hand file leader, to and with the left hand file leader, is the extent of the Front, and is termed the length of the Battel.

And the Souldiers standing severally from and with their File leaders in a sequence to and with their Bringers up are termed Files, or the depth of the Battel.

The Reer of the body is so termed, where ever the back of the Company are turned.

Every File leader hath his bringer up, that by death or other absence, next in point of honour is to succeed them, both in Place and power: The extent and length of the Reer (last rank or bringers up) is the same with the Frontiers.

The right and left Flanks, are the outmost Files upon either hand of the body from the Front to the bringers up.

There is in a body drawn up front half files and Reer half files; the Front half files ex­tend themselves (three in depth) to and with the third Rank; and the Reer half files is the fourth Rank to and with the last, both which have their extents divided in the whole length, and depth of the body.

Half Ranks are from the midst of the Files so taking their length, or bounds to the outmost man or file leader, either upon the right or left hand.

CHAP. VI. Of Facings.

SOme have thought that Facings are but of little use, so that a commander might dispence with the Exercise thereof. There being a mistake in such, I must de­clare,

That facings are very necessary, and of such excellent use, as in no wise to be neglected; for in service, their executions are quicker than other motions, and may be performed when other commands cannot be used both for time and place.

The Body being faced (or the faces of the Body) is termed an aspect, and being particularly turned by command maketh an accidental front, which is called a facing.

So that in short, facing is the turning and altering of the aspect to either hand, Front or Reer, as may appear in the several commands following.

In which we must understand that facings are either

• Intire
• or Divisional.

There are Angular facings also.

1. Intire Facing is when the aspect of the company is directed one way.

There are four intire facings, besides Angular.

Command. Face to the

• 1. Right.
  Each man is to turn upon that foot to which hand the facing is com­manded, wheel­ing the Body to that Aspect. When you face to any hand, you may reduce them to the contrary.
• 2. Left.
• 3. Right about.
• 4. Left about.

To reduce them, Command: As you were: or, To your Leader.

Angular, facings are when directed to make their Aspects to the right or left corner men; (that is, to the right or left Angle.) And so if you command to the four corners, it is to face them to their four Angles, which is Divisional.

Command: Face to the

• Right
• Left

Angle.

To reduce them, Command: As you were: or, To your leader.

These Angular facings are not so much in use as formerly.

Divisional facings are contrary to the Intire, for they look divers wayes. Which are

Command: Face to the

• 1. Right and left.
• 2. Right and left inward.
• 3. Four Angles.

To reduce them: As you were: or, To your leader.

It is necessary that the half files doe many of these commands by themselves, that they may the better understand it, when the body shall come to be subdivided. For An­gular facings, they are out of use, or not so much in use as formerly.

By most Authors facings are to be performed at open order both in Rank and File: But it is also necessary to exercise the Souldier in these facings at close Order: for if a Souldier should be assaulted in a straight or narrow passage that he hath neither time, nor ground to receive it, either by doublings, Counter-marches or wheelings, they stand at their Order, or close Order; may then by their particular facings defend them­selves against any such assault and with wore ease so charge their Enemy by some of these facings, than by any other motion.

Facings are not to be slighted, but carefully to be observed and practised; they are the ground-work of Military discipline, for all motions have relation in one respect or another to them.

There are two facings, square as followeth, set down in their platformes,See Barrife & Ward, &c. because they are not only useful but may serve as demonstrations of the former.

Command: The two first Ranks stand; the two last Ranks face about; the rest of the body face to the right and left, and march all.

To reduce them; Command.

• 1. Face about to the right, march and close your Divisions.
• 2. Face to your leader, who standeth at his proper front.

Figure 2. Command.

• 1. Musquetteers face to the right and left.
• 2. Half Files of Pikes face about to the right.
• 3. March all.

To reduce them. Command.

• 1. Face all about to the right, march and close your divisions.
• 2. Face all to your Leader.

By this little you may perceive much of the Nature of Facings, and how useful they are towards the making of the Souldier apt and perfect in other motions.

I shall proceed to the Nature of doublings with the several branches, or parts of them.

CHAP. VII. Of Doublings.

IT is allowed by the Judicious that they are most necessary and completely useful for the strengthening any part of the Battle as occasion and discretion shall com­mand.

All which consist in these two Generals.

• 1. Doublings of Length,
• 2. Doublings of Depth,

All times in quan­tity of Number; sometimes in Number and place.

The several sorts of doublings are as followeth,

• 1. Of ranks.
• 2. Of half files.
• 3. Of bringers up.
• 4. Of the reer.
• 5. Of files.
• 6. Of half ranks.

• 1. The doubling of Ranks is when every Rank double the odd.
• 2. Half Files are said to be doubled, when they shall double their Ranks into the Front.
• 3. Bringers up are said to be doubled, when they shall double their Ranks into the Front.
• 4. The doubling of the Reer is when the Front half file doubles the Reer.
• 5. The doubling of files is when even files double the odd.
• 6. The doubling of half ranks is when one rank shall double the other.

And that is performed by

• Passing through.
• Countermarches.
• Intire, or divisional doublings.

The doubling of Ranks, half files or bringers up into the Front is a doubling of quantity, or number, and not of place.

But the doubling of ranks intire, or for to double the front by half files intire, either to the right or left, or by Division; It makes not only a doubling in quantity and of place, but lengthens the battle also.

The doubling of files and half files, or half ranks, or doubling to either flank, is a doubling in quantity, and not of place.

But the doubling of files, and right half ranks intire, and the depth of the left flank intire, is not only a doubling of number, but of place and depth of the battle.

Observe, that all divisional doublings are to be at open Order both in Rank and File.

Observe, that in all motions they must be performed in three steps; and first by stepping forth of that foot, which is next to the place named: And for reducement to return by the contrary hand.

Observe, that in doubling of Ranks, the doubling of Files reduceth them; so in the doubling of Files to any hand, the doubling of Ranks to the contrary hand re­duceth them also.

Observe, that in all motions of doublings, that they who are to double, before they move from their places, are to Advance and Poyse their Arms; and when they have performed their Commands they are immediately to conform to the same posture that those whom they double are in; whether it be at shoulder or advance.

Observe, that all intire doublings are to be performed at Order both in Rank and File: And in all motions observe your right hand man.

I shall not only give you the words of command for most particular doublings that may be useful for service with directions for the performance of the same; with their reducements: And as I have been importuned by some of the Deputy Lieutenants to add to them their several platforms (or Figures) it is accordingly performed.

But my chief aim is to demonstrate how a Battalia may be strengthned by doublings.

And that is either in the

• 1. Front,
• 2. Reer, or
• 3. Both Flanks.

The Front may be strengthned by

• Intire Doublings,
• Divisional Doublings,
• Intire Wheelings, &
• Divisional Wheelings.

Of these I shall proceed in their several Orders, shewing how intire Doublings do strengthen the Front.

And that is by

• 1. Ranks,
• 2. Bringers up,
• 3. Half Files.

1. The Front is strengthned by intire Doublings of Ranks.

1. Command. Ranks to the

• 1. Right
• or 2. Left

Doubles.

Directions for doubling to the Right, from the left, the even Ranks from the Front move forward to the Right into the odd Ranks.

To reduce them Command

Files to the left double, (or) Ranks as you were.

The doubling of this Figure to the right doth easily make appear what is meant by doubling to the left, that I need not demonstrate it.

2. Command. Ranks to the right and left double

• 1. Outward,
• or 2. Inward.

[Page 55]1. Directions Outward. Even Ranks move outward from the Flanks with three steps forward into the odd Ranks.

To reduce them: Ranks as you were: Or, Files to the right and left double inward.

2. Directions inward. The even Ranks move inward from the Flanks with three steps forward into the odd Ranks.

To reduce them: Ranks as you were; Or, Files to the right and left double outward.

3. Command. Double your Ranks to the

• 1. Right
• 2. Left

Intire.

Directions to the right.

Even Ranks from the Front, face to the right, and march forth until they be clear of the standing Ranks; then face them to their Leader, and double the odd Ranks that are standing,

To reduce them Command.

Ranks that doubled, face to the left and march forth into your places.

Or,

Half Ranks of the right, face to the left and double your left Flank.

Or,

Ranks as you were.

4. Command: Double your Ranks inward intire.

Directions. Every even Rank from the Reer, face to the right and left out wards, and march until they be clear of the standing part; then let every even Rank from the Front (which is the standing part) move forwards into the Front.

5. Command Double your Ranks to the

• 1. Right
• 2. Left

Intire.

Every man placing himself on the outside of his right hand man.

This doubling, is the same in Figure with the third, they differ only in place, the quan­tity being the same. Directions. Every even Rank from the Front, face to the right and march, placing your selves on the outside of your right hand men.

To reduce them Command. Right half ranks double your left flank each placing your selves on the inside of his left hand man.

2. Intire doublings for the strengthening of the Front by Bringers-up.

6. Command. Bringers-up double your Front to the

• 1. Right.
• 2. Left.

Directions for doubling to the right: Bringers up move forwards with your right legs, and pass through ranking themselves even with the Front, the rest fol­lowing successively and placing themselves even with the standing ranks.

To reduce them Command. Bringers up, or Reer half files face about to the left, and march into your places.

OR,

Even files from the left double your depth to the left, each fall behind his accidental bringer-up (or half file-leader.)

When they march into their places, the half file-leaders who were the last that took their places, now in this reducement must be the first to take their places.

7. Command. Bringers-up double your Front to the right and left

• 1. Outward.
• 2. Inward.

This I never saw but once in a private Exercise, but I conceive it more out of cu­riosity than of necessity. And because it is suitable to the second Command of Ranks, I need not demonstrate them in Figures; as the even ranks move and take their re­spective places in the second Figure, in this the bringers-up are to be the first movers to the right and left either outwards or inwards.

If outwards; then it is to be performed from the midst of the Reer from the right and left into the Front.

To reduce them Command. The odd files from the right and left flank double your depth to the right and left inwards, every man falling behind his accidental bringer-up.

If inwards; then it ought to be performed from the flanks to the right and left in­wards even into the Front.

To reduce them Command. The even files from each flank double your depth to the right and left inwards, all falling behind his accidental bringer-up.

[Page 58]3. Intire doublings for the strengthening of the Front by half-files.

8. Command. Half files double your Front to the

• 1. Right.
• 2. Left.

Directions. If to the right, the half file-leaders must pass through (or move for­wards) to the right into the Front, and the succeeding ranks are to follow them.

To reduce them Command. Even files from the left, double your depth to the left. Or, Half files face about to the left and march forth into your places. Or, Half files as you were.

9. Command. Half files double your Front to the right and left

• 1. Outwards.
• 2. Inwards.

What I have declared in the seventh Command, I do the same here: However I shall demonstrate the Command by doubling outwards.

1. Directions. It is to be performed from the midst of the half files to the right and left into the Front.

To reduce this Command. The odd files from the right and left flank double your depth to the right and left inward.

OR,

Halfe files face about to the right, and march forth into your places.

2. Directions. If the command be inward, then it is to be performed from the flanks of the half files, marching even into the Front.

To reduce them Command. Even files from each flank, double your depth to the right and left outwards.

OR,

Half files as you were.

10. Command. Half files double your Front to the

• 1. Right
• 2. Left

Intire.

Directions to the right. Half files face to the right and march, until they be clear of the front half files, then face them to their Leader, and march them up even with the Front.

To reduce this Command. Half files face about to the right and march forth into your places.

OR,

Half ranks of the right double the depth of your left flank intire.

11. Command. Half files double your Front inward intire.

Directions. Front half files face to the right and left outwards, and march until they be clear of the Reer half files; then face them to their Leader and stand. Then let the reer half files march up even into the Front.

To reduce them. Half files upon the intire motion face about and march; Front half files face to the right and left inward and close your Divisions.

OR,

Reer half files, double the depth of your Front half files intire, face all to the right and left inward, and close your Divisions.

I have shewed you how the Front may be strengthened by intire doublings; I shal briefly shew how it may be by divisional.

The Front is strengthened by divisional Doublings as followeth.

12. Command. Double your Ranks to the right and left by Division.

To perform this, Command. Even Ranks from the Front face to the right and left outwards; march forth and double the odd.

To reduce this; half ranks that doubled, face to the right and left inwards, and march into your places.

13. Command. Half files double your Front by Division.

To performe this: Half files face to the right and left outwards, and march until they be clear of the Front half files, then face them to their Leader; then move forward and double the Front.

To reduce this Command. Half files face about to the Reer, and march until they be clear of the Front half files; then, face to the right and left inward, close your Divisions and face to your Leader.

OR,

The half files that moved double the depth of the Front half files.

14. 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.

To perform this Command. Every even Rank from the Front move forth to the right and left outward, each man placing himself according as is commanded.

To reduce this Command. The half Ranks that moved double your Files to the right and left inward; every man placing himself on the inside of his right and left hand man.

I have hitherto shewed how the Front may be strengthened by divisional Doublings. Now followeth how

The Front may be strengthened by intire and Divisional Wheelings.

15. Command. Wheel off your reer half files to the

• 1. Right
• 2. Left

Intire into the Front.

To perform this to the right, Command. Half files face about to the right, and wheel them to the left about, until they be even with the Front.

To reduce this; Wheel off your half ranks, and double your left flank intire to the left.

To perform this reducement, let them face to the right; then Command: Right half ranks, wheel about to the right until they be even a breast with the front half files: To your Leader.

16. Command. Wheel your Flanks into the Front.

There are diversities of Commands for the production of this Figure, and much according to the opinion of the Commander. I shall insert them, and leave the choice thereof to the judicious in this Art.

To reduce any one of them Command. Wheel your flanks into the Reer.

[Page 63]17. Command. Reer half files wheel and double your Front by Division.

To perform this Command. Half files face about to the right, and so wheel off to the right and left about; moving forwards until they be even with the Front.

To reduce this Command. Half files that doubled, wheel about to the right and left inward, and march into your places.

OR,

Half ranks face to the right and left outward; then wheel to the right and left in­ward, and double the depth of your Front half files, and face them to their Leader.

There is some other Wheelings, but I shall not trouble you with them, because they are more for curiosity than for service, &c.

CHAP. VIII.

I Shall here insert the several preceding Commands for the strengthe­ning of the Front, wherein, in the closing of some of the Ranks, as may be seen by them severally, the Figures are one and the same Battalia, in quantity but not in quality; in number but not in place.

Vide Chap. 11. Chap. 14.

CHAP. IX. How Battalias may ve strengthened in the Reer.

HAving ended with most of those doublings that do strengthen the Front, I proceed to some few that may strengthen the Reer: I might be as large in them as the former; but the labour and pains would be of no great necessity, because all what hath been commanded in the Front may by counterchange of them be performed in the Reer. Therefore I shall only for example sake set down four Commands, and demonstrate them by their respective figures, and they only shall be performed by the doubling of half Files, leaving the rest for the de­lightful Artist in this pleasing exercise.

1. Command. Front half files double your Reer to the

• 1. Right.
• 2. Left.

To perform this: (to the right) Command. Front half files face about to the left and march directly forwards to the left of the standing part in opposition even in each rank according to their several places.

If this be commanded for service then face the Reer half files also about to the left. Then

To reduce them. Face them all to their proper Front, and Command: Double your files to the right intire advancing.

If it be for a private exercise, Command. Half files face about to the left and march forth into your places.

2 Command. Front half files double your Reer to the

• 1. Right
• 2. Left

intire.

To perform this to the right intire, Command. Front half files face to the right; march until they be clear of the Reer half files; then face them all to the Reer, and march them even in breast with the Reer.

To reduce this, Command. Front half files, face about to the right and march into your places.

OR,

Face all to your leader, then right half ranks double your left flank intire ad­vancing.

3. Command. Front half files double your Reer by Division.

To perform this, Command. Front half files face to the right and left, and march until they be clear of the Body, then face them to the Reer, and move down to the Reer even in breast with the last Rank.

If this be for service you may face them all to the Reer. If only for Exercise you may reduce them, as they now stand; by Commanding,

Front half files face about to the right and advance forwards, until they are clear of the standing part, then face them to the right and left inwards; and close your Di­visions.

4. Command. Front half files double your Reer to the

• 1. Right
• 2. Left

by Countermarch.

To performe this; If the Command given for the left; face the standing half files to the Reer, and the rest Countermarch to the left and lose ground.

But if it be only for Exercise you need not face the standing part to the Reer at all.

To reduce this (as being only for Exercise) Command. Front half files face about to the left and march forth into your places.

But if it be upon service that they are all faced to the Reer, then all upon the Reduce­ment, are to face about to the left; and the front half files to march into their places.

Object. But Some may object here, and say; that this is a countermarch, and no doubling, and so ought not to be demonstrated in this place.

Answ. To which I answer; that what is done by the Front half files, in short is a Lacedemonian Countermarch, (of losing ground;) but if it were a direct counter­march, they ought not to stand mixed with any other part of the body, by passing through to the Reer, but only to Countermarch into the midst and there remain; so that now passing through into the Reer makes it an absolute doubling.

What I have mentioned in the beginning of this Chapter may be sufficient to the ingenious Artist, having concluded what I intended for the strengthening of the Reer.

I thought to have inserted here a strengthening of the Front and Reer, but be­ing in the Chapter of Wheelings, Command the tenth, the inquisitive may be better satisfied.

CHAP. VI. Which is the last in order to shew, how a Battalia may be strengthened in both Flanks.

THe Flanks are doubled by

• 1. Files.
• 2. Half ranks.
• 3. Division.
• 4. Wheelings.

1. First by Files.

1. Command. Files to the

• Right
• or Left

double.

If to the left to perform this, Command. Every even ranks from the left, move with three steps into the odd.

To reduce this, Command. Ranks to the right double.

OR,

Files as you were. In all motions observe to move that leg first, to which the Command guideth.

2. Command. Files to the

• 1. Right.
• or 2. Left.

double advancing.

To perform this, if to the right, Command. Every even file from the right advance three steps forward and double the odd.

To reduce this Command. Ranks to the left double.

OR,

Files as you were.

[Page 69]3. Command. Files to the right and left double outward.

In doubling outward, the outmost File of each Flank stands, and the even File each flank doubles the odd.

To reduce this Command. Double your Ranks to the right and left inwards.

OR,

Ranks as you were.

4. Command. Files to the right and left double Inward.

To reduce this Command. Double your Ranks to the right and left outwards.

OR,

Ranks as you were.

5. Command. Double your Ranks to the

• 1. Right
• & 2. Left
  • 1. Outwards advancing.
  • 2. Inwards.

This will be performed as in the third and fourth Command, only instead of falling behind their right or left hand men, here they are to advance before them as in the se­cond Command.

6. Command. Double your Files to the

• 1. Right
• or 2. Left

intire advancing.

To performe this, to the right. The even files from the right advance so far until they be clear and double the odd files to the right.

To reduce this, Command. Files that doubled face about to the left and march forth into your places.

OR,

Front half Files double your Reer to the left.

OR,

Half Files double your Front to the right.

7. Command. Double your files to the

• 1. Right
• or 2. Left

Intire advancing, eve­ry man placing him­self before his leader.

To perfom this, to the right.

The reducement. Command. Front half Files face about to the left and march forth into your places.

OR,

Front half files, turn off by countermarch, and double your Re ex to the right: Face all to your leader.

8. Command. Files double your depth to the right intire.

To perform this, Command. Even files from the right face about to the right, and march until they are clear of the Reer, placing themselves after their bringers up; then face them to their leader.

To reduce this, Command. Half files double your Front to the left.

OR,

Front half files double your Reer to the right.

9. Command. Files double your depth to the right placing your selves behind your bringers up.

To perform this Command. Every even File from the right, face about to the right and double the remaining files behind their bringers up.

To reduce this Command. Bringers up double your Front to the left.

OR,

Half files double your Front to the left, each placing themselves before their half file Leaders.

There is but a small difference between the Figures of some of the precedent Commands, as some may at first sight guess them to be: yet if you would but well observe them the words of Command are several, and in the Battalia there is difference in the Dignity of place; but not in quantity (or number.)

Secondly. How the flanks are doubled by half ranks.

10. Comand. Half ranks of the left, double your right flank to the

• 1. Right,
• or 2. Left.

To perform this to the right. Left half ranks face to the right and move to the right forward and double your right flank.

To reduce this Command. Face to the left and march forth into your places.

OR,

Double your Ranks to the left intire. You may face them at discretion.

I shall demonstrate another Figure to the left, shewing how it may be performed without mixture of Arms, &c.

11. Command. Half Ranks of the right, double your left flank to the right.

To perform this Command. Half ranks of the right face to the right, turn off to the right and double your left flank.

To reduce the 11. Command. Ranks double to the right intire, every man placing himself on the outside of his right hand man.

12. Command. Half ranks double your right flank to the right and left

• 1. Outward.
• 2. Inward.

1. To perform this Outward. Face all to the right, then the left half ranks move to the right and left outwards, doubling your right flank; face to your Leader.

To reduce this Command. 1. Front and Reer half files double your ranks intire to the left flank.

OR,

Half ranks that doubled face about to the right, and march forth into your places.

OR,

Half ranks face about to the right, and the even ranks from the midst move forth and double your left ranks intire to the left flank; face to your Leader.

2. To perform the 12. Command inward. Face all to the right, then the left half ranks move forwards to the right and left inwards, and double the right flank; face all to your Leader.

To reduce the 12. Command inward. Front and reer half files, double your Ranks intire to the left.

By direction, you may Command. Half files face about, and every even rank [Page 75] from the front and reer move forth, and double your ranks intire to the left flank; then face to your Leader.

13. Command. Half ranks double your right flank to the

• 1. Right
• or 2. Left

by Countermarch.

OR,

Half ranks to the right by Countermarch double your left flank.

To perform this. Half ranks of the right,Tis produceth the same Figure as the 11. Com­mand. face to the right and Countermarch into the left flank losing ground.

To reduce this. Double your Ranks to the left intire, every man placing himself on the outside of your right hand men, and face to your Leader.

OR,

Ranks that doubled, face to the right and march forth into your places.

In like manner if you would double the right flank by countermarch, the right flank is then to stand, and you are to insert the left into the right flank, as before, the right will be by this Command inserted into the left.

And by the reducement of the one by the contrary hand, you may reduce the other also.

14. Command. Left half ranks double your right flank to the right and left

• 1. Outwards
• 2. Inwards

by counter­march.

These insertions I shall not demonstrate by Figure, because the three last being but well observed, will give you a light to the execution of these; only I shall briefly give you the performances and reducements thereof.

If Outward, Command. Half ranks of the right face to the right, and left half ranks face to the left, then move forward and double your right and left flank to the right and left outwards; face to your Leader.

To reduce this Command. Front and Reer half files double your Ranks intire to the left flank, every man placing himself, on the outside of his right and left hand man.

By direction you may Command. The Front half files to face about, and the even ranks from the midst, move forth to the left flank and double the odd, placing your selves on the outside of your right hand men.

And every even rank from the reer half files, move forth and double the odd, placing yourself on the outside of your left hand men; face to your Leader.

If Inwards, Command. Ranks face to the right and left outwards, and the left half ranks turn off to the right and left inward, moving forward, until you have doubled the right flank; face to your Leader.

To reduce this Command. Front and reer half files double your ranks intire to the left flank, every man placing himself on the outside of his right and left hand man.

For direction you may Command. Half files face about, and every even rank from the reer, move forward, and place your selves on the outside of your right hand men, and every even rank from the front, move forth and double the odd, placing your selves on the outside of your left hand men; face to your Leader.

15. Command. Left half ranks double your right flank intire ad­vancing.

To perform this Command. The left flank (or the left half ranks) march forth until they be clear of the remaining party; then face them to the right and double the right flank, and face them to their Leader.

To reduce this. The left flank that doubled, face to the left, and march into your places.

OR,

Front half files double your Reer to the right.

16. Command. Left half Ranks double intire the depth of your right Flank.

To perform this Command. The left half ranks to face about to the right, until they are clear of the standing part; then face to the left and double the right flank; face to your Leader.

To reduce this Command. Half files double your Front to the left intire.

OR,

Half files that doubled face about to the left and march forth into your places.

3. How the Flanks may be strengthened by divisional Doublings.

17. Command. Double your Files to the right and left by Division.

To perform this Command. Half files of the even files from the right, face to the Reer; then, even files march clear of the standing part; then move to the right and left, and double the odd files.

To reduce them Command. Face to the right and left inward, march forth and take your places, and face to your Leader.

18. Command. Half Ranks of the left double your right flank by Division.

To perform this Command. Half files of the left half ranks face about to the right; then, Front and Reer half ranks of the left flank move clear of the standing body, face all to the right flank, and move even in breast with the right flank.

To reduce them. Front and Reer half files that doubled, face about inwards and march into your places.

OR,

The half files that doubled may double the depth of their right flank.

Obs. You may in the Command, when they are marched clear of the standing par­ty, Countermarch them with this Command. Vide Com. 13. Front and Reer half files of the left flank countermarch to the right and left, losing of ground into the right flank, which will produce the same Figure, Com. 18. only in place.

4. The Flanks are strengthened by Wheelings.

18. Command. Left half ranks wheel off, and double your right flank to the

• Right
• or Left

Intire.

To perform this, Command. Right half ranks face outwards; left half ranks wheel about to the left, and keep wheeling until you have doubled the right flank; face the moveants to their Leader.

To reduce them. Face them to their proper Front; then Command, Reer half files double your Front to the left intire.

But if you countermarch them, then the reducement of the 13. Command will give you light to it also.

19. Command: Wheel Front and Reer into the

• 1. Right
• or 2. Left

Flank.

OR,

Front and reer half files wheel off into the right Flank by Division.

To perform this, Command. Face all to the right.

Wheel off to the right and lest, and so keep moving until the Bringer up of the right hand file, meet with the right hand file leader.

To reduce them if faced to the right Flank.

Wheel both Flanks into the Reer, and face them to their Leader,

But if faced to their proper Front, then Command. Wheel Front and Reer into their left Flank, and face them to their Leader.

20. Command. Left half Ranks wheel off to the right and left, and double your right Flank by Division.

To perform this, Command. Half ranks of the right face to the right, then the half files of the left half rank face to the Reer.

Front and Reer half files wheel off to the right and left about; and more forwards until you are even a breast, then double your right flank and face them to their accidental Front.

To reduce them, Command. Files that doubled, double the depth of the stand­ing files intire to the right and left inwards.

2. If you face them to their proper Front, then to reduce them Command. The three first and the three last Ranks double your left flank intire.

That is, The three last Ranks face about and wheel to the right, and the three first Ranks wheel about to the left, all moving and meet in opposition in the midst of the left flank; then face them to their Leader.

I have ended those Doublings whose Battalia's are strengthened in the Front, Reer, and both Flanks. Although they may not be useful at all times in the field service, yet it is not amiss for every Commander to be well grounded in the knowledge of them, that by his experience therein he may not be silent, when occasion serveth, nor the Souldier seeking what to do, when he may be commanded: They are so necessary, that some are delightful in private Exercises, and most of them profitable in Field (or Garrison.) I am sure the Ingenious if once experienced herein will confess them to be of such absolute necessity as not in the least to be slighted by any.

And further, it is adjudged to be most convenient for all the Chief Officers to bend their thoughts before the time of Service, to make their Commands as short as possible may be, in order to which see Chapt. 8. and 11.

I do declare that I have heard some of our late young Eltonists to be too tedious in their Commands and Reducements; I shall advise the young Souldier to follow the Rules of Barriffe, Ward, Bingham and Hexham, for there is in them enough to direct for most Services, and then they may peruse Elton at last, whose worth (as I have been informed) is not to be laid in the dust without the due respects belonging to a Souldier, and I hope now a Loyal Subject.

CHAP. XI.

YOu may perceive in those several Commands for the strengthe­ning of the Flanks, and their Figures being produced, and have closed some of their Files, as occasion may offer it self, they are one and the same in Number but not in Place.

As in the 8. Chapter, I have also in this set down the several Com­mands that produce one and the same Figure, yet the Commands are distinct and several; all which if the Officer please to endeavour the remembring of: How that such and such Commands will produce such a Figure, he may in the hottest disputes take the shortest Commands to expedite his motions, having respect to his Ground for the execution of them.

CHAP. XII.

I Shall now treat of that which is called in a more particular manner Inversion and Conversion, shewing you what is meant by them; And the nature and use of those several Commands, most in pra­ctice belonging to each of them.

1. Inversion produceth a File, or Files;

That is either by

• Files filing;
• or Ranks filing.

2. Conversion produceth a Rank, or Ranks.

That is either

• By increase of File ranking by
  • Even,
  • or Ʋneven
  Parts.
• Of Ranks ranking to the
  • Right,
  • or Left.
• Of Ranks wheeling to the
  • Right,
  • or Left
  Flank.

Observe, That in the performance of most of these Works, there must be either a double or twice double distance of Ground. But it must be the Commanders care so to open his Ranks or Files at such distances as the quantity of Ground will give leave.

I shall not demonstrate the Commands in the same method, as I have the Doublings for the strengthening of the Front, but shall insist in that method already set down; because I find the reception hereof to be somewhat of difficulty with some of our Rural Officers.

First, Inversion of files, or tiles filing in sequence.

Secondly, Files filing by countermarch.

1. Command. Files, file to the

• 1. Right.
• 2. Left.

[Page 85]2. Command. Files file to the

• Right.
• or Left.

intire advancing.

[Page 89]3. Command. Files, file inward into the right Flank.

[Page 87]4. Command. Files file to the right and left by Division.

[Page 88]5. Command. Files, file in­ward into the right and left flank by Division.

[Page 89]6. Command. Files, by countermarch file to the right, every man placing himself in the reer of the right hand file.

[Page 90]7. Command. Files by countermarch file to the right by division, each placing himself before his leader and bringer up.

I have with as much brevity, as conveniently I could, set forth by de­monstration the first part of Inversion which is of Files filing.

I proceed to the second part of Inversion which is of Ranks siling.

For the performance of which, observe that in all these motions, your files are to be at their Order, or otherwise as may be thought most convenient, and their Ranks to be opened either forwards or backwards at the discretion of the Commander, but at twice double distance (or more) as may be required to his number of men.

The distances being set, let every rank move according to Command.

[Page 91]8. Command. Ranks file to the right, placing your selves before your right hand man.

To perform this, Command. The right hand man of each rank is to stand, the rest are to move forwards with their right leg, and so place themselves before their right hand men.

Observe, Ranks filing are sooner executed in the commands and re­ducements, than files filing: For they will sooner be in readiness to re­ceive any opposition with a suteable resistance in the Front: for in files fil­ing it will be some long time before the file leaders will be able to do it.

[Page 92]9. Command. Ranks file to the right, placing your selves behind your right hand men.

Aelian Tact. Ch. 30. p. 6.10. Command. Ranks file to the right and left by Di­vision.

This Figure as by the Notes of Captain Bingham hath been of great use amongst the Graecians, and judged by our ingenious Artists not to be slighted by us for the avoydance of the great Ordinance or showers of small shot: In Cities I have seen it often used for lodging of the Colours: It is also a large Interval for the reception of any Honourable Person.

Some may dislike, in this last Inversion of Ranks filing, because there is a promi­scuous mixture of Arms: This may be easily prevented by bringing both Divisions of Musquetteers into the Front of Pikes, or otherwise upon a march at the discretion of the Commander.

There yet remain divers words of Command of Ranks filing;Vide Conversion. By wheeling your Ranks into the right Flank, or into both Flanks, &c. But the prolixity of them have made me to abbreviate, and being more out of curio­sity than of necessity.

I have shewed what is meant by Inversion both in Files and Ranks, and have de­monstrated them by their Figures, so many as I conceive may be sufficient for the knowledge thereof.

Many I have heard to use the word Inversion to some of the precedent Commands; but I think it very convenient to be left out in the Exercisings of our Rural Militia's; It is a word not suitable to a Rustick capacity, and a word that may be spared.

CHAP. XIII. Of Conversion, and the several Parts thereof.

COnversion, I have declared to consist of a Rank or Ranks.

And that is performed either by

• 1. Increase of Files ranking by
  • Even,
  • or Ʋneven
  Parts.
• 2. Increase or decrease of Files ranking by un­even Parts.
• 3. Files ranking intire into the Front, and wheel­ing into the same.
• 4. Ranks ranking to the right or left.
• 5. Wheeling into both Flanks.

And of these I shall declare unto you, as briefly as I may, that your delight in the true understanding of them may not be neglected, by the least obscurity. Now the reason that I have demonstrated most with Figures, is that the young Souldier may see how many Commands produce one and the same Figure, their difference being only in quality, and not in quantity.

1. I shall begin with Files ranking by even parts, that is when they rank two, three, or four, keeping the same number in Rank, all being in an equal proportion; and if more, what is wanting to make up the Ranks in the Command, must be made good by the next Rank.

[Page 94]1. Command. Files rank three to the right.

2. The uneven parts of Files ranking, is when there is such an increase either of two, three, or more in each Rank so exceeding the Rank before it: (and these ex­ceedings are termed in Arithmetick, A Progressional Increase) Or else by the decrease of each Rank following after.

2. Command. Files rank three first, then by increase to the right two, in each Division of Musquetteers and Pikes.

These are termed half Rombes, or Wedges.

For Exercise sake you may make a Wedge, or half Rombe of all twelve by

[Page 95]3. Command. Files rank first two, and by increase two, from the whole Body.

4. Command [is in the nature of a Rombe.]

Files rank first two, and by increase, and decrease two in each Rank, Divisionally both of Musquetteers and Pikes.

The reducement of these three last Commands is, Ranks file as you were.

These Rombes, and half Rombes or Wedges were much of use in the Graecian Wars; Read the Tact. of Aelian, pag. 108. But being not now so much in use, I shall not spend much time in them, but leave the desirous to the view of Captain Ward.

5. Command. Files rank to the Right, or Left into the Front.

&

6. Command. Files rank to the Right, or Left by wheeling into the Front.

I shall demonstrate both in this by Wheeling; only observe there must be so much distance between each file, as will contain each in rank.

To perform them Command. Files open to the left to your double distance; Ranks close forward to your close Order, face to the right, wheel all to the left until the whole Body be brought into one intire Rank.

To reduce this, Command. Face to the Reer; then the first six to the right wheel to the right:

(When all have wheeled by sixes to the right) then face them to their Leader, and close their Files at discretion.

7. Command. Files rank into the Front and Reer by Division.

To perform this, Command. Files open to the left to your order; Ranks close for­ward to your close order; Half files face about to the right, and face to the left, then move all into the Front and Reer, and make two intire Ranks.

When the distance is set, Observe that those in motion are to face to the right flank.

To reduce this, Command. Front half files face about to the left, reer half files face about to the right, then wheel all into their respective Files, then face them to their Leader, and close their files at discretion.

Here might be inserted for variety and curiosity some more words of Command of Conversion, of files ranking into the midst; by Countermarches, and by Wheelings.

But by what is demonstrated already you'l find enough in them, and I must look to be censured by some for what is done: and conceiving the remainder to be useless, I shall omit them to avoid a further censure, and proceed to the Conversion of Ranks ranking in equal Parts.

1. Conversion of Ranks ranking in equal Parts.

Observe, that in Ranks ranking, you may perform it with any number, more or less, as place and occasion may serve; containing in every Rank an equality in Number.

And it is to be understood after this manner: When there is twelve more or less [Page 97] marching a breast, and by reason of some narrowness of passage, or some other intent, the Commander causeth his Souldiers to rank either two, three, five or seven, &c. according to the place or occasion.

8. Command. Ranks, rank two to the right.

To perform this, Command. The two first in Rank, to the right advance forwards, the next two of the same Rank in the Reer of them, until the first Rank have made six Ranks, and in all 36 Ranks.

To reduce this, Command. Ranks, rank twelve to the left.

Observe, that the first rank stands, the rest are to advance, two and two, until the whole rank of twelve be complete in one rank.

[Page 98]9. Command. Rank two to the right and left

• 1. Outward,
• then 2. Inward.

I shall demonstrate one Figure of Ranks ranking in unequal parts which is rather to satisfie the curious than of any absolute necessity.Ʋnequal Parts.

10. Command. Ranks, rank 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11. by increase and decrease as they stand in a Body.

11. Command. Ranks rank intire to the

• Right,
• or Left

into the Front.

To perform this, Let the first rank stand, every rank else face to the right, and move away to the right successively placing themselves on the right hand of each rank, until they all stand in one intire rank in the Front.

[Page 100]12. Command. Ranks, rank intire into the Front, every man placing himself on the outside of his

• Right,
• or Left

hand man by Countermarch.

13. Command. Ranks, rank

• 1. Outward
• 2. Inward

into the Front.

1. To perform it outwards, Command. The first rank to stand, the rest to face to the right and left outwards, the second rank to advance clear of the first, and then to move forth even with the Front in breast, and all the rest successively do the same, until they be all even with the Front in one intire rank.

2. To perform it Inwards. Command. Ranks, rank inward into the Front.

To produce it, the first rank to move to the right and left outwards, and so to keep [Page 101] moving, (or opening) then the second rank is to advance into the ground of the first, and the second is then to move with the first to the right and left outwards; then the third is to advance into the place of the second rank, so all are to do until the last rank is advanced intire into the Front.

To reduce this; The first six upon the right, and left hand stand; then Command, Ranks, rank six to the right and left outwards; And close your Divisions.

Lastly, the Conversion of Ranks by wheeling into the Flanks.

14. Command. Ranks wheel to the

• Right,
• or Left

into the right Flank.

[Page 102]15. Command. Ranks of your Front and Reer half files, wheel out­wards to your right Flank.

I shall put in execution but two Ranks, one in the Front half files, and the other of the Reer half files, which is sufficient for Demonstration.

To perform this, Command. Ranks open all to your twice double distance; then Front half files wheel to the right; and Reer half files wheel to the left. And face to your Leader.

To reduce them, Command. Front half files, rank twelve to the right; Reer half files, rank twelve to the left: Face to your Leader; march up and close for­wards to your due distance.

[Page 103]16. Command. Ranks of your Front and Reer half Files, wheel inwards into your right Flank.

To perform this, Command. Front and Reer half files march clear to your twice double distance; Front and Reer half files face about.

Front half files wheel your Ranks to the left, and Reer half files; wheel your Ranks to the right; Face to your Leader.

To reduce this, Command. Front half files, rank twelve to the left: Reer half files face about and rank twelve to the right: Face to your Leader, and close your Divisions.

[Page 104]17. Command. Ranks, rank to each Flank, by wheeling to the right and left into the same by Division.

OR,

Ranks wheel to the right and left by Division into both Flanks; advancing (or placing) themselves before their right and left hand men.

Observe, they are to be at double distance in Rank, and at Order in File.

To reduce them, Command them to face to the Reer, and wheel into their places.

OR,

Files, rank twelve to the right and left inward into the Reer, and close them to their order; then face them to their Leader.

But if you would avoid mixture of Arms, you may place all your Musquetteers either in Front and Reer.

Or else, wheel only the Musquetteers first, and leave the Pikes standing.

Or else it may be performed in marching; and then the Reducement is; Ranks as you were.

18. Command. Ranks of your Front and Reer half files, wheel outwards to your right and left Flank by Division.

They are to observe the same distance as in the former.

To perform this, Command. Half files face about. Ranks open to your double di­stance, then Front and Reer half files wheel to the right and left outwards into both Flanks.

To reduce this, Command. Who being faced to their Leader. Front half files face to the Reer, rank twelve to the right and left inwards. And Reer half files face about and rank twelve to the right and left inward, Files close to the midst to your order: Face to your Leader.

CHAP. XIV. Of making File-Leaders successively both of Number and Place in a File, and so for a whole Body.

The Sweedish Mode also.AS I have stinted my self to a set Number of Files, so I have also to a set Number in a File, not exceeding six, being according to our present Mode of Discipline; for if I had gone to a va­rious Number in Files, and added two to each File, my Figures had been more delightful to some Spectators; others I hope will find enough in this to qualifie, or make them fit to do their King and Country service, &c.

And now the Souldery having marched sometimes toge­ther, and so loving (being Souldiers indeed) by reason of such experiences as they have attained unto in the exercise of this Military Art, that each Leader is willing his follower should take his place; which is a great incouragement to an ingenious Souldier.

This ought not to be slighted, because it is profitable to a Commander to bring what Ranks he pleaseth to lead in the Front, and to exchange them again, and at last to bring the proper File-Leaders into their places; Besides the in­couragement it hath in private exercises, it makes men studi­ous, whereby they may be able to Command in their re­spective Files, when they are become Leaders.

In the first place take these short Commands to pro­duce them, as followeth.

Command

• 1. A File-Leader.
• 2. Rank two to the left, and Files to the left double.
• 3. Countermarch Front and Reer into the midst, and face to that part which was the Reer.
• 4. Face about to the right.
• 5. Countermarch from the Reer into the midst, and face to that which was the Reer.
• 6. Files rank two to the right, and Files to the right double.
• This being performed they are reduc'd.

I shall demonstrate by Tables the succession of each man's Leading, and give you some, or several Words of Command according to my own and others, severally, that shall produce such Leader into his place, as they shall stand in sequence, and as they shall also stand in their respective Dignities.

CHAP. XV. Of Countermarches.

WE read in the Tacticks of Aelian of three kinds of Countermarches used a­mongst the Graecians and Persians;

And are termed, the

• 1. Chorean
• 2. Lacedemonian
• 3. Macedonian

Countermarches,

There is another Countermarch that is of use in our modern exercises and is termed the Bastard Countermarch, and so called because it participates some times of one, and some times of another, but always, of two, and may in many respects be more useful than the former.

Most Authors place this amongst the other Countermarches, therefore I shall not now alter it; although in my opinion, it may be very well ranked amongst the doublings.

I thought to have been large in demonstrating the several natures of Countermar­ches; but being conceived of all motions in this art the least beneficial to our latest mode of discipline, I shall not be tedious to your Patience: But if the skilful Souldier will put them into practice (especially the Bastard Countermarch) he will not only find some of them serviceable but all delightful in private Exercises.

Observe the

• Chorean
• Lacedemonian
• Macedonian

is

• 1. Maintaining
• 2. Losing
• 3. Gaining

Ground.

First, The maintaining of Ground is a Countermarch commanded without any ad­dition to it; and is termed the Chorean, or Cretan. Countermarch.

Secondly, The losing ground is a Countermarch commanded when the Souldier is to take his ground from the Reer, and this is termed the Lacedemonian Countermarch.

Thirdly, The gaining of ground, that is a Countermarch taking of ground next before the front, and forsaking the ground it first stood upon, and this is termed a Macedonian Countermarch.

In all which there is Countermarchings of

• Files.
• Ranks
• The Front.
• The Reer half files.
• Half Ranks.

And these may all be performed by intire or divisional Counter­marches.

1. The Countermarchings of Files is when every Souldier followeth his leader.

2. The Countermarchings of Ranks is when every Souldier followeth his side man.

3. The Front and Reer half Files Countermarchings is when the Souldier shall fol­low their File leaders or Bringers up.

4. The Countermarchings of half Ranks is when the Souldier shall follow their out­side men.

I shall in the first place shew how Intire and Divisional Countermarches are per­formed by files, and Ranks.

1. Observe, That in the execution hereof your distance is to be at six foot in rank and file.

2. When you are to Countermarch to the right, the file leaders are to step for­ward with their right legs, and face about to the right, passing down to the Reer with their respective File following them, keeping even a breast with their right handmen, and to be sure not to turn before they be advanced to the ground of their File leaders.

3. All Intire Countermarches of Files or ranks may be reduced by contrary Coun­termarches: If the Command be to the right, reduce them to the left: And so for Contermarchings of the Front, Reer or flanks into the midst, reduce them back from the midst.

It shall be my endeavour to demonstrate how all Intire and divisional Coun­termarches shall lye under these three heads.

Of

• Mantaining,
• Losing, and
• Gaining of

ground.

First, of Countermarches maintaining Ground.

In the second precedent rule it will not be amiss to cast your eye back, for your better direction, by which you'l be able to pass these Countermarches with greater de­light and Order.

1. Command. Files to the

• 1. Right,
• or 2. Left

hand Countermarch.

To perform this, Let the file leaders step forward with their right legs, and march even in Rank to the Reer, and none to turn off until he come to his File leaders Ground.

To reduce this, Command. Files to the left hand Countermarch.

[Page 112]2. Command. Ranks to the

• 1. Right
• or 2. Left

hand Countermarch.

To perform this, Face them to the Right; and the right hand file is to turn off to the right, and to march even to the Ground of the left hand file.

You may reduce this, by Ranks Countermarching to the left.

3. Command. Countermarch your Front and Reer into the midst.

To perform this, Command. Half files, face about and turn to off the left. Front half files turn off to the right; and face to your leader.

You may reduce this figure by doing the same over again.

Or else, by any other divisional Countermarch.

[Page 113]4. Command. Front and Reer half files countermarch to the

• 1. Right
• or 2. Left.

You may reduce this Figure by doing the same over again,

OR,

By Countermarching Front and Reer into the midst.

5. Command. Countermarch your Front and Reer half files to right and left from the midst.

To perform this, Command. Front half files face about and turn off to the right, and Reer half files turn off to your left: then, face to your leader.

To reduce this, Command: To Countermarch from the midst into the Front and Reer.

The three last figures by command are several, but the figures are still one and the same in quantity, but not in quality, or motion, as you may perceive, &c.

[Page 114]6. Command. Countermarch your flanks into the midst.

To perform this, Command, them to face to the right and left outwards, the right flank turn off to the right, and left flank turn off to the left until they meet in the midst.

To reduce them, Command. Countermarch from the midst to the right and left into both flanks.

7. Command, Right and left half Ranks interchange your ground.

To perform this, Face to the right and left inward (and march all) and inter­change your ground.

This is of no great use except it be when the right (or left) flank hath fought, that then the reserved flank may come into service also.

You may reduce them by interchanging of them back again.

OR,

Divisionally to Countermarch their flanks into the midst of the Battel.

Secondly, Countermarches lofing ground.

1. Command. Files to the

• Right, or
• Left,

hand Countermarch placing your selves before your bringers up.

To performe this, Command. The bringers up to face about to the right, then the file leaders with the rest successively to turn off upon the same ground he stands; And on the same hand the Command is given, so to place themselves accor­dingly.

You may easily reduce them by any other Countermarch of files.

2. Command. The last Rank stand the rest pass through to the

• 1. Right or
• 2. Left

placing your selves behind your bring­ers up.

To perform this: As the last Rank is to stand and keep their first aspect; let all the rest face about to the right, and march all turning successively behind their bringers up.

To reduce them, you may pass them through, or else Countermarch by file into their places.

3. Command. Front and Reer half files Countermarch to the

• 1. Right,
• or 2. Left,

From the midst, every man placing himself before his leader and bringer up.

To perform this, Command. The first rank of the front half files to stand, the rest to face about and turn off to the right; half file leaders face about and turn off to the left, and both to march clear of the Front and Reer, following their half file leaders, and bringers up of the front half files.

To reduce this by an other Countermarch.

4. Command. Ranks to the

• 1. Right
• or 2. Left

hand Countermarch, losing ground.

To perform this to the right. As in maintaining ground, upon their turning off, the rest march into the same place (or ground) and turn off also; as in figure 2.

Now this of losing ground, altereth only in this, the outmost file is to face to the right about, until he hath directly faced the left flank, and so to gain so much ground upon the left flank as they have lost upon the right;

OR,

That they have placed themselves on the outside (or before) of their left hand men.

5. Command. Ranks to the right hand Countermarch, each follow­ing his right hand man; and place himself on the out­side of his left hand man.

To perform this, Command. The left hand file to stand; the out most file to the right turn about to the right as to make his aspect (or face) to the left, then move forward until he be clear of the second file, losing the ground he stood upon, and gain it again on the outside of the left flank.

To reduce this figure; may be done by a contrary Countermarch.

6. Command. The right and left hand file upon each flank face to the right and left outwards, the rest pass through, placing your selves before your outmost files.

Observe, files become ranks by their face­ing.To performe this, Command. The right hand file to face to the right, and the left hand file to the left, and then the rest of the body to turn their aspects, accordingly, & place themseves before their right & left hand men.

To reduce them, Command, them to Countermarch to the right and left into the midst of the Battel.

OR, Command. If they be faced to the proper Front, The two inmost files to stand, the rest pass through to the right and left inward, and close their divisions.

8. Command. The two outmost files of each flank face to the right and left inward, the rest pass through to the right and left, and place yourselves behind your outside men.

To perform this, Command. The right and left hand file of each flank face inward, and the rest of the Body are to face to the right and left outwards, then all are to move forwards, and to place themselves behind their right and left hand men. (Else the mo­tion is the same as the former.)

To reduce this, Command. The two innermost files face to the right and left out­wards, and the rest pass through to the right and left inwards, placing themselves be­hind their right and left hand men, Then, face them to their leaders.

Now if it be the Commanders pleasure to reduce them by any other word of Command, it may be done by the precedent words of Command, or of the next following, or of any other divisional Countermarch (except interchanging of ground.)

8. Command. The outmost file of each flank stand, the rest pass through to the right and left, and place your selves on the outside of your right and left hand men.

The ninth figure is the same as this, if faced to their leader.To perform this. The outmost files of each flank stands; the rest of the body faceth to the right and left outward, and so passing forwards through the intervalls into each flank, place themselves on the outside of their right and left hand men.

To reduce this, may be performed by any of the foregoing Countermarches of ranks: Or else, being faced to any of the flanks, then the Ranks, become files, and by divisional Countermarches of files, you may reduce divisional Countermarches of Ranks.

OR,

By Ranks files only some facings must be observed.

For the proper Reducement Command: The two inmost Ranks to stand, the rest to face to the right and left inward, and so march into their places.

9. Command. The right and lelft hand files upon each flank stand, the rest pass through to the right and left, and place your selves on the outside of your right and left hand men, following your inmost files.

Observe in the performance of this the two inmost-files are to be first in motion▪ But first, Command, The two outmost files of each flank to stand, and the rest of the Body to face to their right and left outwards, so moving away first from the midst un­til they have successively placed themselves on the outside of their right and left hand men: (you may close their files into the midst to open Order.

The reducement of the eight figure will reduce this also.

10. Command. Front and Reer half files Countermarch to the

• 1. Right
• or 2. Left

hand interchanging ground.

To perform this, Command. Half files to face about and turn off to the right, front half files doing the like move forwards until they be clear one of an other, six foot; then face to their leader if you please and close their divisions.

A Countermarch interchanging of ground will reduce them and then close &c.

11. Command. Front and Reer half files to the right hand inter­change ground.

You may reduce this, interchanging of ground as they were, or by some other word of Command.

Thirdly, Countermarches to gain ground.

1. Command. The file leaders stand, the rest pass through to the

• 1. Right
• or 2. Left,

and place your selves before your leaders.

The Command is so plain that there needeth no directions. Only if your com­mand be to place your selves behind your leaders, then the file leaders are to face [Page 123] about, and the rest are to execute it as the former, only in placing themselves they are to turn their aspect behind their leaders.

And then Commanding them to place themselves before their leaders will re­duce them.

2. Command. File leaders face about to the right and stand. Bringers up with the rest following them, pass through to the right, and place your selves behind your leaders.

Face to your leaders.

To reduce this you may do it by the same Command, or by the first Command.

3. Command. File leaders stand and the rest pass through to the

• 1. Right,
• or 2. Left,

placing your selves before your file leaders, following your Bringers up.

This is the same with the second figure, only in their work they are to keep their aspect to the Front: And the reducement the same also.

4. Command. File leaders and half file leaders stand, the rest pass through to the right and place your selves before your file leaders and half file leaders.

You may reduce this by the same Countermarch, or any other Divisional Counter­march.

5. Command. File-leaders and half file-leaders stand, the rest pass through to the right, and place your selves behind your Leaders and half file-leaders, following your Bringers-up.

The file-leaders and half file-leaders are only to face about to the right and to stand, the motion is the same with the fourth Figure, but in taking their places they are to face to the Reer. The Reducement as the former.

6. Command. File-leaders and half file-leaders stand, the rest pass through to the right and left, and place your selves behind your Leaders and half file-leaders, &c.

I need not demonstrate this, it being the same with the fifth and sixth, only in the motion they are to pass to the right and left outwards. And is reduced as the former.

7. Command. File-leaders to face about, the rest pass through to the right, and place your selves behind your Leaders and Bringers up.

To perform this, Command. The first Rank is to face about and stand; then the two last Ranks from the Reer, (i. e. the fourth and fifth Ranks) are to face to the Reer and move all, &c.

The former Directions upon any Divisional Countermarch will reduce this.

8. Command. The outmost File of the right face to the right, the rest pass through to the

• Right,
• or Left,

and place your selves

• Before,
• or Behind

your right hand men.

If your Command be behind your right hand men, then the right hand file is but to face to the left. I shall not trouble you with them, conceiving them of no great use. You may reduce these by a contrary Countermarch.

9. Command. The outmost File of the right hand stand, and the right hand File of the left half Rank stand, and the rest pass through, and place your selves on the outside of your right hand men.

Face to your Leader.

The same is done on the left hand.

And if you place them before their left hand men, then face them all to the right, and so let them pass through observing the motion: And if you place them behind their right hand men; then let the right hand men face about to the left, and the rest pass through and fall behind them.

A Counter word of Command will reduce them, &c.

There are many Countermarches that produce one and the same Figure: provided you close your Divisions, and face them to their proper Front; only they differ in place.

First, therefore you may briefly observe that in those Countermarches that Main­tain their Ground, the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth Commands; then in losing of ground, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, tenth, and eleventh Commands; and in gaining of Ground, the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh do and will produce one and the same Figure.

Secondly, Also for maintaining of Ground, the sixth and seventh; and in losing of Ground the sixth, seventh and eighth; and also in gaining of Ground the ninth Commands produce one and the same Figures.

Oserve, For the Countermarchings of half Ranks, see in the doublings of the Flanks, thirteenth and fourteenth Commands, they producing the same Figures as the eleventh and twelfth Figures; by all which you will the better understand the one for the other.

Although Countermarches are of great Antiquity, and used amongst the Graecians; yet it is not much of use in our present Mode of Discipline: Therefore to conclude, though knowledge of them be no burthen, yet to be exercised in the face of an Ene­my may prove prejudicial; and the best expert in this Art, allow that they may be best spared of any motions whatever.

CHAP. XVI. Of Wheelings.

I Am to treat of Wheelings, and the several uses of them, as to the strengthening of the Front, Reer, and both Flanks.

Before you enter upon them, take these four Observations.

1. That you close your Ranks and Files to your Order.3. Foot.

2. That in all your Wheelings, you keep a due distance to your Leader.

3. That in all Commands for Wheelings, such moderation is to be used in their motions, that they on the contrary flank be not forced by running to disorder them­selves.

4. That your Arms be at such Postures as may be equivalent to each other; (This is) If the Musquets be poysed, the Pikes are to be advanced (which are the Postures best to be used in these Motions.)

There are two sorts of Wheelings.

First, Angular Wheelings.

Secondly, Wheelings on the midst (or Center:)

I shall not use the word Center, for it is more proper to a Circular body than to a square.

These in their Motions (or Actions) are termed either Intire or Divisional.

1. Intire Wheelings, are for the gaining of ground upon the Enemy, or to fight him with your best men, as occasion serveth, turning the first Aspect wholly to the Command given.

2. Divisional Wheelings, being performed, extend the Battle either in length or depth: And may for the most part of them be called Doublings.

I have in the exercise of Doublings demonstrated some of them by Figures, and shall not recite them here again, but quote them by their several numbers of Commands.

First, I shall begin with Angular Wheelings.

And they so called, because the corner man to which the Aspect is commanded, is the main hinge of the motion.

Observe, the Wheelings to the right and to the left; To the right and left about are termed Angular. And for the Wheelings to the right and left, and to the right and left about on the same Ground are Wheelings on the midst of the Front, all which are Intire, the other Divisional.Center.

1. Command. Wheel your Body — all, or your Battle to the 1. Right, Intire Angular Wheelings. or 2. Left.

This Wheeling moves the main Body from the Ground whereon it first stood, and placeth it on the right Flank, causing the Aspects of the proper Front to be upon the same.

Observe, that the right hand man is to move to the right hand with a very small Motion, and every man else to remember that the farther off he is from the Right Angle, the swifter must his motion be.

To reduce them. Wheel to the left.

But this will not transfer them to the same Ground: But to reduce them to their first Aspect on the same Ground; you must face them all to the right, then wheel them to the left, and facing them to the left, it is comple [...]ted.

2. Command. Wheel your Body — all, or your Battle to the 1. Right, or 2. Left about.

This turneth the Aspect towards the Reer: Now by reason the motion is twice as much as the former, there ought to be the greater care had in the performance of it; observing so much the motion of the right hand man, that they fail not of being even in Rank with him.

To reduce them to their first Ground, face to the right, wheel to the left about, then face them to the left: Although to the left about may reduce them, but not on the same Ground.

You may observe that Wheelings are the most facil for their Reducements; as for Example, Wheel your Flanks into the Front, is reduced by wheeling your Flanks into the Reer.

OR,

To wheel your Front and Reer into both Flanks, is reduced by Wheeling both Flanks into your Front and Reer, &c.

Secondly, I proceed to Wheelings on the midst (or Center) of the Front, which are Intire and Divisional, and are quicker in their motions, and performed on less Ground.

1. Command. Wheel your battle to the

• 1. Right
• 2. Left

on the same ground.Intire.

This is termed Grove Van Nawsaw's Wheeling.

But it is a wonder to me why our Antient and Modern Writers call these Commands Wheelings on the same Ground, when I am sure there will be ground lost (in the mo­tion) from the first they stood upon: In a direct square this may be better performed and less loss of Ground.

To perform this, Com­mand.

The left Flank advance forward still wheeling to the right, and the right flank contrarywise facing to the left, and keep fall­ing backwards even in Reer with the left half ranks, and so still moving unto the place commanded, face all to the right flank.

You may wheel to the left also.

To reduce this, Wheel your Battle to the left on the same Ground.

2. Command. Wheel your Body to the

• 1. Right,
• or 2. Left

about on the same Ground.

The direction to the former will serve for the performance of this, only the mo­tion is double as much, and their faces are turned from the first Front toward the Reer.

Observe in this moti­on,

every man on the left flank his right hand man; and the men on the right flank must keep even with their left hand men, who are their Leaders until they have attained their Ground, after which they are to face as be­fore, making an even Front.

To reduce this, wheel your Battle to the left about on the same Ground.

Divisional Wheel­ings. Bingham 2. part Tactic. pag. 92.3. Command. Wheel to the right and left from the Front, OR, Wheel off your Front by Division. Or if you will not go so far, then wheel your Front into the Flanks by Division.

This wheeling your Front into the Flanks by Division produceth the same Figure with Fi­gure [...].If upon occasion Musquetteers be on the Front of the Pikes, by this motion they will flank their Pikes: But otherwise being to be per­formed in a standing Body, the Pikes will flank the Musquetteers, and may easily he performed.

The File-leaders of the right flank with their respective Files are to wheel about to the right, and the File-leaders of the left flank are to wheel about to the left and close their Divisions.

To reduce them, wheel them off by Division again from the Reer, of by the fourth Command.

4. Command. Wheel your Body inward to the Reer.

If this be to reduce the former, it is presupposed the Commander is in the head of the first proper Front, then the Pikes will be in the midst of the Battle, as at first again: But if reduced without this Command, the Pikes will be in the Flanks ready to defend the Musquetteers from the fury of the Horse.

To perform this, Command, the Body to open from the midst to the right and left, to such a distance, as they may turn off to the right and left.

This I shall not demonstrate to you in Figure, because the precedent Figure per­formed will give light to the execution of this, and so for the next Command.

5. Command. Wheel off your Body from the Reer into the Front.

To perform this, face them to the Reer, then to the right and left, and wheel them inward to the Front.

To reduce the fourth Command, and this also:

Wheel them off again to the right and left by Division.

[Page 132]6. Command. Wheel off your Front and Reer into the right Flank.

These Commands following will produce the same Figure.

• Wheel of your Body by Division from the left Flank. OR,
• Wheel your left Flank into the Front and Reer. OR,
• Wheel your right Flank into the midst.

To perform this sixth Command. Command them to face to the right; this done they must wheel together about the third and fourth men in the right hand File, the Front Division wheeling to the right, and the Reer Division to the left, until the Bringers-up meet with the File-leader.

To reduce this, it may be performed several ways, as the Body may be faced.

If they stand faced to the right, then wheel your Flanks into the Reer; and being faced to their proper Front they are reduced.

But if faced to the Front, then wheel the Front and Reer into the left Flank.

But for the performance of the same Command into another Figure; It is but to pass through your Musquetteers from the left Flank to the right, then the same Com­mand will bring all the Pikes into the Front.

7. Command. Wheel your Body inward to the right Flank from the left.

To perform this, Command, To face to the right; then open to the right and left to a convenient distance, &c.

To reduce this, it may be done several ways as the former at the discretion of the Commander.

This produceth the same Figure as the sixth, only it is altered in motion, there­fore I thought good to demonstrate it; although Wheelings in this nature is difficult.

8. Command. Wheel off to the right and left inward to the Front:

9. Command. Wheel your Flanks into the Front.

This is perform'd folio 62. Command 16. where you may see the diversity of words of Command for the producement of it.

[Page 134]10. Command. Wheel your Flanks into the Reer.

The former Command folio 60. being reversed will serve for your better intelligence herein.

11. Command. Wheel Front and Reer into the right Flank.

This is performed folio 78. Command 19.

12. Command. Wheel both Flanks into the Front and Reer.

OR,

Front and Reer half files wheel off by Division inwards into the midst of Ranks.

To reduce it, by another word of Command. Right and left half Ranks wheel from the midst inward to the Front and Reer.

Then face them to their pro­per Front and close their Di­visions.

To reduce them.

The reducement of the next Figure will serve for both.

13. Command. Wheel Front and Reer into both Flanks.

To perform this from the precedent Figure, Face to the right and left outward, ob­serving the former direction, and giving due distance for the motion.

There are several Commands that will produce this Figure.

Wheel off your Body by Division from the midst of the Battle into the right and left Flank.

OR,

Wheel the midst of your Body by Division into the Front and Reer.

OR,

Wheel your right and left Flank into the midst.

OR,

Right and left Ranks wheel off by Division to the midst of Files.

To reduce this, Wheel Front and Reer into the midst of the Battle.

OR,

By Wheeling the Flanks into the midst of the Battle, if faced.

OR,

If you please to face the Body to one of the Flanks; then wheel Front and Reer into both flanks, and face them to their proper Front, and close their Divisions.

14. Command. Left half Ranks, wheel off to the right and left, and double your right Flank by Division. Folio 79. Command 20.

15. Command. Front and Reer half Files, wheel off by Division. Folio 78. and Command 19.

16. Command. Right and left half Ranks, wheel off by Division from the midst of Files.

I need not trouble you with more Angular Wheelings, either wheeling them out­wards to the right and left about from the midst of the Battle;Part of Aeli­an's Tacticks: chap. 36. 34. 46. or in­wards to the midst, because the demonstration of the former may give light unto all such, &c. and I conceive them not of such absolute necessity.

But I must advise that those Intire and Divisional Wheelings may be diligently learnt and practised, as being of great use in this Military Art.

I have in all my method demonstrated the Commands by their Figures to the right hand, you may easily command the same to the left hand, and the Reducements ac­cordingly.

You will find to several Countermarches and Wheelings no Reducements directed for them, because they may be reduced the same way back as was commanded, or by some other Command as directed.

I know but little more to be invented for the secure Exercise of a Foot Company, (and because I would not be singular) I have demonstrated some that may be better spared than practised in service; however here is for all: Some may make use of what is necessary to the fitting of the Souldier for field services; and others at their plea­sure what their fancy may guide them unto. And thus I have passed over the Grounds of Discipline for the Foot, I expect Censures; by the Ingenuous I submit to a corre­ction; but for the Carper, let him remain in his own mud, he shall never be comple­mented to a cleared fountain by me.

CHAP. XVII. Of making file leaders successively both in number and place in a file, six in depth, and so for a whole body.

THe Souldiers having passed thus many dayes exercise in these principles of Art Military; and now each Souldier is loving to his Comrade; every file leader to the rest of his file; being willing that their files should successively demonstrate some experiences as they have attained unto, in the exercise thereof: which will prove a great incouragement to the Ingenious: Also it is profitable to a Commander to bring what Ranks he pleaseth into the Front, and to exchange them, and to reduce them to their proper file leaders.

CHAP. XVIII. Of certain firings in the Front.

HAving passed over the grounds of this Art Military, I am now come to the executive part of the Tacticks; and shall not here exceed the exercise of a single Company, shewing the Souldier the use of some few Firings, that they may the better perform their respective duties when they shall be commanded there­unto.

None can positively say, this or that figure shall be, or serve this day, time or place &c. because of the diversity of formes occasioned by situation of ground, he number of men, the order of the Enemy; with many other observable Stratagems, for the obtaining both of Wind and Sun.

I shall therefore according to my allotment of twelve files demonstrate by figure some Firings, which being well understood may enable such for higher preferment as time and place may fortune them unto.

By way of digression; I am sure it is a trouble to most ingenious spirits to see some Gentlemen chosen Captains in the Militia, that are but prisoners to their own reasons; and instead of being experienced in this Art have been wholly Igno­rant of the least part thereof.

It is no wonder then if his Majesty may lose his expectation of a well disci­plined Militia; and the Souldier in hazzard of his life and Country too.

How easily might this be remedied, if our Commanding power would but autho­rize the Commission officers to meet once in a moneth to exercise each other, by their respective turns, &c. where they may also discourse and consult about Military affairs; and then for these private Commanders by their affable and heroick perswa­sions to get some of their souldiers as may be for their conveniencie to meet with their armes, and to exercise them; this would not only be delightful but profitable both for King and Country.

And on the contrary, the neglect hereof, and also of the full number of men and Armes in the Militia, hath made it to be ill spoken of, and so little feared; espe­cially by those of our own inbred Enemies to the Royal Government.

these things will be better looked into hereafter.If they will not be drawn to love and to be obedient to Royal Prero­gatives, they must be made to dread it; And I humbly conceive there is no better way to effect the former than by having a choice Militia, of such whose spirits should account it a baseness to abuse the Country; and make not their Musters, pass times for debauchery; and that their Companies be not only well disciplined, but well Armed also.

I proceed to the drawing up of files again into a body, and prepa­ring them for skirmish.

A Company of Foot being thus drawn up for service and the Colours flying in the head of the Company, and there they are to remain, until all forlorne firings are ended: But so soon as the Drumm shall beat his further preparatives for a close skirmish, the Ensign is to furle his Colours and retreit to the half files of Pikes.

Observe, That all firings are either direct, or oblique; and the manner how they are to be performed, are either Advancing, Receiving, or Retreiting: otherwhiles there may be firing in the Reer, marching from the Enemy; or in the flank march­ing by an Enemy: and also at several places, for an Enemy may at one and the same time charge, either in the Front or Reer, in Front and Reer, also in Front, Reer and Flank: and of these I shall demonstrate some that I at first learnt, and some amongst others that are most convenient to be learnt.

Now that the Souldier might be expert in his firings against the Enemy, let him be often exercised with firings only, in the pan, falling off and on as shall be Com­manded.

All which being well performed by the Musquetteers is a full accomplishment of what hath been before taught him, by which the Commander shall be credited, and the Souldier preferred to his merit.

Of firing by forlorne files.

1. That which is to be used in our modern exercise is two manner of wayes; the two outmost files of each flank of Musquetteers to march with two Serjeants so far as shall be comman­ded, and there to stand: and the fore­most ranks are to give fire and to fall into the Reer of themselves, either by wheeling off to the right, or to the right and left: Then let the remain­ing do the like and fall into their pla­ces.

Those that have fired are to fall off on the inside of the Musquetteers be­tween them and the Pikes; and as they are thus trooping back (after firing) to their places, the rest are in like manner to move away, and fire, and fall in next the Pikes.

2. Accordingly as you draw out two files, so you may draw out more files to the number of Musquetteers; and so to fire and fall into the Reer of themselves, and places &c.

[Page 140]3. You may move them all clear of the Pikes, and let them open from the midst, leaving sufficient Intervals for their wheelings in the Reer of themselves, and then to place them­selves even with their Pikes, the se­cond having fired as before place themselves in the Reer of the first division &c.

4. Advance the two outmost files by the Serjeants, who are to lead them to the place for execution as by order received; Commanding

1. Files to rank inward; to present and give fire all toge­ther.

2. You may rank inward two Files, or more, and fire as be­fore.

And having fired are to wheel off to the right and left by their respe­ctive file leaders, placing themselves next the Pikes.

I proceed to a second way of firing and that is by Ranks.

First, By advancing before the Front.

Secondly, firing even with the Front.

Thirdly, firing even with the half files.

Advancing before the Front may be performed by advancing of single ranks, and so firing in the Front; or by advancing of both flanks into the Front before the Pikes, and so to fire by single ranks. Which is performed by Commanding

Demyhearse.

5. Pikes stand, Musquetteers move forward and place your selves before in the Front of your Pikes, and close your Di­visions.

I mention nothing to tye up the hand of the ingenious to any stinted form, whose ablities may command his figures at pleasure.

Observe, that when the forlorn files or Ranks march out, they are to give fire as upon a retreit (that is) to stand and fire, and wheel off that their followers may do the like, unless the Enemy give ground.

And when the two last ranks were presented, the next two ranks must be ready to march forward being fixed to present and give fire also: Thus having fired in the Front by one single Rank, or more, they are by wheeling off to place themselves in the Reer of their own divisions before the Pikes; the rest doing the like until they have all fired round.

A second way of firing by this figure shall be a reducement to it.

First, The Frontiers having performed their firing are to wheel off by division until they come down so low as to be even to the first ranks of Pikes, and so to rank even a breast: All the Musquetteers are so to do successively and flank themselves even with the Pikes.

In this firing you are to take

notice, when there are not a­bove two Ranks to give fire, the Pikes may then Port, and when all the Musquetteers have fired they may charge, and then advancing their Pikes the Battel stands, which brings me to the next firing which is

6. Ranks advancing from the Front of a standing Battalia.

A Serjeant from each Flank leading up the two formost Ranks (according to order) the first Rank is to give fire, wheel off, and place them­selves in the Reer of their own divisions: the second in order is to execute the same with speed, being not above three foot distance from the first, being ready with his Musquett palm'd, his Cock bent, and Muzzel mounted; so to Present and give fire; and so to wheel off and place them­selves as their Leaders had done before them.

[Page 143]7. Ranks firing even with the Front.

The first Rank having fired and wheeled off placing themselves in the Reer of their Divisions, the next ranks are to move forwards at three motions into their places (making good their leaders ground) and there to present and give fire; wheeling off and placing themselves as by the for­mer directions. By the way you must observe, if the body be up­on a march the Pikes must be shouldered; and when they come to charge, they are to close for­ward at their close order.

It is presupposed ere one firing or two be performed (or past) over, the bodies are almost close; Then the Pikes are to be at their Port; and at length to be at their abso­lute Charge and push home: and being so near they may do great execution with their Musquets, firing upon the half files of Pikes as if they were even with the Front. Which brings me to

8. Ranks firing even with the half files.

When the Pikes are charging then the musquetteers may per­form this who are to advance no further than the half files of Pikes, and there you may either fire one Rank or more at the discretion of the Commander; and as soon as every Rank hath fired succes­sively they are to wheel off and place themselves in the Reer of their own leaders.

When the firing is ended, and each Souldier in his proper place, the Musquetteers marching up e­ven in breast with the Front of Pikes they are reduced.

But in this firing the Mus­quetteers are to make good their leaders ground, except it be upon a retreit, then they are to fire upon the same ground and to wheel off, that their followers may doe the like, unless the Enemy give ground.

[Page 144] Horn. Bat.9. Command. Pikes stand; Musquetteers march until the bringers up rank even with the Front.

You may in this as with some of the former fire two Ranks ten paces advanced before the Front, and so whel off and place them­selves in the Reer of their own files.

OR,

Secondly, let the first Rank of Musquetteers present and give fire and wheel off to the right and left, placing themselves in the Reer of their own files: then the second Rank firing are to ad­vance into their leaders place, firing and wheeling off in the same manner, and so they are all successively to do the like.

Then Thirdly, when they have all given fire, let them begin again, and the file leaders having fired they are to wheel off to the right and left & flank themselves even with the Pikes; the second Rank now is to fire upon the same ground he stands and must not at all advance into his leaders ground as before, and having once fired all over they are reduced.

OR,

You may reduce themby Commanding the Musquetteers to face about to the right and march down into their respective places,

OR,

Command the Pikes to march up and even the Front with the file leaders of Mus­quetteers.

A triple firing.10. Front half files of Musquetteers double your Front of Pikes by division: 2. Reer half files of Musquetteers open to the right and left and Rank even with the Pikes.

To perform this, direct the Front half files to advance clear of the body of Pikes, then face them to the right and left inwards, and so close their divisions be­fore the Pikes.

You are to observe in this firing that the Musquetteers of the Front and both flanks are to present and give fire together; the Musquetteers of the Front division after firing are to wheel off to the right and left between their intervals, and place themselves even in Rank in the Reer of the Reer divisions of Musquetteers.

Then the Musquetteers that fired in the flanks march directly down and place themselves even in breast with the Reer of Pikes.

Thus they are reduced: Or else you may continue firing at your pleasure; and arging of your Pikes.

11. Wheel your flanks by division into the Front.

When they have fired let them march (or pass) down through the intervals, and place them in the Reer of their own divisions; And then upon an other firing they may place themselves in the Reer of the Pikes. The Pikes here may charge either at hand or foot, the Musquetteers may also fire over them.

To reduce them: if it be upon the first Command firing and falling off in the Reer of their own divisions, let the Body close their Divisions, and wheel their flanks into the Reer, and face to their Leader. But if you fire a second time, and wheel off your Musquetteers into the Reer of the Pikes, Command the masquetteers by division to double their Front intire, and then wheel both flanks into the Reer, and face them to their Leader as before.

12. Command. Musquetteers, Poyze your Musquetts, and march un­til til they be clear of the Body of Pikes: Then, Front half files face to the right and left inward, close your divisions, and face to your leader; Reer half files open to the right and: left; Front half files of Pikes face to the right and left outwards, and march even to flank the

Having fired let them wheel off to the right and left, the Front Divisions falling in the Reer of themselves; and the flanks either in the Reer of themselves, or else in the Reer of their Pikes, the Pikes moving forward and maintaining the Mus­quetteers ground.

To reduce this, Command. Front half files of Musquetteers face to the right and left outwards, and march even in flank with the Reer half files of Pikes: Then wheel your flanks into the Reer. Front half files of Pikes face in oppo­siition, and march into your places. Musquetteers face about to the right and march closing of your divisions: face all to your leader.

13. Command. Musquetteers march all until your half files be even with the Front of Pikes; Front half files march three [Page 147] paces forward and stand: Reer half files of Musquetteers face to the right and left outward and march clear of the Front half files. Reer half files of Pikes open to the right and left outward, and march clear of the Front Division of Pikes.

The first Ranks of all divisions having fired they may in the first place fall in the Reer of their own divisions.

And for a second firing so soon as the first ranks have fired in the Front, they are to wheel off to the right and left, and flank the Pikes as they were: then the Reer divi­sion of Musquetteers after firing fall off to the right and left, and place themselves even abreast with the Reer division of Pikes: Then Reer half files of Pikes face to the right and left inwards and march into your places: By this they are Re­duced.

14. Command. Musquetteers march until your two last Ranks are e­qual with the two first Ranks of Pikes. The two se­cond Ranks of Pikes, face to the right and march in­to the Reer of the right flank of Musquetteers. The two last Ranks of Pikes face to the left and march into the Reer of the left flank of Musquetteers.

Having fired let them whel off to the right and left falling in the Reer of themselves; and so hav­ing fired once or twice over, they may fall in the Reer of their own Pikes, every Musqueteer as he fir­eth to advance unto his leaders place, and the Pikes to advance al­so, who are to be ported, and when the two last Ranks are firing they are to charge at the discretion of the Commander; which Figure I have here set down, because from it the fourteenth shall be re­duced.

The Reducement. The two ranks of Pikes upon the right flank face to the left and march &c. then march the four ranks direct; The two Ranks on the left flank face to the right, and place your selves as you were facing them to their Leader, the Musquetteers to advance and flank the Pikes; they are reduced.

15 Command. Front half files of Musquetteers, and the two first Ranks of Pikes march three foot: The four Ranks of Pikes wheel your flanks into the front by division, and face to the right and left, and march even in the Reer of the Front Division of Musquetteers; Then the Reer half files of Musquetteers face to the right and left, and march them clear of the division of Pikes, facing them to their Leader, and march up even with the flanks of Pikes.

Having fired and wheeled off in the Reer of their own divisions of Musquetteers, then for a second firing let the Front divisions of Musquetteers fire and wheel into the Reer of Pikes, the pikes porting, and charge as in the figure and retreit; and upon the retreit the Pikes to fall all even in breast; And the front division of Mus­quetteers to sleeve up even in breast with the Reer division of Musquetteers; Then the Pikes to charge on again, and the reer division of Musquetteers to fire, wheel­ing off to the right and left, and fall into the Reer of the front division of Musquet­teers: who will then stand after this form.

To reduce them, Command. The Pikes to advance and march all to a convenient distance, then march the middle division of Pikes six foot; then the two divisions of pikes upon the flanks to face in opposition and close their divisions; Then Wheel their flanks into the Reer and face them to their leader, which being done the Pikes are reduced. The Musquetteers are to march up and flank the Pikes.

Many firings the ingenious might invent to the Front more than what I have de­monstrated: I shall only mention the

Introductive, and Extraductive firings.

I must give my judgement with those who do not allow the firings by way of Introduction to be useful in our modern Wars; nor are they secure to the Souldier un­less when the Commander shall find his Souldiers to be well exercised, then amongst other various curiosities these may be performed.

By the word Introduction is meant a passing through, or between, and by its mo­tion doth advance and gain ground upon an Enemy.

16. Command. Make ready to give fire by Introduction: Then Com­mand the files of Musquetteers to open by division to their open order, and to pass through to the right, &c.

The first rank of each flank presents and gives fire, so done they stand and make ready again. The second rank so soon as the first have fired, passeth through, and placeth it self before the first, and do their fire, and stand also and make ready a­gain. The third is to pass forward and stand in rank even with the first, and when the second rank hath fired, they must step before the second, and having fired are to stand and make ready again; and thus every rank is to follow his Leader successively, until the Bringers up of each Division are to give fire, and stand in the Front of all.

Observe, in this firing you may keep your Pikes shouldered, still moving slowly forwards (if there be no danger of Horse) and so keep even with the Front of Mus­quetteers: This done twice over will reduce them.

A Second way of Introductive firing.

The first Rank is to fire and stand, as in the forementioned Figure; then the Bringers-up (or last Rank) whilst the File-leaders are firing shall, march up and place themselves even with the second Rank, and when they have fired, the Bringers-up are to step before them, and immediatly to present and give fire; and when the rest have followed their Bringers-up, and fired once over, be sure that the File-leaders fire twice;Both produce the horn battle. who ought to be the first and the last, and so stand: the Pikes are to march up even with the Front of Musquetteers as in the former direction and they are reduced.

Extraductive.17. Firing. There have been in use two Extraductive firings, I shall speak but of one which is allowed somewhat useful, especially in narrow passages, and in case your Enemy be too powerful, either in Horse or Foot; that then the passage might be filled up with the Pikes: but if your Pikes be not suffi­cient to do it (as you will perceive by my Figure) then double your Ranks, let your Pikes be in such posture and motion accordingly as occasion shall offer it self.

Command. Musquetteers face about to the right, and march until you are clear of the Body of Pikes; then face inward and close your Divisions: for the Pikes command them to double their Ranks to the right; Or, half Files double their Front to the right.

To perform this Command. The first rank of Musquetteers next after the Pikes, face to the right; then to march forth file-wise, close up by the right flank of Pikes; and when the Leader is advanced into the Front of Pikes, he is to lead them athwart the whole Front of Pikes; after which they are all to stand, present and give fire, and having fired they are to wheel off to the left, and fall into the Reer of Musquetteers; and whilst the first Rank is firing, the second is to be marching so as to be ready to fall into their Places.

To reduce them, Command the Pikes to advance six foot (if they be doubled their Ranks to the right) let them now double their Files to the left; then Command:

I could have mentioned a great many more firings to the Front: but through my confinement to such a small number of men, and not an equality in arms, Art com­pleated cannot be expected from me.

Must of these firings are solid and serviceable; yet it cannot be conceived that three Ranks can make any abidement of Battle for continuance against any Enemy: although sometimes they may be forced to be reduced into less Numbers, yet by shewing the nature hereof you will be the better able to manage a greater, &c.

CHAP. XIX. Of firing in the Front and Reer; And Reer alone.

BEfore I demonstrate the firings in the Reer, I thought it fit to give one Figure of firing to the Front and Reer, which may serve also for a firing to each Flank, when the Commander pleaseth.

1. Command. Front half Files of Musquetteers march until your Bringers-up be even in breast with the Front of Pikes: Reer half Files of Pikes face about to the right. Reer half Files of Musquetteers face about to the right, and march, until the half File-leaders are even in breast with the Bringers up of Pikes.

For the first firing by this Figure, so soon as the Ranks upon each Division have fired, they are to wheel off to the right and left, and fall into the Reer of their own Divi­sions: And having so fired all over they are to wheel off and place themselves even in breast with the Pikes, as now they stand faced; then being faced to their Leader they are reduc'd.

This is not our drift of firing in the Reer; but if in a March an Enemy eagerly pur­sues and assaults, then by facing about and firing in the Reer, or by Countermarching, or Wheeling about, and so firing; these repulses orderly performed may cause a dis­order in the pursuants: And it is good sometimes as occasion may offer to keep an Enemy in play, whilst he may advantage himself in his Ground, either for his Em­battlement, or Ambushes, or for the conveyances of Gunns or other Carriages, &c.

2. Firing. Upon a March the last Rank is to face about, and so to give fire, wheeling off in File by Division, and march­ing up towards the Front, and placing themselves before their File-leaders.

1. Observing, that they rank even with the second rank of Pikes.

2. In the performance of this, you will lose one rank in the Front.

3. Observe, that whilst the rank of Musquetteers are firing in the Reer, the next rank al­though he be marching, he ought to be preparing with his cock bent and garded, that with his three motions, he may next fire so soon as his precedent rank is wheeled off.

[Page 153]4. Although you are upon a march, yet you are to fall one rank nearer to the Reer, that the Body may be preserved intire.

5. Observe further in the performance of all this, your preparati­ons and firings ought to be at three motions:Cock your match, Blow your coal, Present, &c. Let the first be with the right leg advancing, the second with the left leg advancing, bend­ing your cock; then a little advancing forward with the right foot, to present and give fire.

Now I give these Reasons for the Observations of some motions in these firings to the Reer; because so soon as the Souldier hath fired, if the last rank should immedi­atly face about and present, &c. there would be a present incumbrance; This expe­rience hath discovered, and that firing upon motion to be the most speediest and safest way for firing in the Reer.

Now for a Publick Exercise, when you have fired over once, you may then face them to their Leader, and fire in the Front.

But if you be upon a march, and should be pursued by an Enemies Horse, then Wheel your Flanks into the Front, and face to the Reer; your Pikes will defend your Body, so your Musquetteers may fire over them as in the 17. Figure by extraduction, and reduced accordingly.

Secondly, In firing to the Reer, the Musquetteers may be in the Reer of the Pikes. And first having fired they are to wheel off and place themselves between the Front of Musquetteers and Reer of Pikes. And secondly, having fired in the Reer they may wheel off by Division and march into the Front of Pikes, the Body still marching. Or, if both flanks be in the Reer, they may fire & wheel off by Division, and double both flanks.

This last hath reduced it self; and for the second you may for exercise, fire them in the Front, and in their wheeling off to flank their Pikes; or for expedition, for the Musquetteers to open to the right and left, and march the Pikes up in the interval, and they are reduced as at first.

You may perceive the use of firings in the Reer, and that the Souldier ought to be very well exercised in them: For a true experience herein doth not only add to the per­fection of the Souldier, but his safety also.

Before I conclude this Chapter, I shall add two Figures of firing in Front and Reer marching.

3. Command. Front half Files of Musquetteers, march until you be clear of the Front of Pikes; Face in opposition and close your Divisions.

So for the reer half files, face about to the right, and march until you be clear of the Reer of Pikes; face them in opposition, and close their Divisions.

Having fired their first and last Ranks, they wheel off to the right and left by Division, the Front Division are to place themselves even in Rank with the Front of Pikes, and the Reer Division of Musquetteers are to place themselves even in Rank with the Bringers-up, and so each Rank successively after each other, will reduce this Figure.

[Page 152]4. Command. Half Files of Musquetteers, fire to your Front and Reer placing your selves between your Divisions.

This firing is plain without direction, and the firing being ended they are re­duced.

CHAP. XX. Of Firings in the Flanks.

THere are reasons to be given, and Experience hath found it necessary, for firing in the Flanks: When you are upon a March, an Enemy may endeavour an assault to molest you in your passages, that your disadvantages may be the greater, either by ambushments laid against you, or to frustrate your designs.

Now in the performance hereof there are several circumstances that are to be taken notice of, as the strength of your Enemy, the time, number and place; all for your own security, or advantages against him.

I shall begin with some Exercises upon the right flank, and what is performed there by Figure, may also be performed upon the left hand.

In order hereunto pass all your Musquetteers into your right flank by Com­manding: ‘Musquetteers of the right Flank open to the right, and being opened to a convenient distance, stand; then Musquetteers of the left Flank, pass through your Ranks of Pikes to the interval of the right Flank, then stand, and face to your Leader.’

Your facings to the right or left, is that, by which the flanks become accidental fronts, and then for the firings thereupon, you may to your discretion use such as are most convenient; being already shewn Chapter 18. I shall not here take up any room with the demonstrations thereof, and shall shew but some few firings in the right flank, as the Body shall be marching, in all which you are to observe the Pikes are to be shouldered.

[Page 153]1. Command. Mus­quetteers give fire to the right, and wheel after your Bringers-up, be­tween your Divisions.

And this at the discretion of the Commander is done two wayes, either by com­manding to be lead into their places by their File-leader, or by their Bringers-up, and to place themselves before them, &c.

Here by this Figure, they in the first place, as the Body is marching, face to the right (the outmost File) presents and gives fire: after their firing, they face to the right, and after their Bringer-up, who leads them off in the Reer of the Musquetteers, and up into the Interval be­tween the Pikes and Musquets, until the Bringer-up of the File hath placed himself even in breast with the Frontiers; and so the marching Party, as Command shall be given, are to open, that the Files of Musquetteers after they have fired may march up between the Divisions, and so every File is successively to fire, and wheel off and place it self. This firing being performed twice over they are Reduced: If but once, you must countermarch your files of Musquetteers to reduce them.

2. You may secondly after they have fired, Command them to face to the right, and to wheel off, every man placing himself before his Bringer up (or present Leader) hereby the Bringer up will be in his due place and the file-leader in his proper place, also.

3. A Third way of firing upon this Figure, is to fire in the right flank, and to be lead off into their places by their respective File-leaders.

The Body marching, the outmost File faceth to the right and fires, and when the body is marched clear of the standing file, then the next file presents to the right and fires, and whilest he is firing, the first file that is fired faceth to the left, and march­eth up between the Musquet­teers and Pikes. Observing the former directions in their march, that there may be space enough in the Interval for the several Files succes­sively to march into these places.

[Page 156]4. There is a fourth way of firing, that is, to give fire to the right and ga­ther up your Files.

The Body marching the outmost file faceth to the right, fires, then stands, and faceth to their Leader: Then when the Body is clear of the standing file, the second file faceth to the right, and fires and stands also, facing to their Leader; then the first file is to advance up to the second, and so when the first and second have fired they are to be lead up to the third. Thus having fired, they are to be lead up even in breast to the file that last fired, and having all fired, they are to be marcht up even with the Front Pikes.

To reduce this, Command: Left half Ranks of Musquetteers, face to the left; Pikes face to the right, pass through interchanging of Ground; Face to your Leader.

How beneficial this may be to the security of the Souldier, they that will make use of it that are ingenious will better judge: but I am of opinion it is more fit for a private Exercise, than for publick Service.

5. Command. Give fire to the right, and place your selves even in Front with the Pikes, marching up between the midst of the Pikes.

Observe, in the performance hereof, the Pikes as they march are to open to the right and left, and the fired Musquetteers are to be lead up according to Command.

To reduce this, Command. 1. Pikes to face inwards. 2. Musquetteers face to the right and left outwards. 3. Pass all through and interchange Ground. 4. Face to your Leader.

6. Command. Musquetteers give fire to the right, placing your selves on the outside of the left Flank of Pikes.

If you will reduce this without any firing, you may Command the right half Ranks to pass through your Ranks of Pikes.

(The Ingenious may find many ways for the Reducement.) Or, when all the Mus­quetteers are on the left flank, you may fire them over again, and they are reduced.

[Page 158]7. Command. Musquetteers give fire to the right and to the Reer; placing your selves between the Pikes and your own Divisions.

Having placed your left flank of Musquetteers in the Reer,A useful firing. then Command,

The outmost file upon the right flank, are to face to the right, and the last rank of Mus­quetteers in the Reer are to face about, and both are to present and give fire together; and having fired the outermost file upon the right hand faceth to the left, and marcheth after their Leader in the interval be­tween the Musquets and the Pikes;They are to march a reasonable pace. and the rank fired in the Reer is to wheel to the right, placing it self in the Reer of Pikes, &c.

This is easily reduced, by commanding the Musquetteers to draw off into the left flank again.

Observe, that flank that is farthest from the Enemy ought to be drawn into the Reer.

8. Command. Musquetteers give fire to both Flanks (marching) and place your selves between the Pikes and your own Divisions.

To perform this, the outermost file of each flank presents outward.

[Page 159]9. Command. The Body standing, Advance your Pikes; Musquet­teers and Pikes face to the right and left; Musquet­teers present and give fire to both flanks, and flank your Pikes.

The outermost file upon the right and left flank presents and fires, wheeling off by Division, ranking or flanking the Pikes, as they stand faced, leaving such a distance as the rest may securely follow them, every rank is to fire upon the same Ground, and wheel off by Di­vision after the same manner.

From this Figure as they will stand after firing, there may be produced a great many brave Figures; but now I must leave them to the skilful Artist.

To reduce this Command. The Musquetteers to march all until they are clear of the Pikes; then face them to the right and left inwards, and close their Divisions, and face them to their Leader.

10. Command. Because it may easily be produced from the prece­dent Figure; it shall be from the first Figure of firing in the Front and Reer, Chap. 19. the Body be­ing faced to the right and left will be a firing to both Flanks.

11. Command. Shall be a firing to right Flank and to the Front and Reer.

Left half Ranks double your right Flank by Division.

You may face the Divisions any way, which you intend for their firing.

After firing they are to wheel off into their own Divisions, every Rank moving into his Leaders Ground.

To reduce them, face them to their pro­per Front, then Command half Ranks that doubled face to the left, and so march in­to your places. See the doubling of Flanks Figure 17.

CHAP. XXI. Of several Divisional Firings.

I Might here make mention of a great many Figures for firings, some serviceable, and others not, but all left to the judicious for censure, and to make use of the best; yet none useless for delight or Garden Exercises: The Figures cannot be perfect because I am tied to the exercise but of twelve Files, four of them Pikes and eight Musquetteers; it being a Number that our Western Commanders can make use of, and no more; yet any who may be capable to perform them, will be able to invent others; and command the production of such like in geater Numbers, and with better delight.

1. Command. The two outmost Files upon each Flank stand; the two inmost half Ranks of the Reer face about to the right: the two inmost half Ranks both of Front and Reer, march until you are clear of the Body of Pikes; then half Files rank to the right and left inwards by wheeling into the Front.

For the Pikes, open them to the right and left from the midst; then Command the right and left hand File of Pikes to stand; the Reer half Files of the remainder face about to the right, then both half Files rank to the right and left inward into the Front and Reer.

This Figure in great Bodies must be perform­ed otherways, and may be very serviceable a­gainst the Horse; the Pikes may advance into the Front of Musquet­teers to secure them a­gainst the Horses fury if occasion shall serve.

After their first firing and wheeling off to the right and left in the Reer of their own Di­visions, then when the Pikes are defending them from the Horse, let them fire over the Pikes.

This being done pass through the Musquet­teers before the several Fronts of Pikes, as they were before any firing.

To reduce them, Command. Face the Front and Reer to the right and left in­wards: The Front and Reer Ranks of Pikes file to the right and left inwards; the right and left hand files of Pikes close to the right and left inwards; and close all to [Page 161] the midst: Then Command the Front and Reer Ranks of Musquetteers, file to the right and left inward, face in opposition and march into your places; closing the whole Body to their close Order; and open them again to their Order: Evening of their Ranks and streightning of their Files they are reduced.

2. Command and Direction. Musquetteers open six foot to the right and left: Front half Files of the right Flank of Musquetteers, Advance intire into the Front of Pikes: The Reer Division of the left Flank of Musquetteers face about to the right, and double intire the Reer of the Pikes: The Front Division of Musquetteers of the left, face about to the right, and march even in breast with the Reer half Files of Pikes: The Front half Files of Pikes face to the right and left outwards, and march until you are clear, &c. Face them to their Leader.

To reduce them. The Front Division of Musquetteers face to the right, and march into your places: Reer Division of Musquetteers face to the left, and march forth into your places: Front half Files of Pikes face in opposition and close your Di­visions: The left flank of Musquetteers advance even with the Front of Pikes: Mus­quetteers close to the right and left inward, and face them to their Leader. And they are reduced.

[Page 162]3. Command. Front half Files face to the right and left, and march clear of your Reer half Files: Face them to their Leader, and march them until their Reer be even in Front with their Pikes: The two first Ranks of each Division face to the right and left and march them clear of their own Divisions; face them to their Leader: The four first Ranks of Pikes open to your open Order, and double your Ranks to the right, the two last Ranks of Pikes face about to the right and march clear of the Reer of Mus­quetteers: Face to your Leader.

To reduce them, Command. The first Body of Pikes to double their Files to the left, the two last Ranks of Pikes march and close your Divisions.

The two first Ranks of Musquetteers face in opposition, and close your Divi­sions.

Then the Front Divisions of Musquetteers face to the right and left inwards, and march even to the Front of Pikes, then face them to their right and left, and close their Divisions: Face them to their Leader: evening their Ranks and streightning of their Files, they are reduced.

[Page 163]4. Command. Front half files march clear from your Musquetteers: The Reer half files of Musquetteers face about to the right and march clear of your Pikes; and face to your leader.

The Reducement. The Front Division of Pikes, face about to the right, and march into your places; the Reer Division of Musquetteers march up into your places.

5. Command. Wheel both your Flanks of Musquetteers into the Front, both flanks of Musquetteers open to the right and left: Front division of Pikes march clear of the Front of Musquetteers, and open to the right and left, until you are clear of the Angles of the Reer half files: The two inmost files of Musquetteers march un­til you are clear of the Front of Pikes: The next two inmost files of Musquetteers face in opposition, march and close your divisions in the Front of the Reer di­vision of Pikes; face all to your leader.

To reduce this; The four middle files of Musquetteers face to the right and left and march into your places. The files of Musquetteers in the Front face about to the right & march into your places. Face them to their leader. The Front half files of Pikes face in opposition, and close your divisions facing them to the Reer and march them into their places; then close the Front of Musquetteers as at first, and wheel the Front into your flanks &c. they are reduced.

The two next figures are almost one and the same, and with but a little alteration in their Commands they may be either produced, or reduced.

6. Command. Pikes stand; The Reer half files of Musquetteers face about to the right: Musquetteers march all until you are clear both of your Front and Reer of Pikes, face in opposition and close your divisions: The four inmost Ranks of Musquetteers march clear of the remainder both in Front and Reer. The two last Ranks of Pikes stand, the rest to the right and left by division march clear of the Musquetteers, and wheel to the right and left outwards.

Directions for firing upon this or others I must leave to the ingenious; wishing the un­skilful to fire only as the Figure lyeth, lest it may prove trouble to them to re­duce.

The Reducement. The two ranks upon the flanks wheel to the right and left inwards and march into your places: Front and Reer Musquetteers face about to the right and march forth into your places (provided they are faced to the Reer) only then the Front Musquetteers are to face about. Then Musquetteers face to the right and left outwards, and march clear of the Pikes; face in opposition and close your divisions, and face all to their leader they are reduced.

It is but marching up of the two last ranks of Pikes into the Reer of the Front di­vision of Musquetteers, and the Musquetteers even to the Reer of the Pikes, which produceth this next figure.

7. Command. Half files double your Front to the right, the two out­most files of Musquetteers of each flank march ten paces direct and stand. The two next files of Musquetteers of each flank march to the Reer of the first, and the two next Ranks in the Reer of the second, until they are clear of the Front of the battel: And thus is this figure produced.

Or by Commanding. The two outmost in each flank to stand, the rest of the Body face about to the right and march, and so leaving the two outmost files in the Reer of the first, and the third in the Reer of the second, and the remainder of the Body in the Reer of the third; facing all to their proper Front.

To reduce them, Command. Musquetteers face about to the right and march into your places; Then half files that doubled face about to the right and march forth into your places. Or, Even files from the left, double your files to the left.

8. Command. Half files double your Front to the right intire, then command the two outmost files of Musquetteers of each Flank to march until they are clear of the Front and stand; the four inmost files march until they are clear of the Battels also and stand.

To reduce them. Musquetteers face about to the right, and march forth in­to [Page 168] your places. Then half ranks of the right double the depth of your left flank intire.

9. Command. Pikes march clear of your body; Pikes wheel your flanks into the Reer; Musquetteers close to the right and left in­ward: Half files of Musquetteers double your Front to the right: The four innermost files of Musquetteers face a­bout to the right & march clear of the Reer: even your Ranks and streighten your files both of Pikes and Mus­quetts: Then the four innermost files both of Pikes and Musquetteers march ten paces direct. Then Pikes and Musquetteers of each Flank face to the right and left, and march ten paces; facing them to their leader.

To reduce this, Command. The front division of Pikes and Musquetteers face about to the right and march even in breast with the Reer of Musquetteers of each flank. Then face the division to the right and left inwards, and close your divisions, then Command the Musquetteers to open to the right and left from the midst, and the Reer divisions of Musquetteers march into the intervails (or into your places as you were. Then Command the Pikes to wheel their flanks into the Front, then open the divisions of Musquetteers to the right and left, facing the Pikes about to the right, and march into their places: so facing of them to their Leader they are reduced.

I might have added more, as the Plinthium Battel. For which and more read Captain Bingham Chap. 42. pa. 55. as also Barrif, Ward. And Elton as I am infor­med has written at large, but I never saw his works.

CHAP. XXII.

IT may be expected I should treat also of large Battalias, or great numbers of men; demonstrating of them likewise by their several Plat-forms: But having my Num­ber proportioned, as you see by my several exercises, I have stretched them as far as is convenient, that by their figures they may be so well understood, that when larger numbers are before you, your Commands may be performed with more delight and security.

But before the Drum beates a march to depart the field, I shall briefly declare, That in grand Battalias (or field services) the Souldier fires by vollies, or (as termed by some) Salves of shott; that is, when they are to fire intirely by two or three Ranks, or more, as your number will permit, and occasion require; thereby powring showers of lead upon your Enemy: Now this way of firing, and those also of gaining ground I could wish the Souldier should be often experienced in: The Commander in taking pains with his Souldier cannot be the worse for it, and I am sure the Souldier much the better; being fitted thereby to meet his Enemy in any field service, when his Ma­jesty shall have occasion to Command him. For that Commander that is expe­rienced in this Art Military finds that those who know but little more than the Theory part, are oftimes pusled (or at a stand.)

What can such who are but meer Bookleidgers do? when their Number of men is wanting; or nature in place sparing to their advantage or intentions; such when they are forced to action, they will fail of their expectation, and at last must be beholding to others that are better Artists, or else it may prove a fatal ruin to both.

Some of my friends might think that I should treat also somewhat concerning the dig­nities of Officers in marching & in placing of them in field services: but that belonging to Commanders of an higher degree, it would be presumption in me to lay down rules for them to follow; for any Minor Officer that for his satisfaction will be pleased to view the third Chapter of these Obsevations, he may understand the method and mode thereof; and I hold it in my judgment, that all dignitie in marching of a Regi­ment is from a file; and the drawing up of Companies for a Battalia, is from a Rank.

In the next place I come to shew the necessity of the exercise of Armes, &c.

CHAP. XXIII. Shewing the necessity of the Exercise of Armes with their Antiquity.

BEcause I have heard it sounding in my ears; what needeth all this trouble and expences, in the exercise of Armes? We are now in times of Peace what need we to make provision, &c? I shall lay down some examples shew­ing.

First, How Antient the use of Armes have been.

Secondly, A complaint for want of Arms. And

Thirdly, The end and use of them.

For the first, Abraham had three hundred and eighteen men in his House fitted for War, upon short warning. Moses shewed the people how to encamp by their Stan­dards, [Page 170] under the Ensigns of their fathers Houses. Joshua and the Judges, under whom of Reuben and Gad and the half Tribe of Manasseh were four hundred and forty thousand, seven hundred and sixty men exercised in Wars. You may read of David, of Solomon, of Jehosaphat, of Asa, of Ʋzziah, whose care in this particular is most plentifully declared.

Secondly, Of the complaint for want of Arms. We read in the History of the Judges, Was there a shield or a Spear seen among forty thousand in Israel? This question is a plain negative, there was not; here is that Defectus Remedii, the want of help: Great was their misery, but no remedy; not a Spear to offend, nor not so much as a Shield to defend; War was at their Gates, yet neither offensive nor defensive weapon to assist: Such an extremity as this was will cause all to be lost; either present pos­sessions, or in future possibilities, so that hope and help in such extremities must be laid aside.

There was likewise a great distress in the time of Saul; when the spoilers were come out from the Philistins, there was neither Sword nor Spear found in any of the hands of the people that were with Saul and Jonathan (but with Saul and Jona­than only) yet although here was a great want they had victory. It is well known that God can give victory by small means, (and as the Apostle said to Christ, Master, here are two Swords; he answered it is enough. He can give your Enemies into your hands with two Swords, with one Sword, with no Sword.) All this was to convince the Children of Israel, that God fought for them, to move them to bless the Lord,

Fifth monarchy men.Although some have been such audacious Rebels to think their zeal should even beck God Almighty, or to command power and aid from him to fight for them; therefore boldly attempted of late, saying that ten should chase an hundred and an hundred a thousand: But through the unjustness of their undertakings (and fewness in Number) they must sink; to convince them and all others upon any pretence of Religion that will be such Rebellious dissenters, God Almighty will not only fight against them, but will deliver them into the hands of Justice, to magnifie his own power in bringing such to condign punish­ment.

Thirdly, For the end and use of Armes; It is for the recovery of our just rights which wrongfully have been detained; or for the preservation of them, against any opposer either forraign or domestick: For these ends Armes may be used, and War proclaimed; yet not by any other way or pretence, but by and with his Majesties con­sideration thereof whether just or unjust; by which we are to be either incouraged or discouraged.

A just cause may be farther considered in the Peace of the People, the safety of the Countrey, and the Glory of the Kingdom: As to the first, there was never any War intended but to make way for Peace, (it is a base end to desire Peace, by which to leavy a force against an unjust War) but so to desire a just War that there­by may be settled a well grounded peace.

A second thing that may be considered is the health and safety of the Countrey: some must be endangered that all may not be destroyed: I could wish that our Chiefetains and Gentlemen with those dull, leaded spirits of our rotten Country — and miserable worldlings would consider for whose sakes the worthy Souldier spares neither time nor purse in this Noble Exercise; but even for them and theirs, theirs and their Children; yet they must be judged most contemptible; rather than to countenance them, some will burden them in their rates and taxes, and keep their just dues and payes from them: yet consider who it is that must preserve your Cities and Countries, Temples and Pallaces, Trafficks and Marketts, Ships and Shops, from ruine, desolation and destruction; but the Souldier under God.

Thirdly, The Glory of a Kingdom lyeth much in a people well disciplin'd in the Art of War. That Prince that maketh it his designes to have his people instructed and trained up in Military exercises, will make his Enemies to fear him both at home and abroad: And that people that shall justly be called forth upon these principles, need not fear of being conquerours.

A just cause may be spoiled through the ill management thereof, or through perfidious dealings.

A Rebellious Conquerour may make lawes even to death it self, to maintain his Victory; as our late Usurpation hath experienced: But at last the whole world be­held with an eye of admiration, to see how miraculously God restored his Majesty to his Crown and Dignities; the Church and People to their just rights and liber­ties.

I do affirme and truly say of Soveraign Power, Kingdomes, Lawes and Armies, as was said of Hippocrates's Twins, they laugh and weep together, they live and die together; for as without Lawes the Soveraign power and the Common-wealth cannot subsist by reason of disorders within; so without Armes, and the exercise of them th [...] can­not be safe by reason of dangers without.

I shall further and briefly prove that the safety both of King and people is much advanced by the exercise of Armes: although Solomon saith In the multitude of people is the honour of a King, and for want of people cometh destruction. Notwithstanding I may affirm that safety is not in a multitude of men without weapons, and skill to manage them. It is asserted That Counsel and strength are for War; Then, how shall Counsell and strength be established,Isa. 36. without education and instruction to service? and how shall a man be instructed without Military Exercises? There are some disadvantages that happen in Wars, partly by reason of the suddainness of the War, and partly in respect of the inequality and odds betwixt party and party; Now Souldiers without dexterity and skill, can never be able to extricate themselves out of such difficulties as may befall them: All which proves that the exercise of Armes is to be allowed and Commanded.

And as I told you at first I have heard some say, that we live in Gospel times, which are to be times of Peace, and not of war, therefore there needeth not those Exercises of Armes as you reason for &c. This is argued by some out of covetousness to save their expences; but are ready to declare when there is occasion, then they will be in a readiness to do their best: There are others of a Fanatick humour,He speaketh not a­gainst the use of wea­pons or lawfull War. Whereas before Christ they were enemies, but now there shall be love &c. unwilling to set forward any thing that may be com­manded them, & argue from that in Isaiah, They shall heat their swords into plough shares and their Spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up a Sword against Nation, neither shall they learn War any more.

Now in answer hereunto we must oppose it by another saying in Joel, where the people were called upon to beat their plough shares into swords, and their pruning hooks into Spears.

For the reconciling hereof the learned say that Isaiah was to distinguish between the purpose and intent of Christs coming into the world, and the other sheweth the success and event which was accidental in respect of mans malice: Again to the first of these they argue what Christ said to Saint Peter, Put up thy Sword, for he that strikes with the Sword, shall perish by the Sword. But I pray you observe what he saith to his Disciples, That he that hath no Sword, let him sell his coat and buy a Sword.

Although the end of Christs coming was to reconcile things in Heaven and things on earth; I have been further taught by the Learned that this is attained unto be­tween God and us in our Justification; and will be accomplished between man and man in the day of Redemption: Yet as long as there is a Sathanical Spirit in the children of disobedience, and so long as there is a remnant of sin in the heart of any, there will be Divisions, Familists, Quakers, Anabaptists, Independents, and Presbyterians; All being refractory to the present commands &c. Which sheweth a necessity to have a care and prepare for the exercise of Armes; That none of these by their Usurpation may for ever hereafter snatch the Trumpets out of Moses's hands; nor the Trumpet only, but the Sword also, nor the Sword alone but the Crown and Scepter also: Now by this mutual exercise of Armes I doubt not but in a litttle time God Almighty will unite the affections of most against such as shall exalt themseves above all that is called God.

Let me excite all to be diligent, in the use of the meanes, to make themselves able and fit Souldiers and Commanders, by often Exercising, and willing to get com­pleat Armes, to be exercised in Martial dispipline; considering how ill it was with Israel when there was not a shield to be found amongst 40000 men; And consider a­gain how worthy of praise it was to Martial Discipline in Israel, when they had 170000 every one able to lead an Army, &c.

I must tell you we have not our peace by Patent, we know not how long it may continue, Let war therefore be provided for, as to train up some to military practises: If War should come, it is labour well spent; If not, it is a labour well lost. Long preparations make a short and quick victory.

Some are apt to say we have Souldiers enough, we will all fight when occasion shall serve; Let me tell such that they that never tried it, think it a pleasure to fight, and they will fight strangely, if they have no weapons, and use their weapons more strangely if they have no skill:Re Milita. lib. 1. c. 20. It is a saying of Vegetius, Non de pugna, sed de fuga cogitant, qui nudi in acie exponuntur ad Vulnera. Their minds are not so much on fighting as fleeing, that are exposed to War without weapons; and a Souldier may be almost as well without them as not to know how to use them.

Now that the Souldier may not be failing herein, and that his Majestie may never want able Souldiers in the Country as well as in the City; I most humbly beg, and crave pardon in presuming to present it, That the Muster master in every Countrey should be a careful unbyassed person, an able Souldier, and one whom the Comman­ders and Gentlemen love and affect, who should be alwayes by authority to attend at such times and places, as shall be thought convenient to exercise and teach the Art of Military discipline to all that shall willingly imbrace it; And if his pay be too little for him, to make it his business and to attend upon it: It may be then aug­mented without any trouble; and the Souldier will be found much more capable for service when commanded.

There must be exercise or else mens spirits will grow restie: what turnes to pu­trefaction sooner than standing water? what is Vertue without Action? Idleness doth neither get, nor save; but lose: If exercise be good then those are best that tend to the most good: The exercises of War step in to challenge their deserved praise, which I leave to the most Judicious to give them their due in time and place.

The ancient Gaules were said to be the most Warlike and Valiant men of all Na­tions: But how became they such? It was by the continual exer­cise and use of Armes;Caesars Com. l. 5. & 7. for it was their Custome, to come Armed to their Councils.

Their applause of any Oration was signified by clattering of their Armes, and their Oathes taken were upon their Armes.

The Germaines were wont to go Armed about their negotiations, and to their Banquets.

The most Warlike Nations in the world have accounted it a piece of policy, to be frequent in the use of Armes: Why should not the laudableness of such martial exer­cises perswade men to love and imbrace the use of them?

We read some presidents for it; of Jonathans shooting for sport that he might be thereby fitted to War. And without doubt the Benjamites attained that dexterity in casting stones out of a sling at an haires breadth by frequent exercise for recreation.

And may I not affirm, by the Exercise of Arms that Empires, Kingdoms and Common-wealths have come to their heigth and Soveraignty, and have so maintain­ed their State in happiness and prosperity? and by neglecting of the same, they have declined and decayed, and at last have been made Preys to their Enemies: How were those Empires and Monarchies of the Egyptians, Medians, Parthians, Persians and Romans, established and greatly augmented by this Military Art; And how was the Dominion of the Graecian Empire preserved and wonderfully inlarged by the Art and Discipline of great Alexander with small Armies of well ordered and exercised Souldi­ers? How did he vanquish most great and huge Armies of his Enemies? Nay a great part of the World even contrary then to expectation?

Even so on the other side, the forgetting and neglecting of this Art Military, hath not been only the decay but the ruine of many Empires and Kingdoms.

Now that people that is not incouraged, or rather compelled by good Laws to practise and exercise Arms, or any thing else belonging to this Military Art; they will in a short time for want of such Manlike, Martial Orders and Exercises, grow into Sloth, to Covetousness, to Drunkenness, and Vicious Effeminacies, and to all other Evils as Nature shall incline them unto; by the which they in a short time do become unfit to be imployed in any War offensive, and unable to defend themselves if they should be invaded.

Did not God for the sins of the Jews deprive them of understanding of this Military Art? Among other Priviledges he deprived them of, he tool from them the valiant men of War, the Prudent and the Captains of fifty, &c. When he made them thus uncapable, then they were first of all conquered and utterly subdued and [...]ed by the Romans, under their Emperours Vespasian and Titus his Son: I might tell you of many Nations and Kingdoms that have been ruined for want of Order and Exercise: Spain by the Moors: King Don Roderigo, and many thousands of his Nobility and people were slain by the Arabians and Moors.

And about the Year 1353. we read that the Princes of Greece, aided by the Despote or Duke of Bulgaria did revolt against John Paleologus at that time Emperour of Con­stantinople; who for his safety against those Revolters entered into a League with Amu­rat the first, and third King of the House of Ottoman, and had his Assistance with ten thousand of his Horse-men; who by their good order and well disciplined Souldi­ers did prevail against his Revolters, and brought them to obedience: But what fol­lowed? Amurat being informed of the great riches those Graecians had, together with their weakness, by reason of their disorder in Military Affairs, transported an Army over the Asian Seas into Greece, and by that Invasion took many Cities and Towns, and did afterwards by battle slay the Duke of Bulgaria and Servia, with many others, &c. and there placed himself over a great part of their Dominion: So about fourscore years after, Mahomet the second Emperour of the Turks seeing Constantine Paleologus then Emperour of Constantinople without any settled Militia, and his people grown luxurious and not able to resist him by Battle, did in the Year 1453. besiege the Em­perial City of Constantinople, who within two Months by assault won the said City, and put the Emperour, Empress, and their young Princes, with an infinite number of Men, Women and Children to the sword.

I might give a great many more Instances as to our own Country from the Saxons to the Normans; and what History speaks later of our selves, I must leave that to our Reformers to consider how useful and necessary the exercise of Arms is to the well­fare of a Nation and people.

The Emperour Alexander Severus that Excellent Prince being very skilful in Go­vernment, both in War and Peace, speaking to his Men of War said; The Military Discipline of our Ancestours doth maintain and preserve out State and Common­wealth; but if we do neglect the same, and make no account of the Orders and Ex­ercises of it, We, our name and Reputation of Romans, and therewith all the Roman Empire, are lost and forgotten.

Though the frequent use of Arms in Exercise is most commendable, because of the special helps it hath in making us fit and serviceable Instruments of the Publick well­fare: Yet I advise it with these Cautions.

First, have a respect to your particular Calling. God Almighty feeds us, as well as defends us; so if any man under pretence of his Exercise shall waste his time and means, to the dammage or undoing of his Family; I say, such will bring a scandal, and an ill report upon this worthy design: He that would manage his Country Affairs with delight and profit, to his preservation and not to his ruine and destructi­on, must imitate those Builders under Nehemiah, who held their Swords in one hand, and their Trowel in the other; so mind your Military Exercises, as not to forget your necessary Affairs at home; without your dependances be wholly upon it, then to mind nothing more.

Yet Secondly, To have such an intent upon their private and particular concern­ments, making them unfit for Imployments, as to impede them in the seeking the Pub­lick Good, or make themselves the main end of their Enterprise in what they under­take, doth degenerate so much from being true Souldiers, as to dishonour themselves in all their Services, and will be the sole jet to hinder preferment when it shall fall.

And lastly, Sparta's Souldiers (I have read) were Sparta's Walls, by reason of their Concord and Unity amongst themselves; therefore let every Souldier respectively preserve Unity in the Bond of Peace, and in so doing we shall be the better able to pray with our Church, To give peace in our time, O Lord, for there is none that fighteth for us, but only thou, O God.

CHAP. XXIV. Conclusion.

I Humbly crave pardon for what is here undertaken, knowing my own inabilities for so great a Work; If I had seen any part of El­ton's Pieces, before I had concluded these my minor Lines; they should have been turned into oblivious dust: But being commanded by some of our Chieftains, and desired by others of my Friends to pro­ceed thus far (and no farther) accordingly I have both granted and o­beyed: It is not in the least to condemn any Person that hath gone be­fore me, or to boast in the least for what is done, or what I know: I have observed that some are most excellent for their Pen; some in their Lingue, and others for execution; now what I do want in either of the two first, the last with my blood shall witness to all the true zeal I bear to my Sacred King, and Countries good, when Commands and Occasions present themselves: In the mean time, to him who is the great King of Kings, Lord of Lords, preserve to his Honour, good of his People, and confusion of his Enemies.

CHAP. I. The Original and beginning of Ensigns and Colours.

OF this Subject I never thought to have spoken any thing,1670. but this last Summer perceiving most Ensigns (having that Honour assigned them by Commission) knew but little what belonged to their Of­fice; and think it a thing of little or no difficulty, but only a Rag or Mark, which any man may carry, so it be born up, or swung about mens cars, and sometimes in the teeth of such which are next unto them.

And for the Election of these Officers by some new Commissionated Captains; It is not by the greatness of his skill, but the largeness of his body; not how able he is in his mind, but how strong he is in his Arms; not what is his Spirit, Activity, Dex­terity, but what is his wealth, and how near he is allyed to the Captain in blood, friendship, or service; or some other beholdingness to him, for this piece of Honour: As if this Place deserved nothing else, but a meer Man, or some Friend: For when shall you see an Ensign almost in any Imployment, more than in ordinary Marches, or standing still, and observing other mens Actions? When shall you see either Captain or Lieutenant, teach the Ensign his Postures, or the Dignity of his Place, his demeanour before Kings, Princes and Potentates; and other his subje­ction to his Superiours; his State and Gard to his Equals, and his Humanity and Courtesie to his Inferiours.

I am sure that some are so far from making inquiry after these discoveries that you shall see some Ensigns let fly their Colours, when they should sink them; and some to stoop them to Pesants or Comrades, when Superiours have gone unsaluted: There are a great many other absurdities, but I shall hereby endeavour a Reformation; al­though it may not be to the satisfaction of all, yet I will lay open and plain what I know of these Concerns, as not to puzzle him who is desirous to learn, nor lull asleep with amazement the weakest capacity.

Therefore in the first place I shall endeavour to declare the Original and first begin­nings of Ensigns (or Colours) in the Wars, and how they have grown up by successi­on, and continue as now they are.

It's true, that the Antient Historians and Heathen Writers, hold divers Opinions, touching the first beginning of Ensigns: Some deriving of them (especially the old Poets) from Hercules; in imitation of his Lyons skin: Others take the beginning from Perithou [...], Persius. the Companion of Hercules in Imitation of his inchant­ed shield; whereon was painted the head of the Monster Gorgon; on which whosoever gazed was instantly transformed into a stone: But these fictions are more moral than true.

There be others which suppose, that the first Ensign was born or carried before Theseus, when he went to combate with Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons, whom he bravely conquered and afterward married.

Now as these, so many other Writers suppose divers other beginners of this My­stery: Some lay it upon Mercury, because of his Caduceus: Some upon Vulcan, when he forged Mars a Shield, and an Armour; and some upon Jupiter, whose Ensign was Thunder and Lightning.

But those which go much nearer the Truth ascribe the beginning of this Dignity unto Tuhalca [...]n the Son of Lamech, who painted in an Ensign the whole History of his Fathers Actions and Conquests, when he conquered (or rather tyrannized over) his weaker Neighbours: And that after him Japhet the Son of Noah, did the like, and caused his Actions to be painted out, and born before him in an Ensign.

But upon the credit of these old Poets, Historians and Rabbins, we may not rely, [Page 176] but must fly to the truth it self; which is ever a faithful and a constant Warrant.

We find in holy Writ that the greatest Chieftain that ever led Army upon the Earth was Moses, the great servant of the great God; He was truly Dux a Duke, a Leader, such a Duke and such a Leader, as after him (Christ excepted) was never the like seen in the World; and the Army which he lead, was the greatest, strongest, and most fortunate in Number, Power, and in all manner of hazardous Actions, that ever the World saw, or the Sun shined upon.

Now we find this Duke, this Prince over Israel, by the holy appointment of God himself was the first that began true Martial Discipline; for as himself was General over that huge Body; so for the well disposing and governing of every particular member, he constituted and appointed several Colonels over the several Tribes, and under every Colonel several Captains, as Commanders in Chief over particular Com­panies, who as Inferiours did execute the Commands of their Superiours, and had also executed under them, by others, whatsoever they lawfully commanded, that was for the good and benefit of the Army. As thus he divided the twelve Tribes into twelve war-like Bodies; so also he ordained them several Ensigns or Banners, charg­ed with twelve several Marks or Divisions, under which they marched; which by so­lemn oath and protestation they were bound to guard and follow in all places and all dangers.

By these Ensigns and tokens of Honour, the Tribes were first of all distinguished and known one from another; and by the carriage of them in the field, and their waving and prospects in their several places, was the dignity of place and precedency of greatness first known; the Elder being distinguished by his Ensign or Mark from the younger, the greater from the less, and the eminent and more superiour from those of lower rank and inferiour.

Although we have a large Basis to superstruct our imitations upon, yet there was not the general use of Ensigns then, as now there is; for these Ensigns were due only to the great Colonel, or chief head of the Tribes, not to every particular Company, but to one Tribe was allowed but one Ensign, and after one manner and form; so as Simeon may not carry that of Levi, nor Levi that of Judah; but were tied to their own Colours: Also if that one Tribe were divided into many Bodies, yet did they not carry several Ensigns, but every Body the Ensign of his own Tribe; so that Companies were not distinguished by their Captains or Chiefs, but by their Tribes; nor could they say there goes such a particular Commander, but there is such a Tribe; not there marches Aaron, but there marches the Tribe of Levi; and thus of the rest.

Hence, and from this ground was taken up the use of the Ensigns, or Banners of Kingdoms, by which several Armies display to the World their several Nations; as with us in England, we have the Ensign of St. George, (as we term it) which is a bloody Cross in a white field, which shews to the world not what private Company I follow, but what King I serve, and what Country I acknowledge; for howsoever private Captains are allowed their Ensigns for private respects or distinctions; yet they are not allowed (or to be born on foot) without this general Ensign of this King­dom: for thus it holdeth in all Christian Kingdoms, and amongst the Turks also, as appeareth by their Cressant or Half Moon in all their Armies, as the Ensign of their Universal Monarchy.

Thus you see Moses first (and that by the Commandment of God himself) began Ensigns, which by succession of time, descended and came down with a more ge­neral use, unto the days of Maccabees; for the Tribes then being dispersed far and wide, and made Kings of many spatious and fruitful Countries; they took liberty to alter their Ensigns, according to their own fancies: The glory thereof when it came to the cares of the Graecians and Macedonians (for Alexander is supposed to reign in the time of the Maccabees) they took to themselves a lawful imitation thereof, and so commanded their Captains, &c. to carry in their Ensigns, Devices in honour of their Renown and Conquests.

Then from the imitations of the Graecians, the Romans took to themselves the [Page 177] carriage of Ensigns; and because they found it the chiefest beauty and ornament of Armies, they made it therefore the noblest and richest spoil which could possibly be taken away from the Enemy; and so made it an hereditary right for any man that should take (in honourable fashion) such spoyls, ever after to bear them, as his own, to him and his Posterity for ever.

The Romans first brought this custom into the Monarchy of Great Britain, when Caesar first invaded and got footing into the same: Howsoever there is an opinion taken that Brute, when he first conquered this Island, brought in the Trojan Ensigns, and other Ornaments of their Wars; yet it is certain that through Civil Dissentions, and other Forreign Combustions, all these Honourable Marks were lost and forgot­ten, and only the Romans renewed and brought them back unto memory, partly by their glory and example, and partly by their loss when they were repulsed back; who left behind them many of these spoyls to adorn the Britains: From these times hath the use of Ensigns remained amongst us; and as the Ages have succeeded, and proved wiser and wiser, and one time more than another, so hath the alteration of these Emblems (or Ensigns) changed and brought themselves into the form wherein they are at this instant carried; as the Romans varyed from the old Britains, so the Saxons from the Romans, and the Danes from the Saxons: But the French then being the most refined Nation of all other, altering from them all; and now the English having alte­red all into this present mode of Uniformity, they may display them to the World for their Gallantry.

CHAP. II. The Definition of Ensigns.

AFter the Original, Antiquity, and first beginning hath been endeavoured to be made to appear; I shall now descend to the definition and distinction of them; and by what proper names they were called in the best and most re­nowned Wars of Christendom, and for what reason they have held and re­tained them.

To begin with the first and most antient name belonging to Ensigns, I think it not amiss to borrow it from the Romans; for although the Hebrews, Chaldeans and Grae­cians, were the first Inventers, yet the Names and Attributes they gave them, were much incertain and unconstant, and as the experience of Wars grew great, and as the Invention dilated and spread further, so did the signification alter; for what was proper and substantial in this Age, in the next was utterly lost and forgotten, so as I shall not rest upon these Titles or significations.

The first then that retained a constant and firm settled name for those Trophies of Honour, is taken to be the Romans, who indeed being the greatest School­masters in the Art of War, are the most worthy to be held for Imitation or Au­thority.

The name which the Romans first gave to the Ensign, or him that carried the En­sign (for to the man was ever attributed the Contents of the thing he carried) was In­signe, or Sign bearing, (and so Ensign-bearer) because they carried in those Ensigns, Marks, Empressaes or Emblems, best agreeing with their natures and condition, ac­cording to their own Inventions; or else the Pourtraictures of their former Battles and Conquests; either of which was so honourable, that indeed they were made Heredi­tary; descending down to their Children▪ from Generation to Generation: And no more were called Signs, &c. but Coat-Armour, or the Honour of the Families; nor were they of slight or ordinary esteem, as at first; neither had men liberty any longer to make election of them at their own Wills, but this power was incabinated [Page 178] within the breast of Emperours, Kings and Generals, who indeed (under God) are the unbounded Oceans of Honour, they only have the liberty of bestowing and con­firming Honour at their own pleasures.

Hence it came that Ensigns thus carrying of Coat-Armours, were of such reve­rend esteem, that men took it for the honourablest place that might be, to fall near or about the Ensign; and for the defence of it, no hazzard could be too great, nor any torment insupportable: So that many times the Zeal of those that did defend these Ensigns, &c. and the inflamed desire or greediness of those which sought to conquer and atchieve them, was so immeasurable and unbounded, that an infinite of blood hath been shed, and many powerful Armies overthrown, only for the pur­chase of one of these honourable Trophies.

This when the wisdom of the Romans perceived, and that those Insignias were not Bugbears to affright, but rather fires, which did inflame their Enemies courage beyond their proper natures; they forthwith forbad the carrying of any Coat-Ar­mour or Device in their Ensigns; but only such slight inventions, as might not make the Enemy much the richer by the enjoyment thereof, nor themselves much the poorer by the loss.

And hence it followed that the word Insignia was put out of use, and they then called the Ensign Antesignia, and made other Devices contrary to all Coat-Armour; intimating to the Enemy that whatsoever they got by those purchases, was disho­nourable rather than any way worthy of Triumph: And from this word Antesignia, or Antesigne, (for it hath been so written in antient Records) it hath been judged that this word Antient in many places used amongst us, and given to our Ensigns, hath been corruptly retained by us; for it hath no coherence in signification, nor can any way be alluded unto this Officer, more than to his Antiquity and long standing in the Wars.

But this did not quench any flame in the Enemy, for the Romans found them every way as eager in pursuit of these weak and fained Devices, as the greatest here­ditary Coat-Armour they could carry; for when in any skirmish Fortune made them Masters thereof, they took as great Pride, as if they had subdued whole Armies, and bare them with as much Pomp and Triumph, as if they had got all Rome in subjection: which the wisdom of the Romans, and other Nations looking into, it presently be­came a custom among all their Armies, that thence forth, no Foot Company or Chieftain of the Infantry should carry in his Ensign any Coat-Armour or other De­vice what ever, more than the mixture, or true composition of two colours, together with the general Ensign of the Kingdom in the most eminent corner thereof. And after this time the Romans called their Ensign-bearers no more An­tesignia, Read Markham's Souldiers Acci­dence. or Antesigne; but of late only Signifier, from Significo, to to signifie a thing, as being men of special note and regard; and that the thing signifying was only a Mark of much Honour, &c.

The Spaniards and Italians that took all their imitation from the Romans, who were their great Lords and masters, do at this day call this Officer Alferes, and make account of him next unto their Captains, not suffering any second to step in be­tween them.

The Dutch call this Officer Vandragon, or Vandragar, which holdeth with the same significations.

And we of England properly call him Ensign, and in some Countries Antient: The first from the thing he carrieth, and the latter from the Honour and Antiquity of the Institution: And both may well be agreeing with the first Titles, conceiving better cannot be invented.

CHAP. III. The Original of Horse and Horse Colours.

HAving treated of the definition and signification of the several names which belong to the Ensignes of Foot, I will now take leave to speak a little to the Colours or marks of Honour that are born on Horseback; which I find by experienced Souldiers to be full as ancient or rather more than those which belong to the Foot Companies.

But omitting all prophane Opinions and vain circumstances, I find when the chil­dren of Israel passed through the Red Sea, how they were pursued by Pharaoh, and all his Host, which did consist most of Charriots (which in those dayes were accounted Horsemen) and very properly too) because being drawn by the violent force of Horse, and laden with the strongest and best experienced Souldiers, they had a double power to enter into Battalias to disrank and break their array, and to make their Ene­mies to run into a rout and confusion; and though they had not the use of our Disci­pline, nor the true managing of the Horse as we have, yet all their purposes and in­tents in the use of their Charriots, were to the same ends, to which at this day our Horse are applyed.

To these Chariots belonged Colours, or Ensignes of Martial Honour; which were called Standards or Standarts, or the Kings Emperial Trophie: Indeed these were nothing so general, as those on Foot, but more precious and reserved, as an At­tribute only belonging to the King and not to any other.

These Standards were charged with the Kings Emperial Coat-Armour, and usually born by a Prince or some man of high place and dignity, the imitation whereof we still pursue and follow at this day, giving it a superiority above all other En­signes.

After the use of Chariots was found out, the use of Elephants a warlike beast and of all other the strongest; for these cerried cartain little artificial Houses (in the form of Castles) on their backs in which were some few experienced Souldiers [...] with warlike Ensignes, and weapons by which they overthrew the Foot Com­p [...] and made passage through them in despight of all opposition; as you shall read in the History of Porus King of India.

Not long after the Exercise of Elephants, was found out the use of the single Horse, in those Countries where Horses were most frequent, as in Arabia, Parthia, Persia, and Scythia, for the Asian parts; in Barbary, Egypt and Carthage, for the parts of Africa; and with us in Europe, in Russia, Muscovia, Poland, Hungary, Italie, but principally and above all the rest in France, who were accounted in antient time the flower of warlike Horsemen, both in number and discipline; therefore from them hath been taken our Authority and examples: But now I conceive we may not go so far for either, referring for satisfaction to the present mode of Discipline in Eng­land, for his Majesties Horse now in Command it is thought none can exceed them.

I have read of a Guydon used with the light Horse in former times: Antiquity tells us of Gentlemen at Armes, Launciers and light Horsemen.

In the old Wars the Gentlemen at Armes belonged to the Kings own person, or in his absence to his General only; And the Empresa of honour that they followed was the Kings Standard Royall, being Damask and charged with his Coat-Armour.

The Launciers they had their Cornet to follow, which had Devices in them ac­cording to their commanders pleasures.

And then the Light-hors-men had their Guydon which was somewhat long and [Page 180] sharp at the end but with a slit which made it double pointed much like to our late Dragooners; but for these Guydons I need not stand upon, only to shew all along there were Horse Colours, as Ensignes of honour used. And now the Cornets be­ing most in use with us in England, for the Horse service I need not decypher the length or breadth of them.

CHAP. IV. Of the Dignitie of Ensigns.

1. THe Dignitie and estimation of Ensignes in all ages hath been held most Venerable, and worthy; they have been esteemed the glory of the Captain, and his company; and indeed they are no less, for where they perish with disgrace there the Captains honour faileth, and the Souldier's in hazzard of Ruine; for if the loss proceed either from their Cowardice (or misgovernment) it hath been death by the law of Armes to all that survive; and the best mercy that can be ex­pected is that every Souldier shall draw a lot for his life (file by file) so that one out of every file perisheth for it.

2. The next Dignitie of the Ensign is, that every Souldier as soon as he is in­rolled and hath received either pay or impress, they antiently took a solemne Oath to be faithful to their Colours, to attend them carefully, and to defend them valiantly; And that upon all summons, of the Trumpet or Drum, or Command of their Officers, to repair to them, wheresoever they shall be lodged, stand, or be; and not to depart or stragle from them until they have received orders.

3. The Ensign hath another dignity, that whensoever he shall enter into City, Town, Garrison, Campe, or other Randesvouze of aboad, he is to be first lodged, before any other Officer or Souldier; And not in any mean place, but the best and most spacious for the drawng up of the Souldiers upon any Alarme; and his Quarter ought to be the most secure from danger.

4. The Ensign hath Dignity of place according to the Antiquity of his [...] But in one particular case, it hath been judged to be greater than his Captain, [...] lendeth place to him; as thus, no Captain can receive his antiquity from his inroll­ment, but from the first hour in which his Colours flew; for if two be inrolled up­on one day, and the latter marcheth before the face of his Enemy with his Colours flying, in this case the first hath lost his priority, and the latter for ever after shall preceed him.

I have read of another resolve; Three Captains (or more as occasion happeneth) were all inrolled upon a day, and all their Colours flying; presently upon a Truce, Composition or other occasion there is some small cessation of Armes, and these new inrolled Captains are Casheer'd (or dismist) for the present service: Now the two first that had priority of place not only by inrollment but by flying of their Ensignes, be­cause they would not be out of action (to a Souldier the tast of gain is pleasant) took up­on them the Commands as Lieutenants of two Colonels Companies &c. which are Captains places in courtesie, retaining those titles, and in some Courts of War have had their Voyces; Now the third all this time taketh upon him no place, but re­maineth in Statu quo prius; And in revolution of time all these three Captains afore­said are again Commissionated for three new Companies of their own, the Question was whose Ensigne should fly first, and which of these three shall have the priori­ty of place? It was thus answered and adjudged by the old Earle of Essex and Sir Fran­cis Vere, &c. that the two first who had taken upon them Lieutenancies had ut­terly lost their Superiorities, and the third whose Honour slept, but dimi­nished [Page 181] not, had precedencie of place, and his Ensign flew before the other ever after.

5. The Ensigne hath this Dignity to have a Guard ever about it, which no other Officer hath; neither is it to be disimbogued, or unlodged, without a special Guard, attending upon it both of Musquetteers and Pikes; (And so for a Cornet with his own Squadron of Horse.) Also in the field if it be in particular Discipline or otherwise up­on an Alt, or stand, at such time as the Army or Company are to refresh themselves with victuals or other rest, in this case the Ensigne shall by no means lay his Co­lours upon the ground, or put them in unworthy or base hands, but he shall first furle and fold them up and set the butt end on the ground supported with the Ser­jeants Holbearts, and the Ensign himself shall not go from the view thereof, unless he shall leave a sufficient guard for them.

6. An other dignity of an Ensign is, If a Noblemen or an Esquire will take up­on him the Command of a private Company and have no other superiour place in an Army, and a mean Gentleman hath the like equal Command but a great deal more antient, although there ought to be a respect if they should happen in company unto the worth and quality of the person; yet the meaner Gentlemans Colours shall fly before the other.

As this hath been the antient practise in the Wars, how then do those Captains de­base themselves, and their Ensigns, to suffer young Captains to step in, (either by greatness in quality or favour) to fly their Colours before them, &c.

7. Every Ensign hath his Dignity, although he is wholly to be at the Captains Com­mand, yet in justice no Captain, nor other Officer can command the Ensign-bearer from his Colours, for they are as man and wife, and ought not to indure a separation; nor can he be commanded with his Ensign to any base (dishonourable) place or Action: And hence it is that to this day this place, and mark of Honour is held in such a venerable & worthy estimation amongst the Spaniards and Italians that they will not allow of any second between him and the Captain, as the name of a Lieutenant to be amongst them, thinking it to be a superfluous charge and command, because it is in their judgments a lessening and a bateing of the Ensignes Honour.

But in this although we esteem an Ensign very honourable, we in England differ from them, owning the place of a Lieutenant to be honourable and necessary, who ought to be a man of most approved experience; for he takes from the Cap­tain those heavy burdens, which otherwise would make the Captains trouble in­supportable, nor can the Ensign discharge them unless he neglects his care and duty to his Colours.

8. As for the dignity of the Ensign in England (not medling with the Standard Royal) to a Regimental dignity; The Colonels Colours in the first place is of a pure and clean colour, without any mixture The Lieutenant Colonels only with Saint Georges Armes in the upper corner next the staff; The Majors the same, but in the lower and outmost corner with a little stream Blazant, And every Captain with Saint Georges Armes alone, but with so many spots or several Devices as pertain to the dignity of their respective places.

But with us in England, placing and displacing is left to the Generalissimo, &c. and so to his substitutes, or deputies: It is to me a ridle that any person who cannot be stained with the least blemish should lose his advancing honour; But kissing goes by favour.

CHAP. V. Of Disgraces to the Ensign.

THere are as many disgraces that belong to the Ensign as dignities; I shall for brevity sake mention but some few: all which must proceed from mistakes in one of these three, Ʋnskilful composure, Negligent government, or Rash actions.

1. Touching Ʋnskilful composure, either in false making, or bearing of Ensignes; and that you may be informed for the composures thereof, I cannot better it than to declare to you Markhams own words out of his Souldiers Accidence pag. 31. He saith, ‘There must be in Military honour nine several faces, or complexions, that is to say, two which be called Mettals, as Yellow and White, figuring gold and Silver; and seven which are called proper colours, as Black, Blew, Red, Green, Purple, Tunnis and Ermine.’

‘And here it is to be noted that no mettal is to be carried upon mettal: And for the signification of those colours you shall understand that’

‘1. Yellow betokeneth honour, or height of Spirit, which being never separated from Vertue, of all things is most jealous of disgrace, and may not indure the least shad­dow of imputation.’

‘2. White signifieth Innocencie, or purity of conscience, Truth, and upright integrity without blemish.’

‘3. Black signifieth Wisdome, and sobriety, together with a severe correction of too much Ambition, being mixed with Yellow, or with too much belief or lenity being mixed with White.’

‘4. Blew signifieth Faith, Constancy, or Truth in affection.’

‘5. Red signifieth Justice, or Noble worthy Anger in defence of Religion, or the oppressed.’

‘6. Green signifieth good hope, or the accomplishment of holy and honourable actions.’

‘7. Purple signifieth fortitude with discretion, or a most true discharge of any Trust reposed.’

‘8. Tunnis or Tu [...]y, signifieth merit, or desert, and a foe to Ingratitude.’

‘9. Ermine, which is only a rich Furr, with curious spots, signifieth Religion, or holiness, and that all aimes are not divine objects.’

‘Now from these colours and their mixtures are derived many bastard and dis­honourable colours, as Carnation, Orenge tawny, Popengie, &c. which signifie Craft, Pride and wantonness. So that all Commanders are left at their own pleasure for their mix­tures, but with these considerations;’ As,

‘1. Not to put in his Ensign his full Coat-Armour.’

‘2. Not to bear one black spot and no more in his Ensign, for it sheweth some blemish in the owner, if the spot be round, square, or of equal proportion.’

‘3. If the spot be unequal, it signifieth a Funeral or deadly revenge.’

‘4. Not to carry words in his Colours without a Device; nor a Device without words; but Device with words, and the words not to exceed four in number, for if there be more it sheweth imperfection.’

‘5. Not to carry more Colours than two; except it be for some special note, or the Ensign of several Kingdoms, it is a Surcharge and esteemed folly.’

2. Having shewed the true Colours, and the disgraces that may arise in the com­posure of them, as mentioned by Mr. Markham, I come to the next disgraces which proceed from Negligence in Government; as in carrying his Colours furl'd (or folded) up when they should be flying, or to let his Colours fly, when they should be folded up; or to display (or flourish them) when they should be carried without [Page 183] any hand motion; or to carry them without motion when they should be displayed; or to vaile them when they should be advanced, or to advance them when they should be vailed.

To lodge or dislodge Colours without a Guard; or to suffer any man to handle them that hath not a lawful authority. Now the avoydance hereof is sufficient to keep any man from gross errors.

3. The last disgrace as to the dignity of the Ensign is

1. From the rashness and unadvisedness of Actions; when he is in safety out of a phantastical bravado to thrust himself into danger; as to charge the Enemy when he should stand still: It is not only a disgrace; but the offence hath been adjudged worthy of death, although he may obtain victory by that forward action.

2. If in a March, Battalia, or setting of the Parade, or upon any other Military imployments, he shall misplace himself, it is a disgrace.

3. If in a battel, skirmish, or fight where the Ensign is put to retreit, his Colours shall be surled (or folded) up, or shouldred and not flying and held forth and extended with the left arm, and his Sword advanced in his right hand, his Co­lours are disgraced and such retreit is base and unworthy.

4. If the Ensign-Bearer shall happen either in battel or skirmish to be slain, and so the Colours fall to the ground, if those, or some of them next adjoyning threreunto do not recover and advance them up, it is not only a disgrace to the Ensign, but an utter dishonour to the whole Company; as I have declared, that if the Colours be lost, there must be a severe accompt given for them: And indeed a greater act of Cowardice cannot be found, than to suffer the Colours to be lost.

There is an antient president, but fresh in memory, that in great defeats when Armies have been overthrown, scattered and dispersed so that particular safety hath made men forget general observations; even then, the Ensign being wounded to death, and desperate of all relief, hath stript his Ensign from the staff and wrapt or folded it about his body, and so perished with it: This Ensign cannot be said to be lost, because the honour thereof was carried with his freed Soul into Heaven, to the possession of the eternal fort for ever: Now in this particular the Enemy cannot boast of any Triumph if then purchased, more than every Sexton may do when he robs the dead of his winding sheet.

Thus it hath been reported that Sebastian King of Portugal dyed at the battel of Alcazar: And I have read of many of our brave English that thus dyed at the renowned Battel at Newport, and have heard that many have so done in the Army of our late So­veraign of ever blessed memory.

5. And lastly, If any man shall recover the lost Ensign and bring it away flying, &c. no matter how low in condition the man is, if the Captain upon any after conside­rations bestow those Colours upon some other man; it is a disgrace both to the Captain and his Ensign, for he doth injury to Vertue and discourage Va­lour.

Obj. But some may object that upon composition with the party deserving, the Captain may dispose of his Colours where he pleaseth: I confess it true, but if this composition be forced it is injurious; And if it come by a voluntary consent of the par­ty, it is base and most unworthy in him also.

CHAP. VI. Of the right use and ordering of the Ensign or Co­lours; with the Postures and Flourishes there­unto belonging.

AS to my best Remembrance, I have given you a Catalogue of the Disgraces, so I shall here insert as to my knowledge the true use of the Ensign, whereby those injuries may be avoyded.

1. And first, you shall understand that in all extended Marches (and not drawn into a Body) as when they march either into a Friends or Enemies Country; or otherwise are conducted to some remote Randesvouz; here the Ensign (or Colours) ought to be half furl'd (or folded) up, and half flying, shall be shouldred and born a little cross the Ensign-bearers neck, with his hand extended a good distance from his body, and his left hand upon his side or hilt of his sword; this is termed a marching in State.

2. If he shall enter into any City or great Town; then he shall unfold or open his Colours, and let them fly at full length, and carry them in his right hand close under the hose, with a lofty hand and extended arm: This is a marching in Tri­umph; but if the wind blow stiff, or there is a weakness or wearisomness in the Ensign-bearer, then he may set the butt end against his waste and not otherwise; and is to have but one hand upon his staff in any march whatever.

3. In all Troopings the Ensign shall ever be furl'd and carried in the same Postures as the Pikes ought to be.

4. When the Company is drawn up into a Body, the Colours must be flying; and by the Way, in case the General or supreme of the Wars, or any Noble Stran­ger worthy of respect, do come, immediately upon his or their approach, the Ensign-bearer in all humility is to bow the head of his Colours, waving them with the bow of his body, and to raise both it and himself up again: And as the said person shall pass a­way, the Drum shall beat, and the Colours shall be displayed: This also the Ensign shall do in all Marchings, or other motions of Civil Exercises, where your Superi­ours pass by you, or you by them: Nay it is expedient and fit so to be done to any Gentleman, that is your familiar; for it is no more but as the vailing of your hat, or giving your friend a courtesie.

5. Now when the Body is drawn up into Battalia and the Enemy within view thereof, then every man being in his place is to express all the Gallantry he can, and especially the Ensign-bearer either in displaying his Colours standing, marching, charg­ing and retreiting (or retiring;) and all these ought not to be done at one time, but when the bodies are joyning, and they must be done with great respect, for to use the Postures directly to the motion or standing of the Body; and not to do as I have seen some in ordinary Militia Discipline, that have but one or two motions of their Colours, upon and for all occasions; as if true Honour had such weak inventions; this without doubt is most base and unworthy.

To proceed to the Postures of the Ensign.

They are in general as followeth, so well as I can express them; for they are better in execution, and to be taught by example, than any pen can describe them.

1. To change them with a plain wave from hand to hand.

2. To change them with lofty turns from hand to hand; each hand performing their turns before you deliver them, as from the right to the left, and from the left to the right, as at first,

[Page 185]3. From the right hand with a wave and lofty turn jutting the Colours upon the left shoulder, and raising up with the same hand again, and with lofty turns to de­liver it into the left hand, that so thereby you may execute the same upon the right shoulder, and after the turns, to deliver it into the right hand, as at first.

4. With (and from) the right hand with lofty turns throw your Colours under the left arm, recovering them speedily back with conceived Florishes, you deliver them into the left hand: you may execute the same with the left hand.

5. With turns or flourishes you bring the butt end of the staff to your left hand turning the palm of your left hand outwards (but not for the reception of it) and with the same hand only throw it off upon its turn with a flourish to deliver it into the left hand, and to perform the same with the left hand, and deliver the Colours into the right hand, as at first.

6. With lofty turns bring the Colours over the head down right (but not too low) before, and raising it again, with the fore-turn and back-turn over the head, chang­ing of hands and delivering as before.

7. From the right hand deliver into your left hand with the palm of your hand, uppermost, the butt end of your staff turning it backwards upon the left shoulder; and turning it over the head with the same hand, you deliver it into the right hand after the same manner, which being performed with the right hand you proceed to the next.

8. From the right hand with lofty turns, fore-turns and back-turns, you deliver your staff into your left hind, and wheel it with the same hand on the same side, and after your recovery to deliver it into the right hand, performing of the same and proceed.

9. From the right hand upon the left shoulder, raising it and turning with its back-turn into the neck; with its returns and lofty florishes over the head you deliver the Colours into the left, and with the left hand upon the right shoulder you execute the same, delivering them into your right hand as at first.

10. 'Tis by some termed the Figure of eighth; that is with the right hand the half wheel on the left side, and so back on the right side, and then delivering it into the left hand to perform the same.

11. To turn it round the head oftentimes upon the palm with your fingers of your right hand, so recovering it, with lofty florishes you deliver it into your left hand to perform the same, and so delivering of them into the right hand.

And if it be your pleasure to be compleat in the Exercise of them, you go back to the tenth, and so conclude with the first.

And in your conclusion I have seen some to furl them up as they display them, and so to open them again.

But to furl them up in the field it is most ridiculous.

Others there are that I have seen to round them oftentimes about their middles, but I cannot justifie it upon any Military account.

Others I have seen, that thinking to display their Colours bravely delivered them from hand to hand under leg; I must boldly inform such as use it, that 'tis a de­basement to the Captains Colours, and an unworthy Act in the performers of it.

I told you of some particular Postures and proper for the Ensign-bearer to observe.

1. Standing, when the Body stands, you are to display the Colours, to and fro in a direct circle, and changing from hand to hand, and no more, without you are commanded to shew the excellency of your parts; but be sure to be well guarded when you shall be so commanded.

2. In marching, the Posture is to display the Colours with the right hand only, cast­ing the Ensign still forwards, waving it close over and by the right shoulder, never crossing the Body, but still keeping it flying on the out-side of the right shoulder.

3. The charging Posture is to carry the staff extended streight forward before your body, waving it to and fro as high as your bosome, being ready to give the assistance or aid with the left hand for the preservation of your Colours, or to offend the Enemy if occasion require.

The retiring or retreiting posture is a mixture compounded of the three former; for in the first retreit, or drawing away of the Company, he shall use the posture of marching: but if the Enemy press near upon him, he shall stand upon his guard, and use the posture of charging; and in fine, having quit himself of danger, he shall use the standing posture a little, and then march or troop away, according to the directi­ons of the commander.

And lastly, when the Ensign returns from the field, and is to be lodged; in former times the Lieutenant had the Vanguard; but that I shall not insist upon, because I have observed it to be left off by able Souldiers.

The Captain leading them out of the field, and coming near the place intended to lodge his Colours, Converts the ranks of Musquetteers of both divisions to the right and left outwards and joyns them; and being so fixed, the body of Pikes stand in the reer, and the Ensign in the head of them, the Captain before the Colours, with the Drums and Serjants guarding the Colours on each side, and the Lieutenant behind, the En­sign bearer, and all being advanced, shall troop up with the Colours furl'd to his lodg­ing or quarters; and as he approacheth thereto, he shall with a bow to his Captain carry in his Colours; then the word shall be given to all the Musquetteers to make ready; that being done, they shall all present, and upon the beat of Drum, or other word of com­mand, give one intire Volley; and then command every Officer to go to their quarters, and to be in readiness upon the next summons, either by Drum or Command.

It may fall out, that time will not permit this large circumstance; then the whole company being drawn up in a body shall troop up to the place, where the Ensign shall quarter, to see the colours safely lodg'd, which being effected, the Musquetteers shall with one intire Volley discharge their Musquets, and so depart to their respective quar­ters; commanding all upon the next summons to be in readiness, &c.

And I might here adde the funeral posture: if for a private souldier; the Ensign-bea­rer is to march in his place on the head of the Pikes, with the Pikes trailing revers'd, but the Colours furl'd and revers'd only: But if it be a commander that is to be interred, he is then to march just before the Hearse, with his Colours revers'd, &c.

If I have writ any thing amiss, or omitted any thing as may prejudice the honour of the Ensign, I beg your better advice, for it was in the years 1641. and 1642. that I minded any of these military actions; therefore for any error herein, let the length of time plead my excuse: However, I could wish that every Ensign would but observe these rules, he would then the better know his own worth, and what duty lieth incum­bent upon him; and being careful in the performance of them, his own honour will be displayed in his Colours.