A MILITARIE RUDIMENT, Or Observations vpon Militarie exercise.
DEFINITION.
BEfore I initiate the Exercise it self, or what is considerable there anent, I giue the young Souldiour this Frontispice of Preparation; wherein there is two generall Principalls, hee ought to bee acquaynted with: First, in the certayn Belief, that the Coward is as soon killed, as the Valiant man; and that manie more die in flight [...] as in fight; that Honour and Reward is to the one, but Shame and Punishment to the other. Secondlie, If this hee would shun, and that Gayn, it is in knowing how well hee can obey his Superiour, For vpon Obedience all dependeth; and without the same, nothing can bee well ruled or done: for from Obedience, commeth Order; and from Order Militarie Exercise, (as yee may perceaue by the Definition there-of) and by Militarie Exercise all is mayntayned.
MILITARIE EXERCISE, is a Uniformitie of Order, in respect of difference of persons; in respect of Distinction of Tyme; and in respect of distance of place.
And for the first of those, in respect of persons, what Commandement is to one, must bee practised by all; except accidentallie, and in trayning.
And in respect of Tyme, what is practised bee one, all must practise at the self same instant, saving onlie in the former exception.
And in respect of Place: It is to bee considered, there are three sorts of Distances; to wit, Open Order: Secondlie, Order: thirdlie, Closs Order.
Open Order, or the first Distance is, when the Souldiours both in rank and string, stand six foot romoved one from another.
The vse hereof, is for exercising your motions: in which case, yee must alwayes keep your Open Order: and the reason is, the larger the Exercise, the greater Distance is requyred.
The second distance, or order, is, when the Souldiours stand three foot removed one from another.
The vse thereof, is for the Musquetiers, who must never bee closser: and the reason is, they must haue a free vse of their Arms.
The third distance, or Closs Order, is commanded by this word CLOSE: which is when there is a foot and half from string to string, and three from rank to rank.
The vse hereof, is for the Pikes onlie, and never must bee vsed, but when yee stand firm to receaue the Enemie: and the reason is, the closser they stand, they are the more vnited: and so vneasier to bee broken.
Having considered the foresayds: and before wee come to the Exercise it self; there is four things to bee performed: the first is, to place the Companie in the first Distance of Open Order: and that for the reason in it own place beforesayd.
The second is consisting in this word of COMMANDEMENT: to wit, SILENCE.
The vse thereof, is, that all may giue audience, and observance, to that onlie which is commanded.
And the third, is to make known to them all, what a Rank and a String is; and the best Definition I can giue you is.
To wit, of a Rank, when yee consider it from the right to the left hand, onlie one man in deepness.
And of a String, when yee recken and consider it from the Front to the Rear, onlie one man in broadness.
The third thing is consisting in two Commandements: to wit,
Stand right in your Ranks.
Stand right in your Strings.
The Instruction how to perform both these Precepts is when [Page 10]their own just and equall distance is betwixt man & man, both in Rank and String; but when they are in their third order, their distance then must bee equall, but respectivè.
And the reason is, if standing not right in rank and string, they should bee promiscuous; and there-vpon confusion, so contrarie to order; for the verie essence and subsistance of Militarie Exercise, is Order.
The vse of these Precepts, is in that they are the foundation of the whole Exercise; For what Exercise can bee performed without a rank and string, except simples; which may bee done by one onlie person, without a bodie.
And now of the Exercise it self, whose composition is of motion, and they are of two sorts. The first are the Motions of the Exercise it self; which without Arms may bee done.
The second are the Motions of the Postures, in handling of the Arms; And for the first of these, they are lykewayes of two sorts.
The first of these are Primitiue, or more Simple Motions; The second are Derivitiue, or Motions, of an ampler practise; and justlie the particular exercises, are called Motions.
And of these primitiue, and more simple Motions; which are in number eyght; Four distinguished, and four indistinct; as yee may perceaue by the words of Command; to wit,
The Instruction how to perform the distinguished four is; When to what hand yee turn, the foot of the self same hand or syde, by mooving, indeed, turns; but the contrarie foot onlie remooveth. As for Exple; If yee turn to the right hand, the foot of the right syde must mooving turn; But the heell of the foresayd foot, must keep the same place, & the contrarie foot onlie remoue. And the reason is, to keep a perfect equall distance by all.
And the Lesson in performing the other four is to bee speciallie noted, when yee are commanded as yee were, yee are to [Page 11]return by the contrarie hand. As for example; If yee turn to the right hand, yee are to return as yee were to the left hand, but the self same foot which did not remoue in the turning, must not remoue in returning; and that for the reason, in the preceeding instruction.
The vse of these Motiones is, in that they are the fundamentall Means, where by yee may frame a Companie consequentlie a greater bodie, to anie fashion or figure that is exigent.
But in the mean tyme, of placing your Companie, this generall observation, must not bee for gotten; that in the Front, Middle, and Rear; the most expert and capable bee placed; for they are Leaders; whom the rest must follow in performing the subsequent Motiones; where-vpon this generall precept is to bee published; to wit,
Follow your leaders, and keep with your right hand man.
The vse hereof is for facillitating their practise; for it is a precept to each other rank, to each other string; as also to the followers of middle-men, and fellowers of bringers vp; and the reason is, That is to them onlie this Rule, they are most inexpert; For rudeness, and inexperience, requyreth not onlie precept, but example; and this for performing the following Motiones, which are of the second sort, and of an ampler practice; and they are in number manie. The first of them are
Doubling of ranks is done, when each other rank from the Front, man by man interponeth themselues severallie in the former rank, in the distance betwixt string & string, to what hand they are commanded.
Doubling of strings is done, when each other string from what hand yee double, man by man interponeth themselnes severallie [Page 12]betwixt man and man, in the distance betwixt rank and rank, to what yee are commanded.
This is done, when the sixt rank equallie marcheth vp to the Front; and their placeth themselues betwixt man and man, in the first rank, to what hand they are commanded, and so the seaventh, to the second; the eyght, to the third; the nynth, to the fourth; the tenth rank, to the fyft; and this is they beeing ten in deepness.
This is done, when the last rank; to wit, the tenth, equallie marcheth vp to the Front; and therein the first rank placeth themselues betwixt man and man; and so the penult to the second. The ante-penult, to the third; the seaventh, to the fourth; the eyght, to the fyft. So that both their doublings of middlemen and bringers vp, maketh but half the deepnes; but in the self same broadness, vniteth themselues in confederacie by double the former number.
The vse of all these doublings in generall, is. When vpon a sudden surpryse yee double your strength, in presenting; but this holdeth not alwayes, in doubling of strings; For then they are all open; and it is for evasion, eyther of small or great shot: but if the assault bee vpon the wings, and the commanded to the right or left hand; the first vse then holdeth. They are often practised within a Wall, a Hedge, or Advantage, with other vseth, which brevitie will not permit.
Rank to the right hand counter-march.
Rank to the left hand counter-march.
This is a Counter-march in deepness; to wit, From the Front to the Rear. But if yee would make a Counter-march in broadness: [Page 13]that is to say; From the right hand to the left hand string, yee must command them first
- Strings, to the right hand. Then
- Strings, to the right hand Counter-march.
- Strings, to the left hand. Then
- Strings, to the left hand Counter-march.
The Instruction here-in is all one, when yee Counter-march. The first Ranks, or Leaders, onlie must advance, and step forwards, with the right or left leg: if to the right hand, the right leg: if to the left hand, the left leg: and then turn, and so beeing fallen down, to the Rear, rank your self, accordinglie in the Rear. And all the other ranks must march vp to the same place from whence the first ranks did counter-march before they turned: And so they march to the Rear, by the right or left hand, (as is commanded) of that part of their own string that followeth them. And these that haue counter-marched, must still follow them that as yet advanceth to the place of their Counter-march. So that everie man regayneth the same place, hee first was in. And thus you see, it is contrarie to the ordinarie March, as the word it self beareth.
The vse of a Counter-march commonlie is, when you Skirmish; For you fight then looss, and disbanded; and doeth not advance towards the Enemie.
This is done, whē the two outmost strings; to wit, the right or left hand string onlie turneth, the right hand string, to the left hand; and the left hand string, to the right hand; Which maketh the two strings, to bee face to face. Then the strings in the bodie within these two outmost; The one half of them falleth to the right hand string; and the other half, to the left hand string. And so they are all in two strings, face to face. And thus they are so much voyd betwixt, as the strings within the outmost took vp.
And the vse heereof, is not onlie to giue way, but to make Guard, to the Generall, to an Ambassadour to go in or out at a [Page 14]Passage; or to those that hath rendred a Fort, to go out.
Make your conversion to the right or left hand outwardlie.
This is done, when the two middle strings turneth; to wit, The right hand string, to the right hand; the left hand string, to the left hand; and so back to back, then the strings on the right hand of the middle strings, falleth in to the right hand string, and the strings on the left hand, falleth into the left hand; and so maketh of all but two strings, and that back to back. There is conversions also, when all the strings remayn inteir and compleet; but by equall division, the one half turning to the left hand, and the other half to the right hand; and so all faces to faces; or by turning outwardlie, the one and other half; and then back to back.
The former two Conversions can not bee vsed, but when they are four or six at most in broadness; to wit, in strings; but the latter Conversion may bee vsed, when they are a great manie strings.
And the vse of that outward Conversion amongst others, is, when they are hardlie assaulted on both wings.
The first rank string consequentlie the rest.
This is performed, when the right hand man in the Front advanceth whyle the bodie halteth a little; and then his left hand man followeth vp after him; and so all the rank man by man, is drawn vp to the string; and after this maner all the remayning strings. And thus as they haue stringed, one after another falleth vp to his first order.
The string on the right or left hand, consequentlie the rest.
This is done, when the right or left hand string advanceth from the bodie, whyle the same halteth to the tyme the last man of the foresayd string bee clearlie advanced from his collaterall string; Then immediatelie the remayning strings in lyke manner advanceth one string after another; commonlie as the first string is clearlie advanced; it then halteth to the tyme the following string, falleth vp to his first order; and so one after another.
The vse of both Exercises (except in some little respects) [Page 15]are all one they are done, when yee come to port, a strait, a Passage; When one onlie is able to march in front.
Before yee make the Great Turn, or wheeling about yee must perform these particulars following, fyue in number.
- Right about.
- Close your ranks.
- Close your strings, to the right and left hand.
- Close your ranks, to the sword point.
- Mount your Arms, Pickes and musquets.
The Great Turn, to the right hand.
The Great Turn, to the left hand.
There is so manie distinct Particulars in this Exercise severallie performed, that it admitteth no further Instruction, onlie note when yee will haue them close their strings, to the right or left hand, the outmost string on that hand yee purpose to close, must bee commanded to stand, and all the rest to close to it.
And before you command them to their first Order, you must cause them performing these four ensuing particulars: to wit;
- Open your ranks, to the Rear.
- Ranks to your Order.
- Strings to your Order.
- Front as you were.
In opening ranks or strings, you must make all, both ranks and strings, (saving the outmost on that hand yee mean to open which must stand) to moue altogether, to the tyme the second rank, or string, from that which standeth, haue gotten it distance and subsequent the rest.
The vse hereof, is altogether defensine, to keep them selues vnbroken by the furie of horses.
And now this much of these Exercises, common to both Pike-men and Musquetiers; But there are others vsuall onlie bee the Musquetiers; and these are such as followeth. But before yee practise these particular Motions; your men must bee set in Batell, ten deep; or vpon exigencie in Skirmishing; And when your Armie is not great, yee may place them six in deepness; [Page 16]And then yee must not fayll to command them, to obserue that in all their actiones, they turn to the right hand; and that they carrie the mouthes of their pieces high, as well when they are panning, as when they are pan-guarded; and come to giue fyre. And the termes vsuall are.
And the Instruction of thus giving fyre is that alwayes two ranks make readie together, and advance ten paces forwards before the bodie. At which instance, a Sergeant, or when the bodie is greater some other Officer, must stand; to whom the Musquetiers are to come vp before they present, and giue fyre. And the second rank keep their Musquets closs, to their Rests: And the pan-guarded; and as soon as the first are fallen away; the second immediatelie presenteth, and giue fyre; two more are to make readie. And so one after another; making the advancement of ten paces still; by which yee mayntayn at least your own ground; if otherwayes yee loss ground. And the reason is, they being ten in deepness. The Rear men be consequence ten paces behynd. Which ten they advancing, they stand in the self same place of these that were first in the Front.
The vse hereof is in there is the ordinarie form in Battell: and when they do not Skirmish; but rather advanceth towards the Enemie.
This is done, when you command the whole bodie right about. And thus your Front, the Rear; & the Rear, your Front. And then maketh that which is Rear, now giue fyre by commanding them right about; and after fyre, to fall away; and place themselues in the Front. And so one after another.
The vse is, When you are charged in the Rear; And whyle you thus giue fyre, you march forwards to your intended place, whether it bee for Relief of that place; or for your own safetie; or for advantage in preocupying the Enemie in a Pass, or when [Page 17]you haue charged the Enemie, and there-after intendeth to make a safe Retreat; Because you haue the worss, or other respectivè.
Left about.Note; That this a Commandement to all the Companie.
All three thus beeing in on Front; the Sergeant bringeth vp the first to the second, vpon the right hand; Then leadeth vp the strings, to the Front of the left string.
Here-in you may see and perceaue so manie distinct particulars, that the instruction in performing this practise is clear.
And the vse for the most is when with a few you would occupie the length of a lyne, of a Wall, or of a Ditch, or anie other sutable Advantage. And thus giue fyre vpon the Enemie, as hee passeth.
All the forsayds, which is vsuall onlie by the Musquetiers, are most observable in exercising; and that for teaching and trayning the vnlearned. But in practise, you must vse onlie these Commandements.
Make readie by ranks; present, and giue fyre; and stand firm; and fall about to the right hand, to the Rear; or rather,
- Make readie.
- Present.
- Giue fyre.
Note; As the Captayn exerciseth the Musquetiers particularlie; So the Lieuetenant exerciseth the pike-men; making a Charge with Touck of Drum, in presenting their Arms to the right and left hand; in the Van-guard, and in the Rear, marching and retiring, answering to the Touck of Drum; which vpon service are a March and Trouping; a Charge; and a Retreat.
And thus much of the foresayd Motions, wherein a young Souldiour may bee trayned; and in some measure, before hee haue the occasion of Arms. But now of the Motiones of your Postures, in handling your Arms. To wit, Of Pike and Musquet. And first of the Postures of the Pike, of whose number some are performed standing; which you shall discern by this letter S. And some are exercised both standing and marching; which you shall distinguish by these letters S. and M. For in the position heere I keep onlie the Method, according to the Order of the Exercise it self in trayning.
- Lift your pikes. S.
- Mount your pikes. S.
- Set down your pikes. S.
- Shoulder your pikes. S. and M.
- Charge your pikes. S. and M.
- Set down your pikes. S.
- Palm to the point your pikes. S.
- Cheek your pikes. S. VVhich is done, when by palming, you hold your right hand vpon your syde, with your pike; and your left hand vpon the point thereof. is done, when you present your pike by palming.
- Recover your pikes. S. Which is done, when you present your pike by palming.
- Charge your pikes. S. and M.
- Shoulder your pikes. S. and M.
- To the right or left hand charge. S. and M.
- Shoulder your pikes. S. and M.
- Charge to the Rear. S. and M.
- Port your pikes. S. and M.
- Stand.
- Set down your pikes. S.
Obserue in charging that half the ranks onlie must charge their pikes; And that they carrie them so couched over the heads of the formost, as may giue no offence, eyther in charging or retiring. And the reason is, In that this way, pikes are not so subject to bee broken by the shot of the Enemie.
Next; Of the Postures of the Musquet; And the words of Command vsuall in the handling thereof. And these first your Musquet beeing charged,
- March with your Musquet in your hand.
- Sink your rest, and vnshoulder your Musquet.
- Hold vp your Musquet in the right hand; and let her sink in the rest.
- In your left hand, hold your Musquet; & carrie your rest with it.
- In your right hand, take your Lunt, (or Match) and hold it well.
- Blow your Lunt.
- Cock your Lunt.
- Try your Lunt.
- Blow your Lunt, and try your pan.
- Hold your Musquet, and present.
- Giue fyre.
Now, Having discharged your Musquet, you must charge agayn, after the manner following.
- Take down your Musquet, and carrie your Rest with it.
- Uncock your Lunt.
- Blow your Lunt.
- Put it agayn betwixt your fingers.
- Blow your pan.
- Morss your pan.
- Cloze your pan.
- Cast off your pan.
- Cast about your Musquet.
- Trayll your Rest.
- Open your Charges.
- Charge your Musquets.
- Draw out your Ramsticks.
- Shorten your Ramsticks.
- Fetch your Musquet forward, with the left hand; and hold it vp in the right hand; and recover the Rest.
- Shoulder your Musquet.
And having thus way charged your Musquet, you must agayn make readie, as followeth.
- Lay your Musquet in your Rest.
- Hold your Musquet in your Rest, with the left hand onlie in ballance.
- Take your Lunt in your right hand.
- Blow your Lunt.
- Cock your Lunt.
- Try your Lunt.
- Guard your pan; and bee readie.
The Ranges of Officers, from the lowest, to the highest.
THE lowest Range, and meanest Officer, is Lanspresado; the Leader of half a string; called a Middle-man, or Captayn over four, the Corporalls Deputie.
Next is the Corporall. Hee is the Leader of astring, and Commander of a Squadre in their Watch and Centrie.
Next is the Sergeant; An Officer of great vse, for rectifying of ranks and strings, of necesirie hee should bee Skilfull.
Next should the Drummer bee at least the Drummer Major; whose Place is Gentile; hee should bee of experience, and a good Linguist; for redeeming of Prisoners; for intimation of Parties. His place of march is three ranks of pikes or Musquets preceeding.
Next is the Scriver, or the Clerk of the Band. Hee is no Souldiour; yet hee ought to bee learned in Martiall lawes; to instruct the souldiours. Hee receaveth pay from the Tresaurers; and delyvereth it, proportionablie, to the Companie.
Next is the Chirurgion lyke no wayes, no souldiour; And the reason is, if hee were wounded, who should cure those of the Companie, hee holdeth his place of Courtesie.
Next is the Antsign, or Coulours bearer, The Romanes, as the Spaniards: now holdeth him next the Captayn. Hee marcheth vpon the right hand of the pikes, commonlie two ranks preceeding [Page 21]him. In Garnison hee ought to haue the most eminens place of Lodging, or in Quartering. And the reason is, It is the conveaning place. For therein is the Credit, and principalitie of the Companie.
Next is the Quarter-master of the Regiment, or Harbinger. Hee intimateth their way and passages; and where they set down; and to everie Companie their quarter and place. Hee dependeth vpon the Quarter-master Generall.
Next is the Provost Marshall. Hee hath the Custodie and Respect to Guiltie persons, and the Charge of the Execution. Hee dependeth vpon the Iudge Marshall.
Next is the Lieuetenant, a Captayns conjunct; in whose absence hee occupieth his Vice, as the word it self beareth; hee bringeth vp the Rear, whyle the Captayn marcheth vpon the Van; and the Rear hath the second place. The reason whereof, is, if commanded right or left about the Rear, becommeth the Front.
Aboue all these, is the Captayn. His Charge is over a Companie; commonlie consisting of one, two, or three hundreth. Hee ought to know the duetie of the forsayds Officers, that accordinglie hee may command.
Next is the Sergeant Major, a principall Captayn, the Deliverer and Distributer of the Orders of the Regiment. Hee receaveth them from the Commander of his Brigado: And hee from the Major Generall, of his Brigado, (who commonlie is chosen out of the Majors of the Regiments;) And hee from the Lord Marshall of the Field.
Next is the Lieuetenant Collonell. Hee surragateth the Vice and place of the Collonell, in his absence.
And aboue all these, is a Collonell. Hee is head, and hath Commandement of a Regiment; consisting of ten or fifteen Companies. And the eldest is Magister de Campo.
Next is the Sergeant Major Generall. Hee is taken out of the Collonells, commonlie, at least once, hee ought to haue been on. Hee commandeth the Collonells, and rangeth the infanterie into Battalia. Hee is one of the Councell of Warre.
Next is the Collonell Generall, if there bee anie. Hee hath a [Page 22]generall care of the Government of all the infanterie: But in a Armie, hee hath onlie commandement of a Brigado. Hee is ever one of the Councell of Warre.
Next is the Lieuetenant Generall of the Horss, or Generall thereof. For hee must haue none aboue him, except the Generall of the Armie; one of the Councell of Warre. Hee hath his own Commissarie, and Quarter-master generall.
Next is the high Tresaurer of the Armie, vnder the Generall onlie. Hee is to haue reguard to the Auditor, Mustur-master, Commissarie, one of the Councell of Warre.
Next is the Master or Generall of the Ordinance. Hee is one of the Councell of Warre.
Next is the Lord Marshall. Hee distributeth the Generalls Commands to all the other Officers of the Armie. Hee ordereth their Lodgings, and encampings. Hee assigneth in Battell, to everie bodie his place. The Sergeant Major Generall, afterwards, accordinglie rangeth. The Infanterie into Battalia. Hee marcheth in the Vanguard.
Next is the Lieuetenant Generall of the Armie, younger Brother to the Generall. Hee ought to cause all the Generalls Commands, bee put in Execution, as absolutelie as himself: But speciallie in march. For thus hee doeth ease him. Some think vnnecessarie this Office, where there is a Lord Marshall.
Lastlie; Having no paralell is the Generall; Whose properties ought to bee Valiantlie to fight; of a resolute Mynd, and judgement, in all Recounters; to make a Surpryze, with good and foreseeing vnderstanding; to choose well a place of Advantage; to choose a proper place, for lodging, or fighting; to pass a River, or escape an evill passage: and, when need is, to make great Expedition: To make falss or true Allarums; or assaulteth to the Enemie, in place and tyme convenient: To bee Skilfull in Engynes; and paynfull in all: To bee liberall; and to reward Valiant Acts of Arms; and mercifull to Forfaitures. And in a word; Hee ought to know everie one his Duetie; and should excell in Vertue, Wisdom, Diligence, and Experience.
There is a second Range, and haue another Dependance; And most of them wayt vpon the Horsmen; And take their Direction from the LORD MARSHALL.
THE First and Lowest, is Gun-Master, an inferior Officer; vnder the Master of the Ordinance. And hee is called a Constable.
Next, is the Trench-Master. Hee hath respect to Fortifications.
Next, is the Wagon-master. Hee hath charge of Bag and Baggage. Hee is called Master Impedimentorum.
Next, is the Forrage-master. His charge is for Provision, to the Horss. Hee dependeth more nearlie vpon the Lord Marshall. Hee hath his Inferiour Officers.
Next, is the Proveant-master. His charge is for Victualls to the Armie. And hee hath his Quarter-master, and other Officers.
Next, is the Iudge Marshall. Hee giveth Sentence vpon Offenders.
Next, is the Scout-master. Hee maketh choose of places of Danger; where, and how, to place them. Hee dependeth also more directlie vpon the Lord Marshall.
Next, is the Lieuetenant of the Ordinance. Hee dependeth vpon the Master of the Ordinance. They haue thier Quartermaster, and Inferiour Officers.
The Last, and Greatest, is Mustur-master Generall: And is one of the Councell of Warre.
These are the Functions and Members, of the totall and compleat Bodie: Whose head the Generall, communicateth and diffundeth his Orders, and Commandements, by the Lord Marshall to them all after this four-fold Division, or Distinstion. [Page 24] Videlicet, Of the Cavalrie, of the Infanterie, of the Artillerie, of the Victuall; Which is to say, The Commissarie Generall of the Horss, commeth and receaveth the Generall his Orders from the Marshall, and delyvereth them, to the Lieuetenant Generall of the Horss; And then to the Quarter-master Generall thereof; And from him to all the Quarter-masters, from everie Quarter.
And so the Sergeant Major Generall of everie Brigado commeth to the Marshall; and receaveth their Orders; which hee delyvereth to the Commander of that Brigado; and hee to the Sergeant Major of each Regiment; and then to all the Quarter-masters from everie Quarter. And so the Quarter-master Generall of the Artillerie, from the Marshall, to the Master of the Ordinance; And from them, to everie Quarter-master. And in lyke-manner, the Quarter-master Generall, of the Victuall, commeth to the Marshall, and receaveth their Orders; which hee delyvereth to the Proveant Master; And hee to the other Quarter-master from everie Quarter. Thus you see with what Facilitie, and what Celeritie the Diversitie, of one mans Commandements, is distributed and diffunded to the vniversall Armie.
And of these Ranges, the Armie is perfected. For it is a Bodie; And these are the Members; and the more distinct, it is in their particular charges, the more compleat, the same is. This mayn bodie it self, is ingrossed of man and man, made vp of manie individuall persons. Which is done, if vpon march (which is a space vsuallie of three foot and half) beeing four, six, or ten, in Front; the Musquets of everie Companie preceeding the pikes of their own Band; they are commanded to halt. Then considering the intended deepness, eyther of six, or ten, or twelue men, you cause them, that immediatelie followeth the foresayd deepness, to march vp in Front, vpon the left hand of the first Division. And after this manner, all the pikes. And in lyke maner, after these the Musquets, still observing the left hand; making on Front; & on deepness of all the Companie. And thus way of Companies, Regiments, and of Regiments Brigadoes, or Bodies; and of Brigadoes the vniversall Bodie; which in broadness [Page 25]hath three speciall Divisions; to wit, The right and left hand wings; Where the best men ought to bee placed; and comonlie beginneth the Fight. And the third Division, is the Battell; or that which is the middle betwixt the two foresayd wings. The Greeks and Swisses as yet, thus in on Front had their Battell; But compacted verie closs together, and made vp of manie ranks; commonlie twentie-four in deepness; They were so closs, that hardlie they could bee broken. But now having the vse of other Arms, wee must keep the Distances alreadie mentioned. And there is a second Division; to wit, Of deepness, (speciallie vsed when the Armie is great and ponderous, the Field, strayt, and narrow, that it is not able to contayn so large a Front, as the Armie would extend to.) And thus it is into three bodies; The first is the Front, or Vanguard; The second is the Mayn Battell, or middle betwixt the Front, and the Rear: And the third, is the Rear, or Stall. And thus the Armie beeing placed, the first beeing beaten; the second may renew the Fight. And if both, the last may recover all; As manie examples can instance. And it is thought the best way of fighting is by Reserues; Yea, by Troups, as to hazard all at once. The Romanes vsed this kynd of three-fold Battell. But that they so placed them; that the first within, the second and both within, the third might in order retire, if need was. And thus still to mayntayn; or rather, to renew the Fight. But their form and manner of retreat, now not in vse. An Armie may bee drawn vp after manie diverse forms, and figures, according to the exigencie of Tyme, Place, and new Inventions, and Prudencie of a Generall, as into a Triangular. And the form of an Half moon; or into both at one tyme, as the first point chargeth the Enemie; but composed of the weakest men, that they may the more easilie retire; whyle the two Angles advanceth: and becommeth two wings. And there-after the middle part shrinking, and the wings advancing; is then after the form of an Half Moon. And that for circumdating the Enemie, as the Battell of Cannas was. And some tymes into the shape of a Diamond, for penetrating and pearcing within the Enemies Battell, into the figure of an Orb, for defending at all quarters; into a Wind-miln, and diverse others, for their severall reasons. But heere-in I spare [Page 26]summing all vp in this, that an Armie is a Bodie, made vp of manie singular persons; whose head is the Captayn Generall, whose heart is good Order; whose lyf and wellfare is in good Commanders; Whose Defence is in Hors-men; for without the same an Armie, is naked. The Soull of which Bodie is Cannon; and Powder, and the Sinews, and Nerves, that concatenateth altogether is Money.
Thus then I halt: Neyther hath it been my scope to vndertake that which is onlie firting for those of greatest Wisdome, and Experience in the perfect Draught of a compleet Armie. Onlie thus much I haue given to the young Souldiour, as a generall view of the reason, and the end of all the foresayd Exercises; To the effect, That hee who intendeth to bee a Good Captayne, hee may clearlie perceaue, that of necessitie hee must first bee expert in the practice of this Militarie Rudiment. For by the same great matters, haue been performed; and without the same all goeth to confusion; consequentlie, to ruin.
Most considerable observations, anent Fortification, both in Engines vse of Works, or Skill in Artiliarie; collected from the most expert; who hath verified them by their practise.
A Fort is made, that a little may resist a great force, or a few great number of men.
And Works from Engyne, are eyther simple or componed. The Simples are a Wall, a Rampate, a falss Bray within the Wall, a Counter-scarp, a Lyne, and Angle, a Circle, &c.
The Compounds, are eyther of some of these; as is Redout, an Half Moon, an Horn-work, a Sconss; or all of these, as is the Fortificationes of a Town.
That which proceedeth from Assault, is eyther from Approaches, or from Artiliarie. But the most furious, is by Artiliarie.
But first of Fortification, from Skill in Works; and then of Assault, by Artiliarie.
Before you build a Fort, you must obserue this Maxime, in four particulars. First, to haue a respect to the strength of the Enemie. Secondlie, That the Expence may bring Commoditie. [Page 27]Thirdlie, That the travaill may bring Rest. Fourthlie, That the tyme may bring Assurance.
Next; You must obserue the most Advantagious place of Situation: And there are six. The first is that of a Mountayn, when the Fortification occupieth the Tope of the same. For it can not bee commanded by anie Art. And it discerneth all round about it, for to hinder Approaches. But it hath that incōmoditie; often wanting Water, and good earth, and facilitie of Transportation, The second is vpon a mountayn also. But the comming to it is by the continuation of another mountayn. This hath a incommoditie more as the first; Which maketh Approaches easie. for elevating a Mount vpon the same; and to haue an Command within the place. The third also is vpon a Mountayn, where there is many wayes comming to it, consequently, more incommodities. The fourth is vpon a Marish watrie, or sea place; where the Approaches can not bee without drying the Marish. Thefyft is vpon a playn firm ground; which hath the Cōmodities of good earth, and Water in the Ditch. A Fortification easie to bee made within and without. But the incommodities great; For the Approaches are easie. The sixt and last, is, That is commanded by some Mountayn, one or more. The Commodities few; The incommodities great.
And the third Observation, is, Betwixt the Assailers, and the Assaulted in a fortified place. And that is (excepting accidents) ten without, for one within, with proportionable provision.
Lastlie, You must obserue that the Assailers hath incommodities, that the assaulted hath not; First, Evill lodged in an Hut. Secondlie, Discovered in their Approaches. Thirdlie, To cover them aboue at the foot of the Breach. Fourtlie, To mount the Ruin of the Breach. Fiftlie, To guard them from that which is casten from aboue vpon them. Sixtlie, To fight harnished, and heavilie armed.
And now, of Assaults by Artiliarie; which that you may the better know, you must consider four things. First, The destruction of Cannon. Secondlie, The necessarie proportions thereof. Thirdlie, The most effectuall shooting of Cannon. Fourthlie, You must vnderstand the proportion betwixt an Armie, and Artiliarie.
And for the first of these; The most common Artiliarie shooteth 35, and 45 pound.
The most vulgar length of a Cannon, is ten or twelue foot.
And secondlie anent the proportion. A Cannon of twelue foo [...] in length, is equall to 13, or 17.
The Charge is according to the value of the powder; commonlie the third of the weyght of the Ball, at least.
The port of a Cannon in a right lyne is 600 commune space; a Culverine as much, and others less.
Distance of Batteries is 200, 300 space, at the furthest, for to evite the hazard of Musquets.
The ordinarie force of a Cannon is (beeing 200 space distant) to pearce of well disgested earth fyue foot: but of new builded ground, seaven foot; and of sand, ten foot.
A Cannon may shoot 80, or more shot a-day.
The force of a Cannon, is greatest from a low place to a high.
A Cannon is more effectuall, and maketh greater ruin; beeing vpon a Fort, with Angles, and Corners, as a simple Batterie, of on Front. For thus they shoot athwart.
A thousand shot quicklie done, maketh greaterruin, with ten piece of Cannon, as fifteen hundreth shot with fyue Cannon.
A good Engynier should chieflie foresee necessarie reparations, according to the ruin.
Lastlie, anent the proportion betwixt Armies and Cannon; an Armie for a Siege, should haue twelue Cannon, three Culverines, and some Bascards, for empeaching of fortes.
You may judge the greatness of an Armie by the number of pieces and munition; they beeing the soule of an Armie.
As there is proportion betwixt an Armie, and that which sustayneth them, so betwixt Artiliarie, powder, and ball.
A thousand men should haue on Cannon, an hundreth balles, and proportionablie powder, and for the carriage thereof an hundreth Horss: But this may change according to the advantage of the place. For it is easier transporting by Water, as by Land.