CHAP. I. The necessity of Treasures. How they are attained by several Princes: and how they may be best preserved.

AND first of the first principal, (Mo­nies or Treasure) included under the first Requisite, which is Munition. Now Treasure or Monies are justly termed the sinews of a War, as without which no or­derly War can march or be managed: and therefore not to be undertaken (espe­cially offensively) without a sufficiencie of this kind, timely and beforehand laid up. The wise VVarriour, as well as the wise Builder, being in the first place to fore-cast his accounts and future expences, before he enter upon any Action of this Nature. And herein the main difficulties are how to attain them, and how to preserve them.

The Tyrants of the East, as the great Sultan, the Persian, the Mogol, and the Tartarian, furnish their vast expences of this kind, by being absolute Lords of all their peoples Estates, who are all their [Page 4]slaves. The Christian Princes, who pre­tend not so far this way, but govern more moderately, do this much after one man­ner, allowing onely some petty varieties; as the Monarchs of Spain, by their Cu­stoms upon imported and exported Mer­chandise, but in particular and chiefly by their rich and unexhausted Mines in Ame­rica. The French Kings by Customs like­wise, and Imposts, and especially Imposts upon Salt. The Monarchs of Great Britain by Customs also, but most substantially and thoroughly by Subsidies and Fifteens granted in Parliament. As for the rest of the mixed Monarchs, as those of Poland, Denmark, and Swedeland, they do the same, by the same ways, with little or no difference; onely the great Duke or Em­perour of Muscovia, as he is the nearest neighbour to the Eastern Tyrants fore­mentioned, so he cometh nearest unto them in this kind of Tyrannie especially. As touching the Common-wealths of Christendom, governed in a kind of Ari­stocratical way, as those of Venice, the Gri­zons, and Switzers, and some others, more pettie, as that of Lucca, Genoa, and some of the free Towns in Germany; though in [Page 5]the means of their raising their Treasures they differ not much from the absolute Princes forementioned, yet can they bet­ter enlarge themselves according to their occasions, as being done by a general Con­sent, and not at the will or pleasure of any One in particular. Hence is it that the United States in the Low-Countries, ha­ving been forced by their exigents to nurse themselves up by a War, adventured up­on an Addition to all the former Christian courses, by their Taxes upon all sorts of Victuals, called Excises; and hereby fill their Exchequers, and to admiration have maintained a long VVar against a Potent Enemie.

I intend not to enlarge my self farther in this particular of procuring Treasure, as being a work rather appropriated to the States-man then Souldier: onely I shall take liberty to pass a Souldier-like Cen­sure upon them in brief; as, That that of the Tyrants is so insupportable, as it can­not be expected to attend any other opor­tunitie, then to clear it self by a general Revolt; and therefore must be made good by as general a strength, which must needs exhaust any Treasure, be it never so great, [Page 6]and make the Possessors poor, though ne­ver so rich: That that of the Christian Princes must needs be subjected to many casualties; as, to a decrease in Customs by the point of Trading, to the hazards of loss when imported from the Mines in Foreign Parts, to the discontenting of the Sub­ject when upon occasion they shall be never so little increased and innovated, and to over-tedious and dangerous delays (not to speak farther) when they are to be had by consent of Parliaments: so that the Low-Country way, when (as now with them) it hath gotten a Prescription by Time, and a Toleration by Custom, seemeth preferrable to them all, and espe­cially in regard of the certainty of having them.

As for the preserving of them when they are gotten, I shall onely say, that it may be surest done, either by melting them in­to Bullion or VVedges, and so to coin them upon occasion (as was the practice of the Ancients) or to lend them out for some small profit to particular persons, upon good caution: an especial care be­ing had withal, that the Officers of the Exchequers be men of integritie, chosen [Page 7]rather out of persons of honourable birth and breeding, then of Mechanicks, and men of base condition and qualitie. And thus we have done all we mean to do about the first principal, included under the first Requirable, which is Munition.

CHAP. II. Of Armours of proof. Of Buff-Coats, and quilted Jacks. The length of the Pike. Pikes not to be over-long.

WE shall speak in the next place, and in this second Chapter, of the se­cond Principal contained under the first Requirable, that is, of Arms; and first, of Defensive, and those fitted for the bodies of men: touching which, I shall not par­ticularize in the pieces and names, well enough known to every Train-band-man; but only enquire into the use, and when they seem best fitted for service, and for the turn they are provided.

And first of those called Arms of proof. A proof indeed of the degeneration of mens spirits and courage, and wherewith [Page 8]the wearers become so over-charged, and shackled, that they seem chiefly prepared to fight against the shock and brunt of their own coats of Steel; and as if bound rather to defend their Arms, then their Arms them.

In which regard (for mine own part) I find no reason why they should be in any great request. For should there be found one man of a thousand so well underlaid as to march or stand under one of them, yet shall he not be able to fight, no not to keep his legs against the force of a Mus­quet-shot within point-blank, or a level Range: for though perhaps it pierce not his thick armour, yet shall it sure enough lay the bearer on his back, there to lie until he find a Comrade or two to set him on his feet, or be troden to death with the prease of his own side. And truly there is but little difference, either in re­spect of assistance to his Partie, or safetie to himself, between a mans being killed by a Musquet-shot by the want of his boy­sterous Arms, and his being overthrown and tortured to death by having them upon him.

I deny not, but such kind of Arms as are [Page 9]defensible against the Sword, the push of the Pike, and the force of a Pistol-shot, may be usefully born: and I make it a Quere whether this may not be done as well by a good Buff-coat, or at the least, by those quilted Jacks (in my opinion im­providently left off of late) used by our old brave English Archers, as by any iron Armour whatsoever: for these, when they are not pierceable, are not wearable; and when pierceable, make the wound in­curable for the most part, by having a piece of the iron of the Armour carried into the body before the bullet. And cer­tainly, (unless we will fall out with most of the Ancients in point of credit) it must be granted, that they had the use of cer­tain linen Arms of excellent proof and use. And Justus Lipsius (lib. 8. dial. 6.) out of Nicetus his Chronicle, thus descri­beth one of them: Conradus (saith he) fought without a Target, and in lieu of a Curace, he had a woven weed made of Flax, soaked in sowre Wine, well salted withal, and often folded. It was so sure against outward force, being thus fulled, salted, and folded, that it could not be pierced with Iron or Steel. Plinie (Hist. [Page 10]Nat. l. 8. c. 48.) also maketh mention of the like. And Caesar (De Bel. Civ. l. 3.) hath somewhat to this purpose. And tru­ly it is much to be pitied, that this In­vention hath been lost to our age.

The next Weapon Defensive (especial­ly against Horse) is that of the Pike, of which the most considerable is the length. Touching which, it is generally held, that it ought not to be shorter then eight Cu­bits, which make twelve foot. Some Pikes (among the Ancients) have been found sixteen foot in length: witness Po­lyenus (lib. 2. in Cleon. Sect. 2.) where he saith, that Cleonymus besieging Edessa, and having overthrown the VVall of the City, the Pikemen (saith he) sallied out, whose Pikes were sixteen cubits in length. And it is not to be denied, but that short Pikes are greatly disadvantaged, having to do with such as over-lengthen them: for with a long Pike, a man is able to strike and kill his enemie, and himself not be touched. And hereof Patricius (Parel. part. 2. l. 3. c. 8.) gives us an example at the battel of Sorano, where Vitellozze Vitelli discomfited the Almanes only with the ad­vantage of Pikes; his (saith the Story) be­ing [Page 11]an arms length longer then those of the Enemies. And at our being at the Island of Rey, after the Enemies horse (at our first landing) charging furiously French-like, were most of them slain in the place by our foot, and their Bodies of Pikes came up to the push of ours; It was observed, that our Pikes were longer then theirs, and this was thought to be one main cause of our so suddain and thorow routing of them.

Nevertheless (in my opinion) a consi­deration is to be had, that no Pikes be ad­mitted to be over-long, lest they both ex­ceed the measure of his strength and ma­nagement that is to use them, and by their over-length do over-sway them­selves; and so by hanging crooked when they are to be charged, do hinder both the force and certaintie of their stroke. I hold therefore, that the proportionable and due length of a Pike may be, when the head of the Pike of the fourth man in the depth of the File, being charged, shall somewhat advance beyond the face and shoulder of the File-leader. And the or­dinary length now required in Pikes, be­ing fifteen foot, is well-near answerable [Page 12]hereunto. As for the Three-quarter-Pikes and Half-Pikes, they are serviceable and proper to be used upon the walls of Towns, and behind Ramparts, Brest­works, and in Trenches; but not so for services against Horse, and in Campagnia. And thus far concerning the Weapons of Defence, proper for the bodies of Men.

CHAP. III. Of the places and parts fit for Fortifi­cation.

WE are now to give some Advertise­ments concerning the Defence of Towns: and in the first place, touching the places and parts fit for Fortifica­tion.

Now these are to be such by Nature, as may be made inexpugnable by Art, or at the least brought to the nearest terms of being so. Of which kindes are Rocks, Islands, Hills, and Necks of Land. But herein it is carefully to be observed, that none of these places be commanded by an external height; or if they be, that that [Page 13]part be fortified also. Observation is also to be made, that the soil of the part be not Sandie; for then there can be no repairs either against Battery or Sap. Respect is likewise to be had to the air, that it be wholsom, and especially that the place be well provided with water; and so, that it cannot be cut off by the Enemie: That it be in a Country well furnished with Vi­ctual of all kindes; and withal so sited, that it may serve as a Bull-work unto that Country, either by a Guard of a Port, or the Defence of a Passage: That it be apt to offend an Enemy on all sides by Sallies; for so it shall be apt also to be relieved, and cannot be blockt up with any one Fort alone: That it be not so great as to require over-many men to Man and De­fend it; nor so little as not of capacity to receive a sufficiencie of hands to give an impediment to an Enemie in his passage: the mean betwixt these two, being, when in the Diameter it consisteth of three or four hundred paces: and lastly, That it be in such a part, as that no Siege can be brought before it, but by an Army divided. To which end, the situation upon Rivers, and Tongues of Land lying betwixt two [Page 14]Rivers, are most proper and convenient. And these are the usual Advertisements and Observations to be made and received in the point of choice of the Place and Part that is fit for Fortification. Where­unto I shall only add thus much (confirm­ed herein by Gyrolamo Maggi, (lib. del­la Fortif. l. 1. fol. 4.) and Iacomo Castriotto, approved Engineers,) that in new parts to be inhabited upon any terra firma, or any large Islands, where all Landing-places are too many to be secured by Fortification; the most useful and provident part to raise the strongest piece upon, is in some Mid-land place, where there is an Inten­tion to settle: the which nevertheless is to have some smaller pieces of Fortifica­tion round about it, or near unto it, upon the most likely and obvious Avenues, that so an assaulting Enemie may be impedited in his approaches, as not daring to leave an Enemy behinde him, whereby he may be in eminent peril of being cut off from all manner of supplies, and may expect to receive continual molestation by those in the Forts left behind him; and likewise the Inhabitants may finde means not onely to shelter themselves in their persons, but [Page 15]to save their goods and cattle within and under the command of this Fort thus si­tuated.

CHAP. IV. The perfection of Works due to Fortifica­tion, in the point of a Bulwork and its parts, and in the point of the Curtains and its defences.

THe part proper for Fortification be­ing thus found, some Caveats are to be received touching the perfecting of the works. And these are, that an especial care be taken, that the Bull-works be not hollow, and that the Piazza or Plain thereof be raised equal with the Rampart to the foot of the Parapet: And that there be no Vault nor Casemate that may give Impediment to the play of the great Guns, either by blindings with smoak, or any other way: That no Angle of a Bul­work be over-small, lest it prove easie to be battered; nor over-large, lest the point with a small battery be hidden from the flank: That every Bull-work have his [Page 16]Counter-mine; the which, though some think (by way of saving of charge) may be timely enough done when an Enemy be­gins to make his Approaches, yet for my part I cannot approve of so thrifty a pre­sumption: That every Bull-work have two Sally-Ports as secretly contrived as may be; to which end, the Angle of the ears of the Bull-work is the most proper part: That every Flank regard the face of the opposite Bull-work, that so the Enemy may be dislodged from Mining the Ram­part: That the Angle of the Flank be a right Angle; because an obtuse Angle layeth the Cannoniers or Port-holes over­open, and a sharp Angle disordereth the Face of the Piazza of the Bull-work, and of the ears thereof: That there be in eve­ry Flank, one piece of Ordnance at the least, so secured, as that it may serve for a constant defence for the opposite Bull­work: That the Port-holes next to the Angles of the Curtain, lie as little disco­ver'd as possibly may be; provided never­theless, that they regard and scour the ditch and the covered way, or false Bray, with some part of the circumjacent Cam­pagnia; That the defence of the Face of [Page 17]every Bulwork be taken out of half of the Curtain, and so be made, that it may be re-guarded by the Flank, thereby prohi­biting an Enemie to Mine; the which cannot be done if the defence should be taken from the Angle of the Flank, as of old: That the distance from the Angle of the Flank to the point of the opposite Bulwork, be not above two hundred pa­ces (within which distance the great Guns may work their effects) nor fewer then one hundred and fiftie; that so the De­fendants guarding in the Flank, may not be offended by the Enemies Musquetiers from the point of the Counterscarp: That the Ports be made in the midst of the Curtains, and not of the Flanks nor Ears, which otherwise might be weak­ned by them: That no part be discover­ed from the Spalto or shoulder; so shall it not be subject to batteries, or at the least not to the same batterie of the Point or Flank: That the Curtains between the Bulworks be drawn in a right line: That no Bridge lead directly to any part of the Work, that so the use of Petards may be frustrated; and this also may be done by Draw-bridges: That the whole Work [Page 18]command round every way, over all the plain where it is erected.

And these are the material and princi­pal observations and advertisements due to Works of Fortification, when new ones are to be raised, and the choice of the place to be had at pleasure.

CHAP. V. Of defective pieces of Fortification. Of the Forms of Works: the Triangular the worst Form.

WE are in the next place to make some advertisements touching such pieces of Fortification as are defective, either in respect of Form, or otherwise: and all such are so to be held, which participate not of the correspondence and defence which they should borrow one of ano­ther.

Now this mal-correspondence may be reformed, by giving to the parts of the same denomination, equal proportion in heighth, breadth, length and declination, if the situation will possibly permit. And [Page 19]the defences are secured and amended by increasing of the points of the Bulworks to such a moderation, as that they be not car­ried to the prohibited terms of sharpness; the which for all that, serves not for the reformation of all old Works, but onely for such as are regular.

As for the irregular (besides the refor­mations of particular members) it will be needful to build some new and entire bo­dies of Fortification. The truth is, that in the reforming of the substance and main of old Works, more labour is to be used then skill; for herein it is onely necessary to fill the Bulwork, if it be hollow; to in­crease the thickness of the Curtains and Parapets, if they be not sufficient to resist a Batterie; to make the ditches deeper, broader or narrower, as cause shall re­quire; to cut a Counter-scarp with his Ravelins and Flankers round about; to advance the Spalto, or shoulder, if it be over-low, to the heigh of the Cordone; to increase or diminish the scarp, as need shall require: and lastly, to repair the Camiscia if it be ruinous.

As for such Fortresses as are sited on Sandie Grounds, being in themselves al­together [Page 20]without remedy against battery or sap, the natural defect is to be supplied by an Artificial Camiscia of wood, made with such proportion of Scarp and thick­ness, as that it cannot be ruined but by much time and great labour. And when the Curtains are excessively long, and thereby defective, the Redress may be either by a Cavalier or a Platform, or by setting the Flanks the nearer one unto another. But the best way is to make two Curtains of one, and to raise a new Bul­work in the midst between them. And the Spalla may be perfected by either the same, with a new Camiscia, or by retiring the Curtain farther into the Fortress. As for the defects of the Gola of a Bulwork, they are not to be reformed and made wider, but by removing of the Spallaes so much as is needful, towards them of the opposite Bulwork.

As for the Forms of Works of Fortifi­cation, the Triangular and Square ones are justly the most imperfect of all others, by reason that the Bulworks must of force become over-sharp in the points (and especially in the Triangular Form) where­by they are easily battered in that part, [Page 21]to the extream danger of the whole Piece; by reason that the Enemie cannot be of­fended from those parts, but may safely come to the assault, without being endan­gered in Flank: and besides, if the Parapet chance to be beaten down by the streight­ness of the site caused by an acute Angle, all place is absolutely taken away for a retreat, and no room left to erect another in its stead, either with Gabions or Tren­ches. In these respects it may therefore be concluded, that the best Forms of For­tified Towns, are those which consist of most sides, as nearest approaching to the circular Form, which is the most capable of all others, and by consequent can afford the more commodities for the ac­commodation of strong and ample Bul­works, and have the Angles more obtuse. And the Streets likewise may the better be direct and strait, which is a main matter towards the defence of a Town of War; by reason that they may be the better tra­versed with Trenches and Barricadoes upon all occasions. And thus much touch­ing the Works due unto a Fort, and a for­tified Town, both regular and irregular. It remaineth to say somewhat of the [Page 22]Ports; the which shall take up the Cha­pter following.

CHAP. VI. The best Forms for Ports. The part where the Ports are to be made.

TOuching the Ports of a Town of War (not to speak any thing of the An­tique ones, justly despicable) the general modern rule is, That the extremities or points of these Works be not extended or thrust out any way beyond those of the Curtains, lest by their interposition, they hinder the operation of the Artillery, and so frustrate the defence of them: And that these Ports are to be raised so near unto the Bulworks, that from them they may be defended by Musquet-shot.

As for the part where these Ports are to be made, the famous Engineer San-Martin Propoundeth it to be upon the Curtain; their largeness to consist of six Braces, their height of nine: and that near unto each Port, is to be a Postern cut out of the Curtain, in breadth one Brace [Page 23]and an half before, and three behind: and that the Counter-port should be of five Braces in bredth, and eight in heighth: and between the two Ports, he would have left the covered Piazza, or Plain, or Passage, to be in breadth one Brace, and in length thirty two; having withal two places so framed, as from them to give fire on each side upon the first Gate: and on each side of this passage to be three square Rooms below, of eight Braces on a side, wherein to lodge the Souldiers of the Guard; and as many above, directly over them, to be passed up into by two Ladders or Stairs; the one Stair on the one side, and the other on the other, upon those sides of them which lie within, and towards the Town and the Guard thereof: and so the whole piece become a perfect Square, upon the flat top of which, he would have a Cava­lier to be raised, to be passed up unto by two other pair of Stairs in the Flanks to­wards the Curtains.

Thus propoundeth the great Engineer, San-Martin or San Mariano. Never­theless, if the heighth of these Works be advisedly considered by this prescription, I see not (howsoever the Front may make [Page 24]a gallant Prospect) but it must needs carry wich it very much of peril, and lie open to a Batterie, by reason of the heighth. And therefore I am of opinion, that these Ports with their seconds, are not to be made upon the very Curtains themselves, but somewhat within them; and so to make a kind of Ear or Pome unto it, the which may so stand out before the Port, as to hinder the Enemie from beating upon it with his Guns, and withal offend such of the Enemie as shall approach behind the shoulder: and likewise it shall hereby play very freely upon that side of the Bulwork which is next unto it, and upon the bosom or bowing of the foresaid Ear, Pome, or Guard of the shoulder that flankers it.

True it is, that the way or passage which leadeth from the Port into the Town, is to be (for a good way) somewhat extraordi­nary large, and withal with such a bending, that two pieces of Batterie, at the least, may directly and fully beat upon the Port it self: to which end all the whole passage is to be kept clear from all impediments of houses, or any thing else that may hin­der the play of these Ordnance.

CHAP. VII. Of Forts or Citadels within Towns. The best Forms of these Forts. Of the Cava­liers within these Forts.

FRom these Ports we have occasion to observe somewhat touching such Forts and Citadels as anciently, and in many places to this day, are raised and maintain­ed in some Towns of War; and serve as well to defend the place against an assault­ing Enemy, as to hold the Town it self in a we and order.

Now to this purpose, the antique use was to seat the Citadels in the midst of the Town, upon some high and elevated part: and if none such was there to be found, then to raise them in any other part, best tending that way.

The more modern practice hath been, and is, to erect these Citadels in such a posture, and in such a part, that the one half of them might be within the Walls of the Town, the other half without, as the situation would bear. And this was principally done, that supplies might be [Page 26]brought in or out unto the Citadel, with­out being in danger to be hindred by the Town, if it should happen to be impatro­nized either by Rebels or by an Enemie. But this way hath not passed without re­proof, because the part without the Walls may be so ruined either by Battery or Mine, that the part within shall not be able to put into it any sufficient sup­plies.

It's my opinion therefore that Cita­dels within Towns of War are most pro­perly sited, when they stand upon the most eminent and elevated part, and if it may be, upon the very Walls of the Town, and so serve in the nature of a Bulwork also, to guard and flanker the Curtains of the Wall on each side; but yet so, as not to be offended by the over-vicinity of any of the Bulworks; and that they be contrived with one or more secret Posterns, or pri­vate and close Avenues, that Munition and Men may at all times be conveyed into them; and that every way they have a full command upon the Town wherein they stand, and be able especially to beat upon such parts thereof as are most fre­quented, and especially the Market-place [Page 27]and Ports; so that if the Town should chance to be surprised by an Enemie, or turn Rebel, it may not onely be battered by the Fort, but the parts thereof disarm­ed, and means and commoditie afforded for the receipt of all such supplies as may be intended for the regaining of the Town.

As for the Forms of these Citadels, howsoever the Triangular and Quadrate Forms are disapprovable in Royal Forts (as formerly was noted) yet in these, in regard they are generally but small, they may be allowed to consist of four sides, and indeed not of above five: yet is their circuits not to be so little, but that there may be a sufficiencie of Retreat upon all occasions: for otherwise they may suffer much. As for their Walls, Curtains, and Bulworks, they ought to be (in my judg­ment) somewhat larger, and their ditches deeper then those of the Town, as sustain­ing the greater charge, and undergoing the more of danger.

It is also very necessary, that within these Citadels, Mounts or Cavaliers, be raised in the midst of them, not of stone (for these may not onely be easily ruined [Page 28]by an Enemies Counter-battery, but with­al prove dangerous to the defendants in Guard near at hand,) but of good earth: the top of which is to be circled with Ga­bions, or solid entrenchments. And thus may the Territory and Champain round about be commanded with the Ordnance mounted upon them, and the Enemie be disabled from making his approaches but with much molestation and danger.

As for the way to furnish these Cita­dels with water, it must be done by Wells or Cisterns, or both, in convenient places. And for their Arms, Victuals, and Powder, Caves and well-secured parts must be framed, wherein to store them: and especially for their Powder, that it may be so distributed and repartited, that it be not either by chance or treachery fired all at once. But of this more shall be prescribed in another place. Now the benefit and assistance that have been found by these kind of Citadels, was evi­denced in that of the Campi doglio at Rome, which recovered that Citie from the Gauls: In that of Tarento, which held out five years after the taking of the Town, and was the means of reducing it. [Page 29]And of late in an Action of our own in the journey to the Island of Rey, where the Citadel of the Town of S. Martins, (though it lay without the Town, because the Town was unwalled) after we had been possessed of the Town and whole Island, for three months space, by its hold­ing out against us, put us to a Retreat, with the loss of our cost and labour, and the lives of some of our best men.

CHAP. VIII. The best matter whereof to build Forts. How to be wrought where there is sand.

AS for the substance and matter where­of the Works of this Nature are to be made and to subsist, it is earth; and of earth, the perfect clay is the best. And yet when this is to be had, provision is withal to be made of store of brush and fagots. Of which, in raising the Bastions or Scarps, one fagot is to be laid in every three foot of ground, and so thoroughout the whole Work: only the Front of the Work is to be made up with good Turf, [Page 30]with the Green side outwards, and to be well lined with brush and fagots, with good mold thrown both upon them and in­to them; the which will not onely make it firm, but comely. And where none of this prime earth is to be had, but that onely of the middle sort, which is part of a firm clay, and part of sand; then ought there to be provided the greater store of this brush and fagots, and mud, or the like stuff, to be thrown into the Fagots, and a fagot to be put between every two Turffs of earth.

But where nothing is to be gotten but meer sand onely (which is the worst of all sorts of earth,) a very great abundance of brush and fagots are to be had in readiness; and the most firm and stable Turff is to he fetched elsewhere, and to be proportioned into eight Spans in largeness, and sixteen in length. And the rows of Turff are to be doubled the one upon the other, and with great Pins or Dibbles of strong wood, each of them of two foot in length, to be pinned and fastned together. And every course of two Turffs are thus to be pinned; putting withal into every course a suffi­cient store of fagots filled with sand: and [Page 31]in the face of all, some of the best earth is again to be laid to the thickness of four Spans, that so this earth may be scarped by little and little, to cause the VVork to shew fair; two Scarps being to be made between every five foot of ground, always mingling withal, within and near unto the firm earth, some Straw, or Mud, or the like stuff.

And indeed these fagots or brush, are the most principal materials, as well for de­fence in Cities, as in all approaches upon them: neither, to say truth, can any de­fences at all be suddenly raised by any means without them, nor any half Moons, or the like; so that it may well be said, Want Fagots, want Defences.

And this is evidenced in no part more, then in the Low-Country-VVars, where most of their designs reflect upon the ta­king and keeping of strong Towns, and where all, both defences and approaches are chiefly made up with these fagots: witness above all others, the last famous Siege of the Borse, where the expence in these kinds alone, was on the Assailants part infinite great, and the effects no less admirable.

CHAP. IX. Of Guns in a Town of War: Where best to be placed.

HAving gone thus far in the point of Forts and Fortifyings of Towns of VVar, we are to give some advertise­ments about the Artillery and Guns be­longing and due unto them.

It is the general opinion, that in a Town of VVar of the true size, which (as before said) is to be in the diameter betwixt three and four hundred paces, there are not to be fewer then sixty pieces of Ord­nance, which are thus qualified: Of Can­nons twelve, shooting forty pounds of iron, which are to be imployed in Coun­ter-Batteries. Of Demy-cannons eighteen, shooting twenty four pounds of iron, for the defeat of the Enemies defences and trenches. Of those called by the French, Quarts du Cannons, shooting ten pounds of iron, wherewith to offend the Enemie in his approaches, and to endanger his Sentinels and Out-watches. Of Field­pieces twenty, shooting five pounds of [Page 33]iron, or seven and a half of lead; to be imployed not onely upon the Walls and Ramparts, but upon the entries of Breaches: and besides all these, three Morter-pieces at the least, for the throw­ing of Granadoes and Fire-works into the Enemies Trenches, and to give light in the night-time, for discoverie of the Ene­mies Works.

These are the Repartitions of the great Guns, accounted requisite for the defence of a well-fortified Town: wherein I shall onely advise to change the twelve whole Cannons for so many half ones. And my reasons are, first, because they are more manageable: secondly, in that they may the oftner, and with more ease, be char­ged, discharged, and recharged: thirdly, in regard that they do not over-shake their Walls and Works, as Cannons do: and lastly, in that they exact not so many hands to manage them, nor require so great expence of Powder as the other.

As for the parts and particular places where these great Guns are to be lodged, and especially during the time of a Siege; the Rules are, that if the Enemie plant his Batteries against the Curtains of the [Page 34]VVall, the Guns in the Town are to be mounted upon the Bulworks next unto that Curtain where the Enemie batters: lodging withall some few Pieces upon the inmost brink of the ditch which flankers with the breach. But in this point, espe­ciall care is to be taken, that these Pieces, as well on the Bastion as Ditch, be never suffered to play, save when the Enemie presents himself in multitudes to force the breach, that so they may lie undisco­vered.

But if the Enemie batters upon the Bul­works, then the neck of the Bastion is to be cut and retrenched; and within this retrenchment some great Guns are to be laid, and with good shoulders to be well covered and shadowed, until the Enemie adventures to force the breach, and then to be thorowly imployed on the sudden. And this retrenchment may also be used in defence of the Curtains, if there be a void place for the making of a half Moon, or the like piece of VVork. And thus are the great Guns to be lodged and im­ployed in a well-fortified Town of VVar.

CHAP. X. Of the Out-works requisite to a Town of War. Of the Ditch, the Ravelins, Horn­work, Counter-Scarp, Half Moons.

HAving thus far discoursed of the in­ward VVorks of a Town of VVar, we shall now advertise somewhat also of the Out-works.

And first of the Moat or Ditch, which lieth the next without the Town-VVall; and is sometimes in some places without water, sometimes filled with water; and again: sometimes filled with a standing water, sometimes with a current.

Now of these particulars, as also of the breadth of the Ditch, some disputes have been which should be the best. Of which (as affecting brevity) I shall onely say, That the drie Ditch may be fittest in re­spect of the VVorks that may be made in it; and the wet, in regard of retarding and troubling of an Enemie, and forcing of him to fill it up, or to lay Galleries o­ver it.

The second Out-work without the [Page 36]VValls, are the Ravelins; and these ge­nerally are cut out triangle-wise, and are raised for the most part, in the middle of the Ditch, and serve as well to defend and scowre the Ditch, as also in the nature of Casemates.

The third VVork without-dores, is that called the Counter-Scarp; and it is a kinde of Brest-work, cut enclining by little and little downwards, and sited on the outmost shore or side of the Ditch: and it serves for the safety of Musquetiers.

The fourth VVork of this nature, is termed a Horn-work; and it is contrived to secure and scowre the Curtains of the Counter-Scarp. And it takes the name, by having their corners of the Fronts shaped like a Fork, or two Horns joyned toge­ther.

Last of all, before these Horn-works are again cut out certain places of a safe Retreat, called Half Moons; and these are also fortified with a Counter-Scarp about one Cubit in heighth. And into these Half Moons are passages cut out for the Souldiers to go from the Front of the Horn-work behinde them, over little Draw-bridges thrown over their Ditches.

And these are the chief and prime of all those Pieces termed Out-works; which, to speak truly, are rather the Repairs and Succours of faultie Pieces of Fortificati­on, then any true ones themselves. Touch­ing all which in general, and especial care is to be had, that both the outward and in­ward VVorks of a true fortified place, be so contrived, and so correspond one to another, that some of them lying higher then others, and others again in an equal heighth, they may with the more surety defend each other from the Flanks, and from above: so that from the out­most to the next to it, and from thence to the rest, there may be a safe retreat for the Defendants upon all occasions.

CHAP. XI. Ways of Defence, by Protraction, Frustra­tion. Batteries, Mines, Assaults, how to make void. Defence of Towns by way of Sallies. How to carry off a Garison out of a Sea-Town.

WE shall now propound some courses of defence by way of Protraction, and others by way of Frustration; whereby a besieged place may haply preserve it self against expugnation.

Now the courses by Protraction, are ei­ther by the raising of some small Forts, or by Counter-approaches, or Sallies. The Forts to this purpose are to be raised with­in Musquet-shot of the Town, whose Ditches are to be emboqued from the Flanks of the Bulwork, or at the least from some part of the Curtain, from which also the platforms of the Forts are to be whol­ly discovered; that if the Enemy should gain them, he may as suddenly be beaten out, and disabled from maintaining them. The Counter-approaches are to be em­boqued from the Flanks, and to begin at [Page 39]the Counter-Scarp, and so to be carried towards the Enemies approaches. And the use of these are, both to delay the Ene­mie in his approaches, and to lodge Soul­diers in; from whence they may aid the Defendants in their Sallies. And the one part of the earth taken out of these Coun­ter-approaches, is to be cast up towards the Enemies VVorks; and the rest to be carried into the Town for Munition-earth.

As for Sallies, whensoever they are to be practised by night, a sure course is to be taken that intelligence be gotten how the Enemie is lodged, that they may be brought on accordingly: if they be to be made by day, it must always be done upon a sure advantage, and a strict injunction that they pass not beyond the distance of a Reserve to be given them by the shot of the Town. And thus by these Sallies dis­creetly made, the carrying of Galleries and Traverses intended by the Enemie, may be hindred from being brought over the Ditch. And the like may also be done by Counter-mines, if the Ditch be drie; and by throwing into it combustible mat­ter, as Fire-works, and the like. And if [Page 40]the Ditch be wet, provision must be made of Boats and Floats, for the better condu­ction of these Sallies whensoever they are made. And these are the courses of Pro­traction.

Those of Frustration, are performed ei­ther by making void the Enemies Batte­ries, or his Mines, or his Assaults.

His Batteries may be made void either by a Counter-batterie, which may dis­mount his Guns, spoil their Carriages, or ruine their Gabions: Or by a repair of the breaches made by the Enemies Can­non; to which end, store of Timber, Pales, Faggots, Hurdles, and Munition-earth, are to be provided: Or by carrying the earth into the Town which falleth from the Batterie, that it remain not ei­ther in the Ditch, or increase the Scarp.

The Enemies Mines may be frustrated, either by Counter-mines, or by Batteries from the opposite Flank, or by wetting of the Powder in the bed of the Mine, or by giving vent unto the Mine. And ei­ther of these may be done when the place of the Mine is discovered; and it may be discovered by the use of a long Piercer, such as are commonly used in the pro­ving [Page 41]and search after Cole-mines.

The Enemies Assaults (though they cannot be absolutely restrained) yet may be sustained either by the Cannon secu­ring in Flank, and fully re-guarding the breach, being continually well plyed du­ring the whole time of the assault; or by a Counter-Mure, whose platform ought to be streight, and the Flanks so contrived that one may not endamage the other: Or by Mines as well in the ditch as plat­form of the Counter-Mure, and which may be covered with boards full of nails: Or by continual throwing of Granadoes, Stones, Timber, artificial fires, and the like combustible matter.

And if any place of strength, as Town or Fort, shall happen to be so assaulted and stormed, as that neither hope of any in­ward defence remains, nor hope of Quar­ter; in this desperate condition, if a Sally be made out of divers Ports at once, and that unexpectedly and thorowly brought on, and well followed; it hath been found not onely to mitigate the heat and vio­lence of the assault, and control the fury of the Enemy, the better to obtain reason­able and Souldier-like conditions and [Page 42]Quarter; but also quite to alter the face of the day, and absolutely to occasion the quitting of the Siege.

And hereof we have a punctual exam­ple from Caesar in his Commentaries, where Sergius Galba (being sent to make good a certain passage of the Alps, and to that purpose resolving to winter in the part) was suddenly besieged, and assault­ed in his standing Camp, by the native in­habitants; and being so over-pressed with multitude, that no hope of longer defence remained, by the advice of Caius Voluse­nus, the besieged Romans brake out tho­row all the gates of the assaulted Camp, on such a sudden, and with such a courage and alacrity, that they gave the assailing Enemy no leisure to consider of what was done, nor to satisfie their judgments and apprehensions upon so unexpected a mo­tion: so that the face of all things being suddenly changed, the Romans (saith the Story) found the means to slay more then the third part of thirty thousand men, and absolutely routed all the rest. And if a Garrison or Army being besieged in a Ha­ven-Town, the Port being open to Sea­ward, shall be so forced upon by an over­potent [Page 43]Enemy, as that the place must needs be forsaken; the safest course to do this, consisteth in some Works to be made within the Town: and these Works may be of three sorts; either by Muring and Barricadoing up the Entrances and ends of the Streets and Lanes which might give access to the Enemie; or by sinking some Ditches or Trenches cross those ways and passages, which may also be stuck full of sharp stakes and calthrops, covered and shadowed over with light and thin hur­dles, that the assailing Enemie may not heed them; or to hedge in all such Ave­nues as lead unto the Port, with a strong Pallizado.

As for the course of conveyance of the Souldiers out of the Town to Ship-board, it must be carried with as little shew of fear as may be; and by the stay and shew­ing of some of the lightest armed men here and there upon the Walls and Bulworks, to make a semblance of a longer holding out of the place; and that the Enemie may take no notice of the least intention of a retreat. And these last reserve of men, are to be called off upon the giving of a word, after the rest of the army are embarqued, without noise or tumult.

And of this also we find a president du­ring the Civil VVars between Caesar and Pompey, who being besieged by Caesar in Brundisium, punctually practised this course, and safely shipped all the remainder of his forces into Greece, where most of his Legions were before. And this he did without loss or trouble, although Caesar did his best to prevent it.

And surely had we done the like at the Isse of Rey, and in this manner shipped our men at the Town of St. Martins, and not marched over into the small Island of Loiz by Land, in all likelyhood we had esca­ped that blow, and had come more fairly off in that our unluckie descent.

CHAP. XII. Of the expugnation of Forts: how by an Escalade, either in the night or day. The Bridges for an Escalade, how ordered. Of Surprizes by the use of Petards. Of approaches upon a besieged Town. Of Galleries used in Sieges, Batteries, how to be made and preserved.

ANd thus having spoken somewhat of all the ways and practices Defensive in a VVar, we shall now do the same touching the courses of Offence.

And first of all, this ought to be received as a Maxime, that whosoever intendeth to expugn any place whatsoever, is to be at that present, in that part, Master of the Field: he ought also to be well informed of the situation, strength and provisions of all kindes, wherewith the place he means to besiege is furnished. As in particular, with what kindes of Ordinance, and how many; with what quantitie of Provisions, as well for defence as in point of Victual. A true and perfect designation is likewise to be procured of the VValls, Fortificati­ons, [Page 46]Bulworks, and Bastions; of the strong­est and weakest parts of the place, as also of the most Minable and Unminable parts. And if he aim to attempt it by surprize, that it be resolved with judgment, and exe­cuted with diligence and resolution: and in particular, if by way of Escalade or Scaling, either by day or night, that per­fect information be gotten of the quality of the Ditch; as, whether it be filled with a standing water, or a currant; whether it have a Counter-Scarp or not, on the in­nermost side. If it have a Counter-Scarp, and the water in the Ditch be a current, the course by way of an Escalade may be, by the provision of a dozen of light brid­ges made with two poles of Pine, or some other light wood, to the length of fifteen or twenty foot, and the thickness of a mans thigh; upon which poles, traverse pieces of planks are to be fastned a foot­wide asunder, Ladderwise, and to be in largeness about three foot. At the ends of which Ladder or Bridge, as well before as behind, two strong cords are to be fast­ned; that by them, when the Bridges or Ladders are thrown over the water of the Ditch, they may be drawn back at pleasure.

These Bridges thus fitted, may each of them be carried by six men: and being brought to the side of the Ditch, and set down upon the water, four or six Soul­diers are to bestow themselves upon each bridge, sustaining themselves upon their Pikes, and so to pass over the Moat. These men being thus gotten over, they are to thrust back the Bridges, holding the ends of the cords which are next unto them, and giving room and a length of cord for the bridges to pass over, that so they may reach to the other outward side. The which being done, four or five Souldiers more are (as formerly) to pass upon each bridge; and those Souldiers that were first over, are to draw these bridges up unto them. And thus to continue doing, until there be so many Souldiers past over as the place is capable to receive, or shall be held sufficient to carry the Town.

This being done, these bridges are to be drawn up out of the Ditch by the Soul­diers that have passed over, and are to serve in the nature of Ladders for the scaling of the Wall. And because they may perchance prove too short for the heighth of the Wall, it is a necessary pro­vidence [Page 48]to have for every one of these bridges a smaller Ladder, not fully so broad as the Bridge-ladders themselves; the which may be enchased and made fast unto them by their steps, and so the want of height in the bridges supplied.

It is good providence also to provide some Ladders of cords with strong hooks of iron at their ends; the which hooks by throwing, are to be latched to the top of the Wall.

But these are not so much to be trusted upon, as the former Ladders, in regard that they may be often thrown up, before they fasten. And these are the most pro­bable and secure courses to be practised in Escalades. Many others there are of this nature, which are to be varied, accor­ding to occasion and opportunity, to this purpose.

But if a Surprize be intended by the use of a Petard, one approved course may be, by fastning the Petard to the end of the Mast of a ship, much after the same man­ner that small barrels of Guns are laid in­to stocks of wood. At the other end of which Mast is to be hung a weight coun­terpoising the Petard, that so it may be [Page 49]directed and moved in a straight line. And in the midst of the Mast are certain wheels to be fastned, equal to the wheels of the Carriage of a Cannon. Behinde these wheels, when the Petard is brought to the part where it is to do execution, im­pediments are to be laid to prevent all reverse. And it is to be brought up as close to the place where it is to work, as possibly may be. And against the time of giving fire to the Petard, provision must be made of a Draw-bridge, to supply the place of a Draw-bridge belonging to the Town that is to be attempted, if it should be broken down, or drawn up.

And thus much onely touching such at­tempts as are to be made upon a Town of War, by way of Surprise. But if this be to be done by encampings, observation is to be made, that the Army be lodged and en­trenched with such judgment, that the Quarters on all sides, and at all times, secure and second one another; and with­al be so well united, that they may both re­pel the Enemie in Campagnia (if he shall offer to fall on that way) and to maintain themselves withal against the besieged Town. As for the approaches upon the [Page 50]Town it self, they are to be begun some­what beyond the distance of Musquet­shot from the Towns Wall (except the si­tuation of the place afford other advan­tage) and from thence are to be carryed forwards to the Ditch, and then thorow the Ditch to the face of the Bulwork: and rather to the Bulwork then the Cur­tains, (especially if the besieged Town be any thing large) because the Curtains are guarded with more then one Flanker, whereas the Bulwork is onely with one.

And in the making of these approaches, these particulars that follow are always to be observed. First, That all the earth taken out of the Trenches be thrown to­wards the Town besieged. Secondly, That these Trenches lie not open to any part of the Town, either in Front or Flank. And this to be done by carrying of the Lines of the approaches fully with­out the points of the Bulwork toward which it is to be approached; and withal, by making them deep below the line to six foot, and not broader in the bottom then to twenty foot. Thirdly, That all these approaches flank one another; which is done by making of many Tren­ches [Page 51] (al le Forbici) every one of them being to be to the length of thirty or forty paces. Fourthly, That every Trench be provided with some small Works for the lodging of a Corps du Gard; and these are to be cast up at the ends and mid-parts of the Trenches. Fifthly, That at the head of every approach, a small Fort be contrived capable to lodge so many Souldiers as may repulse any Sally. Sixth­ly, That the Angles of the Trenches be deeper then the rest of them, so to pre­serve them from being discovered from any part of the Town. Seventhly, That the cutting into the Counter-Scarp be under ground, and not directly embocqued with any part of the Wall. Eighthly, That those approaches which be carried thorow the Ditch to the Wall, be made of matter incombustible; and withal, be of force to resist any batterie from the Flank which regardeth them. And this is to be done by Traverses if the Ditch be drie, and by Galleries if it be wet.

And these Galleries are to be reduced into members or parts, that so the more easily they may be carried from place to place; and to be rejoyned when they are [Page 52]to be used; and then to be covered with fagots and earth, or with mats made and kept wet, that the Enemie may not endan­ger them by Fire-works. And these Galle­ries may be larger or lesser, as cause re­quires, carrying the heighth of nine feet, and the bredth of six: though true it is, that the larger they are, the better they are, as admitting a freer passage for men, be they either Souldiers or Pioneers.

Now whilst these approaches are thus in action, Batteries are to be raised and planted: to perfect which, respect is to be had of their security, their execution, their form, and the expedition. Batteries may be secured against the shot from the Town by Gabions, seven foot high and six foot broad, filled with solid earth well trodden: and against Sallies, by Trenches well fur­nished with Souldiers to repel the Enemy. Batteries may prove defective in their execution, both by being over-remote, and by the manner of mounting of the Guns. The distance therefore from the part to be beaten upon, is not to be above two hundred paces, nor nearer then one hundred: for when they are within the one, or without the other, the ball loseth [Page 53]of its best force. As for the forms of Bat­teries, the Guns are best mounted when they may stand parallel with the Batterie: because when they are under the horizon, the ball affecteth its natural repose; when above, it suffereth violence. As for the form of the body of the Batterie, the most proper is that of a half Moon; prefera­ble to all others, in regard that it disco­vers wider, flanketh better, and requireth fewer Gabions then any other form. Touching expedition in point of a dis­patch, the aptest course is, for the Master or General of the Artillery to make use of a sufficient number of Cannoneers for the attending upon the Batterie: and the Work it self is much forwarded by a Trench cast ten foot before the front of the Batterie, where the Souldiers may be lodged and shrowded from the Enemie; and withal it will serve for the traverse of the Guns.

But all this, though never so throughly observed, proves defective in the particu­lar of making an assaultable breach, with­out the use of Mines or Mining: for though the use of Mines at the first com­ing up of great Guns, was for a time ne­glected; [Page 54]yet hath the practice of them been revived, by reason of the perfection of modern Fortification; the which by occular demonstration hath evidenced, that Artillery is not otherwise profitable for expugnation, then onely to take away Defences. And therefore in this ensuing Chapter we shall advertise somewhat of them.

CHAP. XIII. Mines, how to be made and used. How to lodge the Powder in Mines.

IN the use of a Mine there is nothing more to be suspected, nor more peril­lous then a Counter-mine from the Ene­mie: to avoid which, the way whereby it may be done, is to be declined, either on the one side or other, as occasion and the site of the place will suffer.

A Mine therefore is not to be carried in a right line, but courbed and crooked. And the sides thereof are in many places to be bored with long and fit Piercers of iron, that so the Enemies Counter-mining [Page 55]may be heard; which cannot be so closely nor secretly wrought upon, but by this means may be discovered and heard. In the carrying likewise of a well-contrived Mine, an especial care is to be taken against the sinking and falling down of the earth from above, whereby the Miners may be buried: to prevent which, it is to be well fourred or underpropped with pieces or pillars of Timber, seven foot high if the part will bear it: and the breadth of the Mine is to be five foot, sided with planks and roofed with boards. And if the ground be found over-moist, and stored with Springs of water, it is also to be floored with boards, leaving a small Trench for the water to pass away, or digging some small Wells to the same intent.

The Mine being thus, and in this man­ner conducted to the destinated part, where it is to do execution; a bed or chamber is to be framed for the receipt of the powder: the which being lodged in it to a sufficiencie, is to be very carefully closed up, that no air may enter, save only at that small hole through which the train of Powder is to pass into the chamber or bed of the Mine, whereby the whole mass [Page 56]of Powder may be fired at the time when it is to do execution. And it is to be ob­served, that the nearer the passage or tho­row-fare of the Mine approacheth to the Chamber, the narrower it ought to be: so that though at the mouth of the Mine it may be seven foot high and five foot broad; and at the half way, five foot high and four foot broad; yet at the very chamber it ought not to be larger then onely for the entrance of the barrels of Powder to be put in one after another. But above all things, an especial care is to be had by the Conductor of the Mine, that before he begin his work, he be very attentive and diligent in taking the exact distance that is to be between the begin­ning of it, and the end; with the precise consideration of all its winding and tra­verses, that so he may be sure of the right placing of the bed of the Mine, under the part upon which it is to do execution; lest otherwise, not onely the whole labour and cost be lost, but prove prejudicial to his own partie. To which end also, the declination or sloping of the chamber or bed, is to be made parallel to the Scarp of the Wall: for if it decline either more or [Page 57]less then the Scarp, it will there break forth, because it shall there finde the least resistance; and so in stead of an assaulta­ble breach, make only a small hole in the Rampart. And thus far touching the con­duction of Mines, and the firing of them.

CHAP. XIV. Of Breaches, and the Assault. How the Ditch is to be passed over.

THe Mine being thus fitted and fired, (before any assault be offered or at­tempted) the breach is to be viewed, and judged whether it be assaultable or no; and all the Defences are to be taken away, both in Front and Flank. And this is to be done by planting the Cannons in such a manner, that they may thorowly disco­ver them, and hereby the Assailants put upon the breach with the better security and hope of success, as well in respect of themselves, as of their Seconds and Thirds, if need be.

As for the ordering of the Souldiers which are to assault; some appoint the [Page 58]armed men to be flanked with the shot; others put the shot in the Front and Rear of the armed men. But for mine own part, I conceive the most approved order to be, that the armed men be flanked with shot; onely placing some three or four ranks of shot in their Front, the better to give fire continually upon the breach, un­til the armed men have recovered the top of it: And during the whole time of the assault, all the Trenches to be furnished with the very best of the shot, who are to beat the Enemie from their Parapet, that they may not give any aid to the de­fendants in Flank: And the whole Camp besides to be in Arms, both Horse and Foot; as well for the more terrour to the Defendants, as for the intercepting of the Enemie upon all occasions and inter­ruptions.

And if it fall out that in the assault of the Breach the Ditch cannot be conve­niently passed over by the way of Galle­ries (formerly described) the most proper course in stead of them may be, after the Breach is thoroughly made, and the ap­proaches under the covert of the Tren­ches brought to the brink of the Ditch, [Page 59]to fill up the said Ditch with earth and fagots; towards which also the ruines and rubbish of the Wall made by the Bat­terie will much conduce: neither is there any Moat of standing water, or Ditch so deep, but by this course may be sur­mounted.

True it is, that sometimes to this pur­pose long and great Trees are thrown in­to the Ditch, covered over, and fastned together with planks, and shadowed on the sides with Blindes: But this is not held so certain as the former, though both of them are in use where the Ditch hath in it a standing water. But if the water of the Ditch be a current, and any thing swift, then the best way is to make a bridge upon a large boat; the which be­ing apted and contrived to the breadth of the Ditch, over against the Breach, is to have certain Draw-bridges belonging to it, at each end one, so fitted, that they may serve for Blindes and coverts also, to shadow such men as are to conduct the bridge. And being thus contrived and manned, it is to be suffered to float down with the stream from the place where it was first framed (which must be in a place [Page 60]freest from danger of the Enemie:) and to be moored and made fast directly upon the breach, that so the Draw-bridges for­merly mentioned, being then let fall, the Souldiers which are upon the main bridge may not onely finde a sufficient and well­secured passage for themselves, but for the rest of the Army also, (as many of them as shall be thought needful) to assault the Breach, and to storm and carry the Town.

CHAP. XV. Of all kindes and forms of Battels. Of dou­ble Batteries, and the like. How the Guns are to be mounted in double Batteries. Of the Guns proper for Batteries, how im­ployed.

BEfore we leave this subject touching Assaults upon Towns and Forts, and the approaches due unto them; and though somewhat also hath formerly been noted touching Batteries; yet, for the better understanding of them every way, it will be necessary to add somewhat more at large.

Batteries are Mounts of earth, and their Forms are generally thus contrived: the sides of the Works toward the Enemy are to be made Cannon-proof, that is, of twen­ty five foot in thickness: in the Rear and Flank of them they are to have a Wall of fifteen foot thick; onely the one side of this Wall is to be thicker then the rest, as rising with a Walk and a Parapet on the inside: in their Front they are to be lined with two exteriour Angles, and their faces to be raised with open Windows, or Ports (as they are generally called) tho­row which the great Guns are to play: on their insides they are to have a good groundselling or floor made of Turff, Fa­gots, or the like; of eight foot in heighth, and in breadth answerable to the greatness of the whole Work. And this floor is to be covered with planks, for the better tra­versing and reverse of the Guns.

But before the raising or planting of any of these Batteries, especial obser­vation is to be taken, whether there be any possibility or likelyhood of succour to be brought to the place against which this Battery is raised: for if there be, then care is to be had, that though the Enemy [Page 62]should give on with a main force, yet the Ordnance upon the Batterie may either be retreated or defended. And this may be probably effected by firming the Bat­tery on all sides, and by so blocking up all Avenues, and making of convenient Pa­rapets, that the Enemie shall not be able to make any other accesses, save by the very Ports where the Pieces lie. And if the Battery be of necessity to be planted upon a Dike, and thereby may be in peril of being drowned; the heighth of the Dike is to be considered, and provision made accordingly; and a passage toward the Campagnia to be guarded and kept free, that so the Pieces may be carried off that way, if there be no other re­medie.

And because it is generally necessary, and especially in some cases, that the Pie­ces of Batterie be lodged in secret, and as much obscured from the Enemies Cannon in the Town, as possibly may be; one especial course tending this way, may be practised by making a convenient descent in the Platform; and that in such a man­ner, that the Pieces may make their rever­ses so downwards, as being reversed may [Page 63]fully hide themselves from the Enemies view: and then to be drawn up again by pullies and cords well fastned to the heads of the Carriages and the Wall of the Bat­terie aloft.

True it is, that these Guns thus lodged are onely to be imployed upon the very nick of occasion, and not ordinarily. A second way therefore there is, by making a double Battery, in this manner. First of all, a Battery is to be raised with Shoul­ders and Ports, sufficiently deep, equal, and large, as well before as behinde, in such a fashion that thorow them the Ene­mies Cannon may be discovered in a right line. This done, another Battery is to be framed, with Ports and Shoulders in a due and answerable proportion, ten foot be­hind this; from which through the Ports of the other, the Enemies Pieces may also be perfectly seen in a right line. And in these innermost Ports the great Guns are to be mounted: the which nevertheless, by reason of the foremost Batterie, will lie so closely shadowed and hidden, that the Enemy shall very hardly discover them, or at the least to any hurt or damage.

A third way to this purpose, may be by [Page 64]the choice and laying out of a natural piece of ground; before which a Ditch being sunk to the depth of eleven foot (which will give a sufficient defence for the Guns and those that manage them) a sufficient quantity of ground is to be allowed for the reverse of the Guns, with the distance of twenty foot one from another in their being lodged; having an over-plus of ground behind them, which by the help of Pioneers is so to be sunk, that men may safely pass to and again behind them undis­covered; upon which, planks being arti­ficially laid, the Guns are to be mounted. And last of all, Ports are to be cut through the natural earth, to a sufficiency of large­ness, depth, and heighth, through which the Ordnance are to play. And this is a Work so assured, as not to be annoyed or endangered from any part of the Towns Wall, if the earth be firm and solid.

As for the Guns proper for a main Bat­tery, as well in respect of number as kindes, they may be thus repartited; eight Cannons, six Demy-Cannons, and four Quart du Cannons or Culverins. Touch­ing the distance they are to be lodged in, from the part to be battered, we have spo­ken [Page 65]before. As concerning the ordering of these eighteen Pieces upon the Batte­ry: The Cannons are to be planted in one Camerade, and to beat and batter in Angle right against the Curtain: The six Demy-Canons to be divided into two Camerades, on each side of the Cannons three, and to beat in Traverse: The four Culverins are to be imployed for Defen­ces, and to play upon the Enemies Pieces that shall be found in flanker of the Cur­tain from the Bulworks. For though it be true (as aforesaid) that where Batteries are to be laid against Forts and small Towns, where the Bulworks are near one unto another, it is better to batter upon the Bulworks then the Curtains; yet a­gainst fortified places of large extent, where the Bastions or Bulworks are far removed, it is more advantagious to beat upon the Curtains; in regard that the Bulworks are better furnished then those Curtains can be: and besides, the Enemy may better entrench himself within the Bastion then within the Curtain; neither can the Bulworks in large Pieces of For­tification bring any extraordinary damage at an assault, by flanking of the Curtains; [Page 66]by reason of their distance one from ano­ther. On the contrary, true it is, that in Batteries made against Castles or Forts, it is safest to batter upon the Bulworks: for here the Bastions are so neighbouring, and Flank with so main a force upon the Curtain, that an assault cannot be given without an extraordinary Carnage, and much loss of Men. And when the Battery is thus upon the Bastion, the same Pieces are so to play and batter in Cavalier, or upon the point of the Bulwork, as they did before upon the Curtain.

CHAP. XVI. A besieging Army, how to defend it self Presidents hereof ancient and modern Observations upon the Siege of the Borse.

HAving gone thus far in this way, by the way of Offence, we shall now in this Chapter give some Advertisement how a besieging Army is to defend it self when it expecteth to be assaulted by at Enemy, a Friend to the place besieged, and perhaps Master of the Field; which hath [Page 67]befallen both anciently and modernly. And though it be a case of much danger, yet have some expert and wise Comman­ders provided for themselves and their Ar­mies, to the preservation of both.

The Rules and practices conducing hereunto, have been these: To entrench so sufficiently against the Town besieged, that no irruptions or Sallies may be made upon them out of the Town, to any con­siderable loss or danger: That all the Quarters be so well fortified in their Out­works, that neither Horse nor Foot from abroad may make any assaults upon them, but with infinite disadvantage and hazard: That a most especial care be taken that the besieging Army be so lodged and encamp­ed, that by some commanded Passage it may be certainly and sufficiently supplied with Victual, either from some of their own neighbouring parts, or some other Country to friend: And withal, that the circumjacent Country, through which the Enemies Army is to approach, be as much as possibly may be, harried and wasted be­forehand; that so it may either not be able to victual it at all, or at least very spa­ringly, and that with much hazard and loss.

And of this, because Presidents work much, I shall set down three: The one ancient, taken out of Polybius (in his ninth Book;) which was acted at the Siege of Capua: before which the Roman Consul Appius being set down, Hannibal seeking to remove him, (and being by far Master of the Field) enclosed the Roman besie­ging Army between himself and the Town besieged; and finding no possibility of forcing the Consul in his Trenches, he practised to draw him out to some Skir­mishes; but failing in both, and wearied with many urging inconveniencies, he was thus forced to march off, and leave him before the Town: by reason (saith the Author) that the Romans had both sufficiently victualled themselves before­hand, and providently so wasted the Coun­try round about, before the coming in of the Carthaginians, that when they were come they were not able to abide it, through the want of Victual, and especial­ly Forrage for their Horse. The Marquess Spinola preserved himself in the like man­ner, at his Siege of Breda. But beyond all others, we have a singular President to this purpose, in the last Siege of the Borses [Page 69]when that Town was taken in by the Uni­ted States: In their stupendious Works in the outward Entrenchments, which were no less in Circuit then a good days journey; every where fortified with Horn­works, Half Moons, Batteries, and the like: In their diverting of a River from its natural course, so that the besieged Town was not only deprived of necessary water, but all that part of the Country deeply drowned, whereby the Enemie might have an access to relieve it: In that, to prevent a Relief to the Town by Boats, there was raised a firm Causey of three miles in length, through so washy a place, that it was little less then a Lake; the which Causey was broad enough for two Carts to meet and pass by one another; with foot-paths besides, on each side, and every where strengthened with Sconces, Batte­ries, and Horn-works, all of Earth: And lastly, in that (which made it fullest of wonder) this world of Earth and Fagots was brought in Boats from a part at the least two or three miles distant.

And yet all these were the Works onely (as one may say) without dores. As for those within, they were the particular [Page 70]Brest-works, and the strengthening of e­very Quarter: The Trenches that first led to the Enemies Sconces without the Town; and after they were taken in, car­ried to the Town-ditch: The Galleries that were laid over the Ditch: And the Mines which were brought under the Wall. So that although the Enemie marched towards us with a very potent army, and every way very well provided, yet durst he not (indeed could not) do any thing to any purpose, save onely look up­on us as we lay in our Works: but was forced to let fall that important Piece into the hands of such an Enemy, that well knows both how to keep it and make use of it.

CHAP. XVII. Of Powder: touching the choice and keep­ing of Magazines of Powder: how to be safely lodged. Victuals, how to be conducted The duty of the prime Con­ductor. Of the Victuallers or Suck­lers.

ANd thus far we have touched upon the most of the material Pieces be­longing to the first Requirable in the ma­king of a War, and that is, Munition.

It remains to take some notice of Pow­der and Victual, and so to end this our first Book.

And first concerning Powder: Of which I shall onely speak of the choice of it, and the lodging of it when it is gotten. For the choice of it, or the trial of it: That Powder which being laid upon a smooth stone or plank, or the like, having fire given unto it, doth mount upwards with a clear fire and flame, without much smoak, and without leaving any soil or mark upon the stone or plank, may be re­ceived for good Powder. On the con­trary, [Page 72]if upon the firing there remain any moist white substance somewhat blewish, it is a sign that the Brimstone is not suffici­ently purified, wherewith that Powder is mixed: if there remain any grains of an earthly colour, it is an evidence that it was not well grounded nor cleansed: if there be whitish grains, it is a sign that the Salt-Peter is too salt, and neither well grounded nor purified: if there be seen any reddish or tawnyish grains, it is a token that the Coals were not well prepared: if Powder (some small quantity) being laid upon ones hand, and there fired, of­fend not the hand at all, or very little, but result with a small noise or puff, it is a sin­gular sign of excellent good powder. As for the ways of trial without fire: if Pow­der being bitten by ones teeth, taste mo­derately salt, it is a tolerable token of its goodness: if it be of colour not over­black nor obscure, but somewhat tending to a red, it is a very good evidence of good Powder.

As touching the safe laying of it up: It is a most-necessary providence for the or­dering of Powder for the use of an Army in action, that it be disposed into two or [Page 73]three several places, and many Magazines, the better to avoid the danger as well of casual fires, as treasons, and the Enemies surprizes.

And for the safe keeping and certain security of it in Towns, and especially where mighty Magazines are to be provi­ded, it was the practise of a wise Repub­lique, to lay up the several materials and ingredients in several parcels; as the Salt-Peter by it self, the Brimstone by it self, and the Cole by it self; the which upon all occasions might suddenly be fitted for present use: And in the mean time, all the hazards and mischiefs that might o­therwise ensue, be absolutely preven­ted.

And thus much touching the particu­lar of Powder. As for that of Victual, it is obvious to every judgment, that it must be provided according to the num­ber of the Army, and the length of the March, and the nature and condition of the Country that the Army is to pass thorow. I shall therefore speak onely of the course of conducting it, and of those kinde of people that are to sell it, termed Sucklers.

For the order of conduction of Victuals to or for an Army, (especially when there is peril of being charged by an Enemie upon the way) command is to be given, that all the disordered multitude of Carria­ges and Waggons wherein the Victuals and the like Baggage is to be carried, be put in equipage either before day, or very early in the morning of that day wherein they are to march. And in the first place, some Troops of Horse are to be sent out to discover upon all the Advennes of the Enemy: and for the better safe-guard, the Artillery appointed for their guard may be usefully placed both in the Van of these Carriages, and in their Rear; and that not onely to beat upon the Enemie if he shall approach by any of those ways, but by their thundering to give notice which way the Enemie comes; that so the Soul­diers may take a general Alarm, and ac­cording to former direction repair to the part that shall most require assistance. Both sides of the ways also where the Carts of Provisions are to pass, are to be guarded with loose Wings of Horse, and with them some numbers of Musqueteers may be ad­vantagiously intermixed, and the best of [Page 75]the Horse may bring up the Rear. And in this manner may the Carriages march, and be ready to receive any Charge. Di­ligence is likewise to be used, that such ways of March (as much as may be) be made choice of, as are least subject to am­bushments; and that whensoever they are to come to blows, it may be in places of advantage. To which end, either Altes are to be made, or a quick March to be practised, as cause requires. And to this purpose also, good use may be made of Waggons in stead of a Trench, drawing the Souldiers within them when a despe­rate Charge is attempted by the Ene­mie.

As for the prime Conductor of these Victuallers and Victual, he is to be the first man out of the Quarter, when these Troops are to march, and to make a stand, and to take a view of them all, and to ha­sten them forwards. And when they are well-near all passed by, he is to march in the Rear of all, though now and then he may advance before into such parts as he conceives may most require his presence; but ought to be the last man that takes up his Quarter. He is also to observe that [Page 76]all the Carriages and the Souldiers of that guard be quartered before the dark of the night; that so whilest there is yet some day-light, he may ride round about the Quarter to see that all things be sure.

Care is likewise to be had (if possibly it may be) that intelligence be gotten from the inhabitant Peasants, as well of the Ways, as of the Enemie; and that as well for conveniency as safety. To which end all Bridges and Passages are to be known, possest, and guarded. Spies also are con­tinually to be employed, to gain know­ledge, and to give notice of the Enemies designs. And Centinels in the night-time to be placed upon all Avenues. And if an extraordinary strength be expected to as­sault, it will be necessary to raise some Redoubts and Forts upon the Ways and Passages, and upon all places where an Enemie may oportunely give on.

Touching the Victuallers or Sucklers, and Merchants and Artificers which fol­low an Army; they are not any of them to bring any of their Commodities or Merchandise into the Camp, without li­cence from the General; who is to com­mand to have them well viewed, lest their [Page 77]Victuals should be corrupt, and infect the Souldiers with sickness; and their Mer­chandise sophisticated, and the Souldier cheated and abused. Nor are these men to sell any of their Commodities but in that part and place where the Quarter­master-General shall appoint, lest disor­ders grow in the Quarters; nor there nei­ther, but at such times, and at such a rate, as shall be allowed by the Provost-Mar­shall-General, that so there may be no extortion upon the Souldiers.

And if any of these shall be found De­linquents in any of these kindes, he is to incur the penalty of Imprisonment and Confiscation of his goods. And if he of­fend against any of the Martial Laws pub­lished for the government of the Army, he is to suffer according to the quality of the offence.

And thus we have briefly run through the three principals dependant upon the first Requirable in the acting of a War, com­prehended under the Term Munition. And so we end our first Book.

CHAP. I. Touching the choice of Souldiers. Of the Officers due to a private Company

IN this Second Book we shall give some advertise­ments touching Men, or Bodies, wherewith the Body of an Army is to be made up: It being the second Requirable in the general Subject we treat of, which is War by Land.

And in the first place, we shall pro­pound some cautions about the election and choice of these men; wherein five particulars are most considerable. 1. That they be rather taken out of barren Coun­tries, and hard breeding, then out of Cities where there is full feeding and ease. 2. That they be young, as rather of eigh­teen years of Age, then eight and forty: for the one may better be brought to obe­dience by good Discipline, whereas the other are more apt to obstinacie, and per­haps, vice. 3. That they be of a middle stature, strong of body, and manly looks. 4. That they be of lively spirits, resolute, bold, and well metled. And 5. and last­ly, that they be of an honest condition, and not bred up in effeminate and womanish Trades, much less in Debauchments and baseness.

As for the choice of men, in respect of the part where they were born; as whe­ther Natives or Foreiners: I consent with those who prefer the Natives; in regard they are generally more loyal; in that they are more patient, more tracta­ble and obedient, as being every way more interested; in that they are less charge­able, [Page 80]and sooner at hand: whereas Mer­cenaries and Strangers, as well at going as coming, force longer attendance, grea­ter expences, and are subject to commit many more outrages.

As touching the election of Souldiers in the point of the kinde of Arms they are to carry: Howsoever the strongest and tallest men are generally ordered to carry Pikes, and the lowest and nimblest to handle the Musquet; yet it is mine opinion, that above all other things, respect and consi­deration is to be had, to what Arms every man doth best frame himself, and to which he stands best affected. To which end, it is not amiss, that the Muster-Master take notice of it, before he distributeth the Arms to the Individuals.

And for the Composition or number of Souldiers in every private Company (by multiplying of which Companies, Regi­ments are made; and of Regiments, Ar­mies:) Howsoever this hath been found much varied, yet in regard of a competent advancement for the Captain, and the performance of his Command, the due and aptest composition seemeth to be of two hundred men with Officers and all; to [Page 81]be divided (if you will go according to the vulgar Discipline) into two equal Bodies, of one hundred Pikes and one hundred shot: or after the late Discipline with the Swedes (the which in respect of the use of the fiery weapons, I most approve) into twelve Files of Musqueteers, and nine Files of Pikes; and reckoning six men to every File (for so many and no more they use to order the depth) a compleat Com­pany may consist of one hundred twenty six men, besides the Officers.

Now the Officers due to every private Company (to begin at the lowest, and so upwards) are these following.

The Lancepesado, or Launspreciado; who is the leading man of the one half of a File, and thence vulgarly termed the Middle-man. And this Officer (as the rest of them) taketh his place, either by his antiquity, or the reputation of him under whom he commandeth; as the Lancepesa­do in the Generals own Company, is the primest; as he the meanest, that is of the youngest Captains Company of the Regi­ment.

The Corporal is the next above this; who is the leader of a whole File, which in [Page 82]number is more or less, according to the use and custom of several Disciplines.

The next preceding the Corporal, is the Serjeant of the Company; and this Offi­cer hath no setled place or leading with the Company, but passeth to and again, to see that the Files and Ranks be well observed in all parts of his Company.

The Drum is the next Superiour to the Serjeant, who ought to be a Souldier as well as a Drummer, and (if it may be) a Linguist, or at the least, a piece of one; that so he may take and give all passages of Parties about which he is to be em­ployed. And these Drums are ranked ac­cording to the Officers and Captains they serve under: as, the Drum-Major of the Army is the principal; the Drum-Major of the Regiments next under him, ranked as their Regiments; and then the Drum­mers of every Company.

The next superiour Officer, is the En­signe, or Bearer of the Captains Colours; who is to be a Gentleman, or deserving to be so reputed. And with us (for the Spa­nish Discipline admits of no Lieutenant, but their Alfereze or Ensignes supplie both places) he taketh place next after the Lieutenant.

The Lieutenant of a Company is next above the Ensign; and in his Captains ab­sence acteth all the Captains duties, and in his presence executeth his Com­mands.

The Captain is the prime Officer of a private Company, and ought to be as prime in his sufficiency and abilities. And these are the Officers belonging to a sin­gle Company. For as for the Clerk of the Band, and the Chirurgion, whereof every particular Company ought to have one of each kinde; they are not properly to be accounted Souldiers, nor Military Of­ficers, as having no Command; though the one as necessary for the Captain and Treasurer in keeping accounts, and the other for the Souldiers, in curing their wounds, as any of the rest.

CHAP. II. Of the Officers due to a Regiment. Officers having a general charge. Of Officers next inferiour to Field-Officers. Of Officers of the Field, with their Titles and Charges.

AS for the Officers belonging to a Re­giment, the lowest of them is the Quarter-master; whose Office, besides the divisions of the Quarters, is to take up the lodgings for his Regiment, in the na­ture of a Harbenger: and he holds rank according to the dignity of the Regiment wherein he serves, and of which he hath care.

The next above the Quarter-master, is the Provost-Marshal, who takes the charge of all Delinquents, as also of all Prisoners taken of the Enemie; and is to see the executions of Justice to be duly per­formed.

In the rank above him is the Serjeant-Major of a Regiment, who is to be elect­ed out of the most principal Captains; and his Office is to form and embattel the [Page 85]Regiment, as he shall be directed by the Serjeant-Major-General: and he is ran­ked above all Captains of private Com­panies.

The Officer next superiour to the Ser­jeant-Major, is the Lieutenant-Colonel; who in the absence of the Colonel, com­mands as Colonel; and in his presence executeth his directions and commands.

The supremest Officer of a Regiment is the Colonel; and in dignity is as transcen­dent to the Captains, as they to the Soul­diers. And these Colonels are ranked among themselves, after their antiquity, or the eminencie of their Regiment; the eldest Colonel (who of due is also to be chief Camp-master) holding the first and primest place.

Now besides these Officers of a Regi­ment, there are certain Officers in an Ar­my-Royal, which though they have a ge­nerality of charge, and are superiour in that regard to the Officers of a Regiment, yet are not counted, nor attain to be Of­ficers of the Field: and these are,

The Master-Gunner of the Army, (who is the meanest amongst them;) and he is an Officer under the Master or General [Page 86]of the Ordnance. And his authority ex­tends over all the other Gunners; every one of which he is to overlook in their se­veral places, and to cause them to perform their Duties.

The next above him is the Trench-Master-General; whose commands ex­tend over all the Pioneers, and to the laying out their Works: whether they be to be imployed for the Guard or Enclo­sing of the Camp, or the raising of Sconces, the casting up of Brest-works, the laying open of the Ways, or any the like em­ployments.

The Officer next preceding this Trench-Master, is the Master of the Waggons; and he hath a general command over all the Waggons, Carriages, Sledges, and the like conveyances; and is to order them in their Marches, and to see them Quarter­ed, and provided with necessary Tools, and the like.

The Officer superiour next to the Ma­ster of the Waggons, is the Forrage-Ma­ster; being a principal Dependant upon the Lord Marshal; and is to take charge and to dispose of all manner of Provisions for the Horse; and to oversee all the infe­riour [Page 87]Officers of that kinde: and to take care that equal distributions be made of those kindes of Provisions; and to cause deserved executions to be inflicted and imposed upon the Delinquents of that nature.

The next to him in place and office, is the Victual-Master, or chief Victualler; to whose care and charge is delivered all the food and sustenance belonging to the Souldiers: and (by his inferiour Officers, termed the Provant-Masters) he is to cause distribution thereof to be made to the Souldiers, according to the propor­tion and allowance appointed by the Ge­neral.

The Judge-Marshal is the next supe­riour Officer to the chief Victualler; who is to be well skilled in the Civil and Mar­tial Laws; the which he is to explain, and to make known unto the Souldiers; and to pronounce the censures decreed from time to time in the Martial Courts.

The next Officer preceding the Judge-Martial, is the Scout-master-General; who hath the command of all the Scouts; electeth them, and appointeth them their Stations, and giveth them the directions [Page 88]which he receiveth from the Lord Mar­shal. He is also a principal Agent in or­dering of the Camp, and informeth the manner of the Horse-Parado when the Watch is to be set.

The Officer next above the Scout-ma­ster, is the Lieutenant of the Ordnance; who hath his chief dependance upon the Master of the Ordnance, and stands char­ged in particular with all the smaller kindes of the Ordnance, and Munition be­longing unto them; and in the absence of the Master, he commands as Master.

The last, but chiefest of these kinde of Officers, is the Muster-master-General; whose duty and office is to take the num­ber and musters of all the Army. He is also to have a care that they be well arm­ed, and their Arms in good order, and in point; that the particular Companies be kept full. He hath also under his com­mand and controll all the inferiour Muster­masters or Commissaries, and is to give out all the Warrants for full pay; and checketh all gross defaults. And this Of­ficer, though he be none of the Officers of the Field, yet is always to be one of the Council of War.

The highest rank of Officers in a Royal Army, are those stiled the Officers of the Field; the lowest of which kinde is the Serjeant-Major-General, who is ever to be of the Council of War: And he hath the Supervisorship of all the Serjeant-Majors of the Army. This Officer in the Swedish Discipline, is termed the Com­missary-General.

The Colonel-General is the next supe­riour to him; upon whom resteth the hearing, and composing, and ordering of all differences of any high nature. And he also is evermore to be one of the Council of War.

The Lieutenant-General of the Horse, is next in order of precedencie; who hath the same Command amongst the Horse, that the Colonel-General hath with the Foot; and by his place is always one of the Council of War.

The chief Treasurer of the Army hath the next precedency; and he is under no command save onely the Generals. He is to fix his respect thorowout the whole Ar­my; and in peculiar, is to have an Eye up­on the Auditor, Muster-master, and Com­missary of the Army, in relation to their [Page 90]accounts. He also is by his place to be one of the Council of War.

The Master of the Ordnance is the next above him, and is a principal Officer of the Field; as having under his command all the Artillery, Munition, and the whole Train belonging unto them; and con­stantly one of the Council of War.

The Lord Marshal hath the next place of precedencie; and his commands stretch every way both over Horse and Foot. He hath also the prerogative to make good whatsoever shall be found fit in point of Matial Law. And I have known him in the absence of the Generalissimo, to have the command in chief: But this was when there was no Lieutenant-General. He is always a Counseller of War.

The Lieutenant-General is as it were the younger brother to the General him­self: for in his absence he hath his sove­raign authority, and the absolute command of the whole Army; and at all times is as it were the Superintendent over all of them.

The General is he that ruleth all; so that it is to be expected that he should be every way also as supereminent: And the [Page 91]rather, in regard that in an Army there is to be but onely one Generalissimo. For though it hath sometime been seen that two men have been put in this Command with equal Commission, yet do I not re­member that ever any Army so comman­ded returned with Victory.

CHAP. III. Of the Exercising of a private Company. Of the giving of Vollies of small shot. The Swedish way of giving Vollies of shot. How to give Vollies of shot in a narrow path. The Discipline of Marches. Of the understanding of the Drum.

HAving thus far made up the body of an Army with Bodies, and fitted them with Heads, we shall now bring them into action: And in the first place, give some general Rules concerning the Dril­ling and Exercising of a private Company, and so proceed to the whole body of an Army.

To Exercise a Company exactly, it is to be divided into three Corporalships; and [Page 92]then subdivided into as many Files as the number will bear; and every File into Fellowships or Cameradoes. The Corpo­ral of every Corporalship is to be the lea­der of the chief File thereof; and the Lanceprisado (who in the Corporals ab­sence, when he is upon the Guard or else­where, executes the Corporals duties) is to lead another File; and the practick and ready men of every Corporalship are to lead the rest.

The Company being thus divided and ordered, these things are mainly to be taught: the carriage and use of Arms, Marches and Motions; and the understand­ing of the sounds of the Drum, and words of Command and Direction; which are rightly termed the Souldiers Vocabula Artis.

The carriage of Arms is to be appropri­ated to the most of comeliness and use. The use of the Pike, is either in receiving or giving a charge. By being taught the first, the Souldier learns to withstand the Horse; by the second, to encounter with the Enemies Pikes, and to understand when and how every man, and so every rank are to give their push or blow. In [Page 93]the use of the Musquet, the Souldier is first to learn how to present his Piece, how to take his level, and when to give his Volley with those of his Rank.

Now the ancient and vulgar manner of Discipline for the giving of Volleys of shot, was, that all the shot of one Corpo­ralship should give fire at once. But this was absolutely condemnable: for either those in the Rear must hazard the shoot­ing of their leaders through their heads; or else over-shoot the Enemy, and spend their Powder in vain. And besides, the Volley thus delivered being once given, the Enemy may come on without impeach­ment or annoyance. In stead of this therefore, a more useful practice hath been, to order the first Rank onely to give their Volley; and if the body of the Com­pany march, then that Rank that hath gi­ven the Volley to stand; and the second Rank to pass thorough it, and to give their Volley, and then they to stand; and then the third Rank to advance and give fire: and so all the rest of the Ranks in order. But if the Company, or Brigade, or Bat­taglia stand firm, then the first Rank ha­ving given their Volleys, are to fall back, [Page 94]and the second to come in their rooms; and so the third, fourth, and the rest. And by this course (the men being commanded men) the Vollies may be continued, and the Enemy never free from annoyance. And all this is easily performed, if at the first all the shot be caused to open their Files to open distance.

But because even this also is defective, in respect that there cannot be brought up so many hands to give fire at once upon the Enemie, as were to be wisht; that ab­solute Souldier the late King of Swedeland disciplin'd his shot to give fire three ranks at once: and this was done by causing the first rank to give their Volleys upon their knees; the second somewhat stooping, over their leaders heads; the third rank standing upright, to give their Volleys over all their heads: and this to be done at one and the same time. And by this means and course was poured more Lead upon the Enemie at once, then otherwise by far, by any of the other ways.

And this manner of giving fire must needs also be very useful and advantagious in all Wood-Services, and wheresoever an Enemie is to be encountred in narrow [Page 95]Lanes or Paths, where men cannot be led up but in a single file: for if the three first men thus giving fire, be instructed af­ter they have given their Volley to place themselves close up by the sides of the path where the Enemie presents himself, and so stand there sidelong towards the Enemie, and give place for three others of their followers to advance and do the like; a continued Volley of Shot may be thus delivered, although the whole file of men should consist but of fifteen in all.

As for the Discipline belonging to Mar­ches; after every man once knoweth his proper place, and understandeth how to observe his file and rank, there is no diffi­culty at all in a plain march. In a Counter­march also, if the leaders of the files be well chosen, and that every man observe his leading man, there is no great difficul­ty neither. As touching motions, some are performed without change of place, by turning onely their faces to the right hand, or to the left, or about, as the Ene­mie is found to charge either in Flank or Rear: Some require a change of place, and these motions are performed by re­moving from one rank to another; and [Page 96]then some move, and some stand still. And these kindes of motions are called dou­blings of ranks, and doublings of files, as the Enemie or Ground shall give cause, to make the Front or Flank greater or lesser. There is besides these another kinde of motion to be taught, in which all do move, and yet none do march: And this is done by the opening and closing of files; and is practised not onely when one rank is to pass thorow another, or the whole Brigade to make a Counter-march; but also when there is an intention to draw the Troop together in haste, and yet in order more to the one hand then the other. And thus far only shall be spoken in this place touch­ing Motions; intending to speak more at large of the use of them hereafter.

Concerning the understanding of the sound of the Drum; the Souldiers are to be taught not only to know and observe what the Drummer beats, but what time he keeps in beating; that accordingly they may hasten or slack their marchings: As by the voice they are called upon to all other motions, of which likewise we shall say more, as occasion shall require.

CHAP. IV. Of great Guns due to an Army-Royal: of the kindes and choice of them. Of the number of Horse to draw great Guns. The best way of drawing heavie Guns.

WE have gone thus far towards the proportioning of the body of an Ar­my, as to bring the Men or Bodies toge­ther, to fit them with Chiefs and Com­manders, and to give them some know­ledge in the use of their Arms: We have likewise spoken in the beginning of our first Book, of such kindes of Arms as are fitted for the persons of men, and are por­table in their hands. It remains that we give some advertisements touching those sorts of Arms or Weapons which are to be carried with Armies, but are not porta­ble by the men. And these are compre­hended under the name of Artillery, or great Guns; of which though we have spoken somewhat in the former part of our Treatise, yet it was onely of such as were to be lodged in Forts and Towns of War, and to be employed against them; [Page 98]and not of those to be used in the Field, and to accompany and march with an Army.

We shall therefore in this Chapter and the next, take notice of the great Guns requirable for an Army-Royal; together with their kindes, carriages, casting, num­bers and choice. And we will propound this Army to consist of forty thousand men; of which, thirty four thousand to be Foot, and sixt housand Horse: which is a repartition that may hold proportion with all other numbers, if reduced an­swerably.

As for the number therefore of great Guns requirable for such an Army in its march: It hath been regulated (after much debate) by some experimented Comman­ders, that for every thousand of Souldiers there should be allowed one piece of Or­dnance; and so for forty thousand men (as here propounded) forty great Guns. But for mine own part, I finde not how this can be brought to any certaintie: for who knows not but that several occasions, different ways, and particular accidents may, and must alter the proportion? so that herein no other Law or Rule can be precisely prescribed, then what opportu­nity [Page 99]offers, and necessity urgeth. Never­theless, if I should be put to it, to set down a strict and precise number of great Guns for an Army of forty thousand men, I would sooner propound thirtie pieces then fortie. And my reasons are: First, in that thirty great Guns disponed and well or­dered, at the Angles of the Armies Front, shall sufficiently serve upon all approaches of an Enemie, either whilest the Army marcheth, or when it is to be ordered to a fight. Secondly, in that these thirty pie­ces shall be sufficient also, (duly chosen) for the besieging and battering of any place, though there should be a constraint of raising two Batteries, having each of them three Camerades in six mounts. And lastly, in that by thus lessening the number of the great Guns, as much as may be, there may withal be a lessening of the number and Train due unto them, with the expence for the furniture, and the charge of the Draught-horses, and their Forrage: together with the like rest of the unavoidable pressures.

Touching the kindes of such great Guns as are most proper to answer all the occasions of an Army-Royal: they are [Page 100](in my opinion) to be Cannons of Battery, Demy-canons, those called (by the French) Quart du Cannons, Culverins, and Field­pieces: thus to be repartited; Of the Can­nons nine, of the Demy-cannons eight, of the Culverins (or Quart du Cannons) six, and of the Field-pieces seven. The Can­nons to be employed for battery onely at Assieges; and the rest, as well for the scow­ring of the Campagnia on all sides, as to play upon all the Avenues of the Enemy when they come near. And besides, being thus ordered into these kindes, they cannot be so over-topped in the largeness of their bores, but that the Enemies bullets sent upon them, may from some of these pieces be returned upon those that sent them; and hereby that scarcity and default of bul­lets supplied, which by many occasions and accidents may befal the best provided Army that is.

And an example of the neglect hereof, and the ill that succeeded upon it, we have in the Wars between Charls the fifth and the French King; where the Emperour getting Intelligence that the Artillery be­longing to the French Army were all of them of the smaller kindes, gave order to [Page 101]the Master of his Ordnance to furnish his own Army with such Guns, whose cali­bers or bores were greater then those of the Enemies; whereby it came to pass, that in a long play of the Ordnance of both sides one upon another, the French fell in­to a want of bullets, whereas the Impe­rialists had abundance; these being able to retort and make use of the Enemies bullets, but not those of theirs: whereby the Imperialists at that time obtained a remarkable Victory.

As for the number of Horse requirable for the draught of these several kindes of great Guns formerly mentioned: For every Cannon there are to be allowed three and twenty Horse in fair and level ways; and in foul and uneven, thirty. And this is also when the Cannon is to be drawn in a Waggon or Cart: for if it be to be carried in its proper Carriage, there are never less to be allowed then thirty Horse in the evenest and fairest ways. For a Demy-cannon are to be provided fifteen Horse at the fewest; and seventeen in foul and hilly ways. For the Culverin and the Field-piece, nine Horse in fair ways, and ten in foul. But withal, give me leave [Page 102]to give this caution, that for the Cannon, Demy-cannon, and those heavy Guns, it is far more commodious and safe always to employ the long kinde of Waggons with lofty Wheels, then to have those Pieces drawn mounted in their proper Carriages. And the reasons are: That there shall not need to be so many horses for the draught of a great Gun in a Wag­gon, as when it is in its Carriage: That the Waggon, by reason of the heighth of its Wheels, and its lightness, is fitter and better able to pass thorow all foul, sandy, moorish and moist ways, then the Carriage can possibly be: That these kind of long Waggons are not onely commodious for the portage of the great Guns, but (if need require) for the conveyance also of many pieces of Timber for the building of brid­ges, and the carriage of them, or any o­ther the like occasions. And besides, if an Enemy should attempt an assault, or to give on upon any encampment; these Waggons may most aptly and advantagi­ously be used for the Barricadoing of all Avenues, and surrounding of all the Quar­ters of the Camp; and that on a sudden, in the nature of a slight Trench: so that the [Page 103]Enemie, and especially the Enemies Horse, shall not be able to charge home, but with great disadvantage and loss.

And if against this portage of these Guns in VVaggons, it shall be objected, that they cannot be so readily employed upon sudden Alarms and Onsets of the Enemie, as when they are drawn in their own proper Carriages; it may be replied, that all such sudden alarms may as well be answered by the lesser sorts of Guns, which at all times may march in their own Car­riages, as by the Cannons and higher pieces: for these perform the work as well afar off as the Cannon doth. And be­sides, whensoever the march of an Army is duly marshalled, and the Avant-cou­riers providently ordered, an Army can­not be so assaulted on a sudden, but that intelligence may be gotten, and a suffici­encie of time found to mount and order these great Pieces upon their proper Car­riages, out of the VVaggons, by Gins and the like Engines, which are constantly to accompany them; and so be brought time­ly enough to the angles of the great divi­sions, and with all freedom perform all executions upon the assailing Enemy. And [Page 104]whilest this is in agitation, the lighter and lesser pieces carried mounted upon their proper Carriages, may play at random, and so retard, amuse, and annoy the assail­ing Enemie, and gain time. And thus much concerning the kindes, number, and portage of great Guns fitted and appro­priated for a Royal Army consisting of fortie thousand men. We shall in the en­suing Chapter prescribe some rules how to cast great Guns, and to finde where they are faulty, that they may be refused: how to avoid the accidental causes of their shooting awry; how to know when they are sufficiently fortified; how they are to be cooled and cleared; what quantity of powder belongs to the due lading of every Piece; and what the weight of their shot is: with some other particulars of that nature.

CHAP. V. Great Guns, how to be cast, and chosen. Of Guns unequally poised, and cast with Ho­ney-combs. The accidental causes of shooting awry of great Guns. How to shoot at a moving Mark. How to fortifie great Guns: how they may be discharged without cooling. Of Guns lying long charged. The due charge of Powder and shot for great Guns. The Dispart of great Guns, how to be taken. Touching the laying of Platforms. Of the necessaries dependant upon great Guns.

SUch great Guns therefore as are cast Taper-bored, that is, not carrying an equal bore, or having the metal thicker on the one side then on the other, are to be refused: for with such, no Gunner can make a straight or certain shot; neither can such pieces be any ways rectified but by a new casting. And if a necessity force the use of any such, care is to be taken that the choice of the shot be made under the size of the bore, lest it stick upon the [Page 106]crooked side or part, and endanger the breaking of the Piece. And in making of the shot, or ranging of the level, conside­ration is to be had to the side of the Piece that the crookedness enclineth unto. In such Pieces likewise whose bores, though they be straight, are yet more inclinable to one side of the metal then the other, great heed is to be taken that they be not laden to the full of their powder; for so they will undoubtedly break: nor is it possible to make a right shot in any such Gun, by reason that the aim or level can­not be taken from the midst of the bore, unless a due allowance be given to that part and side towards which the bore and concavity is most placed, and so to be or­dered and aimed thereafter. And in re­spect that many pieces of Ordnance, and especially such as have been much used, become sometimes more enlarged at the muzzle or mouth then in any other part of the bore; it is therefore a necessary pro­vidence, that for a sudden service, the shot to be used in these Guns, or such-like Guns, be not chosen to the full heighth of the bore at the mouth of the Piece, but rather a size under; lest in a hasty lading, the shot [Page 107]stick by the way, before it fall up close with the powder: in which case it cannot be stirred but with art and time, nor the Gun to be used without extream danger in the mean time.

Such great Guns also as are unequally and improperly poised, are to be held faulty; and such whose Trunnions are not duly placed: for hereby they either become too weighty at their breeches, and so upon every discharge start up with their muzzles; or else over-heavy before, and then under-sink as much that way: so that no Gunner whatsoever, be he never so true an Arts-man, can make a sure shot with any such. For it must necessarily fol­low, that the shot will hereby be carried either over-high or over-low towards the mark that is aimed at.

Those great Guns likewise that are cast with pores, cracks, or small holes, (which are termed Honey-combs) within their concavities, are by all means to be avoid­ed: for unless upon every discharge they be thorowly washed and sponged with wa­ter or vineger, whensoever occasion re­quireth a sudden recharging of them, the Gunners that lade them become in emi­nent [Page 108]peril, by reason that some sparks of fire may and are likely to lie hid within these holes, and thereby the Ladle full of Powder fired, as the Gunner is conveying it home into the chamber of the Piece. Now the ways to finde out and discover these Honey-combs, may be (if the wea­ther be fair, and the Sun shine bright) by traversing the mouth of the Piece directly against the beams of the Sun, and then holding a Looking-Glass in such a manner between the Sun and the mouth of the Gun, that it may carry the reverberation of the Suns beams into the hollow of the Piece, that by the light thereof these pores and holes may thus be visibly discerned. A second way there is to this purpose, by taking a Wax-candle, and fastning it to the end of a strait staff, and lighting the candle, so to put it into the bore or cylin­der of the Gun. And by any of these means, these Honey-combs may be tho­rowly discovered, wheresoever they are, by the eye.

As for the accidental causes of shoot­ing awry out of great Guns, they are ma­ny; of which the Gunner is to take no­tice: As, when the Trunnions of a Piece [Page 109]are not placed directly one against another: when the plat-form lieth unequal, with the one side more elevated then the other: when one of the wheels of the Carriage is any thing higher then the other; for then the shot will incline to the lower wheel: when one wheel is more streight upon the axle-tree, or more greased then the other: when one wheel stands upon softer ground then the other: when the opening of the Carriage is more on the one side then on the other: when the Car­riage is over-large, so that the piece lieth not firm. Consideration is also to be had of the Wind, and an allowance to be made of the weathering of the mark. Care is likewise to be taken, lest some stone or the like impediment lie in the way of the wheels reverse. In all which particulars, a considerate Gunner is to be very obser­vant: for any one of them being neglect­ed, will assuredly deceive in the point of shooting right. And by this also it is ap­parent, and must be confessed; that touch­ing the certainty in shooting right and di­rect out of great Ordnance, though it be much to be affected, it is nevertheless ve­ry hazardously attained.

It is likewise to be observed, that in making of any shot out of any great Piece, and especially when it is intended upon Squadrons, or main Bodies, either of Horse or Foot, standing fixt, it is more behoof­ful to under-shoot the mark, then over­shoot it: for so, if the place afford any stones or the like rubbish, the fall and beat­ing of the bullet upon these, will effect far more to the Enemies damage, then the shot it self can, though it hit the very mark that is aimed at; whereas the over-shot executes not at all any way. And in the making of a shot at a moving mark, be it at a Boat, or Ship under sail, or a body of Men or Horse in a swift march, conside­ration is to be taken whether the motion be towards you, direct upon you, or in pas­sing by you; and the Gunner is to lay his Piece accordingly, and to give fire, that the shot may fall just in the way.

An especial care is also to be taken in the casting of great Guns (by such as are either to over-look them, or to make choice of them) touching the point of their being sufficiently fortified. Of which I will give instance in the Cannon extra­ordinary, and the Cannon ordinary; and [Page 111]in the extraordinary Culverin, and the ordinary Culverin.

The extraordinary Cannon in the cir­cumference at the chamber, is to be of 8 calibers, at the Trunnions 6, and at the neck 5⅔. The ordinary Cannon is to be in the circumference of the chamber 7⅘, at the Trunnions 6⅗, at the neck 5 8/9. The Culverin extraordinarily fortified, is to have in circumference [...] at the chamber, [...] at the Trunnions, [...] at the neck. The ordinary Culverin, at the chamber [...] calibers, at the Trunnions [...] and at the neck [...]. As for the lesser pieces, they may all of them be re­gulated by these proportions, according to their several kindes and quantities. One­ly it is to be observed, that the lesser the Pieces be, they are always to be so much the longer, and the better fortified in their metals; and this as well to provide against an over-violent reverse, as to preserve them from lying over-short in their Ports; and also that by their extraordinary forti­fying, they may the better endure often discharges.

As for their Ports, we shall onely add here, that they are to be in their sizes ac­cording [Page 112]to the greatness and size of the Guns that are to be placed in them. And thus for a Cannon, the innermost part of the Port is to be three foot in the large­ness; the outermost, twelve. For a Demy-cannon, the innermost part to be 2 ½ of feet, and the outermost nine; and so of the rest proportionably. And to give a competencie of place upon the Platform where these Guns are to lie, and be con­veniently managed, charged, and refresh­ed, there ought not to be less distance then twenty foot between Port and Port; so that the wheel of the Carriage of one Piece, of one Gun, may be fifteen foot in distance from the wheel of the other. And these Ports are on their insides to be raised from the floor of the Platform as much in heighth, as they are in largeness; and on their insides to be as much slented down, that so the Pieces may be traversed to play downwards upon all the Avenues of the Enemy.

As touching the number of discharges that great Guns may endure, suddenly one after another: It is held that in such of them as are extraordinarily fortified, and re-inforced, (as aforesaid) ten shot [Page 113]may be allowed for a convenient number to be made out of one Piece, in one hours space; and eight out of those that are less fortified. But with this caveat, that af­ter forty shot given even in this manner, the Guns are to be refreshed; for there is nothing that more causeth the decay of great Ordnance, then the often heating of them: in which regard, it is very good providence that they be refreshed often, and especially in hot weather, or a hot Country.

Now the ways to refresh them, are by the use of fair water mixed with vineger; and upon urging occasion, to wet Sheep­skins or the like herein, and so to lay them on the outside of the metal of the Gun, and there to let them lie until the heat of the Piece be sensibly found to be allayed. The use of Lie also is very commendable in this case.

Gunners are likewise to take notice, that such great Guns as have layen long charged with their shot in them, are not to be given fire unto on the sudden as they lie, because the shot may in all likelyhood be rusted within them, and so in the dis­charge may hazard the breaking of the [Page 114]Piece. They are therefore first of all to draw out the wad lying before the shot, and then to loosen the shot with the Ladle, and if it may be, to get it out. But if the shot be so rusted as not to be stirred by the Ladle, the course then is to abase the muzzle of the Piece, and to pour into the touch-hole so much water as may drain away the force and best part of the strength of the Powder, and then to put into the concavity of the Piece by the touch-hole, so much fresh powder as may onely serve to blow out the shot: the which may thus be done, with all secu­rity.

Having thus delivered some cautions touching all these particulars, we will conclude this Chapter with giving some advertisements touching the due quantity of the powder, and the weight of the shot belonging to all these kindes of great Guns formerly mentioned: together with their several lengths, and the lengths of their Carriages; as also of their several ranges at point-blank, and at their highest elevation: mentioning withal, some ne­cessary observations touching their Dis­parts and their Platforms, and the propor­tionable [Page 115]necessaries due unto them all.

And we will begin with the whole Culverin, which shoots a bullet of twenty pounds in weight; and the Powder as well gross as refined, after the said pro­portion of four or three fifths: the length of the Piece being of thirty two Calibers, which make sixteen Geometrical feet; the level range six hundred steps; the farthest range seven thousand one hundred and for­ty steps.

The Demy-Culverin carries a bullet of ten pounds in weight, with ⅘ weight of fine powder, that is, eight pounds: the length thereof thirty three calibers, which make thirteen feet; the level range four hundred and fifty steps; the highest range five thousand three hundred seventy three steps.

The Saker shoots a shot of five pounds in weight, and as much of fine powder: it carries a length of thirty five calibers; the range point-blank three hundred and fifty steps; by elevation, four thousand one hundred thirty nine steps.

The Falcon carries a shot of two pounds and an half, with the like weight of powder corned: the length thirty six [Page 116]calibers; the level range, two hundred seventy nine paces or steps; by elevation, three thousand three hundred eighteen.

The double Cannon shoots a ball of nine­ty six pounds in weight, of corned powder fortie pounds. It is to be in length seven­teen calibers; the level range, six hun­dred paces; at the highest elevation, seven thousand one hundred and forty paces.

The single Cannon carries a shot of for­ty pounds, the powder twenty pounds; the length, eighteen calibers; the level range, five hundred steps; at elevation, five thousand nine hundred sixty eight steps.

The Demy-Cannon shoots a shot of twenty four pounds, with twelve pounds of powder; the length, twenty calibers; the level range, four hundred twenty five paces; at elevation, five thousand seven­ty steps.

The double Culverin, being of Brass, its charge of powder amounteth to fortie pounds, when serpentine; of corned powder thirtie five pounds; the weight of the shot, fortie pounds: the length of the Piece, one and thirty calibers; the le­vel [Page 117]range, one thousand three hundred six­ty four steps; at elevation, eight thousand one hundred sixty seven steps. And these kindes of Brass double Culverins, I believe carry the farthest of any others: for the farthest range of the most renowned Pieces that ever I heard or read of, hath not been observed to have been much above three English miles; and therefore these steps formerly mentioned, must be under­stood of single strides onely, and not paces, which are as much again.

Touching the dispart of great Guns; he cannot be any true pretender to Gunner­ship that knows it not; it being the dis­parity betwixt the circumference of the Piece at the breech or chamber, and that of the muzzle. Hence is it that in the lay­ing of the Piece upon the level range, a consideration is to be had, that the muzzle of the Piece be so much abased, as may answer to the over-thickness it hath at the breech, beyond that of the mouth; that so the concavity or cylinder of the Piece may be brought to shoot in a level line right forwards.

Now this dispart may be taken divers ways; of which one of the most readie [Page 118]is, by putting a small twig or piece of wyer into the touch-hole of the Piece before it be laden, and so to take the precise depth from the superficies of the metal to the bottom of the Bore or concavity of the Piece; and then setting that measure at the mouth of the Piece upon the lower side of the cylinder, so much of the mea­sure as appears above the metal of the muzzle, is to be received for the dispart of the Piece; and so the Gun being to shoot right forwards in a strait line, to be so much abased as may bring the very top of the measure with a direct level upon the mark that is aimed at.

But because even this way of taking disparts (and indeed much more all other ways) will take up more time then can be allowed in a sudden and hot service; it is the part of a true Gunner to carry the several disparts of all kindes of Guns so well fixed in his mind and consideration, that without any more adoe, he may be able to allow every kind of Piece the due dispart; that is to say, a sufficient under­lay at the muzzle, to answer the thickness of the chamber. And this to be done only by discretion and judgment.

As for the laying of the Platforms whereon great Guns are to be mounted upon their Carriages, in respect they are very essential to the point of their quick use and employment, as well as to their shooting right; some Gunners have ad­vised that the hinder part of a Platform should be raised far higher then the fore­part, to facilitate the traverse of the Gun into the Port after its discharge and re­verse. But for my part, I shall not wish it to be elevated above one foot at the far­thest; for hereby the balls will be caused to fall short, by reason that the mouth of the Guns must needs be swayed down­wards in their reverses, and the Piece it self so thrown upon the Port with its own weight, that for the recharge, much both of time and labour will be required to re­duce it. And besides, if the Enemy have any great Guns in a counter-beating upon the Ports at the same time, they must needs execute dangerously upon all such as are to attend and manage these Pieces, and are to stay any length of time at or about the Ports. And therefore (as I said before) a moderate elevation of the hin­der part of a Platform may be commenda­ble, [Page 120]but by no means to be over-high nor lofty.

Touching the proportions of necessa­ries requirable for great Guns (with which we will end this Chapter) they are as fol­loweth. To every Piece of Ordnance, of what kind soever, belong the Charger or Ladle, the Sponge, the Coins, the Bed; and these besides the body of the Carriage. As concerning the Carriage it self, an especial heed is to be had that the Axle-tree be sound and strong; that the wheels be perfect and fit, with a convenient quantity of Grease or Tallow due unto them, to facilitate their reverses.

And for the use of the Guns, in point of shot and powder, the proportion of one hundred great shot for every Piece may be held convenient, with an answer­able quantity of powder; the which is to be proportioned after the sizes of the Pieces, as was formerly noted.

And thus we have run thorow all the par­ticulars belonging unto the Train of the Artillery requirable for an Army consisting of forty thousand men. It remains only, that we advertise somewhat touching the Offi­cers and other attendants due unto this Train.

CHAP. VI. The Officers belonging to the Artillery: their peculiar duties. Some advertise­ments for Gunners.

THe peculiar Officers of a Royal Train of Artillery, are these; the General or the Master, his two Lieutenants, the Treasurer, the Pay-master, the Master of the Munition, and a Muster-Master. And these being the prime Officers, are to be nominated either by the Prince himself, or the General of the Army.

The inferiour Officers to these, are the Gentlemen of the Artillery, the which in an Army of fortie thousand men, with the Train of Artillery answerable to it, ought not to be fewer then fifteen: and this proportion may be held according to the number of any Army. The Conductors are to be twelve, the Constables four, the Gunners fourscore, the Porters two, the Farriers two, the Smiths two, the Carpen­ters in ordinary four; to which, as aids, are to be added the Carpenters extraordi­nary, with their chief, in number thirtie; [Page 122]the Miners, with their Commander, fiftie; the Engineers for fire-works, two; the Engineers for Fortification, two; the Pe­tarders, six; the Provost, one, with his Lieutenant and Halberdeers; Quarter­master, one; Physician, one; Chirur­gions, two; Apothecary, one; Pioneers to lay smooth the ways and make them passable, at least one thousand. And if there be any passages by water to be ex­pected, it will be necessary to have one hundred Sea-men, or at the least, men used in some reasonable manner to those af­fairs. And for the comfort of all their souls, there is to be a Minister of Gods Word, to take the charge of them in that nature.

Concerning the peculiar duties of these forementioned Officers, those of the prime sort are sufficiently known, and are to be of ability to oversee all the rest, and as well to direct them, as to take and give ac­count of them; and some of them have been forementioned. As for the rest, the charge belonging to the Gentlemen of the Artillery, is to take the care of all the Train, and especially of the Guns them­selves in a march; to be always in guard [Page 123]thereof in the Quarters: and in point of Battel and Service, they are each one of them to take two or three Pieces into his particular care: they are to sollicite the Gunners to plie their Ordnance, and to bestow them well and profitably. In the planting of the Batteries they are to at­tend the General; and being well armed, to advance in all places of danger, and not to suffer him to be over-engaged in his own person. They are to inform them­selves thorowly, as well of all the Defences of the Enemy, as of the means of disabling them. And lastly, they are to overlook the Pioneers, and such as labour at the Batteries, and to cause them to act their parts diligently and usefully upon all occa­sions.

The peculiar duties of the Conductors of the Artillery, are to take the charge of the Waggons and Carriages belonging to the whole Train, and to cause them to be ordered according to instructions from the General. They are also to see all the powder and shot to be safely lodged and guarded. They are all of them, every one in his allotted place, to be present at the Batteries, and there to execute duly [Page 124]and diligently whatsoever the General shall appoint.

The parts and duties of the Constables of the Artillery, are to lay out and describe all the Ports of the Batteries; to visit all the great Guns when they are in their Quarters, and to see them in point; to see them conducted to the Batteries, and delivered up to the Gunners, with all the appurrenances belonging to them; as Coins, Levers, Ladles, Sponges, Ram­mers, Shot, Powder, Wads, Tackling, and the like. They are likewise to take a sur­vey, and to advertise all the due Refresh­ings of the Pieces, and to make them known to the Lieutenant and the Gentle­men of the Ordnance. They are to Cali­ber and fit all the shot to the bore of eve­ry great Gun, and to see them laid on heaps by every Piece. They are also to have a care that the Gunners be sufficient­ly fitted with Linstocks, armed with their short swords, provided with their Powder-horns and priming irons of all sizes, and with their Compasses, Quadrants, and the like necessaries. They are also upon the casting of any new Piece to visit them carefully, and to cause them to be every [Page 125]way ordered according to commands and directions from the General.

As for the Office and duty of the Gun­ners, it being generally known what they are to do, and some printed Pamphlets teaching how to do it, I shall not enlarge my self farther that way, then onely to give some few Caveats: And shall in the first place advise, that before any admit­tance be made of any such, the pretenders be thorowly and impartially examined and put to the Test by the Master of the Artil­lery, or some able and honest men, substi­tuted to that end. And for the ease of these Substitutes, I shall presume to put them in mind to observe unto their Gun­ners these few particulars following, which perhaps are not so carefully heeded as it were fit and behoveful in these cases. As,

That in the lading of their Guns (espe­cially if time and leisure may allow) after the second Ladle-ful of powder is convey­ed into the chamber of the Piece, and there well settled by the Rammer, care be taken that the concavity of the Piece be thorowly cleansed by a drie Sponge, or convenient Wad; lest by the remainder of some grains of loose powder in the way, [Page 126]there accrue some peril by the rowling down of the shot, which may fire by the way, and fire the rest of the powder in the chamber, to the spoil of the Gunner: That in the letting fall of the shot into the con­cavity of the Gun, when it is charged with powder, an especial care be had that the shot be first well cleansed; and that no piece of any sandy or stony substance be fixed unto it; the which may procure danger, both by lodging of the shot by the way before it get home to the powder, and by hindering the free issue of it upon the discharge: That the Gunner in the lading of his Piece, stand not before the mouth of it with any part of his body, lest he be spoiled by some accidental firing of it, caused by some secret hony-combs, or the like.

And thus much touching the peculiar duties of the prime Officers belonging to a Train of Artillery. As for the rest of them, their very names speak the nature of their duties, and therefore deserve no farther description.

CHAP. VII. How an Army is to be conducted in a march. Of the Horse and Foot, and great Guns marching in the Van. Of the Horse and Foot and Guns marching in the Battel and Rear. How to march, the Enemy being in view. Of the Artil­lery, when forced to march apart. Of the conveyance of the Carriages in gene­ral. Of the conduction of an Army over Rivers when the Enemy follows in the Rear, or lies on the further side. Of a Bridge for the passing of an Army over Rivers; and of passing by a Ford. The best kind of Bridges for the passing of Armies over Rivers.

WE are now come to the conduction of an Army in a march, wherein, in the first place, it is requisite that the Condu­ctor be well informed of the nature of the Country through which he is to carry the Army: as, whether it be Champion or Mountanous, whether subject to Marishes or not. And especially he ought to be careful to be well provided with siklful and [Page 128]trusty Guides. And upon the considera­tion of the nature and condition of the Country, he is to determine the order of the march.

As for example: an Army made up of forty thousand men (which number was formerly propounded) being to march in a Cham­pion Country in order of battel, and the Enemie near, may be thus marshalled: First of all, in the point before the Foot may march five hundred Horse, being Cor­slets or Cuirassiers, repartited into more or fewer divisions, as occasion shall re­quire: And these are in the nature of a Forlorn-hope, to make discoveries upon all the passages on all sides, and to clear the Woodie places of all ambushments. Next after these, may march two thousand Foot, divided into more or fewer bodies, answerable to the Horse in the point: And they are as well to serve for a Second or Reserve to these Horse, as to defend that part of the Artillery marching in the Vant­guard. After these two thousand Foot, the division of the Artillery for the Vant­guard of the Army is to be ordered, with the requisite Waggons of great shot, pow­der, coins, and the like necessaries; ac­companied [Page 129]with a sufficient number of Pio­neers, to prepare and lay open the ways and passages, and to make needful defen­ces. And in this division there are to be of great Guns, four Field-pieces at the least, mounted on their proper Carriages, and attended with one Waggon of pow­der, and another of shot, with all things answerable, commanded by an experienced Lieutenant, with some of the Gentlemen of the Ordnance and their Gunners.

After this division may march four Cul­verins, with a Waggon of powder and another of shot, with the appurtenan­ces.

After these, four Demy-Cannons by pairs, with their Gins, Powder, Shot, and other necessaries.

And in the Rear of all these may march four whole Cannons, with all that belongs unto them: as, four Waggons of Powder, eight Waggons of Shor, with all things answerable. And these are the reparti­tions of the Artillery, which are to be or­dered to march in the Van of an Army of forty thousand men.

After this body, and division of these Ordnance, three thousand Light-horse [Page 130]or Dragoons are to be ordered to march; and after them, ten thousand Foot. And in the Rear of these, all the Munitions be­longing to the one half of the Army; as, Bridges, Planks, Powder, Shot, Cordage, Pallisadoes, Pikes, Shovels, Crabs, Coins as well of Wood as Iron; together with all the Tools belonging to the Carpenters, Smiths, and the like Artificers. All which are to be handsomely lodged in Waggons.

The Victuallers or Sucklers of the moyety of the Army, are to be ordered to march in the next place, with the Hospital, followed with the Carriages and Waggons belonging to the General, and the other Commanders in chief; and after them, that part of the Baggage belonging partly to the Vant-guard, and partly to the Battel.

After these, may march twelve thousand Foot, ordered into small Bodies, having in the Rear of them a Body of Waggons of Baggage, whereof part is to belong to the middle-Guard, or Battel, and part to the Rear-Guard; followed with the Ge­nerals Life-Guards, and the suit of the Ambassadours.

Next again after these may follow the Munitions and Engines serving for the use of the Rear, with the Artillery, Brid­ges, and the like appurtenances; and af­ter them, eight thousand Foot, making the Gross of the Rear.

Then (as formerly in the Van) may be ordered to march four Cannons, four De­my-Cannons, three Culverins, or Quart du Cannons; and lastly, three Field-pie­ces, with all that belongs unto them, both of Powder, Shot, and other necessa­ries, with the requisite attendants.

And after them, two thousand Foot, to serve as a defence and coverture to all the Artillery of the Rear.

And last of all, are to march five hun­dred Horse, answerable to the like num­ber in the point of the Van; who are to bring up the Rear, and to discover that part of the Campagnia that way; that so no un-foreseen Alarms may be given by the Enemy, to any considerable loss.

And in this order may an Army on all sides be sufficiently provided in a march against all attempts; especially when the Enemy is not in view, but somewhat re­mote.

But if the Enemy be in view, and an assault to be expected, and the Army ne­vertheless of necessity to march, and this befall in a large Plain or Champion Coun­try; this order now described is to receive some alterations. For it will be needful to have a large Front of Pikes, being ten or six deep in File, with wings of Shot on each side, the which all together are to make an equal Front; between which Shot and Pikes the Artillery is to march in the intervals. And in the midst, right be­hind the Cannon, or Artillery, may march two Bodies of Pikes, and betwixt them the Carriages or Baggage. And last of all, in the Rear of all, may be ordered a Body of Pikes, with divisions of Shot on each side, equalizing with those of the Front; and on each side of them, some Troops of Horse, to serve as wings to this Body of the Rear.

And in this Form and Order an Army may both march, and if need be, fight, without being disordered or much impedi­ted in its way. For if the Enemy shall charge in Front, this order may be main­tained, and receive the Enemies charge, be it either of Horse or Foot, by the Front [Page 133]of Pikes; and the Shot in the wings shall oportunely gall them in the mean time, and the Artillery also give them a Salve as they make up; and both Shot and Can­non be well secured, either by the Pikes, if the Enemies Foot shall charge; or by the Horse in the Rear, which are to advance if the Enemie charge with his Horse. And if the Enemy charge in any of the Flanks, it may be sustained by those Pikes which march there, if his charge be with Foot; and withal, he shall be galled by the shot both of Van and Rear: and if his charge be with Horse, it may be opposed by the Horse marching in the Rear, who are to advance to that end. And if the Enemy give on in the Rear, his Foot may be re­ceived (with Faces about) by the Body of Pikes which are ordered there, and also be much annoyed by those Shot flanking those Pikes; and the Shot well secured, as well by their own Pikes, as the Pikes in the Flank; and especially by the Horse marching in the Flanks of this Rear. And all this while, the Carriages of Baggage and Munition may likewise be very suffi­ciently secured, by their being ordered to march in the very center of the Body of Pikes.

But because it may fall out upon occasions either of passages, or ways, or present work and employment, that the Train of Artille­ry may be forced to march by it self apart, and severed from the main Body of the Ar­my; in this case the order and conduction of it may be, that half the Pioneers and La­bourers make the Van, marching under their Chiefs and Commissaries, and to be freed from the trouble of any strangers not belonging to their Train, nor with any of their Waggons. After which Pioneers, all such Waggons are to march, as carry the Spades, Mattocks, and the like Utensils. Next unto these, the Field-pieces are to follow; after them the Culverins, then the Demy-Cannons, and lastly the Can­nons. And thus ordered marcheth the Vant-Guard: and in the very same order may also march the Rear. And after the Cannons in the Rear, may follow all the Furniture belonging to the Artillery; and with it the Bridges, the Boats, the reserve of the Munitions, and especially the Ma­gazine of Powder, the Tents in general, and the Generals Tents. Though true it is, that these are sometimes ordered to march in the Van, that so they may be first [Page 135]in the Quarters, the better to be fitted for receit and entertainment. After these are to march all the Fire-works, all the Ladders, Planks, Chains, Nails, and Sacks, and the like implements. And after them, the rest of the Pioneers and Miners, followed with the Waggons of small shot, with the Store of Lead, with those of the Pikes and Arms to spare. And then the Waggons of the great shot; the which, though properly they are to be or­dered to march next after the great Guns, yet in respect that the small shot, and other small parcels, are more subject to the pillage of the Common Souldier, they may best be secured in this manner. And in the last place are to come up the Wag­gons belonging to the General of the Ordnance, his Lieutenants, with the Gen­tlemen and Officers of that Train. And then again the Smiths and Carpenters. And in rear of all, the Provost of the Ar­tillery is to march, together with the re­mainder of the Baggage, and the Victuals of the whole Train.

And thus may the Artillery belonging to a great Army march in good safety, in all common passages, and in a large and [Page 136]open Country, several and apart by it self. And if it shall be thought that the Train will hereby be over-lengthened, it may be helped by dividing it into three parts; but in such a manner, that the Vant-Guard may take the right hand, the Battel the left, equalling the Front with the Van; and the Rear-Guard, with the Ordnance and their appurtenances, to march betwixt them both. And hereby also, the whole Train marching the more closed, shall be­come the stronger and readier; and every man prepared to know, and fall into his proper rank and place, without the least confusion.

As for the conduction and ordering of the general Carriages and Baggage be­longing to an Army when it is to march: It hath been found (as well with the An­cients as Moderns) to be disponed in five several parts: As, either before the Army, when there was a suspicion of the Enemies charging in the Rear; or behind, when the Army was led towards the Enemy; or on the one Flank, when there was an ex­pectation to be charged on the other; or in the center of the Battel, when a charge was looked for on all sides. And thus [Page 137]much touching the ordering of an Army in its marching thorough a plain and champion Country: it remaineth to speak somewhat about the conduction of an Army over Rivers, and the like. In which case, if the Enemy be in appearance, or near unto the Rear, it will be fit in the first place to pass over some six or eight Pieces of the smaller sorts of Ordnance, and so to lodge them on the other side of the River, under good covertures, that they may fully discover and play upon that part whence the danger is expected. But withal, a large half Moon is to be raised on the opposite side; wherein the rest of the Ordnance are so to lie mounted, that they may play upon all the approaches of the Enemy, and withal flanker their friends, and so favour them in their passage: du­ring the which interim, those Pieces on the further side are likewise to be kept in continual play; that so the Enemy may not, without apparent hazard, approach the Rear of the Army. And if there be any suspicion of the Enemies falling upon the very tail of the Rear, some small en­trenchment is to be made, wherein some small Pieces may be lodged, and guarded [Page 138]with a convenient number of Musque­teers, who are there to stay and make good the place, until the Army be passed over the River; and then themselves are last of all to take their passage in the last Boats, under the favour of those Guns planted at the first on the further side of the River.

And in this manner did that famous Prince of Parma make his passage with his Army over the deep River Wale, when Henry IV. of France with his Army fol­lowed him a long march in his Rear.

Thus I say may an Army make his pas­sage over a River with Boats, with good security, though an Army of Enemies fol­low it in the Rear. But if an Enemie lie on the further side of the River, of purpose to hinder the passage of an Army over it, then that course is very approvable, which in the like case was put in practice by that super-eminent Commander the King of Swedeland (when Tilly was on the further side of the River to oppose him) who to that purpose made choice of a point of land, (so made by the serpentine bending of the River that he was to pass over) the bank whereof, on the side where the [Page 139]Kings own Army lay, being a Pikes length higher then was that on Tillies side; be­ing also plain and without covert, but the Enemies side Woodie and close. Upon this point the King caused a running Trench to be cast up round about; where­in Musqueteers were so lodged, that out of it they might with good security give fire into the opposite Wood, where Tilly with his Army lay in covert. And the same Line or Trench had a great Battery besides at each end of it, whereon some Demy-Cannons and Culverins were mounted, with many lesser Batteries be­twixt them, for some smaller Pieces all alongst the point; the which also were every where lined and intermingled with Musqueteers. The Bridge for the passage of the Kings Army (for by a Bridge they were forced to pass) was made with Planks and the like materials. The means to support this Bridge, was by certain strong Tressels, whose feet were long enough to fathom the depth of the River. And these Tressels had great stones made fast to their legs, wherewith to sink them: and the length of the Tressels were proportioned to the just depth of the River in every place [Page 140]where they were to be placed: so that the Planks upon the uppermost part of the Bridge were to lie almost even with the surface of the water.

The Bridge thus fitted and laid over, the Kings Pioneers were instantly com­manded to pass over upon it, and cast up a small Half Moon, with a Pallisado fitted unto it upon that side of the River: the which works were so contrived, as that they did answer in every particular those of the Enemies made for his Musqueteers; and withal served to cover the Bridge, and to latch such great shot as should be made upon the Bridge. And these Pio­neers were secured in their workings by the Cannons and Musqueteers of their Party, lodged on the opposite side of the River.

Now the reasons inducing to the choice of the Part, and the manner of the Works, were, in that the crookedness and serpen­tine course of the River did afford a con­veniencie, by flanking it on every side to defend the Bridge, being laid over just upon the point of land; so that it could not be touched by any of the Enemies Bat­teries, though they were on each side [Page 141]thereof: because by the sudden shoulder­ing away of the bank of the River at ei­ther end, none of the Enemies Cannon could bear or beat upon the Bridge, but that either the bullets fell short, being latched by the Half Moon aforesaid, and the heighth of the bank of the River; or else flew quite over the Kings Leaguer, and so did no execution. By which means the Kings Army passed over safely; and being over, routed the Enemy, and killed their General, that brave old man.

And thus you have some rules and ad­vertisements about the conduction of an Army over Rivers, by Boats and Bridges. But if an Army be to pass over a River by a Foord, and an Enemy ready to resist on the further side; As it is to be known that that Army runs a great hazard which is thus put to it, so is it not to be practised but upon most urging causes, and then with all cautions possible; among which, I shall propound these following: That in the passage, the most of the Horse be or­dered to pass in the Front, and the Foot to march close up after them; for the Horse are better able and provided to su­stain the Enemies resistance at their land­ing [Page 142]then the Foot; who must needs be much encumbred and tired by their wading thorow the water, and especially if the Foord be broad or deep. And besides, the Horse thus marching in Front, shall opor­tunely discover the condition of the pas­sage, where it is at best and worst; and may also be ready to relieve and succour any of the Foot that by any accident may be endangered in the water. And this was Caesars order in his British War, in his passage over the River of Thames; and at the River Sicoris in his Spanish War. And if the Foord be deep, and withal of a swift current, it will be necessary to place a great number both of Horse, and other great Cattle, as well above the part where the Army is to Foord it, as also below; for hereby the Horse that stand above, will break the force of the Current; and the Horse that stand below, may succour and take up any such as shall happen to be o­verswayed by the force of the stream; and withal, add courage to the Souldiers in general to adventure. And this course was practised by Hannibal in a passage of his Army over the River Po, where in stead of Horse, his Elephants were thus or­dered to this purpose.

A second course to this end (but requi­ring more time, though with less peril) may be, to abate the depth of the Foord, and violence of the Current, by dividing the River into many Chanels. As Cyrus did the River Euphrates, when he took Babylon from Baltazzer; and Semiramis the same River (if we credit Herodotus) long before: as afterwards Alexander. Neither hath this practice been altogether amongst the Ancients; for at the last siege of the Town of the Borse, when the States took it in, that small River that ran through the Town, was so diverted, that the Town was not only streightned in point of water, but all such Passages and Avenues drowned, as might have facilita­ted a Reliefe from abroad, and the approa­ches upon the Town it self made by far more easie and accessible.

As for the kindes of Bridges proper for these conveyances of Armies over Ri­vers, whereof we spake of one even now: Of these there are many sorts; but those most in use, and indeed most commenda­ble, as are made upon flat-bottom Boats or Punts, wheresoever these are to be procured. But withal, whatsoever the [Page 144]Bridges be, or howsoever contrived, it is to be received for a Maxime, that when­soever an Army is to pass over any of them, and the Enemie within the distance of half a days march; no part of the Army ought to be severed from the main Body, that no advantage may be taken by the E­nemy, to intercept or come between them and their Friends. And this holds not onely in the passages by Bridges, but by Boats, or Foords, or any other.

And thus you have directions for the marshalling of Armies in a march. And these well observed, though an Army should be forced to march even by night, need no other additions, save onely that extraordinary care be had in providing a sufficient number of able Guides, which are to be distributed throughout the whole Army: That a well chosen Watch­word be given, whereby every Piece and individual Person may be known one to another: That many Altes be made, to hold all the parts together, and no Strag­glers lost: That the quantity and length of the march be so laid, and with that dis­cretion limited, that the Souldiers be nei­ther disabled by over-long journeys, nor [Page 145]oportunities lost by sickness: and lastly, that especial endeavour be practised to procure good intelligence of the Enemies proceedings.

As for such marches as are to be made over Mountains, thorow Woods, and Bog­gie and Marish grounds, and the like; it is not to be expected that any certainty can be prescribed, as touching their forms; for they are to be accommodated to the ground and ways that necessity throws them upon; and commonly are extended in great lengths, made passable by the la­bour of Pioneers, but best secured by vigi­lancie.

CHAP. VIII. Of the ordinary way of ordering a Royal Army to Battel. The Leaders in this order, where to place themselves, and who to be. A censure of the defects of this order formerly described. Of the Gene­rals placing himself betwixt the Battel and the Rear. The best place for the Ge­neral in a battel. Of the lining of the Horse with the light-armed, or Musque­teers. Of the long-Bowe, how to be or­dered and employed: wherein it is pre­ferable, and hath the advantage of the Musquet. How the Horse are most advantagiously ordered and placed in a battel. The best Forms and proportions of Horse-battels. The censure upon these Forms, and the use of them. The depth that Horse-battels are to be ordered into. Of some words of Command both to Horse and Foot. Of doubling Files and Ranks, and the use of them. A modern form of ordering a Fight, much approved of. Why an Army is thus to be ordered. Ob­jections answered.

IN the last foregoing Chapter we pro­pounded some directions how Armies [Page 147]were to march. In this we shall speak of the forms of embattelling them to fight; and shall purposely omit many sorts of them, as being to little or no purpose, save to express the cunning of a curious Serjeant-Major-General, and to please wanton Spectators; but shall apply my self to such as are most of use.

The customary way of ordering an Ar­my-Royal to a Battel, as well Anciently as more Modernly, hath been to divide it into three Battaliaes, or main Bodies: and these three Bodies have been, and yet are, (by some Nations) ordered into one joint Phalanx: by others distributed into maniples, or small divisions. Between which divisions, for the prevention of some confusions, they leave intervals or distances, that by them, and through them, one Battel or Body may the more conve­niently second the other. And the breadth and depth of these maniples are to be made answerable to the Enemies forces, and the nature of the ground; but with such distances, that if the Vant-guard should happen to be broken, it may con­veniently retreat thorow them behind the Battel; which thereupon is to joyn and [Page 148]advance, and so to renew the Front, and receive the Enemy afresh. And in the like manner, upon the like occasion, is the Battel to do behind the Rear. And as the one Body is thus relieved by another, so may one maniple by another, and that without either the advancing or retire of the whole Body.

As for the Leaders of these several Bo­dies, those of the Vant-guard are to be, the Lord Marshal, with the one half of the Colonels, and half of the Captains, having the best men in the Front. And in a re­treat, the same men are to bring up that Rear.

The Leaders of the Battel, and of the Rear, are to be the other half of the Co­lonels and Captaius. As for the Genera­lissimo's place (according to this order) it is to be between the Battel and the Rear; and that as well in regard that it is the place of most security, as that upon all occasions his advice and command may there be best given and taken. And the Ensignes are to be ordered into the midst of the Maniples, or somewhat nearer the Front. As for the Artillery, it is to be ordered before the Front, without the cor­ners [Page 149]of the Vant-guard, upon the most ele­vated ground, that it may the better play upon all parts. Only if the Enemy be expe­cted to charge on all parts, then is the Ar­tillery to be placed on all parts: and such Pieces as are not for the present employ­ment, to be bestowed between the Battel and the Rear; unless the fight be before a Town, or Camp entrenched, and then it is left either in the Town or Camp; and so is the Baggage likewise, and all the unprofit­able persons.

But this ordering of an Army for a Bat­tel, hath not passed without reprehension in divers particulars.

As first of the Phalanx, and indeed all other over-great Bodies: for it being an undeniable Maxime, that those Troops stand in best order which can bring up most hands to fight at once; it as undeniably followeth, that the smaller Troops and di­visions must needs do this best, and there­fore are preferable: Because in great Squadrons or Phalanxes, many men are drowned in the depth of the Files and Flanks, and never appear but when the breaking of the great Body doth present them to the Butcherie. The great Squa­drons [Page 150]are also reprovable, in regard that they are unmanagable, and cannot be pre­served in order but when the ground is large and plain, and withal of an even and perfect level; otherwise they must either stand immovable, or upon the least motion be subject to shaking and disorder; whereas the lesser Bodies are scantled for all pla­ces, champion or woodie, level or uneven, of what condition soever. Again, if two or three ranks onely of the great Bodies happen to be broken, or any way disorder­dered, the whole Body is equally interessed in the disorder, and hath far less means to rally it self, then a small maniple: whereas on the contrary, if any violence rout or disorder a maniple, it proceedeth no fur­ther then to that part where it taketh; the disranking of any one of these small Bodies, not at all, or very little extending to the confusion or disorder of any of the rest: by reason that their intervals and se­parations or distances serve to cut off such inconveniencies, and yet no way hinder the general uniting of all their strength into one Body. And these are the exce­ptions against great Bodies, and united Phalanxes.

The second exception against the former order, is about the placing of the General himself between the Battel or Middle­guard, and the Rear-guard, as the former order prescribes. Concerning which, not­withstanding many opinions are to be found, and various Presidents; Vegetius (in his third Book and eighteenth Chap­ter) saith, that the General of the Army is accustomed to be in the right Wing, betwixt the Horse and the Foot. And he addeth, This is the place which governeth the whole Battel, as from whence all sal­lyings out are direct and free; so that (saith he) the General resting thus betwixt the Horse and Foot, may best govern them with commands and directions. Now of both these there have been found exam­ples: of the first, Diodorus Siculus affirm­eth that it was the manner of the Scythians, that the King should be in the middle of the Phalanx. And Arrian (in his first Book and thirty sixth Chapter) affirmeth that Darius took the same place. And Leo also (cap. 4. Sect 63. and 67. and cap. 12. Sect. 66.) giveth the middle of the Battel to the General. And Plutarch re­ports, that Timoleon in his fight against the [Page 152] Carthaginians placed himself in the very midst of the Battel.

On the other side, we have it in Xeno­phon (Cyrop. lib. 7. fol. 176.) that Cyrus in his Battel against Croesus, took his place in the right Wing, betwixt the right hand of the Battel, and that of the Horse that were ordered in the Wing. And Alexan­der the Great (though bred amongst the Phalangers) did the like in most of his Battels. And for the Moderns, I find the valiant King of Sweden at the battel of Liptzwick, in the right Wing, in the Front of some Brigades of Horse; and at the Battel of Lutzen, in the very Front of the right Wing of his Vant-guard, con­sisting of six Horse-Squadrons, lined with five Bodies of Musqueteers.

For mine own part, as (amongst these various opinions) I cannot approve of the Generals placing himself in the midst of the Middle-guard or Center of the main Body of Pikes, in regard that it neither ex­presseth valour, nor can he see about him to discover any advantages or disadvantages, and to direct accordingly; so on the other side, I shall not advise to have any Gene­ral to be over-hazardous in adventuring [Page 153]his person in the very heighth of the Front, especially when the Army falls up to the charge, lest the loss of the best bloud of that body, procure the languishing of the whole. And thus I am sure was lost at Lutzen the best General of the World, though (to the wonder of the World) that headless Army got the day in a fury.

In mine opinion therefore, though a General may place himself (at the time of a battel) in the right Wing of his own Middle-guard, yet ought it to be with some Brigades of Reserve: and by no means in the very Point or Post of the Van. For questionless it is a great errour in a General, when his courage shall not suffer his judgment to distinguish betwixt the duties of a common Carabine and the General of an Army.

As for the lining of the Horse with Musqueteers, or at the least with the light­armed, (whereof we gave a touch before) it was not uncommon with the Ancients. And it was always held, that Horse being thus charged, could not resist both. And we have a notable example hereof in Hir­tius (de Bello Afric.) when Caesar having [Page 154]a march to make, and but a small number of Horse with his Legionary Souldiers, was set upon in his way by the Enemie, abounding with Horse, and light-armed Numidians amongst them. And when Cae­sars Souldiers fell out to charge, the Ene­mies Horse retreated, and the Foot stood fast, until their Horse with a short wheel­ing about, returned upon the Rear of the Enemy to their rescue: by which way of fight, Caesar himself confessed, that he was so perplexed, that he found no other course to save himself, then to recover some hills of shelter near at hand; and that had it not been for them, he must have fared worse. And for those Musque­reers wherewith the King of Swedens Horse at the Battels of Liptzwick and Lut­zen were lined, they were so shadowed from the Enemie by these Horse, that when those of the Enemies came up to the charge, they did a very great execution upon them before they were aware, and were a main means of the attainment of those two famous Victories.

Nor can I apprehend any objection that may (with any reason) be made a­gainst this form of order; since hereby [Page 155]these Musqueteers are well secured by their own Horse, and the Enemies Horse in extream danger to be terribly galled by these Fire-weapons before they can get up to charge home, or so much as to approach within the reach of their Pistols. And therefore it seemeth to me very worthy both of acceptation and imitation.

And these ways of lining of the heavy­armed with the light-armed, have not been found to be practised with the Horse onely, but with the Pikes also; and that as well with the Ancients, as those of our time. True it is, that these light-ar­med with the Ancients, were the Slingers and Darters, and were variously ordered; sometimes before the Front of the Pha­lanx, or main body of the Pikes; some­times on the Wings, sometimes betwixt the Files of the armed, fronting in a right line with them; sometimes in the Rear of the Battel of the Pikes (and of these Aelian makes mention, chap. 42.) and sometimes also in a quite contrary way; as when these light armed were drawn into the midst of the battel it self. As for the usual Modern ways, they are (as all know) to place and order the light-armed men, [Page 156]which are the Musqueteers, in the Wings, and sometimes in the Front of the Battel of Pikes. And the Swedish Discipline introduced an intermingling of the Mus­queteers with small bodies and maniples of Pikes; the which, nevertheless, were so bestowed in the Sections and Divisions of those bodies, as not to be discovered by the assaulting Enemies until they felt them.

And surely (if the Garb of the Time would allow it) I see not, why some of our long-Bowe-men (which, as the World knows, have been the fame of our Nation) might not be employed in these services, mixed together with our Musqueteers; nor why they should not execute to great purpose, especially upon Horse. And if some of them were ordered in the very Rear of the body of Pikes, they would not onely be shadowed from the view of the Enemy, but might be drawn up with­out any confusion or trouble to any other part, as occasion should require; nay, standing firm in the very Rear of all, they may, questionless, do very great service, (and especially before the Armies join) by delivering their Vollies of Arrows over [Page 157]all that stand before them; the which, as many of them as fall upon any Horse-Troops, and with their barbed heads stick and hang fast where they fall (as they will certainly do) they cannot chuse but cause a mighty confusion: nay, their very stick­ing in the ground, in the way of a Horse-Troop, must needs dazle their sight, and amaze them. For I am clearly of their opinion, who hold that the long-Bowe is preferable to the Musquet in these re­spects: In that many ranks of Archers, yea all of them, should they stand ten in depth, may deliver their whole Vollie at once; whereas the Musqueteers can do this with one rank onely at once; or at the most (after the Swedish way) with three: as also, in regard that the arrow strikes as well in descent, as at point-blank, the bullet onely at point-blank: In that the Bowe may far better be used in wet weather then the Musquet, and is withal surer to take, whereas the Musquet often­times fails in taking fire: In that the Bowe is undoubtedly more prevalent a­gainst the horse then the Musquet; for though a horse be shot thorow with a bul­let, he is yet for a while able to bear his [Page 158]Rider, and to do service; but if a barbed arrow do but hang in any part of a horse, he becomes altogether unmanageable, and so unserviceable. And lastly, in that (as aforesaid) though the arrow should miss its mark, yet its very sticking in the ground (and especially when a whole Volley doth so) proves not onely terrible to the horse, but cumbersome both to horse and man; and that in all grounds, and at all assaults.

I know well, that in some particulars the Musquet also is preserable to the Bowe; as behind a Rampart, and thorow loop­holes; and in that a good Musquet duly charged, will carry point-blank to the di­stance of twelve score, whereas an Archer (especially now adays) can scarce shoot so far at random. It may be also that the Musquet is more terrible, and scareth an un-accustomed man, more then the Bowe. But for all this, I know not but that they may both pass in Cameradeship; nor do I know (all things considered) why the new invention of the Pike and Bowe uni­ted, should find so little entertainment amongst us as it hath done; unless it be, that now adays we have given over our [Page 159]selves to take up all things upon meer trust rather then reason, though evidenced by demonstration.

But because we have spoken much of the lining of Horse with Musqueteers in a battel, it may well be expected that somewhat should be said touching the placing and ordering of these Horse: and of this I find the common and usual way to be, to dispose them in the Wings. Thus did Alexander at his passage over the Ri­ver Granicus, as Arrian recordeth, (lib. 2.) and Curtius (lib. 3.) So did Antigonus, as Diodorus Siculus hath it (lib. 19.) And so Ptolomie in his battel against Demetrius, as the same Author saith in the same Book. And in brief, all the Macedonians and Grecians, unless some especial cause urged an alteration, did the like. And so the Romanes also, since them. And indeed so it hath continued almost in all ages, even to this.

Nevertheless, I hold it not amiss, upon many occasions, to place and order some Troops of Horse in the very Rear of the Army; provided that some large inter­vals be left in the divisions of the bodies of the Foot, that thorow them these [Page 160]Horse may be drawn up to charge, when need requires: for hereby these Horse shall both be shadowed from the Enemies sight, and may be drawn to a charge in any part of the Army wheresoever. And of this also, we find both old and new ex­amples; as of old in the War between the Romanes and Spaniards mentioned by Livie (Cecab. 3. lib. 9.) wherein the Au­setanes, the Illergetes, with some others, are said to leave broad intervals betwixt the Wings and the middle part of their Battel, to give passage to their Horse to come up to all charges. And I find the like likewise to be practised by the King of Sweden in the battel of Liptzwick, where he ordered divers Reserves of Horse in the Rears, whence they were drawn up, and did very good service, to­wards the atchievement of that famous Victory. Sometimes also it hath been found, that the Horse have been ordered in the Front of the body of Pikes. But I believe that this was onely done when that side did much exceed the other in number and strength of Horse, and when there was some distrust in the worth of the Foot. As in that battel between Eumenes and [Page 161] Craterus, mentioned by Plutarch (in Vita Eumenis) where Eumenes placing the Horse before his Foot, did it (saith the Author) because he held them the prime of his strength; and therefore put upon them the hazard of the day: and here­in shewed himself both in counsel and action, a brave and well-experienced General.

As for the best forms and fashions of Horse-battels, the most ancient, and then the most common, was that of a Rhombe. And this was in special account with the Thessalians, (witness Aelian, cap. 18.) who were reckoned for the best Horse­men of Greece, (as Xenothon reports them in his Hist. Graec. lib. 7. 644. D.) and held that account to the time of King Pyrrus. And for this form, these rea­sons are given: That it was fittest for all Encounters, because the Horse thus po­stured, were ready to turn Faces about any way, upon all occasions: That it could not be surprised in Flank or Rear, as having the best and choice men in the Flank, and the Commanders in every point of the Rhombe.

But the practice of our days consists [Page 162]most in the ordering of the Horse into square Bodies. And the grounds hereof are, That these forms are with most ease and facility to be put in order: That they are aptest for the joynt movings of the Horse: And that the Commanders do joyntly charge the Enemy in the Front; which in no form can be done but this.

To speak freely of both these forms, I opine with them who hold that the Rhombe in point of piercing, and artifi­cial breaking into the battel of an Army, is the most proper, (unless perhaps that a Wedge be in the same case to be prefer­red;) for being narrow and pointed in the Front, it naturally forceth a passage with the point, and withal maketh way for the rest of the Body to follow; and so without much ado, piercing farther and farther, it must necessarily hazard the breaking of the adverse Battel, and so dis­perse it, that afterwards execution may be done at pleasure. On the other side, the square Horse-battel in respect of doing execution, and violent overthrowing of all in its way, is to be preferred before any other; for it bringeth more hands to fight, and beareth down all things before [Page 163]it. So that I see not but both these forms of Horse-battels may be held in use, even in these times; the one for entrance, the other for bearing down; this for a tho­row execution, that for a dispersion.

But there is one thing more in the or­dering of Horse-battels of especial obser­vation, and that is their depth; of which Leo his opinion was (cap. 12. sect. 40.) that a Horse-battel was onely to be four in depth; and his reasons were, that (bearing Lances) the fifth was unprofita­ble, because from thence their Lances could not reach to the Front; neither (saith he) can Horse (as Foot) with their thickness or depth, thrust one another for­wards from behind; and therefore in his opinion, the number of four was suffici­ent for the depth in File. And yet we find in Polybius, that the Horse was for the most part in his time, ordered eight in depth. But this was in the Age of Lan­ces. In our now Pistol-world, I finde the King of Swedens Horse which were order­ed in the Wings of the Van at the battel of Lipzwick, to be four in depth: And those that were in the Wings of the Rear, to be five in depth; and so likewise were [Page 164] Tillies Horse. In the battel of Lutzen the King of Swedens Horse were in no place above three in depth; whereas Walsteins Horse were every where six.

It seems therefore, that there can be no certain rule touching this particular; but that it must be varied according to the number of Horse, and the necessity of en­larging the fronts: so that Aelians pro­portion may be received with most appro­bation for the general; which is, to dou­ble the number of the Front, to the num­ber of the Flank; and as the number of the Troop ariseth, to enlarge the length of the Front and the depth of the Flank proportionably one to another: yet would I not have it to exceed the number of eight at any time in depth, nor under four; for the one extream loseth the fighting of some hands by reason of their over-depth, and the other is over-weak to sustain any great shock.

I shall add one thing more, which may concern both Horse and Foot, concerning words of Command; touching which, I find, that it was the ancient use, (witness Polyen. lib. 4.217. sect. 2.) that when the Horse were commanded to turn to the [Page 165]right hand, the word of Command was, Turn to the Staff; that is, to that side where the Staff or Lance was then carried: and when they were to turn to the left hand, the word was, Turn to the Reins; because the Reins were born in the left hand. And so to the Foot, the words of Command were of old, To the Pike, when they were to turn to the right hand; and to the Target, when they were to turn to the left. Now the present words of Com­mand to this purpose both to Horse and Foot, are, To the right hand, To the left hand; To the right hand about, To the left hand as you were; To the left hand about, To the right hand as you were.

Touching which, I shall onely offer it to the consideration of our present Com­manders, whether it were not safer in this case to take up some other words of Com­mand, then those that are now in use. And this in regard that our present words of Command, To the right hand, To the left hand, are subject to be mistaken, as being of too alike sound, and may very well be taken one for another. And all mistakes of this kind must needs be very disadvantagious, and carry with them much [Page 166]of peril, as all judicious men will readily confess. So that we may do well to be herein presidented by our Sea-men, who in their Sea-words of Command for the Condeing of a Ship, use not to say Lar­board the Helm, but Port the Helm, when they would have it to be put to the left side of the Ship; lest by the affinity of the sound, it should be taken for Star-board the Helm, which is to have it to be put on the contrary side, and that in many cases to a certain ruine. And this also may be the better perfected by Aelians rule, that the particular be placed first; as to say to the Horse, To the right hand turn your Face, when you would have them turn to the right hand; To the Reins or Sword turn your Face, when they should turn to the left hand. And to the Foot, to say, To the right hand turn your face, when they are to move that way: and To the Sword turn your faces, when you would have them move to the left hand.

As for the words, Double your Files, or Ranks, or Length, or Depth: The dou­bling of the length is to be used, either to over-wing the Enemy, or to avoid the over-winging of the Enemy; or else to [Page 167]make the fairer shew and outside of an Army; whereby to dis-hearten the Enemy, and withal to deceive him. The doubling of the Files or Depth, to be done either in respect of the straitness and narrowness of the place, or for the better strengthening of the battel, or to draw an Enemy to fight when you have the advantage of him.

And thus have you the Genuine uses of both these kinde of doublings, as well in length as depth; wherein, nevertheless, due heed is to be taken, that in doubling of the Front there be not given so much length that it fail in its due depth; nor so much depth, that the Front be over-nar­rowed, and so subject to be environed: the want of length and depth in an order­ed Army for a battel, being equally disad­vantagious and reprovable. For when it is embattelled over-shallow, it can endure no shock; when over-deep, it is easily encompassed, and in danger to be utterly ruined that way.

To comply therefore with all these ad­vantages, and provide against the defects, I shall describe a modern form of embat­telling an Army for a fight, that hath re­ceived [Page 168]a very general approbation, and deserves as general an imitation. And it is in this manner (supposing the Army to consist of twenty thousand men, all other numbers being to be proportioned accor­dingly:) in the Front of the Van are to be Wings of the best Troops of Horse, to be somewhat advanced before the main Front of the foot of the Van: These Horse to be divided into several maniples or small bodies, and the Divisions to be well lined with Musqueteers. The Van of the Battel or Middle-Guard to be ordered in­to four Brigades of Pikes and Musqueteers, the middle Front of every Brigade being to be somewhat advanced; before which part the Artillery is to be placed; and to secure it, three divisions of Musqueteers, with some Troops of Horse near unto them, are to be ordered immediately be­hinde these four Brigades: and all these bodies are to be well lined with Musque­teers in every one of their Divisions: and for a strength to these also, some Cannons may be placed in the Rear of them all. In the Rear of the right Wing, is to be placed rwelve Troops of Horse, and as many in the Rear of the left Wing. As [Page 169]for the Rear of the main Battel or Mid­dle-Guard, it is to be ordered into three Brigades of Foot; the which are to serve for a Reserve of that Body. And every middle Front of each Brigade to be some­what advanced, as those in the Van. And in the Rear of all these, two half Regi­ments of Horse, of five Troops apiece.

Now the grounds of this order of em­battelling of an Army for a battel, are these: That every part of it consisting thus of several maniples, and small Bodies, if any one of them should happen to be broken, yet is there not so much danger any thing near, as when an Army is ran­ged into great Battalions; because they may with far more ease (by reason of the agility of their motion, as being little Bo­dies, and the small piece of ground which they take up to move in) be restored and supplied, then a main great Body can possi­bly be. Secondly, In that though the thinness of the Files (which are said to be at the best, when they are not above six in depth) may not perhaps be able to en­dure any main shock or force; yet by this order shall more hands be brought up to fight at once, then can be in great Bodies; [Page 170]and shall also be more able to do execution on the sudden. Thirdly, In that in this order every part so fenceth, flankers, and backs one another, and is so apt to se­cond, relieve, and support one another; so ready either to send out supplies, or to receive them, as that the whole Body looks like some Master-Piece of Fortifi­cation; and indeed, becomes so, having (as it were) its Bastils, Towers, Bulworks, and several Retreats. So that though ma­ny several and individual persons may chance to be laid on the ground, yet shall the whole order be preserved from be­ing dis-joynted, and much more the great Body of the Army from being routed.

Thus I have laid down a forme of ran­ging an Army for a Battel, which some have stiled Admirable. And yet I must tell you, that it hath not been free from ob­jections; and those made by some old Souldiers, or at the least, Souldiers of el­der time. For first, they say, that in re­spect that private Companies cannot hold long in their full strength and due numbers, being in the Field, by reason of sickness, slaughter, and the like accidents; [Page 171]that thus to order an Army into small bo­dies, and as it were into private and particu­lar Companies by themselves, their Vollies of shot can neither be great, nor the harm great that the Enemy shall receive by them. But to this it may be answered, that we speak not here of the ordering of particular Companies by themselves, but of small Bodies made up of private Com­panies, as cause shall require: so that though it be true that the strength of the Army may be weakned by these accidents of death, or otherwise, yet the divisions may stand fast and full: Though it is as true, that there will be fewer Divisions; which makes nothing against the order in general.

Secondly, these Objectors say, That the mixing of the Shot and Pikes together in distinct Companies, weakneth and dis­ableth the whole Body: for (say they) by casting off the Shot in this manner, the in­tervals and streets are made so empty and wide, that the Enemies Horse are enabled to break in and disorder them. And if the Shot be not thus cast off, but kept close, and so made to discharge in Counter­march, they are hereby apt to be thronged [Page 172]together by the Pikes; and the distance of place being taken from them, the use of their weapons also must needs fail them, and so all come to ruine.

But to this Objection also it may be an­swered, That all this may be helped by the uniting of these bodies into one, as shall be found necessary: nor need these Shot be so removed from their Body of Pikes by any casting off, but that they may be reunited with ease on a sudden; nor shall they be thronged by their Pikes, or deprived of their distances of place; be­cause they shall not need (holding this order) to discharge at all in Counter­march.

Thirdly and lastly, it is objected against this foresaid order of embattelling an Ar­my into small Bodies, that in what manner soever the Shot be employed, there must needs be a weakness in the Rear, so that the Enemies Horse may break in at plea­sure. But to this it is again replied, that the uniting of the small Divisions being carefully observed, assureth against all these assaults and perils: And that all these objections fall rather upon the em­battelling of a single Regiment, then the [Page 173]forming of a Battel or Army made up of ten or twenty thousand men. And thus much of the ranging and ordering of Ar­mies for a fight: we shall in the ensuing Chapter give some Advertisement touch­ing the Dislodgings, Retreats, and En­trenchments of a Camp-Royal.

CHAP. IX. Observations upon the certainty of Orders for dislodging a Camp. Of Retreats, when to be made in a Campagne, and when to be made in narrows: How to be ordered, and the Reasons. Of an Army forced to lodge in open Fields. Of the encamping of an Army. Of the forms of Trenches. Of Guards due to Entrenchments, and where to be placed. Forms of Entrench­ments when an over-powerful Enemy is very near.

BEing in this Chapter to speak of the Dislodgings, Retreats, and Entrench­ments of a Camp-Royal, we will first be­gin with the first of them.

An Army being to dislodge, and the Ge­neral [Page 174]having given notice hereof to the Lord Marshal; he the Marshal is to do the like to the Quarter-master-General, and the Quarter-master to the Provost-Marshal-General, and he to the Quarter­masters of the Regiments, and they to the Colonels and Captains, and those to their subordinate Officers, who are to warn the common men.

Now in the first place the Provost-Mar­shal-General is to give order to the Pro­vost-Marshals of the Regiments, that they give Command to the Pioneers, Sucklers, and the rest that are not Souldiers, to be in a readiness, and employ themselves in the filling up of the Trenches that they are to forsake, and in the firing of the Quarters (and this to be done whilest the whole Camp are putting themselves into their Arms;) that so nothing may re­main entire, to give relief or any way to serve the Enemies turn after they are for­saken by themselves.

This being done, and the one half of the Scouts sent before to make discoveries, that Corner or Wing of the Army which lay next to the Enemie, is first to stir, se­conded by the Body of the Vaunt-guard. [Page 175]Then succeedeth the other Wing, and then marcheth the Battel, followed by the Artillery and Baggage, covered with the Rear-guard, closed with Troops of Horse, serving withal as Scouts to the Army, and to beat up Stragglers.

This hath been received for a general order of dislodgings. But surely this can­not be so precisely and punctually obser­ved, but may and must suffer alterations according to the quality and condition of the Country and Ground that the dislodg­ing is to be made in: for hereby an Army may sometimes be forced to march in bro­ken ranks, at another time have liberty to do it in an entire body; neither can the place of the Baggage be so ascertained to be either before or after the Middle-guard, but that in some cases it may better be or­dered in the Flank of the Army: provided that that Flank be the securest part: for the place of most security is always the most proper for the placing the impedi­ments. And thus much touching dislodg­ings of an Army.

As for the ordering of Retreats, it is to be done in Battalia if the ground will al­low it, when the Enemy is in sight, and [Page 176]in Front. And in the first place the Rear is to march off; and whilest they turn fa­ces about from the Enemy, the Van and Battel are to stand their ground, as ready to receive all charges. This done, the Battel or Middle-guard is to move, and in all points to observe the orders and man­ner fore-practised by the Rear: and in the mean time the Van to make a stand; and when the Rear and Middle-guard have again made Alt, the Van it self is to retreat, and to have the Wings of the Horse at the same time to move and flank with it. And lest the Enemy should charge upon the Rear, some numbers of Musqueteers, with some Cornets of Horse, are to man it. And thus may a whole Army maintain and continue a Retreat, so long as the Enemy shall continue in a pursuit, and the ground be a Champian.

But if an Army in the retreat, the Ene­my following, be to pass through any nar­rows, as upon Dikes, thorow Lanes, over Bridges; in this case, assoon as any consi­derable part of the Foot is entered any of these streights, the Horse are to pass in the Rear of that first Division: and in the room whence these Horse departed, a [Page 177]strong stand of Pikes well flanked with Musqueteers are to make it good against the Enemies Horse, and to stand firm and keep their ground. And for the bringing off of these Pikes and Shot, it will be ne­cessary that some Brest-work, or half Moon, or both, be cast up at the point of the entrance upon the narrow, wherein Musqueteers are to be lodged; and if cause require, some small Field-pieces, as Drakes or the like, to beat upon the Ene­my at his approach, and make good the en­trance. The which small Pieces may be brought off upon the Narrow in the Rear of all, upon their proper Carriages, with their muzzles towards the Enemy, and upon all occasions to be guarded and secured by the Pikes, in whose Rear they retreat.

Now the grounds and motives of this Order, are, That though during a retreat in a champian and open ground, the Horse may be ordered to come up and retreat in the Rear; because with a small wheel­ing about, they may advantagiously charge the Enemies Horse in Flank, if they should attempt to fall on upon that Rear; and the Rear of the Foot also, with faces [Page 178]about, may the whilest receive the Ene­mies charge with the Body of their Pikes, and gall them with the Shot wherewith they are lined: Yet when an Army is to pass in any streight, these Horse shall then best secure themselves by wheeling about into that Rear of the Division of Foot which hath first entered upon that streight; for hereby a stand or alt may be made good against the charge of the Enemies Horse by the rest of the Pikes which are not entered upon the streight; and these Pikes brought off under the fa­vour of the Field-pieces and Musque­teers in the half Moon, and behind the Brest-work formerly mentioned; and they themselves brought off under the protection of the last Rear of Pikes, and the Drakes, or Field-pieces in the Rear of them; to be secured partly by their own beating upon the Enemy as they re­treat, and partly by the last Reserve of Pikes and Shot, when he chargeth home.

And the want of the making use of this order in our retreat at the Island of Rey, was the visible cause of our miscarrying in it. For all the while we marched in open ground, though all our Horse re­treated [Page 179]in the Rear of our Foot, and the Enemy both in Horse and Foot doubled our number, yet meddled they not with us, but made alt when we did, and marched when we did. But our For­ces being got up to the narrow of the Dike betwixt the Salt Pans, and our Van and Middle-guard well entered upon the Dike, and the Front of our Rear so close up with them, that our Horse could not wheel to put themselves betwixt the Rear of them, and the Front of our Rear; the Enemie did then furiously, French-like, charge with their Horse upon ours, and being by far the greater number, instant­ly routed them: forcing such of our Horse as sought their safety by flight, to break in upon our own Foot, to their utter disor­der; and the rest of our Horse, that could not do so, were all either taken or slain. The execution likewise upon our Foot became hereby very great; and the grea­ter, by reason that there were no kindes of Works cast up to command the en­trance of the passage upon the Dike: So that the Enemy was emboldned to charge home all alongst the way of our march, upon the very Dike it self, even to the [Page 180]very Bridge that we were to pass over; where also, by reason of the improvi­dence in making it without rails on the sides, our men in the haste and terrour of their disorder, thrust one another into a Creek of the Sea, and were there smo­thered in the water and mud. And here it was that we lost the most and best of our men.

Now because in these Retreats it may fall out, even with the most provident Ge­nerals, that an Army may be forced to lie and lodge in the open Field very near un­to an Enemy; it will not be amiss to pro­pound some courses touching this particu­lar. And in this case it hath been practi­sed, that every Regiment should lie down and lodge in the very same order that they marched all the day before, with all their Arms by them: the Pikes to stick up an end close by the bearers as they lay; and every Rot or File (that is, every six) of Musqueteers, to bring their Musquets to their Rot-masters or leaders of their File, who were to see them set with their mouths upright, and so bound together with a piece of Match, that they might stand ready at hand upon all alarms. As for [Page 181]the person of the General himself, and the Officers of the Field, they were to bestow themselves in their Coaches, or the like; and the private Captains to make use of such kinde of frames of wood as in the Low-Countries are termed Horses, being very proper for that purpose; and of which, it is good for every Captain to have one. Touching the Horse-Regi­ments, every man was to ease himself and his Horse, by alighting, and resting him­self on the ground, and by feeding his Horse near unto him: And in this po­sture to take repast and sleep; and so to attend the light of the ensuing morn, for the pursuance of their intended retreat. And thus having given some notes touch­ing the Dislodgings and Retreats of an Army, we will finish this Chapter with some Rules touching Incampings.

In these Incampings the General Quar­ter-master is especially to observe these particulars following: That friends (as near as may be) be lodged by friends; and this as well for preventing of tumults, as the faithful seconding one of another: That such Horse as are most unready and unfit for sudden occasions, be covered [Page 182]with Foot for three parts of them at least: That no impediments, as Merchants, Vi­ctuallers, Artificers, be lodged amongst the Souldiers: and That the Camp be well entrenched.

And because an Army, be it never so well entrenched, lying thus, will be for­ced to send Forragers abroad, it is a ne­cessary Providence, (and especially if the Enemy be any thing near) that some con­venient number of Troops do by turns stand by their Arms, that they be always ready to answer all alarms: which is great­ly furthered, and a Rescue the sooner and with less dismay performed, when some Captains are thus found always in point, and ready to march at the first word of Command. And hereof we have a pun­ctual example at Caesars first landing in this our Island. For he having received a great loss in his Shipping by a Tempest, the which encouraged the Britains so much the more to oppose him; the which himself also suspecting, he caused his Ar­my to be strongly entrenched: And send­ing out one of his Legions in its turn to fetch in Corn, the Enemy on a sudden as­saulted it; the which being discovered by [Page 183]an unusual dust, Caesar instantly took two Cohorts (which might amount to the number of 720 men) which were in sta­tion before the Ports of the Camp (com­manding that other two should supply their places) and led them on to the suc­cour of the Legion that was abroad; the which he found in a dangerous fight with the Enemy: And without this oportune supply, had in all likelyhood been cut off; and was thus relieved.

As for the Forms of Trenches, they are to be regulated, either by the advantage or disadvantage of the site. Their flanks are to be distanced about seventy Paces one from another; Their depth, bredth, and heighth, according to the time and intention of stay in that place, and the ex­pectance of an Enemy: In them entran­ces or passages are to be laid out for Horse, Foot, and Carriages: And to be covered with Ravelins without, and Bars within. And these Trenches are to be furnished with convenient Artillery, so ordered and mounted, that being well flanked, they may command the Campagna round about. And besides all this, the Camp is to be secured by strong and vigilant Guards; [Page 184]some whereof are the main Guards; the rest the pettie Guards. One main-Guard is to be near the Generals Quarter, and the Commander thereof is stiled, The Captain General of the Watch. Another main-Guard is to be in every Regiment, which hath likewise its Captain; by whom the Rounds are laid out, and the Rounders sent abroad to visit the Guards of the Companies: and out of the Main-guard by the Generals Lodging, the Rounders are taken out to visit all the petty Guards.

And because it may be dangerous when in one Discipline two Rounds meet in their Circuit, that they which speak first in taking the Word of the other, may here­by help the Enemie to rob the Word; To prevent it, it hath by some been thought a provident course, that the two elder Rounders should make an exchange of their Companions, and so proceed to finish their Circuit without giving or ta­king the word of any Round at all. The which I onely offer to our present Com­manders to take into their considera­tion.

As for the petty Guards, they are of two sorts: for either they consist of many [Page 185]persons, and are then termed a Corps du Guard; or of one single man, who is called a Centinel. A Corps du Guard may either be of Horse (which is a Guard without the entrenchments of the Camp) or of Foot, who watch within, before or at the Ports of the Trenches, or any where else where the Ser jeant-Major shall hold it fit. In the setting out of the Centinels, it is to be observed that they be not placed over-far from any Corps du Guard, lest by being surprized by an Enemy, the se­crets of the Army be discovered.

And because it cannot chuse but be full of hazard, and subject to many casualties, for an Army to be brought up any thing near to an over-powerful Enemy; a Ge­neral being to be exceeding circumspect, and sure of some advantage also, either by the place, or his own virtue that shall ad­venture to do it: If nevertheless necessi­ty force hereunto, it is a fit course for such an Army to encamp and entrench it self round about some good Town being to friend, especially if that Town be withal a place of a pass, and by its situa­tion and vicinitie unto some other parts in amity with it, any other way advantagious; [Page 186]for by this means both the Army and the Town may be well secured, and by the pass both of them continually supplied with Victual and Munition.

As touching the fashion and form of the entrenchments to be practised in this case: In the first place the ground and circum­vallation of the utmost lines are to be well viewed and considered, whether it be capable for the whole Army to lodge in. And all such higher grounds or hills as are any way near unto this circumvalla­tion, are to be taken in and included, to prevent the Enemy from planting his Cannon upon them, and so to beat upon the Leaguer, or into the Town. These entrenchments also are to be convenient­ly stored with Bastions, and guarded with Flanks. And if there be any River passing thorough the part, both sides thereof are to be commanded and well secured with Forts, or at the least Bastions: And (if it may be) the whole Work to be joined to some Fort erected within the Town it self, or at the least some Suburb thereof. And all these to be well defended with half-Moons and Horn-Works: The Suburbs themselves likewise (especially those that [Page 187]lie most in the Enemies way of approaches) being to be entrenched and guarded with some Works answering one unto another, and joining one upon another. The main High-ways also leading unto the Town are to be secured by some Forts, and some Batteries to be erected here and there be­tween them, furnished with good Or­dnance to play upon all the Avenues of the Enemy. As for the Graft or Moat en­compassing the whole circumvallation of the Trenches, it ought to be twelve Foot in the bredth, and eight in depth; and at the head-Works, eighteen feet in wide­ness, and twelve deep.

And thus much concerning the Incam­pings, Quarterings, and Entrenchments of an Army; purposely omitting the ordi­nary ways of lodging a particular Regi­ment; which is onely the diminutive of the other, and after the common way commonly known. And thus we con­clude our second Book.

CHAP. I. Of considerations to be taken before the en­trance into a War, in point of Strength, Treasure, Country, Shipping; also in point of confederations, and the true just­ness of the War. Considerations to be ta­ken in a defensive War. How a defensive War may be best-made and maintained.

WE are in this third Book (according to our Me­thod propounded at the first) to give some Ani­madversions about the third Necessary requira­ble in the making of a War; which con­sisteth [Page 189]of matter of Counsel, Advice, Stra­tagems, and Martial Courts. Touching which, in regard of their variety, and the answerable dependants, I shall onely speak of such as may afford the most general use, and be most properly drawn into imita­tion.

And in the first place I shall begin with some considerations needful to be taken before the War be entered upon.

The Attempters of a War are therefore to deliberate concerning both their own Forces, and those they are to deal with. They are diligently to inform themselves of their Enemies Treasures as well as their own; how raised, how maintained: and chiefly they are to consult by what means he may be deprived of them, or of any part of them; and thereby weakned in those main sinews of Military strength.

The Enemies Militia as well by Sea as by Land, is likewise to be enquired into. And herein notice is to be gotten not onely of the number and value of his Ship­ping and Boats, but of his Mariners and Sea-Commanders: and concerning his Land-force, what numbers of Horse and Foot he is able to bring into the Field; [Page 190]how armed, how disciplined, of what con­fidence and spirit; and to what Climate and Country enured, and how bred and brought up.

Diligent and heedful enquiries are also to be made of what condition the Enemies Country is that is to be invaded: As, whether it be strong by Nature, by reason of Woods, Mountams, Seas, Lakes, Ri­vers, Marishes; or artificially strong, by Forts, Castles, and strong Towns: of all which, the number, the site, the quantity of Munition, the number of the Defen­dants in every strength, and whether they be strong by Nature or by Art, or by both, or by neither, are as much as may be to be known beforehand; that so the prepa­rations may be made accordingly.

All these particular discoveries being thorowly made upon those who are to be invaded, no less diligence is to be used by the Invader concerning his own prepara­tions; and especially in Monies, Muniti­on, and Victual.

And he may be said to be well provided in the point of Victuals, when neither his Army in the Field need complain of scarci­ty, nor his Towns and Forts remain dis­furnished. [Page 191]And of Munition, when he hath not onely a sufficiencie of great Guns for the Field, Sea, Batteries and Forts; but also Armour of all usual kindes, with the Utensils due to a War, as Powder, Fire­works, Match, Engines, Balls, Gabions, Carriages, Beasts for draught and labour, Bridges, Ladders, Planks, Spades, Shovels, Axes, Sacks, Baskets, Timber, Cables, Ropes, Handmills, &c.

But besides all these, fit and provident confederations are to be made with all such foreign Princes and States as may either assist or hinder the War; either for Benefit, or Traffique, or for States-sake, or for necessity of dependance, or for al­liance and consanguinitie. For these con­siderations being duly observed and pro­vided for, the difficulties will prove less, either for the maintenance of the War, or the making of a Peace, as occasion shall at any time be presented.

The Justice likewise of the War ought to be divulged; and that for a satisfaction as well to the natural Subjects, as the neighbour-nations. And this may be done by a publication of the original causes: that War being to be allowed for Just, [Page 192]which is (indeed, without false pretences) made for the true Religion, for just Liber­ties, for repelling of publick wrongs by a foreign State after refusals of redresses, in defence of Friends violently and inju­riously oppressed: And that War Un just, which is taken up for private Ends, Ambi­tion, Revenge and Empire.

As touching such Invasions as are to be attempted by Sea and Shipping; whoso­ever intends them, is to assure himself be­forehand of some commodious and sure Landing-places, that neither the Ships suffer wrack or eminent danger in ap­proaching the coast, nor the Souldiers in­cur manifest hazard at their dis-imbarque­ing. And of the same importance is the fore-casting of a safe place of retreat; if peradventure the Army should be repel­led by extremity of weather, contagion of sickness, or the strength of the Ene­mie.

And thus far concerning such conside­rations and Counsels as are aforehand to be taken in point of an Invasive War.

As for such as are to be practised in a War Defensive, (though the surest De­fence is Offence) yet such as are forced [Page 193]unto it, are by all means to assure them­selves of their neighbours by Leagues, or by provision of Treasure to defray all charges, or by an Army so governed by discretion, that no fight be admitted in heat and rashness; and yet so avoided, that the Army may not seem to forbear the battel for fear (which may utterly discourage the common Souldier, or encourage the Ene­my) but rather as done out of policie. And withal, that the Country be on all sides wasted where the Enemy is to pass; so that nothing may be found for him to make use of. And in the interim, the de­fensive Army to be commodiously en­trenched, having withal a guard upon the Enemies Army on all sides; that no relief, or as little as may be, may be brought unto it.

This defensive War may also be main­tained by the erecting of Forts, and the fortifying of Towns: for hereby the De­fendants may not onely secure their lives from all sudden irruptions, and keep short the Enemy from relief, but defer battels at pleasure, and thereby abate the Enemies heat and pride.

As for the parts where these Fortifica­tions [Page 194]are to be raised, they are those which may give the most impediment to the Enemies attempts, and most security to the Defendants; as upon the Sea-coasts, the Ports and Landing places: and in the Mid-land parts, upon Narrows, and streight passages, and the Capital Cities. And these Forts are not to be so great, but that they may be manned and furnished, as well with Munition as Men, without the weakning of the main Army in the field; nor to be so small, but to be sufficiently capacious to receive the Peasants, and the best of their substance, in case of necessity.

CHAP. II. Of a Defensive War, how best made and maintained. That when a Victory may be gained without blows, a Battel is not to be admitted. How Troops suspected ei­ther for courage or Loyalty, are to be or­dered in Battel. What part of the Ene­mies Army is first to be charged. Re­quisite considerations in and after battel.

IN the foregoing Chapter (occasionally onely) we made some mention touch­ing [Page 195]the avoiding of Battels in case of a de­fensive War. But in this, we shall enlarge our advertisements concerning that par­ticular.

It hath been always a sure maxime of War, that whensoever by foresight well grounded, Victory cometh towards one without blows, or wounds; as either by blocking up the passages, and so cutting off all supplies, or by any the like means; that in such cases an Enemie is not to be as­saulted, nor admitted to the terms of a Battel: for it sutes better with the worth of the spirit, and the essence of our nature, so to direct the course of an action, that an Enemy may be conquered rather by Wit then War.

And hereof we have an example in Caesars Commentaries: where Caesar ha­ving shut up Afranius and Petreius in a place of advantage, although he might have cut them to pieces by an assault, yet finding the Victory sure without a fight, without blood, and without hazard; he thus answered his Captains who ur­ged him to storm them, Cur secundo Praelio aliquos ex suis amitteret? Cur vulnerari pateretur, optime de se meritos [Page 196]milites? Cur denique fortunam periclita­retur?

And indeed, before the falling upon a battel at any time, these following parti­culars are constantly to be received:

That a view be taken of the strength of the Army, and impartially compared with that of the Enemie.

That the place of Battel be near some safe Retreat, either of a Camp well entrenched, and sufficiently left with Guards; or some Town of defence near, to friend.

That all courses be taken to give cou­rage and confidence to the Souldiers; ei­ther by some fit applied words of exhorta­tion, or by some incouraging stratagems, or by shews of contempt of the Enemies strength, or augmentation of his own, or by making shew of some secret intelli­gence from the Enemies Camp, or re­porting some rumours of their fears and diffidence.

That in the ordering of the Army to the Battel, the Enemies order be heedfully ob­served; as also the site and form of the place and ground where the Battel is to be fought: to which an answerable ac­commodation [Page 197]is in every respect to be ob­served, as well in relation to the form as number of Divisions: as also for the or­dering of the Artillery to the best use, and most annoyance of the Enemie.

And if there be any new Troops that may be suspected in their worth, and espe­cially loyalty; That they be placed rather in the Battel, or Middle-Guard it self, then any of the Wings: for being thus order­ed, they shall neither be so put to it in point of courage, if they be wanting that way; nor can they find means or scope to fling out, or to take advantage to a mis­chief, as if they were ordered in the Wings: for the Wings in a set Battel, are the strength of it, and the principal instru­ments; and it hath ever been found, that as long as they stand firm, the day stands fair: for by them the Enemy is kept from surrounding the main body of the Army. And the same Army in the mean time hath the advantage of charging the Enemie in the Flank upon all occasions and opor­tunities.

Consideration is also to be had, whe­ther it be for the advantage to charge, or to attend the charge. If to charge (which [Page 198]is most approvable in an open Country) that then it be performed with the whole Front at once, rather then by light skir­mishes in the Wings and Corners; lest such of these as may chance to be rebutted upon the Main-Vant-guard, strike a terrour, and perhaps disorder through the whole body of the Army: of which there have been infinite examples.

An especial observation is likewise to be made touching the part of the Enemies Army which is first to be charged. With the Ancients and many of the Moderns it was a Maxime, that it was to be the weakest part. And this was practised by Caesar in his first Battel with Arionistus, and by Scipio in Spain. And the motives hereunto seem to be, in regard that mens judgments are favourable to that which happens well at the first; the sequel of every action depending for the most part upon the beginning; neither can there be a good end without a good beginning: for though a beginning be often disastrous and unlucky, and the end fortunate and happy, yet before it came to that end, there was a fortunate beginning. And therefore that an Army might foresee a happy end in a [Page 199]good beginning, it was the ground of this Maxime, that the beginning of the assault should be with the best of the Army upon the weakest part of the Enemy.

And yet contrary to this Axiome, that absolute and glorious Souldier, the brave King of Sweden, in the battel of Lutzen, gave order to have the strongest part of the Enemies Battel to be first charged. For seeing the Cuirassiers of the Enemies Horse in one Division by themselves in the Front, and the Crabrats the light-armed in another; Charge home (saith he to one of his prime Commanders) these black com­panions in their compleat Arms, for these are they will put us to it; as for the Cra­brats, I care not for them. By which it is manifest, that the ground of this his dire­ction was, that the flower of the Enemies Army being well put to it at the first (and this was likeliest to be done best, when his men were at the freshest) if they should once be routed, it would not onely occa­sion a dismay to the part where they were, but leave an easier task for the routing of all the rest behind. Neither for my part do I find less reason for this, then the An­cients and the others did for their practice.

Lastly, Care is to be taken before the charge be given, that a Watch-word, or ra­ther some particular signe and visible to­ken, or both the one and other, be impart­ed to the whole Army, that in all medlies they may be known one to another, and distinguished from the Enemy: and then to give the signal of Battel. And the rather, if either any fear or disorder be perceived amongst the Enemy, or a forward desire and heat to the fight with his own men. And these are the observations and dire­ctions requirable before a battel be accep­ted and joined.

The requirables in, and after it, are these following: That during the heat of the fight a vigilant eye be carried upon all mutations, that so all disorders may in due time be either prevented or repaired: That if the General (after the fight) finde his side to have the worst of it, he act ac­cording to that which shall be observed in the Enemies order, and the courage of his own men; and so apply himself either to rejoin or retire, executing accordingly with vertue, industry, and providence: That if after the fight he find himself to have the best of it, he thorowly to his utter­most [Page 201]prosecute his Victory; and take from the Enemy all means of reuniting his Forces: That he equally distribute the spoil, with a due respect to the quality of the persons, and vertue of the deservers; lest (as now adays in the disordered disci­pline of the age) those come to most get­tings which come to least blows: That (over and above the common distributi­ons) all eminencie of worth, wheresoever it be found, be rewarded. And herein were to be wished a renovation of that Roman way, to give some portable marks of honour, together with a sufficiencie of competent subsistence: That (on the other side) all Cowardice be punished, even to the least touch of it, wheresoever it shall be found: That mercy be used to Captives, and good Quarter given them: That the dead on both sides be buried: That the acceptable sacrifice of thanksgiving be of­fered to the great giver of Victories, as the gift earnestly and humbly craved of him, before, at, and after the attempt.

CHAP. III. Of the pursuit of a Victory. Reasons for pursuing a beaten Army, rather then taking in Towns. Of mercy to Captives, termed, Giving of Quarter. Of Quar­ter to be given to Neuters. Orders to be observed in the taking of Prisoners.

HAving in the last foregoing Chapter made onely a mention of the pursu­ing of Victories, and the shewing of mer­cy to Captives (in the very latter end of the Chapter) we shall in this enlarge our selves touching both these particulars, as being points of main consequence and concernment.

Touching the pursuing of a Victory af­ter the gaining of a Battel, it hath been much controverted amongst the greatest Commanders, whether after the routing of an Enemies Army, the broken Army should be thoroughly pursued; or the Conquerours should apply themselves to the taking in of some Frontier Towns be­longing to the beaten side.

Those that hold for the taking in of [Page 203]Towns, have delivered these reasons: That the great astonishment that general­ly befalleth to such as are beaten out of the Field, doth commonly so extend it self to all the Members of that party, that meer fear may procure a rendry of a strong place at the very first summons, or within two or three days; which at ano­ther time would not be carried in twelve moneths, or perhaps not at all. Second­ly, That the taking in of one strong Town is many times of as much importance as the routing of a fresh Army of the Ene­mies; and especially when hereby the Enemy shall be deprived of all Retreats in those parts. Thirdly, That a routed Ar­my thinks of nothing but flight; and therefore is not to be overtaken and staid without great difficulties, and much har­rasing and toyl of the pursuers. Fourth­ly, That a beaten Army thus flying, falls to pieces of it self, and deserves not any great regard; much less are any important opor­tunities to be neglected upon this conside­ration. On the other side, such as argue for the thorow pursuit of a beaten and fly­ing Army, alledge that hereupon the one of these two effects must necessarily fol­low, [Page 204]either that the Enemies Army shall hereby be absolutely defeated, or that they shall be constrained to capitulate for their Retreat: whereas if they shall be quietly suffered to pass without a perfect Rout, their able Commanders may find means in a short time to become once more able to march.

For mine own part, when I consider of the reasons on each side, I am made the most inclinable to those that hold for the thorow pursuit of the beaten Army. For though a Victory by the gaining of a bat­tel, may perhaps strike some terrour a­mongst Besognes and fresh-water Soul­diers, and with such procure an easie ren­dry of such Towns as are manned with such men; yet with old Souldiers (though beaten) having true Commanders, who always sell themselves dear, it procureth a quite contrary effect, and obstinateth them to all kinds of possible defence. Be­sides, though the taking of some one strong Town may (as it may be sited) prove as gainful as the routing of an Ar­my of the Enemies, yet whensoever the taking of any such place shall cost much time, it shall not onely weaken the Victo­rious [Page 205]Army that besiegeth it, and retard it from making use of the Victory lately got­ten, but give the beaten Enemy liberty and opportunity to reinforce their Troops, safe-guard their Ordnance, and either by way of diversion, as falling upon some o­ther part, or by making head against the besieging Enemy himself, and cutting him short from Victual, quite alter the Face and fortune of the War. Again, though a routed Army may perhaps for the time think of nothing but a flight, and this may hasten it so, as may cost some time and la­bour in the pursuit; yet being hotly pur­sued by the Horse onely of the Victorious side, it must needs suffer extreamly, and especially the Infantry part, and ten to one in the loss of their Artillery and Bag­gage. And all this done without any great or remarkable disturbance, or harassing to the pursuing Army, whose very Horse alone is to put hard to it upon the chase; the foot having liberty to march fair and easily after, and may come time enough nevertheless to fall up with the flying E­nemy, being thus retarded by the Horse.

And I am confirmed in this opinion by sundry presidents, (amongst which, two [Page 206]are very punctual) set down by that able French Commander La Noue in the do­mestick Wars of France during his time; be­ing the one of them, that Siege of Poitiers, which became the ruine of the Army of those of the Religion, after their Victory at Rochebelle: the other, that of St. Jean d'Angelie, which proved the like to the French Papistical Army, after their Victo­ry at the battel of Moncontour. Whereas on the contrary, the King of Sweden after all his gained battels, did hotly and tho­rowly pursue the utter overthrow of his E­nemies scattered Troops; and in regard of that, neglected, or at the least suspended the taking in of any of the neighbor Towns, whereabout the battels were fought. And by this course prevailed, to admira­tion.

And thus much touching this great con­troverted point, Whether after a Victory in the field the routed Army be to be pur­sued to an utter ruine, or the Victory to be made use of by the besieging of some Towns belonging to that beaten side.

As for the mercy that upon the attain­ment of a Victory is to be shewed to the Captives, generally received under the [Page 207]name of giving good Quarter, and by the French called Bonne Guerre; it prohi­bits not onely the killing and murthering of any, much less of women and children, or the slaying of any in cold bloud, or the not receiving such to mercie (that is, the not giving of them their lives) who shall give up themselves and their Arms priso­ners after the fight is over; but also all base and bar barous ravishments of women, and the like cruelties. And withal (as it is now in practice in our neighbour-wars) all prisoners, being enrolled Souldiers, are to be freed at the ransome of a moneths pay, according to their several condi­tions.

But this general rule is not without some exceptions: for if the Governour of a besieged Town or Fort shall defend the place he commands so obstinately, that it be stormed and entered by force, and so by an assault taken, and hereupon he yields himself after the heat and violence of the fight be over, to a private Souldier; it shall nevertheless be lawful (without any breach of Quarter) for the General of the assault­ing Armie to make him die; because this his obstinate and wilful defence was a tres­pass [Page 208]against the person of the General and the whole Armie, and cannot be privi­ledged by any condition with a private per­son. Also if a private Souldier shall give Quarter to any Fugitive or Spie, or any one that hath at any time practised foul War, or broken Quarter; or to any other which hath formerly deserved death for some capital offence; it is at the Generals pleasure whether this shall be made good unto him or not. Likewise, if during the fight of a Battel, many prisoners have Quarter given them upon the routing of some parts of that Army, and afterwards some parts and divisions of it, as the Bat­tel or the Rear, holding firm, give on so stoutly, as that the fortune of the day in­clines to a change; and those that had the best of it at the first, begin to be shaken and in danger: it shall in this case be held no crueltie nor breach of Quarter, though those prisoners that were taken at the first, and had Quarter promised, be pre­sently slain in the field by such as took them; because otherwise they may en­danger those that took them, or at the least ask more hands for their safe keeping then the exigent will allow to be idle. [Page 209]And thus befel it in one of our bravest bat­tels with the French in France; where the French prisoners which were taken at the beginning of the battel upon Quar­ter, which were very many, and many of note, upon a second charge given by the Duke d'Alenzon, were all commanded to be slain; which cost the French doubly dear, the loss of all their prisoners, and the utter routing of their puissant Army.

It is thought also by some, that the sub­jects of a State Neutral that shall enter­tain Traffique with an Enemy to another State, may by that State be made prize, and no Quarter to be given them, at least least in point of goods. For (say they) though they do not this out of any affecti­on of either love or hatred, but only to make their benefit, and not to any propo­sed relief; yet doth this transport of Mer­chandise prove a plain and direct aid: And in that regard, howsoever brought to the Enemie, deserveth to be punished with confiscation at the least; because that out of them Customs and Imposts are raised, whereby their War is maintained. But of the right of this I make a Querie; think­ing it rather to be understood onely of [Page 210]Munition, and Materials of that nature; for otherwise it must necessarily overthrow all manner of Trade, and set the whole World together by the ears.

Touching such orders as are to be ob­served in the taking of Prisoners by those taht take them, I finde them to have been these, by those of our own Nation. That if any Common Souldier did take a priso­ner, and another coming up at the same time should challenge the half of his ran­some, or else threaten to kill the Prisoner, the menacer was to have no part at all of it; no, though the taker of him had made him any such promise. And if the Mena­cer did kill the Prisoner, he should be un­der Arrest with the Marshal untill he compound with the partie for the loss of his Prisoner: and besides, he was to for­feit his Horse and Arms to the Con­stable.

That if any Souldier in any fight did beat down any one of the Enemie, and so leaving him, pursue on in the chase or fight, and another come up after him and take the same man prisoner; this Priso­ner thus beaten down, and thus taken, when he was to be ransomed, was to pay [Page 211]the one half of his ransome to him that first struck him down, and the other half to him that took him prisoner.

That whosoever he were that took any Prisoner, he was, as soon as possibly he could, to present him to his Captain or Commander, upon the penalty of losing his part of the Prisoners ransom to the said Captain or Commander; and the Captain or Commander to present this Prisoner to the General, Constable, or Marshal of the Army, before any other speak with him, that so his examination might be duly ta­ken. And this to be done under the pe­naltie of losing his Thirds of the Prisoners ransome (which otherwise was due unto him by his place) unto him that did first discover the default unto the Constable or Marshal. And that every one in whose custodie this Prisoner should chance to be, was to be careful to conceal from him all the secrets and Avenues upon the Camp. To which end, he was not to be suffered to walk at large, nor to range a­bout without a good Guard upon him; and this upon pain of losing his Prisoners ran­som; whereof the one third part was to be allowed to his Captain, the other third [Page 212]to the Constable, and the last to the Infor­mer: And the person also of the Delin­quent to be under arrest at the Generals pleasure. Neither was any man to ran­som his Prisoner without Licence of the General, or the Constable, or Marshal; nor any private person to give any safe­conduct to any Prisoner, upon pain of for­feiture of all his Goods, and his body to be under arrest during the Kings pleasure. And whosoever violated the Kings or Ge­nerals safe-conduct, was to be hanged, drawn, and quartered.

And being thus fallen upon the punish­ments of Delinquents in a Martial way, we shall in the next Chapter say somewhat of Martial Courts.

CHAP. IV. Of the Martial Courts in an Army Royal: the manner of Trials in them. Of the punishments inflicted upon De­linquents in these Courts. Of punish­ments in crimes not capital.

IN a well disciplined Army three several kindes of Martial Courts are to be in­stituted: for it is a noveltie to have Mar­tial Law denied in the Government of an Army in the Field, and an absurd one.

The first Martial Court consisteth of all the Commanders in chief, with the Colonels, and Judge-Marshal General. And this Court, after due notice taken of the offence, pronounceth sentence accor­dingly. And from this Court lieth no Ap­peal; but to it may Appeals be made from any of the other two.

In the second rank are those Courts which are Weekly held in every Regi­ment, and oftner if cause require. And the Colonels of the Regiments, with the Judge-Marshals, here sit in their several [Page 214]Courts, and pronounce sentence upon the Delinquents of their several Re­giments.

Of the third rank is that Court where the Judge-Marshal of the Army, and the Judge-Marshals of the Regiments sit, and onely they. And this Court takes notice of all Causes both criminal and civil; and is instituted for the ease of the Commanders. And into this Court the offenders and their offences are presented by the Provost-Marshals of the Regiments: whose office also it is to produce the accusers, and to attend the trials and censures; the which they are also to see executed.

Touching the manner and form of the Trials in all these Courts, they are not much dissonant from those in Courts Cri­minal ordinarily practised: for the accu­sers are heard upon their oaths, as also the witnesses. And the accused have full libertie to speak for themselves, and are to be heard with patience and equanimitie. Onely the Decisions, in stead of common Jurors, are passed by most voices, being the Votes of such Commanders as sit Jud­ges in the several Courts; and the Cen­sure [Page 215]pronounced for the most part by the Judge-Marshal; or in his absence, by the President of the Court for the time being, who is commonly the most eminent Officer amongst them. And these Forms and courses of Trials seem to me without exception; and are so proper and essen­tial to the well regulating and Govern­ment of an Army, in regard that delays of execution upon Delinquents in many cases cannot be endured without thousands of varieties of danger; that for my part I cannot understand how an Army can sub­sist without them

As for the punishments inflicted upon Delinquents by these Courts; in capital causes, they are, Shooting to death, which is held the fairest; Hanging, and some­times Empaling. That Delinquent is to be shot to death, who killeth any man in Duel within Cannon-shot of the Camp; or that maketh any attempt upon the Ene­my without direction or leave from his superiour Commander.

He is to be hanged that Robbeth, Mur­thers, desperately and obstinately Bla­sphemes; that is a Mutineer or an inci­ter of Mutinies; that rescueth offenders [Page 216]from the execution of a Censure: That striketh his Commander: That wilfully dischargeth his Piece to give a false alarm in the night, or in any ambush by day: That licenseth Souldiers for money to leave the Army, without leave of the General: That takes pay of two Ca­ptains: That fights or quarrels in the instant of service, or upon the ex­pectation; in which case also it is per­mitted for any Souldier to kill such a Souldier: That absents himself from his Duties: That abandons his Colours in danger to be lost: That disperseth false News or Reports, of purpose to discourage his Companions: That strag­gleth from his Colours in a march, or keeps not his appointed place: That gives not the Alarm to the Camp upon just cause when he stands Centinel: That answers not all Alarms: That goes out of the Camp or Trenches by any extra­ordinary way save the common ones: That sells his Horse or Arms when Ser­vice is expected: That succours not his General or Captain being in danger: That quits a place committed to his charge being not enforced by the Enemy.

That offender is to be Empaled, that willingly and of purpose changeth the Watch-word, or makes it known to the Enemy: That committeth treason against the person of the General, or Army in general: That poisons the Artillery, or by any ways maliciously makes it un­serviceable, or endeavours to make it so: And lastly, That entertains any secret intelligence with the Enemy. And these are the capital punishments for capital offences.

As for the inferiour and less capital: He is to be imprisoned that fights, swag­gers, swears, couzens, drinks drunk: That is a common Gamester, absents himself from his Quarter by night: That pays not the Merchants, Artificers, or Victual­lers their dues: That either by negligence or folly discovers any purpose or inten­tion of the Army: That strikes or beats any Souldier without cause: That neglects Divine Service.

He is to undergo the Cudgel, that is contumax or insolent towards his Com­manders: That keeps not his Arms clean and in point: That either sells or pawns his Arms; or buys or takes any Arms to pawn.

He is to be disarmed or banished the Army, or Strappadoed, or Whipped, (but this last is seldom to be given to a Soul­dier) that shall obstinately persevere in any crime whatsoever. And these, and such as these, are the crimes punish­able in Martial Courts: And indeed any other crime whatsoever, which shall tend to the disturbance of the Army, or the de­banching of the Souldier.

CHAP. V. Of the laying and preventing of Ambush­ments. How a discovery upon an Ene­mie may best be made. Of the fittest places for Ambushments. Of the ser­vice of Horse-men and Foot-men, which to be preferred.

WE shall in this Chapter give some advertisements (and that very brief­ly) about two particulars not yet men­tioned; Touching the laying out of Am­bushments, with the prevention of fal­ling into them; and the comparing of Horse and Foot in the advantages and [Page 219]disadvantages they have one of another; that so the discreet Commander may make use of them accordingly.

As touching the laying out of Am­bushments, the especial point to be aimed at and heeded, is, That it be done in such a part as may least be suspected; and in such a manner, that the Enemie may fall within the danger of them. To give co­lour whereunto, one common trick hath been, to pretend aforehand (in such a kinde, that the Enemy may so conceive it) some fear, and so a flight; or some want of necessaries, and the like; where­by the Enemy may be drawn to a more eager and bold pursuit, and so the more heedlesly and unrecoveredly fall within the danger of the Ambush. And many other the like practices of this nature may be thought upon to this purpose.

As for the courses of prevention from falling into these Ambushes, it is a good general rule to suspect all sudden re­moves and fallings off of an Enemie. In which case an exact and cautious disco­very is to be made, even to the very place where there is any intention to lodge. And the manner observed in [Page 220]these discoveries have usually been, to send out Parties in three Companies or Divisions: the first to consist of a small number, to beat the way at ease, and to range about from place to place, where any danger may be expected. The se­cond Partie to be somewhat stronger, the better to second and bring off the first upon all occasions. And the third to be so strong as to make head against, and to engage a strong Partie of the Ene­mie, if he shall present it. And thus did Cyrus in his so famous descent dis­pose of his fore-runners and discoverers in the like case, (as Xenophon lays it down) and that with very good suc­cess.

And it is to be noted, that these disco­veries are ever to be made with the light-armed Troops. For it being a point of no small concernment, to be tho­roughly informed of the true distances of the places, the condition of the ways, the nature of the hills, and the course and passages of the Rivers where the Army is to pass; this cannot better be performed (nor so well) as by the light-armed. And being by them tho­roughly [Page 221]done, afforded incomparable ad­vantages; good discoveries being the very eyes of an Army, whereby the re­solutions of providence are guided, and the path of safety delineated, that so there may be no stumbling upon casual­ties. And all this is attained by a per­fect intelligence of the true face of the Country, and in knowing the motions of the Enemy. And the face of the Country is best known by the use and employment of the native Guides of the Countrie; provided that they be always associated with some faithful Scouts of ones own, that so there need not be an absolute reliance upon a strangers infor­mation. And as for the motions of the Enemie, they may be surest had by the light armed Horse; who neverthe­less are not to be over-forward in inform­ing upon every new trifling motion, but to have their intelligence confirm­ed unto them by divers and various ways and means; lest some errour and mistake befal them thorough passion or affection: as to those in France, who thorough the passion of fear took a field of great Thistles, for a mightie Body of Pikes.

As touching the fittest persons to be laid out in Ambushes: It is to be con­sidered, that all Ambushments are made use of either to endanger and ensnare the Enemy in a fight in the Field, or to entrap and hinder him in his march. And examples of each sort are found frequently practised by that subtle Han­nibal in his Italian Wars: In the first whereof, he constantly employed as well the heavy armed Souldiers as the light. In the second, the light-armed alone; whose agilitie and expedition gave them oportunity and advantage with their mis­sive weapons to assault and annoy the Enemie, though the ground were never so strait or uneven. And these also might be more easily lodged without dis­coverie.

As for the parts and places most pro­per and fit for the receipt and lodging of these Ambushes; they are such as are most removed from the view, as Woods, Mountains, Forests, Rocks, Banks of Rivers, Hollow and deep ways: In short, any place or piece of Ground, wherein some numbers and Troops of Souldiers may best lie obscured and hid. And [Page 223]thus much touching the ordering and disposal of Ambushes, with the use of them.

We are now to fall upon a compa­rison between the Cavalrie and Infan­trie in point of War; with respect to the advantages or disadvantages they have one above another, according to the se­veral services and occasions they may be employed in. Touching which, such as prefer the Foot-men or Infantrie before the Cavalrie or Horse, give these Reasons: That the Foot may be em­ployed in all places, and upon all occa­sions; whereas the Horse in craggie and rough ways are of little or no use at all: That the Foot are more ready and less chargeable; and being well led and armed, indure the shock better then the Horse can: That in the guarding of Towns, and all places of strength, Foot-men have the prioritie of Horse­men, in respect of the point of Provi­sions; it being more difficult and trou­blesome for a Commander to feed his Horses, then to feed and discipline his men: That at assaults of Towns, Horse­men are of small use, if they leave not [Page 224]their Horses; and then they are no lon­ger Horse-men: That at set Fields and Battels, Foot-men having means to en­trench themselves, and having good Pikes and store, have always been found more then equal to Horse-men. In Le­vies, Foot-men are more speedily raised, and led and lodged with more facilitie: They are paid with less charge then the Horse: They fight more safely, rally themselves more certainly, and easily: And lastly, Horse are hard to be found in any great numbers; for it may be believed that there are twentie men to one Horse in the World. And these are the proper priorities of Foot-men over Horse-men, which have been ob­served, as well by the Antients as the Moderns. To which also (in mine opi­nion) may be added, That the Foot are by far more fit for all sorts of Ambush­ments then the Horse can be, in regard they may be lodged more secretly; and especially in respect that Horse are ve­ry subject to discover themselves by their noise and neighing. And besides, the best man of courage that breathes, is in a fight subjected to the disorder and [Page 225]unmanageableness of his Horse that he rides upon.

On the other side, those that prefer Horse-men before Foot-men, give these instances: That a Horse-man hath stou­ter and better legs then his own: That he chargeth more furiously: That he hath more force and breath then a Foot-man: That Horse have the advantage in long marches and hasty pursuits: That they have more means to surprize an Enemie: That they have more oportunities to ap­proach, to seize upon, to cut off, and to hold all passages; to invest Towns on a fuddain, to answer Alarms and to give them; to command the Field, to make a spoil, to cut off all supplies, either of Victuals or Munition, then any Foot can possibly have.

And thus we have done with these two particulars, and finish the Chapter.

CHAP. VI. Of Stratagems of War. How to breed a causless fear, or the contrary. To give assurance to the besieged being in fear. To draw an Enemy to an over­daring, or into an over-security. To discover whether a Town lately recei­ved to Quarter be to be trusted. How to appease an Army mutinying for pay upon a fight. To avoid Battel when an Enemie is far too strong: or to en­tice him to Battel when too weak. Of desperate attempts in a desperate con­dition: they are to be charily and wa­rily handled. To prevent partial respects in giving of Counsel.

IN the last Chapter having laid down some rules for the ordering and dispo­sing of Ambushments, we shall in this take occasion from them to intimate somewhat concerning Stratagems of War. And because these are so diversified and varied upon several occasions, that for the most part they are in that respect [Page 227]beyond any set rules; we shall onely particularize in such as being of the most general extention, may happily be made use of by way of Renovation and Imi­tation.

And we will begin with a stratagem, whereby a besieged Enemie may be cou­zened and terrified by a supposed Mine when there is none. And this was pra­ctised by Philip King of Macedon, (not the father of the great Alexander, but he who was afterwards vanquished and sub­dued by the Romanes) who besieging the Town of Prinassus, attempted it by a Mine; but finding the earth and part so stonie, that it despaired him of suc­cess that way, he caused his Pioneers to continue the semblance of working, and to make an extraordinary noise un­der ground: and the more to add a be­lief of their working, he caused a great quantitie of earth to be brought secret­ly in the nights from elsewhere, and so laid in heaps at the entrance and mouth of the supposed Mine, that the Enemie might well discern it, and sup­pose that it was taken and digged out [Page 228]of the Mine. And after some time spent in this manner, he summoned those of the Town to a rendition; send­ing them word that by his underminings, their Towns Wall, to the quantity of two acres of ground, stood onely upon wooden props; to which whensoever he did give fire, that part of their Wall would lie flat on the ground: the which if they did attend, and cause him to enter by a breach, they were not to expect any Quarter or Mercie; and therefore wished them to consider of their condition, and to do as they found cause. Now the Prinessians little think­ing that these heaps of earth which they saw, had been brought from other places, but that it had been taken out of the Mine; so lost their courages, as that they suffered themselves to be out­braved, and thereupon gave up their Town upon a meer panick fear.

And as this was a Stratagem to oc­casion and work upon a false fear; so these three following were to recover from the like.

The Souldiers of Alexanders Army [Page 229]being on the sudden in a great fear, of they knew not what, Alexander at that very instant caused them all to be disarmed; whereby they became assured that this would not have been commanded, if there had been any pre­sent danger.

Clearchus to pacifie a foolish conster­nation and uproar of this nature amongst his men, proclaimed a reward to him that could tell who had sent the Ass into the Camp. And thus by doing somewhat quite contrary to that which the peril would have required had it been true, he gave a full assurance a­gainst that which was false, and which his men had onely fashioned in their a­mazed imaginations and conceits.

The third example to this purpose (which withal also expressed a magna­nimitie, which both sustained Reputa­tion, and augmented it) was that act of the Romanes, which was done when Hannibal made his bold approach upon the City of Rome, whilest the main of the Romane forces were at the Siege of Capua. For the Commanders at Rome [Page 230]finding that the City by reason hereof was subject to Fears and Tumults, at the very same instant caused a supply that had formerly been appointed for Spain, to march out of the City at one Gate in pursuit of their first Resolu­tion, whilest the Carthaginian Armie lay before the other; whereby they not onely checked the bold confidence of the Enemie, but took off that fear which clouded their own Valour.

To which purpose also that very piece of ground on which the Cartha­ginian Armie lay encamped, was at the same time sold in Rome; and bought (saith the Story) nothing at all under the Value, but at the same rate as if it had been in the former times of peace. The which act and sale, so madded even Hannibal himself, that to make a shew of being even with them, he made a Port-sale of all the Silver-Smiths Shops which were near about the Mar­ket or Common place in Rome: As if he would seem to think that his own Title and Interest to those Shops with­in the Town, was no jot worse then [Page 231]any Romane Citizens to that piece of ground where his Tent stood.

But this Counter-piece of Hanni­bals was not of so good stuff as that of the Romanes: for their act was in­deed a thorough manifestation of an assurance grounded hopefully, and was onely acted to stir up the courages of their men; whereas Hannibals was on­ly a passionate shew, and an angry Brave of a continuance in a hope which he well knew was already past: His Victuals being at the same time so near at an end, that of all those Hopes and Ends which he had propounded to him­self by this his approach so near unto Rome, the fame onely of his much daring is left to posterity.

It is true that Hannibal partly was quit with these Romanes by a Strata­gem of another nature, that he put in practice at Tarentum; when having sur­prised the Town, and entering it at two several Gates, so that the Romane Garison with the Governour were for­ced to retire themselves into the Ci­tadel, the which it behooved Hanni­bal [Page 232]speedily to take in, in regard of the Vicinitie of the Romane Armie: he addressed himself against it in such a manner of Brave, as was likely to pro­voke the Garison to a Sallie; hoping hereby to give them such a blow as might disable them to defend the piece any longer.

And according to his expectation, the Romanes not enduring in such a slight­ing fashion to be approached upon, sal­lied out in a heat of furie with most of their bravest men, and charged them home. But Hannibal having ordered beforehand that his men should there­upon fall back as if they were terrifi­ed, until he had drawn out as many of the besieged Romanes as he could, and as far from their strength as he could; he then gave the signal to his Carthaginians, who lay prepared and am­bushed for the purpose, and suddenly and fiercely setting upon the sallied Ro­manes, not onely forced such as were nearest home to retire themselves into their Hold, but laid on the ground all the forwardest and best of their men; [Page 233]so that they durst not issue out a second time, but were constrained to suf­fer Hannibal to make his approaches at pleasure, whereby he forced the place.

And as this was a Stratagem to draw Souldiers into an over-daring, so that which followeth is to win them into an over-securitie; and was acted in this manner:

Antiochus the Great, in his Minori­tie was wholly governed by one Her­mias, an ambitious man, and a maligner of Vertue. At the same time one Mo­lo the Kings Lieutenant in Media was broken out into a Rebellion, and sought to make himself Lord of that Province. Antiochus being entered at the same time into a War with Ptolo­mie Philopater the Egyptian King, was counselled by his Minion Hermias (who had put him upon the Egyptian War) to send against this Rebel, who was but a Captain, a Captain that was faith­ful; but himself to go in person against the King of Egypt, who was a King like himself. Hereupon one Xenetas an [Page 234] Achaean (by Hermias his choice and pre­ferment) was sent with an Army a­gainst the Rebel Molo, whilest the King Antiochus himself marched against the Egyptian.

This Xenetas drawing near unto the River Tigris with his Armie, on the o­ther side whereof the Rebel lay to hin­der his passage, made a shew as if he would pass the River by Boats in the very face of the Enemie; but leaving so many onely as he thought sufficient to defend his Camp, he himself, with the flower and strength of his Armie passed over Tigris in a place ten miles lower then where Molo lay entrench­ed; who hearing of it, sent out his Horse to give impediment: But finding that Xenetas could not be stopped, he practised this ensuing Stratagem to draw his Enemie into a snare of securitie. He no sooner found that Xenetas with his whole Armie marched towards him, but presently he dislodged, making a shew of taking a hastie journey home­wards: and to possess the Enemie that it was done in a fear, he withal left [Page 235]all his Baggage and Victual behinde in his Camp. Xenetas hearing of this his Retreat, easily suffered himself (more like a Courtier then a Souldier) to be­lieve that the Enemie durst not so much as look him in the face; and the rather, in that he was informed that he had left his forsaken Camp well stored with Victuals and Bootie: whereupon hastily marching thitherward, and find­ing it to his expectation, he not only suffered his men to feast and drink to their full; but invited and commanded them to do so, making proclamation that they should cherish up themselves against the march that he intended to begin the next day, in pursuit of the flying Rebel. But Molo, who remo­ved no farther the first day then he could easily make back again the same night, understanding what good rule the Kings men kept with his Victuals, made such a speedy and oportune re­turn, that he came upon them early in the morning whilest they were yet in their Wine and Chear, with his full force; and giving them a lusty Cami­sado, [Page 236]so confounded them amidst their pots, that their General Xenetas, with a very few besides, dying fighting, the rest were slaughtered ere they could finde their Arms, and the most of them before they were perfectly awake and recovered of their Wine; leaving by their over-securitie an absolute Victory to their subtle Enemie.

And because it is a requirable pro­vidence, after a General hath obtain­ed a Victory, and received his Enemie upon Quarter, be it either in a Town newly taken in, or in the Field, to be wary of an over-confidence in their Faith and Loyaltie (especially when the Enemie is near) but rather by all searching ways to discover, if it were possible, their very hearts: That Stra­tagem which to this purpose was pra­ctised by the Spaniards at their taking of the City Verona from the Veneti­ans, may serve for a president for the future in the like case; which was this:

The Venetian Armie lying near un­to the Town, which was not long be­fore [Page 237]taken in by the Spaniard upon Composition; the Spanish Governour aiming to understand how the Burgers and Citizens in general stood affected to their old Patrons the Venetians, gave secret order to the Spanish Ga­rison that was in Guard of the Town, that in the dead of the night when the Towns-men were asleep, they should run to and fro about the Citie, and crie out, St. Mark, St. Mark, as if the Town had been surprized by the Venetians. The which crie being rea­dily answered by as many of the Ci­tizens as secretly favoured the Vene­tians, and were ready to receive them; the Spaniards observing their Houses, marked their dores with some Chalk, or the like: And being thus discover­ed, the Governour the very next morn­ning imprisoned the chiefest of them, and confiscated all their Goods; where­by he not onely secured the Town, but contented the Garison with the con­fiscations; the Souldiers being at the same time inclinable to a mutiny for want of pay.

Nor is there any thing of a more dangerous consequence, then for an Ar­my (especially upon the point of A­ction) to be found in this condition of a Mutinie for pay. And the ill effects thereof have many times sorted to an absolute ruine; and above all other parts, in the Wars of Germany, and chiefly of late years; where the com­mon crie, even at the exigent of a Fight, hath been, Ghelt, Ghelt, Money, Money: And sometimes occasion ta­ken thereupon by the Souldier to seize upon the persons of their Comman­ders, and to deliver both them and themselves to the Enemies mercie. For the cure, or at the least Palliation of which desperate disease, some brave Commanders have been forced (with good success) to practice this Strata­gemical course: To borrow of their chief Officers, upon fair and promising terms, such sums of money as could be gotten and spared on the sudden: whereby was attained not onely some satisfaction for the Common Souldiers, by letting them feel some piece of a [Page 239]Pay, and making them to apprehend that their General had a care and love of them, by thus engaging of himself to give them content: but al­so a Tie upon all the Officers that made this Lone, causing them to be true and faithful unto the General who had borrowed these moneys of them; that so they might be in the better pos­sibilitie to reimburse their lent moneys, with the usury of a thankful acknow­ledgment.

And an example of this we shall finde punctually practised by Caesar (re­corded by himself in his Commenta­rie of the Civil Wars between him and Pompey, cap. 14.) For being to pass suddenly into Spain, and to pay a great Armie, which required much present money; he borrowed all the money he could of his Centurions and Tri­bunes, and gave it out presently and publickly to his Souldiers: whereby (saith he of himself) Caesar both en­gaged his Captains to a dependencie upon him, in respect of their Lone; and won the affection of his Souldi­ers [Page 240]by his Largess, and made them wil­ling to fight.

Now though an Army be never so well affected to their General, and as willing thereupon to engage their lives in his Quarrel and under his conducti­on as can be wished; yet when an o­ver-powerful Enemie is to be encoun­tered, and ready for a battel, it is the wisdom of an able General by all means to seek to avoid it.

Towards which this Stratagem fol­lowing much conduceth, and may be drawn into President, as it is set down in Polien. (lib. 4. in vit. Antig.) and practised by Antigonus, when he was encamped in the face of Enmenes his Armie, but with an Armie by much inferiour in number. At what time Messengers (or rather Spies) being in­terchangeably sent from one to ano­ther; Antigonus at the receipt of a Messenger from the Enemie, which he expected, had fore-appointed that one of his Souldiers should come running, and as it were breathless, and all to be dusted and sweaty, and tell him that [Page 241]all his Confederates were arrived. Up­on which Tale Antigonus expressing much joy, presently dismissed the Ene­mies Messenger without more ado. And the very next day he brings his Army out of his Trenches, doubling the length of his Front, to make his Armie carry the greater shew. The which the E­nemie seeing, and having heard the report of their Messenger, and obser­ving the breadth of Antigonus his bat­tel, and imagining that the depth was answerable to it; he suddenly dis­lodged, and was afraid to joyn battel with him; which was the onely thing that An­tigonus desired.

And as this is a Stratagem to shun and decline a Battel when the Ene­mie is found too strong; so this other succeeding is very pertinent, on the other side, to draw and entice him to a fight when he is known too weak.

And this Stratagem also is menti­oned by Polienus (Lib. 2. in Clean­dridas, Sect. 4.) where Cleandridas making War upon the Thurians, and [Page 242]having double the number of men in his Army to that of his Enemie; and conceiving that if he did but know so much, he should never bring him to a battel: To deceive him, and embol­den him by his ignorance, in the em­battelling of his Armie or Phalanx, he ordered it into an extraordinary depth: whereupon the Enemie apprehending by the narrowness of the Front that Cleandridas was very weak in num­ber, contemning his small strength, drew out his Forces in breadth, with an intent to environ him. The which Cleandridas perceiving, commanded the one half of his Files to march up and rank with their Leaders; and thereby so over-fronted the Enemie on a sud­den, unexpectedly assaulting him withal with missive weapons on all sides, as he utterly routed him.

As touching the practice of despe­rate attempts in Military Actions up­on desperate exigents: It may prove sometimes a profitable Stratagem to attempt and put that in execution, which otherwise in it self were con­trary [Page 243]to Reason it self, and the very Art of War: which may be grounded upon this:

That in regard a wary and able Commander and Generall not onely passeth upon tried and sure Grounds himself, but even from thence and the very same Rules expecteth the like from others; upon finding the con­trary practised by his Enemie beyond his apprehension and expectance, he may thereby be happily so disturbed in his set Resolutions and Courses, and be so new to seek, as may (before he can recal himself out of his amazes) give oportunity to the desperate attem­pter to free himself out of his desperate condition.

And Examples proving thus much are to be found put upon even Caesar himself by the Nervii, (registred by himself in his Commentaries, cap. 10.) as also in that battel of his with Pharnaces. And in our Modern Wars this practice hath proved successful more then once, in those violent Civil Broyls in France.

True it is, that these ways and stratagems are to be charily and ve­ry sparingly handled; and onely up­on most urging, if not desperate oc­casions: For, Temeritas non semper Foelix.

Since therefore there is so much of Advice and Counsel requirable in all Actions of War, we will conclude this Treatise with a preventative Policie or Stratagem for the taking away of false or flattering respects in the point of delivering opinions. For it being over-commonly found, that through the obsequious dependance upon some Favourite or great Man, a general consent and compliance is produced, to say as he saith, or vote as he votes (a fatal disease in all great As­semblies) though perhaps it be either the worst that can be, or at the least, none of the best; and by this means the truest judgements remain con­cealed:

To remedie this dangerous and dead­ly mischief, the wise Cosmo di Me­dici (and herein also imitated by Phi­lip [Page 245]the second of Spain) used to propound his most difficult and important Causes and Propositions in Writing; and so delivered them to every one of his Counsellors apart, commanding them to return their opinions in the same manner to him, together with their reasons; and (upon his highest displea­sure) not to communicate any piece of them with any other, before his first view. And after the receipt of them all, he would cause them all to appear in Council with him, and in his presence to defend and maintain their several Judgements and Opini­ons with their best Arguments. A course certainly full of excellent free­dome, and for many respects far bet­ter then that the youngest Counsel­lour should speak first; who some­times may be so skilful in Courtship of this nature, as to be led by looks.

And besides, it alloweth these Coun­sellours a fit time of deliberation to think upon what they have to say; it being dangerous in these Cases, [Page 246]or any of weight, either Divine or Humane (be the Speakers never so a­ble) to be too forward to put them­selves upon Extempories.