reduce it INfinite are the formes and figures of Battell which may be made yet all differing either in circumstances or in matter Some of them are Sollid others Hollow some of them again being Trines Squares Hearses Cirtes Crosses Diamonds Plinthiums Plesiums Paramekes and infinite others Some of them taking their denomination from the nature of their numbers Others according to the placing of each Armes A third sort taking their names from things they most resemble all of them being necessarie to be knowne to such which would be accounted skilfull Serjeant-Majors that with all numbers upon all occasions they may readily bring their Souldiers into any forme or figure of battell according as the time the number and place will give them leave for opposition of horse foot or both together But to returne backe to our single Company the worke of this Chapter being to shew the Plesium or long square In which the Muskettiers are halfe in the midst of the Pikes and the other halfe equally divided and placed on the 4. Angles of the battell the pikes making 4. divisions as being placed upon the front reere and flanke Yet not to hold you with longer circumstance take these words of command and direction which produce the following figure Halfe-files double your front to the left entire Onely do not close them to make one Body That being done your Body will be but 4. deepe Next command the 2. outmost flanks of each Body to double inward by division For better satisfaction observe these directions First see the halfe-ranks of the outmost flanks faced to the front and reere and that they march untill they are cleare of the standing part of the battell Secondly cause the halfe-ranks of the right-flank and the halfe-ranks of the left-flanke to face in opposition and to close their divisions the two first ranks of each flanke moving crosse the front of the standing part of the body and the two last ranks of each flanke moving crosse the reere Then the whole body facing to the front they will stand as in this figure If you would give fire upon this figure it may be performed either to the front and reere to the right and left or to all foure together But which way soever the firing be let the Aspect of the Muskettiers in the midst be turned the same way and cause the pikes which stand before them to charge at the foot and the Muskettiers in the Center to gâ—ve fire over them The first ranke having fired let them kneele or crouch low upon the ground making ready againe whilest the next ranks behinde them give fire and do the like and so forwards for the rest Having all fired once over this way let them rise up and if need be give fire over againe after the same manner The Muskettiers on the Angles in the interim giving fire after the ordinary way wheeling off and falling in the reere of the Muskettiers of their own divisions the others in the meane time moving forwards and making good their leaders ground This being done and the pikes having charged the figure will stil continue to be the same without alteration And that as well in men as matter if so be the firing be performed according to the former direction For reducement command the two first ranks and two last ranks to face to the right and left all marching forth untill they are cleere of the standing part of the bodie Next command them to stand then face them to the right and left and close their divisions This being done let them face all to their leader Lastly by commanding the halfe-files to face about to the right and to march forth into their places you shall see them fully to be reduced I might have further enlarged my selfe upon this subject of firings and figures of Battell yea and shewed varieties enow of Trine Battels round battels the crosse and round in one the sollid-square impaled besides infinite other kindes But I have already advanced further then I at first intended though well I hope no further then will be freely and lovingly accepted Which if it be I shall conceive my selfe to have received a gratefull and most ample satisfaction The hope whereof doth somewhat encourage me to proceed a little further And as I have already shewed divers and severall Motions with their formes and figures of Battell yea and in all or the most part of them as I have not onely given the words of command and direction to produce them from the ordinary square but also together with the demonstration of the figure and direction for the firing I have in like manner given direction for the reducements againe into the ordinary square So now for the satisfaction of some of the quainter sort of Souldiers give me leave to multiply one figure upon another untill that by firings I reduce firings For the performance whereof that I may observe some method I will digest them into the way of Exercise c. CHAP. CV The first daies Exercise HAving brought your Company into a place convenient where you intend to exercise them if you have time enough you may cause the file leaders Corporals oâ— Serieants to instruct them in the Postures and true using of their Armes Wherein having spent some time to the benefit of the Company upon the first summons of the Drum each file-leader with his file is to march into his place The Captaine or other Commander being at the head of his Company commands them to even their rankes and to straiten their Pikes and stand in their order both in ranke and file If your Ensigne be not already in the field but in some place neere at hand then cause your two innermost files of pikes to advance commanding a Serjeant with a Drum to troop them along to the place of ReÌ„dezvouz there to fetch their Colours If the place be not nigh at hand take as many files of Muskettiers Having brought the Ensigne to the head of the Pikes each file returnes into his place the Officers likewise withdrawing their severall stations Silence being commanded the Captain or other Commander begins first to instruct the Souldiers in the severall distances betwixt ranke and file with the waies to open and close to them And if hee thinke fit to instruct them in the severall uses of each distance Next after distance they are to be instructed in the †facings then in the doublings next in the Countermarches and lastly in the wheeling In each of which they are to be instructed according to the opportunity of the time and place but especially is the capacity of the Souldier to be observed Wherein the Captaine may doe very well in each of the motions to lay downe some speciall rules and observations by which the Souldier may the better understand what he is to doe and how the best way to performe it After the motions ended let them prepare for skirmish And first
the words of Command and direction which are for the making of this Diamond Battell are as follow First cause your Muskettiers of the right flanke to open to the right to a sufficient distance for receiving the Muskets of the left flanke Then command the Muskettiers of the left flanke to passe through into the space of ground on the right This being done for to make the Figure Command Files of Muskettiers ranke 1. 3. 5. 7. c. by increase to the left Files of Pikes ranke by decrease after your Muskettiers The Muskettiers may fire on this figure divers waies though I onely intend to speake unto two of them The first is the most usuall way and that is the giving fire in ranke the first man or poynt of the Diamond first giving fire then wheeling off to the right and placing himselfe just behinde the single Pikeman in the reere Then the next ranke being three men give fire wheeling off by division and placing themselves in ranke behinde the single Muskettiers as they were before the firing began This done the ranke of five Muskettiers gives fire wheeling off in like manner by division ever observing that where the number is odde they command to wheele off by division there the greatest number alwaies goes to the right And so in like manner the rankes give fire successively and place themselves after their leaders as before When all the Muskettiers have given fire and are wheeled off then charge Pikes which will be fifteene in the first ranke the rest decreasing Having advanced your Pikes your figure will stand like two wedges with their poynts ioyned as you may perceive by this Figure next following If you would reduce your men from this Figure without firing your men being sufficiently expert let the Muskettiers stand and Pikes face to the reere and so the wedges will stand faced in opposition Next command them to interchange ground the Muskettiers advancing forwards into the ground of the Pikes and the Pikes moving into the ground of the Muskettiers and then by facing the Pikes to the former front the body will stand in forme of a Diamond againe If you would give fire from this Figure all the Muskettiers being in the reere the body must face about and so the firing will be contrary to the former But if you wheele them about they may give fire the same way Howsoever they having given fire are to wheele off by division and to place themselves in the reere of the Pikes even in ranke again as they were when they gave fire Thus having all fired ouer and wheeled away the Pikes may charge and being againe advanced the body will stand in forme of a Diamond and this I pray you to conceive for I intend not to remake the Figure The second way of firing on the Diamond figure is by way of Countermarch and is an oblique firing For whereas in the other firing by ranks in the Diamond Battell each ranke fired by increase of two beginning with one and ending with fifteene in a ranke this firing contrariwise begins with 15. and ends with 1. still decreasing 2. For this firing your files must be at open order because the Muskettiers must countermarch downe betweene the Intervals of their owne files to the right every Muskettier that findes himselfe without a leader being to present and give fire and then to countermarch to the right and to place himselfe in the Reere of his own file behinde the pikes When the first 15. have fired then the next 13. present fire and countermarch still placing themselues in the reere of their owne files Next there fireth 〈◊〉 thâ—â— 9. c. for still there fires â—o many as are 〈◊〉 of any leaders And in this manner of firing they that fire together stand neither in ranke not file buâ— oâ—liquely When all the Muskettiers have fired and â—â—e 〈◊〉 into the Reere of their owne files let the pikes charge and so the forme of your battell will be like a long wedge as you may perceive by the following figure where now your Ranks are become 2. and 2 of a number Your men standing in forme afore-shewed if you please yet to be more curious face them all to the Reere and command your Muskettiers to march ten or twelue paces Your pikes to stand and your Muskettiers will present you with an hollow wedge and your pikes with a sollid wedge Lastly to reduce all these severall formes into the first proper square battell first let the sollid wedge close forward into the hollow of the other then let the Muskettiers make ready present and fire as before That is to say every Muskettier that finds himselfe without a leader is to give fire and to countermarch to the reere of his owne file the rest doing the like successively When they have all fired and are countermarcht cleere let the pikes charge and then your body will have the form of a Diamond againe Next face them all to the Reere and command Ranks file 8. to the right Which being done passe through the Muskettiers which belong to the left-flanke into their places and close the Muskettiers of the right-flanke to their due distance and so they will stand all properly reduced CHAP. LXXVII Of the Convex Halfe Moone The use of the Figure and of severall wayes of firing upon it THe Convex halfe-moone or semicircular Battell is a forme both good and usefull which the time the number and place with other circumstances may make either beneficiall or prejudiciall Wise Captains and Commanders ever foreseeing with providence what formes or figures may be most profitable and available for the present service This Convex figure may be usefull either at the landing of souldiers in an enemies Countrey or for necessity the enemy being more able in horse making use either of hedge ditch wood creeke or River to secure the Reere For the figure it selfe it may be made many wayes either with the Muskettiers outermost or innermost or lined c. as pleasest he Commander It may also be made in a Regimentall way or after the way of a small and private Company But because I have onely in this my smal Treatise taken upon me to shew the postures motions and figures which are most usually done in a small Company although many of them yea the more part may be very fit for larger Bodies I shall content my self to saile in so small a bottome not desiring to put on more saile then will suffice for the bearing of so small a burthen Wherefore my request shall be that every courteous and skilful Pilot that shall come aboard this small Barke will be pleased neither to launch it into the maine lest it be swallowed in the Surges nor to expose it to the danger of shelues rocks and sands lest it suffer shipwracke for want of good guidance but so to steere it that it may safely arrive at its â—â—sirâ—d Harbour wherein they will both honour 〈…〉 expressing their vertues
after the same manner wheeling off and taking their places as aforesaid and so successively the rest both files and rankes give fire observing the same order And having given fire once twice or oftner over they are still reduced to the same they were before the firing began Then draw your Muskettiers from the reere to the left flanke againe and they will have their places as at first CHAP. LXXXIX Of firing to both flankes marching TO give fire to both flankes upon a march must needs be a serviceable firing without exception the time number place and strength of the enemy being alwaies to be considered which may sometimes cause the Muskettiers having fired to march up betweene their owne divisions and the Pikes as in this Figure Or sometimes betweene the midst of the Pikes the better to secure them Divers other such like waies there likewise be at the discretion of the Commander and as the present occasion shall require them But because I insisted somewhat largely upon the firings on the right flanke I shall not need to shew them againe by division on both flankes but will conclude them all in this one The words of Command which produce the Figure are as follow Muskettiers give fire to both flankes marching up betweene the Pikes and your owne divisions The Command being given the outermost file on each flanke presents outward the â—est of the body still continuing the march The presented files in the interim giving fire then facing after their proper file-leaders who led them up betweene the Muskets of their owne divisions and the Pikes in the time of their wheeling away the next two outermost files present firing after the same manner and leading up as before The rest successively doing the like untill they have fired all over which brings them to their former places The firing may be continued at discretion each firing being its owne reducement Neverthelesse it may so fall out that either through the fury of the enemy advantage or disadvantage of ground or some such like accident the body may be forced to make Alt and to face to both flanks and so with fronts accident all to maintaine the fight standing To which end the firing in the succeeding Chapter shal be of that sort Therefore suppose the body faced to the right and left preparing to give fire CHAP. XC A firing to both Flanks standing FIring to both flanks upon a stand is a good and serviceable firing And although it shew but thinne in the figure yet it may be substantiall and usefull for the field especially if there be a larger proportion of number then I have made use of in my formes and figures of Battell The words of command and direction which produce the figure are as followeth Advance your pikes and stand Face to the Right and Left Muskettiers give fire and flanke your Pikes The bodie being faced to the right and left the formost ranks of Muskettiers which were the outermost-files present and give fire and then wheele off by division ranking even with the formost ranks of pikes and leaving sufficient Intervals for the rest of the Muskettiers to march betweene them and the Pikes The next ranke presenting and firing after the same manner but not advancing forwards onely firing upon the same ground and wheeling off by division afterwards passing downe betweene the Intervals and so ranke after their leaders It is herewithall to be noted that they that were outermost when they gave fire are likewise to be so when they have taken their places If these instructions be not sufficient utrne backe to the figure of the Demie-hearse where the manner of the execution is all one with this All the ranks of Muskettiers having fired and wheeled off as before the pikes if need be may charge and the Muskettiers give fire over againe wheeling off outward and placing themselues in the reere of their owne divisions Having advanced your pikes and faced your body to the first front all your Muskettiers will be in front and reere And then if you face your halfe-files about and give fire after the same manner to the front and reere having faced them againe to their first front they will be reduced as at first into their ordinary square Neverthelesse I will reduce it by another firing which was first invented and shewed us by that worthy Citizen and excellent Souldier Captaine Henry Waller now deceassed It is a firing in front the Muskettiers of the reere division opening to the right and left and sleeving up on the flanks of pikes untill the leaders of the reere division who as then are the halfe-file-leaders ranke even with the front of pikes The words of direction that produce the figure follow in the next Chapter CHAP. XCI Captaine Wallers Triple firing to the Front THis Triple firing to the Front hath had the approbation of good and well experienced Souldiers who have all acknowledged it to be both sollid and serviceable Bringing many hands to fight in very good order the pikes being securely covered by their Muskettiers in front Neither need they be idle in time of battell if they have any Bow-pike-men amongst them for that they may send their whistling Archery over their Muskettiers heads without offence to their friends though not without dammage to their enemies If any carpe at the depth of the Muskettiers either in this figure or in any other in this booke I shall request them to suspend their censures and wisely to conceive by a little what a great deale meaneth My intent not being to make my booke monstrous by having little leaves and targe figures Onely I desire with this small number to shew the nature of severall formes and figures of battell the manner of their firings and wheelings off their orderly placings and severall wayes of reducement not having the least conceit to induce any to beleeve that men are able long to continue battell at foure deepe although at sometimes and for stratagems they may be reduced into a lesser number But lest by digression I too farre trespasse upon your patience I will returne to shew the manner of the firing Onely first obserue the words of command and direction which produce the following figure Muskettiers of the Reere double your front of Pikes by Division The Command being given the first ranke of Muskettiers both of front and flanks present to the front and give fire wheeling off to the right and left by division The Muskettiers of the front-division being wheeled off as aforesaid close by the flanks of their owne Muskettiers passe directly downe betweene the Intervals and place themselues even in ranke behinde the Muskettiers of the reere division which are upon the flanks This you may perceive by the pricks that come downe betweene the Intervals the Muskettiers also that fired at the same time on the flanks wheele also off the right flanke to the right the left flanke to the left marching directly downe even with the reere ranke
rest of the files after the same manner firing and returning untill they have all given fire and then they will be all reduced as at first CHAP. XCV A firing oblique by foure files together in forme of a W. ALL the commendations that may be given of these oblique Figures is that they powre out a great deale of shot at once and may quickly be reduced to their places Notwithstanding they are a great weakening to the bodie if any sudden accident should happen before they are setled in their former stations Neverthelesse I shall leave them to themselues and if they be found to hold out weight I shall not grudge that I have given them roome amongst the rest But if they prove too light let them be as lightly respected yet beare somewhat with them for their antiquitie The way to make the figure is as followeth The two innermost files of Muskettiers on each flanke march forth each of them being led by an Officer untill they have taken their places Then the Officers that led forth the two middlemost files are to returne to their places againe the Serjeants that led forth the outermost files standing to see them do their execution Yet before the Muskettiers have order to give fire obserue the manner of their standing by the following Figure The Muskettiers having presented according to their directions they give fire all together and then suddenly facing after their bringers up march downe into their places the next two files of each flanke in the interim of their marching away are to move forwards to their ground where they are in like manner to give fire and then to take their places as aforesaid The rest of the files of Muskettiers if you have more must then move forwards and do the like And in this sort may the Muskettiers give fire once twice or oftner over each firing being a reducement to it selfe CHAP. XCVI Of the Fort Battell the way to make and to reduce it THe figure of the Fort-battell is an oblique firing and taketh its denomination rather from the 〈…〉 the strength of a Fort. It s chiefe use is for the entertainment of some great personage or Commander in the field who being received into the midst of the divisions of Pikes the Muskettiers may present and give fire altogether in one vollie Or if they would have the Muskettiers give fire one after another then the vollies by succession which some call the Peale will be the best If there be more Muskettiers then will serve to make up the figure single they may also give fire with the rest presenting obliquely betweene the distance of their leaders The way to make this figure is as followeth First draw forth the outmost files of Muskettiers on each flanke in forme of an hollow wedge before the front of pikes Then cause the next two outmost files to face about and to follow their bringers up in the same forme to the Reere Then let the last two files of Muskettiers on each flanke be drawne after their file-leaders in the same manner and forme to the flanks The Muskettiers being thus ordered and all presented obliquely outwards command the two first and two last ranks of Pikes to stand the rest of the Pikes to face to the right and left and so to march untill they are cleare off the other pikes which stand Then command the Pikes which moved to double their files to the right Lastly command all the Pike-men to face outward each division of Pikes after their hollow 〈◊〉 of Muskettiers Or else let them face all inward to the Center and then the Body will stand in forme of the following figure Having fired upon this figure there is no manner of wheeling off because the forme is still to be continued But when you come to reducement first face all the Pikes to their proper front that is unto the place where you finde the proper file-leaders Secondly let the Pikes which are flankers double their rankes to the left and so close their divisions Then the Pikes will be reduced For the Muskettiers first command those on the flanke to leade up their files in their due places close to the Pikes Next command the Muskettiers of the reere to sleeve up on each flanke by division Lastly command the Muskettiers before the front of Pikes to face after their bringers up and to march downe into their places Lastly facing to their leader they are all reduced as at first CHAP. XCVII Of the crosse Battell the way to make it with a private Company How to fire upon it and to reduce it THe Crosse Battell though it must needs shew thinne in regard that the number is not sufficient to expresse the worth of the Figure yet may the forme be very usefull with a larger body and the Muskettiers may give fire two three or foure waies at once upon it Yea if the number were as opulent as the Figure is excellent then they might fire twelve severall wayes together This notwithstanding I spare to speake further to what may be done and come to shew what I intend in it Concerning this Figure the waies to fire upon it are ordinarily two The first when the Muskettiers give fire and then place themselves in the reere of their owne divisions of Muskets The second way is after that they have fired to place them in the reere of their Pikes the Pikes maintaining the Muskettiers ground The words of Command which produce the Figure are as followeth The two first rankes wheele your front into the midst The two last ranks wheele your reere into the midst The rest of the body face to the right and left and so march untill the reere-Angles meete Then let the Commander goe into the midst or Center and face the whole Company to him giving tm such direction as is meete Lastly being all faced about to the right the body will stand like the following Figure This crosse Battell being faced to the front reere and flankes and the Muskettiers commanded to give fire one way of placing them is in the reere of their own divisions of Muskettiers for that hereby the Muskettiers will still continue their places For the second way after that the first rankes have given fire let them wheele all off to the right or to the right and left if the number be large and place themselves in the reere of their Pikes each ranke moving forwards and maintaining their leaders ground The second ranke in like manner is to fire and to take their places after the Muskettiers which fired and wheeled off last before them The rest successively are to doe the like untill all the shot have fired and are wheeled away againe Then let the Pikes charge c. If any object that it is dangerous to have so large distance betweene the fronts of each firing then if you have files enow yo u may draw two or three files of each Arme crosse the divisions from the Angle of one front
manner of the firing may easily be apprehended by the figure the Muskettiers giving fire in ranke and wheeling all off to the right do then passe downe their Intervals under the favour of their pikes and placing themselues in the reere of their owne divisions of Muskettiers the pikes charging at discretion Having fired once twice or oftener over and still maintaining the same ground the figure wil continue to be the same If the reere part of the battell were by any means secured so that you need give fire but three wayes then the front-halfe-files of Muskettiers might have beene preserved intire This Plinthium or foure-fronted Battell may as well be made with the Muskettiers in the Angles the pikes making the crosse this kinde of Command alwayes making the crosse of the Armes in the midst of the Battell After that you have given fire at discretion upon this figure and charged your pikes if you would reduce them to the first square command the whole body to face to the front proper Secondly command the Muskettiers in the reere to march up on the left of the Muskettiers in front the pikes being first opened to give them place Thirdly cause the Muskettiers in flanke to face inward and to close their divisions Lastly cause the pikes to march up placing themselues right after their leaders This being done the body will be brought againe into a sollid square flanked with pikes I forbeare further to reduce them untill I shew the next figure Yet for further satisfaction to any that shall require it command your Muskettiers to face to the right and left outward the pikes to face inward and so to interchange ground and then being rightly faced they are reduced CHAP. CI. Of the Hollow Square for March SVndry formes there be which go under the denomination of the hollow Square and very diversly they may be framed Some are hollow impalled with pikes the pikes againe girdled with shot Other Squares are made with shot and they impalled with pikes Some againe with divisions of Muskettiers and pikes orderly mixt with an hollow in the midst A fourth sort is when each Armes are divided by themselues as when the pikes make the front and reere and the Muskettiers the wings A fifth way is when the Muskettiers leade in front and reere and the pikes make both the flanks All these wayes are very necessary and usefull as the time occasion or place shall give cause or the judgement of the Commander shall see fitting Neverthelesse the hollow battell which I now intend to demonstrate unto you is especially usefull for a march whereby to secure the carriage as likewise to preserve the sicke and wounded it may also serue for the Commander to consult with his Officers or to make any speech or Oration to the Souldiers Or the Ensigne may in signe of triumph display his Coâ—â—urs in the midst upon a march after Skirmish The way to make this figure the Muskettiers being in the midst is as followeth First command the Halfe-files of Muskettiers to face to the reere Then command all the Muskettiers to march and the Pikes to stand When they are cleare of the front and reere of the Pikes let them stand and face all to the front proper and it produceth this following figure If you would give fire upon this figure to the front and reere it may be done marching But more properly standing by facing the halfe-files both Muskettiers and Pikes to the reere Then the command being given to present and give fire they wheele off by division placing themselues in the reere of their owne divisions of Muskettiers each ranke moving forwards into their leaders ground and doing the like If you should give fire and not move forwards into your leaders ground then the Muskettiers would fill the hollow in the middest betweene the Pikes Neverthelesse suppose the figure still to continue to be the same Because I will now come to the reducement and the rather for that I have not done it since I began with the Hollow-fronted Crosse But now so please you I will reduce all by a firing And to that end first close your divisions of Pikes and then the Muskettiers will be all in the front and reere Secondly cause the halfe-files both Muskettiers and pikes to face to the Reere Then cause the Muskettiers both of front and reere to give fire wheeling off by division and flanking their pikes When they have fired all over the Pikes may charge who being againe advanced and all faced to the front proper they are all reduced as at first into the ordinary Square flanked with Muskets CHAP. CII Of the hollow Hearse and the Crosse THe Hearse-Battell by the Greekes called Orthophalanx as in Aelian is when the depth doth manifold exceede the length thrice at the least It may be made either sollid or hollow at the discretion of the Commander And notwithstanding that this Figure simply of it selfe hath ever beene accounted weake as bringing but few hands to fight neverthelesse being conjoyned with the Crosse it may prove serviceable True it is that being exprest by so small a number the strength of it cannot so evidently be discerned which were the number more each division would appeare to be the stronger both for offence and defence But I have onely taken upon me to shew the severall formes and figures of battell which may be formed and practised by a private Company as having limited my selfe not to exceed the number of 128 men Wherefore my request must be that the Courteous Reader when he shall finde that any Figure for want of number shall looke thinne or poore he will there be pleased to clothe it in a larger number for that thereby the Battell will appeare the more sollid and the beholder become the better satisfied This Figure may be usefull upon a march for a Convoy the hollow parts thereof being very commodious to secure the carriage the men also are very well disposed to helpe and assist each other in whatsoever part it should happen them to be assailed The words of Command and direction which produce the Figure are as follow Wheele front and reere into the left flanke That done face them as before and the Muskettiers will be in front midst and reere Next open the Muskettiers in the midst to the right and left and cause them to double their rankes to the left Then cause the front-halfe-files of the front division of Pikes to open to the right and left and the reere halfe-files of the reere division of Pikes to doe the like Then having evened their rankes and straightened their files and being faced to their leader the body will stand in forme like this Figure If so be you will give fire upon this Figure you may doe it any way or every way If you give fire to the front reere and flankes then let your Muskettiers wheele all off to the right and place themselves in the reere of their own divisions If you
Pikes   From the Treile Charge to the Front Treile as you were Right Left Reere Order your Pikes Lay down I shall undergo the censure of some for that they will finde more Postures of the Pike here then formerly they knew of and so by their conclusion more then there is any need of for now-a-dayes there are such that will limit discipline to the verge of their owne knowledge and whatsoever else they shall see either acted or written by others that is without the lists of their kenning they will peremptorily conclude for superfluous and improper howsoever I shall alwayes referre my selfe to the judgment of the more judicious The charges of the Pike are twofold either for defense or offence Charges underhand or over-hand but divers and different they are from their severall wayes and Postures from which they are or may be done although they are not all alwayes usefull yet at sometimes they may be usefull and therefore very requisite to be known to all such as either are or at lest would be accounted for good Souldiers As I have set down the Postures themselves both of Musket and Pike so it were not much amisse if that the Motions of Posture were likewise here exprest But because they will take up too much time fill too much paper and the Subject it selfe not pleasing unto many I will spare my labour and my booke the lines rather suffering the censure of curtail'd brevity then tedious prolixity CHAP. III. Of the Drum OVr Souldiers being sufficiently instructed in the Postures of such Armes as they carry or are appointed to use the next thing they are to learn is the knowledge of the severall beats of the Drum which is as requisite to be learnt of the Souldier as any thing else in this way For the Drum is the voice of the Commander the spurre of the valiant the heart of the coward and by it they must receive their directions when the roring Canon the clashing of armes the neighing of horses and other confused noise causeth that neither Captaine nor other Officer can be heard Wherefore it will be most necessary for him to learne these sixe severall Beats viz. 1 A Call 2 A Troope 3 A March. 4 A Preparative 5 A Battaile 6 A Retreit 1 By a Call you must understand to prepare to heare-present Proclamation or else to repaire to your Ensigne 2 By a Troope understand to shoulder your Muskets to advance your Pikes to close your Rankes and Files to their order and to troope along with or follow your Officer to the place of Randesvous or elsewhere 3 By a March you are to understand to take your open order in ranke to shoulder both Muskets and Pikes and to direct your March either quicker or slower according to the beat of the Drum 4 By a Preparative you are to understand to close to your due distance for skirmish both for ranke and file and to make ready that so you may execute upon the first command 5 By the Battaile or charge understand the continuation or pressing forward in order of battaile without lagging behind rather boldly stepping forward into the place of him that fals dead or wounded before thee 6 By a Retreit understand an orderly retiring backward either for reliefe for advantage of ground or for some other politicall end as to draw the enemy into some ambushment or such like Much more might be written concerning the Drum but this may suffice for the present CHAP. IV. Of Rankes and Files their places and dignities NOw that our Souldiers are somewhat skilfull in managing of their armes and no lesse capable of the severall beats of the Drum it is high time for them to know the difference between a Ranke and a File Wherefore know that a Ranke is a row of men sometimes more sometimes fewer standing moving or marching even a breast or as some write pouldron to pouldron or shoulder to shoulder A File is a sequence of men standing one behinde another backe to belly in a straight line from Front to Reere consisting sometimes of 6. 8. or 10. men on some occasions the Spaniards make them 12. deepe But when any one would shew much variety of exercise then 8. will be the more pliant and dividual number yet for service in the field where men are not altogether so expert as I could wish our Country-men were 10. men is the fittest number not onely for the cause aforesaid but also because that 10. is the square root of a 100. and is a better number to draw Companies into grosser bodies And now I thinke it would not be much amisse if I should here insert the severall places of digninity and precedency in Ranke as also in File Wherfore because that Files are first to be drawn forth and that by adding or joyning of Files together Rankes are made we will begin first with Files Wherefore conceive their honour according to the figures or numbers hereunder placed first in File then of Rank lastly of both cōjoyned It will not be of it selfe sufficient that I have both marked and figured the places and dignities to each particular man in his File and Ranke but it will be looked for of some that I should backe my opinions either with sound and good reasons of mine owne or at the least with the opinions of some others as for such as have employed themselves upon this subject they have been as divers in their judgements as their number each man having a fancie to his owne way And if it were much materiall I might have here demonstrated unto you the severall opinions of Leo Robertellus Count Mansfield Sir Thomas Kellie and many others whose workes being extant I will spare the labour But above all the rest that ever I read Captaine Iohn Bingham hath in my judgement best delivered himselfe in this particular which although he have exprest by way of Tetarchies and Mirrarchies yet the same may be understood as well by Rankes and Files His words are these Every Tetarch is over foure Files in all which the Commander that hath the right hath the first place he that hath the point of the left the second place he that standeth on the right hand next to him the third place The last place is his that standeth next to the Commander of the right point on the left hand He demonstrates it by way of figure thus CHAP. V. Reasons for precedency of dignity in Rankes and Files I Shall now endevour to give some reasons for these severall places of dignitie in Ranke and File And first for that Geometricall proportion gives both life and being to orderly discipline consider that all parts of the body ought to be answerable Wherefore seeing that the joyning of Files and Rankes produceth greater Bodies it is necessary that a true proportion should be kept from the beginning and that in drawing forth of Files they observe to make the Reere halfe files answerable in
over some But marvell not the cause I do not show them It is not much materiall for to know them Those that are Skilfull in the Art of Warre And take delight to exercise their men Shall find more pleasure in these doublings farre If that they intermixe them now and then And so contrive their doublings in these cases That lastly one word brings them to their places Why in our Country do we Captains chuse That have no skill nor artfull inclination They do themselves and Country much abuse Thus to deceive them in their expectation I thinke the Cause of this fault in our Nation Is that our Gentry holds it not in fashion But some perhaps will say I am too bold There 's no such need for Captains to have skill The Muster-masters have enough some hold The Captains and the Counties for to fill So whilest the Muster-master doth the labour The Officers may play upon a Tabour But stay me thinks one puls me by the sleeve And tels me that I have my selfe forgot Wherefore of doublings here I take my leave Intreating those that read mistake me not Let Muster-masters take their money then But let the Captains exercise their men CHAP. XXXIX Of Countermarches Their Antiquity and words of direction THe next branch of Discipline which offers it selfe to your perusall are Countermarches which are of three kinds To wit Chorean Lacedamonian Macedonian which is Maintaining Loosing and Gaining Each of them are to be performed two manner of waies One by File the other by Ranke There are also Counter-marches Intire and Divisionall But divers men are divers for their opinions concerning the Macedonian and Lacedamonian Counter-marches Some will have the Macedonian A Counter-march of gaining of ground because that it transfers the Battalia into the ground before the Front Others will have it A Counter-march of losse of ground because say they the Enemy being in the Reere it makes a semblance of flying Some will have the Lacedamonian A Counter-march of gaining of ground because the Enemy appearing in the Reere it makes a semblance of Charging or falling on Others call it A Countermarch of losse of ground because it looseth all that ground the Battalia stood upon taking in stead thereof the ground behind the Reere There are others of opinion That there are Counter-marches of losse and gaine in either of them All these are furnished with reasons to backe their opinions But if I should stand to shew their many and severall reasons I might well be thought to be without reason my selfe My opinion is That taking the ground before the Front is gaining ground and that to leave the ground we stood on to take the ground next behind the Reere is losse of ground And yet to take either whereby there is advantage gotten must needs be gaining But where the matter it selfe is so indifferent it were fondnesse to spend longer time about it Wherefore note That Countermarches were of ancient use amongst the Greekes many hundred of yeeres since from them learned and practised by many other Nations and so still continued unto this day But as the Snow-ball by much rowling becomes the greater So in like manner these Counter-marches have received addition in all ages So that the three originall ones are now become more then thirty accounting those divisionall And yet are all of them fathered upon one or other of the three kinds Though some of them will scarcely be owned or acknowledged as you shall perceive when I come to shew them in their severall places But amongst all the Motions this might be the best spared as being least beneficiall to this our moderne Discipline But because that knowledge is no burthen and that at some times they may be usefull Therefore first take the words of command or direction which are as followeth Intire Countermarches by file Files to the right left hand countermarch Files to the light left countermarch every man turning on the ground he stands File-leaders face about to the right left the rest passe through to the right left and place your selues behind your Leaders File-leaders stand the rest passe through to the your Leaders right left placing your selues before File-leaders stand the rest passe through to the right left placing your selues before your Leaders following your Bringers up Bringers up face about to the right left the rest passe through to the right left and place your selues before your bringers up Bringers up stand the rest of the Body passe through to the right left placing your selues behinde your bringers up Intire Countermarches by Ranks Ranks to the right left Countermarch Ranks to the right left countermarch every man turning on the ground he stands This right hand file face to the left the rest passe Macedonian through to the right placing your selues behind your right hand men This left hand file may face to the right and do as much This light left hand file stand the rest passe through to the right left placing your selues on the our side of your right left hand men This right left hand file face to the right left the rest passe through to the right left placing your selues before your right left hand men Divisionall Countermarches by Files Countermarch front and â—e cre into the midst File-leaders and halfe-file-leaders stand the rest passe through to the right and place your selues before your Leaders File-leaders and Bringers up stand the rest passe through to the right and place your selues before your Leaders and Bringers up File-leaders face about Bringers up stand the rest passe through to the Right and place your selues behinde your Leaders and Bringers up Front-halfe-files interchange ground with the Reere Divisionall Countermarches by ranks Countermarch your wings or Flanks into the middest or Center The out-most-file of each Flanke face outward the rest passe through to the right and left placing your selues behinde your out-side men The out-most file of each Flanke face inward the rest passe through to the right and left placing your selues behinde your outside men The out-most file of each flanke stand the rest passe through to the right and left and place your selues on the outside of your outside men Interchange your Flanks Note what is done by the out most files may be reduced by converting the command to the innermost files but must be done before they have closed their divisions c. CHAP. XL. Of the Chorean Countermarch and the way to performe it I Could willingly have prickt a Figure for each of these severall countermarches but that they will take up too much roome And therefore I will onely pricke some few of the hardest of them and for the rest I will endeavour by words to make them as facile as I may that so they may be apprehended by the meanest capacitie And first I will begin with the Persian
forwarde betweene the Intervalls the seventh ranke following the eighth the sixt following the seventh and so likewise the rest untill the whole body be transferred into the ground before the front and then joyntly together facing to the right about after their leaders the counter marche is ended For reducement observe this for all that any intire countermarch of file may be reduced by another intire counter-march by file of what kinde or to what hand soever These three last Chapters of counter-marches are the originall grounds of all the rest yet I shall shew one in the insuing Chapter which time hath begotten out of the latter two which takes part with either being absolute in neither CHAP. XLIII Of the Bastard counter-march The Command is File-leaders stand the rest passe through to the right and place your selves before your Leader THis passing through or bastard counter-march is partly Macedonian and partly Lacedemonian for first with the Macedon it takes the ground before the front the motion being from the reere forward it is partly Lacedemonian for that they passe through and place themselves before their Leaders and for that it makes semblance of falling on or charging the enemy neverthelesse the Macedonian disclaimes it for that it alters not his aspect The Lacedemonian refuseth it for that it takes the ground before the front and not that behinde the reere or with the Chorean it holds affinitie And many there be that will not allow it for a countermarch for indeed the word it selfe will not beare it notwithstanding seeing that it hath beene long ranged amongst them I will not be he that shall displace it but will passe forwards to shew the manner of the motion which is to be performed as followeth The file-leaders stand according to the former direction the rest of the body advance their armes the second ranke first passing through to the right and placing themselves before the first ranke the third ranke before the second the fourth before the third and so forwards for the rest untill the last ranke or bringers up are become the foremost which perfects the motion It may be severally usefull as to skirmish against an enemy advancing by way of introduction or upon occasion to bring the reere men to march in front and such like For the reducement you may doe as much to the contrary hand onely for order sake I will reduce it by another like it selfe The Command is File-leaders stand the rest passe through to the right placing your selves before your Leaders following your bringers up This motion may be done either to the right or left and is nothing differing from that last shewne but that whereas the other began with the second ranke this contrariwise begins with the last ranke or bringers up every ranke successively following the ranke which came from behinde them untill they which were the leaders are become the last in the reere If this countermarch be first done it may be reduced by any of those formerly shewn c. CHAP. XLIV Of countermarching ranks to maintaine ground The Command is Ranks to the right hand countermarch THis Chorean counter-march of rankes is an altering or changing of one flanke for the other the Battalia still keeping the same ground onely the right flanke becomes the left and the left becomes the right The way to performe this motion is as followeth the command being given then the whole body faceth to the hand named and every man in the outmost file to the right files by this facing being become rankes turnes down through the Intervalle or distance betweene ranke and ranke marching forth right unto the part which was the left flanke with their rankes file-wise following them being come unto their ground they face as before and the counter-march is performed for the reducement let rankes countermarch to the left after the same manner differing onely in the hand and they are as at first CHAP. XLV Of Countermarching Rankes to lose Ground The Command is Rankes to the right-hand Countermarch every man turning after his right-hand-man on the ground he stands THis Lacedemonian-Countermarch of Rankes is a falling on upon the left Flanke the Motion being begun by the right It leaves all the ground the Battalia stood on and takes in place therof the ground beside the left Flanke turning the Aspect to the left The manner or way to performe this Motion is as followeth The whole Bodie faceth to the right and then the right-hand-file being faced becomes a Ranke begins the Countermarch turning downe the Intervals of the Ranks which by this facing is made the distance between the Files and so marcheth forth-right beyond the left Flanke every man following him that was his right-hand-man but not stepping forwards one foot of ground untill the Countermarch be performed For the reducement of this Countermarch do as much to the left and they will he as at first Or if you please take another of the same kind The word of Command or direction is Right-hand-file face to the right the rest passe through to the right and place your selves before your right-hand-men THis Lacedemonian Countermarch of ranks makes a falling on upon the right Flanke the Motion being from the left Flanke to the right leaving all the ground whereon the Battalia stood and taking in lieu thereof the ground beside the right Flanke In those dayes when Countermarches were more usefull for their Discipline then now they are for ours the Lacedemonian Countermarches were of chiefe repute aswell amongst the Macedonians as the Spartans and others the way to performe this Motion is as followeth The right-hand-file faceth to the right and passeth through the Intervals or spaces to the right placing themselves before their right-hand-men untill the left-hand-file become the foremost ranke If you doe this Countermarch by it selfe then for reducement first face them to their Front proper then let the left-hand-files face to the left and do as much to the left and then they will be as at first CHAP. XLVI Of the Macedonian Countermarch by Ranke The Command is Right-hand-file face to the left the rest passe through to the right placing your selves behind your right-hand-men THis Macedonian Countermarch of ranks contrary to the Spartan dismarcheth from the enemy upon that Flanke where hee appeares and presents the contrary Flanke to receive the Charge It is performed after this manner The out-most-file to the right faceth to the left The rest of the body or Battalia faceth to the right every man passing thorough to the right and placing themselves behind their right-hand-men For the reducement of this Countermarch as all the rest there are divers and severall wayes but performe as much to the left as you have done to the right and they will be at first Or if you please this following Bastard Countermand will do the same The word of Command or direction is Right-hand-file stand the rest passe through to the right
placing your selves on the outside of your Right-hand-men THis passing thorough or Bastard Countermarch of Ranks doth alter both ground and flanke still reserving the Aspect without alteration It is to be performed as followeth The out-most or right-hand-file stands the rest of the body facing to the right passe thorough to the right every man placing himselfe on the right side of his right-hand-man and so standing euen in Ranke the Motion still continuing untill the left-hand-file is become the right the right the contrary If this Countermarch be done alone for the reducement let the left-hand-file stand and do as much to the left as before to the right and they will be as at first CHAP. XLVII Of Countermarching Front and Reere to the middest FOr the Intire Countermarches I have indeavoured to expresse them as well as I could in words but for the divisionall Countermarches I intend to expresse both in word and figure whereby they may be the more easily apprehended by such as shall be desirous to know them notwithstanding before I enter upon the divisionall Countermarches I would willingly cleere one thing which by some will be carped at which is the using of the word Middest insteed of the word Center The word Center I confesse hath been the more usuall word amongst us and yet it is not altogether so proper to our use as the other wherefore give me leave without offence to use those words which are not only more proper but more significant The Midst of the Battaile is to be understood either from the Front Reere or from both Flanks or wings If between Front and Reere the Midst must be betweene the half-file-leaders and the Reere ranke of the Front half-files extending it selfe from Flanke to Flanke The Midst betweene the Flankes is betweene the two innermost files continuing the whole depth from Front to Reere Our first Countermarch shall be Chorean the word of command or direction is This divisionall chorean countermarch brings our File-leaders and Bringers up together in the midst and the ranks that were in the midst in the Front Reere It is a countermarch mayntayning ground for every man marcheth up into his leaders ground before he faceth about to countermarch The way to performe the Motion is as followeth The command being given to countermarch either let the commander or some other of the Officers command the half-files to face about then the file-leaders stepping forwards with the right legge and face about to the right passing downe the Intervals on the right hand the rest of the Front-halfe-files following their Leaders and not turning untill they come to the ground where their Leaders turned down before them The bringers up with the Reere-half-files at the same instant turning downe their Intervales on the left hand the rest of their division following them untill the file-leaders and bringers up meet together in the midst of the Battaile and then having faced all to their Leader the Motion is performed For the reducement of this figure doing the same thing over againe will reduce it Or any other divisionall countermarch of File CHAP. XLVIII Of bringing Front and Reere together into the midst by the Bastard Countermarch The Command is File-leaders and half-fileaders stand the rest passe thorough to the right and place your selves before your Leaders THis Bastard Countermarch doth bring the Leaders and bringers up together into the midst and saves two facings and is quicklier performed then the other last done or any other in the precedent Chapters The way to performe the Motion is as followeth The first ranke stands and the half-file-leaders stand then those of the Front-half-files passe thorough their Intervals to the right placing themselves before their File-leaders The second ranke before the first the third before the second the fourth before the third The Reere-half-files at the same instant doing the like and placing themselves before their half-file-leaders as the other did before their File-leaders This Motion may be either reduced by doing the same over againe to the contrary hand or else by countermarching front and Reere into the midst or by any other of the divisionall countermarches of files The next shal be a Lacedemonian countermarch the word of command or direction is as shall be exprest in the ensuing Chapter CHAP. XLIX Of Countermarching to make a large Intervale between the first and last Ranks The Command is File-leaders and Bringers up stand the rest passe thorough to the right and place your selves before your Leaders and Bringers up Lacedemonian THis divisionall Lacedemonian Countermarch makes semblance of falling on or charging both to the Front and Reere and leaves all the ground which was occupied by the Souldiers which stood betweene the front and reere transferring them into the ground before the front and behinde the reere the ground or place of their former standing being vacant onely demonstrated in this figure by the pricks The Motion may be thus performed The Reere-halfe-files are commanded to face to the Reere and then the front-halfe-files passe through to the right placing themselves before their Leaders The second Ranke before the first the third before the second the fourth before the third the Reere-halfe-files at the same instant passing through to the Reere after the same manner and placing themselues before their Bringers-up You may perceive by the figures of Number placed on the Flanks of the figure of battell both how the men stood before the Motion began as also how and in what place they stand the Motion being ended For the reducement if you have not closed their distance you may face them about and so let them passe againe into their places Or else by doing the same Countermarch over againe or to the contrary hand or any such like way will reduce them This next following Countermarch will also reduce them or this will reduce that The word for the Command or direction is as you shall finde it placed over the front of the figure CHAP. L. Of making a large Intervalle betweene the first and last ranks by the Macedonian Countermarch THis divisionall Macedonian Countermarch is little different from that next before it onely the other turned the Aspect outward to the front and Reere this Countermarch turnes the Aspect inwards towards the midst It may be usefull if the Commander would shew or publish ought before his best Souldiers for that it not onely leaves a large distance but that it brings the best Souldiers into the midst with their Aspects directed inwards It may also serue to conduct any great personage crosse the length of your battell whereby to shew them the braverie of your Souldiers c. The figure followeth The Command is File-leaders face about Bringers up stand the rest passe through to the Right and place your selues behinde your file-leaders and Bringers up This motion may be thus performed The first ranke or file-leaders face about the last ranke
inward to the Reere   Front and Reere into the Right flanke Left your flankes into the Front  Reere  both flankes into the front and reere   your front and reere into both flanks   Observe that the first foure wheelings are angular the next foure are wheelings on the center or more properly on the midst of the front But all the first eight be intire the latter eight are all divisionall You may also observe that every following wheeling is a reducement unto that which is placed next before it and the wheeling next before may reduce that next following as to wheele your flankes into the front if you wheele your flanks into the reere it is reduced or to wheele front and reere into both flankes if you wheele both flankes into the front and reere they are likewise reduced as before For the last eight wheelings which are divisionall I will pricke for each of them his figure As for the first eight which are intire I conceive them so easie to be understood that I may spare the labour yet I will endeavour to expresse them as well as I can in words and first I will beginne with the wheelings anguler and then with the rest according to their places and therefore note that when you are Commanded to wheele to the right or left c. and no other command added it is to be understood an anguler wheeling and so to be performed CHAP. LVIII Of wheelings Anguler The Command is Wheele your battell to the right THis is an angular wheeling which transferres the aspect or countenance of the front proper into that part which was the right flanke It also removes the Battalia from the ground wheron formerly it stood and placeth it on that part before the front the hindge or Axell tree of the motion is the right corner man or right hand file-leader who with a small motion moveth to the right every man the more his place is remote from the right Angle the more swift must be his motion because his arch-quadrant or semi-circle is larger in proportion wherefore it must be the discretion of the Officers so to instruct their Souldiers that when they wheele to any hand they may so moderate their motion that they on the contrary flanke be not forced to runne but so orderly to containe themselves that they may still preserve an orderly and even front For the reducement wheele your Battaile to the left in the like manner as it was wheeled to the right neverthelesse you must then note that it will not bring you backe into the same ground you formerly stood on for it hath advanced you the length of your Battalia before the place of your first front But if you would be reduced into the same place or plot you first stood on then face your Battaile to the right and being so faced wheele your Battaile to the left which being performed face to the left and then they are compleatly reduced both for aspect and place The next Command is Wheele your Battaile to the right about This is also an anguler wheeling and transferres the aspect of the front proper towards the reere It is to be performed in the same manner as the wheeling to the right was onely the motion is twice so much Wherefore there ought to be the more care had that so the motion may be orderly performed by so much as every man is nearer or further off from the right corner man by so much the more swifier or slower must he continue his motion that so he may be sure to keepe still even in ranke with his right hand man This motion being thus performed your Battaile will be removed from its former station taking in lieu thereof the ground Diagonally opposite in the right Angle To reduce these to their former aspect wheele your Battell to the left about notwithstanding the ground you formerly did possesse will be twice the length of your Battaile to the left of your left flanke if you would reduce them as well to their first ground as their first aspect face them to the right and then wheele them to the left about which being done face them to the left and they are perfectly reduced as at first CHAP. LIX Of wheeling on the Center The Command is Wheele your Battell to the right on the same ground THis wheeling is by some called a wheeling on the Center by others a wheeling on the same ground I cannot absolutely maintain it to be either for that it onely wheeles about the midst of the first ranke Neither may it rightly bee termed a wheeling on the same ground because it loseth ¾ of the ground it formerly stood upon This wheeling is quicker performed then the anguler wheelings and may be done in farre lesse ground For the left flanke advanceth forward still wheeling to the right the right flanke contrariwise facing to the left and so falling backward If you have an odde file then the middle file-leader must be the center or axelltree of the motion if you have an even number of files then the middlemost file-leader from the left But if your wheeling be to the left then the contrary This by some is called the Prince of Oranges wheeling For the reducement wheele your Battell to the left on the same ground and they are reduced as at first Our next Command is to Wheele your Battaile to the right about on the same ground This wheeling is also a wheeling on the center or midst of the front and transfers the aspect of the front proper towards the reere removing the Battaile from the ground whereon it formerly stood and placing it on the ground before the front It is performed after the same manner as the last onely the motion is double so much as the other In this motion on the left flanke every man is to observe his right hand man and the right flanke must keepe even and straight after their left hand man which become their leaders file-wise untill they have attained their ground after which they face as before making an even front For the reducement wheele your Battaile to the left about upon the same ground and they will be reduced as at first I will next shew the divisionall wheelings and intend to giue to each of them his figure whereby they may appeare the more easie to such as doe not yet rightly understand them The first shall be a wheeling off by division as in the next Chapter CHAP. LX. Of wheeling off by division The Command is Wheele off your front by division THis wheeling off by division in greater bodies may be usefull to meete severall enemies at one and the same time with the front of your Battalia and so consequently with your best Souldiers But if you will wheele off your Battaile by division and ioyne them againe when they be in the reere then it brings all your Muskettiers from the flankes to the midst of your
to the other and so facing of them outward they will make reasonable good defence on those parts c. Having given fire upon the crosse battell and brought your Muskets to the reere of the Pikes if you would reduce them passe into the midst of Center of the Figure and face all both Muskettiers and Pikemen to you and cause those which were the flankers to close their divisions Next wheele the fronts into the midst of the two other divisions then move to the front proper and face the whole body to you and so you shall have all your Muskettiers in the midst flanked with Pikes If you would reduce them into their right places command the Muskettiers to face to the right and left outward the Pikes to face to the right and left inward and so to passe through and interchange ground thus being rightly faced they are reduced CHAP. XCVIII Of the hollow-fronted Crosse Battell how to make it with a private Company and the way to fire upon it c. THis next Figure shall be of the hollow-fronted Crosse which is a stronger forme than that last shewne and yet thus much let me warne you of that there can be but little expectation of strength to be perceived in Battels formed with so small a number This notwithstanding the ingenious Martialists can easily discerne those things which in warre may prove most usefull for his owne and his Countries benefit although they are here expressed to the publique view in so meane array and in such thinne numbers Wherefore setting aside all Apologies and excuses I will briefly shew the words of Command and direction which will produce the following Figure The two first rankes wheele your front into the midst The two last ranks wheele your reere into the midst The rest face to the right and left and march untill they have made the perfect Crosse Lastly cause the Muskettiers to flanke their Pikes according to this following Figure The severall directions for firing upon this Figure may be divers But to avoyd distraction I will shew onely one way and that directed to the front reere and flankes Neverthelesse for varieties sake you may cause them to give fire once over wheeling off by division and placing themselves in the reere of their owne divisions still moving forwards into their leaders ground thereby to preserve the Figure in the same order At the second time of firing cause the Pikes to move softly up even with the front of Muskettiers porting as they advance forwards The Muskettiers having fired and wheeled off are to place themselves in the reere of their divisions of Pikes whom before they flanked every ranke of Muskettiers firing wheeling off and placing themselves as aforesaid Lastly the Pikes having charged and againe readvanced the body will stand in the Figure of a perfect Crosse For the reducement it is the same with the Crosse-Battell delivered in the 97 Chapter Wherefore I shall need to adde no further directions in this place for the said reducement then that the flanke divisions are to be closed and the front and reere divisions to be wheeled that the body may be againe returned into a square with the Muskettiers in the middle All this being here taught I now proceed to shew one firing with the Muskettiers in that order CHAP. XCIX Of firing upon the square Battell flanked with Pikes THe square battell flanked with Pikes must needs bee very safe for the Muskettiers as being a very able defence for the flankes against the incursions of the enemies horse The Figure followeth just â—s the Muskettiers are in motion The wayes or manners of giving fire upon this figure are ordinarily three The first firing is with the Aspect being directed to the front the Muskettiers wheeling either all off to the right or to the right and left as you perceive by this figure The second is for the Muskettiers to give fire to the reere upon a march which they may easily do from this figure The third is to give fire to the front and reere upon a stand the halfe-files being faced about If the firing be performed to the front then every ranke is to march up into their leaders ground If the firing be to the Reere upon a march then the ranks contrariwise close backwards towards the Reere to make good the Battell on that part If it be to the front and reere upon a stand then the Muskettiers march up into their leaders ground and those which have fired and are wheeled off place themselues in the Reere of their owne divisions To write further of this firing were more then necessarie no one of these firings any wayes altering the figure but the Aspect onely Neverthelesse if the Commander please he may after the firing in front wheele both flanks into the front and so charge pikes and from thence proceed to other firings If the firing were in the reere he may wheele the flanks into the Reere and cause his pikes to charge that way If the firing were to the front and reere he may wheele both flanks into the front and reere and so charge with his pikes both wayes Which by Captaine Bingham is called Amphistomus Before I come to reducement I shall proceed to the next firing in the ensuing Chapter CHAP. C. Of the Plinthium or foure-fronted-battell by us called the Crosse of Muskets flanked with Pikes THe Foure-fronted Battell is a figure both steady and serviceable being usefull as well for a march thereby securing the carriage and all other such like necessaries as for fight For if it should so happen as it often doth that you should be charged in front reere and flanks all at one and the same time then are there both Muskets and Pikes so placed that each Armes is assisting to the other For seeing that neither Muskettiers nor Pikemen alone can be singly sufficient of themselues to withstand the able and resolute horseman without great advantage of ground on the contrary the Muskettiers and Pikes being conjoyned into one body and being well ordered they are not onely able to defen'd themselues against their furie but also to put them to the worser Yet this must not be understood of raw and unskitfull Souldiers whose ignorance is cause of diffidence but of hardy experienced and well exercised men such as know well how to demeane themselues couragiously in time of fight The words of Command and direction which produce the figure are as followeth Halfe-files of Pikes face to the Reere and march untill they are cleare of the last ranke of Muskettiers Secondly command Halfe-files of Muskettiers face to the right and left then march betweene the divisions of Pikes Thirdly command Left halfe-ranks of the first division of Muskets face to the Reere and march betweene the Reere divisions of Pikes Lastly Having evened their ranks straitened their files and closed their divisions to an equall distance and being rightly faced the body will stand like the following figure The