to troupe round about the battell with some reasonable distance from the same the which manner of small troupes I esteeme to be farre better then the sleeues conteining great numbers and more ready to be brought to skirmish euery seuerall troupe to be led forth by his Caporall and some Captaines to ouersee the whole Moreouer I would thinke good at euery angle of the battell to be placed a good squadron of Muskets which should serue to flanker it euery way euen as the Caualleros or Trauassos do the curtaine of a fort so that a well framed battell or squadron of pikes well impaled with shot and anguled with squadrons of Muskets seemeth a Castell with his curtaines Caualleros and ditches the manner whereof being framed of expert resolute men is of wonderfull force the which was well to be seene in the iorney of Caruā in Barbarie where Don Aluaro de Sandy with 4000 Spanyardes foote souldiers of great valour made a braue famous retraict the space of 4. or 5. myles in a champion field being be set and charged by Cydearfa king of the Moores with aboue twentie thousand horse at the least fiue or six times with the losse of onely 80 men of his and the slaughter of seuen or eight hundred of the enemy Which is a gallant example what braue footemen may do being conducted by a good chiefe Gent. Your orders and reasons doe like me very well but yet of one thing I stand in some doubt and would gladly bee resolued therein which is that our bandes and companies of infanterie haue commonly two thirds of shot vnto one third of pikes so that the battell empaled sleeued and anguled with shot there will yet abound and remaine good store of shot neuerthelesse Now where should those be bestowed to bee safe from the fury of horse if the enemy should therein greatly abound Capt. Your question is good and I my selfe haue bethought me many times thereupon wherefore if your ground be such that the enemies horse may charge you but vpon two parts at the most at once then may the shot retire safely on the contrary parts but if you be imbattailled in open Campania without any aduantage for you and your enemy very strong in horse and you few horse or none to reanswere them then in mine opinion the surest way is thus as I sayd before in speaking of lining of battels with shot first to place 5 6 and 7 rankes of armed pikes or more and girdle them with 5 rankes of shot close vnder the gard and shelter of the pikes on the out side then againe within those first rankes of pikes 3 4 or 5 rankes of shot then certaine rankes of pikes and then shot againe and so consequently as your numbers and occasions shall require as in this figure appeareth Here is to be noted that in such cases where your battel may be charged on euery part or side that then those rankes in flanke which haue a wider distance then those men which are in front doe march vp closer together whereby they may make the front of equall strength and distance of station euery way In this figure first you see placed the girdling shot 5 in a ranke vnder the gard and succour of the pikes then 9 rankes of pikes then certaine rankes of shot and then pikes againe and so consequently to the center where is placed the ensignes and short weapon and munition The girdling shot vpon the very charging of the enemies horse and at the couching of their pikes may kneeling vpon one knee the better to be vnder the couert of the pikes discharge in the bosome of the enemy not aboue twentie pases of and then the pikes being couched the other rankes of shot contained within them are to discharge close ouer the heades of the couched pikes before them and so successiuely as the other pikes shall bee couched the shot contained within them shall discharge So thus in my conceipt would this order containe in safetie the most part of your shot and bee sufficient strong and a great gauling vnto horse Gent. This order I thinke to be good where the enemy aboundeth in number of horse But now I pray tell vs what order is the Sergeant Maior to take and obserue when these companies do march Capt Herein consisteth great skill care direction and discipline for generally men be loth and vnwilling to be tied to any strict and painefull order especially Besonnios wanting practise and patience for vpon euery light occasion they will breake and disaray as when they come to any straight or vnplained way or when they feele themselues a litle wearied or chafed with heate running on euery side disorderly to seeke water which often times hath bene cause of many defeatments And many times againe vpon small occasions doe they dismande themselues the cause thereof growing from the ouer remisnesse and negligence of the officers in not correcting at first such disorders with rigour and seuerity as the vrgentnesse of the cause would require and for that they want the care and diligence to redresse such mismeanours as hereafter I will speake of declaring first what the Sergeant Maior is to doe being in Campania which is to go take the orders to be obserued from the Generall and to know whether his tertio or regiment is that day to haue the vantgard battell or reareward the which he is to do the night before that the army is to march although that the General many times for many good respects will not make the same knowne vntill the very houre of marching And this shall he do chiefly that day which toucheth his regiment to haue the vantgard And therefore it is alwayes important for him to know the wayes most commodious and most salliable for the souldiers and companies out of the campe for many Sergeant Maiors hauing erred herein haue found themselues puzzelled confused and ashamed in presence of their Generals guiding their regiments by wayes pestered with cartes wagons and baggage of the campe And at other times for conducting them through passages so difficult and combersome that they haue bene constrained to breake their arraies For at the remouing of a campe the prauncing and neighing of horses on euery side and the crossing of cartes baggage and carriages and the noise of drummes and trumpets is such and so great that if he be not very preconsiderate in the same and know well the way where hee is to conduct his companies he runneth many times into those inconueniences and chiefly when the campe doth dislodge by night or in dayes mistie and darke for then is the daunger most to bee doubted therfore it importeth much that the Sergeant Maior be very skilfull in the region and countrey where they are to passe and to know the distances from place to place and the qualities of the wayes and passages with their straights and inclosures their hils vallies riuers brookes lakes
officers giue aduise vnto the Regiments next vnto him and aboue all he is to aduertise his Camp-maister and Generall without order from whom the companies already set in battell may not returne to their quarters and guardes And so the Sergeant Maior after they be fully satisfied assured that they may disbād and breake vp hee ought to demaund licence of the Generall for the same and shall returne to set his postes as before they were And if he shall perceiue it to be needfull to reenforce and strengthen his guardes he ought to do it with more or lesse numbers as the necessitie shall require it Gent. I haue heard that some Sergeant Maiors do draw out of their principall Corps de guards where their ensignes companies do stand the first Sētinels other small Corps de gards but I know not to what end Capt. That Sergeant Maior doth not amisse for that Corps de guard is of those souldiers which are for the Sentinels and Round that night for that the officer when he is to relieue and change them may find them more ready And these Corps de guardes do serue also that the Sentinels may haue succour neare at hand if neede should require and againe they helpe also to keepe the guardes more vigilant and the souldiers more ready to the seruice of their ensignes THE THIRD DIALOGVE VVherein is declared some orders to be obserued by the Sergeant Maior in the very fact of armes and in surprises and Camisadas and Ambuscados and to be a generall procurer of the souldiers good Gentleman WHat orders is the Sergeant Maior to obserue in the times of fight with the enemy Capt. The Sergeant Maior cannot keepe any certaine rule therein considering the diuersitie of chaunces stratagems and policies which in euery moment do happen in warre But in the action of battell he is to see and to foresee as before I sayd as well their owne as their enemies orders and disorders to redresse with all valour readinesse and skill what is needfull in his owne squadrons and to espie euery aduantage vpon the enemy and valiantly to animate order and encourage his souldiers to valour vertue and honour and that with couragious and honourable words and if by fortune any of his squadrons be disordered and broken he must with all speedinesse courage and skill redresse the same Gent. But if any men in the rankes of his squadrons be hurt or slaine either by the enemies great shot or otherwise so that wanting there those men which so are slaine or hurt how are these rankes to be refurnished so that it may be done without confusion Capt. The order of the Romanes as I haue already sayd was to fight in order of battallions the one to second the other which is a very strong order of fight were men expert and skilfull therein And the manner of the Greekes was in Phalangia which is a iust square of men whom we do therein imitate which manner of square of men is each man standing consequently in ranke and in file one after other so that if any of the first files or rankes be slaine or hurt the next soldier succeeding the same man hurt or slaine is to step vp into his place roome and the next after to follow him and so successiuely one to follow another euen vnto the center or traine of the squadron in such sort that alwayes the formost rankes be fully furnished Gent. And what is to be done with those hurt and slaine men for me thinkes they should be looked vnto Capt. The Spaniardes haue a laudable custome which is that they haue certaine men appointed of purpose to retract and draw foorth of the squadrons such men as be hurt and to bring them vnto the chirurgians and for such as bee slaine right out to conuay them away so that their slaine numbers is neuer lightly knowne to the enemy Which order I would wish to be receiued and obserued amongst vs. Gent. What other parts are there yet in him to be required Capt. Moreouer the Sergeant Maior ought to be very expert and to be very skilfull and well aduised in the course which is to be kept in giuing a camisada as that was which was giuen vnto the Prince of Oranges army by the Spaniards when he came to relieue graue Lodwike his brother being besieged within Mouns in Henault by Duke d'Alua which was such that he was faine to raise his campe and retire toward Germany Now in such cases the Sergeant Maior must conduct his souldiers with great silence euen to the place of the enemies campe and there shall he commaund them to put their shirtes vpon their armour at one instant making ready to effect their desseignes whereunto they shall passe with all speede and resolution before that the enemy may be aduertized thereof by their Sentinels And also when other great occasions are offered where it is needefull to carry the souldiers with great silence secrecie and stilnesse he is to be their guide as did the Sergeant Maior Valleio when Mondragon with his regiment passed ouer the riuer Schalt to succour their friends besieges in Targoes And in Ambuscados which are to be done in places of couert as woods thickets hollow wayes or hils he is to be carefull that the souldiers be silent and without noise for not to be discouered vntill their espials and watches appointed for that purpose doe giue them the signe of the conuenient time of their sodaine charge vpon the enemy Also it is the Sergeant Maiors part to be sollicitous and diligent with the prince or Captaine Generall of the army and the other superiour officers for the prouiding of armour and other necessaries for the companies of his regiment and for the other munitions of powder match lead and victuals the which he shal cause to be reparted vnto the Sergeants of the bands to be by them deliuered vnto the Caporals who are to distribute the same among the companies And to conclude he ought to be the vniuersall procurer of the souldiers good procuring their payes and that they be succoured in their necessities and wants And if there be any hurt men or sicke hee is to procure that they may be caried with all care vnto the hospitals or such places deputed for the same prouiding them of cariages necessaries and guides if neede require To do all the which he hath all the officers of the regiment for helpers and ministers which are to assist and obey him For the cariage-maister is to furnish him with cartes and cariages as shall be needefull and the furrier maior to prouide and bring munition at the day of battell and the Sergeants to assist him to set the squadrons and to keepe the companies in order and array and the ensignes and Lieutenants to giue and notifie the orders and commandes to the gards for the seruice of the companies and the drumme maior to proclaime and sound the generall
and his Drummes and Phifes Also euerie Regiment hath his Sergeant Maior and ouer the whole Campe or Armie a Sergeant Maior generall of which Officer I meane now to treate The election and office of a Sergeant Maior The election of the Sergeant Maior is made by the Generall out of such as the Colonels do name vnto him His office is to be the generall minister or officer of a whole Regiment of sundrie companies and Superintendent of all the Sergeants of the same By whose hand and industrie the Camp-maister or Colonell doth giue and appoint the orders conuenient to the due gouernement of his Regiment or Armie as in marching in encamping and imbattailing and in such other matters concerning hereunto whereby may be gathered the partes the qualities the valour the great skill experience and diligence which ought to be in him who is chosen to this degree of office being of such importance that in the time of the Greekes and Romaines this office was credited vnto none but the Generals them selues did execute the same in their owne person The Sergeant Maiors office is of much higher degree then any ordinarie Captaine for euery Captaine doth receiue his directions from the Sergeant Maior and the Sergeant Maior from the Colonell or Generall or from the King or Emperour himselfe if he bee in field For hee is barred no gate nor entrie but is freely suffred to enter euen into the Generals tent or Kings chamber Therefore there ought great regard to be had in the election of this officer Which being done in a person of insufficiēcie doth many times cause great inconueniences to arise and the person so chosen for want of skill and naturall instinct not knowing how to vphold his due authoritie grauitie and power doth lose oftentimes his due respect and reuerence of the Captaines and other officers whereby it had bene better for him to haue remained a Captaine of a single companie then to haue risen to this degree of office being not fit for skill and nature thereunto Gent. Then I perceiue that you would wish him that should vse the place of this office besides his experience and skill to be also of a naturall inclination befitting the same Capt. So is my meaning For besides his long experience and practise in warres he ought yet to haue a certaine naturall instinct befitting this office for as much as the most of his actions are to be handled in the face and view of the enemie and in place of greatest perill as ready at euery instant to redresse euery disorder He ought besides his long experience to be valiant learned quicke witted and ready conceited wise discreet and ready both to see and foresee as well their owne as the enemies orders or disorders preuenting redressing and taking aduantage as time and occurrants shall be offred not letting slip any occasion offred Gent. Is the Sergeant Maior to haue any particular companie to himselfe as the other Captaines of Infanterie haue Capt. No truly and that for many good respectes For in the absence of the Colonell he hath the commaunde of the whole Regiment among the Spanish Tertios Gent. You said that the office of the Sergeant Maior did cōsist in three things that is in the good order of marching in the sure manner of encamping and in the perfect formes of imbattailing wherefore I pray discourse more at large thereof vnto vs. Capt. Truly Gentlemen if you remember I haue before at large declared touching the embattailing of men the ordering of squadrons their deuiding into Maniples and the formes of sundry kinde of battels with vs most in vse but yet to giue you content I will repeate some part thereof againe Wherefore it concerneth this officer to know how to frame his squadrons to march with the same and bring them to fight Now a squadron of men is as before I sayd in folio 45. A congregatiō of souldiers orderly ranged set by the which is pretended to giue vnto euery one such place and roome as they may fight without hindering one another and to vnite all their forces together in such sort that they may attaine to their principall intents and end which is to be victorious or inuincible So that we ought to thinke that the armie which is best ordered and disciplined although of lesser numbers is like to be by all reason Lord of the victorie as Vegetius declareth very well giuing the reason why the ancient Romanes became conquerours of most nations of the world saying that in greatnesse they were not like to the Almaines neither comparable in number to the French neither so subtill as the Aphricanes nor so strong as the Spanyardes nor so furious as the Brittanes nor so wise as the Grecians yet did they make easie and answer all these disaduantages and difficulties by onely maintaining their people well exercised in armes and practise of warre and keeping them well disciplined and reformed in manners And for as much as squadrons and battels be formed of numbers of souldiers more or lesse according to the greatnesse of the armie it is necessarie that this officer doe perfectly know and haue in writing the iust number of euery companie as how many pikes how many halbardes and how many shot and before occasion or necessitie befall do make a common habite in his head and memory framing therein many variable formes of those which are now most in vse as the iust square of men and quadrate of ground and the battels of many sortes of proportions of inequalitie with all the others whereof before I haue written To do the which it is most needefull that he be very skilfull in Arithmetike for without the same he should hardly performe his office and not onely to know how to embattell the companies of his owne Regiment but of many Regiments together and of any number for that many times the Generall doth commaund to frame a battell of sundry Regiments together as did the old Duke de Alua at the taking of Lisbona and conquering of Portugall Who commaunded that of the Tertios of Naples Lombardie and Sicilia there should be one battell made and framed and of the Tertios of Don Rodrigo Sapata and Don Gabriell Ninio an other and of the Tertio of Don Luys Henriques another squadron and that out of all the sixe Tertios there should be drawen 2100 shot to serue to other purposes And for as much as the Sergeant Maior was not very skilfull and ready herein they found them selues much puzzelled in doing thereof and fell into many faultes in presence of their Generall and Princes and in generall iudgement of the whole Campe wherein I then serued Gent. Truly it was a matter well worth the noting but is there more sortes of imbattailing then those you haue spoken of before Capt. I haue already spoken of the most yet of diuerse nations vsed diuersely of all which formes I
commandes bandos and lawes of the field and to giue warning vnto the Captaines and companies which are to haue the watch and the Caporals of the field being his Coadiutors to assist and helpe him in all matters and actions generall touching his office with whom he is to consult and communicate his proper authority vnto the best experimented of them with leaue of his superiour commanders and vnto which Coadiutor the Captaines and officers ought to be obedient as vnto the Sergeant Maior him selfe receiuing also from him their order and commaundes and therefore it behoueth that he be a verie sufficient person of good deserts and knowen to bee such to the ende that the respect which is borne to him for his office sake be not lost if the partes requisite in such a personage be not found in him It toucheth not onely the Sergeant Maior to be a generall maister of all Militarie discipline and the vniuersall procurer of all necessarie things for the souldiers bodies as I haue sayd but he is also precisely bound to be the procurer of their soules health by punishing and banishing all publike crimes and sinnes out of euerie Band and Companie as leud keepers of common women theeues pilferers disordered persons and drunkardes bawdes and brawlers and all such as liue infamousely and aboue all to be verie carefull not to suffer anie blasphemer yea if it were possible not to haue anie swearing by the name of God sith that with all these sinnes the diuine Maiestie is highly offended which if herein he haue the care that is required he shall not faile to be well reputed fauoured and esteemed of the Prince vnder whose ensignes he warreth and also bee blessed of God both in heauen and earth THE FOWERTH DIALOGVE VVherein is treated of the office dutie and partes of a Sergeant Maior entring with his regiment into a fortresse or towne of garrison to keepe the same and the orders therein to be obserued both of officers and souldiers Gentleman GOod Captaine you haue verie well and largely declared the office parts and duties of a Sergeant Maior lying in the field and Campe wherefore I pray let vs now intreate you to shew the parts of his office entring with his regiment into a fortresse or towne of garrison to defend and keepe the same Capt. Hauing found you so kind and curteous Gentlemen I can do no lesse but endeuour my selfe to content you in what I may and therfore I say that when anie regiment doth enter into anie fortresse towne or castell to reside there for the defence thereof the Sergeant Maior is presently to reknowledge and viewe euery part of the same both within and without and to consider the parts most necessarie where to place the Corps de guards and to set the Sentinels and also to marke the most conuenientest places for the Rounds to passe and to see the place or places of assembly or Armes whereunto the Captaines and Companies are to gather and assemble if in case anie alarmes be giuen and this being done he is presently to deuide the Companies according as he shall see it most conuenient for the guard and custodie of the place And of this repartition communicating it first vnto his Colonell he is to giue an order and instruction in writing firmed with his hand vnto the Captaines and Ensignes of euerie Companie reseruing a copy thereof himselfe to the ende that no officer might with reason excuse himselfe if hee should chance to commit any fault or negligence in any thing touching the guard of that which was commaunded him seeing it was deliuered him in writing And because there is great consideration and care to bee had in deuiding the guardes of a Fort Hould and Towne of defence chiefly if any enemy army be expected to the same notwithstanding that in all other times this care and foresight is to be obserued in this function he should in no case assigne vnto euery company the part of the wall or bulwarke which they are ordinarily to keepe for the most often that townes haue beene taken by practize tracto or treason the principall cause hath beene that the Sentinell or officer which so selleth the place hath knowne the part and quarter where ordinarily hee was to guard and watch whereof wee haue many examples and therefore hee ought to assemble and gather into the place euery euening the companies which are to bee that night of the watch and that they draw lots or cast the dice for the quarters which shall concerne them to keepe and the troupes or squadraes and Sentinels shall obserue the same order in such sort that neither any companie may foreknow his quarter nor yet the squadra what part of the wall doth appertaine vnto them vntill the very houre that the watches be set and placed in the same Now this partition being made as is sayd hee is to consider very well whether the Corps de guard where the company or companies are to enter into and stand be fit and commodious and also those of the gates and caualleros And if they haue neede of repairing let him cause it foorthwith to be done and also the garrits and watch houses where the posts and Sentinels are to be placed and whether they bee sufficient to defend and keepe out the raine and this to be done at the charge of the city or towne as is accustomed And if the Rounds cannot commodiously passe round about the wals he is to cause it to be accommodated foorthwith And must see that there be sufficient store of torches cressets linkes and lanthornes as well to be kept in the Corps de guard as for the roundes and counter roundes In placing the companies which are to haue the watch the Sergeant Maiors do vse different orders for some do set them in the morning and others in the euening sooner or later as they shall thinke good But in mine opinion if necessitie did not otherwise constraine I would alwayes set them especially in sommer time an houre before the sunne setting as well for that the souldier should come supped and so should haue no occasion therefore to go out of the watch as for that vntill the shutting in of the gates no soldier should be permitted to disarme himselfe giuing them to vnderstand how foule it is and ill beseeming the profession of a souldier that no sooner they are entred into the Corps de guard but that their Corslets be hanged vp vpon the wals yea and some doe vse it in the Campe hauing the enemies army at hand the which fault is intollerable and they ought not to do it vntill they see their Alferes disarmed first on whom they ought to fixe their eyes to imitate as they do on their ensignes in the field to follow At the opening of the Gates the Sergeant Maior ought to appoint the Sergeāt or Sergeants that be of the gard that they be present at the shutting
and honourable words as in such cases be conuenient and therefore in mine opinion the dislodging by night is not very secure vnlesse it bee as I sayd befriended and ayded with some seate of aduantage as it chaunced vnto the aforesayd Francis the French King when at Cambresy he retired from the Emperour by night that by the benefit of a great wood he might saue his Army and hauing passed thorough the same when the enemies horse ouertooke him where hee made a stand and where as well by reason of the aduantage of that wood as by the commoditie of the seate where he stood he might well and boldly fight with the enemy as by experience of them of the Emperours part was seene who ouer greedily pursuing the enemy issued out of the wood euen vpon his troupes where the most part of them were slaine or taken prisoners The very same case happened also vnto the protestants Army in Germany when they would remoue and withdraw themselues from the Emperours campe being both the Campes neare encamped together that dislodging by night they had not farre to march to enter into a very strong valley where they could not but with the enemies great disaduantage bee charged and set vpon and for that there was in the same valley a little hill the same was presently possest by the protestants and planted with good store of field ordinance and with strong troupes of foote and horse and in such sort occupied that what with this preparation and with that which they made in a neare adioyning wood planting the same full of small shot the Emperours power could not pursue them as they had pretended For as soone as they were approched neare vnto them they saw that they were retired vnto a place both by art and nature most strong and therefore were let passe without any more annoyance Wherefore I say that with the fauour of the seate and quality of the countrey the dislodgement may be thus assured as by the aboue recited examples may appeare And alwayes it is farre better to dislodge by night then by day for to gaine at the least the distance of ground to conduct the Campe to place of security and strength for the remouing by day without the great helpe and securitie of the seate most commonly is very daungerous except the Remouer should farre abound in Cauallery and therefore the Campe which is inferiour in horse ought to distant himselfe as farre as he can from the enemy for not by such accidents to be constrained either to fight vpon disaduantage or commit some other foule disorder Thus haue I at large and more large then I meant declared vnto you the office and parts of a Campe-maister Generall with the orders to be obserued in marching in encamping and in remouing of a Campe with rules and instructions to effect the same the which being well conceiued considered and regarded may serue in time of seruice to great good and importance Gent. Truly Captaine you haue taken paines herein and haue touched many good points worthy noting especially should warres fall vpon vs from the which God defend vs. But haue you yet any other officer to treat of vntill you come to the Lord high Generall The Election office charge and dutie of the High treasurer of an Armie Captaine THe High Treasurer of the Armie is commonly chosen and appointed by the Prince and is in the number of the principall officers that are in the campe and alwayes one of the Councell of warre by reason of the great affaires committed to his charge handling which is the kings monyes and Treasure being the sinewes of the warre and without the same it were impossible for an Army long to hold and continue hauing to deale with a strong and obstinate enemy This high Treasurer hath the bestowing of the kings money in diuerse and sundry vses and all to conduct the warre to a good end Moreouer he is to receiue the tributes taxes and tailliages of the Cities Townes or Countries where the conquest is made if there be any such and also doth receiue the money which the Collegates do contribute being any such ligue and if they contribute money and not people of warre He hath in like sort the superintendencie of the victualling of the campe and is to haue a great care to giue content to the vttermost of his power as well to the small as to the great to see that as well the poore Pioner as the commaunding Colonell be satisfied and payed their payes duties at due conuenient termes if he will that his Prince bee well serued and the souldiers to obey their Commanders and Captaines and to liue in honest and commendable sort as disciplined people of warre ought to doe otherwise if the pay be wanting and not performed I cannot see how a campe can long stand on firme foote or the souldier passe and liue without robbing rifling and spoyling and to commit a thousand excesses neither can I perceiue how any good order may be obserued if necessitie constraine men to commit these faultes Yet I will not hereby inferre but that in times of these wantes and necessities men ought with all possibilitie to haue patience for it is a wonderfull vertue in a souldier at such an instant pinch and to absteine from committing these excesses although their pay be long on comming For I know very well that monyes cannot alwayes be prouided and come at the due time appointed by reason of sundry impediments that may hinder the same then ought the honest souldier to haue patiēce But if the pay stay ouer long there is nothing more vniust then to make mē to liue by windy words ayre therfore in such meane while they ought either to distribute lēdings or a certaine quantitie of victuals dayly also something to cloath men other necessaries expecting vntill the pay do come or else they must be suffered to liue at their owne discretion that is to take where and what they may finde which is a thing not to be permitted but in cases of great extremitie and in cases where all other remedies be past for this dangerous libertie is occasion that souldiers will fall into such an insolencie that it would be almost impossible to reduce them againe into their first esse or being the which is of lesser losse and daunger then to suffer them to dye with famine or to see the campe dissolued one of the which would of necessitie ensue were there not present remedie imployed and then the fault is not to bee imputed to the Commaunders and Captaines Some man happely will say that the Chieftaines may with sweet wordes and perswasions entertaine and qualifie the souldiers I confesse the same but that is but for a small time and that too no longer then that the souldiers do giue credit vnto their perswasions But when that they shall
Colonels and Captaines for powder and other munition receiued that the same may be deducted at the day of pay Gent. What officers do assist or belong vnto him Capt. There be sundry other officers which are as it were appendent vnto him as the Purueyor Generall the Maister of the victuall and the Pay-maister with their Clarkes and Officers of whom I leaue to discourse for that their offices are well knowen and more desired for that in our dayes they are very bad cookes that know not how to lick their owne fingers and once an officer and by consequence a rich man To conclude not onely vnto this officer but vnto all others almost is Arithmetike a great ease and helpe not onely to digest their accounts in good order but also a ready performance of the same The Office and parts of the Lord High Generall of the Armie THE FIRST DIALOGVE VVherein is set foorth the partes to be expected in so high a Commander the foure principall qualities which the Romanes considered in the Commanders of their armies how needefull it is to haue graue and experimented officers in the Campe. Captaine THe Generall the Prince with the aduise of his prudent Councell doth elect chuse and appoint and being an office of highest degree and greatest charge in the field it ought to be encommended vnto a personage indued with partes befitting the function Therefore as he is the Officer highest in degree so ought he not only to know perfectly the partes of euery other officer but also to excell them all in religion wisedome experience policie grauitie secrecie counsell modestie temperance valour magnanimitie vigilancie care constancie liberalitie and resolution with all other good partes incident to a perfect man of warre and how much all these good partes and many more ought to be in the personage elected to this high and carefull dignitie by our former discourses you may easily conceiue and gather to the ende that he being their Chieftaine and head may not onely know how to gouerne them both in generall and in particular in all Martiall actions but also in his vertuous life and cariage be a patterne light lanterne vnto the whole Armie to imitate for in our old prouerbe we say such hunt such hound such maister such man and so by consequence such Chiefe such followers For most commonly a wise valiant and vertuous Generall will chuse wise valiant vertuous Captaines and officers good vertuous Captaines will as neare as they can chuse honest sober and vertuous souldiers or at the least reforme their faults and do their best to bring them to the due forme of Militarie discipline And as it is very hard for euery Commaunder to haue all the good partes incident to his function yet such as are indued with many or the most of these partes are best to be esteemed and so consequently the rest For the accidents of warre are so diuerse and manifold that it altereth many times the humours of men except being endued with constancie and magnanimitie which singular vertues few men possesse but greatly to bee wished in all high Commaunders Now to discourse and reason in particular vpon the partes due to a Generall our discourses would bee ouer long wherefore I will name the foure principall which the ancient Greekes and Romanes did consider in such personages as they elected to bee conductors of their Armies which were 1 to be very expert and skilfull in the Art of warre 2 to be valiant and magnanimous 3 to bee of great grauitie and authoritie and 4 to be fortunate in their successes the which parts me thinkes a Prince ought to regard consider in the election of his Generall Gent. These partes and qualities do seeme to be very good indeede but yet I pray declare more particularly thereof that we may the better vnderstand the same Capt. I say Gentlemen that those Republikes would haue their Captaines Generall to haue great experience in Martiall actions whereby they might prudently commaund and gouerne therein and therefore did they alwayes elect and chuse personages of great experience and practise and of ripe yeares and iudgement vnto this office yea with such consideration care that of the Romanes after that the two Scipios were slaine and their Armies ouerthrowen by Asdruball the Carthagenian in Spayne none of their best experimented durst take vpon him the former charge but onely young Scipio called afterward Africanus being sonne to one of the slaine Consuls although contradicted by sundry Senators and chiefly by Quintus Fabius Maximus alledging his young yeares who onely offered himselfe and resolutely tooke vpon him the determination to go to that Prouince and accepted the defence of the same shewing himselfe therein the most valiant and noblest Gentleman then left in the Romaine Republike and one that had bene nuzled vp in warre euen from a child but not aboue 28. yeares of age which caused the Senators as I sayd to misdoubt that by reason of his young yeares he should want the due skill experience and prudence conuenient for the gouernement of the Romaine Armie Gent. But yet there haue bene many Princes in the world who being of young age began to gouerne and conduct their Armies as Alexander being but a very youth conquered all Asia and put all the whole world in a maze Capt. It is true that many times for precise and forcible causes it is necessary that Kings and Princes should bee present with their owne Armies in person although their age experience be not great But when this commeth to passe they commonly carrie with them most ancient graue and experimented Captaines as did Alexander of the best and of most authoritie which Philip his father had for his Conductours and Counsellours of warre and many other of all nations haue done the like as in our time did king Philip of Spayne whē he made Don Iohn de Austria his Captaine Generall hee chose and appointed for his assister Counsellour and Lieutenant Don Luis de Zuniga the grand Commendador of Castille and many of our English kings haue done the like as did the famous conquerour Edward the third who sent with his eldest sonne the braue Prince of Wales for Coadiutors Counsellours and Captaines the valiant Earles of Warwick Suffolk Salisbury and Oxenford at their honorable iourney into France where at the battell of Poytiers they ouerthrew the whole power of France and tooke their king Iohn with his sonne Philip and a great number of the French nobilitie prisoners Gent. Then how fortuned it that Don Sebastian king of Portugall carried not such experienced personages about him at his disastred iourney made into Barbary being himselfe so young and without experience of warre Capt. You must note therein the proud and insufferable nature of mans mind especially of them two Prouinces Spayne and Portugall which will not willingly endure any stranger to carrie any
which negligence many times sundry strong Forts haue bin lost many braue actioÌ„s ouerthrowne whereof we haue too many examples extant before our eyes Moreouer it behoueth the Captaine not to be ouer credulous for many haue bin deceiued by couÌ„terfeit letters false messages as was Captaine Sansier who being at the guard defence of San Desyre for Francis the French king being beleaguerd by the Emperor Charles the fift by meanes of counterfeit letters surrendred vp the place to the dammage of his king and to his owne reproch dishonour The like stratageme was practised by the Marquis de Guasto vnto Carolus Drusio Captaine of Mondeuy in Piemont surrendring thereby the place committed to his charge Gent. If the Captaine do chance to dy or be slaine in the defence of this Castel what orders are the souldiers to obserue in their gouernement thereof vntil their Prince do giue other order and commaund Capt. The souldiers in garrison within such Fortresse or place of defence are to elect chuse the most sufficient principallest man amongst them except there be any Lieutenant son or other kinsman of the sayd Captaine vnto whoÌ„ by right the same doth appertaine such one preferred before the rest him to sweare according to the custome to be loyal true to do his best to defend the same froÌ„ the enemies also to render the same again vnto the Prince or Lord therof wheÌ„soeuer it shall be demanded The like order is to be taken by the Captaine of the Castel towne or Fortresse with his Lieutenant if at any time vpon occasion he is to depart out of his place of charge Gent. And if it fortune that the Captaine be taken by the enemy at any sallying forth the enemy would constraine him to deliuer vp the sayd place is the Lieutenant and souldiers bound to obey him if he require the same Capt. No truly although they should see the enemies to kill murder him for the same â—or their fidelity alleageance is no more due vnto him being taken held prisoner as it was whilest he was free but vnto their Prince who oweth the Castell THE FOVRTH DIALOGVE VVherin is declared and recited the orders obserued by the Spaniards in the Citadels of Millan and Antwerp their order of watches guards and Sentinels their sundry visitings and reuisitings and relieuings at sundry times the parts and duties of the officers therein their singular care in the good guarding thereof with sundrie other Martiall points necessarie to be noted Gentleman WHat orders are obserued in the guards and keeping of such Castels Forts and places of defence Capt. They are not alike in euery Fort or place neither is there the like garrison and places of guard in one as is in another therefore I cannot precisely satisfie you herein for I haue seene very little in any of our English townes of strength and Fortresses for that wee haue very few Barwicke onely excepted but to giue you some content I will declare vnto you the orders obserued by the Spaniards in the Castell of Millan which is one of the principallest Forts in Europe The guardes and order of watches obserued in the Castell of Millan There is ordinarily in the Castell of Millan 30 postes or places of guard whereof the first 15 from 4 to 4 souldiers in each are in the three Rauellins and in the Tenaza or Keepe which stands without the body of the Castell for being places of most importance and trauailes and the other 15 are within from 3 to 3 souldiers euery night deuiding euery of them into three quarters and euery day as hereafter followeth In these 30 postes doth euery day remaine one souldier at the Sentinell and those that do remaine ouer are reparted and placed into the 3 Corps de guards of the gates euery night there entreth foure Caporals into the watch the one goeth into the Tenaza with the souldiers which are to enter into the same and there doth continue and assist vntill the next morning hauing first the order giuen him what he is to doe if the Alarme be giuen or striken The other three do remaine within the body or place of the Castell and are deuided into their quarters The first in the time of winter maketh his RouÌ„ds couÌ„ter Roundes for sixe houres with 4 souldiers in Round and contra Round The second roundeth the Modorra or second watch for fiue houres with other 4 souldiers in Round and counter Round And the third doth Round from that expired time vntill day light or dawning with other foure souldiers in like sort in Round and contra Round in such maner and sort that the Sentinels as well within as without are visited at the least ten or twelue times euery houre a peece There entreth into the Rauellynes 4 Gunners for watch the rest do remaine within the body of the Castell One of the chiefe officers doth keepe his watch euery night vpon the walles and there are the Castellane his Lieutenant Captaine Alferez and Sergeant And neuerthelesse that which toucheth them by duty they do euery one giue a turne vpon the walles once euery night in such sort that of all these the Sentinels are visited ordinarily euery night Two houres before the shutting in of the euening doth the Sergeant set the watch and vntill the gates be shut fast doth no souldier within the Castell know where he is to be placed or his post and in setting the same hee goeth with those that are to remaine in the Tenaza and Rauelines and with these there goeth sixteene other souldiers with two Caporals accompanying and attending vpon the keyes wherewith the porter doth locke the gates and draw-bridges and the Sergeant doth taste and proue with his hand euery locke so locked and shut The principall gates and draw-bridges of the Castell are drawne vp and shut in at the edge of the euening and the Alferez doth feele and proue them and the Lieutenant and Captaine standeth present to see the same so done and hauing locked and shut all fast and sure all these three officers with the Sergeant and twentie souldiers do go cary the keyes vnto the Castellanes lodging or vnto the Lieutenants lodging if the Castellane himselfe bee not within the Castell The Sergeant receiueth and taketh the word from the Castellane or his Lieutenant and giueth the same vnto the other officers and Caporals which are of the watch and then presently vnto all the other Sentinels which are first vpon the walles within the body of the Castell and vnto those which watch without in the Rauelines and Tenaza the word is not giuen at all After that the gates of the Castel be shut in there goeth a Cabo de squadra or Caporal with two other soldiers round about to view and reknowledge the same and to know and see what strangers there remaine within as
To grudge at a good action signe of a beastly mind A miserable minde Good courses Pike and musket the most weapon in the field Bowes and billes yet seruiceable in some sort An order for powder match for training dayes A great care to be had for the generall store Want of necessaries in time of seruice hath hindred greâ—t actions Whom to bee chosen for a Captain of footbands The parts to be desired in a Captaine Disorderly shall he gouerne in warres who was neuer skilful in the arte The captains care in the election of his officers Similis similem sibi quaerit The due sorting of weapons The aduantage of musket Skill obedieÌ„ce Practise maketh perfect Necessary officers to a band of three hundred men The Ensigne to be incommended to the Ensigne-bearer The Captains Squadron No blemish vnto any Gentleman to serue as a common souldier in the Captaines squadron Aduantaged in Payes To instruct and procure his soldiers to the feare of God To appease debates To reprehend punâ—sh dish nest liuers Few bâ—d do corrupt a number of good To exercise them often to their Armes Different nations different nâ—tures To practise all military exercises The Captaine equall with his soldiers in all perill and paine To muster and traine often The order to be obserued in trayning Men ready for action to great importance Great care to keep aray in marching Disorderly behauior of â—ad souldiers breedeth many mischiefes Disorders to be punished The tolleratioÌ„ of euils breedes many inconuenieÌ„ces What weapon the Captaine is to vse Vnsoldiarly trick of a training captaine The captaine being set to defende any place what he is to do Commanded to any peece of seruice what he is to do To attempt nothing inconsiderate and rash To obserue the orders giuen by his commander To be a good Oratour and to what purpose A captaine not to be ouer couetous but carefull for his souldiers To take the word Carefull to visite the Sentinels To be prouided of lights for the night time To be obedient diligent about his superâ—our commandâ—rs Necessarie cariage and baggage in marching But not ouer pestersome Few horses to be permitted in footbands The Captaine is most ordinarily to lodge among his souldiers Not to be ouer curious in his diet and fare Examples To entreat his souldiers with gentle words good works A good Captaine is as a father to his souldiers and they as children vnto him Souldiers louing their captains wil aduenture their liues for their common honor Discontinuance breedeth forgetfulnesse The militarie discipline of the Romanes to be followed Grauis armatura of the Romanes Velites of the Romanes and their armings The arming of those of grauis armatura A Romane armie Romane legion Cohoâ—t Centurie Maniple A legion distinguished into 3. Hastati Principes Triarij Their order of placing Velitat their places to fight Whom fittest to be chosen for souldiers Signes by the phisiognomie New souldiers to be often trained Practise breedeth readinesse Sundry companies to ioyne together 1. To march 2. To encampe 3. To fight Rules to be obserued by a carefull Captaine Militarie points to be ensigned new souldiers A good Captaine will soone make ready souldiers The art of warre better deliuered by act theÌ„ words The Harquebuzier his armings and weapons To charge To cocke the match To leuell To discharge To retire To recharge The musketier his arming and his forke weapon To charge To cocke his match To leuell To discharge To retire To recharge Aduise How to bring the bisognios fir sâ— to the bullet The piker his armings and weapon The pike of 17. or 18. foote The dagger Obiection Answer Picha seâ—cha The carrying and handling of the pike To make Alto to arbolare or aduaunce To reare When to aduaunce To present To charge To push To cowch To Couch The Romains Tesserarios their training Vertuous exercisâ—â— To march out fained skirmish Ready men aduantagious To be a good executioner must haue seene seruice To tosse the pike The halberd Ranke what it is File what it is The doubling of ranke and file By single file By maniple or many files How to double the rankâ— To fall off To double the file To turne their faces and make front of any part Doubling of ranks and files serueth to sundry purposes To passe straights Od files or ranks Shot how to be practised Example Musketiers how to discharge vpon a march How to discharge vpon a countermarch Musketiers wheeled into a halfe moone to discharge in vollie Calliuers deuided into small troupes to discharge by file The arraunging of a small company to march Order to be obserued entring into the Corps de gard The march The caâ—allery shot not contained within the body of the battell The reason why battells are framed in quadrat proportion Square of men square of ground what it is Battells consisting of armed and vnarmed pikes framed in three maner of wayes Maniple what it is Shot in troupeâ— Halberds and short weapon noâ— liked of in the body of the battell The reasons why Halberds not liked of about the colours The reasons why Daggers auailâ—able in pell mell Short weapon in a stand of pikes vnseemeliâ— Short weapon their places of best seruice Lyning of battels with shot or bowes disliked Lyning of shot in single ranke The reasons Lyning with shot in another sort more tollerable Lyning with bowes a combersome tying weapon Tables to be framed and to what end Proportinall numbers â—eâ—uinâ— to the setting of battels Proportions of equality Proportions of inequality These proportions of men and not of ground The rule to frame a square battell of men A more exquisit way to frame any square battell of men Geometricall scale foote To empale the battell with your armed pikes the rule The Romaines The proofe A rule to know what quaÌ„titie of ground any battell will require each armed mans station 3 foote in breadth 7 foote for length A rule to frame these battels with speed What to do with the remaines Rules to frame all battels in proportion of inequality or two fold battels The Rule The order how to empale with armed pikes the battels in proportioÌ„s of inequalitie The proofes The rule to know the quantitie of ground this battell conteineth The rule to accommodate this calculation with speed Where to place the remaines Repetitions of the former Out of 3 maner of marchings to frame a battell with speed The first maner The third order by marching maniple by maniple Aduertisement Fierie weapons The armed pike is the strength of the battell so is the shot the furie of the field Shot and pikes of necessitie to be coupled The one without the other of no great force The sortement of these weapons offensiue and defensiue The aduantage of musket notable ouersight of our shot in charging and discharging their peeces A redresse and easie way how to fasten the bullet How some do vse to place their shot about the
to be coupled with their conuenient members The members of all strong places are Bulwarkes The parts of a Bulwarke The placing of Bulwarkes and order how The Curtine Issues or Sallies The Tronera oâ— The Pendent of the Parapets Caualliere Caualliere a Cauallio Cauallero or a mount within side distant from the curtine The Tenaza or Tizeras and Casamats or The gates The way from without The Terraplene An open way at the foote of the Terraplene The ditches Campania raza Refortifying of old places of strength Situations of Cities and fortresses Annotations of the out situatioÌ„s Annotations Annotations within the place A plat to be drawen Skilfull Enginer To fortifie the feeblest partes first Places annoyed by diuerse altures the remedies A point of bulwarke Tenaza what it is Cauallero or mount The canoneries Trees to be planted vpon the terraplene Flankers Remedie against the backe part offences Three manner of offendings An ouer commaunding noâ—â—â—e is a stepdame to a fortresse A sufficient garrison of defence What considerations to be had what prouisions to be made Needefull implements at batteries offensiue and defensiue All the which belonging to the office of the master of the Ordinance Fortifications of earth and turfe of great strength against the cannon with small charge Obiection Answer An armie leuied the charge of the Maister of the Ordinance Cariages people belonging to the Maister of the Ordinance Bridges built vpoÌ„ boates Officers Clarke of the Ordinance Pay-maister Purueyer generall Lieutenants Maiordomes and their seuerall charges An Harbinger Maior A Chancellor other persons attending Other people belonging to the Commaunder Gunners other Officers Boates barges ' whereon to frame bridges SolimaÌ„ the great Turke Don Sebastian king of Portugal God suffering a Prince to run to ruine bereaues him sence wits The Prince of Parma his bridge made ouer the riuer Chaldis Boates for the bridge how many A Captaine of the boates with officers and mariners The Artillery vsed to be conducted with an Army and the necessaries thereunto belonging The charge of great ordinance is wonderfull The Spaniard in continuall action Without the Indias the Spanish king soone a begger The Spanish gold infecteth good princes subiects Horses to draw a Cannon of the greatest size c. Horses to draw a Culuerine Carriage of Cannon shot and other munition Order for beasts and Carriages The officers and people for the carriages Pioners vnder the Maister of the ordinance to what purposes Captaines ouer the Pioners The Pioners guarded by souldiers The Pioners tooles A maister gunner ouer all the gunners His office and charge for necessary tooles The maister of the ordinance his principall care and charge Gentlelmen of the Artillery Particular parts of the Maister of the ordinance Sundry good considerations Skilfull in mynings To be skilfull in shooting of great ordinance and their particularities The quantitie of powder to seuerall peeces and their bullets Cannon Demy-Cannon Culuerine The Ladles The election of the officers To haue wary carefull people about the Ordinance The Maister of the ordinance his care for payment of his people Their respect to him Captaine Generall of the horse is elected by the Prince To be a personage of honour and title The comparison betwixt â—orse foote The footemen preferred Agincourt field Marquise de Pescara Battell of Pauia Countie Carmagnola against the Switzers Marcus Valerius Coruinus in the Punike war Among the ancient Romanes the footemen of more estimation then the horsemeÌ„ Don Alonzo de Vargas The difference betweene old experimented souldiers and new raw men At Tilmont reincounter Sack of Antwerp Example The ouerthrow of Gibleio The Cauallerie very necessary for many peeces of seruice Captainâ— Arrio at Pauia Conradus the Emperour passed the riuer Meandrus The Cauallerie differenced into three sortes 1. Men at armes 2. Demy Lances 3. Shot on horsebacke The Man at Armes his arming weapon and mounture Men at Armes are commonly men of â—itle and qualitie One trumpet one Ensigne one Guidon one Cornet Deuided into squadron Their partes of seruice The honourable valour of pikes footemen The arming of the Lanciers His weapons His mâ—â—nting Lanciers for many peeces of seruice farre better then men at armes The partes of a a Lâ—uâ—â—iâ—r Their place of 〈◊〉 Their Cornet Their pales of seruice The Petranell and Pistâ—lier his arming His weapon Their seruice Their place of march The partes of the Pistolier The place of their guidon The shot on horsebacke his furniture and weapon His mounting Their partes of seruice They may alight on foote and doe the dutie of foote shot In good conductions alwayes seconded with the Pistoliers or Lanciers Their partes incident To performe 3. actes at one instant He ought to be a good horseman and a good shot The fierie weapoÌ„ in the vnskilfull is daungerous to themselues Generall partes for horsemen The due sortmeÌ„t of horsemen The Generall of the horsemen his courses taken in field campe or garrison When the high Marshall goeth to view the ground When the armie entreth into the campe his dutie what to do To guarde the forragers To guarde conuoies In skirmishes encounters one troupe to second another A good Cauâ—at To espie aduantages and to take them The chiefe ordering of the squadrons The high Marshall of the field his parts and dutie His superintendencie in the day of battell Skilfull in all offices of warre His authority in the administration of iustice The officers to the high Marshall Military lawes and orders Martiall lawes All martiall lawes to be written in tables and fixed vp for euery man to reade An army without good orders soone growes to confusion The encamping of an Army a thing of great importance Great considerations Situation and grounds a principall point Skilfull in the Countrie Well seene in Geography Plats and Maps Briefe repetition Many and great considerations in the marching of an Armie To march vpon grounds of aduantage as did Fabius Maximus Charles the fift Considerations to be had the Army marching in plaines champaines Points of aduantage Men at armes Lanciers to flaÌ„ke the arrayes The marching armie deuided into vantguard battell and rereward Their orders Vnprofitable people to be shifted out of the squadron Vnprofitable horses and impediments cleared Part of the light horses to be continually abroad Referring to the third and fourth booke Partes to be considered in the allodgement of a campe The situation iâ— plaines Considerations The circuit of the campe The formes Mountaine situations Considerations To beware to encampe in place subiect to any hill Daungerous Example by FraÌ„cis the French king at Cambresie Charles the fift The Cauallerie in their allodgement to be defended by the Infanterie An encampement of 36000. fighting men 8. allodgements to a man at armes 4. allodgement to a Lancier Euery allodgement 50 superficiall foote is 10 in length 5 breadth Euery foote mans allodgement 64 superficiall foote The Generalls standard The principall streets At euery streetes end a
same To deuide the grand square into battallions The order to find in the tables how the battallions be set The order obserued in the tables following Of reducing or inducing battels or battallions out of or into the grand square of men No man but erreth some more some lesse Our age inclineth to warre To accustome the going pase to the geometricall pase of 5 foote to the pase The foote deuided into twelue inches To practise the geometricall going pases Euery pikeman in aray to fight will require 3 foote of ground in breadth and 7 foote for length Euery horseman 5 foote in breadth and ten foote in length The profit to practise the going pases geometricall Two going pases to make a geometricall pase To embattell the sayd peece of ground The rule arithmeticall The arithmetical rules To empale the battell with armed pikes The arithmetical rule The rule The rule The rule To arme the sayd peece of ground with shot or horsmen The rule 4 foote for length and 4 foote for breadth to euery shot fâ—r his station of ground The number of shot contained To embattell the same with troops of horsemen The rule The number of horsemen The benefit of practise and readinesse The parts incident to a perfect souldier to be most necessary for 3 reasons Vpon whom the guard of Castels ought to be bestowed Fauor and affecttion in our age carieth all Rewarde for seruice a great encouragement to soldiers Parts to bee desired in a Captaine of a Castell or fortresse The souldiers to imitate the Captaine The honour of braue men The shame of â—owards How farre the souldier is bound to obay the Captaine The traytor is become souldier to the enemy and enemy to the Princes souldiers The Captaine being disloyal what the souldiers are to doe The Captaine â— coward what the souldier is to do When souldiers are to retire When not to retire Good Captaines and souldiers ought to be esteemed and honoured How the bad to be dealt withall Examples A valiant Captaine ought neuer to yeeld except all remedies be past Vpon honorable conditions Sir Roger Williams Sir Thomas Baskeruile Souldiers for defence of a Castell to be men of experience Disloyall souldiers the losse of many places The Captaine to entreate his souldiers kindly To be carefull for all necessary prouisions Wants in time of neede do hinder great actions Not to be ouer credulous Captaine Sansier deceiued Marquis de Guasto to Carolus Drusio at Mondeuy The Captaine slayne or dye the souldiers what to doe The Captaine being taken the soldiers what to doâ— Barwike The Castell of Millan 30 postes and their orders One souldier at Sentinell Their order at night The Rounds and counter Rounds 4 Gunners in the Rauellines Watch vpon the wall Setting of watch Locking of the gates The principall gates and draw-bridges shut The keyes The watch word To those in the Rauellins the word not giuen at all The gates being shut in to reknowledge the place The discharging of the watch in the morning Orders obserued in the day time at first gate the. At the middle gate At the inneo gate Their dinner time Changing their wardes Order after dinner A little bell at euery watch turret The order of Round and contra Round in thâ— day A regard to the Artillery Quarters assigned Before the opening of the gate the Caporals duty Their order if the Alarme be giuen To reknowledge the Contra mines The Castellane one key the Lieutenant another Iehouah our heauenly Chieftaine
THE THEORIKE AND PRACTIKE OF MODERNE WARRES Discoursed in Dialogue vvise VVHEREIN IS DECLARED THE NEGLECT OF Martiall discipline the inconuenience thereof the imperfections of manie training Captaines a redresse by due regard had the fittest weapons for our Moderne VVarre the vse of the same the parts of a perfect souldier in generall and in particular the Officers in degrees with their seuerall duties the imbattailing of men in formes now most in vse with figures and Tables to the same with sundrie other martiall points VVritten by ROBERT BARRET Comprehended in sixe Bookes Ozar morir da la vida ANCHORA SPEI LONDON Printed for VVilliam Ponsonby 1598. HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE VNG IE SERVIRAY TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE MY SINGVLAR GOOD LORD HENRIE EARLE OF PEMBROKE LORD HARBERT OF Cardiffe Marmion and Saint Quintin Lord President of her Maiesties Councell established in the Principalitie and dominions of VVales and the Marches of the same of the most noble order of the Garter knight Lord Lieutenant within the Principalitie and dominions of South VVales and North VVales and the Marches thereto adioyning and of the Counties of VVilt and Sommerset c. RIght Honourable hauing spent the most part of my time in the profession of Armes and that among forraine nations as the French the Dutch the Italian and Spaniard I haue bene moued by sundry my friends to set downe in writing such Martial points as I haue noted gathered or learned from them whereby such young Gentlemen and others my willing countrie men as haue not as yet entred within the boundes of Mars his bloudy field may at the last gather some instructions to be the readier at the Alarme giuen the which seemeth not farre off And sith my principall scope and purpose hath bene to open these discourses to the behoofe of the yonger and vnexperimented sort I haue therfore emboldened my selfe with your good Honours consent and fauour to dedicate them vnto that Noble yong Lord your sonne as a matter were it handled by a more perfect souldier then my selfe befitting his Lordship as well for the Martial vertues already shining in him as for the sympathie that his honorable birth and Nobility hath with this subiect which we treate of being warre and Armes Thus humbly crauing your good honours consent I beseech the Almighty for euer to blesse you with all honour and felicity Your Honours humblie at commaund ROBERT BARRET TO THE RIGHT NOBLE YOVNG LORD VVILLIAM LORD HARBERT of Cardiffe sonne and Heyre apparant to the right Honorable Earle of Pembroke Robert Barret wisheth increase of all Honour and vertue MOst Noble young Lord and of honourable expectation although your yong yeares haue scarse arriued yet to the bearing of Armes neuerthelesse on the assured hope conceiued of your honorable parts as so nobly each way descended whose vertue hath alwayes shined to the glorie of your name and house I haue emboldened my selfe to offer vnto your Lordships view and protection these Military discourses penned vpon occasion of conference had with sundry Gentlemen and by them wished to be published Many good reasons haue moued me to dedicate them vnto your Lordship as well in respect of your owne vertues resembling altogether that Noble Earle of Pembroke your Graundfather and that worthie Sir Phillip Sidney your Vncle as also in respect of the great and waightie Commandes which your Right Honourable father doth worthily hold ouer vs in these our Westerne parts and VVales vnder our dread Soueraigne Such as they are I humbly beseech your Lordship to accept as from a souldier who humbly offereth himselfe and his seruice vnto your selfe next vnto my good Queene and deare Countrie Your Lordships humbly at command ROBERT BARRET TO ALL MEN OF WARRE IN GENERALL HOnourable souldiers and braue men of warre of what degree soeuer I am assured there is none of you that will spurne at these my paynes taken as penned not to instruct the experimented and Martiall sort such as you are but the vnexpert and yong Gentlemen which haue not yet entred commons in Mars his Campe. For what good is herein contained shall redound to your glorie and fame in generall and what faults and errors be herein committed must rest vpon me beare them off as I may Let vs loue one another that God may loue vs all and giue vs true Martiall valour to the seruice and defence of our dread Soueraigne and deare Countrie Yours in all loue ROBERT BARRET TO ALL GALLANT MINDED GENTLEMEN and my good countrie men in generall GAllant minded young Gentlemen and good countriemen in generall which haue not yet marched vnder Mars his Colours nor knowne the parts incident to his followers for your instructions haue these discourses bene principally penned the which although they be but rough not polished with schoole termes yet happily not so barraine but you may reape some good fruit from them being read and noted with due regard to your behoofe perhaps in these behouefull times I am not ignorant that sundry haue treated vpon the like subiect and all to good end but yet they obserue not all one method neither I my self happily such as euery one wold wish It is somewhat hard to please few but harder to please many and none can please all although mine intent hath bene as others no doubt the like both to please and profit the most These approching times do require such vnpleasant matter yet the necessitie is such and therefore to be regarded Accept it friendly as I haue penned it willingly so shall I hold my selfe both rewarded and satisfied Your well wisher ROBERT BARRET William Sa. in praise of the Author and his worke THose that in quiet states do sing of warre Or write instructions for the Martiall crue Must neuer thinke t' escape the enuious iarre Of those who wealth not honour still pursue For they do feare least souldiers growing strong Commaund the pelfe which they haue gathered long Then worthy Barret honourd maist thou be That dreadlesse all the teene of base conceipts Hast writ a worke shall still eternize thee In spite of enuie with her slie deceipts For thou that oft in battell bold hast stood Hast now done that shall do thy countrie good For which his paynes let this suffice to shew The loue one souldier ought to beare another Kindly imbrace his worke for well you know A souldiers merits doth exceede all other And say with me as iustly say you may His trauels do deserue our prayse for ay VVilliam Sa. Gentleman THE FIRST BOOKE OF WARRE DISCOVRSES AND MARTIAL DISCIPLINE The first Dialogue VVherein is reasoned of the Neglect of Martiall Discipline and inconueniences thereof the comparison of VVeapons ancient and moderne with their different Executions the imperfections of many training Captaines the perfect training of men to great effect the due sortment of VVeapons now vsed the contempt of Souldiers and causes thereof Gentleman GOod Captaine I pray if your leysure will permit let vs
or Musket considering the execution of the one the other And what souldier is he that commeth against a weapon wherein there is little hazard of life which will not more resolutely charge then against a weapon whose execution he knoweth to be present death Many more reasons might be alledged for the sufficiencie of the one and the insufficiencie of the other but others haue answered the same already besides the proofe which dayly experience bringeth and thus you heare mine opinion of your Bowes desiring you Gentlemen and others not to conceiue sinisterly of me for this mine opinion as not held of me for any dislike I haue of our old Archery of England but that common experience hath made it most manifest in these our later warres well wishing in my hart had it bene Gods good will that this infernall fierie engine had neuer bin found out Then might we boldly haue compared as our auncestors did with the proudest Archers in the world But you must note this by the way that the fierie shot either on horsebacke or foote being not in hands of the skilfull may do vnto themselues more hurt then good wherefore the same is often to be practised that men may grow perfect and skilfull therein Gent. Well to stand in argument I will not for I haue seene little triall either of the one or the other But what thinke you of our abundance of blacke Billes which we thinke to be the next naturall weapon for the Englishman Capt. True it is that in time past our nation hath performed round slaughter worke therewith but the warres and weapons are now altered from them dayes and we must accommodate our selues to the now vsed weapons order and time to answere our enimies with the semblable else happely shall we finde ourselues short of our reckening with our all-too late repentance But might I haue in stead of these blacke Bills and Iacks so many good armed Pikes I meane good Corslelts furnisht I would thinke my selfe farre better either to offend or defend Gent. Why would you not allow short weapon in the field Capt. Truly no not many yet would I not exclude them all For I know them necessarie for many peeces of seruice as to performe executioÌ„ if the enemie break or flie to mingle with shot to back them if neede be to passe with Conuoyes to stand by your Artillerie to creepe along trenches and enter into mynes where the Pike would be ouerlong but best for the myne or breach is the Target of prooffe short sword and Pistoll but for the plaine field neither blacke bill Halbard nor Partizan comparable to the Pike Gent. In a set battaile would you not haue Bills or Halbards for the guard of your Colours Capt. As few as might be for in their steds farre better were so many armed Pikes in mine opinion considering that in set Battailes when men come to the shock or push of the Pike they sarrie close together and the first three fiue or seuen rankes do beare the chiefe brunt and entred so farre men buckle Pell-Mell close together by which time commonlie the one side reculeth or swayeth and a battell once reculing doth not lightlie hold long so that ere the Center of the Battaill be touched one side must fall to disaray men once disordered they commonly fall to rout the rout is pursued with slaughter and ruine Against horse the like reasons are to be made thus either to offend or defend farre better is the Pike then either Bill or Halbard And to conclude the strength of the Battaile is the armed Pike so they be equally sorted with Harquebuze and Musket Gent. What meane you by equally sorted Capt. I meane as much to offend as to defend To offend I would wish to euery hundred men 25 Muskets 25 Calliuers at the least 40 armed Piks 7 or 8 Halbards and 2 or 3 Targets of proofe to defend and so of all other numbers Gent. Your proportion I like well but our countrey people are loth to be at the charges of so many costly weapons although her Maiestie and her honorable priuie Counsell haue giuen orders and directions for the same Capt. I perceiue it to be so whereat I grieue not a litle considering how dangerous is the time how malicious strong politike is the enimie how carelesse yea senslesse are we and how vnwilling to our owne weale But should these your secure men once heare the Alarme of the enemie from the which God defend vs then should you soone see them alter their copies chaunge their colours forget their great bragges of blacke Bills and Bowes and stand at their wittes ende what course to take and should they yet recall their courage and plucke vp their spirites and dare to looke the enimie in the face what guides I pray haue they It is not enough to say downe with them downe with them Lay on Billes and Bowes they should encounter strong squares of armed Pikes gallant squadrons of Muskets braue troupes of shot conducted by skilfull Leaders then should they soone see the difference of weapons the danger of the one the litle doubt of the other with repentance perhaps for not taking them to other weapons in time Thus much I speak to our inueterate conceiâ—ers of bowes and blacke billes Gent. But we haue trayned companies and selected bandes to answere our enemies with like weapons Capt. True it is there haue beene good orders set downe for the same and no doubt well performed in many partes of our countrie but I my selfe haue seene many simple Leaders simple in deede to traine much lesse to bring men to fight for where the blind leades the blind both fall into the ditch Gent. You meane this by our countrie Gentlemen and Citizens who haue the trayning of their shires and townes and neuer came in warres but her Maiestie and Councell haue so appointed it for many good respects Capt. I know it very well for many good respects but I am well assured that her Maiestie would well like of such countrie or citizen Captaines as would be carefull to prouide themselues of good Officers such as haue seene warres and borne office in the same I meane honest and valiant men not tapsterly praters and ale-bench braggers who know no point of souldierie in the world And if your Captaines were each furnished with one or two such good officers I meane honest men and of experience no doubt but they might then doe farre better then they now doe and by such they might learne many good pointes of seruice to their good and their companies good instructions yet not so much as thereby to become sufficient Captaines Gent. Our Captaines haue Bookes of Warre whereby they may learne more in one daies reading then you haue in a whole yeares seruice and then no great neede of such which were but charge to small purpose Captaine Truely
good Sir pardon me you speake according to your skill Now to aunswere you I say Such bookes haue beene written by men of sundrie humours sundrie qualities and sundrie professions As some haue beene penned by learned men as Politicians Geometricians and Mathematicians which neuer saw any warres Some by men of small learning but by their practise and long continuance in warres Some againe haue beene penned by men both of good learning and long experience in warres the last of these are to bee best approued as all men of iudgement must confesse Now the vnsouldier-learned to the vnlettered souldier may be paralleld or comparaisoned as the Phisition Theorike to the grosse practitioner and vnto the learned souldier as the Theorike onely vnto the Theorike and Practike ioyntly in a perfect Phisition And this is my opinion of the diuersitie of warre-writers of all which I suppose the last to be chiefely followed Well now to your reading Captaines many of them that reade do neither vnderstand the Methode nor meaning of the writer many do vnderstand the Methode and not the meaning and some againe as men of quicker conceipt most fit for warres do vnderstand both Methode meaning yet by want of experience practise they are farre from a perfect souldier and more from a worthie Captaine The proofe of this is soone seene for of your first sort bring one of them into the field with a hundred men he will neuer ranke them aright without helpe and God knoweth with what puzzeling and toyle there is the end of his seruice yea and thinkes he hath done well too Now let one of your second sort come into the field with the like number he will ranke them three and three but at euery third ranke he must call to his boy holae sirra where is my Booke and hauing all ranked them then marcheth he on faire and farre wyde from a souldiers march then commeth he to cast them into a ring about about about till he hath inclosed himselfe in the Center now there is he puzzelled hola maister stand still vntill I haue looked in my Booke by this time there is a faire ring broken Lastly let your thirde quicke conceipted man come into the field with his companie he rankes them by three fiue or seuen in a ranke Pikes halfe in front halfe in traines Colours and browne Billes in the middest deuides his shot halfe in vaward halfe in rereward and marcheth on in some prettie good sort casteth his Ring and happily commeth out againe but two to one he misseth his counter-ring Well this is well say our Citizens and countrie people But how farre all these Captaines are wide to shew their souldiers the right vse of each weapon a man of meane iudgement may perceiue much lesse to bring them to the face of the enemie without a manifest daunger or wilfull ouerthrowe Examples hereof I might recite enow but I pray God if euer it come to the proofe we leaue not too many examples our selues For there be many points in a souldier and more in a Captaine which can not be attayned by reading but by practise and experience and that de Veras as the Spaniard sayth in earnest and not de Burla in ieast True it is the trayning of men is to good and very great purpose especially were it done in such sufficient sort and by such sufficient Trayners as the waightinesse of the cause requireth wherein each souldier should perfectly learne his march knowe the seuerall sounds of the Drumme to keepe his place and array in good order when to march when and how to charge when to retire when to stand how to handle the weapon committed vnto him with a number of other points most needfull in these times to be throughly knowne vnto your trayned men yea and to others also were it possible Gent. Trulie Captaine you deale somewhat roundly with our Citizen and countrie Captaines scarce worth thanks at their hands Capt. Sir I wold be loth to offend any but being demāded I must needs speak the truth so neare as I can for according to my opinion and skill I haue answered your questions giuing you to vnderstand that my opinion is not so of all for I do know many sufficient Gentlemen and Citizens most willing to the seruice who are highly to be commended for their good care and diligence therein yet doubtlesse they will be to seeke in many points if it should come to the proofe True it is all men are not of one constitution of body humours and spirits for some men are fit for warres some for peace some for the countrie some for the citie some for learning some for manuall crafts some to gouerne some to bee gouerned some able to conduct a Companie but not a Regiment some a Regiment but not a Royall Campe of which last sort verie few are to be found To conclude Naturall inclination doth worke wonderfull effects in all kind of Professions for some men being naturally humoured thereunto do prooue better souldiours in fiue yeares experience then some others in fifteene and it is much yea it importeth all almost to be often in Action For a man haunting long the warres and seeing litle execution is as one that vseth often the Fence-schooles but neuer taketh weapon in hand And if anie of my speeches may seeme vnto some to exceede the bounds of Decorum I haue bene vrged thereunto by the litle reputation had of Souldiers amongst vs for surely such as haue followed the warres are despised almost of euerie man vntill a verie pinch of need doth come then haue we faire speeches good countenances for a litle time but the action once ended and the feare past frownes do follow and cold rewards so that the profession of Armes hath amongst vs of all others bene least esteemed in these our later dayes the reason is we haue had litle need of warres and consequently litle vse whereby we are growne ignorant in the Arte. Gent. Then I perceiue Experience makes men perfect but most perfectest if with Experience be coupled the naturall instinct you speake of but me thinks that the bad reputation we haue had of Souldiers in our age springeth not of the litle vse we haue had of warres so much as from the disorder of such as haue professed the same Capt. I must confesse there hath bene and is many times great disorders committed by some professours and followers of warres the which in mine opinion proceedeth from two causes the one from the bad choise of some Captaines Souldiers and Officers made at the first by those who had commission or authoritie for the same next by reason of the litle discipline vsed amongst those so chosen for many haue bin chosen by fauor friendship or affectiō litle respecting their experience vertues or vices whereby most commonly the fawning flatterer the audacious prater the subtill
their throates cut Examples whereof there are too many extant as of Tomyris Queene of the Scythians who ouerthrew Cirus with his three hundred thousand Persians in their beastly drunkennesse of Spargapises the said Tomyris son who being first entrapped foundred with the like vice of drunkennesse was first by the same Cyrus defeated and taken with many moe such examples Besides the souldier giuen to this vice of gluttony and drunkennesse doth disturbe all townes villages and all lodgements wheresoeuer he commeth with his vnruly hurly burly and robberies neuer contenting himself with the ability of his poore host whereby great scandales do arise causing many times many Townes Cities and whole prouinces to reuolt from their Princes caused by the disorder of such insatiable drunkards and gluttons The which insolencies are carefully to be preuented seuerely punished as did Iulius Caesar at the siege of Placentia in Lombardie Dezimare or tenth the ninth Legion by sound of the horne an ignominious chastisement for spoyling robbing certaine villages of his friendes And the Emperour Aurelius did seuerely punish such souldiers as did take any thing from their hoste perforce with much more seuerity did Aufidius Cassius reforme the robberies spoiles done by his disordered cōpanies And Pescennius Niger did condemne vnto death a whole Camarada of Soldiers for taking a cocke from their hoste where they lodged perforce And great Tamberlan punished so seuerely one of his souldiers for such like offence that the rigor thereof did so correct and discipline his campe that where his army lodged three dayes together in one place a tree ful laden with fruit would at their departure remaine whole and vntouched On the contrary the vertue of abstinence and temperance hath bene such and so great in some as it hath rested a perpetuall fame and praise to their names and haue thereby atchiued great and honourable enterprizes Moreouer let our souldier be chaste and honest in his liuing refraining sensuality with all possible instancie auoyding all occasions which might moue him to that vice for those that do giue themselues thereunto do commonly become cowards in their determinations with litle felicitie or good happe in their attempts For they become lasey sickly and feeble and chiefly such as do cary women with them hauing most ordinarily their ends accompanied with dishonor and shame and their effeminacy many times the hinderance of great actions As it chanced vnto the imperiall campe after their famous sacke of Rome whereat they lost their Generall Burbon so that the Prince of Orange and other Imperiall Captaines durst not meete nor stop the passage of Monsieur de Lautrech Generall of the French army which marched towards Naples to regaine that kingdome by reason that they sawe their souldiers so estranged from their former valour as men corrupt and effeminate with the vices of the city as it fell out with Hannibals army at Capua which in short time of valiant became vile of bolde and venturous cowards and dastards of carefull and vigilant sluggards slow and carelesse whereby Marcus Marcellus made it knowne vnto the world that Hanniball might bee conquered The which vice ought with all rigour to bee chastened He ought to be very moderate and not ouer garish in his apparell and garments for it is a principle found true by experience that he that is curious in his gate and attire is neuer like to proue a perfect souldier for they require different humours to the deepe skill in warre and the daintie curiositie of Carpet knights Examples of garish campes easily defeated many might be produced but time permitteth me not but the beauty and brauery of a souldier is his bright and glittring armour not gaudy attire and peacockes plumes I do not thereby inferre that a souldier comming to his Princes court or in other places absent from the warres should not go more gallantly attired according to the place and quality of his person He shall beare a great loue and true affection vnto his Captaine and obay him and the other officers of the campe with great respect for the very day that hee first entreth to be a soldier he doth secretly sweare and promise to serue his Prince by obeying his officers for the true order of warre is a very resemblance of true religion ordained of God which bindeth the souldier to obserue Iustice Loyaltie constancie patience and silence and aboue all obedience through the which is easily attained the perfection in armes and meanes to atchiue great enterprises though neuer so difficult as Plato saith verie well that loue and obedience is signe of a generous minde not subiect vnto passions and vnrulie fits for he that wanteth the vertue of obedience and patience though otherwise neuer so valiant a souldier is vnworthy the name For no greater mischiefe can befall a campe then disobedience nor from whence greater damages do proceede too many examples thereof do abound Therefore a good souldier ought not go against the determinations of his Generall no nor to passe out of the trēches although it were with intēt to shew his valour in some singular combat or in any particular challēge without his Generals licence for he is not now his own man but the Princes who doth giue him pay remembring the rigorous punishment which Manlius Torquatus did execute vpon his own sonne Titus Manlius commaunding his head to be stricken off in his own presence for hauing passed his commaund in sallying forth to fight with Genutius Metius Captaine of the Tusculans who gaue him the defie challenge nothing auailing the poore Gentleman in hauing ouercome and slaine his enemy nor the whole armies supplications and intreaties The like rigour vsed Posthumius Tiburtus against his sonne Aulus Posthumius at his returne from his conquered enemie Gent. Put if his Prince maketh warres against other Christians as commonly it falleth out is it no grudge to the souldiers conscience to fight against them Capt. I suppose none for the souldier is bound to serue his Prince and to defend his desseignes and it toucheth him not much to examine whether the warre be iust or iniust not being against Gods true religion but in such a case I would wish men to be well aduised Our souldier ought patiently to suffer the aduersities and trauels that do fall out in the courses and chances of warre also shewing tokens of true vertue not to be ouergreedy and hasty for his pay although he stand in great need thereof but rather with chearefull countenance shew his constancy eschewing by all meanes possible rebellions and mutinies which often vpon such cases do succeede and in no case be partaker with mutiners for alwayes the end of such is sharpe and shamefull death examples whereof are rife in euery nation If in encounters and battels where he shall happen to be the enemies happe to be ouercome let him set all
thereof seeing that all practices of mechanicall Artes do follow the same order and course to come to the cunning of their craft Gent. Good Captaine you haue largely discoursed vpon the points and parts in generall which ought to bee in a souldier and mee thinkes so many good parts are hardly to be found in one man Capt. True it is and very rare in deede yet euery honorable souldier that resolueth to follow warres ought with all his endeuour to trie to attaine to all those good partes according to his capacitie and wit and although his abilitie be not able to attaine all yet vnto some some better then fewe fewe better then none at all the first to be honoured the next to be accepted the third to be reiected Thus may you see how many good partes are requisite to a perfect souldier not learned by hearesay nor gayned with ease but with care diligence industrie valour practise and continuance and most of all perfected with learning annexed with long exercise and vse Gent. Then I see you would haue a souldier to be learned withall which you seemed to dislike in our booke Captaine at the first Capt. You mistake me farre for I euer allow and honour the learned souldier for what famous Commaunders haue there yet bene vnlearned and without letters Themistocles Alcibiades Alexander Caesar Scipio with all the rout of the braue Romane Commaunders and as many braue men as euer were since were men learned and read Thus I rest for this time till a new day to beginne The end of the first Booke THE SECOND BOOKE OF WARRE DISCOVRSES AND MARTIAL DISCIPLINE The first Dialogue VVherein is declared the particular parts of sundrie Martiall Officers from the Caporall to the Captaine of Infanterie Gentleman CVrteous Captaine your yesterdayes Discourses haue giuen vs such content that we are now inflamed to know further herein Wherefore I beseech you to proceede with your Martiall matters describing vnto vs each office in particular whereunto my selfe and these other Gentlemen will giue our diligent attention Capt. The orders obserued by Antiquitie I let passe falling in few tearmes to our Moderne customes wherein you shall vnderstand that all Campes are framed of Men Weapons Munition and good Chieftaines wherein there is some difference in euery Nation but the course which herein I meane to follow shal be most after the Italian Spaniard who haue had the chiefe managing of warres in Europe these 50. or 60. yeares and with whom I haue most frequented and serued A Royall campe therefore being leuied and gathered the Prince with his Councell of warre appointeth a most sufficient Generall then a Campe-master generall a Captaine generall of the Cauallerie a Captaine generall of the Artillerie the Campe is deuided into sundry Tertios or Regiments ouer euery regiment a Campe-maister or Colonell the Campe-maister deuides his regimēt into companies ouer euery company a Captaine also euery Regiment hath his Sergeant Maior and ouer the whole armie a Sergeant Maior Generall Touching the number of a seuerall Company some thinke 100. some 150. sufficient but whether it be of 100.150.200.300 or more or a Regiment of such seuerall companies being fitted with Captaines and Officers of sufficiencie it importeth not much for some Captaines can better gouerne 300. then some others 150. Now the Captaine hauing his cōpany appointed which he is to direct gouern and cōmaund he chuseth his Lieutenant Ensigne Sergeant Drumme Phifes Cabos de squadra or Caporals and Cabos de camera Now for sundry often occasions offred in warre the which must be encountred with order policy gouernmēt of nūbers more or lesse it is necessary to deuide the cōpanies into Squadras as well pikes as shot conteyning each Squadron twentie fiue men and ouer each squadron a Cabo de squadra with which office I meane to beginne The Caporall his election and office Capt. When the Captaine electeth his Caporals he ought to do it with such consideration that amongst his souldiers one chosen to this office none should excell him in valour vertue experience and diligence yea and in age also to the end he might be respected with more loue and reuerence so that he deport him selfe among them as a father with his children his conditions being a patterne vnto them asswaging and ending their debates and quarrels reducing them vnto amitie with louing one another in such sort that they may all be of one will desire and ligue Let him learne perfectly euery souldiers name and to know the qualitie valour of euery one in particular be earnest with them to keepe their armor neat cleane and bright and often to practise the weapon they carrie he himselfe ensigning and teaching the Bisognios and rawe men for besides that it concerneth euery one in particular for his owne defence and thereby the better to know his valour and skill nothing doth more reioyce and glorifie a Campe then the glittering shew and shining of their armour He shall perswade them to goe neat and cleane in their apparell but with modestie and profite He shall reprehend them for swearing and lewd speeches and shall not permit them any prohibited games the which he must doe with such sagacitie and warie meanes that they result not against him and so reiect and contemne his reputation thereby loosing their loue and his former respect for the punishment remaineth not in his hands nor in any other inferiour Officer but it appertaineth to the Campe-maister or Lord high Marshall In presence of his superior Officers he is to obserue array order obedience as the rest of the souldiers doe but being with his Squadron alone in any skance trench Ambuscado or abroad at the watch or to such other effects he beareth at that time his Captains authoritie as being at watch or guard in any open place he is to enscance and fortifie as commodity and the place will permit to resist the attempt of the enemie being by them charged ordering and appointing all his companie to stand with their weapon readie bent still without rumor and resolute to defende And being at watch in the Corps de guard let him prouide fire cole and wood to make light as well by day as by night especially if his Squadron be shot to spare the ouer much wasting of match whereof he must see they be well prouided as also of powder and bullet and concerneth to him the distribution of the same amongst them Being appointed to ward or watch let him prouide to be first refreshed with victuals and his Camarada also then enter thereunto orderly from whence neither he nor any of his Squadron is to depart vpon paine of life vntill the Sergeant doe call and commaund him from the same In placing of the Sentinels there are so many aduertisements to be giuen as there are differences of situations and places and therefore it is to be remitted
to the discretion of the Scout-maister if there be any or vnto the care of the diligent Sergeant carefull Caporall or other such officer to set them in such sort and with such disposition of the ground and place and distance that they may before the enemy arriue giue aduisemēt in sufficient time to the Corps de guard wherby they may be readie with weapon readie bent And therefore in such places of suspect and daunger there ought to be placed souldiers of importance and care and men of best credit sith it concerneth the securitie of the Campe which remaineth quiet reposed and at rest trusting vnto the care and diligence of these Sentinels vnto the which an order is to be giuen how to behaue themselues in any alarmes presented giuing them the Word deliuered by the Sergeant And if the place be obscure and full of couert he shall set abroad certaine forlorne Sentinels without the Word single and if occasion require double a shot and a pyke to giue knowledge of the alarme This is sometimes done with a whistle or hysse for not to disturbe the campe without great neede or good occasion His principall care is to visite and reuisite them as well by day as by night making his Contraround with great care and diligence and to be readie at euerie call and neede He is to repart the victuals deliuered by the Sergeant for his Squadron with liberalitie and equalitie vnto euery Camarada without partialitie to any and shall procure that in their lodgings they accommodate themselues together as true companions and loyall friendes he himselfe being so vnto all both in deed and word for the better to keepe them at commaund and obedience the which doth most import to the well effecting of any act and so shall he accomplish what is encharged and commanded him as a prudent Officer Gent. Then is the word to be giuen to euery seuerall Sentinell sauing to the forlorne Sentinels as it appeareth by you or vnto the Caporals onely as I haue heard say Capt. Amongst the Spanish companies of their old Regiments where their souldiers be experimented trustie carefull it is so vsed but amongst new companies the Caporals onely haue the Word who are to be readie vpon euery call of the Sentinels to see the occasion and to take the Word the which is so done with great consideration for many inconueniences and disorders which rawe Bisognios will commit and therfore those Posts or Sentinels which had the word being relieued changed are presently by the Sergeant or Officer carried vnto the Corps de gard not suffred to depart thence vntill the watch be discharged Gent. In what order is he to take the word Capt. Being a shot he ought to haue his peece readie charged primed and to cocke his burning match and so to present his peece and being a pikeman to tertiar or charge his pike and no further off then that with so low a voice as they may vnderstand one another to demaund the Word as in the Sergeant Maiors office I will more at large declare Now euery Caporall or Cabo de esquadra deuides his Squadra into two equall partes naming eyther of them a Camarada contayning each twelue souldiers or any other number according to the proportion of his Squadra And ouer euery Camarada or such number of souldiers is there appointed a Cabo de Camara being the most sufficientest souldier of the saide Camarada The which Capos de Camara are assistents vnto the Caporall for the good direction and gouernement of his Squadron and are necessarie Officers for the speedie embattelling or changing of proportions of any number of men as hereafter shall be declared The Sergeant of a Band his election and office Capt. In the election of the Sergeant there is greater cōsideration to be had for that in him consisteth the principall parts of the obseruation of Military discipline And for that the execution of the superior officers orders and commands doe concerne his charge and dutie it importeth much that he be a skilfull and valiant souldier and well experimented in martiall matters and I say of so great importance that more tollerable it were all the other officers of the companie yea were it the Captaine himselfe to be rawe men and Bisognios with litle experience and skill and the Sergeant not so who of necessitie ought to be an expert souldier and of great spirit and diligence It is requisite that he be somewhat learned both to write and reade and to cypher whereby to keepe a roll or list of all the souldiers of his cōpany with their seuerall weapons and haue them in memory by names of the Camaradas and to know distinctly how many armed Corslets and vnarmed pikes with the short weapons what number of Shot Musket and Calliuer to set with diligence at an instant all his companie in order as occasion shall cause and the place require wherein he shall be And to the end that he doe it not confusedly let him drawe each sort of weapons by themselues wherby to set them in order with more consideration dispatch and ease placing the most expert souldiers and best armed in the front rereguard and flankes where greatest occasion shall require For it toucheth him to see that his companie be well ranked in equall distance and in good array with their armour and weapon fitted and vsed in their due nature the which he must doe with great forecast cheerefull speeches and courteous wordes binding them thereby to loue him to regarde him to respect him instructing the Drummes and Phifes their seuerall soundes as howe to sound a Call a Troupe a March swift or slowe an Alarme a Charge a Retreit c. Sundry orders are vsed in ranking and placing each sort of weapon in a single companie but the best obserued is this the Muskets first and Calliuers in foreward rereward equally deuided the Pykes in like sort with their armed corslets in front rereward and flankes contayning in the Center their Ensigne with their armed Halberds to be ranked by 3.5 or 7 as the Sergeant shall thinke good But to enter into skirmishes or to frame any Squadrons let him obserue the order appointed by his Sergeant Maior shewing himselfe diligent and readie therein in so doing he gayneth honour reputation and credite and doing the contrarie infamie dishonour and shame breeding cause of disorder and loosing of time It is his office to order and deuide the Squadrons assigning which shall be for the Corps de guard which for the walles which for the streetes of the quarter where they are lodged and which are to accompanie the Colours and he shall not suffer any souldier to come thither without his Armes fully furnished Hee is also to appoint which shall goe to the Scout-watch and those which shall worke in the Rāpier Trenches If any quarrels or brawles do arise amōgst the company
And not in musters and traynings to carie neither long-sword neither Halbard neither leading-staffe neither halfe-pike neither yet a page going before him for it is a Bisognios tricke ill beseeming a perfect Captaine If he be commaunded with his Company to the defence and guard of any place he is to repaire to rampiere to entrench and to fortifie himselfe therein with all speed care diligence and forecast and defend the same with resolute valour as diuerse valiant Captaines haue done both in time past and also in our age whose fame in histories is and euer will bee fresh in despight of enuie If the Armie be encamped and being commanded vnto any peece of seruice he must shew therein great valour vigilancie and care animating his souldiers and consulting with his officers and most experimented men of his Companie and after determination had to shew himselfe couragious and resolute But let him well beware that he attempt nothing inconsiderate and rash as manie ignorant men haue done to their owne and companies confusion For those that go without preuention preconsideration and forecast of such successes casualties as may befall do in the very action find thēselues puzzeled amazed and at their wits end with their ouerthrow in fine Therfore to auoid such inconueniences hazards let the Captaine be wel assured to obserue the orders instructions giuen him by the higher Cōmanders if manifest occasion be not seen that in obseruing the same great dammage may ensue or good occasion be lost It importeth him also much to be a good Oratour and to haue a sweet vaine in speech and all other Commanders and officers in like sort that haue people in charge to perswade moue or disswade their souldiers as occasions shall serue to perswade to good actions to disswade from bad factions to commend valour and vertue to reprehend faults and vices and things done without order and discipline to encourage moue and stirre vp mens minds to battels braue encounters and to induce men by good speeches to endure patiently and with constant hearts the toyles wants and discommodities which commonly are presented in casualties of warre wherby they arise not in mutinies nor into such other dissolutions by reason of impatiencie in semblable aduersities A point of great vertue it is in a Captain not to be ouer couetous and greedy but franke and liberall amongst his souldiers and followers succouring them to his best abilitie in their necessities needs procuring that they be orderly paid and not basely to wrong them in detaining deceiuing and robbing them of their payes as some bad Captaines haue bene wont to do who with litle honestie and lesse feare of God haue made a practise thereof such vnworthy Captaines the Lord Generall ought seuerely to punish Item such day as his Company hath the gard he must send his Sergeāt to take the Word from the Sergeant Maior or some other such personage who hath order for the same with the which Word he is to gouerne his watch and Sentinels for that night for therein consisteth the security of the Campe. In visiting the Sentinels Corps de gard he must vse great care diligence and see that his souldiers and officers do precisely performe what toucheth them therein according to the order he shall haue receiued from his superiour Commanders and cause that his Company be alwaies prouided with candles torches such other lights for the redresse of many casualties chācing in the night He shall obey the ordinances of the Sergeant Maior and other his superiour officers with great good will diligence respecting thē accompanying them the more to moue them to loue and affect him and shall procure to learne from thē the orders courses they shall take in prosecuting the warre for it is a great vertue to be curious to know that which toucheth his profession it importeth him much to vnderstand it perfectlie wherby he may find himselfe furnished with more considerations and more ready for matters cōmitted vnto him thereby to aduance himself in his Princes seruice and in credit and reputation to his owne person bearing with a magnanimous and equall mind as well his aduerse as his prosperous fortune a rare and principall vertue At marching vnto any place with his companie let him procure that they bee prouided of necessarie baggage but yet with such moderation that in no sort he suffer his souldiers to be pestered and cumbred but as light as may bee but with their armour weapon to the end that if occasion be offered to encounter with the enemie they may finde themselues more ready determinate to gaine booties from them then carefull to conserue their owne trash and baggage not permitting any souldier to haue any horse but some fewe and particular of his most expert men the which may serue in steede of light horses to discouer and take knowledge and to send aduises if need should require In his alodgements he shold most ordinarily lodge amongst or neere his souldiers giuing them examples with his vertues and good behauiour being companion with them in hardnes of liuing not procuring to himself dainties curious meats imitating herein Cato Vticensis and George Castriot Lord of Albania Hannibal Scipio Caesar and others In fine he shal entreat his souldiers with gentle words good works accounting them as his sonnes and children whereby they may loue him respect him as their father and being thus linked he shall enterprise no act wherein they will not follow him with great loue willingnesse and valour boldly aduenturing their liues for their common honour gaining to himselfe thereby great fame reputation with the Generall and the whole Armie therby binding his Prince to reward him according to his valour vertue and deserts Gent. You haue declared many good parts belonging to a Captaine I would that our Captaines were halfe so well furnished Capt. I would they had all these good parts and manie more if more might be then should we haue lesse cause to make reckening of our enemies The end of the second Booke THE THIRD BOOKE OF WARRE DISCOVRSES AND MARTIAL DISCIPLINE The first Dialogue VVherein is declared the order of a Romane Legion with their deuisions and the manner of the Grecians Phalanx also a forme of trayning to be practised and vsed amongst vs with the vse and handling of each weapon in their kinde and other militarie points Gentleman FRiendly Captaine your yesterdayes Discourses haue so delighted contented and enflamed both my selfe and these other Gentlemen that we must needs entreat you to proceed and to speake somewhat of the higher Officers of the field wherefore I pray satisfie vs herein Capt. Gentlemen I would those parts of skill were in me to answere your requestes and to satisfie your expectations Neuerthelesse seeing you are so well bent and inclined to the vnderstanding of Militarie courses I will to my
gard to their watch reseruing many other particular matters vntil I come to treat of the office of the Sergeant Maior where many Militarie points shall be at large discoursed You must note that euery single company marching training alone their pikes are first ranked by 3 4 5 6 or 7 or more in a rancke according to their number the number of euen or od in ranke importeth nothing as I sayd before hauing their ensigne and halbards contained within the center or middle ranke of their pikes Then the shot is to be ranked altogether with the like number of men in a ranke and then to cut them off or deuide them at the middle ranke leading the one halfe of them vnto the forefront of the pikes and there to place them in euen files with the pikes and the other halfe is to be brought vnto the traine of the pikes and there filed in like maner alwayes regarding to place the muskets of the first halfe of your shot in the formost rankes and those of the other halfe in the hindermost ranke Now thus marching on and comming to the place of Corps de gard the shot of the vantgard are to make Alto or stand then the pikes to march vp by them and the first ranke of pikes comming vnto the formost ranke of the shot to make Alto also and then the pikes to double their rankes as before is declared to bring themselues into squadron euen ranke for ranke with the shot This being done then the other shot of the rereward is to march vp vpō the other hand of the pikes ranke for ranke with the said square of pikes and so is your squadron or battallion formed as by these figures following may appeare where I suppose one or two companies together in march containing in all 100 pikes and halberds 100 shot they march on 5 per ranke the shot of the vantgard makes their stand then do the pikes march vp by them comming vnto their formost ranke of the shot do stand also and there double their rankes so are they 10 rankes and ten files lastly commeth vp the shot of the arereward garnisheth the other flanke euen ranke with ranke and so is the squadron framed and garnished with shot Thus me thinks that I haue sufficiently intreated of this order of training as for other sortes of imbattailing we will hereafter speake of as occasion shall be offered THE SECOND DIALOGVE VVherein is declared of quadrat battels both of men and ground opinions tocuhing the mingling of short weapons with the pikes and lyning of battells with the same confuted the framing of battels of pikes in three sorts the placing of shot about the batell with the places of the horse and artillery Gentleman TThen I pray passe to your other officers of warre Capt. There be many petie officers vsed amongst vs as Clarke of the band Drummer Forrage maister Scout maister Trench maister Quarter maister Caporals of the field such like of whom I will speake particularly nothing but including them vnder the charge of other superior officers of the which I will begin with the duty of a Sergeant Maior whose office is of such importance care industry and skill especially in day of battell that I must be constrained before I enter into the parts of his office to describe the orders of fights and battels most vsed in these our moderne wars as a thing most pertinent vnto the aforesaid officer touching the sundry formes of battels vsed by antiquity wherein in mine opinion the Romaines did most excell I will speake at this instant litle more then what is sayd before considering that ages times occurrents inuentions and customes haue altred and dayly doth what antiquity thought best and best assured The formes of battels in our time are not many yet euery man almost hath a seuerall opinion thereof but common reason and experience hath made most men confesse and agree that of all formes the square battell be it either of square of men or square of ground is the most assured most strong and most apt to bee reduced into any other forme Gent. What meane you by this word Battell Cap. By the word Battell I vnderstand in this place a whole vnited body of souldiers well disciplined all armed with pikes to fight in day of battell an act of armes with good hope of victory the which for more security hath the front the traine and the two flankes of complet corslets to the end that being assayled or charged they may make the face or front of any or euery side or part and valiantly receiue the charge and may also charge and breake the enemy and attaine the victory Now in this body I vnderstand neither the shot nor cauallery the which are to haue an other order to another end Gent. Are these battels framed in one sort onely or in more or in many or in how many or what maner I pray are they made Capt Your curious demand deserueth answer I tolde you before that many sorts of battels haue beene framed by valiant and expert Captaines but the best approued and most vsed now is the square battell be it either of men or ground Gent. I would gladly know the reason why they make their battels square and what is meant by square of men and square of ground Capt. Battels are made square so vsed for that they are apt to frame the Front of euery side or part which could not be if they were Triangles or of any other forme vsed by antiquitie And it doth much import that the Front be gaillard and strong for the front once broken the battell stands in hazard And againe to serrie or close Pouldron to Pouldron the square forme is best for that they close equallie together strengthen the front to the victorie And this shall suffice touching the Quadrat Now concerning the difference of square of men and square of ground I say that the square of men is when there be so many men in front as in flanke or so many in length as in breadth and this sort of battell commeth to bee in ground two times and one third more long then broade and a Quadrat of ground will bee of men two times and one third more broade then long Gent. In how many maners may these square battels be made Capt. Were the Companies all of pikes with corslets complet and not mixt with bare pikes which is not lightly to bee found the framing of any of these sorts of battels would be very ready and easie and might be soone brought into any proportion without confusion the which being of pikes armed and vnarmed will require more care labour and paines to the framing thereof Now therefore I say in three sorts or maners most auaileable and most commodiously are battels framed in these dayes consisting of armed and vnarmed pikes 1 The first manner is when an army doth march with the
a battell ioyne with a battell of foote the shot cannot play vntill the rankes of pikes before them are broken which cannot be but that their owne men and their enemy shall be mingled pell mell one among another Then tell me by reason how those shot can serue that are the lining but they must needes kill as well their owne men as their enemy being thus mingled at all aduentures And if this be the end of their seruice as indeede it is by a forced necessity to kill without choise then must it needes follow that they are rather hurtfull then seruiceable in that place farre better therefore pikes in their romes And now for your lining with bowes a combersome tying weapon in a throng of men it must needes bee concluded by reason that where calliuers which are no tying weapons are yet vnprofitable in that place how can bowes to which it requireth such elbow rome and are so troublesome be any wayes in that sort commodious or to be allowed Gen. Your reasons and conclusions haue wonderfull well liked vs wherefore now I pray returne againe to your framing of battels of pikes only without short weapons Capt. I told you before that battels are made most auaileably and most commodiously in three maner of wayes shewing you euery seuerall order and that when time shoulde permit I would frame tables for the easie ordering of each Gent. But shall your tables serue for the framing of one whole bodie of a battell or for more Capt. These tables shall serue to make either one two or three battels of an army or so many as shall be requisite and needefull either to offend the enemy or to defend and also according to the situation of the ground and shall serue only to haue in a readinesse and memory all that which a battell well ordered would require according to the ground where it shall be so that there shall neede no more but to commaund the men to be marshalled into the order that shall bee appointed to the framing of the battell according to the situation of the ground But first I will set you downe orderly a table of proportionall numbers in such proportion as one would make the breadth of the battell to haue vnto the length and so many will set downe of proportionall numbers as shall suffice to make euery sort of battell that may be more large then long or equall as hereafter shall appeare And now of proportionall numbers I will begin to speake of those which be in proportion of equality as 1 to 1 2 to 2 3 to 3 4 to 4 and 5 to 5 and 6 to 6 and so of more prouided they bee of equall comparison the one to the other But yet to frame a battell those shall be taken which be in least proportion as 1 to 1 and those numbers which are of equall comparison as 1 to 1 doe serue onely to make the battell quadrat of number of men that is so many men in breadth as in depth of the battell But when you will make a battell that may be of more men in breadth then in depth then shall you take the numbers which be in proportion of inequality so much as you wold haue the battell to be of more men in breadth then in depth as 3 to 2 or 5 to 3 or 7 to 4 and such like as shall be found in these tables following of numbers compared the one to the other in inequality beginning with those of the least proportion A table of proportions of so much as you would haue the battell to containe in breadth of number of men vnto the length Proportion of Equalitie As 1 to 1 that is the battell to containe so many men in breadth as in length Proportions of Inequalitie That is the battell to be more broade then long or more in front then in flanke As 2 to 1 that is the battell twice so broade as long 3 to 1 that is three times so broade as long 4 to 1 that is foure times so broade as long 5 to 1 that is fiue times so broade as long 6 to 1 that is sixe times so broade as long To bring these fractions into whole numbers of proportion you must worke thus Multiply the whole number by the denominator of the fraction and adding thereunto the numerator of the said fraction the proportiō is found as for example to haue the battell to containe two times and a third more broade then long I seeke in the table 2 ⅓ whereof the whole number is 2 and the fraction is ⅓ Now multiply the whole number 2 by the fractions denominator 3 and it maketh 6 whereunto ad the fractions numerator which is 1 and it amounteth 7 so is 2 ⅓ in proportion as 7 is to 3 and so must you worke any the like numbers In all these aforesayd proportions to make the battels of proportion of equality that is as broade as it is deepe or of inequality which is more in breadth then in depth both these wayes is to bee vnderstood of men and not of ground for of the proportions of ground I will speake hereafter Gent. Me thinks I vnderstand touching the proportions of equality and inequality that is so broade as deepe or more in breadth then in depth vnderstanding of men both of the one manner and the other but I would gladly Captaine that you would shew it vs by example for so we shall the better conceiue of the matter Capt. I will most willingly Therefore to begin I will set downe to make a square battell of number of men that is so many men in front as in flanke And let our whole number be 5000 men of armed pikes and single pikes one with another Now to frame this quadrat battell you shall take in the aforesaid tables the numbers of proportions of equality which are as 1 to 1. Then must you set downe your rule in this sort Setting downe first the proportion of equality for the first and second number and the number of men for the third number thus 1 prime 1 second 5000 third This being done multiplie the 3 number which is 5000 the number of men by 1 the second number and it maketh still 5000 for 1 doth neither multiplie nor deuide then deuide the said first multiplied number 5000 by 1 the first number and it maketh yet 5000. Now out of that 5000 you shall take the quadrat roote which is 70. So 70 rankes of men shall your battell containe both in breadth and length and there will remaine 100 men For 70 multiplied into itselfe resulteth 4900 the which deducted out of 5000 there resteth 100 men the which 100 men deuide by 70 so will there arise one more ranke of men and yet will there remaine 30 men ouer the which one ranke shall be ioyned vnto the 70 rankes aforesayd so are they 71 in breadth and 70 in length but to the end you may
would haue the Sergeant Maior to be skilled and seene although the conduction of our warres now a dayes doth consist more in surprises assaults and batteries then open field fight and although the best now in vse are but two or three viz. the first square of men and the square of ground and their diuision into battallions of that kind according to the weapons wherewithall we now fight Gent. Which of these do you hold for most assured and strong Capt. I hold them all for sufficient strong but the difference which may happen is to be iudged according to the situation and disposition of the ground and occasions to fight and by the order that the campe shall obserue For in some occasions the square of men would be best as in open field without aduantage of hedge ditch water marish or wood or where the enemie is strong in horse to charge on euerie side the which iust square of men in euerie part is found to be equally strong and apt euery way to receiue the charge the which could not be so were the battell ouerlong afront narrow in flank as is the bastard broad or base square but yet in other occasions where these aduantages are to be found it were better to fight in broad front for that thereby many hands do come to fight at once together in the vantguard and with more difficultie to be compassed by the enemie hauing any of the aduantages before spoken of to friend but most cōmonly if necessitie occasion or situation do not constraine otherwise the quadrat of ground is best and most vsed as best proportioned with equall strength in vantguard and reareward especially against footemen and also flanked sufficiently strong and which of all other doth occupie least quantitie of ground Gent. What meane you by Bastard square Broad square and Base square Capt. The Bastard square is the battell which conteineth almost twise so many men in front as in flanke in proportion as 1 ¾ is to 1 the Broad square is the battell which conteineth more or as much as twise so many men in front as in flank as is 2 to 1 or 2 ⅓ which is as 7 to 3 and the Base square is the battell which containeth almost thrise or 3 times more in breadth then in depth which proportion is as 8 to 2 or 3 to 1 or such other proportions of inequalitie as fol. 51. Gent. You haue before declared at large the maner how to frame all these sorts of battels therfore it is needelesse to demaund it againe whereby I perceiue how necessary it is for the Sergeant Maior to be both learned and skilfull in Arithmeticke but doth it import any thing whether the ranks be of euē number or odde Capt. No truly but a custome vsed amongst vs without any ground for battels are to be set according to the number of men and the same to be framed as the situation of the ground will permit therfore the number of Par or Impar doth litle import to the strengthening of the battell but the due proportioning thereof according to the quantitie of your men to be accommodated to the ground or situation and aboue all the braue conduction of the Commaunders and the resolute valour of the souldiers is the strength and firmenesse of the battell Gent. What order is to be taken in setting of battels with speede and facilitie that the confusion of the souldiers disturbe not the same especially where men be vnruly euery one thrusting himselfe into the first rankes of the foreward in such disorder many times that neither the Sergeant Maior nor Colonels themselues shall be able to frame a battell in good sort Capt. The care to redresse this inconuenience toucheth the Sergeant Maior and therefore he ought to giue aduise and warning vnto euery companie before they come to this point that they beware of such confusion disorder and disobedience notifying vnto them that the Ensigne or Ensignes which were of the ward that day should frame the first rankes of the vantgard and the Ensignes or Companies that had the ward last before should successiuely follow and those which were afterward to haue the ward to succeede them againe and then next such as first were gathered to the squadrons Moreouer giuing aduisement to the officers that they suffer none of the souldiers of their bande to come without their armour by peece-meale and vnfurnisht for by such faults although that by the aforesaid reasons the vantguard appertaineth vnto them yet they loose their preheminence for comming so ill armed and iustly may others better armed be placed in their roomes Gent. And if perhappes vpon the Alarme giuen as commonly it falleth out all the Companies in Armes doe ioyne and gather together vnto the Corps de guarde or place of assemblie in such a case what is the Sergeant Maior to do Capt. He shall frame together that confused and disordered body placing the Captaines before and shall draw his battell from out one of the flankes or out of the rereward as he shall finde it most commodious the which he shall doe with great facilitie and thereby shall defraude those that were cause of such confusion and it shall serue vnto two good effectes the one he shall frame his battell with speede and the other he shall by this meanes chasten the vnruly and disobedient by leauing them in the rereward who seeing this order taken by the Sergeant Maior will euer afterwardes be more obedient and tractable to be set in order Gent. But the battell or squadron of pikes being set in what order is the same garnished with shot and how many and great shall the sleeues thereof be and how farre distant placed from the pikes for I haue heard different opinions therein whereof although you haue sayd somwhat already yet I pray let vs heare something more of the same Capt. No souldier is ignorant that the squadron of pikes being set is to be impaled or girdled with shot as many rankes of shot as pikes But the due and naturall girdling indeede ought to be no more shot in ranke then that the pike may well couer and defend especially where the enemie doth abound in Cauallerie And so vnder the defence and fauour of the pike there cannot conueniently stand aboue one ranke of three shot at the most and so many in mine opinion should the girdling conteine the which girdling shot kneeling vpon one knee vnder the couert of the couched pikes should at the charging of the horsemen discharge their vollie in their face and bosome which would bee no small galling vnto them But when this daunger of horse is not to be feared then the impalement may be made of more shot in a ranke at the discretion of the Sergeant Maior according to the quantitie of shot contained in his companies and the rest of the shot to be deuided into sundry small troupes as I sayd before
moores meddowes fields open or enclosed forests woods thickets or whether the countrey be stony plaine field or ditched and all difference of situations of grounds as well of the hils and high mountaines as of the plaine and champain to the end that he may consider foresee preuent and prepare for euery place where the enemy may annoy him For many times one regiment is to march alone and then doth it touch the Sergeant Maior to haue the care and speculation hereof as it doth the Campe-Maister Generall when the whole army marcheth for that it befall him not as it did vnto the Romaines in the Furcas Caudinas and vnto many other through the like misregard And for more security hereof they are to procure faithful and trusty guides and skilful way leaders to the end not to be beguiled and abused as Hannibal was when he warred in Italy against the Romaines who willing to leade his army vnto Cassinum was led and guided vnto Casilinum to be put into the hands of Quintus Fabius Maximus Generall of the Romaines his enemies Now the order being knowne and the way reknowledged and the houre of remouing at hand he is to commaunde the drumme maior to sound the call Recoia or assembling and euery Captaine of infantery to cause their baggage to be trussed vp and laden and shall straight wayes draw foorth his ensignes out of their quarter into the place of armes and there shall frame his battell or squadron reparting their Captaines into such places as concerneth them that day and shall dispose and appoint the Sergeants of ordinary bandes in such sort that euery one may know what part he hath to gouerne and set in order And for as much as it is seldome seene that the wayes fieldes and passages be so large that the whole battell may march all in front he is to frame his ordinances arraies or Maniples no greater then that the same may march commodiously and at ease thorough the same the order whereof I haue at large declared in folio 62 67 68 and 92 alwayes prouided that he quarter or deuide not his battell if the passage will so permit into no lesse then the third part of the front thereof as thus if the front be of 27 pikes the Maniples or ordinance shall be of 9 and if 21 in front then the deuision or quartering shall be of 7 in front and so of other numbers for he is to conduct his companies so well disciplined and ordered that occasion being offered hee may with speede and readinesse frame and set his battell or battallions reparting the Captaines and officers in places most conuenient as before is sayd Gent. But tell vs how is he to repart them and who shall go in the vantgard which in the battell and who in the reareward and in what part shall the Colours be placed that this readinesse and quicke dispatch might be performed in setting the battell as you speake of Capt. The order I haue partly spoken of before but to giue you content I will repeate it againe therefore me thinkes that the order to be obserued therein is thus That the shot of the forlorne hope and the shot of the right flanke being deuided into many small troupes as I said should march before then next the girdling shot of the said right side after them should follow the ordinances and Maniples of pikes in such sort order as before is declared to the end that the ensignes go not crossed either in one sort or other he is to place them alone after another within so many rankes of pikes so that when soeuer he brings his Maniples vp together pouldron to pouldron to the framing of his battell they may still remaine in their conuenient places which is in the center Then after the pikes shall follow the girdling shot of the left flanke and last of all in the reareward shall follow the troupes of shot belonging to the left flanke and reareward and hauing passed the straight and the squadron formed then may they repaire each girdling shot and troupes to their due and conuenient roomes as before of which orders of Maniples and quartering of battels I haue before declared at large Gent. Is there any meaning or misterie in marching the left or right side shot before in the vantgard Capt. None truly that I know of more then that in all our actions we ought to incline what we can vnto perfection and as the right hand is the more perfect and noble from thence it is reason that wee begin to frame our battels and in that place also to begin to disseuer them Gent. The munition and baggage belonging to the Companies where are they to goe to cause least hinderance and to passe in most security Capt. The consideration that is to bee had when an army doth march is that if the enemy be knowne to be on head the vantgard vpon the way you are to passe then let the munition and baggage be placed in the reareward and per contra if the enemy be found to be in the reareward then passe your baggage to the forward and if on the right side then conuay it to the left and if on the left side then transport it vnto the right with the like consideration and in this sort shall the campe be alwayes a wall and defence vnto the munition and baggage And if in marching the enemy do offer to fight the munition by this meanes shall be no let or hinderance at all And besides all this there ought to be sent abroade certaine Hargulutiers or light horse to scoute before the munition and carriage to preuent the suddain incursions of the enemies stragling horse The same order ought also to be obserued in the marching of one regiment alone But in case that there were no enemy and they might march through places plaine safe and secure the munition and cariage ought alwayes to passe in the foreward with a sufficiēt gard of pikes shot and short weapons that for good respect because it is very commodious for the souldiers that when they come well wearied to their quarter they may find their tents ready pitched and many times their forrage prouided and not to stay attending and expecting the same comming many times wet dirtie ouer tired and halfe dead with hunger and again if by hap any of the cariages do fal the owners of the baggage may help to redresse wherby to saue their baggage and furniture which could not be done if it marched in the reareward Gent. But if it should happen that in none of these sayd parts the baggage might march in safety as in Barbarie or other Champaine countrey where the enemies number consisteth most of horse we not hauing sufficient numbers to answer them what is then to be done where the enemy may charge on euery side Cap. Then in the center of the battell or betwixt the squadrons with
opening of the same and the souldiers alwayes to betake them to their armes not suffering anie to carrie cloake mantle or such like thing to trouble them at that instant and that there first passe foorth at the wicket which serueth for that purpose fiue or sixe souldiers who shall discouer take knowledge and viewe seuentie or eightie pases out abroad into the fields and finding all things safe and secure the gates shall be opened first suffering the in-people to passe foorth and that not by throngs as commonly is vsed but by litle and litle orderly especially if there be cariages cartes or baggage and vntill all those be passed out he shall suffer none to enter in neither permit them to approch nigh vnto the gates And the issuing out of the people being ended with the like regard and order ought the out-people to enter alwayes hauing in the Corps de guard of the gate both by day and night two Sentinels one at the weapons and the other in the field and that euerie one of these should haue a Spontone or a long sharpe iron to the end that when any waine wagon or cart laden with hay or such like doe passe by he may therewith thrust the same thorough to know if there be any deceipt therein hidden For a Garrison may easily be deceiued by such guiles and stratagemes Like as Caesar de Napolie did attempt at Turine although he effected it not being preuented by the aduise and diligence of a Smith an inhabiter of that place He is to cause wood to be prouided for all the guardes although that cold weather constraine it not for that to light their matches it is alwayes needfull to haue fire And that in the Corps de guard there be place commodious to hang vp their Corslets and to accommodate their peeces in good order seeing not onely that it is necessarie that the souldiers may with speede and readinesse betake them to their Armes if in case the Alarme be striken but also to auoyd all confusion and also for the adorning of the Corps de guard And when the Ensignes or companies shall enter for guard or watch into the place the Sergeant Maior is to be present and he ought not to suffer then anie gaming Tables but the souldiers to receiue in their Colours with great respect and reuerence sith they represent the authoritie Royall and in doing the contrarie it repugneth all good Militarie discipline And he is to keepe a good account and reckening with the souldiers that serue in euerie Companie according to the muster that they made whereof he is to haue fede and certificate from the Pay-maister or Treasurer and knowing thereby that they bring to the guard and watch much lesser number of people then they receiue pay for he ought to take a reckening of the officers of the Companies and for being carelesse herein manie souldiers do serue manie times but badly And he ought not to suffer that in their entring in or going out from the watch there want anie peece of their Corslets or Morian to the shot neither that they serue with rustie armour nor of the antique fashion neither that anie Pike do want his head cheekes or arming for that in hauing them it doth not onely beautifie the squadron but it maketh it to seeme more then it is which is a circumstance of great importance sith all the apparitions which may yeeld terror to the enemie are to be esteemed and much accounted of Gent. In what order do the Ensignes enter into the place Capt. Vnto the Corps de guard the shot goeth alwayes in the Vantgard and there arriuing do open making a lane or streete betwixt the which the Pikes do enter and march in their Arrayes and in mine opinion they should not carrie them aduanced vp as I haue many times seene vsed but they should passe in betwixt the shot with their pikes on their shoulders marching as they come and at their ariuing vnto the head of the shot where the Captaine standeth without opening or disaraying and then aduance their pikes abiding in their rankes and so from hand to hand each ranke to do the like and then the shot at that arriuing and rearing of their pikes shall draw neare and empale the first rankes on each side and so consequently the rest vnto the end of this order in such sort that the squadron may remaine formed and garnished And if by chance two companies do come at once into the place as many times it chanceth then ought they ioyntly to forme the squadron with their shot on each flanke and the corslets not to breake their arrayes aduertising that alwayes the ensignes be in the center thereof Gent. And the companies which stand at the ward what are they to do when the others do enter Capt. They must attend ready armed and armes in hand standing vpon one side of the Corps de guard vntill that those companies which do enter haue finished their squadron and then do they march in order towards their lodging accompanying first their Coulours home And the Sergeant Maior is to bee carefull to visite euery day the Corps de guards whereby he shall cause that neither the souldiers nor officers do absent themselues from their watch and that there be no brawles nor brables therein And it doth import much that hee doe the like in the Roundes and counter Roundes And if any should dismeanor himselfe breeding question or braule either in word or deede he is seuerely to be punished for the great inconueniences that may ensue thereupon being so many men together with weapon in hand And he is to prouide that the Roundes and counter Roundes be of more or lesse men or more or lesse continued according as neede shall require but they neuer should returne to their Colours from whence they departed vntill they haue furnished their quarter the which they ought to bestow and spend in giuing turnes about the wals veiwing the vigilance and carefulnesse of the Sentinels and the like ought those to doe which doe goe their Roundes in the towne Gent. When the Roundes and counter Roundes do meete as well in the campe as in a Castle who is to giue the Word one to the other first Capt. The counter Roundes are most commonly of officers and therefore by reason and dutie the Round is to giue place and to giue the Word first vnto the counter Round But for as much as Captaines themselues do vse to round in the ordenary quarters it is conuenient to the end that none may iustly be agrieued and to disbarre all oddes and inconueniences that the Sergeant Maior as a person vnto whose charge and office is the disposing and appointing of the guards Roundes and counter Roundes do giue order vnto the companies in what manner they are to behaue themselues in this particular point which shall be that
alwayes the Round to giue place and giue the Word vnto the counter Round and thence foorth shall appoint the counter Roundes to be of officers of the companies as is accustomed And in case that in the one and the other there be officers or that both be of souldiers it is great reason that the Round do yeelde and giue the Word first for that the counter Rounds be of more preheminence the which are not only ordained to do the same which do the Roundes which is to see vnto the care and vigilancie of the guardes and Sentinels but they are also ordained to see if the Roundes do faile in their duties But this is to be vnderstood in case that the supra Roundes be as ordenary as the Roundes for that when the Colonell or Gouernour of the fort or the Sergeant Maior doe extraordinarily visite and Round as they are wont to doe then is it their part to giue the Word vnto the Round the which being not aduertised that they be any supra Round he is bound to giue the Word vnto none but only vnto the Sentinell and all those which he shall meete he ought to view and take account of them of that which they doe and whither they go apprehending such as he shall find faulty or any other suspected person that he shall fortune to meete And if by chaunce there passe any body by night out of the fort or garrison as commonly it happeneth it is needefull to aduertise the Sergeant Maior thereof who should thereupon take order to change the Word which the watch had for the inconuenience that might happen for not doing the same Gent. And the guardes by day may they retire without farther order Capt. No truly vntill the Sergeant Maior or his Coadiutor do come to withdraw them in such manner as they were set placing the guardes that are to remaine there by day And for as much as I haue spoken very much touching this officer I will conclude with saying that he ought to visite and reuisite at diuerse and different houres all things that he hath prouided after their well ordering and see how they be performed reprehending and punishing what he shall find worthy punishment But he ought to do this in good and curteous sort and sober manner knowing how to commaund with sweete and gentle words hauing a naturall grace thereunto and grauity whereby to be obeyed in such sort that when hee would determine to execute his desseignes and his superiours charges and commandes all the souldiers and officers might beare him that due respect and obedience which should bee needefull to bring the same to effect Finally let the Sergeant Maior be very carefull to prouide good drummers and men skilfull in their art especially their Drumme Maiors for the drumme is the voice of the commander in the field and besides their skill with the drumme to be men of good capacity and iudgement also to speake sundry languages being behouefull for many important occasions wherein they are to be emploied Gent. Captaine you haue throughly discoursed touching the office of a Sergeant Maior whereby is to be vnderstood how many great and good parts ought to be in the personage called to this martiall function Now I pray tell what degree of office commeth next THE FIRST DIALOGVE VVherein is declared the Election Office parts and duties of a Camp maister or Colonell and from whence these names Colonell and Camp-maister did spring with some discourse touching the nature of the Spaniardes The Camp-maister or Colonell his Election and Office Gentlemen THe next officer in superiour degree is the Camp-maister or Colonell The election of this officer is made by the Prince with the aduise of his Councell of state and warre His office is to be Commaunder and Chiefteine ouer the Captaines and all the other officers of his Tertio or Regiment hauing iurisdiction dominion ouer them all Whereby may be inferred and gathered the partes and qualities which ought to be in him and the great skill and experience in warre as one who ought to exceede them all for to know how to commaunde rule and gouerne them with authoritie prudence and valour And for as much as in many occurrants and occasions growing and presented in warres he ought to know how to performe the parts and office of a Lord high Generall being alone with the companies of his owne Regiment as when his Generall commaundeth him to the batterie or siege of any fort or Citie or to defend any towne or fortresse or to warre in open Campania to giue battell to the enemie to make incursions to retire and withdraw skirmishers to frame bridges ouer riuers to fortifie himselfe in campe to conduct artillerie and many other peeces of seruice to be performed with a band of three or foure thousand men whereof there are many rare examples extant of many braue Colonels who haue shewed themselues singular herein both English French and Spanish in our late and moderne warres brauely behauing themselues as did Lucius Martius a Romane Knight when hee gathered together the relictes of the defeated armies of the two Scipios hauing had those their two Consuls slaine by Asdruball the Carthagian in a campall battell Therefore I say for as much as by that which is already spoken may be vnderstood that he which is a Campe-maister should be endued and graced with the like good partes and skill for to conduct fight and gouerne well as a Captaine Generall I will leaue to recite now vntill I come to declare the partes and qualities due to be found in a High Generall of an armie Royall and from thence shall be considered what concerneth this officer and so will I at this present speake onely of such things as hee ought to prouide for the good conduction and gouernement of the companies of his Regiment In the time of the Emperour Charles the fift Frauncis the French king and Henrie the eight king of England those were intituled Colonels or as some will Coronels which the Spaniardes do call Maesters de Campo being yet called Colonels by the Italians the French the Germaines and by vs Englishmen so called by the Spaniardes Maestres de Campo for hauing quited and depriued them the preheminence which they had to elect Captaines and Sergeant Maiors the Lord high Generals reseruing the same vnto themselues leauing vnto them no more but the commaunde and authoritie in the administration of iustice and in the effectes of warre For commonly the Captainries are appointed by the Prince or Generall the Colonell electing vnto himselfe a most sufficient Lieutenant and Alferes a Sergeant and Caporals all men of due sufficiencie to the ende that his Captaines may imitate him therein for that that it importeth much to haue good and skilfull officers sith from them doth grow the obseruing of good orders and vnto the armie the due vse and exercise of armes with the perfection of
against foote shot if they be not friended with hedge ditch or some such place of aduantage in their middle troupes is the Guidon placed Finally the Hargulutiers Carbines or Hargubuziers on horsebacke not armed at all or else with light arming and they haue a good Hargubuze or a Petranell or horsemans peece as some call it with a good short sword and dagger well girt vnto him mounted vpon a pretie light horse such as be our Northerne nagges befitted with a saddle bridle and furniture correspondent with a necessarie flaske and touch-boxe for his peece and a purse at his girdle with bullets and his other necessaries These and the other shot on horsebacke do serue principally for great Caualgadas they serue to watch to ward to discouer to scoute to forrage to skirmish for Ambuscados for gaining of a straight hilles and ground of aduantage to be put for a forlorne Sentinell to discouer the enemies proceedings to spoyle forrages and to assaile troupes at their lodgings either in villages straights or fields and if occasion serue they may alight and serue on foote either to assaile a straight to surprise a barrier to performe an Ambuscado and in such points of sudden seruice doe the dutie of foote shot wherein they may do many good peeces of seruice to the enemies annoyance who if the enemy bring shot to displace them they may dislodge if they find the party vnequall and betake them to their horse And in good conductions they are alwayes seconded with armed Pistols or Lances for they are not lightly turned out to any peece of seruice vpon armed men without being accompanied with Lances or cuyrats on horsebacke I meane armed petranels or pistoliers They ought to bee very nimble both to mount on horsebacke and to dismount to manage their horse euery manner of way to be very ready and quicke with their peece discharging on euery part as cause shall require inuring their horse both to the crack and fire and learne to performe three actes at one instant his bridle hand his peece and his spurres wherein consisteth fine skill with viuacitie of spirite attained by often vse and practise For they are the forlorne skirmishers on horsebacke who hauing performed their dutie doe retire behind their Lanciers and armed pistols And it is not inough to know how to ride a horse well and vnpractised in his peece neither is it inough to bee skilfull in his peece and ignorant in his horse but the one must bee coupled with the other to make a perfect Hargulutier For the fierie weapons being in hands of vnexpert men either on horsebacke or foot is of all other the most daungerous to themselues and being in the hands of perfect souldiers is a weapon of most execution and aduantage To conclude all these aforesaid mounted people ought to be seene haue some skill in diseases of horses and to know remedies for the same and if neede require to set a shoe also All their baggage doth passe with the munition and baggage of the campe Gent. How are these troupes sorted Capt. The discipline now vsed doth require vnto euery fiue hundred Lances and armed Cuyrats one hundred or one hundred and fiftie of these aforesayd light horse Gent. What course doth this Generall of the horse take with his troupes in field campe or garrison Capt. First he taketh a roll of the bands committed to his charge euen as doth a Colonell of Infanterie with his with the names of their Captaines viewing well their mounting and arming to see it be sufficient and his seuerall sortes of horsemen disposed in seuerall troupes as I sayd before in the morning when the trumpet soundeth to make ready the horse hee shall repaire to the Lord Generals tent to know his pleasure the which being knowne he bringeth forth the Generals Ensigne or standard whereunto his Captaines doe repaire with their companies in a readinesse whom he ranketh in good troupes each sort by them selues with their Cornets and Guidons in middest of their troupes And as occasion shall be offered to send them abroad he shall appoint such as shall watch scoute and discouer and others to relieue them againe committing them to the Scout-maister When the Camp-maister Generall goeth to view the ground to encampe vpon the Generall of the horse sendeth sufficient troupes to attend vpon him When the armie entreth into the campe he shall with all his Cauallerie remaine mounted in the field vntill the Infanterie be all encamped then to enter orderly with his horse troupes and repaire vnto their allodgements vsing therein indifferencie to each band in their kinde giuing order vnto his Scoutes that they come not out of the field vntill the trumpets sound to the watch at night and Corps de guardes set and Sentinels brought forth of the campe and placed at their postes He must appoint horses to attend on the Forragers to guard and defend them till they returne with their forrage He must also appoint a conuenient conuoy of horse to guard the victuallers of the campe as well from the enemy as from vnruly souldiers In the order of his skirmishes encounters and charges he must giue order one troupe to second another that if the first bee repulsed being well seconded they may haue time to regather themselues into order againe sparing his armed mē frō such skirmishes his Lāciers what he may reseruing them to encounter with their equals or breake vpon the enemies battell as occasion is offered but alwayes hauing a carefull regard that his bands charge not too neare the front of their owne foote squadrons for feare of inconuenience that might ensue as it fell out at the ouerthrow of Gibleio but rather espying what aduantage he may to charge the enemy in flanke or in rereward For it is a great point of a man of warre to finde the occasion and to take it when it comes Gent. But hath he the chiefe ordering of the squadrons of horse in battell in march and in allodgement Capt. No not the chiefe in those points for that belongeth to the Lord high Marshall or Camp-maister Generall whose office is herein as the Sergeant Maior Generall with foote companies The Campe-maister Generall or high Marshall his Election charge and office THE FIRST DIALOGVE VVherein is set foorth the parts to be expected in a Lord high Marshall his authoritie in an Army and in the administration of iustice both ciuill and criminall what officers attend vpon him with certaine Martiall orders and lawes c. Captaine THe office of the Campe-maister Generall or Lord high Marshall the Prince with great consideration and aduise doth encharge vpon a personage of great prudence and industrie and of great experience and skill in martiall causes for that the administration of iustice both ciuill and criminall belongeth vnto his charge and also the encamping of the Army and the fortifying
in the tauerns and victualing houses in the butchery in the bakery among the Gun-makers the Gun-powder-makers Armourers and such like And of all such as he findeth there he giueth account and notice vnto the Captaine or Alferez or Sergeant and these againe do aduertise the Castellane and in his absence the Lieutenant And in the day time a Gunner with an other officer goeth to reknowledge and view all the Artillery of the Castell as wel those within as those without in the Rauelines In the morning after that the drumme hath striken the Aluarado or breaking vp or discharging of the watch the Alferes with twenty souldiers and foure Caporals goeth vnto the lodging of the Castellane to receiue the keyes and then goeth to open the Tenaza and Rauelines and then commeth the Corps de guard of the principall gate and ringeth a little bell to call together and assemble those that are at the watch and after being together they do open the Castell gates with all the watch and other officers present in this maner The Castellanes Lieutenant remaineth at the first gate in the inner part thereof with one troupe or part of the souldiers and the rest of the guard being issued out they shut the same againe and goe to open the second gate where a Captaine and Sergeant with another troupe of souldiers do stay and remaine and then the guard of the third gate being issued out with the Alferez they shut also the second and doe open none of these neither do the souldiers disarme themselues vntill the place of the Castell be very well reknowledged and thoroughly viewed In the first gate of the principall bridge there remaines in the day time 50 souldiers at the ward with a Caporall who taketh account and charge of the opening and shutting thereof and there is ioyntly with them the Alferez who keepeth account and reckening with those which enter in from abrode and if it be any stranger that commeth for some affaires or businesse into the Castel there goeth with euery such one souldier of the guard notwithstanding that they haue passed thorough the hands of the Lieutenant or in his absence through the hands of the Captaine of Infantery At the middle gate there is another Corps de guard containing other 30 souldiers with two Caporals and with these doth continually assist the Lieutenant of the Castell a Captaine of infantery and a Sergeant And there is the assembly and concourse of all the souldiers so that besides those which be of the watch there is continually 70 or 80 other souldiers or more At the gate within the Castell there is 16 souldiers and with them one Capoporall Betwixt ten and eleuen of the clocke in the day time they shut the gates to go vnto their dinner and then there goeth vpon the walles eight souldiers with an officer which do go the Round and Contra Round whilest the rest bee at dinner The souldiers do remaine at their dinner time one houre and in opening the Castell gates againe they chaunge the postes or wardes vntill three of the clocke and at that houre againe they go and chaunge them a fresh vntill it bee night And in the opening of the gates after dinner they obserue the same order as they did in the morning They haue a consideration and reguard if the day do increase or diminish as concerning the deuiding of the houres and in opening and shutting the gates according to the same order There hangeth at euery post or watch turret vpon the walles a little bell at each of seuerall soundes wherewith the Sentinels do answer one another euery quarter or halfe houre All the day there goeth continually two souldiers the Round and Contra â—ound the which do chaunge and are relieued by their quarters as are in like sort the Sentinels vpon the walles hauing a care and reguard vnto the Artillery and to see if any persons not belonging to the Castell doth come vp vpon the same without licence of the Castellane or his Lieutenant and finding any such person in such manner they giue knowledge thereof vnto the Castellane or vnto his officers to the end that the cause might be knowne why any such doth mount vp vnto the walles Euery one of the Caporals that are within the Castell hath his quarter assigned him with his squadra and euery night doth visite the souldiers in the same and see whether they haue their bullets powder match and all other armes in a readinesse and whether any souldier do lodge or sleepe without the Castell by night without leaue and licence of his superior officer And euery morning before the opening of the gates the said Caporals do giue an account particularly vnto the Captaine of al the faults in this sort committed the which are punished according to the orders that be prouided and made for euery matter concerning the sayd Castell Also the higher officers and Caporals haue their quarters deuided appointed where euery one doth know whither to repaire with the soldiers of his charge if the Alarme be giuen Euery Saturday doth an officer with sixe souldiers go and visite and reknowledge all the Contra Mines The Castellane hath one key of the chest where all the keyes are locked and the Lieutenant keepeth another to the end that if any suddaine occasion be offered repaire might be made vnto him which is next at hand these keyes are not the ordinary keyes And thus all these things being knowne and well considered any Castellane or Captaine of any Fortresse or place of defence may alter adde or diminish that which vnto him shall seeme good for the good gouernement and defence of his place of charge The Conclusion Thus hauing finished in fine these Military discourses wherein I haue marched farther then I meant at the first drawne on Gentlemen by your diuerse and curious demaundes and what reformations I haue herein desired or what amisses errors I haue herein committed I yeelde the same to be considered and reformed by the wisedome of those whose experience authority and good indeuour may be answerable to the performance therof desiring that the same may be deemed as proceeding from a soldier who more of zeale then of any desire to offend hath penned these rough discourses wishing that himselfe and all others may take occasion thereby to amend what is in euery of vs amisse Beseeching our heauenly Chieftaine Iehouah thas as herein so in all other inconueniences any waie hindering the florishing state of our Noble Common-weale the necessitie of this euery other action may take such roote in the beholders thereof as that with such conuenient regard as they ought they will endeuour euery man in his degree the redresse and wished reformation of the same with the due regard of our daungerous times each honest man of what degree soeuer inuesting himselfe with the honourable habite of the true feare of God
vnfained loyalty to our good Queene and Prince perfect fidelity to our countrie and syncere loue and affection to our wiues children and friends and finally respecting the generall reputation and honour of our Realme and nation The end of the sixt and last booke A Table shevving the signification of sundry forraine words vsed in these discourses GEntle Reader for as much as in these Military discourses I haue vsed some words and termes somwhat straunge vnto such as haue not frequented forraine warres nor haue anie great insight in forraine languages I haue therefore thought good both to declare the signification of such words and also to shew my reasons for vsing the same First you are to vnderstand that most of our termes now vsed in warres are deriued from straungers as the French the Italian the Spaniard and the Dutch wherin euery one almost haue their seuerall pronuntiation therefore I hold it good to vse such war termes and words as we do borrow from straungers as most languages doe borrow some more or lesse one of another neare after the same nature orthographie accent as those nations do from whom they are deriued and not to pronounce and vse them ouer corruptly as we commonly doe As for example The word Caporall which is a meere Italian and also vsed by the French we corruptly do both write and pronounce Corporall for Caporall doth signifie the head and chiefe of a squadra or small company of souldiers and is an officer ensigning and gouerning in his degree the sayd company and is in Spanish more aptly called Cabo de esquadra which is the head of a small squadra of 20 or 25 souldiers And againe wee vse both to pronounce and write Core de guard which by the French is written Corps de guard and by the Italian and Spaniard Corpo de guardia which signifieth the body of a watch the which French or Italian word I haue rather vsed in my writing then our corrupt English terme Moreouer wee both pronounce and write the word Canuasada the which in truth ought to be written and pronounced Camisada being a Spanish tearme and doth signifie the inuesting a shirt ouer the soldiers apparell or armour the which is vsed in the night time when any suddaine exploit or peece of seruice is to be put in practise vpon the enemy vnexpected or vnseene to the end that in the darkenesse of the night the attempters may thereby the better one know and discerne another These few words and termes I suppose sufficient for my reasons And for the signification of all other straunge and forraine words by me vsed I will here following particularly set downe in order of alphabet as I shall call them to memory A Abanderado is a souldier vvhich carrieth the Ensigne in steede of the Ensigne-bearer sometimes Al'arma is a vvord vsed among men of vvarre at times of the enemies suddaine approching and at their discouerie and doth signifie to armes or weapons Alferez is a Spanish vvord and signifieth the Ensigne bearer Alguazil a Spanish vvord is an officer attendant on the Campe-maister Generall to apprehend offenders and to see execution done Alerta an Italian vvord vsed vnto the souldiers vvhen there is any suspition of the enemy and signifieth to be vvatchfull carefull and ready Alvarado a Spanish vvord and is the discharging of the morning vvatch by the sound of the drumme Ambuscado a Spanish vvord and signifieth any troupe or company of soldiers either foot or horse lodged secretly in some couert as in vvoods hollow vvayes behind bankes or such like to entrappe the enemy secretly attending his comming Aquaducts are conduits to cary or conuay vvater into any Citie Castell or Citadell Armada a Spanish vvord is a Nauy of ships for vvarre or one great ship of vvarre Artillaria a forraine vvord and is that vvhich vve call the great Ordinance B Bando a Spanish vvord and signifieth an act or law made by the Generall and Counsell of war in the Campe and published by sound of the drumme or trumpet vnto the souldiers Bisognio or Bisonnio a Spanish or Italian vvord and is as vve terme it a raw souldier vnexpert in his weapon and other Military points Burgonet a French vvord is a certaine kind of head-peece either for foote or horsemen couering the head and part of the face and cheâ—ke C Cabo de esquadra or Caporall a Spanish vvord is the head or chiefe vnder the Captaine of a small number of souldiers in number 20 or 25 or more or lesse according as the company is deuided into Caporal the Italian vvord is as Cabo de esquadra in Spanish Cabo de Camara a Spanish vvord is a souldier vnder the Caporall and is the chiefe ouer euery 10 or 12 souldiers Camarada a Spanish vvord is a small number of 11 or 12 soldiers and is the one halfe of a squadra being vnited together in their lodging and diet and friendship the chiefe man of whom is the Cabo de Camara Camisada a Spanish vvord and doth signifie the inuesting or putting on of a shirt ouer the souldiers apparell or armour the vvhich is vsed in the night time vvhen any suddaine exploit or peece of seruice is to be put in practise vpon the enemy vnexpected or vnseene to the ende that the attempters may thereby the better one know and discerne another Campania an Italian vvord and is a field Campania Raza an open field vvithout hedge ditch or other incombrance razed playne Campe-maister in Spanish Maestro del Campo is a Colonell being the chiefe Commander or officer ouer one Regiment or Tertio Camp maister Generall in Spanish Maestre del Campo Generall is a great Commander and is with vs the high Marshall of the field Castellano is the Captaine or Commander of a Citadell or Castel as in Millan Antwerp Metz and such other places Cannonera a Spanish word and is the place or roome where the Cannon is placed in a bulwarke Casamatta a Spanish word and doth signifie a slaughter-house and is a place built low vnder the wall or bulwarke not arriuing vnto the height of the ditch seruing to scowre the ditch annoying the enemy when he entreth into the ditch to skale the wall Cauagleria an Italian woord and is the Companies of souldiers seruing on horsebacke of what sort soeuer Cauaglere an Italian word and signifieth a Gentleman seruing on horsebacke but in fortifications a Caualiere is a mount or platforme of earth built and raised high either within or without the wall for to plant great Ordinance vpon Caualliere à Cauallio is a high mount or platforme of earth raised very high so that the Artillery vpon the same may shoote ouer the walles and bulwarkes to scoure and cleare the fields all about Centre a French vvord is the middle of a battell or other things Centinell a Spanish vvord and signifieth the souldier vvhich is set to vvatch at a station or post a certaine distance from the Corps de guard or in a
battell of pikes A better order to diuide your shot into troupes To girdle the staÌ„d of pikes with shot The shot in small troupes one to second an other The armed pikes once ouerthrowen the battell stands in hazard The girdling shot to discharge at 20 pasesâ—ff and not farther A particular decâ—aration of the former battell in figure The battell or body of pikes Impaled with armed pikes The sortement of the weapons Girdled with muskets Shot in troupes Halbardes and short weapons The remaines of the pikes where placed To draw some pikes out of the center of the battell Men at armes Launciers Hargulutiers Great ordinance The number of each The broad square battell bring the most hands at once to fight in front The square of ground A care to be had to the situation of ground Venturous to set al our fortune vpoÌ„ the brunt of one sole battell So is it dangerous for vnexpert men to fight in sundry battallions Men come not often to hand blowes as in old time the shot so imployeth the field Hard to ascertaine any course of fight before the enemies order be knowen seene Occurrants of warre be manifold and strange The shot on horse backe coÌ„monly begâ—n the first skirmishes At the field ordinance doe commonly begin the first puzzeling The forlorne hope to disband and hauing skirmished to retire to the flankes One troupe of shot to second an ether The squadrons of muskets when to discharge The couching of the pikes A square of pikes handled by resolute men not easie to be broken by horse Against foote to charge ouerhand Valour and skill is second meanes of victorie but God the chiefe first The duties of diligent officers in time of battell The iust square of men best allowed out of the which all other proportions may be reduced The quadrat of ground Sundry ancient formes of battels now out of vse The daunger of raw men The Diamant battell The framing thereof out of the graund square A more stronger framin of the Diamant battell Out of 2 iust squares of men is framed 2 triangles Of 2 triangles is framed a Diamant An other order yet to frame their battels A Sergeant maior ought not to be ignorant of any formes of embattailing as well ancient as moderne To what purpose these termes were first deuised The crosse battell and order thereof A declaration of these Crosse battels SpeculatioÌ„ without practise but halfe the Arte. To deuide a small power into many parts dangerous What to be a sufficient armie Into three battels Into twelue battallions Vantgard Battell Reareward Many considerations in bringing men to fight A consideration A declaration of the 9 battallions The voide spaces to what purpose Sundry charges and fresh heads A declaration of the 12 battallions The shot parted into sundry troupes The cauallery The quantity of ground for each souldiers station What commander and officers to be mounted The Generall his place The Colonels Another order to deuide an army into sundry small squadrons The maner The order An army may be framed of sundry small squadrons Of tables to be framed Euen To march an army thorough straightes Drawne into Maniples The Ensigne to be contained in the middle Maniple The shot in troupes most seruiceable The one to second another If the enemy coÌ„straine to fight in the straight them to quarter your Army To quarter the battell into sundry battallions Not to enter vnaduisedly into any straighâ—s The chiefe Commaunders of an Armie Deuided into Regiments The officers of the Regiment Deuided into Companies The officers of a Companie Sergeant Maior of a Regiment A Sergeant Maior generall A Sergeant Maior is the generall Minister of a whole Regiment His office consists in marching in imbattailing encamping The Sergeant Maior of higher degree then any ordinarie Captaine Great regard to be had in the election of this officer Skill and naturall instinct His actions are handled for the most in the view and face of the enemie The partes to be required in a Sergeant Maior To espie aduantages Not to let slip good occasions offred To kâ—â—w to frame his squadron to march with the same to bring theÌ„ to fight A squadroÌ„ what it is To be victorious or inuincible The armie bâ—st ordered and disciplined is like to be Lord of the victorie Vegetius his reasons The aduantage of practise and good discipline It is necessarie to haue â—n writing the iust number of euery companie and their sortmeÌ„t of weapons To haue alwayes an Idea in the head of sundrie formes of battels To be skilfull in Arithmetike A battell framed of sundrie Tertios by the Duke de Alua at Lisbona The Tertios of Naples Sicilia Lombardie Spanish Tertios The Sergeant Maior by want of skill much puzzeled Our warres now a dayes do consist more in surprises assaults and batteries then in main fight The difference to be iudged by the situation of the ground and occasions to fight Iust square of men â—attell in broad front What is meaÌ„t by bastard square broad square base square The rankes euen or odde importeth litle The braue conduction of the Commaunders and the resolute valour of the souldiers is the firmenesse of the battell A politicke order to be obserued in setting a battell when the souldiers be vnruly No souldier to come with his armour by peece-meale or broken An order to frame a squadroÌ„ of vnruly soulâ—iers vpon the Alarme giuen or suddenly A fine checke of vnruly souldiers The dâ—e naturall girdling with shot When and how to discharge their vollie Shot in sundrie small troupes trouping round about the battell Euery troupe to be led forth to skirmish by their Caporall Squadrons of muskets at the angles of the battell A braue retraict of Don Aluaro de Sandy made in Barbary with 4000. foote against 20000. horse An order for the safegard of shot in open campania where the enemy aboundeth in horse Declaration of the figure Great skill and care in the marching of an Army The disorders of souldiers do many times grow through remisnesse and negligence of officers What the Sergeant Maior is to do being in the open field with the army Vantgard battell and reareward To know the wayes most salliâ—bâ—e for the souldiers to march Great noise and rumor in remouing of a campe To be skilfull in the countrey where they are to march Sundry considerations To what end Examples of the Romaines at Furcas Caudinas To procure faithfull and trusty guides Hannibal deceiued To cause the drum maior to sound the recoâ—a or remouing The Captaines of footmen To assemble the companies in the place of armes and there to frame his squadrons The Sergeants of bandes what to doe To deuide the battell into Maniples if the passage be narrow The order in marching of vantgards battell and rea reward The ensignes where to be placed fittâ—st Hauing passed the straight to march vp pouldron to pouldron againe In all our actions to incline to perfection Considerations
to be had where the munition is to march Certaine light horsemen to be sent out to scout before the munition In countries secure from the enemy the munition is to passe before with a sufficient card The reasons In parts of danger the munition is to march in the center or among the squadrons Better to loose the munition then to hazard the whole army The munition forsaken sometimes for policie sake Example at the battel of Vicentia in Italy As few horses as might be to be permitted in foote companies Noe foote souldier to passe out of the campe on horsebacke Where the foote souldiers horses are to go The orders to be obserued when the foot souldiers do mount on horsebacke The boyes to be shifted out of the battell To make sundry altoes or stand to ease and refresh the souldiers Carefull to make the Altoes or stāds in places conuenient and fit Disorderly conduction causes of ouerthrowes Example at Via grassa in Lombardie when the Coūtie Sanpaule was taken To make alwayes the standes neare fresh waters and to be carefull that the souldiers straggle not The Sergeant Maior is alwayes to passe on horsebacke to what effectes If he meete the Generall not to alight from his horse Nor yet to dismount from his horse in the day of battell and wherefore His armour light with a short trūchion in his hand No afront to the souldier deseruing it to be corrected by the Sergeant Maior Where the Sergeant Maior is to passe whē the army doth march But if the enemie be knowen to be in the rereward he is to passe in the rereward To reprehend the faults of the Sergeants If the arrayes be brokē to be ready to redresse them No Captaines or other vnder officers to passe the word stand but the Sergeāt Maior or other superior officer The Camp-maister as head of the Regiment the Sergeant Maior as guide of the battell The foot souldiers to alight frō their horses a myle ere they come to their lodging The place of alodgement to be first viewed by the Sergeāt Maior At their arriuall to frame his squadrons in the place of armes Orders to be obserued at the alodgement The place of armes to be kept all free and vnpestered The Sergeant Maior what he is to do at the first encampement of the army First to draw forth a corps de-guard some 80 pases without the ring of the emcampement The orders to be obserued 2 To reknowledge the quarters and to reforme all incombrances Pioners to amend combersome waies 3 To go to the Campe-maister generall or his marshall to receiue orders from him to sundry purposes as for the watch the ward gard for the munition to scout and discouer who to prouide wood and to assist in trenching Being with his owne regiment alone what he is to do The Sentinels how to be placed To consult with other officers To go to the Generall for the word and orders to be obserued To haue great care in placing the watches and gards To fore aduertise the souldiers by the drumme maior To reknowledge and view the places of gard and Sentinels To appoint them the order in going the roundes To visit and reuisit all the aforesaid orders To reprehend the faultie The negligence of Commanders breedes contempt in souldiers The encampement to be entrenched Where the corps de guard to be set Naturall fence good Great silence is to bee kept in the body of the watch The Sentinels what distance asunder and from the Corps de guard The Sentinels the wall of the campe therefore neare together Sentinels better double thē single The Sentinell vigilant silent and carefull In hearing or seeing any thing what the Sentinell is to do The single Sentinels where His dutie what to do Not to giue Alarme but vpon reasonable cause When to giue the Alarme Feare and imaginations do disturbe mēs senses To visite and reuisite the Sentinels at sundry houres in the night to good effectes The proper forlorne Sentinell what it is An example The forlorne Sētinell not to haue the word but a different Contersigne The order to be obserued in the day of the word With some the word doth passe no further then the Caporals Dangerous to trust the word with raw souldiers The Sentinell not hauing the word what to do The order to be obserued in taking the word by the officers and souldiers the one from the other The shot how The pike in what manner The officer or Rounde ought to giue the word vnto the Sentinell first The souldier set at Sentinell not bound to reknowledge any person without giuing the word The word is the meane in warre to exclude all deceipts The sight and hearing easily deceiued especially by night Example A fowle errour The Round finding the Sentinell vigilāt neede not alwayes approch neare him The Sentinell ought to suffer none to passe in or out of the campe without giuing the word The officer or Round Refusing to giue the word he may discharge as at an enemy How to deale with such as come into the campe Whē the Alarme is giuen what the Sētinels are to do Whē the Alarme is giuē what order is to be taken with the ensignes or companies The Generals guard and guard of the munition not to stirre To frame the squadrons with all diligence To enquire the cause of the Alarme To aduertise the Generall and Camp-maister thereof The cōpanies set in squadron not to disseuer without licence from the Generall To returne the Sentinels to their postes or stations To draw out of the grand Corps de guard other small Corps de guards The small Corps de guard to what effect What the Sergeant Maior is to do in the fact of battell The Romaines order was to fight in battallions The Greekes did fight in Phalangia or square Men slaine or hurt in the first rankes how to reforme the rankes The fore rankes to be alwayes kept full officers appointed to withdraw hurt and slaine men out of the battell To be skilfull in giuing a Camisada Example To conduct the souldiers with great silence vnto the Camisada To inuest their shirtes To performe with resolution and all celerity In such difficult attempts the Sergeant Maior to be conductor Example In Ambuscados the souldiors to be silent and ready To charge suddenly The Sergeant Maior to be solicitous with the generall for armour and other necessaries for his regiment How the same to be reparted To be the vniuersall procurer of the souldiers good Hurt or sicke men to be conueyed to the hospitals All vnder officers to assist the Sergeant Maior The carriage-maisters The Harbingers The Sergeants Lieutenant and Alferes Drumme Maior Caporals of the field The Sergeant Maiors Coadiutors The Sergeant Maiors Coadiutor The Sergeant Maior a general maister of all militarie discipline A procurer of the souldiers soules health in general Banishing all publike crimes and commō offenders The reward of a good officer both in heauen and earth
affront sith it is done for corrections sake Gent. In what part ought the Sergeant Maior to stand or go when the armie doth march Capt. The ordinarie place of the Colonell is the vanguard and so the Sergeant Maior being his officer by whom he sendeth his Commaundes vnto the Captaines Ensignes and Officers ought alwayes to be neare vnto his person Gent. But if the enemy be knowen to be behind or after your rereward Capt. In such case he shall remaine in the rereward but to assist there in such sort as he forget not to make the Alto or stand sometimes and to stay vntill he hath passed through all the arrayes of the marching squadrons or armie And if he finde that the Sergeants do not their duties in keeping the souldiers in good order and array he shall seuerely reprehend them for the same being a thing of such importance and that no negligence be found in conseruing due order and array so that none might be broken if possible it were And if the arrayes be broken as somtimes it happeneth by reason of the straight passages it behoueth him to be very ready vigilant to redresse them againe and if to do the same it should neede to make a stand an officer is presently to be sent to the Sergeant Maior and neither Captaine Alferes nor any other officer to passe the word stand either to this effect or any other as it oftentimes falleth out crying stand or march from hand to hand vnlesse the necessitie be so vrgent as not permitting time to signifie the same vnto the Camp-maister or Sergeant Maior For by reason of this abuse of euery officer to passe and giue the word vpon euery small occasion there do succeede many inconueniences and is as much as to vsurpe the preheminēce which onely is due to the Camp-master as head of the Regiment and vnto the Sergeant Maior as guide of the battell And therefore it is very necessarie that the souldier or officer which so shall do to be well punished for the same And the Sergeant Maior is to be carefull that the Captaines and souldiers which are on horsebacke do alight set themselues into the arrayes a good myle before they come vnto their allodgement the which ought to be first viewed by himselfe or his coadiutor somewhat before the companies do arriue and at their arriuing to frame his battell in the place thereof and not to suffer any souldier to passe vnto his quarter or to dismaunde himselfe in the order vntill the whole Regiment be all entred and he or his coadiutor in his name comming vnto the companies do licence them to their lodgings and quarter The which ensignes are placed in the front of the quarter of euery company all in one ranke and from thence downeward the souldiers to be lodged And the Sergeant Maior shall not permit nor suffer any cariage or baggage to be put before them nor pestered within the place of armes neither any fire to be there made nor any other impediments for from thence forward it is onely a place of armes or assembly and is to bee left free and vnpestered for onely the battell when it is to be set THE SECOND DIALOGVE VVherein is declared of the encamping of an army the placing of the corps de guardes scoutes and Sentinels their seuerall duties the order of visiting and reuisiting the Sentinels and their relieuing and changing the order of giuing and taking the word with sundry other martiall points appertaining to such cases Gentleman IN lodging and emcamping the regiments or army the which being setled the Sergeant Maior what is he then to do Capt. Presently to draw forth a corps de guard about threescore or fourescore pases from the face of the encamping of some fiue and twenty or thirtie souldiers and those are to bee of one of the companies which was of the watch the night before sith that vntill a fresh watch doe enter and the 24 houres bee fully accomplished it appertaineth vnto them that entred therein before except a whole company be set there by day to the ward and in such case it belongeth to the companies of shot if there be any particular shot companies in the campe And this Corps de guarde which is to bee drawne out is to be set in the selfe same place where the company of the watch is to bee placed at night This being done hee is to reknowledge his quarters very well and to see if there be any neede to raze plaine any places that the souldiers may commodiously sallie foorth to the Alarme for it falleth out many times that the companies be lodged in orchards gardens vine-yards and among bushes from whence they cannot come but with some difficulty the which he is to redresse and to make plaine and easie any thing that may empeach and hinder the speedy setting of the battell and framing of the squadrons which as well for this purpose as for the fortifying of the campe and leuelling the wayes and passages for the artillery with such other seruices there is alwayes in the campe certaine companies of pioners the iurisdiction of whom doth belong vnto the Generall of the artillery or to the Campe-maister Generall vnto whom he is to repaire to prouide him with speede of such as shall be needefull And if the whole army be there he is to go vnto the Camp-maister Generall and know of him how many ensignes of his regiment are to be put to the watch and in what place or part and what companies are to gard the munition and in other most conueniēt places for the seruice security of the campe such as are to go abroade to discouer and to scout and who are to prouide wood water and other necessaries and what companies are to assist in making the trenches and bulwarkes and other fortifications reparting the same workes amongst all the bandes of his regiment for vnworthy is he the name of a souldier which will not put to his helping hand in such cases in sort that euery one haue their share of the labour in order But if he be with his owne regiment alone it then concerneth him to reknowledge foresee and to prouide and giue order for all and to place the Sentinels in such order and distance that no man may passe out nor enter into the quarters of the alodgement without their view and sight And if his regiment be ioyntly with the other regiments or tertios of the same nation or of another he is to conioyne with the other Sergeant Maiors and consult counsell and concurre with them touching the placing of the gards and Sentinels so that there may be found no negligence nor imperfection sith all this office consisteth in care vigilancie readinesse and order It concerneth him also to go vnto the Generall for the word and to receiue the order and course to be followed the next day and to go presently vnto
the Campe-maister to shew him thereof although that sometimes the Campe-maisters or Colonels themselues doe take the word and order from the Generall and giue the same vnto the Sergeant Maiors yet properly the doing therof doth appertaine to the Sergeant Maior his office And as touching the watches and gards he ought to haue great consideration not to place them if the enemy be at hand before the entring in of the night for he ought to preuēt if possible it might be that the enemy perceiue not where he setteth his watches and Sentinels And when it were time hee shall call together the company or companies which should bee of the watch the which are to be aduertised thereof from the morning by the Drumme Maior of the regiment and he is then to set them in their places the which as I said ought to be reknowledged and viewed and shewed vnto the Sergeants of such companies where they are to place their Sentinels and he is to appoint them what order they are to keepe in going their roundes alwayes reseruing a particular care to visite and reuisit all the before appointed matters and orders And if he shall find any negligence or carelesnesse in such officers he is to reprehend and chasten them with such seuerity as the case and cause shall require for in the not executing the same he becommeth to be contemned vnrespected and his commandes and orders misprised and so by consequence to introduce a very corrupt discipline Gent. What distance from the quarters and campe should the gards and watches be placed and set Capt. In encamping an army it is accustomed most commonly to entrench round about the quarters thereof for more security and strength to the allodgement and when it is so the companies which haue the ward are alwayes to sallie to gard the trenches which is the wall of the campe But in case there bee no trenches the Corps de gard in mine opinion is not to be placed aboue 70 or 80 pases distance as I haue said before from the front of the allodgements in his place of armes yet somtimes there be found ditches bottoms and vallies so strong that it shall be good for the gards to be placed there although they be farther distant off then I speake of for such strengths by nature do serue and stand in steede of ditches and trenches But not finding such naturall fences the watches are to be placed as before I haue sayd For thus as well for the security of the quarters as for if neede should require to succour those companies it is better they be placed neare then farre off And it is to be noted as a thing of great importance that great silence be kept in the body of the watch at the least all rumour and lowd noises are to be excluded and in their conuersations to talke modestly stilly and with low voices Gent. And the Sentinels what distance should they stand from the Corps de guard Capt. About thirtie pases litle more or lesse Gent. And how farre the one from the other Capt. There ought to be no more distance betwixt them then that they may easily discerne one an other how darke soeuer the night be For the Sentinels being the wall of the campe which do serue that no body may enter in nor passe out thereof without being seene and discouered now if they should be placed too wide a distance off that would not follow which is pretended Gent. And those Sentinels are they to be single Capt. No but double for foure eyes may see and discerne better then two and because if sleepe do assaile them or could the one opprest with sleep might walke and the other stand vigilant at the watch with all stilnesse and silence and without talking with open eyes and ready listening eares for many times it chanceth to heare that which the obscurenesse of the night will not suffer to see and if they do perceiue heare or see any thing whereof they ought to giue aduise to the officers let the one go thither and the other stay and not to leaue the Sentinell post forsaken and therefore for these and such like causes it is much more safer requisite and needefull that they be double But those which are set yet 30 pases farther are to be single which of some are improperly called forlorne Sentinels not hauing the word as the doubles haue the which are to be placed in the same distance as are the first and commaund and order giuen that in descrying any thing they are to retire to the post of the double Sentinels and giuing aduise and notice of what they heard or saw are to returne to their places without giuing the Alarme but in case that there were any notable number of horse or foote discouered in retiring vnto the double Sentinels all three perceiuing the same for certaine and affirming it then the Alarme is to be striken and in other sort not For many times vnto one man alone feare or imagination doth cause few people to seeme many and many things to seeme to be which are not indeede and at no time is the Alarme to be striken in the campe without good and vrgent cause For remedie whereof it is a matter of great importance that the Sergeant Maior euery night at different houres doe ordinarily visite and reuisite the watches and Sentinels as well to see that they obserue and performe his orders and commaundes as to the ende that the officers and souldiers vnderstanding his courses taken be more vigilant and carefull in their watches fearing to be punished if they incurre into any defaults and negligences Gent. What call you the forlorne Sentinell sith you say they are improperly so termed Capt. The proper forlorne Sentinell is that which is set either on horse-backe or foote as necessitie shall require neare vnto the enemies campe to the end to espie and giue aduise if any companies or troupes shall sallie thereout or if the campe do remoue secretly And this such Sentinell is to be placed in some part so neare vnto the enemie that being discryed and seene he shall with great difficultie retire and escape and is neuer set but vpon necessitie of such like aduises As when Frauncis the French king did relieue and victuall Landresie which the Emperour Charles held besieged who determined to giue him battell the next day before he were departed and so Don Fernando de Gonzaga who was Generall commaunded Captaine Salazar that he should that night put himselfe neare vnto the enemies campe therby to vnderstand their desseignes and intents but he missed to effect the same So the French retired in safetie and wel without any perceiuing thereof And thus these Sentinels haue not the word that is kept in our camp for the incōuenience that might hap if being takē by the enemy corrupted with rewards or otherwise they thereby might know