THE MILITARY GARDEN, OR INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL YOUNG SOLDIERS AND SUCH WHO ARE DISPOSED TO LEARN, AND HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF THE MILITARY DISCIPLINE. Wherein are set down the conditions and qualities which are required in every several officer of a private company. Observed and set in order according to the best Military practice by JAMES ACHESONE Gentleman at Arms, Burges of EDINBURGH. EDINBURGH Printed by JOHN WREITTOUN Anno DOM. 1629. Cum privilegio REGALI. TO THE RIGHT VIRTUOUS AND WORSHIPFUL DAVID AKENHEAD, PROVEST, JOHN SINCLAIRE, ARCHBALD TOD, EDWARD FORKER, ALEXANDER HERIOT BALLIES; JOHN MAKNATH Dane of Guild; DAVID MAKALL Treasurer: and to all the remnant of the Council of the Town of EDINBURGH. RIght virtuous and worthshipfull, having by your direction trained up and practised in the military discipline, the youth of this most flourishing Town, and now for the common good being to publish to the World those precepts which I had privately taught all them that would learn of me; I thought I could not more deservedly present the fruits of my labours to any than unto that Town to which I was so much oblished, and to you which were so careful to have your Burgesses made able, as well for War as Peace. As the Governor of this World hath appointed Life and Death, Summer and Winter, Day and Night, and almost given every thing a contrary, so hath he made Peace and War to have an interchanging course on the face of this earth. Though Peace be always to be desired, yet War is to be provided for, and the youth when it should fall forth (for the chastisement of People) is to be trained thereunto. All civil laws and orders, if there were no defence prepared to maintain them, were no better than beautiful Palaces destitute of Roofs to hold out the violence of storm. What have the most peaceful Comonwealths been without trained Soldiers, but a pray to some stronger? It is set down as a blemish in Constantin the great, that at the desire of some (too peaceful) subjects, he cassired the ancient Legions, and in them overthrew the Military discipline of Rome, leaving a breach for barbarous nations to invade the Empire; not considering how laws, justice, subjects, and the whole Body of the estate lie under the protection of Arms, as by a mighty fortress. 〈◊〉 cap. ● 25. Solomon in time of Peace prepared arms and chariots: None dare do wrong to that nation which they know it ready prepared, Chron. 2. cap. 1. 14. cap. 9 25. and promptly furnished for War. If GOD shall move the posterity to continue this noble exercise, which ye in this time have so happily begun, there are fair hopes, that as this Town is the chief of this laend, so shall it be far: above many, and equal if not exceed the brave number of soldiers, that have with loss of time and blood followed the Wars in foreign parts of the earth. To which they may be stirred up, if there were some plot of ground allotted to be a military Garden for the training up of the rude youth: which the Kings M. desired most earnestly to be done, knowing how the youth of Scotland is not inferior to any living in courage: To which worthy purpose I found the most and best of the commons most willing and well affected. By this means, of weak citizens ye shall have strong, of timorous courageous, of idle laborious, and for a People which scarce are able to sustain a desensive War against invaders, a Nation ready to offend any stranger kingdoms abroad. Thus hoping ye will accept of this tractise with the same mind that it is presented unto you, I pray Almighty GOD to prosper, and make ever flourish this Town with a race of such Worthy and Virtuous Magistrates and Counsellors as ye are, which now this present year govern it. Yours ever to command. JAMES ACHESONE. THE MILITARY GARDEN. AS natural things are conserved by comely disposition, so ART which followeth nature is most maintained by the same: Confusion is the mother of mischief, and nothing can be strong where disorder is admitted either to give counsel or to command. So long every commonwealth and policy hath been able to stand, as it hath found Citizens submit themselves to the authority of the laws and the power of Magistrates; and so long may we hope to have happy success in the exercise of Arms, as these who profess to follow the same, shall be ready and willing to keep that station wherein their merits hath placed them: but that it may be known what is required of every one in his office, I shall touch alittle their several duties according to the order and place they carry; first, A CAPTAIN. A Captain should consider that he hath the charge of men's lives committed to his hands over the which he should watch, lest any of them be lost under his conduct either by rashness or want of knowledge, which should be more easily performed if skilful and sufficient men were chosen to bear rule, and such as either had passed▪ or at least did understand the degrees of all the inferior officers, whereby he may be able to discharge a place of such importance, that he may presently redress any thing amiss, and give ininstructions, and orders upon every new accident, either in marching, encamping, or fight, what the said officers have to do, for no man is able to teach that which he hath not himself before learned: for if he have not experience (by his ignorance) a whole company may be overthrown, he must diligently use his Soldiers to the often using of their arms, which shall be more profitable unto them than the assistance of the Physicians, for daily practice and exercise makes them both perfect and healthful, and at last victorious in the fields in time of battle. LIEUTENANT. HE that is elected unto this office, aught to be a man of great experience, fidelity, and valour, who in the absence of his Captain carrieth his place, charge, and command, unto whom the Soldiers and under officers are to obey for the time, as unto the Captain himself. His place of March, his Captain being present, is in the rear of the Company, but in retiring or marching out of the Field, he is to march in the Front, and the Captain in the Rear. THE HANDSIGNE. THE Handsigne is the foundation of the Company, wherein consisteth the honour and reputation of the Captain and Soldiers, he ought not only to be a good Soldier, bold and valiant, but as near as may be the Captain's equal, in valour, discretion, and counsel. His place of march is upon the head of the Picks, the same place he must observe in set Battles, but rather betwixt the third and fourth Ranks. THE SERGEANT. IN this officer consisteth the principal parts of the observation of military discipline, and for that the execution of the supperiour officers orders, and commands, do concern his charge and duty, it importeth that he be a skilful and valiant Soldier, and well experienced in Military discipline, yea of so great importance, that more tolerable it were for all the officers of the company (were it the Captain himself) to be unskilled men and of little experience, rather than the Sergeant, who of necessity ought to be an expert Soldier, and of great spirit and diligence. He is to rank the Soldiers as he shall think good, not suffering them to contend or fall out amongst themselves for the Front or best places. THE CORPORAL. AS he is a degree above the private Soldier, so ought he in skill, let no man that is a Soldier, seek to come to preferment in any office in the Field, except he know himself fit to discharge the same, or else he shall become a laughingstock to others, and be contemned of all men, as he justly deserves, that taketh upon him more than he is able to perform. I thought to have written more at large of every officer but for brevity's sake I have but only touched every one apart, hoping Godwilling myself to show it more at large by myself unto them in exercise which I hope will work more in them than writing. So wishing all to take this in good part, not set forth for the well experimented Soldier, but for such as yet have not tasted thereof. Hereafter followeth how a Company should march, as lykewayes the several words of Commands for exercising a Company, with their reasons. The order how a company should march of 200 men, 100 Picks, and 100 Muskets. C M M M M M Leaders. M M M M M First division Muskets. M M M M M D M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M Bringers up. H P P P P P Leaders. . . . . . First division Picks. . . . . . D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P . . . P Bringers up. 1. S P . . . P Leaders. . . . . . 2 division Picks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P . . . P Bringers up. 2. S M . . . M Leaders. . . . . . 2 division Muskets. . . . . . D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M . . . M Bringers up. L The Company brought up in battle for the exercising. 200 in Company Front. Left division. Right division. left wing M M M M M P P P P P * P P P P P M M M M M right wing M . . . . . . . . P P . . . . . . . . M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M . . . . P . . . P P . . . P . . . . M * * 6 Ranke or Rear division. M . . . . P . . . P P . . . P . . . . M 6 Rank or Rear division. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M . . . . P . . . P * P . . . P . . . . M The Rear. Next followeth the handling of Musket and Pick▪ with the several words for every posture. The words for the Musket. The Musket shouldered. The posturs of the Musket. 1. Sink your Musket. Charge. 2 Handell your Musket with your right hand. 3 unshoulder your Musket and hold her up. 4 Fall back with your right leg and hand. 5 Bring your rest to your Musket. 6 join both in your left hand. 7 Hold your Musket mouth over your leaders right shoulder. 8 Open your pan with right finger and thumb. 9 Take your pryming wire and cleanse your touchholl. 10 Blow your pan. 11 Morse with powder. 12 Clese your pan. 13 Grip the butt-end of your Musket and rest with your right hand and shake off the loose powder. 14 Bring about your Musket to your left side. 15 Discharge your measure into your barrel. 16 Draw forth your scrow or ramming stick with the middle finger and thumb of the right hand. 17 Shorten the same at your right pap within a handful. 18 Ram in your powder, furring, and bullet. 19 Draw forth your scrow and shorten it as before. 20 Put up your scrow in its place. 21 Recover your Musket and hold it up with your left hand. 22 Take it be the butt hard at the pan and shoulder it. 23 Your rest being in your left hand with your thumb upon it above the butt. 24 Sink your Musket. Discharge. 25 Handell your Musket. 26 unshoulder your Musket. 27 Hold up your Musket. 28 Bring your rest to your Musket. 29 join both in your left hand. 30 Take forth your match with the finger and thumb of the right hand. 31 Blow your match under your right arm. 32 Cock your match. 33 Try your match to your pan. 34 Guard your pan with the first two fingers of the right hand and the thumb at the back of the pan. 35 Blow your match again. 36 Take off your pan. 37 Present your Musket upon your rest, your left foot being at the rest upon the ground. 38 Give fire. 39 Fall off either be the right or left hand, as the Command is given. 40 In going off take forth your match, and return it in your left hand again, betwixt your little finger and middle finger, or in both, having two ends lighted. In service all this being learned and practised in exercise, there is but only three words of Command, viz. make ready. 2. present. 3. give fire. The postures of the Pick. Your Pick lying upon the ground going to list it up. 1 Put your toe of your right foot first to it. 2 Then your right hand with your thumb at the butt-end of it. 3 In lifting step forward with your left foot and left hand and so lift it up. 4 Then your Pick is mounted. 5 Order your Pick at 3. 6 Mount your Pick at 3. 7 Shoulder your Pick at 3. 8 Mount your Pick at 3. 9 Port your Pick at 1. 10 Trail your Pick at 4. 11 Cheek your Pick at 1▪ 12 Recover your Pick at 4. 13 Port your Pick at 1. 14 Mount your Pick at 3. 15 Sink your Pick at 1. The butt-end being at halfefoote to the ground. 16 Hold your Pick upon your right shoulder with your right hand, and your thumb upon your shoulder, the palm of your hand up, and your four fingers lying above the Pick. 17 Upon a long march and upon double distance in ranks, you may carry your Pick levill upon your shoulder but not so comely as sinked. 18 Your Pick being ordoured at close order the butt-end of it must be betwixt your feet, holding the same with your left hand, being ready to present to charge horse, and your right hand to draw your sword, setting forward your left foot laying your Pick, and left hand upon your left knee the butt being close at the right foot and your sword in your right hand. 19 Your Pick being ordered at open order your feet must be a foot a sundry and your Pick in your right hand, with thumb up, and the Pick a foot from your right foot. 20 Your Pick being ordered at order your feet may be close at half a foot, and the butt of your Pick at the toe of your right foot a little distance from it. When you come to understand distances of Ranks and strings these Will be more clearer. AS for the presenting and charging of your Pick when we come to the exercising of the Picks, the whole form shall be shown God willing, which can not be done but by practice and use of exercise. The first principal in Military instructions, bindeth every one that minds to practise in Military discipline, after the handling of his arms, to understand the several sounds of the Drum, without the which no Soldier is able to know his commander's pleasure when to march, charge or make a retreat etc. for when the commanders voice can not extend to the hearing of the company, the Drum denunceth and expresseth the same. The sounds especially to be learned are these. viz. A Gathering. A March. A Troupe. A Charge. A Retreat etc. THE second principal is to know how to offend and and defend after the learning of his Arms, the readiest and easiest way with skill. The third principal to be learned, is the distance and order of standing and marching that is to be observed between strings and ranks, which is a special point of discipline, some make five sort, but I content me only with three most in use. Distance in Strings. Order is three foot. Open order is six foot. Close order is a foot and half. Distance in Ranks. Order is six foot. Open order is tuelue foot. Close order is three foot. Great is the necessity of the learning of this principal, for if order and perfect form be not observed, it can be termed no other thing but a disordered company. In the next place, let the Soldier know how to distinguish betwixt every several place in the company, as followeth. The Front. The Front is always where the faces of the company are directed all one way. The Rear. The Rear is ever where the backs of the whole company are turned. A String. A String is a sequence of men standing one behind another, back to belly, and consisteth commonly of 10, or 8, or sometime 6 depth. A Rank. A Rank is a raw of men, standing one by another, shoulder to shoulder, their faces being directed all one way. Leaders of Strings. Leaders of Strings are these that are in the first rank; every one in the same rank is a leader of a string. Bringers up. Bringers up, these that are in the last rank are called bringers up, every one being a bringer up of a string. Rear division, half strings, or sixth rank, all these three names may be given to this division. The Leaders of the rear division are the sixth rank, if their bee ten depth, if but eight, the fifth rank. Also this division is called by some middle-men, but the most sure being what depth they will, rear division separats best, and is soon known. The wing. The wing is the side of the company from the front to the rear, the right side being called the right wing, and the left side the left wing. Hereafter followeth certain general observations. Let every Soldier know that in marching they are to follow their leaders in strings, as also keep even with their right hand man, which is their leader in rank, the like must be done upon a stand, to stand right after their leaders in string, and rank even with their right hand man in rank, observing true distance and form according unto such order as shall be enjoined by the commander. Let the Pickeman know that in a march he must always shoulder his pick, either just or sinking, as the word shall be given; and coming thorough any port or gate, he is to port his pick, upon a troop he must carry his pick mounted, and upon a stand let him always set down or order his pick, unless he have command to the contrary. Let the Pickeman further know and observe that in charging (being ten depth) half the ranks or front division are to charge or present their picks, the other half or rear division are to carry their picks mounted or ported over the heads of their leaders, that they be no hindrance to them, either in charging or in retiring. Observe likeways that when they present standing to fall back with the right foot, and marching to present the left foot being stopped fordward. The Musketeer must observe upon a march to shoulder his Musket, and carry the rest in his right hand except he prepare to give fire, then is he bound to carry his rest in his left hand: the like also in a troop, but in a stand let him ever rest his musket, except he have command to the contrary. In exercising of the company, first cause the body to stand in good order, and being in such order as they are enjoined to, let them face to the right or left hand, and so look upon them round, seeing them stand right in strings, and ranks. Ten ranks and five strings face them to either hand, and then their is as many strings as ranks were before; the strings being become ranks, and the ranks being converted into strings. When you double your strings to any hand, by doubling of ranks to the contrary hand, they are brought to their first form: likeways having doubled ranks to any hand, by doubling of strings to the contrary hand, they become to their first order, or as they were. Now the next for the fifth principal shall be expressed, the most usual words of command, especially used in the exercising of a company, with the reasons thereof, which every Soldier must be well acquented with all, otherways they can never rise unto any preferment. The words of Command following. 1. Strings double to the right. Doubling of strings to the right is after this manner, the utmost string moveth not, but standeth fast: the next string unto the right string moveth into the right string, so that of ten in deep it is now become twenty, accordingly every second string moveth into their next string on their right hand. 2. Strings double to the left. The left string must stand fast, and every second string is to move into their next string on their left hand. The use. Thus you strengthen your wings. 3. Ranks double to the right. In doubling of ranks you must know the foremost rank stands fast, the second moveth into the first, to the right hand (for that is commounlie first done in exercising) the third rank standeth fast, the fourth moveth into the third, and so of the rest, every second rank moveth into the rank before them, that of five in rank they are doubled and become ten in rank. 4. Ranks double to the left. Doubling of ranks to the left, every second rank moveth, passing up by their leaders left hand, and so stand in the rank with them, beginning at the front first, and so take it one from another. Note that in doubling to any hand, in going to your first order that you fall out with the contrary foot. The use. Thus you strengthen your front. 5. Strings close Being in open order, the word is strings close without nameing to any hand, which is thus performed, the two middle leaders close first, the one to the right, the other to the left, till they are in the distance commanded, the rest of of the company to take their distance from them, on either wing closing to the middle leaders. 6. Strings close to the right. The right hand string moveth not but standeth fast, all the rest close to the right string, taking their distance one from another, from the right hand. 7. Strings close to the left. Strings closing to the left, than the left string stands fast, the rest of the strings close, and take their distance from the left hand. Their is great use in closing of strings for many causes. 8. Strings close to the right and left by division. Strings closing to the right and left by division, the one half of the strings close to the right string, the other half to the left string, leaving a space between, which is done upon some special use best known to the Commander. 9 Strings open. Being in close order, the word is, strings open (not naming to whether hand) and is thus to be done, the middle leaders press upon their wingers, first taking the distance commanded, having then opened both ways, the rest of the company on both wings take their distance from them. 10. Strings open to the right. The left string is not to move but standeth fast, the next to the left string first taketh the distance, pressing upon the right, until the distance commanded be obtained, the rest of the strings do the like pressing upon their right, still opening by the right until they have all done it. 11. Strings open to the left. The right string standeth fast, the rest open to the left, still pressing upon their left string until they are all in distance commanded. This word of command is ever given to that hand where there is most ground, or fittest ground for conveniency. 12. Ranks close from the front to the Rear. After this manner, the rear (or last rank) moveth not but standeth fast, the rest of the ranks fall back to the rear. 13. Ranks close from the rear to the front. To do this, the first rank moveth not, but standeth fast, all the rest of the ranks close up, taking their distance commanded, rank after rank from the front, (or first rank) the second rank to the front beginning first, the rest consequently one after another, till all have done it. 14. Ranks open from the front to the rear. The first rank moveth not, the rest of the ranks fall back, till they have gained the ground to the distance commanded, then stand, the second rank taketh the distance first, the rest in like manner one from another, until they have all effected it. 15. Ranks open from the rear to the front. Which is thus done, all the body advanceth fordward, the last rank only standeth fast, the second to the last taketh the distance first, than the rest advancing fordward till they have done it. 16. Strings and ranks close. The whole body being at open order, the word is strings and ranks close, to do the which your middle leaders of strings close first, the rest of the strings close to them, the ranks close all up to the front, or the first rank to such distance as is commanded. 17. Strings and ranks open. The whole body being close in rank and string, the word is, strings and ranks open after this manner: the middle leaders of strings open, and take the distance first, the rest of the strings on either wing from them, the ranks fall back, the second to the front taketh the distance first, the rest in like manner from the front to the rear backwards. 18. Strings countermarch and maintain ground. To countermarch and maintain ground, the leaders of every string, having turned to the hand directed (which is specially to be observed) pass thorough the company, their followers march up to the leaders ground, making the same good, then turn and pass thorough the company after their leaders, till they have all done the same. 19 Countermarch and lose ground. To countermarch and lose ground, the leaders of every string, turn to the hand directed, passing thorough the company, the followers move not till their leaders are passed by them, than they turn and pass after their leaders, the ranks do the same one after another, not moving till their leaders are passed by them, than they turn in the same ground. By countermarch the rear may become the front, in the same ground that the front stood in, having brought them up, and face about. Note. The strings must be in their open order when they countermarch. 20. Ranks countermarch from the right to the left. The right hand man passeth between the first and second rank, all the rest of the same rank follow, the right hand man of the second rank passeth between the second and third ranks, passing to the left wing the rest of the rank follow him, all the rest of the ranks do the like, bringing the right to the left. 21. Ranks countermarch from the left unto the right. The left hand man of every rank turneth first, passing to the right, all the rank followeth him, the rest of the ranks do the like, so bringing the left wing to the right. This is done upon some politic respect of the commander to change the wing, doubting the courage of the one by the other, or otherways best known to the Commander. 22. Strings rank 3. 5. 7. or 9 The right hand string first executs the same, advancing fordward, and fall in rank to such number as shall be enjoined, the next string doth the like, advancing fordward fall in rank after the former string, the rest of the strings keep the same form and order, unto they are all ranked. 23. Strings rank 3. 5. or 7. The left string first advanceth, falling in rank, the rest of the strings observe the like form, till the words of command be fully executed. 24. Ranks rank 4. 6 or 8. The first rank executeth the same beginning at the right hand man, the first rank having ended, the right hand man of the second rank beginneth, the rest of the ranks do the like, till all have done it. 25. Ranks rank 2. 4 or 6. The left hand man first beginneth here, the rest of the ranks join with him, making so many in rank as shall be commanded, every rank passing up till they have all done it. 26. Ranks string to the right. The right hand man of every rank stirreth not, but the next to the right hand man falleth behind his right hand man: the rest of the ranks follow: all the ranks do the same, falling behind their right hand man, making one string of the whole company. 27. Ranks string to the left. Every left hand man stands fast, the rest fall behind one another to the left hand, and so are converted into one string. The use. Thus you give a strong charge upon the wing by facing to any hand: this serveth also for a narrow passage, to do this let the ranks be in open order, and the strings in close order. 28. Ranks turn to the right. The right hand man turneth in the same ground he stands, not moving forth of the same: the rest of the same rank turneth altogether and become all above him, the left hand man being uppermost, all the ranks do this. 29. Ranks turn to the left. The left hand man turneth in the same ground he stands in, the rest become all above him, the right hand man being uppermost, all the ranks do this. The use. By this you may give a charge by either wing very easily. Note. To perform this easily and shortly, let the strings be in their close order, and the ranks in such open order as shall be requisite according to the number of men in rank. 30. Ranks and strings turn to the right, the great turn. This word of command is spoken to the whole body, know that the right hand man moveth not but alittle and slowly, the left wing somewhat faster, but all the whole body together till such time as the left wing be brought about, and then halt, their faces being all one way. 31. The great turn to the left. Then the left hand man moveth but little and slowly, all the rest of the body turn together, the right wing being brought to the left. 32. The great turn right about to the rear. The right hand man moveth but little and slowly, as it is said before, until his face be at the rear, then standeth. 33. The great turn left about to the rear. The like doth the left hand man as the right did before, until all be turned. The use. Thus the front is brought to either of the wings, or to the rear, being strongest and best armed. Note. For turning of this great turn, the whole body must be at their close order, both in ranks and strings. 34. Rear division, half strings, sixth rank, or middle-men double the front to the right. I have showed you before of these four words of command, but tend all to one purpose. Therefore I say rear division double the front to the right, the leaders of this division are according to the deepness, the just half of the number, and they pass up every man of the rank by the right hand of his leader, until they have all done, and then stand in the front or first rank, the next rank followeth and standeth in the second rank, and so the rest, till all have done it. 35. Rear division double the front to the left. The leaders of this division or first rank of it passeth up upon the left hand of their leaders unto the front or first rank of the front, and so consequently all the rest, until all be doubled. The use. There is a special use of this motion, for by this the same order in distance of ranks is still observed, which can not be in doubling of ranks. The second use. Again they bring sufficient men into the front and rear. The third use. Thirdly it maketh the company to show fair upon a march thorough a City, or place of note, for faces to any hand being thus doubled and then march, and you shall be bravely winged. 36. Rear division double the front to the right and left by division. The rear division divide themselves, the one half of them face to the right hand, the other half face to the left hand, then march out both to the wing of the company, than face again to the right and left, then march up to the front, and stand there. The use. Thus the front is doubled on either wing, and the same distance between strings and ranks still observed. 37. Rear division double the front to the right enteare. The rear division face to the right hand altogether, then march forth, then face to the left hand and march up to the front, joining rank by rank and their stand. 38. Rear division double the front to the left enteare The rear division face to the left and then pass out, then face to the right and march up to the front, joining rank by rank to the wing and stand. The use. Thus the front is enlarged by such wing as the commander thinks fit, and shall be most useful. 39 Bringers up double the front to the right. The last rank (as formerly is shown) are bringers up▪ who pass thorough the body by the right hand to the front, and there stand the second to the rear, follow the bringers up, and stand in the second rank to the front, and so the rest till they have all done it. 40. Bringers up double the front to the left. The last rank passeth up by their leaders left hand to the first rank and their stand, the second rank to the rear follow and stand in the second rank to the front, all the ranks do the like until they have all done it. The use. This is another manner of doubling the front, and not the worst: for by this, their is sufficient men brought to the front to the strengthening of the same. By this word of command you may alter the front, and bring the rear to the front, by causing the rear or last rank which are bringers up to pass thorough the company▪ the rest of the ranks following them. 41. Ranks string by inversion. After this manner the whole body standing in open order, especial in ranks, one half of the ranks fall into the right string the other half into the left hand string, becoming two strings only, wherein you must note that the two uttermost strings, which are called the right and left hand strings, they stand fast, the rest of the strings invert to them. The use. This serves for the avoiding of cannon shot upon the main body, or for a gaird for some great commander to pass thorough, it is used also at the lodging of the Handseigne. 42 To your first order, or as you were. These words are words which bring the company to their first station or order: after every motion foresaid we say, either to your first order, or else as you were, which tends both to one use. But because I use this first word in my own practice, I would wish all those that useth this book to follow it, so that there be no diversity. To your first order. This word of command is often used to perfect the body after doubling of ranks or strings, when the rear division hath doubled the front, or bringers up have doubled the front, after ranks turning the great turn, ranks stringing either by conversion or inversion, and at other times to bring them to their first form. The use. The use of this is so necessary, that when the company can not understand by any other word of command, they can more easily fall to their first order. There be divers other words of command generally to be observed by the whole company in time of service, or upon any sudden assault to cause face to any hand, or charge to any hand. The company standing in battle orderly, both in ranks and strings, and true distance in both the words of exercising are these, viz. Faces to the right. To your first order. Faces to the left. To your first order. Faces right about to the rear. To your first order. Faces left about to the rear. To your first order. PRESENTING. Present to the right. To your first order. Present to the left. To your first order. Present right about to the rear. To your first order. Present left about to the rear. To your first order. Faces to the right and left by division. To your first order. Faces to the front and rear by division. To your first order. PRESENTING. Present to the right and left by division. To your first order. Present to the front and rear by division. To your first order. There is divers sorts of exercising of Musquetiers by themselves apart, which cannot well be set down but in action. The first is to win ground upon the enemy. The second is to lose ground, or making a retreat, and yet offend the enemy. The third is, in marching by the enemy, and discharging upon them by strings as they march. The fourth sort is by dividing the front and rear by divisions, six foot distant, and marching away by the enemy, and discharging upon them half strings, the first half string marching thorough the division from the right to the left: the second half string discharging upon the enemy, and falling by the rear or last rank unto the left half string. The fifth sort is by dividing the right and left division six foot distant one from another, the first half ranks discharging upon the enemy, and falling off from the right hand unto the rear, the one half rank falleth off by the right division to the rear, the left division falleth down thorough between the divisions upon the right hand unto the rear. For brevity's sake I defer all or most kinds of frames and motions, until I come to the practice and exercise myself, which Godwilling will be more profitable to the young Soldier, than many tables of motions, which are hindrance to the mind. Heretofore I have set forth briefly and shortly the duties and parts that every particular officer ought to be endued with, that he may be found qualified for the fulfilling of his place, and discharging the commandment he hath over a private company. Now my discourse draweth me a little higher to the heads, and chiefest officers in an army, by whom the whole body of the inferior companies are to be directed; for as the senses of our body have residence in the head to govern the rest of the body, and the sense of touching and seeing only is spread abroad thorough the rest of the parts thereof, that every particular member may have functions for the execution of these offices whereunto they are apppointed by nature, even so it is in the body of an army, from whose chiftane, as from the head should be deryved all sort of sense, and in the rest of the inferior members should be found a ready obedience to be disposed upon according to the influence and government that he shall think most expedient: Now as the health and good order of the body depend so upon the constitution of the head, that if it be distempered, or the senses troubled, the actions of the whole man are of that same kind confuted and perverted, so the proceedings of an army receive their beginning and success, according to the sense and understanding of those who govern therein, and therefore I have thought it expedient to speak alittle of them lykewayes, that every one at his first entry into a camp may know how all things ought to be rightly governed, and to whom he ought obedience if any thing should fall amiss, so that from the lowest degree to the highest they be not ignorant how the rule of perfection may be aimed at and obtained. THE GENERAL. THE highest office of all is that of a General, who as he is above the rest in authority and power, so ought he not only to know perfectly the duties of every officer, but also to excel them all in religion, wisdom, experience, policy, gravity, secrecy, counsel, modesty, temperance, valour, magnanimity, vigilancy, care constancy, liberality, and resolution, with all other good parts incident to a perfect man of war: and how much all these good parts, and many more ought to be in the personage elected to this high and careful dignity, you may easily conceive and gather, because he is set over the rest, to the end that he being their chiftane and head, may not only know how to govern them both in actions, but also in his virtuous life and carriage be a pattern, light, and lantern unto the whole numbers of the companies to imitate, for it is an old proverb, such master such man, such General such officers and followers: for commonly a wise, valiant and virtuous general will choose wise valiant, and virtuous captains and officers: good and virtuous captains will as near as they can choose good, honest, sober, and virtuous officers under them, entertain their Soldiers with good and fair speeches, to command with all allurements to bring them to the due form of martial discipline. THE CROWNER. THE Crowner's place and office is to be commander over the Captains, and all other inferior officers of his regiment, having jurisdiction and dominion over them all, whereby may be inferred and gathered the parts and qualities which ought to be in him, and the great skill and experience in war, as one who ought to exceed them all, for to know how to command, rule, and govern them with prudency, and valour: And forasmuch as in many occurrants and occasions growing and presented in war he should know to perform the parts and office of a general, being alone with the companies of his own regiment, as when his general commands him to the battery, or siege of any fort or city, or to defend any fort or town, or to war in any open campania, to give battle to the enemy, to make incursions, to retire and withdraw skirmishers, to frame brigs over rivers, to fortify himself in camp, to conduct artillirie, and many other pieces of service to be performed in him, he is greatly to respect and honour his general, obeying and performing his commands and orders with great care and diligence, as he would be obeyed himself and reverenced by his Captains and other officers of his regiment. THE SERGEANT MAYOR. HIS office is to be the general minister or officer of a whole regiment of sundry companies, and superintendent of all the Sergeants of the same, by whose hand and industry, the crowner doth give the orders convenient to the due government of his regiment; as in marching, encamping imbattelling, and in such other matters concerning hereunto, whereby may be gathered the parts, the qulities, the valour, the great skill, experience, and great diligence which ought to be in him, who is chosen to this degree of office, being of such importance: the Sergeant majors office is of much higher degree than any ordinary Captianes; for every Captain do receive his directions from the Sergeant major, and the Sergeant major from the Crowner or General if he be in place: the ordinary place where the Crowner marcheth is in the Vanguard, and so the Sergeant major being his officer, by whom he sendeth his commands unto the Captains. Leivetennents, Handseignes, and Sergeants, and other 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 always to be near unto his person, for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 major is guide of the battle. Admonitions for a 〈◊〉 Soldier HAving said somewhat concerni●●●he conditions and qualities which are required in 〈◊〉 several officer of a private company. Now let us see 〈◊〉 manner of men are worthy the name of Soldiers. First the Soldier of all men 〈◊〉 the fear of God before his eyes, to have a clear 〈◊〉, & to be of honest conversation, lest in running up 〈◊〉 he fall into hellfire. Secondly he that loveth right and justice, is sit to be the defender of the same. Thirdly he that pitieth the poor and afflicted, is a meet man to succour his country and town against the violence of oppressors. Fourthly he that tendereth the widow and fatherless▪ he that delighteth to see virtue flourish in his country, honour advanced, faith and equity to abide in every fellowship. Fiftly he that hateth covetousness, thift, extortion, murder, fornication, idleness; and drunkenness, these and such like men are fit to be, and bear the name of Soldiers or martialists. For the first foundation and use of arms was erected of necessity to restrain and repress the disorders of lewd and wicked men, and to settle and establish peace and justice upon earth, so then as the armed host is the remedy to chastise and repress the offences of others, it is convenient that the same host be free from the like offences, and every vice in a Soldier ought to be strongly bridled, and punished with extremity. A company drawn up in form of a triangle battle. 200 men. M . . . M H M . . . M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M . . . M M . . . M M . . . M M . . . M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M . . . M M . . . M P . . . P P . . . P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P . . . P P . . . P P . . . P P . . . P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P . . . P P . . . P A company drawn up with the picks upon the right hand. 200 men. M . . . M M . . . M P . . . P P . . . P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M . . . M M . . . M P . . . P P . . . P M . . . M M . . . M P . . . P P . . . P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M . . . M M . . . M P . . . . . . . . P A company drawn up and winged upon both the wings with Musquetiers. 200 men. M . . . M P . . . P P . . . P M . . . M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M . . . M P . . . P P . . . P M . . . M M . . . M P . . . P P . . . P M . . . M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M . . . M P . . . P P . . . P M . . . M This company having their Musquetiers upon the left wing, hath now doubled the right division of Picks. 200 men. P . . . P P . . . P M . . . M M . . . M P . . . P P . . . P M . . . M M . . . M P . . . P P . . . P M . . . M M . . . M P . . . . . . . . P M . . . . . . . . M P . . . . . . . . P M . . . . . . . . M P . . . . . . . . P M . . . . . . . . M P . . . . . . . . P M . . . . . . . . M P . . . . . . . . P M . . . . . . . . M P . . . . . . . . P M . . . . . . . . M P . . . . . . . . P M . . . . . . . . M This maketh a strong battle for defending and offending an horse troop, by facing to any hand, either to the right or to the left. A Company presenting to all quarters, being 200. 100 Picks, 100 Musquetiers. Front. Front. M . . . . . . . . M P P P P P P P P P P Front. M . . . . . . . . M P P P P P P P P P P . . . . . . . . . M . P . . P P P P P P . . . . . . . . . M . P . . P P P P P P M . . . M M . . . M P P P P P P P P P P Front. P P . P P P . . . P M . . . . . . . . M P P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P P . P P P . . P P M . . . M M . . . M Front. Because I am in opinion that there be sundry who will be desirous to know the manner how to draw up companies, and placing them in battle rank, this being a most difficle and pleasant peace of all the exercise, I have now for their contentment and satisfaction set down in a table under their view divers sorts and fashions of this kind, out of the which they may be able easily by their own industry, according to the occurrences to frame other forms as the number of the companies and occasions that they shall find shall permit. here is placed the handling of Pick and Musket, with your left hand because there is sundry of this Town who are left handed and desirous to learn to handle both Picks and Muskets therewith. The postures of the Pick. Your Pick lying upon the ground going to lift it up. 1 Put your toe of your left foot first to it. 2 Then your left hand with your thumb at the butt-end of it. 3 In lifting step forward with your right foot, and right hand and so lift it up. 4 Then your Pick is mounted. 5 Order your Pick at 3. Mo●ion. 6 Mount your Pick at 3. Mo●ion. 7 Shoulder your Pick at 3. Mo●ion. Which must be done this way, first fall back with your left foot and your left hand, receiving your Pick upon your left shoulder, so you step up again with your left foot upon your station to the right foot. 8 Mount your Pick at 3. 9 Port your Pick at 1. 10 Trail your Pick at 4. 11 Cheek your Pick at 1. 12 Recover your Pick at 4. 13 Port your Pick at 1. 14 Shoulder your Pick at 3. 15 Sink your Pick, putting the butt-end of it within half foot to the ground. 16 Hold your Pick upon your left shoulder with your left hand, and your thumb upon your shoulder, the palm of your hand up and your four fingers lying upon the Pick about. 17 Your Pick being ordered at close order, the butt-end of it must be betwixt your feet, holding the same with your right hand being ready to present to charge horse, and your left hand to draw your sword, setting forward your right foot, laying your Pick and right hand upon your right knee, the butt being close at the left foot and your sword in your left hand. 18 Your Pick being ordered at open order, your feet must be a foot asunder and your Pick in your left hand, with your thumb up towards the point, and the Pick a foot from the left foot. 19 Your Pick ordered at order, your feet may be close at half a foot asunder, and the butt-end of your Pick standing a little from your left toe of that foot. 20 Presenting your Pick being shouldered to any quarter, observe that if he be a right handed man▪ that his right foot go always back to one place, and if left handed, his left foot always back to one place, at the exercising of these Postures I shall show the reasons, but now it were too tedious. The words for the handling of the Musket for a left handed man. The posturs of the Musket. The Musket shouldered upon the right shoulder. 1 Sink your Musket. Charging. 2 Handle your Musket with your left hand. 3 unshoulder your Musket and hold her up in your left hand. 4 Fall back with your left leg and left hand. 5 Bring your rest to your Musket with your right hand. 6 join both Musket and rest in your right hand. 7 Bee sure to have the mouth of your Musket higher than any of your leaders shoulders head, and so no harm can be done. 8 Open your pan with the middle finger and thumb of the left hana, your thumb being at the back of the pan. 9 Take your pryming wire and cleanse your touchholl, and blow it. 10 Morse with powder. 11 Close your pan. 12 Grip the butt-end of your Musket in your left hand with the rest also and shake off the loose powder. 13 Bring about your Musket to your right side. 14 Discharge your measure into your barrel of your Musket. 15 Draw forth your scrow with the middle finger and thumb of the left hand. 16 Shorten your scrow wand at your left pap within a handful. 17 Ram in your charge. 18 Draw forth your scrow wand again and shortenit, as before. 19 Put up your scrow wand or raming stick again in its place. 20 Recover your Musket alittle before you lift it up. 21 Hold up your Musket in your right hand. 22 Take it by the butt-end hard under the pan with your left hand and shoulder it. 23 Put your rest in your right hand at the inside of your Musket, and your hand at the back of the pan. Your Musket is now charged ready to do service and execution upon the enemy. 24 Sink your Musket. 25 Handle your Musket with your left hand. Discharging▪ 26 unshoulder your Musket. 27 Hold up your Musket in your left hand. 28 Bring your rest to your Musket. 29 join both in your right hand. 30 Take forth your match with the middle finger and thumb of the left hand. 31 Blow your match under your left arm. 32 Cock your match. 33 Try your match. 34 Guard your pan with the first two fingers of the left hand, and the thumb at the back of the pan. 35 Blow your match again. 36 Take off your pan or put of the cover of your pan. 37. Present your Musket upon the rest, your right foot being at the rest upon the ground. 38 Give fire. 39 Fall off either be the right or left hand, as the word of Command is given 40 In going off take forth your match, or lunte, and return it in your right handagaine, betwixt your little finger and second finger, having two ends lighted. Note that when you handle your Musket with your right hand that your bandelier be over the left shoulder & under the right arm. Also when you handle with the left hand that your bandeleirs be over the right shoulder and under the left arm. A Company drawn up with the Musquetiers in the front. Front. Left wing. M M M M M M M M M M Right wing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M . . . M M . . . M P . . . P P . . . P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . P . . . P P . . . P The Rear. Here the rear division of Picks, hath doubled the front division of Musquetiers to the right hand. Front. Left wing. M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P Right wing. M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P M P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Rear. A Soldiers resolution to bravo Soldiers. GEntlemen and brave Soldiers, having now ended all that I have thought expedient to be set down by writ for the present touching this matter, what amiss and error I have herein committed, I yield the same to be considered and reform by the wisdom of those, whose experience, authority, and good endeavour may be answerable to the performance thereof: Desiring that the same may be deemed as proceeding from a Soldier, who more of zeal than of any desire to offend, not to instruct the expert Soldier, but to endeavour myself by the observations to make known my goodwill and wishes I have conceived, to set forward the unexpert and unskilled sort, which if I have obtained, it is the height of all my desires, and I shall esteem this a full recompense of my travel, if I perceive this discourse of the rudiments of Martial affairs, to be graciously accepted, though it be roughly drawn, as it were with the Pick and Musket of a Soldier, and no● trimmed with the delicate pen of an orator, for I have ever judged it more becoming a Soldier to utter himself by works than by words, and in effect, as I shall do declare the affection and readiness I have To do you better service. I. A.