Military Instructions, or the soldier tried, for the use, of the Dragon, Being A part of cavalry, for fierings, on horseback, as the Harquebusier, & on foot, as Infaritry, very necessary for such as desire to be studious, in the way of the Art military, never before published, by any, and now set forth by captain Nathaniel Burt Fellow-soldiers, For the marching postures of the dragoon, they are like the 23. and 24. Figures in the book of cavalry; I could wish they might have Snap-hances on their Muskets; then the postures mentioned at the end of the 30. Chapter would serve them on horseback, to make ready. I hope there is no musketeer that is any part a posture man, but will find way to make use of it, on horseback, although to fire on horseback is not so fully known. HAving upon some occasions viewed and looked upon some part of the book of Military Instructions for the Cavalry, &c. and finding it to speak so disrespectively of the Books of infantry, without exceptions, and for that he saith, the dragoon, or Musquetier, must exercise himself to give fire on horseback, as the Harquebusier, &c. as you may read in his 31. Cap. pag. 44. and yet leaveth him to be directed therein, by the Infantry, I shall here take occasion to speak somewhat for the complete and perfect method of the Young artillery Man, set forth by my honoured fellow-soldier and acquaintance, Lievt. colonel Barriffe, which for its sufficiency, and plainness, to speak truly, I think as yet unparalleled in any language, which being perfectly apprehended and understood, will furnish the party that shall understand it, in the Rudiments (God giving him courage to perform and act it sufficiently) in most things. But I would entreat all soldiers to make use of, and store up experimental (a) I am persuaded there be many that have been abroad have grown little in experience or valour, only in pride and covetousness, to defraud: and I dare boldly say, such will never be soldiers, &c. knowledge: for as this war differeth much from other wars, so doth the several skirmishings, and occasions (therein:) and resolution goeth very far in it, so it be grounded upon judgement, and produceth many fair effects, through God's blessing. For the exercise of the dragoon, firing on horseback, I will recite somewhat, I have seen, though in a more confused manner and way, and give some directions to perform the same. Suppose the enemy retreating, and their horse facing while they draw off their great guns, and baggage, marching away with their Infantry, they losing ground, retreat entire, together, with their Cornets on the head of their troops, they being on a hill, having a deep and dangerous dale, to friend, fit to lay Ambuscadoes in, besides the night approaching to help them, &c. Here dragoons may do better service, firing on horseback, than the Curasier, the way being dubitable, &c. by advancing slowly after them, following them about musket shot, the Curasier being within such distance as is needful, to relieve them, if that the enemy should seem to charge, or attempt it: for the better performance thereof, they are to fire by (b) First, firing of the musketeer on horseback by introduction, which I am of opinion is not overbalanced with danger, but the properest, one of them upon such an occasion: but I leave it to the judgement of others, according to my request at the end, &c. The second firing of the musketeer on horseback. 3. The dragoon to fire on foot, if that he shall see occasion, and after fire given, to mount, &c. 4. The dragoon service in a siege, and how he is to behave himself, and to fire, &c. introduction, on horseback; which is a passing through, or between the Files, the files being at open Order: the first rank having given fire, by the commander's direction, let the bringer-up pass through the Files, which is commonly to the left, placing themselves before their Leaders, in the Front, and then giving fire, the rest of the Ranks acting the same successively, till such time as they shall receive Order to the contrary, or to close their Files. I am loath to form their place of march upon such occasions, but the Van, or Flanks, is most advantageous, and necessary for them, because from thence they can command, and send farthest, and make the best use, to line the hedges, or to beat up their Ambuscadoes, if need require: but not knowing the situation of the place, or the form of the enemy, which they may pursue, I leave it to the wisdom of the Commander, &c. Secondly, a party of dragoons may fire retreating, on horseback, and do good execution, they riding such a pace, as their occasion requireth, or the ground will permit, the last rank sometimes facing about, and firing upon the enemy, then wheeling off to the right, or left, as the ground best affords. I would advise them (herein) to keep their Files close, and place themselves before their Leaders in the Front, till they receive order to the contrary. The Dragoons having been sent forth for the taking some bridge, or stopping some passage, the enemy having possessed himself of it before them, and advancing towards their Quarters, whether in field or garrison, and being too strong for them to encounter with, having retreated as before to their Quarters, or some place of advantage, where they may secure their horses in the way, they being acquainted therewith before, and what Scouts the enemy hath out, may give the enemy an unexpected volley of shot from some secret and unexpected place, which may offer itself to their view, which having performed, to mount suddenly again, for better and sooner expedition, &c. For service to be performed by the dragoon in a Siege, it is commonly on Foot, wherefore I leave the direction thereof in firings to the several and special occasions, as they shall arise, and their Commanders give directions, further certifying, that by the skilful, and truly valiant, it is sooner formed in field, then described by the pen, only finding the cavalry book so full of good language and learning, and the Dragoon, being made a part thereof, and left to another's direction, I could do no less than vindicate my deceased fellow-soldiers book, ut supra. And as a testimony of my love to the School of War I was bred in, and my real and hearty affections to my country, offer this my mite into the treasury, with my humble prayers to the Almighty, to convert us all unto him in his good time, and to send peace in this distracted kingdom, &c. From the Hermit at Wapping, June 5. 1644. Postscript. Gentle Reader, accept of these lines in love, and correct them in love, so shall I be engaged hereafter, further to publish such things as I shall find occasion, for thy benefit, only for the present, I have commended to the Cutters, or Ingravers of Copper, and so to the press, for the seconding of the young artillerie-mans' request, the Motions of the Posture for the Musket and Pike in their several garbs and Portraitures, as also the Postures of the half Pike joined with the Musket, being at this time required either for Musketier or Dragoone: but the present necessity calling upon this (as I conceive) hath caused me to set this forth alone: wherefore expect the other as soon as it can be finished. Vale. Your Friend, Nathanael Burt. Published according to Order.