fall behind, you; after which, quit your Right-hand from the Butt-end,
without any motion of the Left, and be cautious not to strike upon the
Spear.
25. =Charge as you were.=
Here turn to the Left about, place the Butt-end in the Palm of your
Right-hand, and Charge, the Spear being kept an even height.
26. =Advance your Pike.=
In this Exercise bring your Right-heel to your Left-Instep, your _Pike_
directly before you to the Recovery; and so fall out with your
Right-foot that it may come even with your Left, and so bring the _Pike_
to your Right thigh.
27. =Order your Pikes.=
Raise your Left-hand, so that it may come even with the upper part of
your Shoulder, place it on your _Pike_, stretching out your Fingers;
then sinking your Left-hand, raise your Right; and then raise the
_Pike_, that when the Butt-end your Right-hand may be against your Eye;
keep the _Pike_ near your Head by clapping the Butt-end to the Latchet
of your Shoe; and here all the Butt-ends of as many as are exercised
must fall to the Ground at one and the same time.
28. =Pikes to you Inside Order.=
Place the Butt-end on the Inside your Right-foot to the middle, not
moving your foot, but only your _Pike_.
29. =Lay down your Pikes.=
As many as exercise in this case, must step altogether with their
Right-legs; stoop together with a very Quick Motion, and Lay their
_Pikes_ down very strait with their Right-hands.
30. =Quit your Pikes.=
Fall back with your Left-leg, bringing it even with your Right: Then
quit your _Pike_ absolutely, and rise up with a quick Motion.
31. =Handle your Pikes.=
Here you must step forward in a quick Motion with your Left-leg, and
then as many as exercise must stoop together, and extend their
Right-hands as far as they can reach, and then grasp the _Pike_.
32. =Order you Pikes.=
With your Right-hand raise the Pike, and step back with your Left Leg,
with a swift Motion, clapping the Butt-end of the _Pike_ to facilitate
the raising of it on the Inside of your Right-foot about the middle.
33. =Pikes to your outside Order.=
In this Exercise place the Butt-end of your _Pike_ on the out-side of
your foot, not moving your Foot, but the _Pike_.
34. =Advance your Pike.=
This must be done, as the fore-going; and thus much for the Exercise of
the _Pike_ in particular by it self, till I come to speak of its
Exercise conjunctly with the _Musquet_, in the general Exercising a
Company or Battalion.
_The words of Command in the Exercise of the_ Musquet, _and how they are
to be Observed and Performed_.
When you enter on this Exercise, be sure to keep your Footing firm, your
Feet at a moderate distance; that at all Times, and on all Occasions,
you may retain your full Strength. Observe moreover to keep the Right
heel firm, and set the Right foot steady, and then attend to the Words
of Command, which you are summoned to do by this Expression of the
Commander, viz. _Musketiers, have a Care of the Exercise, and carry your
Arms well._ After which, the proper Words of Command follow in their
Order.
1. =Lay your Right-hand on your Musket.=
Here the Lock being uppermost, turn the Barrel towards you, and
extending your Fingers, lay your Right-hand directly behind the Lock; so
close the Butt end to your Shoulder, suffering the _Musket_ to be in all
parts of an equal height.
2. =Poise your Musket.=
In doing this, you must hold it with a hard Grasp, facing to the Right,
and turning with a quick Motion on your Left-heel, your _Musket_ kept
directly before you the height of it, between your Shoulders; your Right
elbow on your Side, keeping your feet at a moderate distance, that when
you turn about, your Left-toe may stand to the Front, and your Right-toe
as you Face to the Left; let your Left-heel be against the middle of
your Right-foot; and by such means you will be in a resting posture.
3. =Rest your Musket.=
Here slide your _Musket_ down to your Left-hand bearing your Arm as low
as possible without stooping, and so receive your _Musket_ where the
Scowrer enters into the Stock, touching with your hand no part of the
Barrel, keeping it about half a Foot from your side sloping, your
Right-hand, with your Fingers, extended being behind the Lock.
4. =Cock your Musket.=
Place the Right-Thumb and your Finger behind the Trigger, so clap your
_Musket_ against your Thigh, and Cock; keeping it that it slip not your
Thumb, now removed steady on the Head of the Cock.
5. =Guard your Musket.=
Bring it with a very swift Motion strait before you, to recover your
Left-hand even with your mouth, about half a foot distance from it, not
suffering your _Musket_ to sink, nor stooping your Body, observing in
bringing up the _Musket_ before, which is a recovering, that the
Right-heel be brought to the Left-Instep, your _Musket_ being
perpendicular.
6. =Present.=
Here fall back with your Right-leg, that the middle of the Right foot
may be against the Left-heel; cause the Butt-end to rise to your
Shoulder, fixing it firm, and keep your Right elbow even with the height
of the Piece, being in a readiness with the fourth Finger of your
Right-hand to pull the Trigger, bowing the Left-knee keeping the Right
firm and steady, and so level your _Musket_ Breast high.
7. =Fire.=
Keep here an exact Motion in drawing the Trigger, every one drawing at
once, so that the whole Fire of a Company or Battalion may be as of one
report: Keep your Body steady, and your _Musket_ hard against your
Shoulder after you have fired, till the next Word of Command is given,
_viz_.
8. =Recover your Arms.=
Here let the Butt-end sink in both your Hands, and bringing it strait
before you, keep your right Hand under the Cock and the Left even with
your Mouth.
9. =Half bend your Musket.=
Fall back with your Right-leg, and let the _Musket_ at once rest,
placing the Right-thumb upon the Cock, and the Fingers of that hand
behind the Trigger; then closing it to your Thigh, half bend the Cock,
and keep it rested with your Fingers extended.
10. =Clean the Pan.=
Do this with the ball of your Thumb, pressed into the Pan, keeping your
Fingers of the Right-hand behind the Lock.
11. =Handle your Primer.=
Take the little end between your Finger and Thumb, turning the other end
to the back of your Hand, your Arm bearing backwards.
12. =Prime.=
Level your Piece, and strike your bruised Powder into the Pan half full,
or some what more, keeping your Left-toe to the Front.
13. =Shut your Pan.=
This do by using your two first Fingers, casting back your Primer and
bringing up your Right-heel to your Left-instep, your _Musket_ strait up
before you, as in the recovery, with the Barrel towards you; do it with
a quick Motion with the Thumb of your Right-hand on the top of the
Steel, Levelling your Left with your Mouth.
14. =Blow off the loose Corns.=
Bring your Mouth within four Inches of the Pan, give a strong Blast
without declining your Head, casting out your Arm, and suffering the
_Musket_ to sink from its former Posture.
15. =Cast about and Charge.=
Advance your right Leg, turn the Barrel of your _Musket_ downwards,
bring it to your Left-side a little backward, with your Left-hand, not
touching the Barrel with your Fingers; place the Toes of your Right foot
to the Front and the Right-heel against the middle of the Left-foot,
ballancing your _Musket_ in the Left hand, the Muzzle to the proper
Front, in an equal height, half a Foot from you, joining your Right-hand
to the Muzzle, your Thumb extended to the side of the Barrel.
16. =Handle your Charger.=
Gripe fast your Bandilier or Charger, hold it even with the Muzzle of
the _Musket_ underneath, about an Inch distant.
17. =Open your Charger with your Teeth.=
In this Case, bring it up to your Mouth without declining your Head,
then bring your Charger within an Inch of your Muzzle, about an Inch
from it, covering your Chargers Mouth with the ball of your Thumb.
18. =Charge with Powder.=
Pat the Powder into the Barrel with a quick Motion, and put the Charger
underneath as before.
19. =Draw forth your Scowrer.=
In this let fall your Charger, and upon turning your Hand, draw forth
your Scowrer at three Motions, holding it Level the height of your
Forehead, with an extended Arm, as if you designed to dart it.
20. =Shorten it to an Inch.=
Turn the great end of your Scowrer towards you, sinking it till within
an Inch of your Hand, rest it some what below your Right-breast, bearing
forward a little.
21. =Charge with Bullet.=
Take the Bullet out of your Mouth with your Right-hand, put it into the
Barrel with a swift Motion, holding the big end of your Scowrer near the
Muzzle of your Musket.
22. =Ram down Powder and Ball.=
Grasp full with your Thumb and Fore-finger from the Muzzle, your Thumb
on the Top of the Scowrer reserving a handful in your Hand.
23. =Withdraw your Scowrer.=
Your Hand, Thumb and Fore-finger turned towards the Muzzle, clear your
Scowrer at three Motions, and hold it up even with your Forehead,
extending your Arm as if you were about to dart it.
24. =Shorten it to an Handful.=
Turn the Butt-end of your Scowrer towards you; sink it till within an
Inch of the End, letting it rest against your Body a little below your
Right-breast, the Scowrer sloping.
25. =Return your Scowrer.=
Put it up in its proper place; grasp the Muzzle of your _Musket_ with
your Right-hand, extending your Thumb upon the Scowrer, keep it half a
foot distant from your Side.
26. =Poise your Musket.=
Here before you bring up your _Musket_ with your Left-hand, Grasp it
under the Cock with your Right, falling with your Right-leg to your
Left: Keep it Poised against your Nose, and when faced to the Front, let
your Right-elbow rest upon your Body.
27. =Shoulder your Musket.=
In this do as has been taught in the like case before.
28. =Order your Musket.=
Sink a little your Right-hand, and take hold on the Stock on the top of
the Scowrer with your Left-hand, then suffer that Hand to sink, and take
hold on the Muzzle with the Right-hand, letting the Butt-end easily sink
near the Ground; then let it after a little Pause come down: As many as
Exercise grounding them together, then close to the Right-foot, and
place the Butt-end about the middle of it, your Right-hand an Inch below
the Muzzle, the Lock being outward.
29. =Lay down your Musket.=
Turning it with the Back upwards, step forwards with your Left-leg, so
with your Right-hand place it on the Ground, that it may lye with the
rest in a strait Line; This some call grounding a _Musket_.
30. =Quit your Musket.=
Here stand upright with a quick Motion, rising with a falling back of
your Left-leg to your Right.
31. =Handle your Musket.=
With your Left-leg step forward, and lay your Right hand on the Muzzle.
32. =Order your Musket.=
Raise the Muzzle, and fall back with your Left-leg to your Right,
turning the Lock outwards by the middle of your Foot.
And thus much for the Exercise of the _Musket_ by it self, which may be
much advantageous to young Trainers, who have occasion to be called or
sent out upon Duty in the City or Country and Country Militia of the
_Trained Bands_, or for any other who is desirous to be knowing in, and
entering upon Military Affairs, from whence I shall proceed to the brief
Exercise of the _Pike_ and _Musket_, jointly, as they are Exercised in
Companies, Battalions, _&c._
_The Exercise of_ Pike _and_ Musket _jointly._
We now supposing the _Muskets_ shouldered, and the _Pikes_ advanced; the
Word next is,
1. =Musketiers, make ready.=
Hereupon you must perform all the Postures and Motions together, till
you stand Cock'd and guarded with your _Musket_ before you; and for the
better Security your Thumb on the Cock; whereupon the _Pikes_ are to be
recovered before the _Pike-men_: The Butt-ends in the Palms of their
Hands, and the Spear upright on their Left hands to the height of their
Mouths, when the Commander gives the Word
=Charge.=
Then the _Muskets_ and _Pikes_ must be brought at once, by turning the
Left-toe that way the Charge is made, and the Left-heel against the
middle of the Right-foot in every Charge, charging directly forward; not
at the first Charging, closing the _Pikes_ to your Breasts; but in
bringing down the _Pike_, charge a little way distant, and when they are
brought down, then close them.
The _Charge_ is, _To the Right_ four times; then to the _Right about_,
and so, _As you were_.
Then to the _Left Charge_ four times; then to the _Left about_, and so,
_As you were_.
Furthermore the _Pike-men_ must turn as the _Musketiers_, bearing up
their Right-heels to their Left-insteps, their Arms being extended as
they turn; so that they bring their _Muskets_ straight before them,
carrying their Left-hands as high as their Mouths, bearing back their
Arms; and when they Face, fall back with their Right-legs, not bringing
down their Arms till the word _Charge_ is given; and then it must be
done with a decent quick Motion, not suffering the _Pikes_ to clatter.
After this, the Words of Command are, _viz._
=Recover your Arms.=
=Half bend your Muskets.=
=Poise your Muskets.=
=Shoulder your Muskets.=
This Exercise is to be observ'd, as is before laid down in the Exercise
of the _Musket_. The _Musketiers_ upon this, being at Shoulder; and the
_Pikes_ that stood recovered falling out with their Right-legs,
whereupon the _Pikes_ are brought to their Thighs in their Advance. Then
the next is.
=Poise your Muskets.=
Upon this, the _Pike-men_ with their Left hands must grasp their _Pikes_
over against their Shoulders, after which the Words are,
=Order your Arms.=
=Pikes, to your inside Order.=
=Lay down your Arms.=
=Quit your Arms.=
=To the Right about.=
=March.=
You must observe these, as directed in the Exercise, only over and
above, when you are clear of your Arms; you must disperse, and upon the
beat of _Drum_, close hastily together with a Huzza, your Swords
unsheathed, with their Points upwards. Then further observe the Words of
Command, _viz._
=Return your Swords.=
=Handle your Arms.=
=Order your Arms.=
=Pikes, to your out-side Order.=
=Advance.=
In ordering your Arms, observe you make a little stop before you let the
Butt-ends come to the Ground; so that each one may bear you company, and
they may fall together at once; and after they are laid down, and
quitted, you must stand up together so suddenly, as all your Risings may
appear as it were but one Motion.
When you March from your Arms, step Front and Rear at once, with the
Left-feet Marching but a little distance.
Then lay your Right-hand on your Sword, taking hold of your Scabbard
with your Left; and then drawing, hold your Swords upright before you;
after you have held them there a while, bring them down at one Motion,
and when by Command your Swords are returned, stand upright to your
Arms, facing to your proper Front; and if any thing is to be further
known, consider the Exercise of the _Pike_ and _Musket_ distinctly, and
you will be informed to your Satisfaction.
_Of the Match-Lock._
These Locks were formerly in more use than _Fire-Locks_, and at this day
they are sometimes mixed among them; wherefore I shall speak somewhat
relating to the Words of Command, that seem to differ from the
_Fire-lock_, _viz._
=1. Lay down your Match,=
=2. Handle your Match,=
=3. Blow your Match,=
=4. Cock and try your Match,=
=5. Return your Match.=
All these chiefly consist in keeping your Match in order, with a good
hard and well lighted Coal, fastning it on Command, advantageous in your
Skrew, blowing the Coal, and so by pulling the Trigger, trying your Pan
with false Flashes, laying it down at Command, and by the same order
taking it up again; shortning it to the Pan, that it may give true Fire,
and upon firing, to return it, and recover the Coal, if it be shattered
by the force of the Powder. You must observe also to keep your Match
dry, that on occasion you may not be disappointed.
And this in brief is all materially relating to the _Match-Lock_; the
other Postures of the _Musket_ are all ready described, being sufficient
to direct the Exercise; yet seeing many lay much stress on the Beat of
_Drum_, Take that a long with you, as it relates to Exercise, and so I
shall take Leave of the foot, and make a visit to the Horse.
_Exercise by Beat of Drum, relating to the Foot._
There are usually observed in this, six Points, which are called Points
of War, and are said to be semi-vocal; because by them the Soldiers
understand what is to be done; and can distinguish their Duty and
Exercise; and of these in their order.
1. _The Call._ This is to Summon the Soldiers together to their Arms, or
upon any other occasion, as to hear Proclamation, or receive Directions,
_&c._ from the Officers, and are not without leave to Ramble, especially
in time of War, beyond the hearing of it, under great Penalties.
2. _The Troop._ When the Soldiers hear this, they must Advance their
_Pikes_, Shoulder their _Muskets_, and close their Ranks and Files to
order, following their Leaders or Commanders to the place of Rendezvous,
Quarters, or elsewhere.
3. _The March._ When you hear this, you must betake you to your open
Orders in Ranks, Shoulder both _Musket_ and _Pike_; and so as the _Drum_
beats, you March slower or quicker.
4. _The Preparative._ Is to warn you to close your proportionable or due
distance, when you are to prepare for Battle or Skirmish; and to see
every thing be in order that may turn to advantage.
5. _The Battle._ This is by some called the Charge, or Signal to Charge
the Enemy, and is beat in the beginning of the Fight to animate the
Soldiers Courage.
6. _The Retreat._ This is beat when being over-powered, it is thought
convenient to draw off and save a total Rout, or sometimes when an Enemy
you suppose stronger than your self advances towards you to engage, but
by Retreating you avoid him.
There are two more things on the _Drum_, somewhat to our purpose, _viz._
1. _The Tatto or Tapto._ This is used in a Rounds and Garisons, to give
notice to the Soldiers and Inhabitants when they ought to repair to
their Quarters and Houses.
2. _Revalley._ Is to let them know when it is time to rise in the
Morning, and attend on their Duty also. In Garisons, to let the People
know when its safe to go abroad, the out Scouts being Relieved.
_The Exercise of Horse in Troops or Squadrons_, &c.
The Exercise of the Horse is various from that of the Foot, and
therefore that I may not be wanting in what is necessary to the young
Soldier in their Exercising in the County Troops, or those that may
enter the present Service Abroad, I shall endeavour to give the Words of
Command proper with their Explanation.
And first, when Troop or Squadron is drawn out to Exercise, I suppose
their _Carbines_ and _Pistols_ loaden, and the Corporals passing through
the Ranks to see they are all ready, upon which, observe the chief
Officer Commands Silence, and gives the following Words of Command,
_viz._
1. =Lay your Right Hands on your Swords.=
2. =Draw your Swords.=
3. =Put your Swords in your Bridle-hand.=
4. =Lay your Hands on your Pistols.=
5. =Hold up your Hands. Give Fire.=
When you have fired, let not your Pistol-hand sink till the next Word of
Command, _viz._
6. =Return your Pistols.=
And this you must observe in Firing to the Left and Right; Then,
7. =Lay your Hands on your Carbines.=
8. =Advance your Carbines.=
9. =Cock your Carbines. Fire.=
10. =Let fall your Carbines.=
11. =Take your Swords from your Bridle-hands.=
These must be done with a swift and exact Motion, all as near as may be
doing it at one and the same time.
If a Squadron of Horse is to Wheel to the Right, the Right-hand-man must
not close to the Left, as has in ancient times been; for that many times
disorders the Rank; but you must keep your Ground, suffering the Left to
come about whilst you only turn your Horses Heads, observing your
Left-hand-man.
_To close the File._
_The Right Wing file stand._
1. =Close your files.=
2. =To The Right.=
3. =To the Left as you were.=
4. =To the Left wing, and stand.=
5. =To the Left by files close the Squadron.=
6. =To the Right as you were.=
7. =The Right and Left Wing Files stand.=
8. =By half Ranks, close Files to the Right and Left.=
And by closing Files you may cleave or divide the Squadron.
_The Order of closing Ranks._
1. =File-leader stand.= } { Or open on the Front,
2. =By ranks close the= } { Or the first distances.
=Squadron to the Front.= } {
3. =On the Front as= } { And so be cautious in
=you were.= } { observing each Motion.
_How doubling Ranks must be Ordered._
1. =By half Files to the Right, double your Ranks to the Front.=
2. =File-leaders, advance your Ranks, File-leaders, take your Ground.=
And in this manner Command likewise to the Left, the Order being one and
the same in the Words of Command. [Again,]
3. =The first half Files stand.=
4. =By half file-leaders on the Left-wing, double your Rank to the Front.=
Now to reduce this, take the following Method;
1. =Right-wing half Ranks, advance your Ranks.=
2. =Half File-leader take your Ground.=
3. =The first half File stand.=
4. =By half File-leaders on the Right and Left-wings, double your
Ranks to the Front, Carocoling to the Right and Left. Then the last
half File stand, and the first half file by Carocol in the Right
and Left on the wings; then double our Ranks to the Rear.=
Here observe the first File must open the half Rank to the Right and
Left, the first half File by Carocol. Then
=To the Right and Left double your Ranks to the Rear.=
Here observe the last half File must open the half Rank to the Right and
Left.
As for the word _Carocol_, it signifies no more when you Wheel by it,
than that it is made by the depth of the Flank of the Squadron, by which
Order not the Files, but the Ranks make the Motion.
There is an other Word which some may not well understand at the first
setting out, which is called _Controversion_; and this in Wheeling is
performed by the Front of the Squadron, so that whilst the Rank makes
the Motion, the File remains.
_Instructions for Wheeling, with the proper words of Command._
When the Word is given, _viz._ _To the Right by Conversion_, understand
that you must close your Right-leg to the Horse, your Knee touching that
of your Right-hand-mans, and in like manner observe in the Word of
Command to the Left; as when it is said, _Close to the Left_, then must
the Leg be Closed.
By half Ranks and Conversion, divide the Squadron into two _Troops_.
If you would reduce the Squadron, the Word of Command is.
_By Controversion_: The Squadron into one Troop, else the Left-wing
advance by Conversion.
When you Wheel by Carocol, observe the Word of Command as follows,
_The Right-wing to the Left by Carocol, Face about to the Rear_: Or it
may be done by half Ranks in this manner,
By Quarter Ranks, and by Carocol, divide the Squadron into three Troops.
Then if you would reduce them, order Quarter Ranks and Troops into
Squadrons.
If the Volt, Face or facing about be required, observe thus,
_Face about to the Right: Face to the Right by Controversion; Face about
by Carocol to the Right: Face about to the Left by half Files: Face
about to the Right and Left._
And thus much may serve for Wheeling.
_The manner of Filing off._
In this case observe, To File by Ranks on the Right-wing, from the
Squadron,
_File off by Ranks, on the Left-Wing, from the Squadron on
the Right_,
_File off by three Files from the Squadron, the Left-Wing_: And this is
found the most Expedient way, though some have used to File off by
Ranks.
_In_ Hay, _what Order is to be considered in drawing up._
Do this, by half Ranks to the Right: _To the Right and Left drawing in_
Hay: _To the Front_. And if it requires to be reduced again, then
proceed by Carocol, _viz._
_To the Right and Left as you were._
_By half Ranks, and by Carocol to the Right and Left._
Then draw up in _Hay_ to the Rear.
In Reduction the Command is;
_To the Front as you were._
_By half Ranks to the Right and Left, and draw up in_ Hay.
Reduction by Carocol.
_To the Right draw up in_ Hay.
Reduction by Carocol.
_To the Left as you were._
_Of doublings._
Doublings are very useful, especially in strengthening any Party, that
needs Succour in the Battle; and is to be noted under these general
Heads.
1. Doubling of length, Front and Rear.
2. Doubling of Depth, both Flanks.