A treatise of the art of war dedicated to the Kings Most Excellent Majesty / and written by the Right Honourable Roger, Earl of Orrery.

The Arming of the Soldiery.

THE Greeks were certainly at first more usefully Ar∣med than the Romans, both as to their Infantry and Cavalry: For besides those Arms Offensive and Defensive, which were common to both, As the Sword, the Darts, the Shields, the Slings, &c. The Greeks had long Pikes, which I find not the Romans had, and which are the very best offen∣sive Arms either to Charge, or to Defend, and of excellent use against Horse. For defensive Arms they had the Target, and the Shield, and the Back Breast Pott and Tases, &c. Nay, some had their Horses Armed, which they called Barded. The Roman Cavalry were at first pitifully Armed for Offence, or Defence, till from the Greeks they learned to use the Curass, the Shield, and the Javelet. I have often admired they would not also follow the example of the Greeks, in Arming some of their Foot, with long Pikes. The ordinary Arms of the Ro∣man Velites were a Murrion, a Rondach, a Sword, and some Darts; their Archers and Slingers were called Extraordina∣ries, and were Auxiliaries.

The Hastati had Targets Four-foot high, Head-pieces, and little Plates of Iron to cover their Hearts. The Richest of them had intire Curasses, they wore their Swords hanging on their Right sides, and those Swords were short, broad, two edged, and well pointed; and every one of them besides had two Darts.

The Principes, and the Triarii, had the like Arms, both Offensive, and Defensive; only the Triarii, instead of two Darts, had two Javelets.

The Allies of the Romans, as well Foot, as Horse, were alike Armed, and Disciplined, as the Romans, whereby 'tis apparent how Use makes all things easie; for neither the Greeks, nor the Romans, had stronger, or more vigorous bo∣dies than we; and yet their Foot marched in Armor in hot Climates with large Targets, heavy Swords, and carried also two Missile Weapons; whereas our Soldiers think the Pike or the Musket (often without Swords, alwayes without Ar∣mor)

to be a Load, which only proceeds from our Relax∣ing the Military Discipline; which is not only a Reproach to us, but also a great Prejudice.

I think we are much more usefully Armed, than the Greeks or Romans anciently were; and, in my poor opinion, we on∣ly want for our Infantry the Target, to be excellently Ar∣med.

The five offensive Arms in use amongst us, are the Sword, the Pike, the Musket, the Pistol, and the Carrabine. Fo•…•… I look on the Lance, as now wholly laid by, and I think, with rea∣son; for the Lance does little, unless it be by the force of the Horses Course, or Carreer, and even then, only the Front is useful; so that their best order to Fight in, seems to be to charge a Rank at a time which yet can hardly resist Squa∣drons of Horse, especially if Riders be in Armor: But if the Lanceers Fight in Squadrons also, 'tis much more likely they should discompose themselves, than hurt those they Fight against; which are such apparent inconveniencies, as have made me admire, that King Henry IV of France, most justly Surnam'd the Great, Alexander Ferneze Prince of Parma, and Charles of Lorrain Duke of Mayen, three the greatest Captains of the latter Age; nay, it may be of any Age, would often lament, that Lances were then throwing aside, as Dav•…•…la in his excellent History of the Civil Wars of France, does ob∣serve, with this addition, That Henry the Great, and all his chief Commanders, more apprehended those thousand Lanceers, led by Count Egmont, at the Battel of Iury, than double the number of any of the Leagues of their Cavalry.

Our Foot Soldiers generally are two thirds Shot, and one third Pikes, which I have often lamented; for methinks the Pikes should be at least half, especially in His Majesties Do∣minions in which are few strong places, and consequently Bat∣tels, and Fightings in the Field, are more common than Sie∣ges; and, without dispute, the Pike is the usefullest Weapon for the Foot: and a good Stand of them, assisted by Shot if the Angles be well guarded, are not easily broken by Horse and Shot united.

The Swissers, generally, and justly, esteemed excellent Foot, have more Pikes, than Shot; which, possibly, as much as their Valor, Discipline, and the strength of their Bodies, has contributed to their Glory.

'Twas to their Pikes they owed that famous Retreat they made, when in the Hollow of their Battalion, they carried King Charles the Ninth of France, and almost all that Family Royal, from Meanx to Paris, though 'twere a Champion Countrey, though they had no Cavalry to assist them; and though Lewis Prince of Conde, Gaspar de Coligni the then Admiral of France, Andelott, and the greatest Horse Com∣manders of that Age, often Charged them in Front, Rear, and Flanks; yet with the heads of their Pikes, they forced their way, though all the hopes of the Hugonot Lords, depen∣ded on that dayes Action.

I had also an Experiment of the goodness of Pikes in the year 1651. when in the last Battel we had in Ireland, I had the Honour to command the English Forces against the Irish, and though we Fought in an open Countrey, and though we had Routed (after a smart resistance) all the Horse of their Left Wing, and above a Thousand of their Musketeers, which composed the Left Battalion of their Foot, yet about Twelve hundred Pikes of the Enemy, without any Shot with them, Advanced boldly, and Charged our Squadrons of Horse so home, after their Horse and Shot of that Wing were Routed, that we had more Wounded, and Kill'd, in that Charge, than in the whole Fight besides: so that had they Guarded their Angles, when we Charged them Round, they had done us much more mischief, if not recovered the day; but by the Angles we broke in, and afterwards the resistance was but small, nor indeed could it be otherwise.

But what need I say more of the usefulness of the Pike, above the Musket, than that all Persons of Quality who put themselves voluntarily, or otherwise into the Infantry, carry the Pike; which they would not do, unless it had adjudgedly the Honour to be the Noblest Weapon, since the bravest choose, and fight with it: And therefore I must again say, I wish our Companies consisted of fewer Shot, and of more Pikes; For besides the excellency of that Weapon, it is not only alwayes in a readiness for Service, but needs no Ammu∣nition to make it do Execution; both which cannot be said of the Musket, which is often unfixt, requires alwayes Pow∣der, Bullet, and Match, and in windy or wet weather, often disappoints the Service, especially if it be the Match-lock, and then to Fire-lock Muskets.

Maurice Prince of Orange (a Famous Captain) was ex∣ceedingly desirous to introduce the Target among the Infan∣try; and having, for his own satisfaction, made many tryals of the great usefulness of it, experimentally found, that Tar∣gets, though very flippent ones, have not only resisted the Push of the Pikes, but also, that half the number of Tar∣getteers, have entred into the Ranks of double their number of Pikes, without Targets, and have Routed them; but he being only General to the States of the United Provinces, and not a Sovereign Monarch, and Absolute, durst not make so great an Alteration, fearing the Reproach of some evil Suc∣cess; which, whatever might have been the cause of the De∣feat, would have been attributed to that of Innovation; For States oftner judge of the Merit of their General, by his Suc∣cesses, than by his Reasons.

And Henry Duke of Rohan, whom I had the Honour to know in the year 1637. a little before he dyed of his Wounds received in Alsatia, and who yielded to none of his Age, in the Military Art, was also exceeding desirous to introduce the Target amongst the Infantry: He propos'd to have the prin∣cipal Body of the Infantry to consist of Pikemen, and to each Battalion of Pikes, he would have had a small separated Par∣ty of a Hundred, or an Hundred and twenty Targeteers in the Flanks, when the Battalions were ready to join, which (to use his own words) would produce a marvellous effect, in a Day Battel. These Targetters he would have had composed of the Volunteers, who are generally of the bravest, and who, unless they made a Body apart, he thinks would be apt enough to beget Animosities, by disputing where their proper stati∣ons should be assigned them.

I think they might also be of very good use, in Assaulting, and Defending of Breaches, especially if they were of proof against small shot: some of which sort I have seen, and yet they were not very cumbersom; for they might be used on the Left Arm, by men of ordinary strength.

I must, before I proceed any further, mind the great carelesness of those, who furnish Pikes to the Companies out of the Stores, and those Officers who receive them; For 'tis but too common amongst us, to have in one Regiment Pikes of several Lengths, and only arm'd at the Points with Lozange

heads, whereas sixteen Foot and a half ought to be the gene∣ral length and standard of all the Pikes, as 'tis among the Switzers; which if the Staff be made of feason'd Ash, is not heavy for any ordinary man, and less heavy to Pikemen, who are usually the properest, and strongest men in our Compa∣nies. If our Pikes were All of sixteen Foot and a half long, besides the decency of that uniformity, the advantages will be great; For at sixteen Foot and a half distance, they of the first Rank, will keep off, or gall the Enemies Horse, and few ordinary Ammunition Pistols do certain Execution much far∣ther off; the second and third Rank of the Pikes (being so long) will also effectually serve to keep off the Enemies Horse, should the first Rank be killed, or disordered; nay, the fourth and fifth Ranks of the Pikes will not be useless: For allowing but three Foot distance between every Rank when Battalions front, as the first Rank will keep the Enemies Horse off, at sixteen Foot and a half; so the second Rank will keep them off, at thirteen Foot and a half; the third Rank at ten Foot and a half; the fourth Rank at seven Foot and a half; and the fifth Rank at four Foot and a half: whereby an Enemies Cavalry will have as it were five Ranks at once to break, ere they can make their impression, which therefore will be no easie task to perform, especially the last Ranks of Pikes being ready to supply those of the first five Ranks, who shall fall by wounds, or death.

The Pikes arm'd at the Points with Lozange heads, if the cheeks, or sides of the Pikes are not armed with thin Plates of Iron four Foot deep, are very apt to be broken off near the Heads, if the Push be vigorous, and the Resistance consi∣derable: Nor is this all; for unless the Pikes be armed with those thin Iron Plates, they are easily cut off with sharp Swords, for the Pike, especially toward the end, is carried ta∣pering, to poise it the better, and thereby renders it the more flippent for those who use it; so that the slenderer part of the Pike, if unarm'd, is the more liable to be cut off, it being there nearest the Enemy; whereas if the Pikes were armed with those thin Plates, and four Foot deep, no cutting Swords (which are alwayes of the shortest) could destroy the Pikes, since that part of the Staff of the Pike which is unarmed, would be out of the reach of the Horsemans sharp cutting

Sword: I remember we once carried a Fort by storm, because the Enemies Pikes had not those Plates, whereby the Heads of them were cut off.

I therefore am very desirous, that all our Pikes may be six∣teen Foot and a half long, the Staves to be of seasoned Ash, which are strong, and light; and that from the Iron heads of the Pikes, there may be thin Iron Plates for four Foot deep. Lozange Heads I like well, both because they are sharp to enter, and when entred, broad to wound with.

I would seriously recommend the Arming of our Pike∣men, with Back, Breast, Pott, and Tases; For since the Pikes ought to make the principal Battalion, and indeed the solid strength of the Infantry of an Army in a day Battel, I would have them Armed accordingly; for 'tis under their Battalion that the Routed must Rally, and 'tis by the points of their Weapons, that the most obstructed passages to Vi∣ctory must be opened; they are still to be as it were the For∣tress of the Field, and are not like the Horse, and Shot, which move every way, and follow the Execution after the Enemy is broken; but being still to advance slowly with the Colours, and under their Forrest, to cover all Misadventures, they ought to be substantially Armed defensively, to answer those ends effectually.

Some Historians tell us, That when the Emperor Charles the Fifth, (that great Captain) was to give Battel near Vi∣enna, to Sultan Solyman the Magnificent, the Christian Empe∣ror had one Stand of Eighty thousand Pikes, many of them carried by Reformado Officers, and by the Flower of the Christian Nobility, and Gentry; in which Battalion, under God, he had repos'd his greatest confidence; and which the Turks did so apprehend, that after all the noise of a decisive Battel, the Mahometans retreated, though they had double the number of the Christians, and above One hundred and fifty thousand Horse.

It is both a grief, and a shame, to see how few Pikemen, in most of our ordinary Companies, have Swords by their sides, and the Musketeers seldom any; when a man looks not like a Soldier, without a Sword; and 'tis the Sword which does the chiefest Execution, either in the Battel, or after the Rout∣ing of an Enemy: The Greeks and Romans made it igno∣minious

for a Soldier to lose his Sword, even in Fight; I wish we would make it the like for a Soldier to go to Fight with∣out his Sword, or indeed so much as to see a Soldier without his Sword. I offer to consideration, That all Companies, when first Inlisted, ought to be completely Armed at the Princes charge; and ever afterward, to be kept completely Armed at the Soldiers charge, unless in actual Fight his Arms be broken; in which case, the Kings Arsenals should furnish them. But whatever Captain of a Company, or inferiour Commissioned Officer, allow'd his Soldier to appear on Du∣ty without his complete Arms, or ever to stir without his Sword in the Streets of his Garison, or in the Camp, if he punisht not the Soldier, should be punishable for it himself: And if any Soldier broke his Sword, or other Arms, by his own negligence, or default, the chief Officer of the Compa∣ny should not only punish him for it, but forthwith supply him, to be defaulked out of the Soldiers growing Pay; where∣by these three advantages would be gained, That the Soldi∣ers would be more careful of their Arms; That they would never be unarmed; And that the King would be at no un∣necessary charge in emptying his Arsenals for them.

As to the Musket, and what is useful to it, I find many things in my poor judgment worthy consideration and re∣dress:

As first, That all our Muskets be of one Bore, or at most of two sorts of certain Bores; the bigger for the stronger, the lesser for the weaker Bodies: For want of this, I have seen much hazard undergone; for generally our Musket shot is of one certain size, and the Bores of Muskets are of various si∣zes, whereby having been once engaged in a Fight, which by reason of the many Inclosures in which we fought, the Mus∣keteers were to be supplied with more shot than they carried in their Pouches, and Barrels of Musket Bullets being open∣ed, few of the shot in them would fit the Muskets, but were a size too large, whereby we had like to have been worsted; for the Soldiers were forced to gnaw off much of the Lead, others to cut their Bullets; in which much time was lost, the Bullets flew a less way, and more uncertainly; and, which was worse, so many pauses, animated the Enemy, by making him think our Courages cooled. If there be two sizes of

Muskets, and shot, on both ends of the Barrels, which hold the shot, should be written Lesser, and Bigger, that in the hur∣ry of a Fight there might be no mistake, but that Bullets be distributed according to the Bores of the Mus∣kets.

I would also propound, That in all Field Engagements, es∣pecially in those where we intend not to cheapen an Enemy, but to fall on merrily, that the Musketeers would load their Muskets only with five or six Pistol Bullets, which will do great Execution, especially Fired near, and then to fall in at Club Musket; I have Experimented this, and found it at∣tended with great Success.

I would recommend the Fire-lock Musket above the Match-lock Musket, for several Reasons; some of which I shall mention.

First, It is exceedingly more ready; For with the Fire-lock you have only to Cock, and you are prepared to Shoot; but with your Match-lock, you have several motions, the least of which is as long a performing, as but that one of the other, and oftentimes much more hazardous; besides, if you Fire not the Match-lock Musket as soon as you have blown your Match, (which often, especially in Hedge Fights, and in Sieges, you cannot do) you must a second time blow your Match, or the Ashes it gathers, hinders it from Fi∣ring.

Secondly, The Match is very dangerous, either where Ban∣deleers are used, or where Soldiers run hastily in Fight to the Budge-barrel, to refill their Bandeleers; I have often seen sad instances thereof.

Thirdly, Marching in the Nights, to avoid an Enemy, or to surprize one, or to assault a Fortress, the Matches often disco∣ver you, and informs the Enemy where you are; whereby you suffer much, and he obtains much.

Fourthly, In wet weather, the Pan of the Musket being made wide open for awhile, the Rain often deads the Pow∣der, and the Match too; and in windy weather, blows away the Powder, ere the Match can touch the Pan: nay, often in very high Winds, I have seen the Sparks blown from the Match, Fire the Musket ere the Soldier meant it; and either thereby lose his Shot, or wound or kill some one before him.

Whereas in the Fire-lock the motion is so sudden, that what makes the Cock fall on the Hammer, strikes the Fire, and opens the Pan at once.

Lastly, To omit many other Reasons, the quantity of Match used in an Army, does much add to the Baggage; and being of a very dry quality, naturally draws the moisture of the Air, which makes it relax, and consequently less fit, though carried in close Wagons: but if you march without Wag∣gons, the Match is the more expos'd; and without being dri∣ed again in Ovens, is but of half the use which otherwise it would be of: And which is full as bad, the Skeans you give the Corporals, and the Links you give the private Soldiers, (of which near an Enemy, or on the ordinary Guard duty, they must never be unfurnished) if they Lodge in Hutts or Tents, or if they keep Guard in the open Field, (as most often it happens) all the Match for instant service is too often render'd uncertain, or useless; nothing of all which can be said of the Flint, but much of it to the contrary.

And then the Soldiers generally wearing their Links of Match near the bottom of the Belt on which their Bande∣leers are fastened, in wet weather, generally spoil the Match they have; and if they are to fight on a sudden, and in the Rain, you lose the use of your Small Shot, which is sometimes of irreparable prejudice.

I am also on long experience an Enemy to the use of Ban∣deleers, but a great Approver of Boxes of Cartridges; for then, but by biting off the bottom of the Cartridge, you charge your Musket for service with one Ramming.

I would have these Cartridge Boxes of Tin, as the Cara∣bines use them, because they are not so apt to break as the Wooden ones are, and do not in wet Weather, or lying in the Tents, relax.

Besides, I have often seen much prejudice in the use of Bandeleers, which being worn in the Belts for them, above the Soldiers Coats, are often apt to take Fire, especially if the Match-lock Musket be used; and when they take Fire, they commonly wound, and often kill he that wears them, and those near him: For likely if one Bandeleer take Fire, all the rest do in that Collar; they often tangle those which use them on Service, when they have Fired, and are falling off by the

Flanks of the Files of the Intervals, to get into the Rear to Charge again.

To which I shall add, that in secret attempts in the night, their Ratling often discovers the design, and enables the Ene∣my to prevent it. And in the day time, on service, especial∣ly if the Weather be windy; their Ratling also, too frequent∣ly hinders the Soldiers from hearing, and consequently obey∣ing the Officers word of Command, which must be fatal when it happens; whereas the Cartridge Boxes exempt those who use them from all these dangers and prejudices; they enable the Soldiers on Service, to Fire more expeditiously; they are also usually worn about the Waste of the Soldier, the Skirts of whose Doublet and his Coat, doubly defend them from all Rain that does not pierce both; and being worn close to his body, the heat thereof keeps the Powder dryer, and therefore more fit to be fired on service.

Besides all this, whoever loads his Musket with Cartridges, is sure the Bullet will not drop out, though he takes his aim under breast high, for the paper of the Cartridge keeps it in; whereas those Soldiers which on service take their Bullets out of their Mouths, (which is the nimblest way) or out of their Pouches, which is slow, seldom put any Paper, Tow, or Grass, to ram the Bullet in; whereby if they fire above breast high, the Bullet passes over the head of the Enemy; and if they aim low, the Bullet drops out ere the Musket is fired; and 'tis to this that I attribute the little Execution I have seen Musketeers do in time of Fight, though they fired at great Battalions, and those also reasonable near.

It might also do well, if the Soldiers tyed their Links of Match about their middle, and under their Coats, and Doub∣lets, instead of tying them to their Bandeleer Belt, or Collar; for by that means, the Match would be kept dryer, and fitter for service, in time of Action.

As to the Arming of the Cavalry both for Offence and Defence, I am of opinion, the Arms we use, are as good as any, viz. the Swords, Pistols, and Carabines: And if in the Front of our Squadrons, we had some Blunderbushes, they might be of good use in Fight.

I acknowledge I would have every private Trooper have his Sword, or Long Tuck, his Case of Pistols, and Carabine;

and for defence, his Back, Breast and Pott; at least, I would have the Front and Flanks of every Troop in such Armor: For besides the Terror it gives to an Enemy in his Doublet, to fight with men of Iron, and the encouragement it gives our own men; none knows what proof the Armor is of: And 'tis most certain, that in Combat, as well as Pursuit, the Sword does most Execution; and no Armor is less than Sword proof: I therefore earnestly wish, that the Officers, the Troo∣pers, and the Pikemen, were bound under severe Penalties, to fight in Armor, and constantly to march in Armor; which piece of Discipline, if it were revived by strict Commands, and if broken punish'd Exemplarily, I am confident the ad∣vantages would be considerable; Nor do I much value what our young Gallants say, that in their Doublets they will Charge as far as any in their Armor; since to that I answer: First, it may spring as much from Laziness, as Courage: But secondly, a wise Commander ought to have more care of his Soldiers safeties, than they will have of their own; and ought not to let his men expose themselves, but where there is need; and then to use the best means he can for their safety, as well as their success; since the business is not who dares go to be kill'd, but who dares venture his Life on the best terms to obtain the Victory; and if men will go on boldly with∣out Armor, 'tis likelier they will Charge the bravelier with Armor; since their Bodies by it, have the greater defence; and by accustoming themselves to wear Iron, it will become habitual to them.

If I might follow my own opinion, I would have every Regiment of Horse consist of seven Troops, six whereof should be Armed with Back, Breast and Pott; and for offence, should have Swords or Tucks, with Pistols and Carabines; and the seventh Troop should be of Firelocks, or Dragoons, whose duty should be to guard the Quarter of the Regiment; to secure Passes with Celerity; to force Passes possest by the Enemy; to assist the Horse when they fight in enclosed Countries; and in Battels, to alight; and marching up in the outermost Flank of the Regiment, should in two Ranks, the first kneeling, the second standing, a little before the Squa∣drons Charged, Fire upon the Enemy, their Guns loaden with Pistol Bullets, which I have sometimes practised, and found it

attended with great success; every tenth man while the rest were on such service, was to hold the Horses of those who were thus employed; and if the Enemy were Routed, they were all to mount again, and to follow the execution: But if the Enemy Routed us, they were to shelter themselves behind the next Squadrons of our Horse which were entire, or the next Battalion of our Foot; and when Rallied, to serve as they should be commanded by the chief Officer of that Squa∣dron, or Battalion, under the countenance of which, they should Rally.

I know the French, Spaniards, and other Nations, have had distinct Troops of Carabines; but, in my poor opinion, Carabines are best in the Troopers hands who are Armed, and have Pistols; especially if every Regiment of Horse has one Troop of Firelocks, or Dragoons; and I have ground to believe, that Dragoons thus annexed to the Horse, are much better than they are, when Regimented entire, and by them∣selves:

First, Because they are constantly with the Horse, and being in effect a part of their Body, are alwayes the more careful of them, the more ready to serve with them, and the more con∣cern'd for them.

Secondly, Being under the Command of the Field Offi∣cers, and Captains of Horse, they are more obedient to them, than if they belonged to other Colonels, and were only a commanded Party to answer a present need.

Thirdly, The Horse Commande•…•…s, when the Dragoons be∣long to their own Regiments, are more careful of them, and will not needlesly harass them by extraordinary and unequal duty; which when they have their assistance but on emer∣gent occasions I have often seen them do.

Fourthly, The Horse Officers knowing all their Dragoons by name, and they knowing particularly all the Horse Offi∣cers, they are the more likely to fight chearfully for them, or not to escape unpunished if they be remiss; for every one being known, none can escape by ignorance; the contrary to which is often experimented in commanded Parties, when the Officers are unknown to the Soldiers, and the Soldiers to the Officers.

Lastly, To omit many other particulars, some have ob∣served, that as the Dragoons are commonly the briskest, and daringst of the private Soldiers, so they are also the least so∣ber; and 'tis likelier to wean them from that fault, when they are but a seventh part of the Regiments, than when they are an entire Regiment, and all Birds of one Feather: And the Troopers being generally a more civilized, orderly People, than the Dragoons; 'tis probable that the major part by much of the Regiment, should win the minor by good example; than that the minor by much, should seduce the major part.

To conclude this Head of my Essay, I will only add, It is not sufficient to make good Rules, unless the Prince or Gene∣ral see them punctually obey'd, or severely punish'd, if broken. For besides the evil which attends the omitting of what is good, the contempt of Authority is of fatal consequence in all Humane Affairs, and most of all in Military; where, though what is commanded might have been indifferent it self, yet it ceases to be so, when it is commanded; and if a Soldier of himself may break one Rule of the Generals unpunish'd, he may believe thereby, that he may as well break any, nay, all the rest; for the stamp of Authority is alike on all; of which when a private person, or many private men make themselves the Judges, they bid defiance to all Discipline; without which no Society can subsist, and Military ones the least of any: In one word, it were much better that good Rules were not made, than if made, that they should not be observed, and the breakers of them 'scape unpunish'd.