CHAP. III.
How the Swisses ordered their Battalions.
THe Swisses at present do use the same method with their Battalions, as the Mace∣donians did anciently with their Phalanxes, both enranging them entire and in gross, and in relieving one another. When they came to a Battel, they disposed their Squa∣drons one in the Flank of another, and not behind. They have not the way of receiving the first into the second upon a repulse, but to relieve one another, they observe this order; they put their Battalions one in the flank of another, but somewhat behind it, towards the right hand; so that if the first be in any distress, the second advances to relieve it. The third Battalion they place behind the other two, but at the distance of the shot of a Harque∣buss, that if the two Battalions should be worsted, the third might advance in their rescue, and that which advances, and the other which retire may have space to pass by one another without any clashing or collision; for gross bodies cannot be received so commodiously as little; and therefore small bodies, disposed at a distance (as they were in the Roman Le∣gions) might better receive, and relieve one another upon occasion. And that this order of the Swisses is not so good as the ancient order of the Romans, is demonstrated by many examples of their Legions when they were engaged with the Macedonian Phalanxes; for these were still worsted by the other: The fashion of their Arms, and their way of Reserves being more effectual, than the closeness and solidity of a Phalanx.