The works of the famous Nicholas Machiavel, citizen and secretary of Florence written originally in Italian, and from thence newly and faithfully translated into English.

THE THIRD BOOK. (Book 3)

CHAP. I.

The Order observed by the Roman Legions when a Battel was presented.

Cosimo.

SEeing we change our subject, I shall yield my place of expostulating to ano∣ther man; for presumption being a thing which I condemn in other peo∣ple, I would not be too much guilty of it my self, therefore I dismiss my self of that office, and will transfer it to which of our friends will vouch∣safe to accept it.

Zanobi.

It would have been very grateful to us all, had you pleased to have continued; but seeing 'tis not your pleasure, tell us at least which of us it is you will depute to succeed you.

Cosimo.

I shall leave that to the election of Signor Fabritio.

Fabr.

I am content to undertake it, and do desire that we may follow the Venetian custom, by which the youngest of the company has the liberty to speak first, and in this case not without reason; for this being the proper exercise of young men, I persuade my self young Gentlemen are the fittest to discourse of it, as being most ready to follow it.

Cosimo.

'Tis then your province Luigi, and as I do much please my self in my successor, so you may be as well satisfied with his interrogation. But that we lose no time, let us re∣turn to our business.

Fabritio.

I am certain, that to demonstrate how well an Army is to be marshall'd and prepared for a Battel; it would be necessary to declare how the Greeks and Romans ordered The Troops in their Armies: but because these things are sufficiently obvious in History, I shall pass by several particulars, and address my self only to such as I think most useful for our imitation, and fittest to give perfection to the discipline of our times, which will be the oc∣casion that at once I give you a prospect how an Army is to be ranged in order to a Battel; how they are to confront and charge one another in a real Engagement; and how they may be exercised in a counterfeit. The greatest disorders committed in the drawing up an Army for a Battel, is to give it only a front, because they leave them and their fortune to the success of one charge: and this error proceeds from nothing but from having lost the old way of closing their ranks, and thrusting one into another. Without that way there is no relieving of the front, no defending them, nor no supplying their places in the heat of their Engagement, which among the Romans was most accurately observed. To the end therefore that you may comprehend this way, I say, that the Romans divided each Legion into three Bodies.

The first were Hastati, the second Principes, the third Triarii. The Hastati were in the front of the Army, in thick and firm ranks. The Principes behind them, but their ranks not altogether so close: and after them the Triarii in so loose an order, that they could re∣ceive both Principes and Hastati into their body upon any distress. Besides these they had their Slingers, their Bow-men, and their Velites; not drawn up in this order, but placed at the head of the Army, betwixt the Cavalry and the Foot.

These light arm'd Souldiers began the Fight, and if they prevailed, (which was very sel∣dom) they followed the Victory; if they were repulsed, they fell back by the ••••nks of the Army, or thorow certain spaces appointed on purpose, and retired among those who had no arms. When they were retir'd, the Hastati advanced against the enemy, and finding themselves overpowred, they retir'd softly to the Principes, and fell into their ranks, and together with them renewed the Fight; but if they also were too weak to sustain the fury

of the Battel, they retreated all into the spaces of the Triarii, and all together being conso∣lidated into a firm mass, they made another effort more impetuous than before; if this miscarried, all was lost, for there was no farther reserves. The Horse were plac'd at the corners of the Army, like two wings to a body, and fought sometimes on Horseback, and sometimes on foot, as occasion was offered. This way of reinforcing three times, is almost impossible to be master'd, because fortune must fail you three times before you can be beaten, and the Enemy must be so valiant as to conquer you as often.

CHAP. II.

The form observed in their Battels by the Macedonian Phalanx.

THe Grecians ordered not their Phalanx, as the Romans did their Legions, and though they had many Officers among them, and several ranks, yet they made but one body, or rather one front. The way which they observed to relieve one another, was not to retire one rank into another, like the Romans, but to put one man into the place of another, which was done in this manner. Their Phalanx being reduced into Files (and let us sup∣pose each File to consist of fifty men) being afterwards with the front towards the Enemy of all the Files, only the six first could charge, because their Launces (which they called Sa∣rissae) were so long, that the sixt rank charged with the point of his Launce thorow the first ranst: In the Fight therefore, if any of the first rank was either killed or disabled, he who was behind in the second rank supplyed his place; and the vacuity in the second rank, was filled up out of the third, and so successively, and on a sudden the ranks behind, sup∣plyed what was defective before; so as their ranks remained always entire, and no place left void but the last rank, which was not reinforced, because there was no body behind to supply them: So that the loss in the first rank, exhausted the latter, and yet it self was continued entire. So that these Phalanxes were sooner consumed and annihilated than bro∣ken, because the closeness and grosseness of the body made them impenetrable. The Romans at first used these Phalanxes, and instructed their Legions in that way: Afterwards they grew weary of that order, and parted their Legions into several divisions, viz. into Co∣hortes and Manipuli, judging (as I said before) that body to be most vigorous and fullest of life, that consisted of most members, so constituted as that they could subsist and govern themselves.

CHAP. III.

How the Swisses ordered their Battalions.

Fab.

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.

CHAP. IV.

How the Author would make use of both Greek and Roman Arms for his Battalion, and what was the ordinary Army of the Romans.

BEing therefore according to these Models to range and marshal an Army, I think it best to retain something of the Arms, and Orders both of the Phalanx and Legion. For this reason I have said in a Battalion I would have 2000 Pikes (which were the Arms of the Macedonian Phalanx) and 3000 Scudi or Shields and Swords, which are the Arms of the Romans. I have divided a Battalion into ten Battalia's or Companies, as the Ro∣mans divided their Legions into ten Cohorts. I have ordered the Velites or light-arm'd to begin the fight, as they did formerly. And because as the Arms are mix'd, they partici∣pate of the one Nation and the other; that they may participate likewise in their orders, I have appointed that every Company may have five files of Pikes in the front, and the rest of Bucklers, that the front may be enabled to keep out the Horse, and break more easily into the Foot, having Pikes in the first charge as well as the Enemy, by which they may be fortified to sustain it bravely, till the Bucklers come up, and perfect the Victory. And if you consider the strength and vertue of this Order, you will find how all these Arms perform their office exactly. For Pikes are very useful against Horse, and against Foot too, before the Battels be joyned, but after they are joyned, they are utterly useless. For this reason, behind every third rank of Pikes, the Swissers put a rank of Halbards, which was to make room for their Pikes, though indeed it was not enough. Placing therefore our Pikes before, and our Bucklers behind them, they are enabled to sustain the Horse, and when they come to charge, they do open and press hard upon the Foot; but when the fight is begun, and the Battels are joyned, the Bucklers succeed with their Swords, as being manageable more easily in the crowd.

Luigi.

We desire now to understand, how with these Arms and Orders you would ma∣nage your Army to give the Enemy Battel.

Fabritio.

I shall show you nothing at present but this: You must know that in an ordinary Army of the Romans (which they called a Consular Army) there were no more but two Legions of Citizens, consisting in all of 600 Horse, and about 11000 Foot. They had besides these as many more Horse and Foot sent them in by their Friends and Confe∣derates: These Auxiliaries were divided into two parts, the right wing, and the left; for they would never suffer them to exceed the number of the Foot of their Legions, though their Horse indeed they permitted to be more. With this Army consisting of 22000 Foot, and about 2000 Horse, a Roman Consul did all his business, and attempted any thing. Yet when they were to oppose a greater power, they joyned two Consuls together, and their two Armies. You must know likewise that in the three great Actions of an Army (their march, their encampment, and engagement) they placed the Legions in the middle, be∣cause the force in which they reposed their greatest confidence they thought fit should be more united and compact, as I shall show you more at large when I come to treat of those things.

These Auxiliary Foot by vertue of their conversation with the Legionary Foot, grew to be as Serviceable as they, because they were train'd and disciplin'd with them, and upon occasion of Battel, drawn up in the same figure and order. He therefore who knows how the Romans marshalled one single Legion in the day of Battel, knows how they disposed of them all: When I have told you therefore how they divided a Legion into three Squadrons, and how one Squadron received another; I shall have told you how a whole and entire Army is to be ordered, when it is to be drawn up for Battel.

CHAP. V.

The way of drawing up a Battalion, according to the intention of the Author.

BEing to prepare for a Battel according to the method of the Romans, as they had two Legions, so I would take two Battalions, and by the ordering of them, you may guess how to order a compleat Army: For to add more men, is only to multiply their ranks. I think it unnecessary to repeat what foot there are in a Legion, what Companies, what Officers, what Arms, what Velites in ordinary, what in extraordinary, what Pikes, and what other things. For it is not long since I told you distinctly, and press'd it upon your memories as a thing very necessary for the understanding all other Orders; wherefore I shall pass on without farther reflection.

It seems to me best that one of the ten Battalions, or Companies of a Battalion be placed in the left flank, and the other ten of the other Battalion on the right. Those on the left are to be ordered in this manner: Put five Battalia's (one on the side of the other) in the front, so as there may remain a space of four yards betwixt each, draw them up so as they may possess in breadth 140 yards of ground, and in depth forty: behind these five Batta∣lia's, I would place three others, distant in a right line from the first about forty yards; of these three, I would have two follow directly the Companies which are upon the two ex∣tremities or corners of the five first, and the third should be disposed in the midst; by which means these three Companies should take up as much ground both in breadth and depth as the other five, which have only five yards distance betwixt the one and the other, whereas the three last should have thirty three. This being done, I would cause the two Companies remaining to advance, and place themselves behind the three former in a right line, and at the distance of forty yards; but it should be in such a sort, that each of these two Companies should be ranged directly behind the extremity of the three precedent Companies, and the space left betwixt them should be 91 yards: By these means all the Companies thus disposed should extend themselves in front 161 yards, and in depth 20. After this I would extend the Pikes extraordinary along the flanks of all the Companies on the left hand, at about twenty yards distance; and I would make of them 140 ranks of seven in a rank, so that they should secure all the left flank (in depth) of the ten Battalia's, drawn up as I said before; and I would reserve forty files of them to guard the Baggage, and the unarmed people in the rear, distributing their Corporals and other Officers in their respective places. The three Constables or Captains I would place one at the head of them, another in the midst, and a third in the rear, who should execute the Office of a Ter∣giductor, who was always placed in the rear of the Army. But to return to the front of the Army; I say, that after the Pikes extraordinary, I would place the Velites extraor∣dinary (which are 500) and allow them a space of forty yards. By the side of these on the left hand I would place my men at Arms, with a space of 150 yards; after them I would advance my light Horse, at the same distance as I allowed to my men at Arms. As to the Velites in ordinary, I would leave them about their Battalia's, which should take up the space which I left betwixt each Company, unless I found it more expedient to put them under the Pikes extraordinary, which I would do or not do, as I found it more or less for my advantage. The Captain General of the Battalion should be placed in the space betwixt the first and second orders of Battalia's, or else at the head of them, or else in the space betwixt the last of the first five Battalia's, and the Pikes extraordinary, as I found it most convenient: he should have about him 30 or 40 select men, all brave and experi∣enc'd, and such as understood how to execute their Commission with prudence, and how to receive and repel a charge; and I would have the Captain General in the midst of the Drums and the Colours.

This is the order in which I would dispose my Battalion on the left wing, which should contain half the Army, and take up in breadth 511 yards, and in depth as much as I have said before (without reckoning the space that was possessed by the Pikes extraordinary, which should be as a Shield to the people without Arms, and take up a space of about a hundred yards;) The other Battalion I would dispose on the right side, leaving betwixt the two Battalions a distance of about 30 yards, having order'd it as the other: At the head of that space I would place some pieces of Artillery, behind which should stand the Cap∣tain General of the whole Army, with the Drums, the Standard or chief Ensign, and two hundred choice men about him (most of them on foot) and amongst them ten or

more fit to execute any command. The General himself should be so mounted, and so arm'd, that he might be on Horseback, and on foot as necessity required. As to the Ar∣tillery, ten pieces of Cannon would be enough for the taking of a Town. In the Field I would use them more for defence of my Camp, than for any Service in Battel. My smaller pieces should be of 10 or 15 pound carriage, and I would place them in the front of the whole Army, unless the Country was such that I could dispose them securely in the flank, where the Enemy could not come at them.

This form and manner of ranging an Army, and putting it in order, may do the same things in a Battel as was done either in the Macedonian Phalanx, or the Legion of the Ro∣mans; for the Pikes are in the front; and all the foot placed in their ranks; so that upon any charge or engagement with the Enemy, they are able not only to bear and sustain them, but (according to the custom of the Phalanx) to recruit and reinforce their first rank, out of those which are behind.

On the other side if they be over-power'd, and attack'd with such violence that they are forced to give ground, they may fall back into the intervals of the second Battalia be∣hind them, and uniting with them, make up their body, and charge them briskly again: And if the second Battalia is not strong enough to relieve them, they may retire to the third, and fight all together in conjunction; so that by this order (as to the business of a Battel) we may supply and preserve our selves according to the Grecian and the Roman way both.

As to the strength of an Army, it cannot be ordered more strong, because the two wings are exactly well fortified with Officers and Arms; nor is there any thing weak but the rear, where the people which follow the Camp without Arms are disposed, and they are guarded with the Pikes extraordinary; so that the Enemy cannot assault them any where, but he will find them in very good order; neither is the rear in any great danger, because an Enemy can be hardly so strong as to assault you equally on all sides; if you found he was so strong▪ you would never take the Field against him. But if he was three times as many, and as well ordered as you, if he divides, and weakens himself to attack you in several places, beat him in one, and his whole enterprize is lost. As to the Enemies Ca∣valry, though they out-number you, you are safe enough; for the Pikes which encompass you, will defend you from any impression from them, though your own Horse be repulsed. The chief Officers are moreover plac'd in the flank, so as they may commodiously command, and as readily obey; and the spaces which are left betwixt one Battalia and the other, and betwixt one rank and another, serve not only to receive those who are distressed, but gives room for such persons as are sent forward and backward with orders from the Captain: Add as I told you at first, as the Romans had in their Army about 24000 men, I would have our Army consist of the same number; and as the Auxiliaries took their method of Fighting, and their manner of drawing up, from the Legions; so those Soldiers which you would joyn to your two Battalions, should take their form and discipline from them. These things would be very easie to imitate, should you have but one example, for by joyn∣ing either two other Battalions to your Army, or adding as many Auxiliaries, you are in no confusion, you have no more to do but to double your ranks, and whereas before you put ten Battalia's in the left wing, put twenty now; or else you may contract, or extend them as your place and Enemy will give leave.

Luigi.

In earnest, Sir, I am so well possess'd of your Army, that I fancy I see it drawn up before my eyes, which gives me an ardent desire to see it engaged: I would not for any thing in the world that you should prove a Fabius Maximus, and endeavour no more than to avoid Fighting, and keep the Enemy in suspence; for I should blame you more, than the Romans did him.

CHAP. VI.

The description of a Battel.

Fabr.

DO not question it, Hark, do not you hear the Artillery? Ours have fired alrea∣dy, but done little execution upon the Enemy; the Velites extraordinary, to∣gether with the light Horse advance to the charge in Troops, with the greatest shout and fury imaginable; The Enemies Artillery has fired once, and the shot passed over the head of our Foot, without any prejudice at all. That it might not have time for a second Volley, our Velites, and our Cavalry have marched up in great haste to possess it, and the

Enemy advancing in its defence, they are come so close, that neither the Artillery of one side or the other can do any mischief. See with what courage and bravery our Souldiers charge; with what discipline and dexterity they demean themselves, thanks to the exer∣cise to which they have been used, and the confidence that they have in our Army: See our Battalions marching up, with their Drums beating, Colours flying, and men at Arms in their wings in great order to the charge: Observe our Artillery, which (to give place, and make room for our men) is drawn off by that ground which was left by the Velites: See how the General encourages his men, and assures them of Victory: See how our Ve∣lites and light Horse are extended and returned to the flanks of our Army, to see if there they can find any advantage to make an impression upon the Enemy; Now, now they are met, See with what firmness our Battalions have received the charge without the least noise or confusion: Observe the General how he commands his men at Arms to make good their ground; not to advance upon the Enemy, nor desert the Foot upon any occasion whatever. See our light Horse marching to charge a Body of the Enemies Harquebussiers that was firing upon our flank; and how the Enemies Horse come in to their rescue, so that being enclosed betwixt the Cavalry of one side and the other, they cannot fire, but are forced to retreat behind their Battalia's: See with what fury our Pikes addres•• them∣selves to the Fight, and our Foot advanced already so near, that the Pikes are become un∣serviceable; so that according to our Discipline the Pikes retire by little and little among the Shields: See in the mean time how a Body of the Enemies men at Arms, has disor∣dered our men at Arms in the left wing; and how according to our Discipline, retiring under the protection of our Pikes extraordinary, by their assistance they have repulsed the pursuers, and killed most of them upon the place. See the Pikes in ordinary of the first Battalia's, how they have sheltred themselves under the Scudati, and left them to make good the fight: See with what courage with what security, with what leisure they put the Ene∣my to the Sword. Behold how they close their ranks in the Fight, and are come up so near they have scarce room left to manage their Swords. See with what fury the Enemy slyes, because being armed only with Pike and with Sword, both of them are become un∣serviceable; one because of its length, the other because the Enemy is too well armed. See how they throw down their Arms, how they are wounded, killed or dispersed. See how they run in the right wing; see how they fly in the left. So now we are safe, and the Vi∣ctory our own.

CHAP. VII.

The Authors reasons for the occurrences in the Battel.

Fabr.

WHat do you think now, have we not got the Victory very fortunately; but we would have had it with more advantage, had I been permitted to have put all things in execution. You see there is no necessity of making use either of the se∣cond or third order; because our Van was sufficient to overcome the Enemy; so that I am enclined to speak no farther upon this Subject, unless it be to resolve any doubt that may arise in your mind.

Luigi.

You have gain'd this Victory with so much courage and gallantry, that I fear my transport will not give me leave to explain my self, whether I have any scruple or not. Nevertheless presuming upon your quickness, I shall take the boldness to tell you what I think. First, therefore let me desire you to inform me, why you made use of your Artille∣ry but once? why you caused them to be drawn off into your Army, and made no men∣tion of them afterward? It seems to me that you placed the Enemies too high, and ordered them as you fancied; which might possibly be true; but if their Cannon should be so pla∣ced (as I do not question but many times they are) as that they should play among your Troops, I would fain understand what remedy you would prescribe; and since I have begun to speak of the Artillery, I shall propose all my scruples in this place, that I may have no occasion to mention them hereafter. I have heard many persons find fault with the Arms and orders of the ancients, as things of little or no use in our days, in respect of the fury of our Cannon; because they break all ranks, and pierce all Arms at such a rate, that it seems to them no less than madness to oppose any ranks or orders of men against them, and to tire your Souldiers with the carriage of Arms that will not be able to defend them.

Fabr.

Your demand consisting of many heads, requires a large answer. 'Tis true, I caused my Artillery to play but once, and I was in doubt whether they should do that; and the reason is, because it concerns a man more to keep himself from being hurt, than to mischief his Enemy. You must understand, that to provide against the fury of great Guns, it is necessary to keep where they cannot reach you, or to place your self behind some wall or bank that may shelter you, for there is nothing else that can secure you; and then you must be sure that either the one o•• the other are able to protect you. Those Generals who put themselves into a posture to give battel, cannot place their Armies behind a wall or a bank, or at a distance where the Enemies Cannon cannot reach them; and therefore seeing they have no way to defend themselves absolutely, the best course is to secure them∣selves as well as they can, and that is by possessing their Cannon with as much speed as is possible.

The way to possess themselves of it, is to march up to it suddenly, and in as wide an or∣der as is convehient; suddenly, that they may fire but once; and wide, that the execution may be the less. This is not to be done by a band of Souldiers in order; for if they march any thing wide, they disorder themselves; and if they run on in a huddle, it will be no hard matter for the Enemy to break them. And therefore I ordered my Battel so, that it might do both the one and the other; for having placed 1000 of the Velites in the wings, I commanded that as soon as our Artillery had fired, they should advance with the light Horse, to seize upon their Cannon; for which reason our Artillery was shot off but once, and that the Enemy might not have time to charge the second time, and fire upon us again; for we could not take so much time our selves, but they would have had as much to do the same; wherefore the reason why I fired not my Cannon the second time, was, that if the Enemy fired once, they might not have leisure to fire any more. To render therefore the Enemies Artillery unserviceable, the best remedy is to attack it with all possible speed; for if the Enemy deserts it, 'tis your own; if he undertakes to defend it, he must advance be∣fore it, and then being betwixt it and us. they cannot fire but upon their own men. I should think these reasons sufficient without farther examples; yet having plenty of them from the ancients, I will afford you some of them. Ventidius being to fight the Parthians, (whose strength consisted principally in their bows and arrows) was so subtil as to let them come up close to his Camp before he would draw out his Army, which he did, that he might charge them on a sudden, before they had leisure to shoot their arrows. Caesar tells us, that when he was in France, being to engage with the enemy, he was charged so brisk∣ly, and so suddenly by them, that his men had not time to deliver their darts according to the custom of the Romans. You see therefore that to frustrate a thing in the field which is to be discharged at a distance, and to prevent its doing you any hurt, there is no better way than to march up to it with all speed, and possess it if you can. Another reason mo∣ved me likewise to fire my Artillery no more, which may seem trivial to you; yet to me it is not so contemptible. There is nothing obstructs an Army, and puts it into greater con∣fusion than to take away, or hinder their sight; for several great Armies have been broken and defeated by having their sight obstructed either with the dust or the Sun: now there is nothing that causes greater obscurity, or is a greater impediment to the sight, than the smoke of Artillery; and therefore I think it more wisdom to let the Enemy be blind by himself, than for you to be blind too, and endeavour to find him. These things consi∣dered, I would either not fire my Artillery at all, or else (because that perhaps would not be approved, in respect of the reputation which those great Guns have obtained in the World) I would place them in the wings of my Army, that when they fire, the smoke might not fly in the faces of my front, which is the flower and hopes of my Army. And to prove that to trouble the sight of an Enemy, is a thing of more than ordinary advan∣tage; I need bring no more than the example of Epaminondas, who to blind the eyes of his Enemy, before he advanced to charge them, caused his light horse to gallop up and down before their front to raise the dust, and hinder their sight; which was done so ef∣fectually, that he got the Victory thereby. As to your opinion that I placed the Enemies Cannon, and directed their bullets as I pleased, causing them to pass over the heads of my Foot, I answer, that great Guns do without comparison oftner miss the Infantry, than hit them, because the Foot are so low, and the Artillery so hard to be pointed, that if they be placed never so little too high, they shoot over; and never so little too low, they graze, and never come near them. The inequality of the ground does likewise preserve the Foot very much; for every little hill or bank betwixt the Artillery and them, shelters them ex∣ceedingly. As to the Horse, especially the Men at arms, because their order is closer than the order of the light horse, and they are to keep firmer in a body, they are more obnoxious to the Cannon, and are therefore to be kept in the rear of the Army, till the Enemy has fir'd

〈…〉〈…〉 This is most certain, your small Field-pieces, and your small shot does more execution than your great pieces, against which the best remedy is to come to 〈◊〉〈◊〉-blows as soon as you can; and though in the first some men fell, (as be sure there always will); yet a good General and a good Army are not to consider a particular loss, so much as a General; but rather are to imitate the Swissers, who never refused a Battel for fear of great Guns, but punished them with capital punishment who for fear of them forsook their ranks, or gave any other sign or expression of fear. I caused my Artillery to be drawn off as soon as I had Fired them, that they might leave the Field clear for my Battalions to advance; and I made no mention of them afterwards, as being quite useless when the Armies were joyned. You have said likewise, that in respect of the violence and impetuosity of those Guns, many do judge the arms and the orders of the ancients to be altogether useless; and it seems by that, that the people of late have found out arms and orders which are sufficient to secure them: if you know any such thing, you will oblige me to impart it; for as yet I know none, nor can I believe that there is any to be found: So that I would know of them why the Infantry of our times do carry Corslets of Iron upon their breasts, and the horse are arm'd Cap a pied; for seeing they condemn the ancient way of arming as useless in respect of the Artillery, they may as well condemn what is practised now-a-days. I would understand likewise why the Swizzers, according to the custom of the ancients, make their Battalions to consist of six or eight thousand foot; and why other Nations have imitated them, seeing that order is exposed to the same danger (upon account of the Artillery) as others are. I think it cannot easily be answered, yet if you should propose it to Souldiers of any judgment and experience, they would tell you first, that they go so arm'd, because though their arms will not defend them against great Guns, yet they will secure them against small Shot, and Pikes, and Swords, and Stones, and all such things. They would tell you likewise, that they keep that close order like the Swisses, that they may more easily engage the Enemies Foot, that they may better sustain their Horse, and put fairer to break them.

So that we see Souldiers are afraid of many things besides Artillery, against which they are to provide by their arms, and their orders: from whence it follows, that the better an Army is 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and the closer and stronger it is drawn up, the safer it is. So that who∣•••••• 〈…〉〈…〉 opinion, is indiscreet, or inconsiderate: for if we see that a small part of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the ancients which is used at this day, (as the Pike) and a small part of their or∣•••••• (〈◊〉〈◊〉 are the Battalions of the Swissers) have been so serviceable, and contributed 〈…〉〈…〉 to our Armies, why may we not believe that the other Arms and orders which 〈…〉〈…〉, might have been as beneficial and useful? Again, had we no regard to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in placing our selves in that straight close order like the Swissers, what other or∣•••••• ••••uld make us more fearful? No order certainly can make us more fearful of the Ar∣tillery, than that which keeps men firm and close together. Besides, if I be not frighted by the Artillery of the enemy when I encamp before a Town, where they can fire upon me with more security, because I cannot come at them by reason of the wall, nor hinder them, bu••••by my own Cannon, which will be a business of time; if I be not afraid, (I say) whore they can multiply their Shot upon me as they please, why should I fear them in the Field where I can run upon them, and possess them immediately? So that I conclude Ar∣tillery, in my opinion, is no sufficient impediment why we should not use the methods of our ancestors, and practise their virtue and courage. And had I not discoursed formerly with you about this subject, I should have enlarged more; but I shall refer my self to what I said then.

Luigi.

We have heard (or at least it is our own faults if we have not) what you have discoursed about the Artillery; and that the best course that can be taken against it, is to make our selves masters of it with as much expedition as we can, if our Army be in the Field, and drawing up ready to engage. Upon which I have one scruple, because to me it seems possible that the Enemy may place his Artillery in the flanks of his Army, so as that it might offend you more, and yet be more capable of being defended. You have made (if you remember) in the ranging of your Army for a Battel, a space of four yards from Company to Company, and another space of twenty yards from the Battalia's to the Pikes extraordinary: if the Enemy should draw up his Army in your own way, and place his Cannon in those intervals, I believe from those places they might gaul you exceedingly, and with great difficulty, because you could not enter into the Enemies body to possess them.

Fabr.

Your scruple is rational, and I will endeavour to discuss it, or apply a remedy. I have told you that those Battalia's are in continual motion, either for a battel, or a march, and do naturally so straighten and close themselves, that if you make your intervals nar∣rower where you place your Artillery, they will be closed up in a short time, so as they will

not be able to do any execution. If you make your distances large, to avoid one danger, you incur a greater, by giving the Enemy opportunity not only to possess himself of your Cannon, but to rout your whole Army. But you must understand it is impossible to keep your Artillery among your Squadrons, especially those which are upon Carriages, because being drawn one way, and their mouths lying the other, it is necessary to turn them be∣fore you can fire upon the Enemy, and to turn them takes up so much space, that fifty of those Carriages are enough to disorder a whole Army. So that it is necessary the Artillery be placed without their Squadrons; and being so, they may be attacked, as is said before. But let us suppose it might be placed within the squadrons, and that a way might be found out of retaining it in the middle, and that it should not hinder the closing of their bodies, nor leave a way open to the Enemy. I say that even in that case the remedy is easie, and that is by making spaces and intervals in your Army for the bullets to pass; by which means the fury of their Artillery will become vain: and it will be no hard matter to do this, because the Enemy being desirous that it may be secure, will place it behind in the far∣thest part of the intervals, so that to prevent their shot from doing mischief among their own men, it is necessary that it pass always in a right line, so that by giving place on your side, it is easily avoided. For this is a general rule, we must give place to any thing that we are not able to resist, as the Ancients did to the Elephants, and forked Chariots. I believe, and am assured that you think I have ranged the Armies, and won the day; yet let me tell you, (if what I have told you already be insufficient) it would be impossible for an Army so armed and ordered, not to beat in the very first encounter any other Army that should be arm'd and ordered according to the method of our times; which many times affords but one front, without any bucklers, and so ill arm'd, that they are not able to defend them∣selves against any Enemy that is near them.

And for their way of drawing up, they do it in such manner, that if they place their Battalia's in the flank one of another, they make their Army too thin; if they place them behind one another, not having the way of receiving them into one another, they are all in confusion, and their ranks easily broken. And though they give three names to their Armies, and divide them into three Bodies, the Van-guard, Battaile, and Rear-guard, yet they serve only upon a march, and for distinction of quarters; but in a Fight they are all at the mercy of fortune, and one small charge defeats the whole Army.

Luigi.

I have observed by the description of the Battel, that your horse were repulsed by the Enemies Horse, and retired to your Pikes extraordinary, by whose assistance they not only sustained the enemy, but beat him back again. I believe as you say, the Pikes may keep off the Horse in a close and gross body like that of the Swizzers; but in your Army you have but five ranks of Pikes in the front, and seven in the flank, so that I cannot see how your Foot should be able to sustain them.

Fabr.

Though I told you formerly that in the Macedonian Phalanx six ranks of Pikes could charge at one time, yet you must understand, that if a Battalion of Swizzers should consist of a thousand ranks, there could charge at once not above four or five at the most; because their Pikes being nine yards long, a yard and an half is taken up betwixt their hands; so that in the first ranks they have free seven yards and an half. In the second rank (besides what is taken up betwixt their hands) a yard and half is consumed betwixt one rank and the other, so as there remains but six yards that can be used. In the third rank for the same reasons there remains but four yards and an half; in the fourth, three yards; and in the fift but one and an half. The other ranks therefore are not able to reach the Enemy, yet they serve to recruit the first ranks, as we have said before, and are as a rampart and bulwark to the other five. If then five of their ranks are sufficient to sustain the Ene∣mies horse, why may not five of ours do as much, having other ranks behind to reinforce them, and give them the same support, though their Pikes be not so long? And if the ranks of extraordinary Pikes which are placed in the flanks should be thought too thin; they may be put into a square, and disposed in the flank by the two Battalia's which I place in the last squadron of the Army, from whence they may with ease relieve both the front or the rear, and give assistance to the horse as occasion requires,

Luigi.

Would you always use this order when-ever you were to give the Enemy Battel.

Fabr.

No by no means; for the form of your Army is to be changed, according to the situation of the place, and the strength or number of the Enemy, as I shall shew by exam∣ple before I finish my discourse. But this form or model is recommended to you not as the best, (though in effect it is so) but as a rule from whence you may take your other orders, and by which you may understand the other ways of drawing up an Army; for every Science has its Generalities upon which it is most commonly founded. Only one thing I

would press upon you to remember, and that is, That you never draw your Army up so; as that your front cannot be relieved by your rear; for whoever is guilty of that error, renders the greatest part of his Army unserviceable, and can never overcome, if he meets with the least opposition and courage.

Luigi.

I have a new scruple that is risen in my mind. I have observed that in the dis∣posing of your Battalia's, you make your front of five Battalia's drawn up by the sides one of another; your middle of three, and your rear of two; and I should think it would have been better to have done quite contrary; because in my opinion an Army is broken with more difficulty, when the Enemy which charges it finds more firmness and resistance the further he enters it; whereas it seems to me, that according to your order, the farther he enters it, the weaker he finds it.

Fabr.

If you remembred how the Triarii (which were the third order of the Roman Legions) consisted only of 600 men, you would be better satisfied, when you understood they were placed always in the rear: for you would see that I, according to that example, have placed two Battalia's in the rear, which consist of 900 men; so that I choose rather in my imitation of the Romans to erre in taking more men than fewer. And though this example might be sufficient to content you, yet I shall give you the reason, and it is this: The front of the Army is made thick and solid, because it is that which is to endure the first shock and insult of the Enemy; and being not to receive any recruits from elsewhere, it is convenient that it be well man'd, for a few would leave it too weak, and the ranks too thin. But the second Squadron, being to receive its friends into it, before it is to en∣gage with the Enemy; it is necessary that it has two great intervals, and by consequence must consist of a less number than the first: For should it consist of a greater number, or be but equal to the first, either there must be no spaces or intervals at all, which would occasion disorder; or by leaving of spaces, they would exceed the proportion of the first Squadron, which would make your Army look very imperfect. As to what you say touching the impression of the Enemy, That the farther he enters your Army, the weaker he finds it, it is clearly a mistake; for the Enemy cannot engage the second body, before the first is fallen into it; so that he finds the middle Battalion rather stronger than weaker, being to fight both with the first and second together. And it is the same thing when the Enemy advances to the last Squadron; for there he has to encounter not only two fresh Bat∣talia's, but with all the Battalions united and entire: And because this last Battalion is to receive more men, it is necessary the distances be greater, and by consequence that their number be less.

Luigi.

I am very well satisfied with what you have said; but pray answer me this; If the five first Battalia's retire into the three Battalia's which are in the middle, and then those eight into the two Battalia's in the rear, I cannot conceive it possible that the eight Battalia's first, and afterwards the ten, can be comprehended (when eight or ten) in the same space as when they were but five.

Fabr.

The first thing I answer is this, That the space is not the same; for the five Batta∣lia's in the front were drawn up with four spaces in the middle, which were closed up when they fell in with the three Battalia's in the midst, or the two in the rear. Besides there re∣mains the space betwixt the Battalions, and that also which is betwixt the Battalia's and the Pikes extraordinary; which space altogether, do give them room enough.

To this it may be added, That the Battalia's take up another place when they are drawn up in order before their retreat, than they do after they are pressed; for in their retreat, they either contract or extend their Orders. They open their orders, when they fly: they contract them when they retreat; so that in this case it would be best to contract. Be∣sides the five ranks of Pikes in the Van, having received the first charge, are to fall back thorow the Battalia's into the rear of the Army, and give way to the Scudati or Shields to advance; and those Pikes falling into the rear of the Army, may be ready for any Service in which their Captain shall think fit to employ them; whereas, did they not retire after the Battel was joyned, they would be altogether useless. And by this means the spaces which were left to that purpose, are made big enough to receive all forces that are remain∣ing. And yet if those spaces were not sufficient, the flanks on both sides are men and not walls, which opening and enlarging their ranks, can make such distances as will be able to receive them.

Luigi.

The ranks of Pikes extraordinary which you place in the flank of your Army, when the Battalia's in the front fall back into the Battalia's in the middle, would you have them stand firm, and continue, as two wings to the Army, or would you have them retire with the Battalia's? If you were willing they should, I do not see how it was possible, having no Battalia's (with intervals) behind them to give them reception.

Fabr.

If when the Enemy forces the Battalia's to retire, he does not press them too hard, they may stand firm in their order, and flank the Enemy when the Battalia's in the front are retired. But if they be charged (as may be reasonably expected) and the Ene∣my be so strong as to force the other, they may retire with them, and that without diffi∣culty, though there be no Battalia's behind with spaces to receive them; for the Body in the midst may double to the right, and thrust one File into another, as we shall show more at large when we speak of the manner of doubling of Files. 'Tis true, to double in a retreat you must take another way than what I have described, for I told you the second Rank was to enter into the first, the fourth into the third, and so on: But here in this case we must not begin in the Front, but in the Rear, to the end that by doubling our Ranks we may retreat, and not advance.

CHAP. VIII.

The Exercises of an Army in general.

Fabritio.

TO answer now to whatever may be objected against my Battel, as I have drawn it up before you, I must tell you again that I have ordered and en∣gaged it in that manner for two reasons; one to show you how it is to be drawn up; the other to show you how it is to be exercised. As to the drawing up of an Army, I doubt not but you understand it very well; and as to the exercising, I must tell you, it ought to be done as often as is possible, that the Captains may learn to keep their Companies in these orders; for it belongs to every particular Souldier to keep the orders exact in every Batta∣lia; and to every Captain to keep his Company exact with the order of the whole Army, and know how to obey the Command of the General. It is convenient likewise that they understand how to joyn one Battalia with another, how to take their place in a moment; and therefore it is convenient that the Colours of each Company may have its number of Soldiers described in it; for the greater commodity of commanding them, and that the Captain and Soldiers may understand one another with the more ease; and as in the Bat∣talia's, so it is convenient likewise in the Battalions, that their numbers should be known, and described in the Colonel's Ensign: That you should know the number of the Battalion in the left or right wing; as also of the Battalia's in the front, or the middle, and so con∣sequently of the rest. It is convenient likewise that there be degrees of Offices and Com∣mands to raise men as it were by steps, to the great honours of an Army. For example, The first degree should be File-leaders, or Corporals; The second should have the com∣mand of fifty ordinary Velites; The third of a hundred, with the title of Centurion: The fourth should command the first Battalia; the first, the second; the sixt, the third; and so on to the tenth Battalia, whose place should be next in honour to the Captain Ge∣neral of the Battalion, to which command no person should be advanced, but he who has passed all those degrees. And because besides these Officers, there are three Constables or Commanders of the Pikes extraordinary, and two of the Velites extraordinary, I did not much care if they were placed in the same quality with the Captain of the first Battalia, nor would it trouble me if six men more were preferred to the same degree, that each of them might put himself forward, and do some extraordinary thing to be preferred to the second Battalia. If then each of these Captains understands in what place his Battalia is to be ranged, it must necessarily follow, that at the first sound of the Trumpet (the Stan∣dard being erected) the whole Army will fall into its place. And this is the first exercise to which an Army is to be accustomed, that is to say, to close and fall in one with another, to do which, it is convenient to train them often, and use them to it every day.

Luigi.

What mark and difference would you appoint for the Standard of the whole Army, besides the number described as aforesaid?

Fabritio.

The Lieutenant General's Ensign should have the Arms of his General or Prince, and all the rest should have the same Arms with some variation in the Field or Colours, as the Prince shall think best, for it imports not much what their Colours are, so they distinguish one Company from another. But let us pass to the other exercise, in which an Army is to be train'd; that is in its motions, to be taught how to march, advance, or fall back with exact distance and time, and to be sure that in their marches a just order be observed. The third exercise is, Teaching them to manage their Arms, and charge, in such a manner, as that afterwards they may do both dexterously when they come to fight; teaching them how to play their Artillery, and how to draw them off when there

is occasion; Teaching the Velites extraordinary to advance out of their places, and after a counterfeit charge, to retreat to them again Teaching the first Battalia's (as if they were over-powered) to fall back into the intervals of the second; and all of them after∣wards into the third, and having done so, to divide again, and return to their old posts; in short, they are so to be accustomed in this exercise, that every thing may be known and familiar to every Soldier, which with continual practice is easily obtained. The fourth exercise instructs your Soldiers in the usefulness of the Drums, and Trumpets, and Colours, informing them of the Commands of their Captain, by the beating of the one, the sound∣ing of the other, and the displaying and flourishing of the third: for being well used to them, they will understand what they are to do by them, as well as if they were directed by word of mouth: And because the effects of these Commands depend altogether upon these kind of sounds, I shall tell you what kind of Instruments the Ancients made use of in their Wars. The Lacedemonians (if we may believe Thucidides) in their Armies made use of the Flute, conceiving that Harmony more apt to infuse gravity than fury into their Soldiers. Induced by the same reason, the Carthaginians sounded their charges upon the Harp; with which Instrument they began the Fight. Aliatte King of Lydia, in his Wars made use of them both: But Alexander the Great, and the Romans used Horns and Trumpets, supposing the clangor and noise of those Instruments would enflame the cou∣rage of their men, and make them more valiant in Fight. But as in the arming of our Army, we have followed the way both of the Greek and the Roman; so in the choice of our Instruments of Intelligence, I would follow the Customs both of the one Nation and the other. I would have therefore the Trumpets placed by the Lieutenant-General as Instruments not only proper to excite and enflame your Army, but fitter to be heard, and by consequence apter to derive your Commands than any of the other. The rest of those kind of Instruments I would have placed about the Captains and Colonels of the Batta∣lions: I would have also a smaller sort of Drums and Flutes, which should be beaten and played upon not as we do now in our fights, but as our Tabours and Flagelets do in our Feasts: The General with his Trumpets should signifie when his Army is to make a stand, when to advance, when to wheel, when to retire, when to make use of the Artillery, when the Velites extraordinary are to move, and by the variation of the sounds, to direct his Army in all the Marches and Counter-marches that are generally used; and I would have the Trumpets followed afterwards by the Drums. And because this exercise is of great consequence in an Army, it imports very much that it be frequently taught. As to the Horse, they should have Trumpets too, but of a lesser and different sound from those about the Lieutenant-General. And this is all that has occurred to my memory in the ordering, and exercising of an Army.

Luigi.

I beseech you Sir, let me not trouble you too much, if I desire to be satisfied in one thing more; and that is, for what reason you caused your light Horse and Velites ex∣traordinary to advance against the Enemy with great shouts and clamours, and cries; and when afterwards the Body and remainder of the Army came to charge, they did it with extraordinary silence? I confess I cannot comprehend the reason, and therefore I beg your explanation.

Fabr.

The opinions of the Ancient Generals have been different in that point, whether an Enemy was to be charged silently and without noise, or with all the clamour could be made: The silent▪ way is best to keep your men firm in their orders, and to signifie the Commands of the General: but the obstreperous way is best to excite the courage of your Soldiers, and dismay the Enemy: and because I thought in both cases there was some∣thing of advantage, I made use of them both, and caused those to advance with clamour, and these with silence; for I cannot think that an universal and perpetual noise can be any advantage, because it hinders orders from being derived, which is a most pernicious thing: nor is it likely that the Romans used those shouts after the first shock, for History tells us, that many times by the exhortation and encouragement of their Officers, the Souldiers which were flying, were stopped, and rallyed, and disposed immediately into new Orders, which could not be, where the Officers could not have been heard.