CHAP. I.
How the Romans marched in an Enemies Country, and in what manner they are to be imitated.
I Have shown you how an Army is drawn up and marshalled in order to a Battel; I have told you how an Enemy is overcome, and several circumstances which occur therein. So that it is time now to inform you how an Army is to be ordered, which has not an Enemy in view, but is in continual probability of an assault: This may happen when an Army marches in an Enemies Country, or at least a Country that is suspected. And first you must understand the Roman Armies had always some Troops of Horse which were scouting abroad in order to the discovery of the Roads. After which followed the right Wing, and after them the Carriages which belonged to that Squadron: Then followed a Legion, and after them their Carriages. Then another Legion and their Carriages; and after them the left Wing, and the remainder of the Ca∣valry after them. This in short was the manner in which the Romans marched most commonly; and if it hapned in their march that their Army was assaulted either in the front or the rear, they caused all their Carriages to withdraw to the right wing or the left, as they found it convenient, and most agreeable with the nature of the place; and then when they were cleared of their Baggage, and disincumber'd, all of them unanimously make head against the Enemy. If they were assaulted in the flank, they drew their Car∣riages on that side where they were like to be most safe, and then addressed themselves a∣gainst the Enemy.
This way being good and well govern'd, ought in my judgment to be imitated, by sending your light Horse to scout about the Country, and having four Battalions of Foot, they are to follow one the other successively, each of them with its Carriages in the rear: And because Carriages are of two sorts, one belonging to particular persons, and others for the common use of the Camp, I would divide the publick Carriages into four parts, and assign one to every Battalion; I would likewise divide the Artillery, and the followers of the Camp into four parts, that each Battalion should have equal share in their impedi∣ments and Carriages. Bnt because it happens many times that you march thorow a Country not only suspected, but so openly your Enemy, that you expect every hour to be assaulted; it will be necessary, that to secure your self, you change the form of your march, and put your self into such a posture, as that neither the Paisants, nor the Enemies Army may be able to offend you, though they come upon you never so suddenly. In these cases your Generals of old, were wont to march in a square order, which they called a square; not that it was exactly of that figure, but because it was ordered so, as it was able to fight in four places at once, and by that means they were always ready either to march or to fight. I shall follow this model for ordering my two Battalions which I have chosen to that purpose in stead of a compleat Army.