The life of the thrice noble, high and puissant prince William Cavendishe, Duke, Marquess and Earl of Newcastle ... written by the thrice noble, illustrious and excellent princess, Margaret, Duchess of Newcastle, his wife.

V.

I have heard, That in our late Civil Warres there were many petty Skirmishes, and Fortifications of weak and inconsiderable Houses, where some small Parties would be shooting and pottering at each o∣ther; an action more proper for Bandites or Thieves, then stout and valiant Soldiers; for I have heard my Lord say, That such small Parties divide the Body of an Army, and by that means weaken it; whereas the business might be much easier decided in one or two Battels, with less ruine both to the Country and Ar∣my: For I have heard my Lord say, That as it is dan∣gerous to divide a Limb from the Body; so it is also

dangerous to divide Armies or Navies in time of Warr; and there are often more men lost in such pet∣ty Skirmishes, then in, set-Battels, by reason those happen almost every day, nay every hour in several places.