Military instructions for the cavallrie, or, Rules and directions for the service of horse collected out of divers forrein authours, ancient and modern, and rectified and supplied according to the present practice of the Low-Countrey warres.

CHAP. VII. Of the Lieutenant.

IT is necessary, that the Lieutenant of a troop of horse be a man of abilitie and experience, nou∣rished and educated in Cavallrie. To this office such were usually raised, which (for their de∣serts) had been Corporalls and Cornets.

a 1.1In the Captains absence he commandeth the company, upon whom usually all difficulties do rest; because (oft times) the companies are given to young gentlemen which want experience. He must be strict in seeing the souldiers do their service with all fitting punctualitie, and to have a care of their horses and arms.b 1.2 He alwayes marcheth in the rear of the companie, causing the souldiers to follow the Captain and Standard (or Cornet) in good order, well closed together, and to suffer none to depart from the troop. Upon occasion of fight he is still to be on the rear with his sword drawn, encouraging the souldiers, and killing any that shall offer to flie or disband: but in case of the Captains absence, he shall take the Captains place, appointing an officer to be in the rear. In the ordinary marching of the company, or passing by some place, or going to the

allarm-place, or to the parado, the Lieutenant must not take the Captains place, but march in the rear, because the lances and cuirassiers have their Cornets to lead them at the head of the company. Among the harquebusiers the Lieutenant was wont to take the Captains place, (according to Mel∣zo and Basta) because then they had noc 1.3 Cornets; but these last warres having given them Cor∣nets, the rule holdeth for them as for the lances and cuitassiers.

d 1.4 He must of necessitie be able to write and reade, because he keepeth the list of the names and sirnames of the souldiers of the companie; and by reason of orders or letters sent to him from his superiours, which he must not shew to others. He must know the sufficiencie of every souldier, and upon occasion make use of them accordingly.

The company going to the guard in any place, and approching near it, the Lieutenant goeth be∣fore to take notice of the Corps-du-guard, and speaking with the Lieutenant of the company which is to change, informeth himself by him of the place, of the sentinells for day and night, what wayes he must scoure, and of all other things requisite. He must himself go and place the sentinells, visiting them often, and using all diligence, keeping himself alwayes armed, (at least with the breast and cask) and his horse bridled, when he hath the guard.

The company being lodged in some village, he must cause the billets to be signed by the Quar∣termaster of his company, to be distributed to the souldiers before the Cornets lodging, where the Alto is made to attend the said billets; that so (in case of an allarm) the souldiers may know where to assemble together at their Cornet.

If they stay longer then a day in one place, the Lieutenant is to visit the houses, to see good rule kept by the souldiers; and being to march away, to command them carefully to put out their fires. Going to be lodged in a town or fort, there to keep their garrison, the Lieutenant must accommo∣date their lodgings according to their degrees and deserts. And wheresoever they lodge longer then a day, he must write the names of the souldiers on the said billets, and keep a register of them; that so upon any complaint of their hostes, it may be easily remedied, by the ready finding and punishing of the delinquents.

When the company is to march, and the trumpets sound to horse, hee 1.5 must be first ready and mounted, having care that all the souldiers immediately do the same. And if he find any lingering, either of lazinesse, or with a purpose to stay behind to pillage the houses, he must chastise them with all severity, for example to others. He must have knowledge of the countrey and wayes, be∣ing often sent upon exploits where the guides are not alwayes ready. If the company be charged by the enemy, the Lieutenant, with some of the best mounted souldiers, is to remain behind.

Notes

• a 1.1

  So much his name implieth: for the French word Lieutenant signifieth one which supplieth the place of an∣other.
• b 1.2

  The Lieute∣nant (with anti∣quity) was called Tergidux, that is, Rear-comman∣der; and there∣fore the rear is fitly assigned him as his pro∣per place.
• c 1.3

  As the Velites among the Ro∣manes, qui nec signa propria ha∣buere, nec duce••; Lips. ad Polyb. lib. 2.
• d 1.4

  The Romanes required it in their private souldiers, and to cast account al∣so. In quibusdam notorum peritia, calculandi com∣putandique usus exigitur; Veg. lib. 2. cap. 19.
• e 1.5

  The good ex∣ample of a Lea∣der hath ever been observed to be of marvel∣lous efficacy, ac∣cording to that of the Poet, —Componitur orbis Regis ad exi¦emplum, &c. Ipse manu sua pila gerens, praecedit anheli Militis ora pedes: monstrat tolerare labores, Non jubet; — Lucan. 9. de Catone.