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. III. Of the order of Marching.

THe Commissarie Generall, grounding himself upon good informations, is to give the orders in writing for the manner of marching, as well of the souldiers as the baggage. Every Ca∣ptain is to receive his written directions overnight, that so, the signe given, he may appear at the Rendez-vous in such rank and place as shall be commanded him.

a 1.1 Every armie is divided into three parts; The vanguard, battel, and rear. That part of the armie which is most exposed to the enemie (and that most usually is the front) should be the best; and therefore all chiefs desire the vanguard. The manner therefore is (for generall satisfaction) that they which this day had the van, to morrow have the rear; and they which had the rear, the battel. So changing alternatively; except the Lord Generalls guard (consisting of two troops, as Melzo hath it) or the Generalls regiment (according to C. Bingham) which hath alwayes the vanguard. And if the enemie should change place, and from your front become to be upon your rear, whereby the rear (as most dangerous) becomes most honourable; that Captain which to day hath led the battaillon, to morrow (in stead of the vanguard) may challenge the rear.

The scouts alter their course also, and attend the enemies proceedings on the rear.

If occasion be (in time of march) to send out one or more troops for some service, they are to observe the same orders. But the armie being come to their quarter, and occasion being to send outb 1.2 all or part of the Cavallrie upon some exploit; that troop which first appeareth at the place of Rendez-vous shall be appointed by the Commissarie Generall (who is to be there) to the first place; the second to the second place. If two troops come together, at the same instant, they shall cast lots.

By this means, every man desiring honour, they will be the readier to appear in due time. The same course shall be taken when the troops are to be sent upon some embuscado, convoy, or the like. If the march be but of one day, he which commandeth shall appoint the best experienced and ablest to lead;c 1.3 who is to be in the rear, returning back to the quarter. And these may have pri∣vate order to be at the place of Rendezvous sooner then the rest, to avoid jealousies.

The vanguard, battaillon, and rear, must be divided from each other 300 paces.

Notes

• a 1.1

  Epoi lodata consuetudine il dividar ••li esserciti in t••e squadroni, cioè vanguardia, Battoglia, & retroguardia; & che ogni gi∣o••ngto si ven∣ga mutando. Cataneo di fort. cap. 8. Alternis dichus altera legio & al∣terum co••nu prae∣cedunt, eadémque rursus sequuntur, mutantes semper ordinem, ut al∣ternatim primi incedant. Polyb.
• b 1.2

  When all or a good part of the horse are employed in some exploit, without Infan∣terie, it is cal∣led a Cavalcado. Such was that when the States men surprised the castle of Crapoel in Limburg, &c. Meteren. lib. 23.
• c 1.3

  Others hold it much better to observe the same order in the dismarch which was used in the march, so that companie which went out first, comes in first.