CHAP. X. Of Garrisons.
BY reason of the affinitie between a camp and a garrison, it will not be amisse (though some∣what by way of digression) to say something of them. The fittest places for the Cavallrie to be laid in garrison are those which are frontiers towards the enemie: thereby the enemies excur∣sions are hindred, and their own friends secured. Whereas otherwise (though they be never so strong of Infanterie,) they are like to have some of the enemies horse alwayes at their gates. Be∣sides, it gives morea 1.1 courage to the Cavallrie to have their garrison thus on the frontiers, against the time of their going out upon service, then if they had spent all the winterb 1.2 lazily in some gar∣rison more within the countrey. It is good to appoint them their ordinary settled garrisons, that so they may there leave their baggage, and go into the field with the lesse incumbrance; which will also make them the better skilled in the knowledge of the countrey and wayes. If there be one troop or more of horse laid in garrison in some walled citie where the horse make no guard, the Captain of each troop must alwayes keep one of his souldiers in the Corps-du-guard of the go∣vernour, to give him notice of all occurrences, of the enemies approches, alarms, &c.
Besides, it is fit that a troop of horse having a frontier citie for their garrison, should keep fif∣teen horse upon the guard; if there be more companie, then twentie five at least, to be presently readie upon all occasions, while the rest can prepare themselves. And alwayes at thec 1.3 opening of the gates, every morning, two or more horses are to be sent out to discover about whether there be any embuscadoes. For the securing of your discoverers some ordinance is alwayes kept ready, and untill they return none are to be suffered to go out of the gate.
If the countrey about the garrison be champain, happily the enemie lying near may have an em∣buscadoe two or three leagues off. And the better to draw you into it, he may send out some horse (the day before) within sight of your garrison; which returning the same wayd 1.4 (some driving cattel, others carrying sacks, &c.) may draw out some of your horse to regain their bootie, where∣by you might fall into their embuscadoe. In such cases you must observe such cautelous diligences as shall be shewed in thee 1.5 chapter of embuscadoes.
If those which you shall send out to discover meet with no boores, or that they come not to the garrison as they were wont, it is a signe they are stayed by the enemies embuscadoe.
If an alarm be given in the night, those souldiers which have the guard must presently mount; their Chief must instantly send two one way, and two another way to run about the ramparts of the place, to take notice and to report wherefore the alarm was given: if the rumour continue, the rest are to run thither with all expedition. But this diligence of keeping the horse at the Corps-du-guard is not of necessitie in such garrisons which lie within the countrey, where there is no fear of surprises, or scaladoes.