CHAP. V. Of the Rendez-vous or alarm place.
THe alarm place is that place without the village, where the souldiers are to assemble to with∣stand an assailing enemy, being a place of great consequence.
In the election of this place, consideration must be had of the situation of the villages and coun∣trey, whether it be large or strait; also of the time, whether it be by day or night: again, whether the Cavallrie be lodged together, or in severall villages. If together in one village, and in the night, (when the enemy may come upon them the more at unaware, as not being discoverable very farre) then this place must not be in the front of the village, as being too near the enemies ap∣proch, whereby it might be seised on by him, and so your men cut off one after another as they come thither to assemble themselves: but it must be on the sides or flanks of the village, though the baggage be hazarded; whicha 1.1 inviting the enemy to pillaging, often giveth him occasion of disorder. But in the day time it were best to be in front, shewing the more courage.
If the Cavallrie be quartered in diverse villages (which often happeneth, especially in places little suspected) the quality of the countrey must be considered. Some villages may be backed with rivers, and so give but one entrance to the enemie: then the generall place of arms or rendez-vous shall be in the center. And those villages which are exposed to the first brunt, shall be as Corps-du-guards to assure the rest. These (upon alarm given) must assemble in their particular alarm places, from thence they shall advance, united to receive the charge, though the enemy farre exceed them in number: and must sustain him so long, till they may be assured that the rest are all met at the generall Rendez-vous, whether (being forced by the enemy) they shall retreat by little and little, the other advancing to relieve them. If the countrey be open, so as the enemy may assail which he please, then they must use those diligences as when the Cavallrie is lodged altogether in one village. They which are first assaulted must make resistance, untill the other be met at the ge∣nerall Rendez-vous.
Touching the order of their assembling together in the alarm place, the Commissary Generall, or Quartermaster Generall, overnight appointeth a certain place for every troop, where they shall stand, which way faced, &c.