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. I. How to assail a quarter.

A Captain which is desirous to gain honour by some enterprise upon the enemy, though much his superiour in strength, hatha 1.1 no better way then to assail him in his quarter. To effect this, he must have good knowledge of the village and the countrey thereabout; and if he can (by ta∣king a little compasse) charge him on the rear or on the flanks: if there be any negligence in the quarter, it is like to be on those parts.

If he cannot (by other means) get knowledge how their guards are kept, and other duties either observed or neglected; he may conjecture by theb 1.2 qualities of their Chief, whether he be a good souldier or not; whether he be proud and hasty, or that he be advised and deliberate: for ignorance joyned with a naturall fury causeth a man to despise his enemy, and to think it a disparagement to him (as an argument of fear) to use such cautelous courses in assuring his quarter; especially know∣ing himself the stronger.

In the assailing of his quarter, there are two things to be observed;

1. To make your approches as near the village as possible may be.

2.c 1.3 To hinder him from uniting his troops into a body.

Touching the first, the first troop shall advance (without any forerunners) as secretly as may be: and assoon as they perceive themselves to be discovered (without losing a moment of time)

shall charge the Sentinells, and enter the quarter with them, and surprise the Corps-du-guard be∣fore they be able to mount on horse-back.

For the second, there must be an exquisite observance of the orders given, and not a man to dis∣band. Suppose the enemy hath 1000. horse and you but 500, you may fitly divide your forces in∣to five troops. The first having surprised the Corps-du-guard (as before mentioned) shall from thence passe to the market-place, with resolution to sustain any resistance which they shall meet with. The second troop (perceiving the quarter invested) shall follow upon the gallop closely united, and finding no resistance, shall possesse the alarm place, and send some horse to run through the streets, to keep the souldiers in; and to hinder them from mounting on horseback.

The third shall come fairly on to the said place, and so the fourth; which (leaving the third there firm) shall hasten to the place where they heare the most noise: then shall they alight and enter the houses, putting to the sword what enemies they find. The running of these horse through the streets, hindering the souldiers to mount, will surely make them think ratherd 1.4 of escaping by flight through the gardens or otherwise, then of resisting: neither can there (in such a tumult) be good orders given or observed. Therefore the fifth troop hearing the noise cease, may conjecture there is no need of their help to take the village; and so shall divide themselves into two parts, and invi∣ron the quarter on the outside, to hinder the enemies flight on foot. The horse-boyes may fire a house or two, especially where the enemy shall endeavour to fortifie; then (as the souldiers) to en∣ter the houses to pillage and take prisoners, &c.

Another way of assailing the quarter, is this: The enemies camp removing, the Chief or Ca∣ptain must labour to inform himself of the place where he purposeth to lodge that night; and where the quarter for the Cavallry shall be: which may easily be learned, because overnight it is usually published: or having good knowledge of the countrey, he may conjecture it. He must consider the number of his enemies horse, and of his own, and though he be inferiour by half (as beforesaid) yet may his enterprise take good effect, if it be well carried. He must fit the time soe 1.5 justly, as that he may come to the enemies quarter in the evening, before the guards be disposed, or the orders given. And if the distance were such, as that he must march when the enemy march∣eth; he shall depart from his quarter with all secresie, andf 1.6 pretend to march to some other place, taking a way contrary to that which leadeth to the place intended. And (when he thinketh fit) he shall face about, and march on the flank of the enemy as covertly as may be. But to do this, two things must be observed; 1. That your march be through your friends countrey. 2. That you have more then one spie in the enemies Cavallry, so as they be not able to stirre without your knowledge. It must be also considered, that if you go to assail your enemies quarter, he may have means to discover your purpose by his scouts or otherwise, and so be prepared for you: therefore must you have a care to be provided for it, by taking good order beforehand, and securing yourg 1.7 retreat by placing a good number of Infantery or Dragoneers in the midway at some conveni∣ent place. Going about this exploit in the night (as the fittest and safest way) every souldier must have some token or signe of ah 1.8 white colour on their casks, to distinguish each other by. It of∣ten falleth out, that the enemy (having got intelligence of some intention to set upon his quarter) keepeth extraordinary guards, and is very vigilant in the night; but in the day time they all go to rest and are carelesse, as fearing no danger: at which time many have been so found and defeated.

Notes

• a 1.1

  In mansione dormentibus op∣portunum praeli∣um semper infer∣tur, cùm hoilis ••ùs interimatur quam praparare se possit. Veg. Ibid. cap. 19.
• b 1.2

  Ad rem perti∣net qualis ipse ad∣versarius vel ejus comites sint, nôsse: utrùm temerarii an cauti; audaces, an timidi; scuntes artem bellicam, an ex usu temerè pu∣gnantes, &c. Veg. lib. 3. cap. 9.
• c 1.3

  In campis spar∣sis, atque secu∣ris, opportunum pralium infertur, exceptis superven∣tibus vel incursio∣nibus repentinis ex occasione, quam nunquam dux exercitatus amit∣tit. Veg. l. 3. c. 19.
• d 1.4

  Nec insequen∣tium ullum peri∣culum est, cum victi (quibus de∣fendi poterant) arma converte∣rint in fugam. Ibid. cap. 21.
• e 1.5

  Nam vel cele∣riùs vel tardius aliquo pervenire quam constitu∣tum est, proposi∣tum persape no∣strum intervertit. Leo Tact. c. 15. 42.
• f 1.6

  A good com∣mander (like a good wrastler) ought to make shew of one thing, and to put another in pra∣ctise: to the end to deceive the enemy, and gain the victory. Ibid. cap. 20. Tutissimum n••mque in expe∣ditionibus credi∣tur, facienda ab hostibus nesciri. Veg. lib. 3. cap. 6.
• g 1.7

  Nam disciplinae bellicae, & exemplorum periti, nusquam majus periculum imminere testantur, quàm in recessu ab hostibus. Veg. lib. 3. cap 21.
• h 1.8

  This kind of service is called a Camisado, because the souldiers use to put shirts over their arms to be distinguished by. So did the Duke of Alva his souldiers (Anno 1571.) in the night assail the Prince of Orange his quarter, donnant une Camisade. Petit. lib. 10.