The compleat body of the art military in three books : I. The postures of the pike and musket ..., II. Twelve exercises ..., III. The drawing up and exercising of regiments after the manner of private companies ... : also, the duties of all souldiers and officers ... / by Richard Elton ... ; to which is added a supplement comprehending these particulars, I. the duties and qualifications of all officers belonging to an army .., formerly written by Capt. Tho. Rudd ...

Of Exercising the Cuirassier.

BEfore I speak of the particular Postures belonging to the exercising of the Cui∣rassier, I will begin with this necessary preparative to Posture, viz.

Command. 1. To Horse.

Direction. Both Reins hanging in a loose posture, over the Horse-neck, and upon the Pummel of the Saddle, the Horsman is first to take the end of the Reins, above the Button, in his right Hand, and with the Thumb and two first Fingers of that Hand, to draw them to an even length. Then putting the little finger of his left Hand between both Reins, under the Button, with the other three fingers of the same Hand, on the farther Rein, and the Thumb on the ne∣ther side of the Button, to grasp both Reins, that so (before he endeavour to mount) he may have his Horse-head in ballance and at command; then grasp∣ing the Pummel of the Saddle with his left hand, and standing with his full body close to the Horse-side, and just between the Bolster and Cantle of the Saddle (al∣ways on the nere side of the Horse) with the help of his right Hand, he shall put the left Foot into the left Stirrup, and with his right Hand taking fast hold on the highest part of the Cantle behind, he shall (by the help of both Hands) gent∣ly (but strongly, and in an upright posture, without inclining his body to either hand) raise himself until he may stand perpendicular upon his left Foot, and

then casting over his right-leg, place himself in the Saddle. He being now mounted, his Postures are as follow:

Command. 2. Ʋncap your Pistols.

Direction. Turn down the Caps of your Pistol-cases (or Holsters) with your right-hand.

Command. 3. Draw your Pistol.

Direction. Draw your Pistol out of the Case with your right-hand, (always the left Pistol first) mounting the Muzzle of it.

Command. 4. Order your Pistol.

Direction. Sink your Pistol into your Bridle-hand, and remove your right-hand towards the Muzzle, and rest the But-end upon the right Thigh.

Command. 5. Span your Pistol.

Direction. Sink your Pistol into your bridle-hand, and take your Spanner in your right-hand, and put it upon the Axle-tree, winding it about till it stick, and return your Spanner to its place.

Command. 6. Prime your Pistol.

Direction. Holding your Pistol in your bridle-hand, (as when you Span'd it) take your Priming-box in your right-hand, pressing the Spring with your fore-finger to open the Box, put Powder into the Pan.

Command. 7. Shut your Pan.

Direction. Press in the Pan-pin with your Thumb, and shut it.

Command. 8. Cast about your Pistol.

Direction. With your bridle-hand cast about your Pistol, and hold it on your left side with the Muzzle upwards.

Command. 9. Gage your Flasque.

Direction. Take your Flasque in your right-hand, and with your fore-finger pull back the Spring; then turn the mouth of the Flasque downwards, and let go the Spring.

Command. 10. Lade your Pistol.

Direction. Press down the Spring which openeth the Flasque with your fore-finger, and bringing, the mouth thereof to the Muzzle of the Pistol, turn the Powder into the Barrel.

Command. 11. Draw your Rammer.

Direction. Draw your Rammer with your right-hand turned, and hold it with the head downwards.

Command. 12. Lade with Bullet, and ram home.

Direction. Hold the Rammer-head in your right-hand, and take the Bullet out of your mouth with your thumb and fore-finger, and put it into the Muzzle of your Pistol, and your Rammer after it, and so ram home.

Command. 13. Return your Rammer.

Direction. Draw forth your Rammer with your right-hand, and return it to its place.

Command. 14. Pull down your Cock.

Direction. Bring your Pistol towards your rightside with your bridle-hand; and resting the But-end upon your thigh, with your right-hand pull down the Cock.

Command. 15. Recover your Pistol.

Direction. Take your Pistol into your right-hand, and mount the Muzzle.

Command. 16. Present and give Fire.

Direction. Your Pistol being in your right-hand, with your fore-finger upon the Tricker, incline the Muzzle thereof towards your Mark (with a fixed eye, and by degrees) on the right side of your Horse-head, turning your right-hand, so that the Pistols Lock may be upwards; having obtained your Mark, draw the Tricker and give Fire.

Command. 17. Return your Pistol.

Direction. Return your Pistol, and with your right-hand put it into your Case.

Concerning the Snap-hans Pistol, those Postures wherein it differeth from the Fire-lock Pistol, are these.

Command. 18. Bend your Cock.

Direction. Hold your Pistol in your Bridle-hand, and with your right hand bend your Cock.

Command. 19. Guard your Cock.

Direction. Pull down the Back-lock with your right hand, it will secure the Cock from going off.

Command. 20. Order your Hammer.

Direction. Draw down the Hammer upon the Pan, with your right hand.

Command. 21. Free your Cock.

Direction. Thrust back the Back-lock with your right thumb, thereby to give the Cock liberty.

For the more easie and speeding lading of the Pistol, for the gaining of time, and avoiding the carrying of either Flask or Touch-box, there is an invention of a Spanner or Key, which contains six Charges of Powder at the least, and pri∣ming-Powder sufficient for those Charges, and for the Cartouches wherewith the Pistol-cases be furnished; which the Cuirassier will find to be of very good use.

The Cartouches are made of white Paper, cut into convenient breadth and length, and rowled upon the Rammer or other small round stick; the edge being passed down, and the Rammer drawn out, one end of the Paper is to be doubled in, to keep the Powder from falling out: these Cartouches are to be made so big, as to fill neerly the bore of the Pistol, and of length to contain as much Powder as the Pistol requires for a Charge. When the Powder is in, tie it with thred, and then put in the Bullet also, tying that also; these the Souldier may make at spare hours, and have them always by him. When he uses his Cartouches, he must bite off the Paper at the head of it, and so put it into the Barrel of the Pistol with the Bullet upwards, and then ram it home: these being beforehand pre∣pared, it will much expedite the work of lading his Pistol.

The Cuirassier being well mounted, and throughly exercised in his Postures, the next thing he should apply himself unto is, to be a good Marksman; to attain which, he must be frequently shooting at Marks on Horsback, having such set up∣on a Tree, some higher and some lower.

The Cuirassier being armed Pistol-proof, he must not give fire but at a very neer distance, being careful to make his Bullet do execution: the principal place of advantage to aim at is, the lower part of the belly of his Enemy, his arm-pits, or his neck. Some are of opinion, that it is not fitting for a Cuirassier to give fire, till he have his Pistol under his Adversaries Armor, or against some unarmed place; and if he miss of an opportunity of hitting the man, he may aim at the head or brest of his Horse. He is commonly to give the charge upon a Trot, and seldome galloppeth, but upon a pursuit. Having spent both his Pistols, and ha∣ving no opportunity to load again, he must then betake himself to the last re∣fuge, his Sword, placing the Pummel of it upon his right thigh, and with his

right hand to direct the point thereof by his eye, raising it higher or lower as oc∣sion serveth, aiming at his Enemies Neck, Arm-pits, Eye, or about the Pummel of the Saddle at his Belly, &c. but being past his Enemy, he is to make a back-blow at him, aiming to cut the buckle of his Poldron, thereby disarming one of his Arms, &c.