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 Cavalry in their Motions.

THe Horsman being sufficiently instructed in the managing of his Horse, and in the use of his particular Arms; it is time now that he be taught how to demean himself being joyned in a Body.

The Horse being to be exercised, is to be drawn up into a Body, not by Ranks (as in the Infantry) but by Files, and those of 5 deep, according to most Au∣thors; or of 6 deep, according to others, that of 5 being a number not divisible by 2, so that in doubling of Ranks, or Half-files, or the like, there will always remain an odd Rank. Others would have them (especially the Harquebusiers) to be 8 in File, making the Troop to consist of 64 Men, being drawn up into a square Body. Being thus put into Battalia, the first thing they are to be instru∣cted in, is Distance; and herein there is a disagreement among Authors; Some making Close order to be 2 paces; Open order 4 paces, and so forward to a tri∣ple, quadruple Distance proportionable. Others make but two kinds of Distan∣ces; Close order, which is 3 foot; and Open order, which is 6 foot. And here a difference is to be observed between the manner of taking the Distance of the Cavalry, and that of the Infantry; for in the Foot, the Distance is taken from the Center, or middle of the Souldiers Body, which here cannot be understood but only of the space of Ground between Horse and Horse. But the best and la∣test Authors are of opinion, that the Cavalry being to be exercised in their Mo∣tions, should be at their Distance of 6 foot or Open order, standing right in their Ranks and Files.

The Motions which belong to the Exercising of the Cavalry are principally four, viz.

• 1. Facings.
• 2. Doublings.
• 3. Countermarches.
• 4. Wheelings.

And here note, that in the exercising of the Cavalry we use to this day the same words that the Graecians and Romans did of old: for a File the Romans called Versus and Decura; a Rank, Jugum; a File-leader, Ducanus; (because their De∣curae or File consisted of 10) Bringer-up they termed Tergi-ducor; a Leader (be∣ing every odd man in a File) Phrastes; a Follower (which is every even num∣ber) Substes; a Side-man, Astes.

Their Distances also were the same with ours; their two Cubits (every Cubit being a Foot and a half of our Measure) agrees with our three Foot; their four Cubits, our six Foot: and so increasing upon occasion.

They ordered their Horse-troops at six Foot Distance between File and File in March, and three Foot in fight.

In all the motions, we also retain the same words of Command which they used.

Facing, they called Declinatio: to the

• Right,
• Left,
  • ...Hastam.
  • ...Scutum.

Facing about, Immutatio.

Doubling by

• Ranks,
• Files

Duplicandi duo genera, per

• ...juga.
• ...versus.

Their Countermarches the same which we use:

Evolutio

• ...Chorica,
• ...Macedonica,
• ...Laconica,

per

• ...Decurias.
• ...Scutum.

Wheelings, the same with us, Conversio ad

• ...Hastam.
• ...Scutum.

Reversio est conversionis restitutio. Inflexio, Wheeling about.

The use of Facings is to make the Troop perfect to be suddenly prepared for a Charge, on either Flank or in the Reer.

Doubling of Ranks, or doubling by Half-files, or by Bringers up, is used upon occasion of strengthning of the Front.

Doubling of Files, or doubling by Half-ranks, serveth to strengthen the Flanks.

Countermarches serve either to reduce the File-leaders into the place of Bring∣ers-up, and so have the best men ready to receive the charge of the Enemy in the Reer; or to bring one Flank into the place of the other, or Front and Reer, or either Flank, into the middle of the Body.

The use of Wheelings is to bring the Front to be ready to receive the Charge of the Enemy, on either Flank or Reer.

For the better information and satisfaction, and for the easie apprehending of what hath been said, those several Motions are here following represented in Fi∣gures, by a Troop of Harquebusiers of 64 men; and in every Figure, the file-leaders are represented by this kind of A. the Bringers up by this kind of a. and the rest of the Body by this kind of a.

The form of the first standing.

To face them to the Right, is done by commanding,

[illustration] formation

Direction. This is done by turn∣ing (all at one and the same time) to the right hand.

The Front is where the right Flank was.

To reduce them to their first form, the word is,

Command. As you were.

Direction. It is performed by turning to the left hand.

From thence to face them to the left, the Word is,

Command. To the right hand.

[illustration] formation

Direction. It is performed by turning to the left.

From hence they are to be re∣duced, by saying,

Command. As you were.

Direction. It is performed by turning to the right.

Now to face them to the Reer, though it be proper first to do it by the right hand, yet for the more ready way, I would say,

Command. To the left hand.

[illustration] formation

Direction. It is done by turn∣ing towards the left hand, until their faces front to that place which was before the Reer.

To reduce them to their first form (as that must be observed) the word is,

Command. To the right hand about as you were.

Command. To the left hand about.

[illustration] formation

Command. Ranks to the right double.

[illustration] formation

The use hereof hath been shewed before; but to perform it, this is the

Direction. Every other Rank, that is, every even Rank, is to pass into the odd upon the right hand of his Leader, the second Rank into the first, and so succes∣sively.

To reduce them, the Word is

Command. Ranks as you were.

Direction. It is best done by causing those Ranks which doubled to stand, and those that stood to advance.

Command. Ranks to the left double.

[illustration] formation

Direction. The difference of this Motion from the former is nothing, but that here they which double do it to the left hand of their Leaders, which before they did to their right hands, as the Figure maketh it plain.

This done, they must be reduced by commanding,

Command. Ranks as you were.

Command. Files to the Right Double.

Direction. Let the second File pass into the First (every man behinde his side-man) account∣ing from the right hand, the fourth into the third, and so the rest; which must be done through the whole Company at one in∣stant.

But because the first Rank of the Troop is as the edge, and the Files are for the most part ap∣pointed but five deep, there see∣meth no great necessity of doub∣ling Files.

To reduce them, the Word is,

Command. Files to the left as you were.

[illustration] formation

Command. Files to the left double.

Direction. The Difference be∣tween this and the former Mo∣tion, is the difference of hands only. And by this means, those Files which stood before, must move now; and they which mo∣ved before, now stand; as ap∣pears by the Figure. They are reduced by commanding,

Command. Files as you were, or, Ranks to the Right double.

[illustration] formation

Command. Half Files to the Right hand, double the Front.

Direction. Middle Men, double the first Rank on the right hand; the other three Ranks, double the threee following Ranks.

To reduce them, the Word is,

Command. Half files, as you were.

But it is better to cause them that doubled to stand, and the first Division to advance.

[illustration] formation

Command. Half-Files to the Left hand, double the Front.

Direction. This Motion differs from the former, in the hand only.

There is also doubling of Ranks by the Half Files entire to the right or left, or both by Division; but be∣cause the Files (especially of Gui∣rassiers) are seldome above five deep, the doubling of Ranks, Half-files, &c. is little used.

The reducing of them is shewed in the former Motion.

[illustration] formation

Command. Bringers-up, to the right hand double the Front.

Direction. The last Rank must pass into the first, and so successive∣ly every one by the right hand of his Leader, as in the figure.

It is of goood use, but trouble∣some for the Horse to perform (e∣specially in the reducing) so it may be used or omitted as shall be thought fit.

To reduce them,

Command. Bringers-up, as you were.

[illustration] formation

Command. Files to the Left hand Countermarch.

Though it were fit to begin with the right hand, yet for the convenient turning of the Horse to the left, I think it not amiss to prefer the left.

Direction. The Figure suffici∣ently represents the manner of the Motion, which represents the Choraean manner; there be also Countermarches after the Mace∣donian and Lacedemonian ways, which for brevity are here omit∣ted.

[illustration] formation

Command. Files close to the right and left, to your close Order.

Direction. Being about to wheel the Troop, they must be closed, first the Files, and then the Ranks.

And being to open them again, the Ranks are first to be opened, and then the Files.

All the Files close to the right and left towards the middle of the Body.

[illustration] formation

Command. Ranks close forward to your close Order.

Direction. All the Ranks move forward, saving the first, which stand.

The second Rank having their distance, stand; and so all the rest.

The Horse being to wheel, it must be conceived, that it can∣not be performed by them in so exact a manner, nor in so strait a room as the Foot, therefore the Commander is to ride a reasona∣ble compass, that so the Horse may do it with convenience.

[illustration] formation

Command. To the left hand Wheel.

Certain Authors, as Melzo and Basta, would have the Horse in all their Wheelings, to do it by the left (which is the readier way, unless the ground or other hinde∣race will not permit it:) the Wheeling to the Right, is here o∣mitted, which should in order go first.

Direction. All the Body must move to the left upon the left File-leader, who is the Center or Hinge upon which the whole Bo∣dy turneth.

To reduce them,

Command. Wheel as you were.

[illustration] formation

There is also Wheeling to the Right or Left about, Wheeling Wings into the Front, &c.

To reduce them into their first Order,

Direction. First the Ranks are to be opened, then the Files, which bringeth them to their first form.

In opening of Ranks, the only way is, to do it by opening for∣ward.

[illustration] formation

These and such like Motions are directed and commanded by the Voice of the Commander; but because the Voice cannot at all times be heard (especially in gross bodies) by reason of the clashing of Armor, trampling and neighing of Horses, tumultuous sounds, and noise of the Multitude (and that especially in fight) Antiquity hath invented helps, making three kinds of Military Signs or Directions:

• 1. Vocal, which is by the Commanders Voice pronounced by the inferior Officers, to the Ear.
• 2. Semivocal, by Drum, Trumpet, or other Warlike instru∣ment, to the Ear.
• 3. Mute, By Signs to the Eye; as by the Ensign, Standard, &c.

The Cavalry therefore must be taught distinctly to know the Sounds of the Trumpet, as when to clap on their Saddles, when to mount, when to repair to

their Cornet, when to Troop away, when to give a Charge, when to retreat, when to attend the Watch, and the like. All which being the louder Voice of the Commander, they must perfectly observe and obey.

Notwithstanding I have here propounded a Troop of 64 Horse to be exercised in their Motions, and those of eight in File, yet the general opinion is, that a Troop ought not to be deeper then five in File, though the Troop do consist of 100 Horse.

Every Troop must be furnished with

• A Captain.
• A Lieutenant.
• A Cornet.
• A Quartermaster.
• Three Corporals.
• Two Trumpetters.
• A Clerk.
• A Sadler.
• A Ghyrurgeon.
• A Farrier.

When the Troop is to March, they are to be divided into three equal parts, ac∣cording to the number of Corporals; which parts are called Squadrons, and di∣stinguished by these Names, The Captains, Lieutenants, and Cornets Squadron. The first Squadron is to be led by the Captain, the second by the Cornet, the third by the eldest Corporal: the Lieutenant and Quartermaster are to march in the Reer.