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 ...

Quartering of Horse.

THe Horse (unless pressed by an Enemy) are always or most commonly quartered in Houses, both for the commodity of Forrage, and that their Horses may stand under covert; which otherwise, by standing three or four nights in rain and cold, would be in danger to be spoiled and made unservicea∣ble.

So careful (saith Melzo) was the Duke of Alva of his Horse, that he not only quartered them in Houses, but made Courts of Guard upon the Avenues and pla∣ces where they watched, to shelter them from the weather. But seeing they may be sometimes forced to make Huts, I will shew you their manner of Quartering, which is the same as the Foot, but that they have more ground allowed them, especially in bredth: for their main streets are twenty foot broad, and the men have ten foot allowed them; whereas the Foot have but eight foot for either Hut: their Horses are allowed ten foot in bredth, and four in depth: so the ground allowed for 100 Horse, is 300 foot in depth, and 70 in bredth.

The Explanation of the following Figure.

• ...The Quartering of four Cornets of Horse.
  • A Alarm-place.
  • B Lieutenants lodging.
  • C Cornets lodging.
  • D Souldiers Huts.
  • E Stables.
  • F Street between the Souldiers Huts.
  • G Street between the Souldiers and Horses.
  • H Street between the Captain and Souldiers.
  • I Captains.
  • K Street between Captain and Sut∣lers.
  • L Sutlers.
• ...The Quartering of an Army of Foot.
  • A Alarm-place.
  • B Entrenchment.
  • C Generals Pavilions.
  • D General of the Ordnance his lod∣ing.
  • E Ammunition and Ordnance.
  • F Divisions of Foot.

[illustration] layout of quarters

The Quartering of foure Cornets of Horse.

The Quartering of an Army of Foote.

A Good Commanders Judgment is to be discerned by his well chusing of ground to quarter on; for he must not only chuse a place advantageous to resist an Enemy, but where there is plenty of Forrage, Water and other Neces∣saries, and where the Air is wholsome; and how necessary it is to intrench a Quar∣ter, and what ease and safety it brings to an Army, dayly experience tells us; and whereas by lying open you are subject to be affronted, and forced to fight by an Enemy, it is in your choice being Intrenched, whether you fight or not, which is no small advantage; besides, your Watches will fall nothing so often, nor your Guards so troublesome.

The Romans were the first that found out the right use of the Spade; and the benefit of Intrenching; and it is from Caesar that our late great Generals have learned the way to Beleaguer and single Towns with Works and Trenches, though the use of Powder have made them alter the form and manner of work∣ing; and how advantageous it its to make such Works, the taking (not to speak of Alexis and other places by the Prince of Orange) but of Groll, Bolduke, Ma∣stricht, and Breda within these few years, in the view, as I may say, of an Ene∣mies Army, are sufficient testimonies: and as divers Armies have in vain at∣tempted the relief of Towns thus beleaguered, so have some out of negligence, and want of care in making their Lines of circumvallation, been forced to quit their design, and rise with dishonour.