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WHerefore, first note, that your distance of closest Order, is of chiefest use unto the Pike, in these particulars; as first, Charging against the Horse, for that the Ranks then clapping in their left legs behind their Leaders right, locking
themselves so firm and stedfast, one within another, which 'twere impossible for any Body of Horse to enter in amongst them. Secondly, it is of excellent use for to maintain a breach, and to keep out an enemy. Thirdly, it is very useful to both Arms, at such time when a Commander hath any thing of consequence to disco∣ver unto his Company, which he may have many occasions so to do; as before his Exercise, to advise them to silence, to observe their words of command, and their directions; and when they are to fight against an Enemy, to perswade and keep them off from fear, by assuring them good reasons of hopes of overcoming. These, or such-like speeches, many times a Captain may have just occasion to ex∣press himself unto his Company; and being at so close a Distance, they may more aptly hear his words, and obey his Commands. But here now by the way, too much preaching upon the head of a Company concerning matters of Exercise, is too much a dulling of the souldier, who rather would fall into action, then so to be confounded with much talking.
Close Order may be of very good use also for most things which have been spo∣ken of the closest Order; only here the souldier hath a little more liberty in the handling of his arms by being at a wider distance. This distance also is of good use, before wheelings, because many times upon their moving, they are apt to flie out to their proper distance of Order, which they alwayes should be at in their wheelings; where note, if first they were at Order, they would flie out to wider distance.
Order is the distance which the souldier doth fight upon, and is to be used skir∣mishing against an enemy; it is also useful at such a time, when the Drum shall beat a Troop, and that the souldiers are marching to relieve some Court of Guard, or making some expedition against an enemy, for then they are in a fit capacity of distance for to fight. It is also very useful, and to be observed upon facings, for all intire doublings, and for wheelings; Order likewise in File, and open Order in Rank, is to be used at such time when the Drum shall beat a March, and the Body upon the moving or marching.
Open Order is the distance proper for all doublings of Ranks and Files, by the half-files or by the bringers-up, wherein they have interval of ground sufficient to move in. It is also a very proper distance for facings, and ever to be observed in time of Counter-marches. It is the properest distance for the Ranks to be in up∣on a march, but the Files are then to be at Order, as is before exprest.
The use of double Distance is to be observed at such times when the souldiers shall stand, or happen to be in some eminent danger of the Cannon-shot from the Enemy; for standing then so thin, they may be much preserved from danger: it is likewise very good for Inversion, and Conversion.
You may take notice of these brief directions, in openings of Ranks and Files; when the Files are commanded to Open to the right, the left-hand File stands, and all the Files take their distance from the left; observing alwayes in the motions of Files, their Leaders, and to move altogether along with them. If it be an opening of Files to the left, then contrary-wise the right-hand File stands, and they take their distance from the right. So likewise for closings unto what hand soever they be commanded to close, the out-most File is to stand, the rest are to move and close to that. In opening or closing of Ranks, the first Rank is alwayes to stand, the rest are to move either opening or closing, according as is commanded; alwayes obser∣ving in their motions their right-hand-men, and moving altogether.