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 a Serjeant-Major.

HIs duty is every morning and evening, or upon any other occasion, to attend upon the General, Martial of the Field, or Serjeant-Major-General of the Army, to receive his Orders how, or in what manner the Regiment shall march, whether in a single Battalion, or else in two, to be joined with others. After which he gives order accordingly unto the Captains how to draw up their Companies and orders them accordingly. At which time of embattelling or marching, he ought to be as near the midst of the Regiment as he can, for the better regulating of the same. He is to place all the Officers according to their Dignity where they are to lead, and where to bring up, and which men they shall take charge of to fight, causing the Drum-Major (after they are all drawn up) and the other Drummers to beat a March, and to move all at one instant, as occasion shall require. He ought to make all the Divisions as near equally alike as possible he can. He must like∣wise be well verst in the several drawing up of Regiments, with their various forms of Battail, that according to the condition of the place, ground, number of men, and Orders received from the Major-General, or Majors of the Brigades, he may not shew himself a Novice, or one that is to seek: nor ought he to go dul∣ly or slothfully upon his charge or place, but to be very ready, quick, and nim∣bly performing with much ease and readiness his Battalions and grand Divisions. In their drawings up he may be permitted to have Pen, Ink, and Paper for to take an accompt of the several strengths of the Captains Companies, and to or∣der his men accordingly, and ought to give unto all the Officers of the Regi∣ment notes in writing of their several charges and places. In time of fight, or otherwise marching with the Regiment, he is to be on horse-back, in regard he is the eyes, hands, and feet thereof: in time of Battail he is to see every Officer to perform his charge, and Souldier his duty, forcing and compelling them for∣ward, if in case they turn their backs. He is also to distribute to the Captains and other Officers such Orders as he shall receive from his Colonel or other Superior Officer. In marching with the Regiment, not alone, but with the Army, he must know from the General, Martial, or Major-General, whether the Regiment be to march in the Van-guard, Battail, or Reer. He ought to have some knowledge or information of the Country, whether it be long or streight, thereby judging how to order his marching so, as he may not be disturbed by the enemies Horse, or Artillery. Being troubled with Baggage, if there be any difficult passage, he ought to be there present to prevent such disorders as may happen; giving di∣rections for their placing and marching, as they may not be any hinderance to

the Regiment, putting them in order again before the Regiment shall enter into their Quarters; at which time he may give license to the Captains and their En∣signs to take their lodgings, excepting only those who are appointed for Guar∣dians, who must enter the Corps du guard, and place their Sentinels until such time as they shall be relieved by others.

Now if a Regiment be to be quartered or lodged either in the Field, or under shelter; if in the Field, he must cause it to be barracado'd, or intrenched by the Waggons, or other defences of the Field; after which he is to place his Corps du guard round about the Quarters, and the Sentinels at so near a distance, that they may hear one the other speak, being about 80, or 100 paces off from the Corps du guard, being placed double, a Pike and a Musket; and five paces from them, other single Sentinels are to be placed, which are called Perdues. And in case of Alarm, the Sentinel Perdue shall retreat to the double Sentinel; and in case of necessity, all together, having given fire, are to retreat to the Corps du guard. He must likewise at divers hours of the night visit the Corps du guard, and if an Alarm be given in the Field, he is to betake himself to the Alarm-place of the Re∣giment, and there to form his Battalion, and to send men to double the Guards on that part where the Alarm was given, and to give notice thereof to his Colonel, or other Superior Officer, if they be present, of what passeth. The Ensigns ought not to retreat, unless their Colonel or he give leave: no Order at any time ought to be altered, but by him, in respect he giveth none but such as he receiveth from the Colonel. It is his duty to speak for Ammunition, as Powder, Bullets, Match; and for Victuals, if there shall be any want in the Regiment, which provisions ought to be delivered unto him, and he to see it equally distributed unto the Com∣panies according unto the proportion given out. And likewise he is to give Order what proportion or number of workmen, or commanded men, shall be drawn forth to work.

If under shelter, then he is to view the place, both within and without, appoint∣ing the places for the Corps du guards and Sentinels, and the way of the Roun∣ders, that it be free. It will be expedient for him to chuse the Alarm-place, whi∣ther the Companies upon the Alarum given are to repair, being the Rendezvous for the whole Regiment; being careful to place sufficient Guards, both upon the Walls, and about the Gates, for their more security. Which being ended, he may give leave to the Captains to go to their Lodgings, and several Quarters, there to remain until they shall be called upon Duties; for the due performance whereof, he is to cause them to cast Lots, whereby they may know what part of the Walls may fall to their turn. He is to command the Captains to enter the Guards about ten or eleven a clock in the morning; he is likewise to open and shut the Gates, at the rising or setting of the Sun, and to place the Watches up∣on the Walls presently upon the shutting of the Gates, and to relieve them upon the opening thereof.

And as he doth receive his directions for marching, imbattelling, viewing of ground, and placing of Guards, from the Serjeant-Major-General, or Serjeant-Major of that Brigade: so he is to deliver them over to the Captains and Officers of that Regiment, and to call upon them to whom it appertains, to see them duly executed. In the presence of his Colonel, and Lieutenant-Colonel, he is to be an assistant unto them, in seeing all orders and directions duly performed; and in their absence, he hath the same authority and command as they. He ought after he hath received the Word and Orders from the Serjeant-Major-General, or Serjeant-Major of the Brigade, he presently delivers them to his Colonel and Lieutenant-Colonel; and afterwards to the Serjeants of every Company, drawn in a Ring, according to the Seniority of their Captains, which are to come, and attend upon him for the same. In the absence of his Superiour Of∣ficers, he giveth the Word himself; every night he is to visit all the Guards of the Regiment, commanding them duly to keep the turns of their Watches and Marches, seeing that one Captains Company perform not more duty than ano∣ther, to the end, that both the honour and labour may be equally divided among

so he may exercise the whole Regiment, being thereunto required by his Colonel, or Lieut. Colonel, in all their Distances, Facings, Doublings, Wheelings, and False fi∣rings; or in their absence, of himself he hath full power so to do. To conclude, he ought to be well grounded in all Military Affairs, and to be both wise and va∣liant.